No matter how you got your hands on one of iPhone 12 models – whether it was a gift you unwrapped over the holidays or something you gave yourself – your heart is probably all pumping at the prospect of a new Apple phone. But before you dive in, you might be wondering what sophisticated new features are available on the iPhone 12.
Even old iPhone users may find that some of the additions and improvements to the iPhone 12 contain some surprises. To help you get the most out of your new phone, here are the features of the iPhone 12 that you should check first and what you need to do to enable and disable these new features.
IPhone 12 Features: Managing 5G
One of the most talked about features of the new iPhone 12 line is its support for the new free and hassle-free cellular network technology called 5G. You have probably heard that 5G will enable faster speeds and higher quality streaming – as soon as it is available in your area, that is ..
However, there are some considerations before going for 5G full time. On the one hand, unless you have a data plan that specifically includes 5G coverage – like best unlimited data plans, for example – you can’t really join a 5G network at will. Even if you can, that extra speed can also consume your phone’s battery life. In other cases, you may simply not have 5G available on your neck of the forest yet and want to turn off 5G on your iPhone 12 until you do.
Easy enough: just open Settings on your iPhone, go to the Mobile section and tap Voice and Data. There you can choose from three options: 5G On defaults to 5G whenever a compatible network can be found, but will consume your battery faster; 5G Auto activates a Smart Data mode that only uses the fastest speeds when it offers a real benefit; and going back to LTE disables 5G completely, for lower speeds, but better battery life.
IPhone 12 features: data consumption
In addition to choosing to use 5G, you also have control over how the iPhone consumes data. Go to Settings> Mobile> Data mode and you can choose from three options.
The standard default mode allows certain functions – such as automatic updates and tasks that applications run in the background – to continue to work on the phone, while lowering the quality of FaceTime and video on the mobile network, to save data.
If you are using a 5G connection, you can tell the system to Allow more data on 5G, which offers better quality for streaming video and FaceTime calls. (But be sure to check what your data plan allows – most operators restrict you to lower speeds, once you pass a certain amount of data.)
And if you’re in a really tight data situation (say you’re traveling abroad and paying per megabyte), you can turn on low data mode to further reduce data usage on Wi-Fi and cell phones, pausing updates and background tasks. The power is yours!
IPhone 12 features: Fine-tuned face identification
The iPhone 12 may be your first phone with Face ID, so if you’re new to biometric authentication, you may face some challenges. For example, you may not be aware that certain types of sunglasses can interfere with the infrared cameras used to recognize your face for phone unlocking and mobile payment verification.
This is a drag, but if you don’t want to discard your favorite curtains, there is an alternative solution.
Go to Settings> Face ID and Password and disable Requires attention to Face ID. This means that the system does not need to be able to detect your eyes to recognize your face. Yes, this makes Face ID a little less secure, but at least it will prevent you from having to take off your sunglasses constantly, in the David Caruso style.
IPhone 12 features: enable picture-in-picture video
We’ve all been there: we’re watching a video on our iPhone or iPad and have to jump to another app to write a note, reply to a text or check something in a browser, interrupting our precious cute cat video.
Fortunately, one of the most useful new features in the iOS 14 is a picture-in-picture video. When you know how to use picture-in-picture video, you can return to the home screen or another application when watching a video in a compatible application, and the video will appear as a pop-up window in the corner of the screen. He keeps playing while you take care of your secondary task.
In most cases, you can manually enter Picture in Picture mode from a full-screen video, but to make PiP the default, open Settings, go to the General section and then to Picture in Picture. From there, activate Start PiP Automatically.
IPhone 12 Features: Disable FaceTime floating windows
We all spend a lot more time on video chats than we did a year ago, and while Apple’s FaceTime is a useful way to keep in touch with friends, family and even coworkers, it has its shortcomings.
To name one: FaceTime video calls with multiple people automatically try to select who is speaking and enlarge their image on the screen, but with many participants (and FaceTime video can support up to 32 people, which can be * quite * busy calling) , who can quickly become dizzy.
The good news is that you can disable this feature. Just go to Settings> FaceTime and disable the Talk key in the Auto Highlight section. Now everyone will be fine and quiet while you talk to them, which is great for your seasickness.
Likewise, while you’re on a video call using your iPhone, one thing that is often tricky is knowing where to look. The front camera of the iPhone 12 is in one place, the photos on the screen are in another place, so where do your eyes go?
In one of the strange features that Apple now offers, you can go to Settings> FaceTime and enable the Eye contact option. This feature allows your iPhone to use machine learning to detect where your eyes are and make it look like you are looking directly at the camera.
Weird? Yes. A harbinger of the robot’s apocalypse? Perhaps. But the people you’re talking to won’t know, and that can do a little to make video calls less awkward.
IPhone 12 features: using Apple ProRAW
Here’s one just for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max the Owners. The latest iOS update from Apple brings a new format to the iPhones Pro model that should appeal to those who like to have the most control over their photos: Apple ProRAW.
Apple touts Apple ProRAW as a way to have the flexibility to edit photo features like exposure, color and white balance, while maintaining the quality of the RAW format often used in high-end digital cameras.
Remember that this feature is really aimed at those photographers who want to retouch their images after the fact and it is definitely not for those who care about space. ProRAW images use about 10 to 12 times more storage space than a traditional JPEG. And ProRAW is not available when shooting in Portrait mode, with Live Photos or on video.
With all these caveats in mind, you can activate the format in Settings> Camera> Formats by activating the toggle button marked Apple ProRAW. You can then switch to ProRAW photo by photo mode in the Camera app by tapping the RAW button.
IPhone 12 Features: HDR Video
Speaking of sophisticated new image formats, although the video can’t take advantage of Apple’s new ProRAW format, it gains its own momentum on the iPhone 12 with the addition of HDR.
The High Dynamic Range has been around for some time, but the iPhone 12 line marks the first time that this feature is available on videos in the form of the very sophisticated Dolby Vision HDR standard, which enhances color and contrast.
To enable the feature on your iPhone 12 model, go to Settings> Camera> Record Video and make sure HDR Video is enabled. Now your videos can compete with those of professional filmmakers!
IPhone 12 features: Restore full-screen call notifications
A recent change in iOS is the way calls from your phone and FaceTime appear while you use your device. Previously, they occupied the entire display, but now on iOS 14, they default to banner notifications, just like when you receive a text or email. This means that they don’t get in the way of what you’re doing, but they can also be easier to ignore or accidentally dismiss.
If you want the old style, don’t fear. Just open the settings, go to Phone, touch Incoming calls and choose Full screen. (You can also change it in Settings> FaceTime> Incoming Calls, but changing it in one location automatically changes it in the other.)
IPhone 12 features: enable spatial audio
The perfect accompaniment for sophisticated video is, of course, sophisticated audio. If you have a pair of Apple’s AirPods Pro or new AirPods Max, you can pair them with your iPhone 12 and get the new Spatial Audio feature.
So, when watching compatible content – I recommend Ted Lasso or The Mandalorian – you can leave your phone behind and feel that the audio is coming directly from your device, no matter where you go. It is a little difficult to explain, but it is impressive when you see it in use.
For enable spatial audio, you will need AirPods paired with iPhone. Then go to Settings> Bluetooth and tap the “i” button next to the headphones. Scroll down and tap Spatial Audio – you will still have the opportunity to try it out right there. After all, as they say, listening to believe.