iPhone 12 Pro Pros and Cons: What it Was Like to Live With For 4+ Years

I’ve been using the iPhone 12 Pro for quite a while now as a dedicated travel camera (for both photos and videos).

I bought it for one specific reason: to keep my primary device clean and free from the clutter of photos and videos while gathering travel content. Over the years, it has proven itself to be an incredibly capable and durable device. Mostly.

Pros of the iPhone 12 Pro

1. The Flat-Edge Design

The shape of the iPhone 12 Pro is one of my favorite things about it. Those flat, squared-off edges are fantastic. They remind me of the classic iPhone 4 and 5 design, and they make the phone feel grippy in hand.

Unlike the rounded edges of my old iPhone 11 Pro, which were slippery and had me dropping that phone far too often, the 12 Pro feels fits securely in my hand even without a case.

2. Outstanding Durability

This phone has been through it all: countless trips, all around the world, without a case. Despite that, it’s still in excellent condition. There are no major scratches or cracks on the screen or back glass. Sure, there are minor scuffs at the bottom, but nothing serious.

The stainless steel edges and glass back not only look premium, but they’ve held up incredibly well under heavy use.

3. Premium Look and Feel

My 12 Pro is the Space Gray version, and even today, it still looks and feels high-end. The combination of glass and stainless steel gives it a rich, almost jewelry-like appearance. It’s sleek, stylish, and still looks great even compared to my better looking (IMHO) iPhone 14 Pro.

4. Excellent Camera System

The cameras were the main reason I bought the iPhone 12 Pro. As someone who shoots a lot of travel content, I needed a secondary device for video and photography so my main phone wouldn’t get cluttered up with files.

Compared to the iPhone 11 Pro, the camera system on the 12 Pro was a significant upgrade, especially in low-light performance. The addition of the telephoto lens with 2x zoom was a big deal for me at the time, particularly for aviation videos where I often needed to zoom in on distant objects.

5. Bright, Crisp Display

The display on the 12 Pro is fantastic. It’s bright, sharp, and easy to see even in direct sunlight. I never had to struggle with outdoor visibility while filming or editing photos on the go. Colors are vivid, and the overall clarity still holds up against modern standards.

6. Solid Performance Over Time

Even running iOS 18, the iPhone 12 Pro remains fast and responsive. Apps open quickly, animations are smooth, and I haven’t noticed any significant lag. That’s one of the big advantages of going with a Pro model I guess, because the extra processing power helps keep the device feeling fresh even years later.

7. Excellent Build Quality

Everything about the hardware feels premium. The buttons still have a satisfying click, nothing feels loose, and all the ports work perfectly.

Cons of the iPhone 12 Pro

1. Battery Life Isn’t Great

Battery life on my 12 Pro has always been just okay. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not impressive either. During long shooting days, I had to be careful and sometimes bring a power bank. Compared to other phones I’ve owned from that timeframe (such as the Google Pixel 6), the 12 Pro doesn’t hold up well.

2. Glossy Screen Reflection

This isn’t unique to the iPhone 12 Pro, but the glossy screen can be annoying. Outdoors, reflections can make it hard to see what you’re doing, especially if you’re in dark mode or working with darker backgrounds. I always found myself tilting the phone at awkward angles just to avoid glare.

3. Fingerprint Magnet

While the glass back and polished edges look stunning, they’re also fingerprint magnets. It’s almost impossible to keep the phone looking clean unless you carry around a microfiber cloth.

4. Slippery When Wet

Yes, the flat edges make it easier to grip, but the phone is still made of slick materials. If your hands are wet or sweaty, it can (wand will) slip. Although I never did drop mine, I always felt like I needed to be cautious when using it one-handed.