iPhone 12

Caspir

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Jul 16, 2005
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I have an 11 Pro Max now, and even though the differences outside of 5G don’t seem huge to me, I’m absolutely getting a 12 Pro Max, especially given the price point. I was a 10+ year android user that switches to iPhone last year because my job requires that we use them. I was anti Apple but I love this phone and the ecosystem. After using it, I get the hype. It’s a very smooth experience and the battery life is incredible. I haven’t had issues with iOS 14.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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Have an 11 Pro that I’ll trade in for a 12 Pro. 5G and camera (4x optical zoom) are a huge upgrade. I’ve been on the 2 year cycle that lines up with non-“S” releases and only have the 11 because in a daze last summer I took my X into the pool.
 

Seels

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Jul 20, 2005
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The tmobile / sprint deal I'm seeing is ridiculous. Trade in my old ass Iphone 8 to pay $7 a month for a 12? Sure thing
 

B H Kim

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I changed my mind and pre-ordered a 12. I’ve always had the biggest available size, but the 12 Pro Max is bigger and heavier than my current Xs Max and really more than I want to have to carry around in my pocket all day. I played around with my wife’s Xr, which has the same screen size as the 12, and it’s fine. And between the 12 and 12 Pro, the 2x lens in the Pro isn’t really worth the extra money, so I just ordered the regular 12.
 

jtn46

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Oct 10, 2004
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Norwalk, CT
I feel like the big losers in this are non MagSafe case makers. I really like the Jimmycase I have on my X, but went with a clear MagSafe case with a wallet for a Pacific Blue 12 Pro. The wallet price is really outrageous but it works so well with what I already do, popping out my license and favorite credit card to charge the phone.
 

dirtynine

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Dec 17, 2002
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So can the new integrated magnet fully support the phone, or does it just align the phone with new Apple MagSafe accessories? I use my magnet-enabled case to mount the phone to a car charger (where the magnet keeps it suspended vertically) and even to stick it on the fridge sometimes when I’m cooking. I can’t tell if this feature fully obviates needing a magnet case or not.
 

uncannymanny

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Jan 12, 2007
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From my understanding no difference and the magnets are fairly strong (they are powered magnets and work through the new cases).
 

5050HindSight

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I usually go about 2-3 years between upgrades (currently on an 8+) and I think I'll jump in this round. The difficulty I'm having is trying to decide which carrier is the way to go.

I'm currently on AT&T which is fine near my house (Upstate NY) but is a bit spottier when we go north a few times a year. Looking at their 5G map, my house/work seem to be in range of their 5G, but a few streets away is only 4G.

T-Mobile also seems to have 5G in my area (slightly better than AT&T), but has a lot more pockets of no coverage that might make that one a non starter.

Verizon has much better coverage (3G/4G) in the overall area, but don't seem to have 5G at all in the area yet. (Or at least not the full 5G version that is supposed to be the best of all.)

Any insight into how 5g deployment will go over the next 6-12 months? Most of the articles I've found in search are pretty stale at this point and haven't been much help.

Is it possible that the 5G coverage that AT&T and T-Mobile are claiming, is much more akin to the experience I'd get using a 5G device on a 4G Verizon network making at least that aspect a wash? (I feel like I understand about 75% of the 5G capabilities, but it's the part I can't figure out which would prove to be most helpful/useful).
 

NortheasternPJ

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Nov 16, 2004
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I usually go about 2-3 years between upgrades (currently on an 8+) and I think I'll jump in this round. The difficulty I'm having is trying to decide which carrier is the way to go.

I'm currently on AT&T which is fine near my house (Upstate NY) but is a bit spottier when we go north a few times a year. Looking at their 5G map, my house/work seem to be in range of their 5G, but a few streets away is only 4G.

T-Mobile also seems to have 5G in my area (slightly better than AT&T), but has a lot more pockets of no coverage that might make that one a non starter.

Verizon has much better coverage (3G/4G) in the overall area, but don't seem to have 5G at all in the area yet. (Or at least not the full 5G version that is supposed to be the best of all.)

Any insight into how 5g deployment will go over the next 6-12 months? Most of the articles I've found in search are pretty stale at this point and haven't been much help.

Is it possible that the 5G coverage that AT&T and T-Mobile are claiming, is much more akin to the experience I'd get using a 5G device on a 4G Verizon network making at least that aspect a wash? (I feel like I understand about 75% of the 5G capabilities, but it's the part I can't figure out which would prove to be most helpful/useful).
Where in Upstate are you? The Verizon coverage is so much better up the 87 area by Lake George, where AT&T is horrible. Is Xfinity Mobile an option? It's on the Verizon Network, they cripple tethering speeds which sucks, but other than that it's basically Verizon at 1/4-/12 the cost.
 

Tony C

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The tmobile / sprint deal I'm seeing is ridiculous. Trade in my old ass Iphone 8 to pay $7 a month for a 12? Sure thing
Really? Was just vaguely browsing through this thread as have an XR that I'm perfectly happy with. That said...really just $7 a month? That's...enticing...
 

Seels

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Really? Was just vaguely browsing through this thread as have an XR that I'm perfectly happy with. That said...really just $7 a month? That's...enticing...
They gave me $415 discount for giving back my 8, and $200 discount for loyalty (5 years with Sprint). So basically paying $215 over 30 months.
 

5050HindSight

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Where in Upstate are you? The Verizon coverage is so much better up the 87 area by Lake George, where AT&T is horrible. Is Xfinity Mobile an option? It's on the Verizon Network, they cripple tethering speeds which sucks, but other than that it's basically Verizon at 1/4-/12 the cost.
Pretty close to Lake George (Glens Falls), which for me has been fine as long as we stay south or near the Lake, but gets much worse when we go north of there. I think based solely on coverage, Verizon is the easy way to go (and like you mentioned, could save a bit by going with a network operator rather than the network itself).

I think what it boils down to as I've been thinking about it, is I should look at coverage (therefore verizon network) rather than 5G coverage, since even if the other carriers do offer true 5G near me now, it won't be much better than what I'd be getting with 4G LTE anyway.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Yeah my wife's family is in Brant Lake, so right next door. My Verizon coverage is "good" (which means it's working) basically until Exit 24 on 87. From there, coverage on State Route 8 and at BL is really hit or miss, but AT&T was a 100% black hole.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

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Yeah my wife's family is in Brant Lake, so right next door. My Verizon coverage is "good" (which means it's working) basically until Exit 24 on 87. From there, coverage on State Route 8 and at BL is really hit or miss, but AT&T was a 100% black hole.
I've had experience with AT&T and Verizon in that area and concur with everything said so far. Verizon (or Verizon via Xfinity/Spectrum mobile) is the preferred option if one wants the best chance of at least having acceptable coverage. Even if AT&T 5g is theoretically available, I would be suspicious of it actually working there. I was lucky to even get a signal at all.
 

milfordsoxfan

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Jan 26, 2006
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It appears the embargo on YouTube reviews got lifted yesterday. I was disappointed to see reports of less battery life than the previous gen. The pricing difference (at full retail) between the 12 and the 12 Pro when you upgrade the 12 from 64 to 128gb is like $100. Yet the review seem to suggest that if you're considering the Pro, to wait until they release the Pro Max to really see how that stacks up.

The 11 Pro Max in mint condition is going for around $900 on Swappa. I'm not convinced 5G will be particularly viable until I go to upgrade again in 2 years, so that's not a huge selling point for me. I'm pretty torn as to what to do right now. Probably will wait to see what the Pro Max has to offer.

For people with iPhone experience: do you recommend getting AppleCare+? I'm not an appliance warranty guy, typically, but it might make sense at these price points.
 

IpswichSox

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Jul 14, 2005
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Early impression of the 12 pro: I wasn’t expecting this, but I really like the updated/retro squared-off edges and the way it feels in my hand. It makes the phone seem both more substantial and easier to hold, especially when I don’t yet have a case for it. And because I’m working from home likely for many more months, I may actually go without a case for a while. Plus the Pacific blue color is cool. I assume the battery and enhanced power management will be better, but particularly because I live on the edge of 5G/4G coverage, I’m interested to see how it automatically toggles back-and-forth and what impact that will have if any on battery drain.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

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Early impression of the 12 pro: I wasn’t expecting this, but I really like the updated/retro squared-off edges and the way it feels in my hand. It makes the phone seem both more substantial and easier to hold, especially when I don’t yet have a case for it. And because I’m working from home likely for many more months, I may actually go without a case for a while. Plus the Pacific blue color is cool. I assume the battery and enhanced power management will be better, but particularly because I live on the edge of 5G/4G coverage, I’m interested to see how it automatically toggles back-and-forth and what impact that will have if any on battery drain.
Will be interested in hearing reports about battery drain.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Aug 12, 2009
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Apple issuing a warning about some MagSafe issues:
  • Increase heat build up and restrict charging, saying if your iPhone battery gets “too warm” charging will be limited to 80% capacity.
  • Damage the magnetic strips and RFID chips in credit cards, security badges, passports and key fobs if they come between the back of your iPhone and the MagSafe charger. Apple sells a MagSafe Wallet, so be very careful.
  • Damage leather cases used with the charger by leaving “circular imprints”. Similar damage to silicon cases has also been reported after just a few days, so questions must also be asked about what this will do to the glass backs of case-less iPhone 12 models over time.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2020/10/25/apple-iphone-12-pro-max-magsafe-credit-cards-iphone-11-pro-upgrade
I was almost certainly going to order the 12 mini, but between the smaller battery and these, I'm starting to hesitate.
 

Tony C

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Early impression of the 12 pro: I wasn’t expecting this, but I really like the updated/retro squared-off edges and the way it feels in my hand. It makes the phone seem both more substantial and easier to hold, especially when I don’t yet have a case for it. And because I’m working from home likely for many more months, I may actually go without a case for a while. Plus the Pacific blue color is cool. I assume the battery and enhanced power management will be better, but particularly because I live on the edge of 5G/4G coverage, I’m interested to see how it automatically toggles back-and-forth and what impact that will have if any on battery drain.
I just ordered one and a small part of the appeal is that I loved that style in the...was it the 5? I'm also considering going caseless given the supposed strength of the "ceramic" glass and just the beauty of that phone design.
 

NortheasternPJ

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So can you put tempered glass on the back and have MagSafe still work? Very disappointed they put the cheaper breakable glass on the back.
 

IpswichSox

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I have the Pacific Blue, and I really like it. But note it's very dark (even darker than a traditional Navy blue), and the Apple logo on the back is even darker (on the Pro). In some light, it actually looks like it could be graphite or even black. My recommendation would be get it. I don't think it's the kind of blue that would grow tiresome after a few months or you would want to conceal with a cover. Obviously it's a personal choice and YMMV.

Of course, didn't mean to imply it was indestructible.
 

B H Kim

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I'm not a fan of the MagSafe charger. I usually just charge my phone overnight, so the higher wattage/quicker charging doesn't really matter, and I'm convinced that the connecting and disconnecting from the charger is going to eventually leave marks on the back of my phone (I'm going caseless for now).
 

milfordsoxfan

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Jan 26, 2006
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On a whim I picked up the regular 12 with 128gb today. Needed something to distract myself from everything. It's blue, which is kind of cool, but it lives in a case. I got gouged for $50 for a phone case from Apple, but because I'm on the fence about keeping this thing, I wanted to put a case on it ASAP. Add in tax and it came to $980 or so. I'm not a phone contract guy, so no deals for me. I'm switching from a Pixel 3 XL. From the perspective of a guy who has been with Android since the OG Moto Droid with physical keys, here's a quick breakdown:

It's fast. The camera seems really good. The video is *substantially* better than what I can do with the Pixel. I have 5G turned off. I don't see any coverage in my area of CT, and I'm trying to figure out how long the battery can last. I don't care about the magnet charging, didn't buy one of those. My understanding is that wireless charging is inefficient and not especially good for the environment. Just like everyone says, the chat is great compared to Android, and the notifications are kind of a mess compared to Android. Apps are apps no matter what phone you're using. Getting used to iOS is going to take some time.

My primary takeaway: it's small. I suspect that if you're coming from any mainstream Android phone, you would also find it to be small. For a while I've thought that I wanted a smaller phone, but now I am not sure if that is actually true. I will figure this out during the 14-day return period. Unfortunately there's really no way for me to recreate "normal" usage right now because I'm holed up and don't see that changing anytime soon. I could see myself potentially returning this and getting the Pro Max whenever that is available. I thought that phone would be too big, then I realized that dimensionally, it is the slightly smaller than my Pixel. A lot of that decision will depend upon what the reviews say about the battery on that one and whether or not the camera upgrade is worth it.

I find myself whelmed. This is a glass and metal slab (yes, I did understand this going in). Better than my current slab, but is it $1k better when I don't absolutely need a new phone? I dunno. I bet if you are a current iPhone user with a model that is 3-4 generations old, this thing will be a phenomenal upgrade. Ditto if you get some sort of great trade-in/carrier discount offer.
 

canderson

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Jul 16, 2005
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Harrisburg, Pa.
I'm not a fan of the MagSafe charger. I usually just charge my phone overnight, so the higher wattage/quicker charging doesn't really matter, and I'm convinced that the connecting and disconnecting from the charger is going to eventually leave marks on the back of my phone (I'm going caseless for now).
That might be one of the worst Apple new devices in a looooong time.
 

Mooch

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Jul 15, 2005
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Broke down and ordered the 12 Pro to upgrade my 6. It's through my company so I'm only paying half price which is nice.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Nov 16, 2004
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On a whim I picked up the regular 12 with 128gb today. Needed something to distract myself from everything. It's blue, which is kind of cool, but it lives in a case. I got gouged for $50 for a phone case from Apple, but because I'm on the fence about keeping this thing, I wanted to put a case on it ASAP. Add in tax and it came to $980 or so. I'm not a phone contract guy, so no deals for me. I'm switching from a Pixel 3 XL. From the perspective of a guy who has been with Android since the OG Moto Droid with physical keys, here's a quick breakdown:

It's fast. The camera seems really good. The video is *substantially* better than what I can do with the Pixel. I have 5G turned off. I don't see any coverage in my area of CT, and I'm trying to figure out how long the battery can last. I don't care about the magnet charging, didn't buy one of those. My understanding is that wireless charging is inefficient and not especially good for the environment. Just like everyone says, the chat is great compared to Android, and the notifications are kind of a mess compared to Android. Apps are apps no matter what phone you're using. Getting used to iOS is going to take some time.

My primary takeaway: it's small. I suspect that if you're coming from any mainstream Android phone, you would also find it to be small. For a while I've thought that I wanted a smaller phone, but now I am not sure if that is actually true. I will figure this out during the 14-day return period. Unfortunately there's really no way for me to recreate "normal" usage right now because I'm holed up and don't see that changing anytime soon. I could see myself potentially returning this and getting the Pro Max whenever that is available. I thought that phone would be too big, then I realized that dimensionally, it is the slightly smaller than my Pixel. A lot of that decision will depend upon what the reviews say about the battery on that one and whether or not the camera upgrade is worth it.

I find myself whelmed. This is a glass and metal slab (yes, I did understand this going in). Better than my current slab, but is it $1k better when I don't absolutely need a new phone? I dunno. I bet if you are a current iPhone user with a model that is 3-4 generations old, this thing will be a phenomenal upgrade. Ditto if you get some sort of great trade-in/carrier discount offer.
Can you just put a piece of tempered glass on the back and have MagSafe still work? That's what i was thinking.
 

milfordsoxfan

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Can you just put a piece of tempered glass on the back and have MagSafe still work? That's what i was thinking.
That didn't cross my mind, but I would think you could absolutely do that. Do they make tempered glass that fits the back of phones? I've only ever put screen protectors on the front of them.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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Jan 2, 2006
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I pre-ordered the Max this morning in glorious Pacific Blue. Can someone explain the charger situation to me? In the video, it appears that the dongle attaches magnetically, but I do not see an option to buy that?

I did order the clear Mag case for the phone, as well as the wallet (which apparently is back ordered for quite some time) and the wireless charger where you rest the phone on the disc shaped piece.

Side note, should I get some air pods, or wait for the new air pod pros?
 

VORP Speed

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Apr 23, 2010
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I pre-ordered the Max this morning in glorious Pacific Blue. Can someone explain the charger situation to me? In the video, it appears that the dongle attaches magnetically, but I do not see an option to buy that?

I did order the clear Mag case for the phone, as well as the wallet (which apparently is back ordered for quite some time) and the wireless charger where you rest the phone on the disc shaped piece.

Side note, should I get some air pods, or wait for the new air pod pros?
I ordered the pro Max in blue this AM, too. California Poppy leather case to bring some bright sunshine-y vibes into my life.

I love the air pod pros. I could never use Apple earbuds because they wouldn’t stay in my ears but the rubber tip pros have a great seal and never fall out. Sound is good. Love them.

The disc shaped charger is the magnetic charger. It attaches magnetically to the iPhone 12 but also just works as a regular wireless charging pad for older iPhones or for AirPod case, etc.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I ordered the pro Max in blue this AM, too. California Poppy leather case to bring some bright sunshine-y vibes into my life.

I love the air pod pros. I could never use Apple earbuds because they wouldn’t stay in my ears but the rubber tip pros have a great seal and never fall out. Sound is good. Love them.

The disc shaped charger is the magnetic charger. It attaches magnetically to the iPhone 12 but also just works as a regular wireless charging pad for older iPhones or for AirPod case, etc.
Thank you! What wattage size charger (IE, the regular white brick charger) do I need for the Max?
 

milfordsoxfan

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Thank you! What wattage size charger (IE, the regular white brick charger) do I need for the Max?
I went ahead and ordered this one from Anker. There's also a single port one for $5 cheaper: https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powerport-iii-duo/A2628121

Anker makes good products. I trust them not to catch on fire.

I don't think it matters which variant of iPhone you get for the quick charging to work so long as the charger provides enough wattage. I'm using a 18 watt one that I owned previously right now, and it appears to be quick-charging.
 

jtn46

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The cable that comes with the phone is lighting to USB-C, but it will charge with the old lighting to USB cable too.

I have had a Pro for about a week, right now it's a fast iPhone with a great screen and a great battery (to me, coming from an X that had a pretty degraded battery). I did get a MagSafe puck to charge it, it's cool but the cord is really short, probably not the best use of $40 in my life.
 

Caspir

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I ordered the 12 Max Pro in Pacific Blue as well. Haven’t gotten a case or charger yet (my 11 Pro Max cable will suffice for now) but I’m excited to give the phone a whirl. I was a little nervous about the color until I saw what the Pacific Blue looked like. It’s gorgeous.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I ordered the 12 Max Pro in Pacific Blue as well. Haven’t gotten a case or charger yet (my 11 Pro Max cable will suffice for now) but I’m excited to give the phone a whirl. I was a little nervous about the color until I saw what the Pacific Blue looked like. It’s gorgeous.
I have not seen it in person, just commercials, but it appears that it is not gaudy and is a nice alternative to the constant black/space grey I have had with Galaxy phones the past however many years it has been.
 

Comfortably Lomb

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Feb 22, 2004
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Is anyone having weird issues with iOS 14.1 randomly moving ringer volume to 0?

I did some googling and there seem to be other people experiencing this but no mention of a fix or some weird settings issue.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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Mar 14, 2006
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I ordered the iPhone 12 Mini yesterday. I always liked the smaller sized phones back in the day so I figured I'd give this one a shot. Nothing too exciting.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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So, I got the case I ordered for the 12 Pro Max in yesterday. It is not much larger, if any, than my Galaxy S10+ so based on that I believe I made the right choice for me (on the size anyhow). I think the regular 12 Pro would have been too small for me. Was hopeful I would get my phone early, as shipping stated it shipped 11/9 via UPS Overnight Air Saver, but alas, no phone yet.
 

weeba

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Ordered a 12 this morning, set to deliver tomorrow. After changing my VZW plan to 5G (saving $20) and a $400 (!!) credit for a X, my monthly payment is $21.