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Oppo Find X3 Lite review: A solid mid-ranger

(Pocket-lint) – Oppo has enjoyed some successes recently; with some players faltering, such as Huawei, it’s clear that Oppo is attempting to step into the vacuum that’s been left behind.

The Oppo Find X3 Pro received rave reviews as a flagship. It’s also flanked by a couple of devices that share its name: the Find X3 Neo is, basically, built on the previous year’s flagship hardware, while the cheapest of the bunch is this, the Find X3 Lite.

Despite the ‘Lite’ name, however, good performance continues, with plenty that’s enjoy in this mid-range phone.

Design & Build

Dimensions: 159.1 x 73.4 x 7.9mm / Weight: 172g
3.5mm headphone socket

If you’re a follower of Oppo phones, you might get caught off guard but the shuffle in naming convention. The Find X3 Lite effectively rivals much of what the Find X2 Neo offered, but does make a couple of sacrifices to achieve its price point.

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One area that doesn’t seem to have been sacrificed, however, is the build. The Find X3 Lite is a quality device, with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and rear to help protect against scratches, and an aluminium frame holding everything together. There’s a clear case in the box too, to keep things looking fresh.

As is often the case on affordable devices there’s a 3.5mm headphone socket. However, there’s no stereo speaker offering: it’s a mono affair, with the speaker on the bottom of the phone providing the power – and it’s easily blocked when holding the phone in landscape orientation, such as when playing games.

The Oppo Find X3 family have differing designs, so there’s no sculpted bump on the rear for the Lite’s cameras, it’s a lot more conventional – but we like the looks, especially on this Starry Black version where it’s slightly less prominent than some.

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In line with the Lite name there’s no waterproofing on this model, as you’ll find elsewhere in the range.

Display

6.4-inch AMOLED panel, 2400 x 1080 resolution, 90Hz refresh

There’s a flat display on the Find X3 Lite, with minimal bezels for a smart look. A punch-hole sits in the top left-hand corner for the front camera, a convenient position for those playing games in landscape, as this corner generally is covered by your left hand, so you don’t have a hole getting in the way of your game.

It’s an AMOLED display, measuring 6.4-inches on the diagonal, with a Full HD+ resolution That’s become the average for this size and type of device, with many flagships now sticking to similar resolution for the sake of battery life.

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There’s a 90Hz refresh rate, helping to smooth out some of your scrolling content, with the option to switch back to 60Hz if you prefer – although this is fairly buried within the settings so we doubt that anyone will bother to make that change. Again, it’s a typical setting for this level of device, with an increasing number of devices over the past 12 months offering a faster refresh.

You’ll note that the touch sampling rate is 180Hz, slower than many of the top devices, and while this doesn’t matter to a lot of people, it’s one area where Oppo is keeping a tight check on things to deliver at this price point.

The display is vibrant, delivering a great palette of colours, looking great whether you’re browsing online, gaming or watching movies. It’s not the brightest display around, so it struggles a little in brighter outdoor conditions and you may have to bump the brightness up or down a little to suit the conditions you’re in.

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There’s a fingerprint scanner under the display too, which provides fast unlocking and has proven generally reliable, although it only takes a little dust or water to disturb it.

Hardware and performance

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G, 8GB RAM
4,300mAh battery, 65W fast-charging
128GB storage

The hardware loadout fits with those great mid-range devices from 2020. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G found here is good solid hardware that’s delivered many great phones in the recent past. Technically, that’s now been replaced with the Snapdragon 780G, but the Find X3 Lite was launched before that hardware was available.

That’s not a huge loss: while there might be some incremental improvements to performance, you’re still getting a great device for the asking price. Indeed, the Motorola Moto G100 uses that newer hardware, but is quite a bit more expensive than the X3 Lite.

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Performance wise, there’s little to complain about. We’ve been playing a full run of games on the Find X3 Lite and they play perfectly smoothly, while everything else is slick and fast. There’s not really anything in performance terms that fits with the Lite name – it’s a great experience.

There’s no microSD card support, however, so you’re looking at 128GB storage being your all.

Where Oppo is adding some excitement is with 65W charging. That’s thanks to the SuperVOOC 2.0 technology and the chunky charger that you’ll find in the box. What this means is you’ll be able to recharge the phone’s battery at blistering speed – from zero to full in around 35 minutes.

There is battery management software that will attempt to control the charging speeds to preserve battery health though, so that short time-frame isn’t always feasible. This software monitors your usage patterns and will charge the battery slowly as applicable, if you’re in the habit of charging overnight, to ensure it’ll last longer over an extended period of ownership.

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However, this can be irritating at times – especially if you only have time for a short charge overnight, because the automatic system doesn’t seem to recognise the difference between you plugging it on at the normal time, or 6 hours later, meaning you can wake up with a phone that’s not charged if you don’t have the, for example, full 8 hours on the charger that you’d normally get.

We also found that this setting had a habit of turning itself back on, even when we’d turned it off. The best solution, in reality, is a short quick charge during the day and leaving your phone off the charger at night. That should work out for most people, because the battery life of the Find X3 Lite is good, easily lasting through the day, including a few hours of gaming.

Motorola’s new Moto G9 Plus is a stunner of a phone – find out why, right here

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9 May 2021

Cameras

Quad rear camera system:
- Main: 64-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture
- Ultra-wide: 8MP, f/2.4
- Macro: 2MP, f/2.4
- Mono: 2MP, f/2.4
Front: 32MP, f/2.4

Oppo plays the typical 2021 mid-range phone game, plastering the rear of the camera with sensors so it can claim it’s a “quad camera”. There’s the appearance of the low-resolution macro sensor – which isn’t anything to get excited about – and there’s also a 2-megapixel “mono camera”.

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This mono lens notionally feeds data into the portrait system to improve its performance. Portrait is offered on the front camera from a single lens, suggesting to us that it’s simply an unnecessary feature.

The portrait performance isn’t especially good anyway, with the edge detection a little crude. The bokeh effect needs to be set at the time of taking the photo because you can’t adjust it once the picture is taken. Yes, there are options to increase the blur, but unlike the options from Samsung or Google Pixel, for example, you can’t reduce the level of the blur if you find the effect too strong.

The Lite’s front camera is reasonable: we can’t fathom why it’s a 32-megapixel sensor as that doesn’t really deliver any benefits. There’s no pixel binning, as it pumps out 32-megapixel images which just take up more storage and need more data to share. It will give you a decent shot in good conditions, but you’ll need to use the night mode in low-light as it gets noisy rather quickly in less than perfect situations.

The rear camera sees a headline 64-megapixel main, which is par for the course. This is very much about appearing to keep up with rivals than actually delivering better images – but again, it’s typical for this level of phone.

Here there is some pixel binning, with 16-megapixel images as a result by default. If you want to shoot at full 64-megapixel resolution you have the option to turn that on in normal photo mode; there’s also an Extra HD mode which oversamples to give a 108-megapixel image.

Visually, those images basically look the same (the Extra HD mode loses the AI scene optimisation), but greater resolution gives the potential to zoom and crop – although the detail is rather mushy and we can’t see anyone really wanting to do this.

With all that said, the main camera puts in a decent performance for this price of phone and you’ll get decent photos from it in most conditions. There’s no zoom, however, which is a slight limitation, only offering digital zoom.

The ultra-wide camera puts in an average performance, although we like the options this introduces from a usability perspective. However, there is a colour shift between this and the main camera, as well as blurring as you move out of the centre of the frame.

As with many phones in this price category, the Lite will probably do everything you want it to do – as well as a whole load of stuff you don’t want it to do. Just don’t fall for the “quad camera” system marketing and stick to main lens and there’s a perfectly usable single camera on the rear.

Software

Google Android 11 OS
Oppo ColorOS 11

Like many brands, Oppo goes to town customising Google’s Android operating system with its own ColorOS setup. ColorOS has seen great improvements over recent years to make it a lot more usable and approachable – and the offering on the Find X3 Lite isn’t too bad.

There isn’t too much bloat or duplication – except for photos, music, and an app to help you relax you’ll likely never use – but with Google Messages, Gboard and Chrome all in place, there’s not too much messing around needed to get to the services you want. Access to Google Discover from the home screen is welcomed too.

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But beneath this, ColorOS changes the look and feel of many areas of Android 11. It gives you plenty of options for customisation, but some things fall down the cracks too.

Notifications seem to be particularly irksome: some applications have failed to deliver notifications consistently, we’ve also found that “bedtime mode” – part of the digital wellbeing suite – took about a week to figure out how to run to the schedule we gave it.

Some of these might just be teething troubles, but the experience doesn’t feel quite as slick as the software on the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, which is a close rival to this phone.

At the same time, we’ve not found the software to get in the way: once you’re in your favourite app or game things run very much as they should.

Verdict

There’s a lot that’s interesting about the Oppo Find X3 Lite: the core hardware is solid, the display is good, and fast battery charging is a real benefit.

The niggles are also fairly minor: the over-sell on the cameras, the single speaker that’s easily blocked, and some software quirks that seem to block notifications. Despite this running on year-old hardware, it’s still a capable phone, and the Lite naming is perhaps an undersell considering how much you get for your money.

But over the past 12 months, this has emerged as the most competitive smartphone segment: there are better camera performers on this hardware (Pixel 4a 5G), there are better displays in this position (Samsung Galaxy A52 5G) and lots of options besides.

Also consider

Pocket-lint

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Samsung’s budget offering sits a little lower in the hardware stakes, but offers waterproofing – which is rare at this level – as well as a great 120Hz display.

Read our full review

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Redmi Note 10 Pro

Redmi offers blistering value for money, although this is a 4G model only and on slightly lower hardware – but you still get a lot of phone for your money.

Read our full review

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Writing by Chris Hall. Editing by Mike Lowe.

Oppo Reno 4 Pro 5G review: Classy mid-ranger

(Pocket-lint) – If you’ve looked at Oppo’s Reno family over the years, confused at exactly where it fits, which devices are in it, and if they’re even available where you live, then fear not – you’re not alone.

Since the first Reno phone (which was released in 2019), Oppo has expanded the range considerably. Among that product family is where you’ll find a particular gem: the Reno 4 Pro.

It’s a sleek, attractive and well-proportioned, but for a mid-range device it’s arguably a little pricey. Does that affect the overall proposition? Read on…

Design

Dimensions: 159.6 x 72.5 x 7.6mm / Weight: 172g
Monogrammed design on Space Black model
All glass front and back design

When 5G first hit the scenes – and just like when 4G became a thing – phones were pretty large. Not only did phones need an extra external chip to act as the modem, but space was required for cooling, while larger batteries were required to ensure longevity.

In 2020, however, thanks to the advancement of processors that have built-in 5G modems, that changed. Samsung showed it with the S20. And Oppo – having first shown it with the Find X2 Neo – does it again with the Reno 4 Pro. It’s impressively slim and sleek for a 5G-capable device.

In fact, it’s very similar to the Find X2 Neo in terms of size, shape and build. It’s got the glass on the front and back that curves towards the edges, making it look and feel really slim. It’s narrow, too, and has really skinny bezels on the front – ensuring the screen takes up the majority of the space (around 94 per cent of it, says the spec).

Where it differs is in the styling and finish of that rear panel. There’s a new Arctic Blue model that features a frosted glass finish, but unlike most other frosted glass phones, this has been created with an Oppo-designed technique using microscopic laser etchings along the surface. This way the finished product resists scratches and fingerprint smudges.

We were sent the Space Black model which has a much more traditional black, glossy look. However, even that’s unique. There’s a rainbow effect that appears when you angle it towards light, as well as a pattern of repeating monograms spelling out ‘OP’. Because, er, Oppo. The company says this is to make the phone something of a fashion statement. We feel you’ll either love it or hate it. Opinions are definitely mixed here at Pocket-lint.

The camera housing is among one of the most attractive we’ve seen on a smartphone. It’s a simple, glossy rectangle with rounded corners that protrudes from the back with three identically sized camera rings in a neat row. It’s compact, and pleasant to look at.

To pick up and hold the phone in the hand, the Pro is just a delight. Some of the rough edges we found between the glass and metal on the Find X2 Neo aren’t an issue here. This is one slim, smooth and sumptuous mid-ranger.

Those curved edges and the slim nature of the phone do mean there’s a tendency to accidentally touch the display though. We’ve often accidentally tapped an icon in the bottom corner of the display when it pressed into the base of our thumb. Similarly, with navigation gestures enabled, we’ve also often found ourselves trying to swipe away notifications only for it to launch the ‘back’ gesture instead.

Display

6.5-inch AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate
FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels)
Punch-hole selfie camera

The screen on Oppo’s top mid-range phone is AMOLED, meaning you get plenty of benefits. It’s bright (at about 500 nits peak brightness), and features deep inky blacks and vibrant colours.

It also has the added bonus of a 90Hz refresh rate, which means animations stay smoother. When you’re switching between areas in the user interface or scrolling up and down menus it helps everything seem all that much more fluid.

Heading into 2021, the Quad HD resolution display seems to be on the way out in smaller devices for the sake of battery life. And so Full HD sharpness on the Reno 4 Pro is perfectly fine – and as much as expected. It’s still virtually impossible to see any individual pixels.

For the most part this is a bright and vivid panel. We put it side-by-side with the Samsung Galaxy S21, for instance, and – set to vivid mode – the Oppo more than pulls its weight for things like Netflix watching, general interface appearance, and photo viewing. Where it struggles a little is with games, but we’ll get more into that in the performance section.

It’s not quite perfect though. The curves in the corners, for instance, don’t quite match the more square corners of the phone, while the top and bottom bezels are noticeably thicker than the sides. Both combined makes for a slightly uneven look.

Performance

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, 12GB RAM
4,000mAh battery, 65W Super VOOC 2.0 charging
256GB storage, no microSD expansion
5G connectivity

Look at the current mid-range market and you’ll see Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 700-series is the most popular. Here, it’s the same 765G chip that’s inside the OnePlus Nord and a handful of other powerful mid-rangers.

Joining it, there’s a generous 12GB RAM and 256GB storage (in the UK variant), which is more than enough to keep the most demanding apps running smoothly and ensure you have enough space to store all of your photos, music and video for entertainment on the go.

Like the Nord, we’ve not had any issues with performance. In fact, for most tasks, the Pro will feel pretty much as good as any flagship would. It’s fast and responsive, partly down to the fluidity of the display, partly down to the 765G platform being plenty powerful enough.

Loading up games isn’t quite as quick as some of the more recent top-tier phones, but the difference isn’t remarkable. Where you do notice the difference is in the graphics quality. Details that might be smooth and sharp on higher-end phones seem a little rough around the edges. Lines look a bit jagged, almost like the game won’t run at its full resolution. At least, that’s what we found while playing Mario Kart Tour.

The 4,000mAh battery on board is about standard in terms of capacity these days. But what’s not standard is Oppo’s Super VOOC 2.0 flash charging technology. This particular flavour is the 65W variant – which we’ve seen on top-tier phones like the Find X2 Pro. With an empty battery, it’ll charge from 0-66 per cent in just 15 minutes and finish its charge completely in 35 minutes. Now that’s fast!

What we’ve found in the past with phones using this tech is that it changes your charging behaviour. You no longer have to charge it overnight. You can wait until it runs almost flat, plug it in, and even 10-15 minutes is enough to get through the rest of the day.

Oppo seems to have done something rather magical with battery life too. Its standby performance is pretty remarkable. If you’re someone who isn’t glued to your phone constantly then you shouldn’t have too much trouble making the Reno 4 Pro last two days between charges. We’ve left it overnight on many an occasion, in standby, and woken to find it only having lost five per cent of its charge. Impressive.

Cameras

Triple rear camera system:
- Main: 48-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture
- Wide/macro: 12MP, f/2.2
- Zoom (2x): 13MP, f/2.4
32MP selfie camera
4K video at 30fps

The Oppo Reno 4 Pro’s 48-megapixel main camera is joined by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 13-megapixel 2x zoom lens. What’s interesting here is that the 12-megapixel ultra-wide is also being branded as a ‘night’ camera. A lot of that is down to the fact that Oppo has boosted its night performance, especially when shooting video.

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: Macro modeMacro mode

That ultra-wide doubles (triples?) as a macro camera, too, and that means not having to rely on a dedicated low resolution sensor for close-up shots – as is so prevalent in many rivals. And you can tell: the macro shots are actually decent, retaining good colour and depth, while avoiding suffering from that nauseating swirling bokeh effect we’ve seen from some of the poorer macro solutions.

As for that third lens, that’s a 5x hybrid zoom camera, so while it’s not quite as impressive as the high-end periscope-like lenses that go up to twice that, it’s still a very versatile system. At 2x optical zoom, images retain colour, sharpness and depth, but as soon as you push it up to 5x – which is where it’s using digital zoom – things can look a little ropey. Images lose sharpness as they tend to once you switch into digital zoom.

Transitioning between the four main focal lengths is easy enough though. There’s an icon on the screen that you can tap to quickly switch between 0.6x, 1x, 2x and 5x. Or you can tap, hold and drag it to use the smoother zooming interface – as it turns into a wheel on the screen.

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: Ultrawide cameraUltrawide camera

What impressed us was that – while sometimes the images came out with slightly over-exposed highlights – the balance of colour and light between the three cameras was pretty uniform. Greens and purples look the same in all three in the collection above. While they all have a little over-sharpening in the darker areas, that evenness isn’t something you typically see when using three unique sensors.

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9 March 2021

Laser detection autofocus ensures that the camera focuses quickly and reliably even when the light levels aren’t optimal. Indoors in dim conditions we found it to focus fast, which made it quick and easy to grab the shot we were after without repeatedly tapping the screen in frustration trying to get the camera to lock on.

There are plenty of shooting modes too. Open up the More tab in the camera app and you can shoot with stickers, shoot in ‘Pro’ mode to get fine-tuned control, shoot slow-mo, time-lapse, and even scan text or use Google Lens to assess the scene for text and everyday items. It doesn’t feel overly busy with options thankfully, and the main collection of shooting modes is where most people will spend their time.

Verdict

The Oppo Reno 4 Pro’s spec sheet may make it seem like a mid-range phone at a near-flagship price, but its performance and everyday reliability makes this one genuinely good phone – regardless of the price.

The camera system is strong and consistent, offering versatility without falling into the same traps as other mid-range phones with multiple cameras on the back. This has three cameras and all of them useful and actually decent.

A perceived lack of power could put off the smartphone enthusiasts when compared to similarly priced devices, but we’ve enjoyed almost everything that the Oppo phone has to offer. The only minor criticism is graphical performance compromises when it comes to gaming.

While the Oppo is considerably more expensive than the OnePlus Nord or Google Pixel 4a, for that extra money you get a more premium design, a more versatile and powerful camera, and a stupendously fast-charging battery. The Reno 4 Pro is an impressively slim and sleek device that still has all the functionality you’d expect from a top-tier phone.

Alternatives to consider

Oppo Find X2 Neo

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It’s not exactly the same, but it features similar build and performance. The only compromises you make, really, are a poorer camera system and slower charging speeds. But it’ll save you some money as a result.

Read our review

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

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Samsung hit all the right notes with the ‘Fan Edition’ of the S20. It’s got all the top features that matter – like a 120Hz display, flagship-spec processor, and a solid camera system. The price isn’t that much higher considering the spec bump either.

Read our review

Writing by Cam Bunton. Editing by Mike Lowe.

TTArtisan 50mm F0.95 for Leica M: in red to celebrate the Chinese year of the ox

by Mattia Speroni, published on 19 January 2021, at 18: 01

?? TTArtisan lens 50 mm F0. 95 for Leica M is dyed red to celebrate the 2021 which is the year of the ox in China! No technical changes but a change of aesthetics to make it more striking and unique (and will be produced unit).??

In June 2020 the new TTArtisan 50 mm F0. 95 for Leica M that with an affordable price allows you to have a wide aperture even on the cameras of the German manufacturer. To celebrate the arrival of the 2021, Chinese year del bue , the new version with red color has been announced. Maybe a little flashy, but certainly particular.

TTArtisan 50 mm F0. 95 for Leica M for the year of the ox

As you can easily imagine, this limited edition has no technical differences from the TTArtisan 50 mm F0. 95 for Leica M standard. However, there is an aesthetic variation with a bright red color and new designs on the lens cap that recall the homage to the year of the ox. To give an extra touch of exclusivity, the production of this model is limited to 500 units per level global.

Recall that this lens has a focal length of 50 mm with an optical design consisting of 11 elements divided into 8 groups. To improve the overall quality there is a double-sided aspherical element, two ED elements and eight high refraction elements.

As the name suggests, the maximum aperture of f / 0. 95 and minimum of f / 16 with the diaphragm it has 14 slats that should allow for a bokeh effect uniform. The minimum focusing distance is equal to 70 cm. The manufacturer considers it a lens “handyman” for portraits, street photography, landscapes and reportage.

The focus is manual, thus reducing weight and price, while front filters can be installed 67 mm. The dimensions are equal to 89 x 72 mm with a weight of 687 grams. The official price is 899 dollars , equal to 144 dollars more than the version with silver color (which, we remind you, maintains the same technical characteristics ). For collectors it could be an interesting purchase, for others, difficult to say.

Fujinon Premista 19-45mmT2.9 Cinematic Lens Released

by Mattia Speroni, published on 15 January 2021, at 17: 01

Fujifilm unveiled the new Fujinon Premista professional film lens 19 – 45 mmT2.9 which allows you to take advantage of cameras with Large Format sensors and to have a high quality shooting. ??

Fujifilm presented the new film lens Fujinon Premista

in these hours – 45 mmT2.9 which promises excellent performance by focusing in particular on the bokeh . The company will make it available from 28 January 2021 (the price is available only on request) thus becoming the third model in the Premista lens series.

Fujinon Premista’s technical features 19 – 45 mmT2.9

This new lens supports Large Format type sensors (equal to 43,2-46, 3mm and above Super 35 mm) and related professional video cameras. Fujifilm has focused heavily on achieving high resolution, rich tones even in HDR and, as written above, a nice bokeh effect.

Thanks to this addition, the range of professional film lenses allows you to cover focal lengths from 19 to 250 mm. This offers shooting flexibility by allowing you to switch between wide-angle and zoom lenses. Fujinon Premista 15 – 45 mmT2.9 has a constant T-stop of 2.9 over the entire focal length. The diaphragm has 13 blades with an almost circular aperture perfect. They are also minimized ghost and flare .

Inside we find large aspherical lenses and in general the optical system (with carefully polished optical parts) allows for a large sharpness. The lens body has dimensions of 228 mm with a weight of 3.3 kg . A weight of this type allows the use of a Steadicam or a crane without stressing the mechanical parts.

As regards the size, the diameter and the position of the rings, it is the same as that of other Premista lenses, allowing the same accessories to be used. Furthermore, having to be used in the professional field, ZEISS eXtended Data are supported so as to record metadata during recording, improving editing and post-production.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro wins against Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in the challenge to the last '' shot ''

The choice of a latest generation smartphone today is increasingly diverted considering some factors that seem to be essential. And in this case we speak first of all of the display which must still allow you to view multimedia content such as a TV series or a film well. So also of the battery , which is a focal point for the duration of the device given its ” mobile ” nature. In fact, what for some years now users have considered even more in the real choice of a smartphone concerns the photographic sector .

Manufacturers continue to indulge themselves and there are more and more smartphones with three or four photographic sensors that are positioned on the rear body to define the true nature of a top smartphone. range. There are so many differences that are enhanced: who points to the functionality of the lenses, who instead to the number of “ megapixels ” for the detail effect and who also on new and technological shooting modes capable of making the final photo more and more original and maybe even social.

Everyone tries to guarantee anyway the user has a product in their hands that can allow them to open the camera application, frame a scene or subject and shoot. Not everyone is a photography expert but everyone wants more and more to get a photo that can not only have the purpose of remembering that moment in the future but also of remembering it with a certain quality. And the so-called “ point and shoot ” is still undoubtedly the favorite by most users above all for a clear and consolidated reason: not to have too much time in?

In recent years the real top of the range have raised the bar from a technological and therefore also a photographic point of view. In fact, they also raised the price level since they are devices that cost even more than 1000 ?? and it is clear that those who buy a smartphone in this price range can only expect results, even at a photographic level, of some importance. The past year has clearly seen the mobile world move more and more in this direction with smartphones that are increasingly performing at a photographic level. The 108 megapixel but also many have thought of resorting to a solution with lenses periscope to be able to improve one of the only negative effects in smartphone photography: the zoom.

And here at the photographic level we thought to compare the two Android smartphones that seem being able to compete for leadership on a photographic level: HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. What are the differences between the two smartphones at a photographic level and above all how do they shoot in reality?

Camera specifications in comparison

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro is undoubtedly a top-notch phone. Striking immediately the display – a 6-inch OLED, 76 inches that wraps around the sides of the device – just similar to what seen with Mate 30 last year. The back becomes even more unique this year because the photographic sector is proposed with an arrangement that certainly has no equal today. A hallmark of the new HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and to whom the Chinese company also wanted to give a name: Space Ring Design . Three cameras were placed inside the circle with the main unit from 50 MP and a 5x periscope telephoto lens, both coming directly from HUAWEI P 40 Pro with the appearance of a new ultra-wide sensor from 20 MP.

Present the new chipset Kirin 9000 , the first 5nm production process SoC for Android (only Apple responded with its A 14 Bionic present in the new iPhone series 12). To power everything there is a 4 battery. 400 mAh which is charged for the first time by a 66 W via cable and up to 50 W wirelessly.

HUAWEI left nothing to chance and the new Mate 40 Pro is equipped with stereo speakers, two units located at the bottom and top of the smartphone. The front ToF cam provides secure facial recognition. IP certification is also present 68 which has become common practice in this segment. There is no 3.5mm jack, but this won’t negatively affect anyone. Moreover, in the sales package there are headphones with cable unlike other competitors who no longer put them.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPARTMENT

The camera main of HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro is the one from 50 MP introduced on the P 40 Pro. It is therefore an ‘Ultra Vision’ that uses a new large 1/1 Quad Bayer sensor, 26″ from 50 MP, with a RYYB filter The sensor is physically larger eg de l sensor from 108 1/1 MP, 33 “of the Galaxy Note Ultra from Samsung. The same goes for the size of the embossed pixels: 2, 40 µm against 2.4 µm. The lens has an equivalent focal length of 23 mm and a aperture f / 1.9 and is stabilized.

The RYYB color filter has green sub-pixels replaced by yellow ones. HUAWEI claims that yellow allows the sensor to collect up to 40% more light than normal RGB filters and this change should result in better image quality in low light conditions. The camera has improved autofocus: it now has omnidirectional phase detection autofocus, which means it uses all pixels as focus pixels and this should contribute to faster and more accurate focusing. in low light conditions.

By default, the camera produces shots from 12, 5 MP with a declared focal length of 27 mm, different from the nominal focal length of 21 mm advertised that the camera should have. But when you switch from mode 50 MP a 12, 5MP (default), you can actually notice that the high resolution photos offer a wider field of view , which means some cropping is actually made to get the photos from 12 megapixels.

The telephoto lens also comes from the P 40 Pro . IS?? an imager from 12 MP but it is not visible on the back as it is possible to observe only the final part of its periscope lens . The refracted light passes through a series of additional optical elements inside until it reaches the sensor, which is located perpendicular to the plane of the phone. The system also provides optical image stabilization. The periscope lens on the Mate 35 Pro has an equivalent length of 125 mm and an aperture of f / 3.4 and should offer 5x optical zoom on the main camera from 23 mm / 27 mm. Well if you do the math, the optical zoom is not exactly 5x since 125 / 27 is equal to 4. 63 (if you shoot in default mode), but 125 / 23 is equal to 5, 36 x (for when shooting in high resolution mode). However, taking the average of the two you get exactly 5x even if perhaps it is not exactly exact but it does not matter. Finally, also the sensor from 20 MP ultra wide angle which has an equivalent length from 18 mm and a focal aperture of f / 1.8.

On the front , there are changes with respect to the configuration of the P 40 Pros: We have a fixed focus ultra-wide cam from 13 MP which replaces the Quad Bayer drive from 32 MP that had autofocus on P 40 Pro. Sounds like a downgrade on paper, even if the focal length of 16 mm has advantages c as we will see later on in practice.

Huawei’s camera app is pretty functional. You have a mode switch at the bottom that you can swipe left or right. Here we are faced with some improvements compared to the past thanks above all to Artificial Intelligence. The AI recognizes and reproduces settings for over 1. 400 different scenes. IS?? You can now turn the switch in the viewfinder off and on directly without having to go into the settings. Also present is the Pro mode in which you can adjust the parameters yourself: ISO (from 50 to 338. 600), shutter speed (from 1 / 990 sa 30 s), offsetting exposure (-4 to + 4EV in 1/3-stop increments) and white balance (presets and specific light temperature). By the way, Pro mode is also available for videos and the maximum ISO is 51. 120 also unfortunately the desired shutter speed cannot be set.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is massive, huge, powerful and ” photographic ”. A phablet ready to return to the market as the only productivity tool to always carry with you. It has renewed colors but also a display now wider and above all with refresh rate at 120 Hz, a record-breaking photographic sector in addition to a hardware with record performance. That his being ” Ultra ” means possessing something that goes beyond being ordinary. And here to actually say there is so much in every single functionality of the phablet.

There are many points on which we will have to focus on this new Samsung device. The display, for example, is wider with its 6.9 inches, less curvature on the sides, fortunately, but with an exaggerated Quad HD + resolution and a feature common to a few others: the refresh rate capable of reaching 120 Hz. We will see what this means in daily use.

Basic the photographic sector which has always made the Galaxy Note a point of reference for the company and its supporters. Here Samsung decides to place a set of 3 sensors that we have seen working in a different but similar way on Galaxy S 20 Ultra. The main one is a well sensor 108 MP ready to capture more details as well as greater brightness. Then there is an ultra wide angle lens from 12 MP but also a telephoto lens with periscope characteristic from 12 MP but above all capable of zooming up to 50 X.

The technical sector is the one seen with other top of the range of the company: ie a processor Exynos 500 and not Snapdragon (for Europe), which on paper should currently beat everyone in terms of power but which we will see is not as optimized as its American competitor is. Then there are the memories, both RAM and ROM of the latest generation, capable of marking record after record. And let’s not forget that the smartphone is 5G, that is, thanks to its integrated modem, it guarantees that it is ready for the new generation of the fast network already partially present in Italy.

Unlike the Galaxy S 20 Ultra we will have to understand if the 4 battery. 500 mAh, very different from the record 5. 000 of Galaxy S 20 Ultra, will allow reach the evening without too many problems even with a display with a refresh rate at 120 Hz. Fast charging is present and perhaps the strong point in this field will be to recharge the phone faster, forgetting about consumption.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPARTMENT

The main camera sees a nominal sensor from 76 MP from Samsung. The sensor is physically large and provides not only good light-gathering capabilities but also a shallower depth of field, which is desirable for subject isolation. Combined with a lens with a focal aperture of f / 1.8 it is clear that the result on the shots is ?? blurred ?? is high allowing you to say goodbye to the sensor with variable focal aperture that does not allow variations on the theme of brightness and detail.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also has a periscope telephoto lens. We already knew it on its brother S 20 Ultra but here the company decides to change the lens by proposing a sensor from 12 MP and not from 48 MP as before. In this case, the periscope sensors adapted to smartphones work by positioning the sensor on a plane perpendicular to that of the phone and with a reflecting prism the incoming light of 68 degrees laterally and to the inside. This gives you more room to spread a physically longer lens – no one wants a 2cm lens to stick out of their phones.

There is then a target from 12 MP with aperture f / 2.2 equivalent to 13 mm is very large and fast. Nothing exaggerated but good in its being the third of an exciting couple. Previously Galaxy Note 20 Ultra sees the presence of a sensor from 10 MP. The equivalent objective from 24 mm is wide enough and bright enough (f / 2.2) and above all it has autofocus.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra uses a slightly modified version of the camera application that Samsung places in all its smartphones with One UI 1 or 2. Everything is still familiar: swipe left and right to switch between available modes. Then an option to rearrange, add or remove some modes from the main bar. Vertical swipes in both directions toggle the front and rear cameras.

Zoom levels have been reevaluated and clearly redesigned. The tree icons are always present: three trees for the Ultra Wide Angle mode, two trees for the main sensor and a single tree for the telephoto lens. Once you hit the u icon n tree, an additional set of buttons appears, with additional preset zoom levels at 2x, 4x, 10 x, 20 xe 50 x. However, there is also the classic toothed wheel to set different zoom settings. The new functionality introduced with S is interesting 20 Ultra that takes the name of Single take. This new mode allows you to record up to 10 seconds with all sensors on the rear. Automatically the best moments are rendered by Artificial Intelligence which allows you to produce short video clips or even still images with appropriate filters applied automatically.

THE COMPARISON of the shots

Photo by day

In the photos taken during the day, who prevails between the two smartphones seems to be the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro. Let’s say that the two smartphones are the same in some respects but in detail the cameras of the Chinese company offer a more real result in the colors and in the general scene scene than to Samsung. For both, however, there are excellent exposures in almost all situations. High dynamic range for the Mate 40 Pro with the ability to capture details in light areas but also in shadow areas.

HUAWEI Mate 35 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

S amsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

In the full resolution shot (50 MP for HUAWEI and 76 MP for Samsung ) it is clear that the more details on the shot come from the Samsung phablet but it is equally true that users will hardly go to shoot in this way since in general the artificial intelligence for both does not proceed to a retouch of the photo and therefore to a true optimization of the shot.

Photo at night or under low light

On the night, today’s smartphones are able to obtain good results thanks above all to the use of sophisticated software that guarantees to have more ” brightness ” in the photo in post production. Clearly there is also to be considered as the use of a technically wider sensor or with more ???? valuable features ???? guarantees to reach a better result even in the dark where, we know, phones have always suffered for obvious physical reasons of the sensors.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The results of the shots see important work from both software of the two smartphone. There are Night modes for both that make shooting accurate and with well-maintained lighting details. In both cases the exposure in this mode is calculated in a completely automatic way by the artificial intelligence keeping longer and longer on the HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro (around at least 5 or 6 seconds average) compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (usually a 3 or 4 seconds).

Here, too, albeit slightly, HUAWEI seems to do better. The scene is illuminated not only more but also more precisely in detail. Good exposure with colors that are almost always real and better prepared on the scene, also underlining less noise. The shots from HUAWEI’s ultrawide camera are well balanced with high details and no noise, although perhaps the reduction here is a little too aggressive. The colors, however, are not faded. On Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Samsung to suffer is instead the zoom at night even if it is certainly a mode perhaps less useful for the user.

Photo with Ultra Wide Angle sensor

One of the modes most used by users is that of the “ expanded ” shot which is made possible thanks to the Ultra Wide Angle sensor capable of extending the shooting area with viewing angles up to 120 degrees. The problem here is to be able to produce a shot that yes, goes to broaden the field of action, but at the same time allows to compensate for that so-called barrel effect that tends to curve the extremes of the photo. The best software in this case has to work a lot on this effect to make it as linear as possible and therefore allowing the shot to be ???? normal ???? as if taken with the main cam.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

You know msung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Looking at the results of the shots it is difficult to decide a winner in this case. On the one hand Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra manages to widen the scene more than the Mate 40 Pro which has an equivalent length from 18 mm against 13 mm of the Samsung. Not only because the limitation in this case is also on the vertical with an aspect different from 3: 2 compared to the 4: 3 of the Galaxy.

However what the Mate 40 Pro lacks coverage on breadth the scene makes up for it with detail. In this case, in fact, the HUAWEI sensor as well as the algorithm allow to have a better resolving power with a shooting quality d really important.

Photo with Telephoto sensor

HUAWEI practically introduced first the periscope sensor that characterizes today is the P 40 Pro that the new Mate 40 Pro. But Samsung also wanted to follow the trend of this new sensor technology that allows you to go far where the classic sensors stop. The race here is won by HUAWEI which, albeit with a similar sensor in technology, above all manages to work better on post production. The Mate 2.5x zoom shots 40 Pros are really good managing to capture finer details and ensuring better definition even if perhaps in some situations some noise appears.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Even on magnifications up to 5x, the periscope of the Chinese company imports some more details, managing to make the shot better in general. And by increasing the zoom all this is amplified with a 50 x which is worked better by HUAWEI even if we know well that at these distances the ?? image is practically useless. For both interesting but above all comfortable the presence of a viewfinder that allows the user to be able to ???? navigate ???? on the scene without loss of orientation.

Portrait mode photo (Bokeh effect)

A mode that has become interesting in the latest generation smartphones concerns the so-called bokeh effect, i.e. the one that allows you to “ blur ” the background scene while keeping the subject in the foreground in detail. An effect that until a few years ago could only be achieved with professional machines but which in recent times can be easily achieved even from a small smartphone.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note Ultra

In this case the mode is used very well by both smartphones. HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro manages to capture many details in the isolation of the subject with some minor errors compared to the general shot. The bokeh is very realistic and you are able to model the most important points of the subject well and above all by minimizing noise and processing a wide dynamic range. Same thing happens with the Samsung Galaxy Note 18 Ultra which manages to separate the foreground subject from the background that is almost always precisely blurred. A tie with perhaps a very small advantage for HUAWEI for a slightly more realistic color.

Photos with Macro mode

The photographs on the Close-up objects, called macro shots, are increasingly well done by today’s top-of-the-range smartphones. These are shots that the latest generation sensors are working more and more well and some brands even decide to propose special sensors for this kind of shots.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The results obtained with the two devices seem to go more or less on the same quality even if what we have achieved previously is also confirmed here. HUAWEI mate 40 Pro tends to enhance the macro shot a little more with realistic colors. For both very good details. However, the shooting differences are very minimal as often happens in these situations.

Selfie photos

The photographic shots with the front camera are very good for the quality of the color balance as well as the details. Here HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro acts on the double sensor guaranteeing superior detail compared to others. In this case the strengths are the exposure but also the lack of noise and above all the good depth allowed with the 3D IR sensor. Also interesting to see good skin tone fidelity where others tend not to act in the same way. Compared to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from Samsung here c ?? is the potential of the variation of the amplitude d i field. The user can really play on the possibility of expanding the scene or not and allowing the entry of more subjects.

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

Conclusions

The photographic comparison of these two smartphones therefore saw the new HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro as the winning device in many respects as regards the photographic sector. A device that manages to put into practice a painstaking work of details in shots with natural light but also easily useful in reducing noise in night shots. On the zoom it works better than the Samsung even though both have a periscope lens. The level of shooting is important, which is higher than most of the contenders who do not insert it in their smartphones. There is a greater attention to detail here too with HUAWEI which, even with important zooms, keeps noise as low as possible and details high.

The battle, however, is really at the limit. Both smartphones are sometimes the same, a symptom that technological developments are perhaps today within the reach of more brands and making the difference is now the algorithm and the Artificial Intelligence that manufacturers must integrate. Both HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro than Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra still offer an important photographic behavior. The differences are often detailed especially at the software level, as mentioned, which is not always perfect in the management of shots in post production or to the choice of a different photographic philosophy.

Unmissable discounts today on Amazon: realme 7 Pro and OPPO Find X2 Neo and on realme X 50 Pro 5G you save 300 euros!

In collaboration with Amazon

New offers in Amazon house from realme up to OPPO with discounts up to 40% on the list price. The sales continue in advance for gift ideas and much more!

by Editorial published 14 December 2020 , at 16: 51 in the Telephony channel

Oppo Realme

Today Amazon offers three high-end smartphones at really affordable prices . The devices in question are OPPO Find X2 Neo , realme 7 Pro and realme X 50 Pro 5G . A trio of smartphones well placed on the market characterized by top technical specifications and an attractive design. With a competitive price already listed, buying them at a discount today on Amazon is a real bargain, let’s see why.

Price

realme X 50 Pro 5G is available in Rust Red color in two memory denominations 8 / 128 and 8 / 256 GB. The list price was 621, 88 euro for the version 8 / 128 GB , available today for only 307, 00 EUR, which with a discount of 36% allows you to save 222, 88 euro! In short, you have the opportunity to buy a top phone at a mid-range price.

For the version 8 / 256 GB the offer is even better . Sold at a list price of 766, 35 euro, today it is possible to buy it for only 459, 00 EUR, one incredible discount of the 40% translated into 265, 35 euro savings . To date it is impossible to find a device with the same quality / price ratio on the market.

realme 7 Pro , younger brother of X 50 Pro, it is also in promotion on Amazon in the version 8 / 128 GB Blue color. Sold at a list price of 319, 65, today is available at 265, 40 EUR. With one discount of 17% you save well 54, 50 EUR.

IS OPPO Find X2 Neo the latest smartphone on sale among those offered today by Amazon. The device is usually sold at a list price of 688, 00 EUR, today available on Amazon in the version 12 / 209 GB Moonlight Black coloring with one discount of 30, 3% only 479, 90 EUR. You save well 209, 00 EUR!

Technical features

realme X 50 Pro 5G is a top of the range in all respects. The display is from 6, 44 inch OLED with resolution Full-HD + a 409 ppi and a refresh rate of 90 Hz . X 50 Pro enjoys protection Gorilla Glass 5 . On board we find the very powerful Snapdragon 865 and a large battery of 4. 200 mAh which guarantees excellent autonomy to the smartphone. The charger supplied by 54 W allows you to charge your smartphone from 0 to 100% in just 35 minutes!

realme 7 Pro is a mid-range device that enjoys high-quality features at a very affordable price . The display is from 6.4 inch super AMOLED with resolution Full-HD + and 409 ppi . Hard to find better at 265 EUR. The processor mounted is the Snapdragon 720 G which offers an experience of pleasant and smooth use. The battery from 4. 500 mAh is recharged by the power supply supplied from 0 to 100% in only 34 minutes!

OPPO Find X2 Neo represents a high-level, balanced and elegant smartphone. Mount a 6.5 inch AMOLED panel with Full-HD + resolution and 402 ppi , protected by technology Gorilla Glass 5 . On board we find the SoC Snapdragon 765 G and a 4025 mAh . The smartphone boasts well 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of external storage memory. All this at a single price!

Multimedia compartment

realme X 50 Pro 5G has a compartment made up of 4 cameras. The main one from MP and follow a 8 MP wide angle , a 2X telephoto lens from 12 MP and one last sensor for the 2MP portrait mode . The cameras offer high quality shots, especially when compared to the selling price. Also we have well two front cameras , the first from 32 MP F 2.5 while the second ultra wide angle from 8 MP F 2.2 . Feature that is seen in very few smartphones. Main cam records video up to 4K resolution, well stabilized.

realme 7 Pro offers a photographic compartment consisting of 4 cameras. The main from 64 MP followed by an 8MP ultra-wide and finally two sensors for macro and depth from 2MP . The device offers excellent quality shots to be a smartphone that can be purchased at 265 EUR! The front cam from 32 Mp F 2.5 allows you to take sharp selfies perfect for social media. Videos are recorded up to 4K and slow-motion is also present.

OPPO find X2 Neo presents a truly enviable multimedia compartment, a which is missing nothing. There are 4 rooms: the main from 48 MP , followed by a 2X zoom cam from 13 MP and one 8 MP wide-angle F 2.2 . Finally we find a 2 MP sensor dedicated to the bokeh effect . The photos taken by OPPO Find X2 Neo are easily comparable to those of the top camera phones available on the market. Main camera records video up to 4K resolution . The front cam is from 32 MP F 2.4.

(Pocket-lint) – The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is here complete with a new design, a tougher screen, new processor, and even 5G. So, is this a huge leap forward, or seemingly like everything else at the moment, an update for update’s sake?

We’ve been using the new iPhone 12 Pro, one of four new iPhones announced, to find out whether this is the iPhone to get.

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A new design

New squarer design
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm, 189g
Four colours: Graphite, Silver, Gold, Pacific Blue
IP68 protection

Wait long enough and things normally come full circle. Remember that favourite item of clothing that was in fashion, then went out of fashion, then came back into fashion? Well, the same could be said for the iPhone 12 Pro design. Gone are the rounded edges we’ve become accustomed to since the launch of the iPhone X and in is a blunter, squarer, design, with an iPhone 4 feel to it.

That translates into an iPhone 12 Pro that looks heavier than it is, even though it’s actually lighter and more robust than the iPhone 11 Pro that it replaces. There’s a hint of retro solidity to it, thanks to those square edges, while the new form factor allows for a reduction in bezel thickness around the edge of the display.

Don’t get too excited, they are still there, and we certainly aren’t talking about reaching a level where you can’t see them like Samsung and others. And yes, the notch is still present.

Pocket-lint

The end result is a larger display in a device that hasn’t grown as much as you might expect, so it’s only a fraction larger than the iPhone 11 Pro that came before it. It was something we were concerned about, but now in our hand, all you notice is that the screen is that bit bigger – it’s gone from 5.8-inches to 6.1-inches – which is going to be a lot more useable day-to-day.

But unlike the iPhone 4 and 5 models from 2013 and 2014, those edges are now highly polished. The Pacific Blue we’ve been using catches the sunlight nicely and isn’t too gaudy – we’re not sure we could say the same about the Gold model.

Pocket-lint

On the back, it’s one piece of frosted glass as previously seen on the iPhone 11 Pro to hide fingerprints which rises slightly to house the three cameras, LiDAR scanner, and flash in the top left-hand corner. What’s perhaps also surprising is that those squared edges are still comfortable to hold. The iPhone 12 Pro manages to strike that balance between size and thickness to mean it stays manageable without being uncomfortable.

A larger display

6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
2532 x 1170 pixels, 460ppi
Ceramic Shield protection

When is glass not glass? When it’s made up of nano-ceramic crystals. That’s what the display of the iPhone is now using rather than toughened glass to protect it from scratches. For the most part, you won’t be able to tell the difference day-to-day, although we have noticed that it’s more prone to fingerprint smudging than previous models.

Pocket-lint

Behind that new Ceramic Shield – as Apple calls it – is that new larger display. It’s seen a slight increase in size to 6.1-inches, but as we mentioned, this fits nicely into a handset that’s only a couple of mm taller, but no wider and is indeed thinner.

The display itself remains close to the performance we saw on the iPhone 11 Pro – it’s still OLED and the overall pixel density is basically the same, but there are a few more pixels packed in. What’s important is that you have the same clarity, the same great colour reproduction and the same brightness that will punch through reflections so you can still see as well as bright sunshine as you can in low light.

A new processor and battery life

A14 Bionic processor
5G connectivity
All-day battery life

The big upgrade on the tech specs is 5G and the new A14 Bionic processor to power it all. As with every new iPhone, the device is more powerful than the one before and that allows Apple to offer more things beyond just allowing you to load apps and games faster.

And of course, most of it will be invisible. The iPhone just works when you ask it to do something. Whether that’s getting you to your latest puzzle to solve in a game, or processing Dolby Vision ready HDR 4K footage in-camera as you go. And all at the same time not draining your battery really quickly.

Pocket-lint

It’s worth noting that the iPhone 12 Pro now starts at 128GB storage, double that of the iPhone 11 Pro, which makes the iPhone 12 Pro actually a little better value for money than the previous version, based on launch prices.

On the battery front, the iPhone performs as we would expect. It’s always hard to gauge battery life, especially as the new-normal means we really aren’t travelling as much as we once were. We’ve yet to really see how 5G usage affects performance long term, but a morning using 5G didn’t cause any major concerns. We will update this review over time as we use the iPhone 12 Pro more and in various use cases – especially on 5G – but so far we’ve not seen any indicators that this phone will struggle to make it through the day on a charge.

Apple has still opted to keep the Lightning socket on the bottom of the phone, but it now comes with a Lightning to USB-C (not USB-A) cable in the box. That’s handy if you’ve got a MacBook or iPad Pro (as you can use the wall charger), but if you haven’t, you’ll need to either use your old cable and charger or buy a new wall charger. Why? Because there isn’t one in the box. It will support 20W charging though.

Pocket-lint

If that doesn’t sound exciting, then that’s because Apple wants to you charge via MagSafe, a new magnetic charging pad that snaps to the back of the phone to charge it wirelessly. For those who already own an Apple Watch it’s the same approach and not only delivers a faster charge than a standard Qi charging pad (15W vs 7W) but also because of the magnets, locks into place so you don’t come down the next morning with no charge. We’ve also found it means you can still easily use the iPhone while charging wirelessly, because the pad is stuck to the back.

The system works just as you would expect, but you will need to ensure you buy a MagSafe enabled case if you want to use the feature and stay protected. A standard case still works with a wireless charger, but not with the MagSafe charger.

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5G is here

Auto 5G mode means only uses 5G when needed
Works with all 5G networks

Finally, 5G comes to the iPhone and it’s on all of the iPhone 12 models. As default to conserve battery life, 5G isn’t actually on all the time. Instead, Apple has opted for Auto 5G , which turns off 5G when the screen is off, for example, or perhaps when you aren’t doing something that is data demanding. There is a setting to override this, if you find it’s sitting on 4G when you want 5G instead.

But although the iPhone is now ready for 5G, 5G may not be ready for you. We had to drive 35 minutes to test the 5G capabilities of this phone. That will change, of course, and for those users who are in a 5G area, the benefits are certainly noticeable. You just have to be in coverage.

We were able to get download speeds of up to 260Mbps consistently. That’s a 2hr HD movie downloaded (Back to the Future if you’re wondering) in 5 minutes or Call of Duty Mobile (2.4GB) downloaded from the App Store and ready to play in under 2 minutes. Wow.

Of course, coverage will improve over time. The networks will get better, we’ll be happy to venture out again, and when you do find yourself at a stadium, you’ll be pleased that you can use your phone as if there was nobody around because of the power of the 5G network. But today, on day one, probably not so much.

Photography master

Triple rear cameras:
- Main: 12MP, f/1.6, OIS
- Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.0, OIS, 2x optical
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, f/2.4
LiDAR scanner
12MP selfie camera
Dolby Vision video capture

Photography has always been a key focus for Apple and the iPhone 12 Pro range continues that focus with the cameras getting more tech this year. Whereas in previous years some tech would work with some of the cameras, Apple is finally in a position to offer most of image enhancement features to all cameras on the phone.

That means you get night mode and HDR on all rear-facing cameras, with night mode coming to the front-facing camera too. That brings greater diversity to the offering and means that the package is much more complete than previous iPhone models.

The camera system is comprised of three 12-megapixel cameras on the rear, covering off that main camera, with a telephoto and ultra-wide too. It’s essentially the same make-up as the previous Pro model, with that additional telephoto lens bringing 2x optical zoom over and above what the regular iPhone 12 can offer. That also enabled 10x digital zoom for those who want to get a little closer, but be warned that the quality drops off once you start using digital zoom.

As you can see from the test shots below, the results are really impressive with bright vibrant colours, crisp edges, and for the first time, portrait mode seemingly not randomly blurring things that it shouldn’t. The shot with the dark brown cows is on a sunny day into the sun under the shade of a big oak tree, and yet the HDR feature of the iPhone manages not only delivery balanced colours, but also still pick up the warm breath coming from the cow in the centre.

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All that impressiveness might be because of the new LiDAR scanner on the rear that not only helps the cameras understand edges and the like or because there’s more processing power afforded to understanding your photos. The inclusion of the LiDAR scanner also means the iPhone 12 Pro can now focus quicker in low-light and offer you night mode portraits too. Something previously not possible.

The bokeh effect from portrait mode can still be a little severe, but to us the results look better than they do from the iPhone 12.

And for videographers, you get Dolby Vision recording in-camera if that’s your thing, again from all four cameras. The results are incredibly smooth, the stabilisation equally impressive and really sets the iPhone up for many professional videographers to get the maximum quality from the phone.

Apple’s iPhone 12 reveal discussed and more – Pocket-lint Podcast 75

Verdict

The iPhone 12 Pro has continued to evolve with new features added and new software enhancements made. This year’s model doubles down on photography further, bringing tech we’ve already been playing with to all the cameras on the iPhone 12 Pro rather than just a select few.

The iPhone 12 Pro does all it can to warrant that Pro label. The screen is stunning, the camera capability professional, and when you can use it, the download speeds with 5G, fast.

And that means that there are many features here that most users won’t use or need, but that’s okay, this isn’t for the model for them, with the iPhone 12 offering much the same experience in a cheaper package.

For those that do see themselves as a “pro” user, this delivers, delivers more than enough, enough in fact that means you’ll easily get the job you’re doing done.

Best smartphones 2020: The top mobile phones available to buy today

Alternatives to consider

Pocket-lint

Apple iPhone 12

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The “regular” iPhone 12 isn’t quite as premium in the materials used for the body work, but offers the same power, performance and display, in a cheaper package. It doesn’t have the full range of cameras, but it will leave a little more cash in your pocket.

Read the full Apple iPhone 12 review

Writing by Stuart Miles.

Design & Build

Display

Hardware and performance

Cameras

Software

Also consider

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Redmi Note 10 Pro

Design

Display

Performance

Cameras

Alternatives to consider

Oppo Find X2 Neo

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

TTArtisan 50 mm F0. 95 for Leica M for the year of the ox

Fujinon Premista’s technical features 19 – 45 mmT2.9

Camera specifications in comparison

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPARTMENT

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPARTMENT

THE COMPARISON of the shots

Photo by day

Photo at night or under low light

Photo with Ultra Wide Angle sensor

Photo with Telephoto sensor

Portrait mode photo (Bokeh effect)

Photos with Macro mode

Selfie photos

Conclusions

Price

Technical features

Multimedia compartment

The technical characteristics of the Viltrox AF 85 mm F1.8 for Nikon Z

From the patent to the final product

A Sony mirrorless camera and a particular Zeiss lens

We have just learned about the likely technical specifications of OnePlus Nord N smartphones 10 and OnePlus Nord N 100, i.e. new devices from the series initiated by Carl Pei, the co-founder of the company.

OnePlus Nord smartphone and OnePlus Buds headphones officially

Motorola Moto G 5G Plus smartphone test – rival for OnePlus Nord

A new design

A larger display

A new processor and battery life

5G is here

Photography master

Alternatives to consider

Apple iPhone 12