The new iPhone 12 was released by Apple on October 23. Many of us have heard whispers of the new features, but is it worth buying? 

The “new” version of the phone has brought both skepticism and praise with a more boxy structure compared to the rounded edges of the older iPhones. Although sleek and modern, it seems to be the same as the cubic phones of the past, just larger in size. Another anticipated feature is the magnetic capability of the phone. The iPhone has a small disk-like magnet in the back of the phone, allowing it to coordinate with the other MagSafe products, the most important being the magnetic and wireless charger. 

It seems as though Apple is aiming to be completely wireless and maintenance free in the future. The iPhone 12 does not have a charger or earphone port in the phone, and because the packing box does not include either of those things, the buyer is also forced to purchase the forty dollar charger and wireless earphones like airpods.

The 12 is said to be more durable, as it is made with a ceramic shield with a four times better drop performance and more water resistance. Though how are we to know? Apple says this with every new release, but many of us have been waiting for others to prove this. Many critics are concerned with this because it is said the “harder” the screen, the easier it is to scratch.

  So why buy a newer phone compared to the older models? Well, to start, the 12 is the first Apple product to run on a 5G network, while the past phones have 4G. This is to say that the 12 has better speed performance in comparison to the other iPhones. The 12 also contains the fastest chip in a smartphone, the A14 Bionic chip. It also has a slightly better camera than the 11, featuring a new nighttime mode, with three rear cameras and one front camera. 

The iPhone 12 is also available in many different forms. Customers can now purchase the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Each coming with slightly better features in size and performance. All of the phones come in 5 finishes: black, white, red, mint green, and navy blue. 

Obviously, most decisions are based on monetary values. The iPhone 12 starts at $799 before trade-in and differs as the models do. The iPhone 12 mini starts at $699, while the iPhone 12 Pro is $999. And lastly, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is $1099, for those who wish to have the ultimate tech piece this year. 

But being honest, unless you want a faster iPhone for your job or school, the iPhone 11 is just as good as the iPhone 12. In some ways, yes, the 12 is better but, in my opinion, as long as the iPhone works, then why upgrade? The iPhone 11 came out just last year, so contradictory to the “trendiness” of a new phone, the 11 hasn’t been out for very long. And with the iPhone 11 being $200 cheaper than the iPhone 12, it seems like a win-win. Though no one will judge you for buying the newer models of Apple, it seems pointless to pay a higher price for a phone that is about just as good as a not-so-new model. Apple is continuing to improve their models each year and if we continue to upgrade every time, we will be left on the continuous train of discontentment.