I did it. I decided to upgrade from the perfectly capable iPhone XS Max (“maximum excess,” as I liked to call it). I typically upgrade every two years which tends to be enough time for Apple to improve the device enough to justify the hassle and the expense. This year, 2020, has been a little different. Not only did the new iPhone release later than usual, but I also got the feeling that they held back a little in the release. Sure, 5G was the big feature but it didn’t seem as desirable to me as Apple made it out to be. 5G won’t be available in my rural area for quite some time and since 5G service is required to purchase the phone, I’d have to pay more for a “big” feature I wouldn’t even be able to use. Still, there was a killer feature I have been looking forward to since the iPhone 11 was announced: better and more lenses.
It’s the middle of December 2020 so I figured most of the rush to get the iPhone 12 was behind us. I made an appointment at the AT&T store after chatting with an AT&T rep on their website who assured me my local store had “all iPhone 12 variants and colors in stock.” Great! As I usually do, I kept my enthusiasm in check as I patiently waited my turn in the store. I refused to look at the floor models of the phone while the AT&T employee went to the back room to check my order. I wanted to be surprised. Surprised I was when I was told they not only didn’t have any iPhone 12 Pro Max phones in stock, they weren’t likely to get them for several weeks to come. The “all variants in stock” comment? It referred to the non-Pro version. Short rendition: I went home and ordered via AT&T chat and received my phone via FedEx the next day. That was a much better surprise!
I’ve had a few days to play with the phone now and I stand by my earlier assertion that, although it’s the best iPhone ever made to date, it’s not a big leap from the iPhone XS Max. Except for the cameras. With the new phone, I gained a 2.5x optical zoom and a wide-angle option. Additionally, the low light capabilities have improved leaps and bounds over my old device. Below are some example photos to show off the new capabilities.
I love the sharpness and color of this daytime photo. 
Having a wide angle lens gives me more options. Surprisingly, it does a good job correcting the perspective. 
There was hardly any light in the hallway where I took this photo. 
Another low-light photo. Nice and sharp, despite the handheld long exposure. 
Nice blur in the background while remaining sharp in the foreground, despite little light. 
I forced the phone to take a 10 second exposure outside, facing straight up. Not bad!
I’m glad I upgraded and am looking forward to all the great photos I’ll be able to take.