iPhone 12 Pro: Still a Powerhouse for US Users in 2024

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone 8 Plus finally died after surviving 3 drops and 5 years of grading papers.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed durability (teenagers + classroom = danger zone) and better Zoom capabilities for remote parent meetings.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost went for the cheaper iPhone 11, but the 12 Pro’s Ceramic Shield and 6GB RAM sealed the deal. Read CNET’s drop tests.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy—got an open-box deal for $150 off. Teacher discount didn’t hurt either.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Kids in class gathered around like it was a science experiment. "Mr. Rivera got the fancy phone!" Quick setup with Schoolwork app pre-installed.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery as heck—ordered a case immediately. Loved how crisp the textbook PDFs looked on the OLED screen.

⭐ First Week Usage

Zoom parents’ night drained 70% battery in 2 hours. But scanning worksheets with Notes app? Lifesaver for grading.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Record lectures in Dolby Vision now. Students actually watch them because "it looks like Netflix." Siri shortcuts automate attendance emails.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Screen recording with voice-over for tutorials, iCloud shared folders for group projects, and—surprisingly—Memoji for goofy rewards.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No home button took getting used to. Swiped up too hard and accidentally called my ex during class. Mortifying.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

8 Plus felt like a tank; this is a sports car. Face ID works with my mask if I tilt my head weirdly. Kids think I’m nodding to secrets.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Game-changer for IEP meetings—screen-share diagrams directly from my phone. Personal win: Finally joined my daughter’s TikTok dances in 4K.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Faculty group chat upgraded from blurry memes to crisp reaction GIFs. Wife steals it for "better food pics" at restaurants.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender (survived 2 cafeteria drops), PopSocket for one-handed grading, and a $20 stylus for digital rubrics.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10. Battery could last longer, but it handles teacher abuse like a champ. Perfect for educators drowning in tech demands.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My old Android phone was lagging badly, and I needed a reliable device for work and creative projects.

📌 Purchase Motivation

I wanted a phone with a great camera for capturing design inspirations and a smooth performance for editing apps.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

I spent weeks comparing the iPhone 12 Pro with the Samsung Galaxy S21. Watched tons of YouTube reviews and asked designer friends. The iPhone’s LiDAR scanner and ProRAW photos sold me.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple’s official website—I wanted the warranty and free engraving for a personal touch.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

The unboxing felt premium! That matte glass back is stunning. Setup was a breeze with iCloud transfer from my iPad.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Sleek but heavier than expected. The flat edges gave it a retro-modern vibe. The Pacific Blue color? Chef’s kiss.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery life was meh—had to charge by 4 PM. But Night mode photos? Mind-blowing. Discovered I could scan 3D objects with LiDAR for design mockups.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Now it’s my go-to for Adobe Fresco sketches. Face ID is lightning-fast, but I miss Touch ID when wearing masks.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

ProRAW for editing, MagSafe wallet (never lose my cards), and Dolby Vision recording—client videos look cinematic.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

iOS felt restrictive after years on Android. Had to repurchase apps, and no universal back gesture is annoying.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My old Pixel 3 had better battery, but the 12 Pro’s A14 chip murders multitasking. No more app crashes mid-design!

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Game-changer for client work. Scanned a café’s interior for a rebrand project—saved hours of measurements.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Instagram Reels look pro now. Friends ask if I’ve hired a videographer. Also, MagSafe chargers everywhere—my desk, car, bedside.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

MagSafe charger, Spigen Ultra Hybrid case (shows off the color), and a cheapo LiDAR-compatible tripod for scans.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10. Wish it had 120Hz and better battery, but creatives will love this. Worth the upgrade if you’re serious about mobile content.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Samsung A50 drowned in a soy latte mishap. Needed something that could survive coffee chaos.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted iMessage for group projects (Android exile is real) and a phone that wouldn’t lag during 20-tab research binges.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared iPhone 12 Pro vs. 13 mini. Chose the Pro for battery life—all-nighters demand juice. Reddit threads convinced me.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

T-Mobile store—trade-in credit + free AirPods deal. The sales guy laughed when I asked "Can it survive espresso steam?"

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Roommate filmed my reaction: "It’s so… square!" Almost cried transferring 8,000 Spotify playlists. The haptic keyboard clicks? Addicting.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt like holding a $1,000 bar of soap. Gold color made me feel fancier than my $7/hr job. Screen scratches easier than expected though.

⭐ First Week Usage

Discovered I could AirDrop memes to classmates mid-lecture. Pro camera made my coffee art look Michelin-starred. Snapchat filters? Next level.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

MagSafe battery pack is a lifesaver during doubleshifts. Use LiDAR to measure the café for DIY shelf ideas. Siri shortcuts automate "I’m running late" texts.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Live Text for copying textbook quotes, Focus modes to mute sorority chats during exams, and Find My to track down lost AirPods weekly.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No fingerprint sensor sucks with wet hands from washing mugs. Also, group iMessages with Android friends turn into SMS hell.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like upgrading from a bicycle to a Tesla. My Samsung couldn’t even handle split-screen without overheating.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Scanning receipts into PDFs for tax season = adulting win. Barista TikTok now has 4K slow-mo latte pours (gained 300 followers).

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Finally in the iMessage blue bubble club. Dates assume I’m rich because "iPhone Pro." Joke’s on them—I eat ramen 5 nights a week.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

$5 AliExpress MagSafe ring holder (works shockingly well), Spigen Liquid Air case, and a waterproof pouch for apron pocket.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10. Overkill for a student? Maybe. But when it survives a caramel drizzle explosion, it’s worth every penny.

Benchmark Scores

In benchmarks, the iPhone 12 Pro’s A14 Bionic still punches above its weight. AnTuTu scores hover around 600K, which rivals some mid-range 2023 chips. Real-world takeaway? This phone won’t slow down anytime soon—I edited a 15-minute 4K video while running Slack and Spotify in the background with zer

Build Quality & Materials

The surgical-grade stainless steel frame isn’t just for show—I dropped mine from waist height onto concrete, and only the back glass cracked (RIP). The flat edges make it easier to hold than the iPhone 11 Pro, but the glossy sides are fingerprint magnets. Pro tip: Get a matte skin if you hate smudge

Display Quality

The OLED display is color-accurate and bright enough for HDR content on Netflix. I compared it side-by-side with a 120Hz Galaxy S21, and while scrolling is smoother on the Samsung, Apple’s color calibration makes photos look more natural. True Tone is a game-changer for late-night reading.

Camera System & Performance

The 12 Pro’s camera system shines in tricky lighting. At a dimly lit concert, Night mode captured details my friend’s Pixel 5 missed. The telephoto lens is great for portraits, but the 2x zoom feels limiting next to newer periscope cameras. ProRAW is a bonus for editing enthusiasts.

Software & User Experience

iOS’s optimization means no bloatware or lag—something I appreciate after suffering through a buggy Samsung experience. App updates are consistent, and features like AirDrop make file sharing effortless. The lack of a universal back gesture still annoys me though.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is… fine. It lasts a workday but barely. Streaming TikTok for 2 hours drained 25%. The 20W fast charging helps (50% in 30 mins), but MagSafe is slower and makes the phone heat up. Carry a power bank if you’re a heavy user.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Gaming is where the A14 Bionic flexes—even COD Mobile runs at max settings without frame drops. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, but the phone gets uncomfortably warm after 30 minutes of gameplay. Not ideal for marathon sessions.

Connectivity & Ports

5G is nice when you can find it (Verizon’s mmWave is spotty). The Lightning port feels ancient—I had to borrow a friend’s cable because I only own USB-C now. At least Wi-Fi 6 gives blistering speeds at home.

Durability & Protection

IP68 and Ceramic Shield are legit—my phone survived a dunk in the pool (don’t ask). But the back glass scratches easily; mine has micro-scratches from going caseless for a week. AppleCare+ is worth considering.

Price & Value Proposition

At $600-$700 refurbished, it’s a steal compared to the $999 launch price. You’re getting 90% of an iPhone 14 Pro’s core experience for half the cost. Just know you’ll miss out on Dynamic Island and the 48MP camera.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 12 Pro delivers impressive benchmark scores, with Geekbench 5 hitting around 1600 for single-core and 4000 for multi-core. In real-world use, this means apps launch instantly, and multitasking is a breeze. Compared to Android flagships, Apple’s A14 Bionic still holds up well even years la

Build Quality & Materials

The stainless steel frame and matte glass back give the iPhone 12 Pro a premium, sturdy feel. It’s weighty but balanced—I never worried about it slipping from my hands. The flat edges make it easier to grip than the rounded designs of older iPhones. However, the glossy stainless steel sides attract

Display Quality

The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is stunning—colors pop, blacks are deep, and brightness is excellent even in direct sunlight. The 60Hz refresh rate feels dated next to 120Hz Android phones, but Apple’s animations are so well-optimized that scrolling still feels fluid.

Camera System & Performance

The triple-camera setup (12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto) takes sharp, vibrant photos. Night mode works surprisingly well, and the LiDAR sensor helps with low-light focus. Video stabilization is class-leading—I shot a shaky bike ride video, and it looked like it was filmed on a gimbal.

Software & User Experience

iOS 14 (upgradable to iOS 17) runs flawlessly on the A14 chip. The software is buttery smooth, and Apple’s long-term updates mean this phone stays relevant. Widgets and App Library were welcome additions, though the home screen still feels less customizable than Android.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is decent—I got about 6-7 hours of screen time with mixed usage. Fast charging (20W) gets you to 50% in 30 mins, but the lack of a charger in the box is annoying. MagSafe charging is convenient but slower than wired.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

The A14 Bionic handles demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings without throttling. The metal frame does get warm during extended sessions, but performance stays consistent. The lack of a high refresh rate is a minor downside for competitive gamers.

Connectivity & Ports

5G support is future-proof, but real-world speeds depend heavily on your carrier. The lack of a USB-C port is frustrating—Lightning feels outdated in 2023. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 work flawlessly, though.

Durability & Protection

The Ceramic Shield front and IP68 rating make it durable against drops and water. I accidentally spilled coffee on mine, and it survived without issues. Still, a case is recommended—the glass back is prone to scratches.

Price & Value Proposition

At its launch price, it was steep, but now it’s a great value used or refurbished. You’re getting flagship performance, a great camera, and long-term updates for much less than a new iPhone 15 Pro.