8 reasons to upgrade to Apple's iPhone 12, Mini, Pro and Pro Max
"Should I get the new iPhone?"
If you're a tech enthusiast like me, there's a good chance your friends and family members have been asking you this question for days, weeks or even months already.
Now that it's finally "out," the answer is clear for many iPhone users: Yes, you should definitely consider the upgrade.
Yes, the iPhone 11 remains an incredibly powerful device, and should perform quite well for some time. For someone like my girlfriend — who takes approximately 75 photos a month and uses her iPhone 11 Pro to browse Instagram, play the occasional game and check emails and texts — a new phone isn't necessary.
If you're like me and take approximately 75 photos in the span of minutes over a single weekend, having the latest and greatest smartphone camera is more or less a must.
So, while my iPhone 11 Pro Max is still a top-notch device — powerful enough to serve as the primary shooter for an episode of Airplane Mode I'm shooting in Emirates' new suite later this week — I still plan to upgrade as soon as possible. And if you value the features below, you should consider getting the latest and greatest iPhone, too.
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5G connectivity
Some Americans now have access to gigabit internet at home, with download speeds of up to 1Gbps. According to Apple, customers using 5G-capable iPhones can generally expect download speeds of up to 3.5Gbps — more than three times the throughput of gigabit Wi-Fi.
From my experience testing 5G on other devices, speeds vary dramatically even at different spots on the same city block, but there's no question that it's far faster than LTE, especially if you're staying still, such as watching a television show from a park bench.
For travelers, it's important to note that the new iPhones may not be able to connect with every single 5G network around the world, though Apple claims that the iPhone 12 lineup offers more 5G compatibility than any other smartphone.
Smaller, lighter and more durable
The travel implications are obvious here — having a lighter, more compact device without compromising capability is definitely a pro for anyone who uses a smartphone on the road. The base iPhone 12 sports the same display size as the iPhone 11, in a device that’s 11% thinner, 15% smaller and 16% lighter, with an OLED panel that offers far superior picture quality.
There's an even smaller version, too! The iPhone Mini is the most compact 5G phone available, with the same functionality as the iPhone 12, just with a smaller display. The iPhone 12 models are also more durable than their predecessors, with up to four times better drop performance than the iPhone 11.
A big pro upgrade
You don't need pro-level features to find Apple iPhone Pro models more appealing. While I have yet to check them out in person, the new finishes looked fantastic in the renderings and photos Apple shared during its Tuesday afternoon launch event.
They have a stainless steel finish, compared with aluminum for the iPhone 11 Pros, and larger displays in a similar-size body — up from 5.8 inches to 6.1 inches in the smaller model, and from 6.5 inches to 6.7 with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Both devices are available in stainless steel, gray, gold and blue.
Improved low-light photos
I’ve been a big fan of Apple’s Night mode, enabling low-light photos without a tripod. I even managed to capture some really cool shots of the northern lights with the iPhone 11 last year, and it sounds like iPhone 12 Pro would have offered even better performance, thanks to its larger sensor and improved processing.
Ultimately, that means sharper photos in low-light situations without flash, with finer details and less noise. You'll likely see the biggest difference when looking at prints, but you should spot a noticeable boost with social media photos, too.
More powerful telephoto
Apple's largest model, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, offers a new 2.5x telephoto camera, in addition to ultra-wide and wide (standard) cameras, for a total zoom range of 5x. While it's not quite as powerful as the telephoto cameras available with some other flagship phones, the jump from 2 to 2.5x is certainly noticeable and should enable higher-quality shots from a greater distance, while also making it possible to get even tighter in portrait mode.
Big video boosts
Most travelers won't be familiar with Dolby Vision, and for good reason: Applying this advanced video editing software used to require advanced expertise and high-end computer rigs. Now, you can edit with Dolby Vision directly on iPhone 12 Pro. You'll even have the ability to apply filters after the fact, all the way up to 60 frames-per-second, 4K video.
Apple has also updated its image-stabilization technology, moving from lens-based stabilization to sensor-shift. Now, the sensor itself will adjust to compensate for device shake, offering more precision than the heavier camera lens.
Better wireless charging
iPhone 12 is still compatible with the industry standard, Qi, but now you can charge your smartphone through special cases — there’s even a special MagSafe Wallet that allows you to charge your device wirelessly without removing credit cards and cash, and a new travel charger that juices up your phone and Apple Watch at the same time.
Reasonable pricing
Apple's keeping the iPhone SE, iPhone X and iPhone 11 in the market, but with the iPhone 12 Mini priced at just $100 more than last year's model, it's definitely worth the $699 splurge for some. The iPhone 12 Pro is priced starting at $999, with 128GB of storage, while the Pro Max starts at $1,099.
Note that pricing may vary by carriers — AT&T and Verizon are pricing the Mini at $699, for example, though you'll need to pay $729 for the unlocked version.
The iPhone 12 models and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to preorder starting this Friday, Oct. 16, and ship for delivery on Oct. 23, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max will ship on Nov. 13, with preorders beginning on Nov. 6.
Bottom line
Ordering the latest iPhone may not be a priority to many travelers right now. Many people are enduring very real economic hardships because of the pandemic, and we've all taken fewer trips this year. Having the latest and greatest smartphone camera is less of a necessity if you're hardly leaving your home, and 5G connectivity, while nice to have, isn't essential considering the throughput available with LTE, especially if you're using your device on Wi-Fi most of the time.
That said, there are still plenty of reasons to upgrade, even if it will simply get you excited about all the photographs you'll take during future trips. In the meantime, having a better camera makes it easier to capture higher-quality photos and videos around your home.
If you do decide to buy a new iPhone, you'll definitely want to play your cards right. Check out our detailed guide to maximizing your iPhone purchase for ordering tips, credit card coverage and scoring the biggest return.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.