We usually don’t cover case deals since we’re more focused on flagship phones and some of the best devices available in the market. We usually have separate posts for the best cases for some of the hottest phones around, but we couldn’t turn a blind eye to the latest deals that will help you protect your investment. We will first head over to OtterBox, where there’s a 20 percent discount sitewide, with discounts that will go up to 30 percent on discontinued items. So yes, that means that every case for Samsung, Apple, Google, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, and more are on sale.
For example, if you want a new case for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can get one starting at $31.96, which translates into $7.99 savings. Cases for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also start at $31.96 with the same $7.99 discount, and there are several options to choose from.
If you’re looking for a new case for your Google Pixel 5 or your Pixel 4a, you can also find it here, starting at $31.96 after a $20 discount. Well, by this time, you’ve figured out that most case options will start for $31.99, but if you want a case for your OnePlus 8T, you will have fewer options to choose from, and these start at $39.96, down from its regular $49.95 price tag. And yes, OtterBox also has a nice selection of cases for the latest iPhone 12 lineup.
Now, since we’re already talking about Apple, you should also head over to Amazon.com, where cases for the iPhone 11 lineup are also on sale. You can get a case for your device starting at just $16.47, if you go for the Apple Silicone Case for the iPhone 11 Pro in Black with $22.53 savings, or get the leather case in its (Product) RED color option for $30 after a $19 discount. The Apple Leather Folio for the iPhone 11 Pro Mac is getting a $51 discount, which leaves it available for just $78. And there are several options to choose from. Maybe you should head over to the Apple deals landing page to check out every deal available since you will also find the Apple Smart Battery Case, the 20W USB-C Power Adapter, Apple’s MagSafe Charger, and more on sale.
Apple’s new iPhone family has something for everyone, whether it’s the small-yet-equally-mighty iPhone 12 mini with a 5.4-inch screen, the two 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models, or the monstrous iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is more than just a bigger iPhone 12 Pro and is the biggest iPhone ever released.
Clearly, the global situation this year has resulted in delays for certain components. As a result, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro both go up for preorder on October 16 and ship on October 23. Preorders for the smaller Mini and larger Max variants are delayed to November 6, with shipping starting November 13.
With that in mind, if you want to buy the 12 or 12 Pro, we’ve rounded up the best iPhone 12 deals below. If you’re interested in the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini, we’ve also included the options below, but you’ll need to wait a couple of weeks to pre-order.
Where to buy the iPhone 12
Best Buy
If you head over to Best Buy right now, you can save up to $1,000 on your new iPhone 12. It all depends on the carrier you choose. First, Sprint, now part of T-Mobile, lets you save from $100 to $500 with qualified activation and an eligible device’s trade-in. We then focus on AT&T, where you can save up to $800 on your new device with the same conditions as Sprint, which means you have to activate a new line on one of AT&T’s qualified plans, and you also have to trade-in an eligible device.
Now, if you want to get your new iPhone 12 on Verizon’s network, there are two options to choose from, as you can save from $100 to $500 with qualified activation and trade-in on an iPhone 7 or newer. However, you may also want to consider the possibility of saving up to $1,000 thanks to a BoGo deal. To get this deal, you need a qualified activation on Unlimited plans for Verizon, and at least one new line is required. Savings will appear as a monthly bill credit, but it won’t be discounted through Best Buy at the time of purchase.
Still, if you don’t want to save on your new iPhone 12, you can also get your device on Verizon starting at $33.33/mo. For 24 months. Sprint will have you paying $34.58/mo. For two years, but if you want to pay less, you can go for AT&T’s option that will have you paying $26.67/mo. But this also means you will have to pay for 30 months.
You can save up to $100 on the iPhone 12 if you buy your device and activate it on Sprint’s network. Alternatively, if you want to spread the cost of your new iPhone over interest-free monthly payments, you can do so using Best Buy's Credit Card.
If you head over to Apple’s online store, you will see that the iPhone 12 is selling for $799, if you buy it upfront, or you can get it with an installment plan that will have you paying $33.29 a month. However, you can also choose to trade-in an eligible device, and this will get you up to $500 depending on the device you have to offer. Unfortunately, if you want your phone to come unlocked, you will have to pay $829 before trade-in, and your monthly payments would go up to $34.54.
Apple iPhone 12 trade-in pricing:
iPhone 11 Pro Max – Up to $500
iPhone 11 Pro – Up to $450
iPhone 11 – Up to $350
iPhone XS Max – Up to $370
iPhone XS – Up to $300
iPhone XR – Up to $250
iPhone X – Up to $250
iPhone 8 Plus – Up to $210
iPhone 8 – Up to $140
If you don’t want to trade-in for an instant discount against your purchase, you can also trade-in your phone for an Apple Gift Card that can be redeemed in Apple’s stores or on Apple.com.
The unlocked version of the iPhone 12 mini with a 5.4-inch display starts at $729, or you can get it from $30.37/mo for 24 months in its 64GB storage option. The 128GB version is priced at $779 or $32.45/mo, and the 256GB version can be yours for $879 or $36.62/mo for 24 months.
The unlocked version of the vanilla iPhone 12 starts at $829 or 24 monthly payments of $34.54, while the 128GB and the 256GB storage options sell for $879 and $979, respectively, if you plan on making a one-time payment, or you can also choose to pay $36.62 or $40.79 for 24 months.
Now, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB in storage space. You would then have to pay $1,099 for 256GB storage and $12,99 for 512GB. Monthly installments would have you pay $41.62 for the 128GB variant, $45.79 for 256GB, and $54.12 for the 512GB version for 24 months.
Finally, the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at $1,099 with 128GB in storage space, which can also be yours for 24 monthly installments of $45.79. The 256GB version is priced at $1,199 or $49.95 a month for two years. The maxed-out version will cost you $1,399, and it comes with 512GB storage space.
If you’d rather buy it from your carrier, we’ve also rounded up the best carrier deals below.
Best iPhone 12 deals with US carriers
Verizon
If you don’t want to take up any savings, you can get your new iPhone for as low as $29.16/mo, but there are several other options to consider, since Verizon is probably the carrier that offers more ways to save on your new iPhone 12.
The iPhone 12 mini starts at $29.16 per month for 24 months on Verizon device payment (0% APR, $699.99 retail)
The iPhone 12 starts at $33.33 per month for 24 months on Verizon device payment (0% APR, $799.99 retail)
The iPhone 12 Pro starts at $41.66 per month for 24 months on Verizon device payment (0% APR, $999.99 retail)
The iPhone 12 Pro max starts at $45.83 per month for 24 months on Verizon device payment (0% APR, $1,099.99 retail)
Now, if you want to save some cash, you can trade-in an eligible device and get a new line to get up to $750 off. You can upgrade your current device and get up to $440 off, or buy one and get $800 off the second device, and yes, you are also going to need a new line.
More importantly, Verizon is also the network with the biggest deployment of those superfast 5G speeds that Apple mentioned. Alongside a new Nationwide 5G network launched alongside the new iPhone, Verizon has the 5G Ultra-wideband mmWave network that offers speeds of up to 4Gbps in 55 cities and growing.
Well, if you want to get your new device over at AT&T, you can get the 64GB base model for $26.67/mo. However, you can save up to $700 with an eligible trade-in, which would leave your new device for just $3.33/mo if you go for the 64GB base model. If you want more storage space, you would also end up paying more, as the 128GB version and the 256GB options would cost you $28.34 and $31.67/mo, respectively, or $5 and $8.33/mo.
The third-largest carrier in the US has announced new deals on the iPhone 12 that enables both new and current customers to get the new iPhone for free, kinda.
T-Mobile is offering up to $830 savings on your new iPhone 12 after certain conditions have been met. First, you need to join Magenta and trade-in an eligible device, which basically will get you a new iPhone for free. You will see the trade-in credits and the balance in the 24 monthly bill credits for your new phone. Of course, you will have to trade in your iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or iPhone X in good condition to get your iPhone 12 for free. While the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will get you up to $600 off, and previous models such as the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6S, and the iPhone 6S Plus can get you $450 savings.
As we expected, the iPhone 12 box doesn’t come with a power adapter or wired headphones. There is a USB-C to Lightning cable, so at least there’s that? If you don’t know what USB-C is, or you’re coming from an older iPhone and haven’t got a newish iPad or Macbook, you’ll probably need a USB-C power adapter.
If wired earbuds are a must, then the lack of headphone jack means you’ll want something that’s Lightning compatible. Apple’s official EarPods are the ones you used to get in the box and cost $19, whilst the upgrade pick if you’re interested in something wireless would be the original AirPods for $125. Of course, if you want the best true wireless earbuds for the iPhone right now, look no further than the AirPods Pro, which is currently on sale at $199!
Now, deals have just gotten sweeter. You can currently get a new 64GB iPhone 11 and other great smartphones for only $300 if you go over to AT&T. Still, things aren’t as simple, as there are some conditions that need to be met. First, you need to get a new line or upgrade your existing line to eligible unlimited service. You will also have to put your phone on an AT&T Installment Plan that will have you paying $10 for your device for 30 months, which adds to $300. If you want more storage, you would have to pay $15 for the 128GB version or $20 for the 256GB version, but it’s still a great deal.
You can also get a new Microsoft Surface Duo for the same $300 and under the same conditions, but you may also be interested in other devices. You can save up to $800 on the latest Galaxy S21 series and the iPhone 12 lineup. To get $800 for your new Samsung Galaxy S20 device, you will have to trade-in an eligible device, and you must do the same if you want to put your hands on a new iPhone 12, but you will only get up to $700 off. There are tons of options to choose from, so take a look.
If you’re not really a fan of getting a device locked to a specific carrier, you can also take a look at some of B&H offers, where you can get a new Google Pixel 3 XL for just $300 after a massive $500 discount. It comes with 64GB storage space and a pretty decent camera for 2021. You can also get a new Samsung Galaxy S20 FE for just $569 and save $180.99. It features 256GB of storage space, 8GB RAM, a 7nm Exynos Chipset & Octa-Core CPU, and a triple camera system with two 12MP and one 8MP sensor.
Finally, we head over to the Smart TV department, where we find an awesome deal on the 75-inch Hisense H6510G Series LED 4K UHD Smart Android TV that’s getting a huge $400 discount. This means you can get yours for just $600, but this is a today-only deal, so hurry.
If you’re looking for another option, we have the TCL 75-inch 5-Series 4K UHD Roku Smart TV that’s selling for $998 after a $201.99 discount. A smaller but more expensive option comes thanks to LG, as its 55-inch 4K Smart OLED TV with Alexa built-in is currently $650 off, leaving it up for grabs at $1,350. There is another less expensive option to consider, as you can get a new Insignia 65-inch Smart 4K UHD for $500 with $100 savings.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is also getting amazing BOGO deals at Verizon.
Get iPhone 12 BOGO deals, and other iPhone models for free at Verizon
Samsung Galaxy Note 20, OnePlus devices and more on sale today
Let’s start today with some iPhone Buy one Get one free deals, since it seems carriers like Verizon are going gall out. You can currently get that BOGO for the iPhone 12 if you get a new line but, if you go in for a trade-in you can get up to $750 off. You can also get the iPhone 11 Pro for $640 off if you get an Unlimited Plan. B&H currently has the OnePlus 8 for $350 off, leaving the entry level, Onyx Black variant for $450 shipped. You can also get 2 OnePlus 8Ts for $1124 which amounts to a $374 discount. For those of you looking for Samsung deals, the company still has trade-in deals for devices like the Note 20 which starts at $449 or the Ultra at $750 . The S20 FE is also available, starting at just $425 but of course, you need an eligible device to trade in. By the way, there are still trade in deals for the Galaxy S21 series as well with store credit, I’ll be sure to link to those in the description, and don’t forget that SUPCASE is still our #1 choice for device protection. Use promo code 10POCKETNOW on Amazon to get 10% off the Award Winning UB Pro, or use promo code POCKETNOW15 on SUPCASE.com as well. –We also have more deals on the Xperia 1 mark II, Sony earbuds and more in the links in the description, and don’t forget we’ve partnered with SUPCASE to give away a Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Follow the first link in the description and enter code POCKETNOWGALAXY to enhance your chances to win.
HUAWEI Mate X2 with an inward-folding design will debut on February 22
Let’s move on to foldables which, like we mentioned yesterday should be having a big 2021. This time, let’s talk Huawei as so far, the company has given us 2 foldables with the Mate X and the Mate XS which was just a refresh. Now, recently the company filed some patents that hint that we might be getting a new design and, it’s kind of a familiar one, looking a lot like the Z Fold 2. According to the leaks, this phone will bring an 8.01in main display, with a 6.45in cover display which will bring a pill-shaped punch hole, no selfie camera on the main display. On the camera department, Huawei will reportedly give us a quad camera setup with a 50MP main lens, along with 16MP, 12MP and 8MP sensors, but we’re not so sure on the specifics of those just yet. It’ll also be powered by the Kirin 9000 SoC, along with a rather small 4400 mAh battery along with 66W charging. And yes, for the price tag, we’re still hearing around $2000 but, due to the whole ban we might not get it world wide once again. Now, the reason we’re covering this is, the company just sent out press invitations for an event to happen on February 22, showing off the folding display in the teaser. We’ll see what we get.
Apple working on Mixed Reality headset with over a dozen cameras and 8K displays: Report
Let’s talk Apple and a little more of their unconventional projects, cause right now, it seems the sky is the limit for them. Starting with the Apple Car which was a big topic yesterday, a new report from CNBC claims that this will be a fully autonomous vehicle and it will not be designed to have a driver. This means that Apple is planning to go head to head with Tesla as, we know that that is one of Tesla’s ultimate goals. Now, moving on from the Apple Car, let’s talk about Mixed Reality headsets.. Yes. For some time now, there’s been a ton of rumors surrounding VR and AR headsets from Cupertino as well as glasses. Well, according to a new report from The Information, Apple is working on a Mixed Reality headset that will come equipped with over 12 cameras for head and hand movement tracking, as well as capturing your real world surroundings. Apparently they will also equip it with 2 8K displays and it will feature some eye-tracking technology. Just for contest, Microsoft’s $3500 HoloLens 2 features a total of 7 cameras and a 2K display, so yeah. Now, you might be wondering about the crazy Apple price tag but, the report mentions that the current discussed price is $3000, way cheaper than Microsoft’s considering everything you’re supposed to be getting. The report also shared a rough sketch of the product with a mesh headband and a rather small visor at the front. It will reportedly be aimed at enterprise customers but, we don’t have any dates yet.
Google is exploring a less stringent take on Apple’s anti-tracking tools for Android
Last week we covered how Facebook could be suing Apple thanks to the new privacy changes Cupertino announced with iOS 14. If you’re unaware of these, iOS 14.5 which is currently on beta testing, will require developers to ask for the users consent to track their activity across other apps, websites and even devices. You’ll get a prompt with the options, Ask App not to Track or Allow. Facebook’s whole case is that this will affect small business as they can’t track your data to serve you their ads. Yeah right. Well, according to Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman and Nico Grant, Google is also looking into this matter with Android but, there’s a catch. According to the report, Google might implement this feature but in a “less stringent way”. The report mentions that Google is trying to balance the rising demands of privacy-conscious consumers with the financial needs of developers and advertisers. They are apparently seeking input from stakeholders, similar to how they’re developing the new Privacy Sandbox feature for Chrome. So, apparently, Google’s approach won’t directly ask you to opt in or opt out of being tracked because, advertisers won’t really like that but they will probably opt for a solution that allows a certain degree of ad-targeting, but still in a narrower scope for the kind of data they’re collecting. You know what’s funny? That Apple’s Face ID solution for iOS 14.5 will make the update so enticing for EVERYONE, that I doubt anyone will want to skip the update.. So sorry Facebook.
Story of the day:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 foldable phones might arrive in July
Finally, for the hottest news today let’s talk Samsung and foldables. Late last year we heard a ton of rumors on how, the Galaxy Note line was dying so Samsung could shift their focus on to their foldable products. Samsung debunked that but, there are some rumors about it still happening. Another thing Samsung mentioned is how their launch schedule might be changing, which we saw with the S21’s release. Now we have a new tweet from Ice Universe that kind of confirms it. On the tweet he mentions that we may have to wait 5 months to see the Z Flip 3 and the Z Fold 3. If you think about, their releases are always pretty much 6 months apart and January and August makes all the sense in the world. So far, we’re expecting the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to bring a new UTG composition for the 7.55in internal display, and then on the outside we’ll reportedly be getting a 6.21in cover. A couple of days ago we covered some renders from Ben Geskin showing off the possible new design with the S21 Ultra’s camera and some under the display selfie shooters and even though they aren’t too far fetched, we don’t know if any of those 2 features are coming. Other rumors hint that it’ll be priced at $2000 like the Z Fold 2 was, and it will bring an S Pen included which is why the displays are shrinking down. So far we don’t have much information on the Z Flip 3 expect for the fact that it’ll bring a 6.7in main display at 120Hz and a larger cover display. We’re also hearing some rumors of a Z Flip Lite but that isn’t certain as well. If this is the case though, we should be getting more leaks and rumors soon. Would you buy an Apple Watch just to improve Face ID?
Yes, we are starting today with an awesome buy one get one free deal for the iPhone 12 over at Verizon. First of all, you have to know that this deal isn’t as straightforward since certain conditions have to be met for you to get the second device for free. First, you have to get yourself a new line and buy your new iPhone 12 with Verizon’s monthly payment plans, and finally, you also have to get an eligible plan for your new device. This will have you paying $33.33 a month for 24 months for your new iPhone 12 with 64GB storage if you qualify to pay $0 down.
However, you can also get your new iPhone 12 with 64GB storage with a $750 discount with an eligible trade-in and a new line. If you want more storage space, you would have to pay $35.41 for the 128GB version or $39.58 for the 256GB option. You would also receive $50 Verizon Dollars and up to $100 in credit that will be reflected in your balance over the 24 months of your service. The iPhone 12 comes with 5G support, a dual-12MP camera system with an Ultra-Wide and a Wide camera, a battery that will keep you through the day without issues, and Apple’s A14 Bionic processor powering the show.
If you’d rather go for an iPhone 11 Pro, you can also get one with $640 savings. You would first have to purchase your new device with Verizon’s payment plans, add a new line with an Unlimited plan. Savings will be applied as promo credit over the next 24 or 30 months, depending on the payment plan you choose. Now, you can also get a new iPhone XR for free if you switch to Verizon, which would also imply you get a new line, and you would also see the $500 promo credit applied over the following 24 months after you’re purchased the device.
2020 has been an atypical year. We are still trying to cope with the new normal that the ongoing pandemic has brought upon us. These changes have helped some companies increase their sales numbers, as laptops and PCs are essential for people to work or study from home. However, 2020 didn’t treat every company or every market the same. The smartphone market suffered a 6% YoY decline in sales during Q4 2020, which translates to severe losses for everyone except Apple and Samsung.
According to the latest data from Counterpoint, Apple and Samsung were the only OEMs to see positive growth during the last quarter of 2020. Cupertino managed to increase its sales thanks to record high iPhone 12 sales, while the Korean tech giant has to thank its Samsung Galaxy S20 FE for saving its quarterly sales.
Research Analyst Maurice Klaehne explains why the recently launched iPhone 12 helped Apple reach 14 percent YoY growth during Q4 2020, as he says that, “We did see two bright spots in the market. Apple had a very strong YoY growth period, even with a delayed and staggered iPhone 12 launch. Demand for new iPhones outpaced supply in many cases as carriers had good promotional offers for both switchers and upgraders, something that is not as frequent. AT&T’s upgrade offers allowed customers to trade in older devices for discounts of up to $799, effectively making the iPhone 12 a free device with a qualifying unlimited plan and trade-in. Initial wait times for the Pro models, especially the iPhone 12 Pro Max, spanned close to three weeks. Given this strong demand for new iPhones and supply shortages in Q4 2020, we expect sales to spill over into Q1 2021.”
Senior Analyst Hanish Bhatia gave his comments on Samsung’s sales and how the Galaxy S20 FE was the main reason for the chaebol’s success. He says that “Samsung had a strong quarter as well, mainly due to the success of the Samsung S20 FE 5G. The OEM even launched a 256GB variant in the quarter to meet further demand from customers looking to buy a sub-$1,000 device. Especially during this COVID-19 period, customers are looking to spend less money, but still want specifications of flagship devices. Trade-in offers become especially appealing when the monthly bill does not increase by more than $10-$15. Looking ahead to 2021, the launch of new Samsung Galaxy S21 addresses the pricing issue as each device is $200 less expensive than the S20 series. However, January and February tend to be a lull in the market, and with Apple’s current momentum, there will be less opportunities for Samsung to capitalize on.”
Within a few months of iPhone 12’s launch, the rumors for its next iteration have started trickling in. From a smaller notch to the return of TouchID, we’ve heard it all in the past few weeks. Now, a new report reveals details about a new storage variant. It is said that Apple is planning to offer the iPhone 13 Pro models in a new 1TB storage variant.
According to a report from ITHome, iPhone 13 Pro could have up to 1TB of storage. For reference, the iPhone 12 Pro models come with maximum 512 gigs of inbuilt storage. The new rumor hints at Apple prepping to double this storage capacity. The last time the Cupertino company doubled the storage, it was with the iPhone XS. It offered the smartphone in a 512GB storage variant. Apple hasn’t added any more storage options in the past two years with the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. However, there is no information on whether the company plans to increase the storage capacity in the base model, which is currently at 128GB for the Pro models.
The iPhone 13 series is said to have Wi-Fi 6E, which offers higher performance, lower latency, and faster data rates in the 6GHz land as compared to Wi-Fi 6. It allows more airspace beyond existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. It is also rumored that Apple is planning to integrate TouchID on the upcoming iPhone 13 lineup. Further, the base variants(iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13) will reportedly have LTPS while the Pro variants with 120Hz will feature the LTPO display. The LTPO-TFT backplane could be used to evade the power consumption caused due to the 120Hz refresh rate. You can expect:
Apple introduced (or re-introduced) a new charging system on the iPhone 12 series called MagSafe, which relies on a ring of magnets placed beneath the rear panel for magnetically attaching to wireless chargers and juicing up the battery. And with the apparatus being made of magnets, it sure will cause some interference with devices – including medical devices – whose functioning and readings can be affected by other magnetic objects in their vicinity. As such, Apple has updated its support page telling users to keep their iPhone 12 series phones from getting too close to health devices such as implanted pacemakers and defibrillators.
Apple, however, assures that the risk is not higher compared to older iPhones
Apple notes that the magnets inside the MagSafe hardware and the electromagnetic field generated by them might interfere with medical devices. However, the risk posed by the MagSafe system – and essentially the iPhone 12 series phones as a whole – is not too high, nor it is significantly higher than older iPhones without the MagSafe system. “Though all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than prior iPhone models, they’re not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than prior iPhone models,” Apple says in the support document (via Macrumors).
To ensure that the magnets and radio apparatus inside the iPhone 12 does not interfere with the sensors inside medical devices, Apple suggests keeping them 6 inches (or at least 15cm) apart and more than 12 inches (or 30cm) apart if the iPhone 12 is wirelessly charging. Lastly, Apple notes that if users suspect that their iPhone 12 or MagSafe charger is interfering with their medical devices, they should stop using their Apple device.
As a precaution, keep your iPhone 12 at least 6 inches away from medical devices
However, most medical devices such as pacemakers come with detailed instructions regarding the potential hazards of using other electronics when nearby. It is therefore recommended that one should consult a medical expert in detail regarding all the do’s and dont’s to ensure that their daily use devices such as phones, smartwatches, or wireless chargers do not interfere with the functioning of their life-saving medical devices.
If the previous decade has taught us anything, it’s that even if the vanguard phones are the ones that draw headlines, they’re not necessarily the best sellers. Most people will relate more to brands than capabilities, so on average, consumers just want a new Galaxy or iPhone for the least amount of money.
It’s the reason why we’ve seen this new approach of not just one Galaxy S or iPhone, and in these challenging times, I’m sure a very important question you might have, is where to draw the line. Which is the best bang for the buck affordable flagship that money can buy? Today, we decided to compare two of our favorites.
This is the Galaxy S21, Samsung’s least expensive flagship for 2021, and if you watched our recent review, one of the phones you should seriously consider right now. This is the iPhone 12, probably one of our favorite offerings in 2020, given how Apple was able to blur the lines between flagship features and price. I’m sure the fans are already drawing conclusions as to which one is going to win, but I’m gonna say it’s actually not that simple.
I think the debate between iOS and Android is so old, that I’m not planning to waste your time trying to get you to jump from one platform to another. The idea of this Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12 video is to help determine which phone is the better buy, and it starts with the hardware.
Hardware
Physically both of these phones could not be more different. While Apple has decided to take a leap of faith on going entirely flat, Samsung has decided to flatten only the elements that are ergonomically convenient, which is smart given their differences in footprint. The Galaxy is 5mm taller, slightly narrower, slightly thicker, and yet manages to pull it off with just a meager 5 extra grams in weight. Both are made of aluminum frames, with Samsung favoring a shiny side rail versus Apple’s matte finish, but then both companies do the entire opposite at the back. As a result, the Galaxy handles fingerprints better, but I have a feeling the polycarbonate back Samsung provides does some leg work. It is controversial to launch a flagship with plastic, but keep in mind Apple’s ceramic shield is not present in the back.
Internally things get tight as both devices are relatively just as modern with Qualcomm and Apple’s 5nm processors. And sure, the Galaxy has double the RAM and almost double the battery, but we know that means nothing in the Apple world. What you should care about is that even if both devices don’t offer expandable storage, the Galaxy starts at double. Then they both offer essentials like fast and wireless charging, but only the Galaxy can reverse it. They’re both water-resistant and offer the same ways to remain connected, even up to both flavors of 5G. Where Apple swings back is in offering the new Ultra Wide Band on this iPhone, which this specific Galaxy S lacks.
But then when it comes to the displays, I’ll be more inclined to give this to Samsung. These are both OLED displays that support HDR10, with the S21 being only slightly larger as part of the trick since the iPhone is a tad wider. I’ll praise both for their color reproduction and amounts of detail, even if the iPhone only has a slight lead in pixels per inch. Really where the Galaxy wins is because it supports a 120Hz refresh rate versus 60, there is almost no notch to deal with versus the worse in the industry, and because it has an Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under it, which is far more convenient during this pandemic. (Speaker test) In other elements like the speakers, I’d call it more of a tie.
Regardless of which one wins your hardware preferences, both are fragile, and even with the polycarbonate back on the S21, repairs on the front are not cheap, and that only gets ridiculous with the iPhone.
Software
As I began this video, let me just once again clarify that I don’t plan to call winners based on iOS or Android. What I will do is tell you where your money is better invested. iOS makes it really hard for any Android OEM to compete unless you’re Google of course. The six-year-old iPhone 6s is still supported and you get your updates on day one, while Samsung only offers 3 years of support, is slow at them, and only gets slower the older your phone gets.
If this were the old grid of icons from Apple, I’d also give visuals to Samsung, but even here iOS 14 has finally evolved with widgets and a smarter app library versus Samsung’s app tray. I just find Samsung’s approach more dense, flexible, and useful, now even allowing the Google feed at the left, or the swipe menu for essentials like multi-window that iOS still can’t do. I’m also more of a fan of how Android 11 stacks notifications and even home peripherals.
The war of ecosystems is a tie, as both companies have gadgets that talk to each other well. I’d even say the battle of battery life is quite close as each device ended the day just fine, and that feeling extends to phone calls, and how each device handles 5G connectivity.
Camera
Really the last element left to help us break this minor and subjective tie is to compare the cameras. If you look at the spec sheet, you’d assume this is an easy win for Samsung, I mean you have a primary sensor that compares more with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, plus a telephoto the iPhone 12 lacks, but I’ll let the results do the talking.
I’m gonna call this a tail of opposite approaches. During the day the S21 tends to be warmer during the day, though results vary based on your focal length, while the iPhone is cooler, and really not a phone I’d recommend for anything other than ultra-wide and primary. I thought 3X digital on the iPhone could compete, but who am I kidding. I also notice more natural bokeh from the S21 given the larger physics of the sensor and also a tad more detail.
Once you turn off the lights I don’t recommend you use any other focal length as the ultra-wide is kind of washed, and telephoto in these conditions is actually a digital crop. I drift more to the Galaxy because the iPhone continues to be plagued with light reflections that Samsung barely deals with.
Things flip over literally with selfie photos where Apple gets warmer than Samsung. And sure, Apple’s deep fusion makes me look younger and handles skin tones really well, but I find Samsung to be more accurate, and it also offers less of a crop in selfie portraits.
Video is where the iPhone continues to reign supreme. Sure, Samsung has done a far better job with avoiding warping as you walk, but the sharpening is still there, even if in less of a degree. It’s a close call, but if I had to pick in that department alone I’d go iPhone, though the rest of the camera comparison belongs to the Galaxy.
Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12: conclusion
To conclude, no worries, you know me, I’ll always call out a winner, but you can’t deny that in some ways this was a bit of a close call. Samsung wins Hardware, software drifts more to iOS, though it’s a matter of taste, then the camera really depends on what you care about most, be that photos or video, where I think the Galaxy is the better buy.
That said, once you jump into the price, Samsung wins. It’s a few dollars less expensive if you ignore the odd carrier discount from Apple, but then you get double the most things internally, more cameras, and if you were to take advantage of the pre-order deals, the Galaxy S21 gives you enough perks to buying back the charger and a pair of earbuds that neither offer in the box. I’ll be sure to link to some of my favorites in the description.
The bottom line, the Samsung Galaxy S21 wins. Those of you in the market for the best bang for the buck modern flagship that money can buy, this is it. I hate to take over Apple’s old slogan here, but seriously, I’d say the Galaxy S21 is not just the right amount of everything, but double that in a few elements here and there.
If you seek to enjoy the latest of what Apple has to offer without breaking your wallet, the iPhone 12 is just the perfect device right now. It rocks a beautiful design, blazing fast internals, reliable cameras, and a smooth software to boot. Just about the complete package.
The vanilla Galaxy S21 might not get as much attention as its Ultra sibling, but this one is a terrific device for its asking price. You get a beautiful 120Hz display, versatile cameras, cool aesthetics, and a feature-rich software. Plus, the deals and discounts just make it an irresistible offer.
Samsung’s 2021 Galaxy flagship is official. The vanilla variant sports a “compact” 6.2-inch display with slim bezels and an Infinity-O display. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm SoC and packs new cameras. Hence, it is natural to compare it with the Apple counterpart. The Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 lie in the same price segment. Therefore, here is a Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12 comparison.
Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12: Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S21
Apple iPhone 12
Display
6.2-inch Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X 2400 x 1080 pixel-resolution 120Hz refresh rate 421 PPI pixel density 1300 nits peak Gorilla Glass 7
6.1‑inch OLED display 2532 x 1170-pixel resolution 60Hz refresh rate 460 PPI 1200 nits peak brightness Ceramic Shield
Rear: 12MP primary (f/1.6, OIS) 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120°) 2x optical zoom out Digital zoom up to 3x
Front: 12MP
Video features
4K at 30/60 FPS 8K at 30 FPS FHD at 30/60/120 FPS Slo-mo HD at 960 FPS
4K at 24/25/30/60 FPS HD at 25/30/60 FPS Slo-mo 1080p at 120/240 FPS
Battery
4,000mAh
2,815mAh
IP Rating
IP68
IP68
Weight
171 grams
162 grams
Dimensions
151.7×71.2×7.9 mm
146.7×71.5×7.4 mm
Display and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S21 features a 6.2-inch Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2400 x 1080 pixel-resolution and 421 PPI pixel density. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and is claimed to go up to 1300 nits peak brightness. The display is protected by the Gorilla Glass 7. It measures 151.7×71.2×7.9 mm, which is bigger and slightly thicker than the iPhone 12. Moreover, it is heavier at 171 grams.
To be curved or not to be
The iPhone 12, on the other hand, features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. It comes with a 2532×1170-pixel resolution at 460 PPI and offers a 2000000:1 contrast ratio. The company claims it can go up to 625 nits brightness (typical) and 1,200 nits brightness (HDR). However, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. Moreover, the iPhone 12 sports flat edges with aluminum railings on all four sides.
If you are anything like me, you won’t have trouble reaching the top of the display. It comes re-architected to pack new technologies in a smaller form factor. The display has Ceramic Shield that makes 4X better drop performance. It measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm and weighs 162 grams. It feels good in the hand but the palms could start hurting after prolonged usage.
Hardware and Battery
The new Galaxy flagship is powered by the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC with Qualcomm Kryo 680 that generates up to a 25% uplift in overall CPU performance and allows top frequencies of up to 2.84GHz. It is paired with Adreno 660 GPU that delivers up to 35% faster graphics rendering compared to the previous generation. The smartphone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage options. Further, it packs a 4,000mah battery.
Flagship-level performance all-around
By contrast, the iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic chipset, which is built on a 5nm process. It features 11.8 billion transistors that offer an increase of over 40% vs A13 processor. The 6-core GPU is 50% faster than the competition. It comes with a 16-core NPU that is 80% faster. Further, the chipset has 2nd gen ML accelerators that are up to 70% faster. It is teased to be a huge leak forward in iPhones. The base variant offers 64GB of internal storage. It is claimed to last as much as the iPhone 11 and in my usage, it lasted for an entire day easily. The speakers are loud, but they are average at high volume in terms of clarity. Both of these phones support 5G.
Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S21 sports a triple rear camera setup of 12MP primary (f/1.8, OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120°) + 64MP telephoto (f/2.0, OIS) lens that supports 3x hybrid optical zoom. The latest Samsung smartphone can shoot 4K at 30/60 FPS, 8K at 30 FPS, FHD at 30/60/120 FPS, and Slo-mo HD at 960 FPS.
The best cameras in the segment?
On the other hand, the latest iPhone sports a lesser number of cameras. It comes equipped with a dual rear camera setup. There’s a primary 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens having an f/2.4 aperture with a 120-degree field of view. The secondary 12MP wide sensor has an f/1.6 aperture with a 26mm focal length. There is a 7 element lens that brings 27% improvement in low light performance. Computational photography has Smart HDR3 that understands scenes with machine learning. Further, Night Mode expands on all cameras including the ultra-wide and selfie shooter.
In broad daylight, the difference between a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S and Note series, and the latest iPhones, is blurring. The iPhone 12 captures sharp, and detailed images in broad daylight. It’s the night and indoor lighting conditions where the difference with the competition is noticeable.
Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12: Verdict
It depends on your use case. If you want the smallest phone that can last all day, has a flagship camera experience, exceptional performance, and support for at least 5 years, look at the iPhone 12. On the other hand, if you want the latest and greatest of the Android world, with excellent cameras and a gorgeous display, you can go with the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Samsung Galaxy S21 series, Google Pixel 4a 5G and more on sale today
The latest iPad Pro, Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad and more devices are on sale today
Great savings on Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and more are also available today
As expected, the official news begin with deals of things really do make a difference if you order early. As yes, the Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra and all the products announced last week are still available for pre-orders, giving you some great perks. In the case of the Galaxy S21, you can get it for as low as $99, the Galaxy S21+ for $299 and the Galaxy S21 Ultra for $499, all with either $100, $150 or $200 in store credit respectively, plus a smart tag, and then 4 months of YouTube Premium and 6 months of Spotify Premium. Talk about a way to sweeten the pot. Also, if you’re looking for the best rugged case money can buy for the S21 Series, SUPCASE is our go to! We’ll be sure to have links for their cases both on Amazon, and also SUPCASE.com for you to use code POCKETNOW15 to get a 15% discount. And yes, and those other trade-in deals for devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2 at just $999 plus others are still available. Moving on to some Apple deals, the latest iPad is currently $30 off, leaving the entry level model for just $299. The iPad Pro is also $100 off, leaving entry level model for $999 on both Amazon and B&H. Finally, if you’re looking for a cheap gaming monitor, Amazon has Samsung’s 24in 144Hz monitor for $20 off, leaving it at $230. We have more deals on monitors, iPads, the Google Pixel and more.
Now, let’s talk about LG on more of a negative note sadly. We thought that the Explorer project meant more innovation for the future, but that’s if there is one. Last year the company was turning a lot of heads with the LG Wing, but it looks like it didn’t turn enough pockets. According to a report from the Korea Herald, “a change is coming”. According to them, LG is set to make a cold judgement, whether that is to sell, withdrawal or downsize their smartphone business. But don’t worry, regardless of the change in direction, the employment will be maintained. It is tipped that about 60% of their staff will be moved and reassigned into other business units within the company or their affiliates but, the future for the other 40% is not clear just yet. Now, this is not the first time we’ve heard this kind of rumors from LG as, the company has reportedly posted operating looses for 23 consecutive quarters which is, pretty crazy. On another note, a report from The Elec also claims that LG has stopped making LCD panels for iPhones as Apple is fully moving on to OLED and because they will reportedly move on from the smartphone market. At the moment, we’re expecting LG’s rollable smartphone which will reportedly bring a 7.4in display as part of their Explorer Project. Just not sure if consumers will want to adopt it if these rumors continue to evolve.
Asus ROG Phone 4 appears in a hands-on video flaunting its secondary rear screen
New ASUS ROG Phone 4 may arrive with a massive battery
Let’s move the spotlight on to ASUS as you can’t deny the company’s disruption in the gaming smartphone market, and the ROG Phone is due for a refresh. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been getting a couple of tidbits on what to expect but now we have some good information. First off, ASUS posted a poster of the phone on Weibo, showing the phone’s silhouette over the Aries constellation. Now, according to a tipster, the ASUS ROG Phone 4 will come in with a crazy, and I mean crazy 6000 mAh battery which will allegedly support 60 or 65W charging speeds. The phone recently went through Geekbench, revealing that it will be powered by the Snapdragon 888, 8GB of RAM and it will run Android 11 out of the box. Finally, a Chinese tipster posted an image of the actual device on to Weibo, showing off the back of the phone. It looks very ROG to say the least, with the camera module resembling its predecessor and a gray color variant with some accents for RGB lights, which were shown on a quick hands on video posted to YouTube. On that video you also get to see the phones display but it doesn’t really show anything. Judging by the poster and the constellation, we should expect this phone between March 21 and April 19 so, let’s see what we get. All that said, I’m seriously curious as to what you think, cause I have noticed a trend in drop in specs lately. Notice those RAM numbers.
Samsung Galaxy Note 21 Ultra might feature an under-display camera
Now let’s talk Samsung Galaxy Note 21 Ultra.. I know, the phone that still doesn’t have a codename. Last year we had a ton of polarizing rumors when it came to the future of this lineup, saying that it would be discontinued in favor of foldables but then Samsung cleared out the air and said that they wouldn’t be discontinuing any products. Well, we have a new trademark application spotted by LetsGoDigital, made by Samsung display for an Under the Display Camera and, it includes a smartphone. According to them, this is a hint of the Galaxy Note 21 Ultra bringing the technology and if you think about it, that should be Samsung’s next major release as, the Z Fold 3 isn’t exactly average consumer friendly for the price. The camera is listed as a “UPC” which was actually showcased by Samsung in a video, showing their Blade Bezel laptop back at CES with the display being just 1mm thick and weighing in at 130 grams, and we’re reportedly getting this technology for the Galaxy Note 21 Ultra. Now, there is a possibility and there have been some rumors that we could get this technology on the Z Fold 3 in the second half of 2021 but, that’s not clear yet. We’ll see what happens as, this is the first thing we hear about the upcoming Note and it’s kinda vague so, let’s see what we get.
Story of the day:
Apple’s TouchID could return with the iPhone 13 lineup
iPhone 12 Pro Max’s sensor-shift stabilization might come to entire iPhone 13 family
And finally for the hottest news today, let’s move on to the iPhone 13 as, rumors keep ramping up but, and it looks like this will be more of an S year than anything. First off, we have even more confirmation on yesterday’s rumors from trusted tipsters. Someone just tweeted “need Touch ID on the iPhone again” with LoveToDream quoting the tweet and saying it’ll “be back soon”. Jon Prosser also replied to the original tweet saying “you’re getting it”. It is still unknown exactly how Apple will be bringing Touch ID back now that the home button is completely gone from the flagship line up, but the company has reportedly been testing under-the-display sensors, probably from Qualcomm. Then again, you have the iPad Air solution by placing it in the power button but we’ll see. Let’s move on to the cameras as, Apple introduced “Sensor-shift stabilization” with the iPhone 12 Pro Max but it looks like they want to expand. According to a new report from DigiTimes, Apple’s next generation iPhones will all come with sensor-shift stabilization technology. Another report from ETNews claimed that at least 2 models would bring the technology, with LG InnoTek supplying these components. Following on the IBIS we see in professional cameras, here what’s being stabilized is the sensor and not the lens, for better results, which you can definitely notice when it comes to video. DigiTimes also claims that the LiDAR is expanding to other models and that mmWave 5G will expand to models outside of the US as well. So yeah, it looks like this is a refinement year for the iPhones.
It seems that Apple’s latest iPhone lineup has knocked one out of the park with its latest sales report. The iPhone 12 appears to have accounted for a total of 76 percent of new iPhone sales if we focus on the time period between October and November. However, the smaller, more affordable version didn’t get the attention Apple was hoping for.
According to a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), the latest iPhone 12 lineup has done great in sales, taking up more than half of Apple’s new iPhone sales in the last few months after their launch periods. The vanilla iPhone 12 model with a 6.1-inch display was apparently the most popular device, as it managed to take up 27 percent in sales. The 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max with a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays reached 20 percent in sales.
If we compare this year’s sales numbers with the ones delivered by the iPhone 11, we will see a clear difference. Last year’s iPhone 11 lineup managed to reach 69 percent of Apple’s total iPhone sales, which also suggests that this year’s iPhone 12 has been more successful in sales in the period after their launch. Still, comparisons may be a bit complicated, as we saw Apple changing its launch strategy during 2020 to cope with the delays caused by the ongoing pandemic.
“Compared to last year’s launch of iPhone 11 models, which accounted for 69% of sales in the period after the launch, the four iPhone 12 models did even better, with 76% of sales. However, there was no clear leader among the new models, with sales evenly distributed among iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Max. In contrast, in 2019, iPhone 11 had an incredible 39% of sales, with iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max combining for only 30% of sales.”
Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 mini didn’t do as great as the other models, as the smaller 5.4-inch version only managed to reach 6 percent of total iPhone sales during October and November. The reason for this is that the 12 mini arrived with a price tag that wasn’t as appealing to customers, as they decided that the iPhone 11 or the iPhone XR were more attractive.
“The new iPhone mini likely disappointed Apple with only 6% of sales in the period,’ said Mike Levin, CIRP Partner and cofounder. ‘It has most of the same features as the other iPhone 12 models, in a smaller form factor for $699. Its share was just above that of iPhone XR, launched in 2018 and now priced at $499, the one-year old iPhone 11, now selling for $599, and the 2nd generation iPhone SE, launched in April 2020 at $399. It seems that its higher price point compared to those three models limited the iPhone 12 mini appeal.”
It’s always interesting to see consumer data reports The latest one from Flurry Analytics focuses on the top ten smartphone models activated on Christmas Day 2020 in the United States, where iPhones were far superior to Android devices.
Christmas is a special celebration for many, and it’s also a great day for new smartphone activations. The latest report analyzed new activations during this event, and it shows that the iPhone 11 is the most popular device among consumers. Last year’s entry-level iPhone received five percent more love than its closest competitor.
This report measured device activations during the time period between December 18 and December 24, and it leaves the iPhone XR in second place, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max in the third spot. What’s more impressive is that nine of the ten devices featured in this report are iPhone models, leaving the tenth spot for the only Android device, which turned out to be the LG K30.
The latest iPhone 12 lineup took three spots, with the vanilla iPhone 12 following the 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro taking the sixth spot, which leaves the 12 mini out of the top ten. Still, we see the iPhone 8 and the 8 Plus taking the ninth and eighth spot, respectively. Flurry believes that the success of older models is because American consumers were more price-sensitive this holiday season.
However, Flurry Analytics also notes a 23 percent year-on-year smartphone activation drop, which is mainly because of the hardships and limitations 2020, and the ongoing pandemic has brought upon us.
“As you can see, activations this year are down 23% year-over-year, likely due to the financial hardships caused by COVID-19. Another possibility is that because Americans were encouraged to stay home and limit family gatherings, smartphone gift giving could be more spread out across the days before and after Christmas.”
Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Apple Watch Series 6 and more on sale today
As per usual, let’s begin today with deals and, you guessed it, the Samsung trade-in deals are still going so we’re still going to feature them. The Galaxy Note 20 is $550 off, meaning the regular variant for $450, or the Ultra for $750. The S20 FE now starts at $390, the regular S20 at $490, and it goes all the way up to the S20 Ultra for $890. Last but definitely not least, the Z Fold 2 is still basically half off, leaving it at $1000. So yeah, you can still grab these great deals but remember, you need an eligible device to trade in. If you want an Apple Watch, you can get the Series 6 for $49 off, leaving it at $380 for the 44mm variant. But alright, moving on to gaming, if you’re looking for a laptop, the Alienware m15 R3 is currently $277 off, leaving the 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD model for $1572, packing an RTX 2060 GPU. If you’re looking for peripherals, Razer is having another sale, leaving things like the Razer Black Widow Elite Keyboard for $85. We have more deals on other gaming peripherals, other Apple Watches and more, in the links in the description.
iOS 14.3 adds ProRAW support, taking iPhone 12 Pro’s camera prowess to the next level
Now it’s Apple update’s time, as the company announced a ton of features that really didn’t’ launch with its products until today. We know that one of the features Apple markets and relies on the most for iPhones is photography capabilities, and the new iOS update brings a major one. Cupertino just rolled out a stable release for iOS 14.3 which of course goes all the way back to the iPhone 6s. Now, if you have the iPhone 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max, you might want to pay attention as, this new update enables the Apple ProRAW mode that they announced at the event. If we’re getting technical ProRAW is a 12-bit file that relies on Apple’s processing and computational photography to give you more granular control over different aspects of the photo like color, detail and dynamic range. This translates to images that are as big as 25MB but it makes photography even more interesting on your smartphone. So, if you’re into iPhone photography go check out your software updates tab, this update also adds support for AirPods Max and brings other new features like App Clips. You also get Fitness+ in case you subscribed to Apple One, which means there’s also a major update to the Apple Watch to support it. You bet, macOS Big Sur also found a major update, and now apps like the Microsoft Office Suite support the M1 processor natively. You can learn more in the description.
Apple plans 30% production surge for 2021’s first half expecting strong iPhone demand
Let’s keep talking iPhones but move on to future releases as we hear that the company plans to have a more of a normal year in 2021 and yet plans to be aggressive about it. Every single year we hear reports about how the company might have a Super Cycle but, despite the pandemic it looks like they might be looking at one right now. According to a new report from Nikkei Asia, Apple plans to produce up to 96M iPhones for the first half of 2021 on both old and new models, marking a 30% year-over-year increase. Now, when it comes to the full year forecast, we’re looking at 230M iPhones for next year which is a 20% increase over 2019 and it’s pretty on par with their record-breaking 231.5M shipped from 2015. The report also mentions that Cupertino is preparing an aggressive production schedule for their high-end computers, including the MacBook Pro and an iMac Pro for next year. It also mentions a new Apple TV for next year which other tipsters have mentioned as well. We’ll see if that super cycle actually happens this year, with analysts like Jeff Pu forecasting 220M shipments for Apple. It seems that regardless of how bad this pandemic has been, people have actually consumed more electronics than ever.
We could get an Apple Watch with Touch ID and under-display camera
Now how about if we talk Apple Watch. I find it interesting how Apple nailed security on that watch so well, having it lock itself instantly when you remove it from your wrist, and even serve as a Touch ID replacement for your Mac, which means if someone knows your PIN, you’re screwed. Seems Apple has decided to fix that with some new patent applications. The first one is titled “Electronic device having sealed button biometric sensing system,” AKA, let’s use that side button as a fingerprint scanner like we have with the iPad Air. The second is “Electronic devices with two-stage displays” which reportedly will allow for an under display camera. Why would you ever want a camera on the most awkward position ever is the weirdest thing, but it seems Apple finds a use for it. Whatever the case may be I’m excited to get Touch ID on the Apple Watch, but remember Apple is known for excessive prototyping, so we have no idea if and when this will happen.
Samsung could give us up to four new folding smartphones next year
And since the rumors hint to Samsung getting rid of the Note line next year, we know that they plan to bank big on their foldables. Well, according to an ETNews report, Samsung will be releasing 4 different foldables in 2021. These 4 foldables will consist of two Z Fold models and two Z Flip models. All of these phones are expected to arrive with 5G capabilities, with mass production beginning some time in August, a little late but in time for when usually get the Note event. And, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Samsung plans to do this so it might actually be the company’s strategy. Other reports hint that Samsung plans to include the S Pen in the Fold 3, because they’re planning to get rid of the Note line. ETNews also reports that Samsung might even plan to release a rollable smartphone sometime late next year or in 2022. So yeah, we should be getting two new Z Fold 3’s, hopefully one with a more affordable variant if it actually plans to replace the Note, and two Z Flip 3’s, yes, 3. I’ll admit I admire Samsung’s boldness in completely banking its efforts on foldables, but I seriously wonder if consumers will react the same way for the price.
Story of the day:
Samsung officially hints at S Pen support for more devices, likely the Galaxy S21 Ultra
And finally the hottest news today have everything to do with Samsung’s upcoming releases and their plans to get rid of the Note by extending some of its features to the Galaxy S. In typical Samsung fashion, we’re getting more official details. Multiple reports this year have hinted to the S21 bringing S Pen support, again for the fact that we might not get a Note. Well, the president and head of mobile communications business hinted on a Blogpost that stylus support “will make its way to more devices than just the Note portfolio” also hinting that the Note might not die after all. To quote him, he mentions that “they’ve also been paying attention to people’s favorite aspects of the Note experience, and they are excited to add some of the most well-loved features to other devices in their line-up”. He also said that limitations are for other brands and that Samsung wants to test the rules as they know no bounds. Of course, he didn’t explicitly say that the S Pen is coming to the S21 but, a TON of reports have alluded to this ever since the leaks started. Sadly, tipsters like Ice Universe and other reliable sources claim that the S Pen will be supported, but it won’t ship with the phone and it won’t be placed inside it, like we get with the Note.
The iPhone 12 is a noteworthy upgrade in ways more than one, but the improved imaging capabilities are the biggest enhancements for me. Apple hasn’t done any major changes to the internal camera hardware vis-a-vis its predecessor and is also retaining the sapphire crystal lens cover. Sapphire is more resistant to scratches than regular glass, but why take the chance? We have rounded up a list of the best iPhone 12 camera lens protectors to shield the two rear camera lenses of the latest Apple offering against any physical damage. Have a look:
This bundle of two iPhone 12 lens protectors is made out of tempered glass that ranks 9H on the Moh hardness scale, which is as hard as the commercially available glass gets. It also claims to offer 99 percent visual clarity and has a dedicated cutout for the LED flash as well.
EGV’s 3-pack iPhone 12 camera lens protector is also made out of highly impact-resistant tempered glass and has separate cutouts for the camera lenses, LED flash module, and the rear mic. The scratch-resistant material has oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings on top.
The QHOHQ 3-pack camera lens protector for the iPhone 12 is claimed to offer 100 percent light transmittance, ensuring that camera output is not affected. The material comes with a 9H hardness rating on the Moh scale, which means it can easily keep scratches at bay
LK Store’s 3-pack iPhone 12 lens protector is among the cheapest options on this list, but it still covers all the key requirements. It is sufficiently strong with a 9H durability rating on the Moh scale and is just 1mm thick, while its design ensures that you won’t have issues using a case.
The 2-pack camera lens protector from ORZERO uses a scratch-resistant material that ranks at 9H on the Moh hardness scale. It also keeps fingerprints at bay, uses a super adhesion technology so that it doesn’t fall off the camera module, and is impressively thin at just 0.1mm.
Tamoria’s 3-pack lens protector for the iPhone 12 is made out of 9H tempered glass that also has a hydrophobic coating on top and will also keep fingerprint marks away. This scratch-resistant lens protector also an oleophobic coating and offers 99.9 percent light transmittance.
Foluu’s iPhone12 camera lens protector has four scratch-resistant sheets in the retail package, all of which rank 9H on the hardness scale. It has hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings on top, while a 99.9 percent light transmittance ensures that image quality is not affected due to color casts.
Made out of a tempered glass layer with a 9H hardness rating, the 3-pack bundle of Aeska iPhone 12 camera lens protector is scratch-resistant and oleophobic too. It is claimed to be 100 percent clear, which means you won’t notice any color cast in images or videos captured by the camera.
The 3-pack Bazo camera lens protector for the iPhone 12 uses 9H tempered glass that is claimed to offer 99.9 percent light transmittance. This scratch-resistant lens protector also has oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings on top, and can also keep away fingerprint marks.
Our pick from the best iPhone 12 camera lens protectors list?
The QHOHQ camera lens protector for the iPhone 12 is one of the best deals right now. It is made out of 9H tempered glass, which is as strong as it gets. Aside from keeping away oily smudges and fingerprint marks, it is also claimed to offer 100 percent light transmittance, which means image quality won’t exhibit any haziness or color imbalance. And the best part? A bundle of three camera lens protectors costs just $8.99, which is a great value for your hard-earned money.
Another great choice is the EGV iPhone 12 camera lens protector, whose 3-pack retail package also includes three alcohol cleaning wipes, an equal number of dust removal stickers, and a microfiber cloth for cleaning it. This impact and scratch-resistant lens protector also offers 99.9 percent light transmittance, which is not too shabby either, and also has hydrophobic as well as oleophobic coatings on top.
We have a lot more awesome iPhone 12 accessories lists on our website, so don’t forget to check them out as well.
