iPhone 12 can beat the Galaxy Note 20 — here's how

iPhone 12 can beat the Galaxy Note 20 — hither's how

(Image credit: EverythingApplePro)

Samsung's latest flagship phones have debuted to strong reviews, with the Galaxy Notation xx Ultra winning particular raves for its responsive Southward Pen, powerful zoom lens and its dynamic 120Hz display. Information technology sets a pretty loftier bar for the other flagship phones coming out in the second half of 2020 — specially for the new iPhone 12 lineup.

So will the initial success of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cause any sleepless nights in Cupertino, as Apple tree executives wrestle with how to make the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro standout from rival devices? Non exactly, tech analysts say.

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"While the Galaxy Note20 Ultra is extremely impressive, the iPhone ecosystem is quite pasty," said Avi Greengart, lead annotator at Techsponential. "At that place is not as much cross-shopping as yous might think."

Still, while the iPhone 12 should still exercise very well for itself, cheers very much, in that location'south more than than a little pride at stake. None of the major smartphone makers like to cede whatsoever amount of fizz about their new devices, even if they're confident that fans volition flock to the new versions. And with the iPhone 12 expected to ship subsequently than usual — Apple has indicated we won't see the new iPhone in September — there might exist some pressure to make upward for the Note xx's head start.

But ultimately, the challenge facing Apple tree and the iPhone 12 is the same one that faces any device maker a dozen years later on the original iPhone reinvented the smartphone market. How do you keep something fresh that's and so familiar?

What the iPhone 12 needs to win the smartphone wars — Apple tree unveils the iPhone 11 at concluding twelvemonth'south launch event. (Image credit: Josh Edelson/Getty Images)

"Smartphones are a mature category," Greengart said. "Aside from new form factors like dual-screen or foldables, all updates are iterative."

These days, Apple tree may non be able to revolutionize phones the style information technology did more than a decade ago. But there are plenty of means that the iPhone 12 can even so stand out in a crowded market and maybe even push button rivals like the Milky way Note 20 off to the side.

iPhone 12: The start 5G iPhone

Let's start with the obvious thing missing from the iPhone, and i of the features Apple is most likely to add. While other phone makers accept been putting out 5G phones since 2019 — Samsung released the Milky way S10 5G more than a twelvemonth ago — Apple has sat on the sidelines. It's not like Apple tree has missed much: 5G networks are still being built out, and consumers have notwithstanding to reap the full benefits of faster network speeds and lower latency.

Now that Apple's throwing its hat into the 5G ring, it'due south expected to exercise so in a big way. All four rumored iPhone 12 models are likely to feature 5G connectivity, so if yous purchase a new iPhone, you'll be able to connect to a 5G network.

Or at least, you lot should be able to. A leak from earlier this year suggested both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max would only exist able to connect to the sub-6Hz flavor of 5G; higher-speed mmWave connectivity used primarily by Verizon would exist reserved for the iPhone 12 Pro models. Subsequent rumors have suggested that all iPhone models volition support both kinds of 5G. And that'south a smart determination — if Apple's 5G debut is to be a success, it needs to make those phones available to the widest audience possible.

Early 5G phones were very expensive, with prices regularly topping $one,000. That'south come up down a chip in recent months, especially as Android phone makers have been able to take reward of the less expensive Snapdragon 765 mobile processor and its built-in 5G modem to release 5G that cost $600 or less.

The iPhone 12 likely won't be that inexpensive. But the fact that Apple will patently release four different 5G iPhones means that there will exist models available at a wide range of prices.

iPhone 12: Getting the price — and size — right

Speaking of price, if there'south one lesson Apple tree'southward learned in the past year, it's that people rarely laissez passer upward an opportunity to buy a cheaper iPhone. Apple tree actually saw a modest increase in iPhone sales during its June quarter in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic endmost the company's retailer stores and would-be upgraders probable holding out for new iPhones in the fall. Much of the credit for that growth goes to the iPhone SE 2020, Apple'southward $399 device, which proves that people yet like an iPhone with a depression price and a compact size.

It'southward non but the iPhone SE. Since the $699 iPhone xi made its debut terminal fall, information technology'southward been Apple'southward near pop model, as shoppers look for a viable culling to a $999 iPhone.

That's probable to go along with the iPhone 12, at to the lowest degree based on rumors most the new iPhone'due south prices. The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are expected to keep the respective $999 and $1,099 price tags of their predecessors. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max volition be the low-price alternatives, with rumored price tags of $649 and $749, respectively. That not only gives people a way to save coin from the iPhone 12 Pro, it'south besides hundreds of dollars less than the flagships Samsung has put out this twelvemonth.

If Apple releases a 5.4-inch iPhone, as has been widely rumored, that will fill a niche that nobody else is targeting for minor premium phones.

— Avi Greengart, Techsponential

Just as important as cost, though, is size. While phone screens are getting e'er larger — you can't become a Galaxy S20 or Note 20 that's smaller than half-dozen.2 inches — there's still a segment of the phone-buying population that covets meaty devices. The $649 iPhone 12 is rumored to be addressing that demand with a 5.4-inch screen, which could air current up on our best minor phone listing. And that will help Apple tree'due south new phone stand out, Greengart said.

"If Apple releases a 5.four-inch iPhone, as has been widely rumored, that volition fill a niche that nobody else is targeting for small premium phones," he added.

iPhone 12 display: Embracing 120Hz

Apple tree may boast the fastest phones, thanks to its A13 Bionic chipset. (The even faster A14 is all but certain to ability the iPhone 12.) But some Android phones have gotten in another area where Apple has stood still — they feature displays with faster refresh rates.

All three Samsung Galaxy S20 models released earlier this yr characteristic displays that refresh at 120Hz; the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra does that spec one amend past dynamically adjusting its refresh rate based on how you lot're using the phone. And those aren't the only Android devices with faster refreshing screens — the Pixel 4 lineup boasts a 90Hz refresh rate while both the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro take faster refresh rates, besides.

Meanwhile, Apple's iPhones are stuck at 60Hz refresh rates, the standard for smartphones these days. That ways while owners of other phones are enjoying more immersive experiences like smoother scrolling and better gameplay.

"High refresh rate displays are condign a feature consumers look for at the high cease of the market," Greengart said. "Apple has plenty of experience with this. The iPad Pro has offered ane for years."

Only will the iPhone 12? Of the new models coming out this fall, it would seem like the iPhone 12 Pro were the almost likely to adopt 120Hz refresh rates, though more recent rumors take thrown cold h2o on that speculation. It seems like something Apple volition need to add sooner rather than after or risk having the iPhone fall backside the competition, at to the lowest degree when it comes to displays.

iPhone 12 cameras: What else is new?

The iPhone has long been considered one of the best camera phones, and that's unlikely to change with the iPhone 12. Still, other phone makers have stepped up their game, both in terms of camera hardware and software. On the hardware front, we're peculiarly impressed past the Infinite Zoom lens on the Galaxy Annotation twenty Ultra, and its ability to produce some pretty clear images with its 50x zoom. On the software side of things, it'due south Google that often sets the standard for computational photography.

So how does Apple tree respond? Based on the rumors we've heard most the photographic camera arrays on the various iPhone 12 models, we're unlikely to see advances similar a dramatically improved telephoto lens. Apple's software innovations have a way of sneaking up on usa — who knew most Smart HDR and Deep Fusion until Apple explained how those features make for better, more detailed photos? So we could be surprised by some similar innovation when Apple shows off its new phones in a month or and then.

One possible new feature headed to the iPhone 12 Pro phones volition be a LiDAR sensor similar to the one on the iPad Pro. This extra lens will be able to gauge distances more quickly and accurately than fourth dimension-of-flying sensors, which should amend portrait shots taken past the iPhone 12 Pro. But a more compelling utilise would be with augmented reality and iPhone AR apps that could tap into the LiDAR sensor to more accurately measure the distance of real-world objects.

Expect Apple to spend a lot of time explaining the benefits of LiDAR at its iPhone 12 launch consequence, and perhaps fifty-fifty invite some app makers on stage to show how their software takes advantage of the new hardware.

iPhone 12 outlook

Apple tree rarely takes notice of what other phone makers are doing, opting to become in its own direction. Given the volume iPhones Apple has sold to appointment, you lot'd have a hard time arguing with that strategy.

"The reason to purchase an iPhone 12 will be the same reason people bought an iPhone XS or iPhone 11 — it'southward an iPhone," Greengart said. "Apple'due south processors outperform the competition. Apple's imaging, networking, and displays should exist competitive. But the iOS ecosystem and user experience is unique."

Withal, the iPhone 12 arrives at a unique time. Apple tree's new phones will debut later on than usual — perhaps even after Google's upcoming Pixel 5 if rumors of a Sept. 30 release for that phone pan out. The economic fallout from coronavirus may make people resistant to shelling out big bucks for a new telephone, even 1 from Apple. And Android phones — the Milky way Annotation 20 Ultra, in particular — have upped their game in an effort to challenge Apple tree.

In that location are plenty of ways Apple tin can raise the bar for smartphones even so again with the iPhone 12. We'll find out exactly how when Apple tree is set to unveil its latest phones.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has stiff opinions nigh Apple, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.