The Apple iPhone 12 series is not only more expensive in Europe with slower 5G, but it is also uglier

The first reviews for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have dropped, and most make a big point of how stylish Apple's redesign is. However, there is a distinction between the design of the iPhone 12 series in the US and in Europe. Apple stores all regulatory body certifications digitally for iPhones sold in the US, resulting in a clean look. Many Android OEMs do the same, but the EU requires smartphones to bear a CE marking, along with an indication that the device cannot be recycled. Typically, Apple and other smartphone manufacturers place these logos on the bottom of the glass back panel, a discreet solution in our opinion.

However, Apple has decided to change the location of the two logos for this year's iPhones. As the photos above and below demonstrate, these logos can now be found on the side of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Apple laser engraves these too, so there is no way of removing them. The change means that these logos will be visible pretty much constantly, unless you hide them with a case or skin.

This design downgrade is not the only faux pax that Apple has made with the iPhone 12 series in Europe, though. For one, Apple only sells 5G mmWave models in the US, meaning that European models must make do with the slower sub-6 5G. Additionally, Apple charges less for the iPhone 12 series in the US than it does in the UK or the Eurozone - to add insult to injury for European consumers. Ultimately, these differences will probably do little to dissuade people from picking up an iPhone 12 series handset, as Apple is expecting to sell record volumes of iPhones this year.