by Hartley Charlton
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro arrived in October 2020 in a range of color options, with entirely new hues available on both devices, as well as some popular classics. The 12 and 12 Pro have different color choices, so if you have your heart set on a particular shade, you might not be able to get your preferred model in that color.
iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are available in six colors. Apple selected a bolder, brighter color palette for the iPhone 12 lineup. The six available colors are:
- Black
- White
- (PRODUCT)RED
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
The Black iPhone 12 should not be confused with Space Gray or Apple's new Graphite color. White, on the other hand, is largely analogous to the iPhone 12 Pro's Silver, except with less prominent matte aluminum edges.
In April 2021, Apple added a brand new Purple iPhone 12 color option to the lineup, matching the new Purple iMac.
iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are available in four colors. In contrast to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, Apple selected a more subdued and mature color palette for the iPhone 12 Pro models. The four available colors are:
- Silver
- Graphite
- Gold
- Pacific Blue
It is worth noting that the iPhone 12 Pro's Silver color only refers to the edges of the device. The Silver iPhone 12's rear is in fact white. Moreover, the new Graphite color, in reality, appears to be very similar to Space Gray from previous generations.
Pacific Blue replaces 2019's Midnight Green on the iPhone 11 Pro, and there is no longer a green Pro model available.
How to Decide on Color
If you use your iPhone with a case, you may wish to consider which color will best complement your case. It may be the case that you prefer more neutral tones such as Black or White on the iPhone 12, or Graphite or Silver on the iPhone 12 Pro, and then use a more colorful case. If you do not use a case, you may wish to take advantage of a more eye-catching color option.
Customers with multiple Apple devices may also want to get an iPhone color that compliments their other devices. For example, if you already have a Space Gray MacBook Pro, it will be best accompanied by the Graphite iPhone 12 Pro. Likewise, if you have a Silver stainless steel Apple Watch, it will match the Silver iPhone 12 Pro.
If you want an iPhone in an entirely new shade, Purple, Blue, and Pacific Blue are the newest colors available. These colors are the ones that are most likely to indicate that you have the latest device.
Color choice may also be dependent on how often you upgrade your iPhone. If you upgrade every year, you may be more confident in buying a new color, but if you keep your iPhone for many years, it may be wiser to consider a color that you have enjoyed previously if it is still available.
If you still need help deciding on the iPhone 12 vs. the iPhone 12 Pro, see our iPhone 12 vs 12 Pro buyer's guide.
Update: The Gold iPhone 12 Pro is reportedly more resistant to fingerprints than the other iPhone 12 Pro colors due to a different coating that is applied to the stainless steel frame.
The new Gold color uses a special high-power, impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) process that applies the coating in a super-dense pattern, allowing it to be tough and bright, with a molecular structure that mimics the stainless steel underneath, making it more durable than "standard" PVD. One additional benefit is that it is easier to wipe clean and takes on less fingerprints.
The new coating is also apparently "more durable" than the one applied to other iPhone 12 Pro finishes, suggesting that the Gold version of the device could be at least slightly less susceptible to scratches, nicks, or other wear and tear. The increased durability and fingerprint-repellent coating on the Gold iPhone 12 Pro may make it the best choice for customers that use their iPhone without a case.
Popular Stories
iOS 17.4 Will Add These 5 New Features to Your iPhone
Saturday February 10, 2024 7:05 am PST by MacRumors Staff 2
Apple last month confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March, and the update includes several new features and changes for the iPhone. Key new features in iOS 17.4 include major App Store changes in the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, SharePlay for the HomePod, and new emoji. The update also includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year. More...
Read Full Article
Apple Now Selling Refurbished 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro
Wednesday February 7, 2024 4:51 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple today began offering refurbished versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip, offering the machines at a discount for the first time since their October 2023 launch date. Pricing on the refurbished 14-inch MacBook Pro models starts at $1,359, a $240 discount off of the original $1,599 starting price. As of right now, Apple appears to be offering only MacBook Pro models with the ...
Read Full Article • 49 comments
Apple Releases iOS 17.3.1 With Fix for Text Bug
Thursday February 8, 2024 10:25 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1, minor updates for the iOS 17 and iPadOS operating systems that were released in September 2023. iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1 comes a few weeks after Apple released iOS 17.3 with Stolen Device Protection. iOS 17.3.1 and iPadOS 17.3.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. ...
Read Full Article • 57 comments
iOS 17.4 Nerfs Web Apps in the EU
Thursday February 8, 2024 6:49 am PST by Hartley Charlton
Apple has seemingly restricted the functionality of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in the latest beta of iOS 17.4, specifically targeting users within the European Union. The move appears to undermine the role of PWAs as viable alternatives to native apps in iOS. As first flagged by security researcher Tommy Mysk and Open Web Advocacy, the second beta release of iOS 17.4 seems to introduce...
Read Full Article • 182 comments
Every iPhone 16 Rumor We've Covered So Far
Friday February 9, 2024 6:23 am PST by Tim Hardwick
With much of the tech industry's focus recently taken up by Apple's Vision Pro headset, you'd be forgiven for thinking that iPhone rumors have been few and far between over the last few months. Fortunately, that's not the case. Rumors and leaks about the iPhone 16 series continue to surface, and taken together, Apple's next-generation 2024 smartphone lineup looks like it could turn out to be a...
Read Full Article • 69 comments
Sketchy Rumor Says iOS 18 Will Have visionOS-Inspired Design Changes
Friday February 9, 2024 8:32 am PST by MacRumors Staff 2
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will feature visionOS-inspired design elements, according to a rumor shared this week by Israeli website The Verifier. For example, the report claims that the Apple TV app on iPadOS 18 will feature the same translucent navigation bar that was introduced in the tvOS 17.2 version of the app last year. The design of this menu draws similarities to visionOS, the operating...
Read Full Article • 120 comments
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or preferences. However, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Colors
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro were released in October 2020 with a range of color options The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are available in six colors: Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue, and Purple The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are available in four colors: Silver, Graphite, Gold, and Pacific Blue.
Color Differences
The Black iPhone 12 should not be confused with Space Gray or Apple's new Graphite color The White iPhone 12 is largely analogous to the iPhone 12 Pro's Silver, except with less prominent matte aluminum edges The Silver color of the iPhone 12 Pro refers to the edges of the device, while the rear is white The new Graphite color of the iPhone 12 Pro appears to be very similar to Space Gray from previous generations Pacific Blue replaces the Midnight Green color that was available on the iPhone 11 Pro.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Color
When deciding on a color for your iPhone, you may want to consider factors such as whether you use a case, how the color complements your other devices, and whether you prefer more neutral tones or eye-catching colors If you use a case, you may choose a more neutral color for the iPhone and use a colorful case If you have other Apple devices, you may want to choose an iPhone color that matches or complements the color of your other devices The newest colors available are Purple, Blue, and Pacific Blue If you upgrade your iPhone frequently, you may be more confident in choosing a new color, but if you keep your iPhone for a longer period, you may want to consider a color that you have enjoyed previously if it is still available.
Gold iPhone 12 Pro
The Gold iPhone 12 Pro has a special high-power, impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) process that applies a coating in a super-dense pattern, making it more durable and resistant to fingerprints compared to other iPhone 12 Pro colors The coating has a molecular structure that mimics the stainless steel underneath, giving it a tough and bright appearance The Gold iPhone 12 Pro is easier to wipe clean and takes on fewer fingerprints.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts discussed in the article. Let me know if you have any further questions!
