I noticed a small white dot that shows up on the upper-right hand next to the time/cell network provider. What is the purpose of this dot? It is not a burned out dot as it moves into view from the top of the screen when I exit from locked screen.

Greetings Santoslo,

It's possible that you are seeing the Ambient light sensor. Learn about what sensors are on your iPhone below:

"Sensors  

• Face ID
• LiDAR Scanner
• Barometer
• Three‑axis gyro
• Accelerometer
• Proximity sensor
• Ambient light sensor" iPhone 12 Pro Max - Technical Specifications

Best wishes.

Hi Santoslo,

You started from a great resource: Status icons and symbols on your iPhone - Apple Support

Do you have a protective screen or privacy screen on your iPhone at all? If so, when removed is the dot either orange or green? If so, view details below and in the article here for when this is seen. About the orange and green indicators in your iPhone status bar

"With iOS 14 or later, an orange dot, an orange square, or a green dot indicates when the microphone or camera is being used by an app. 

An orange indicator  means the microphone

is being used by an app on your iPhone. This indicator appears as an orange square if the Differentiate Without Color setting is on. To enable Differentiate Without Color, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.

A green indicator  means either the camera or the camera and the microphone are being used by an app on your iPhone."

If not is is the signal connection for your cellular or Wi-Fi connection? Does the dot appear when taking a screenshot of your iPhone? If needed, this article will help with taking a screenshot: Take a screenshot on your iPhone

Keep us posted.

Cheers.

Hi Santoslo,

In that case, we'd reaching out to Apple to look into this with you further. You can do this here: Get Support.

Cheers.