Apple iPhone 12: A Deep Dive into the Specifications
Launched in October 2020, the Apple iPhone 12 marked a significant new chapter for the iPhone lineup. It introduced a bold, flat-edged design reminiscent of the classic iPhone 4 and was the first generation to bring 5G connectivity to Apple’s smartphone users. Even with newer models on the market, the iPhone 12 remains a powerful and relevant device. Let’s break down its full technical specifications to see what makes it tick.
Table of Contents
Design and Display
The iPhone 12 features a robust and premium build, sandwiching an aerospace-grade aluminum frame between two panes of Ceramic Shield glass, which offers significantly improved drop performance. Its dimensions are 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, and it weighs a comfortable 164 grams.
The centerpiece is the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. This is a high-end OLED panel that provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. Key display features include:
- Type: Super Retina XDR OLED with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support.
- Brightness: 625 nits typical, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content.
- Resolution: 1170 x 2532 pixels, resulting in a sharp ~460 ppi density.
- Protection: Scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield glass with an oleophobic coating to reduce smudges.
Platform and Performance
At the heart of the iPhone 12 is the Apple A14 Bionic chipset, a powerhouse built on a 5 nm process. This chip ensures incredibly fast and efficient performance, whether you’re gaming, editing photos, or simply navigating the OS. The device originally shipped with iOS 14.1 and remains upgradeable to the latest versions of iOS, guaranteeing years of software and security updates.
- CPU: Hexa-core (2×3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4×1.8 GHz Icestorm)
- GPU: Apple GPU with 4-core graphics
- Memory: Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options, all paired with 4GB of RAM. Note that there is no card slot for expandable storage.
Camera System
The iPhone 12 is equipped with a highly capable dual-camera system on the rear and a feature-rich selfie camera on the front.
- Main Camera (Dual):
- A 12 MP wide lens with an f/1.6 aperture, dual pixel PDAF, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for clear, steady shots.
- A 12 MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.4 aperture and a 120˚ field of view, perfect for expansive landscapes and group shots.
- Selfie Camera (Dual):
- A 12 MP wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture.
- An SL 3D sensor that serves as both a depth sensor for Portrait mode and the biometric engine for Face ID.
Both front and back cameras support advanced computational photography features like Night mode and Deep Fusion, along with HDR video recording with Dolby Vision.
Battery and Connectivity
The iPhone 12 is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2815 mAh battery. It supports fast charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter (sold separately). It also supports Qi wireless charging and the MagSafe system for 15W magnetic fast wireless charging.
For communications, the iPhone 12 is fully equipped:
- Network: Comprehensive support for GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and 5G networks.
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6) for faster wireless internet.
- Bluetooth: Version 5.0, A2DP, LE.
- NFC: Included for services like Apple Pay.
- USB: Uses Apple’s proprietary Lightning port (USB 2.0 speeds).
Other Notable Features
Beyond the core components, the iPhone 12 includes a suite of features that define the Apple experience. It has powerful stereo speakers for immersive audio but, in line with modern trends, lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. Secure authentication is handled by Face ID, supported by a range of sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer.