On October 13th, 2020, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max at a special virtual event.
5G Connectivity
The 12 is the first iPhone to feature support for 5G connectivity across the entire lineup. There is support for mmWave 5G in the United States exclusively, and support for sub-6GHz 5G in other countries as well as in the U.S.
iPhone 12
The first new model officially introduced by Apple was the 6.1-inch iPhone 12. Tracking with the rumors, the 12 features a flat-edge design similar to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5.
The 12 is powered by an A14 Bionic processor that uses a new 5-nanometer process to reduce transistor size. Apple says the new six-core CPU is up to 50% faster than any other smartphone. It also includes a new 4-core GPU, which is up to 50% faster than the competition.
Compared to the year-old iPhone 11, the 12 is 11% thinner and 15% smaller in volume. Apple has adopted OLED displays across all of the iPhones this year improving contrast and brightness over last year’s lower-cost LCD display iPhone 11 model.
The display is a Super Retina XDR panel with a “Ceramic Shield” cover for improved durability and 4x better drop protection. The iPhone 12 features a 2532×1770 pixel resolution display at 460 pixels-per-inch.
iPhone 12 features a dual-camera setup with wide and ultra-wide lenses, alongside more capable Smart HDR and improved Night mode with support for the selfie camera and the ultra-wide for the first time. A new time-lapse feature is exclusive to the new iPhone.
iPhone 12 mini
Next up, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 mini. It’s a smaller version of the new iPhone with a 5.4-inch OLED display. The mini has all of the same features as the iPhone 12, just in a smaller form factor.
Apple touted during the event that the 12 mini packs a much larger screen than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE, but is actually physically smaller because of its edge-to-edge design.
Both of the new iPhones will be available in five colors: blue, green, black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED. Pricing will start at $699 for the 12 mini and $799 for the 12 if you’re buying the AT&T or Verizon versions. Otherwise, it will start at $729. Apple has a special deal with AT&T and Verizon to offer both phones at $699/$799. If you’re buying for any other carrier or buying the unlocked version, you’ll pay $729 for the mini and $829 for the iPhone 12.
The base storage configuration is 64GB and you can upgrade to 128GB or 256GB.
Read more:
- Here’s how 12 battery life compares to iPhone 11
- Apple begins offering iPhone Upgrade Program pre-approvals ahead of the 12 release
- The 12 models with 5G mmWave are US only, new side cutout works as antenna
- Here’s how much it costs to protect iPhone 12 and HomePod mini with AppleCare+
- As the 12 arrives, Apple discontinues some older models
- Download Apple’s colorful new iPhone 12 wallpapers right here
- The 12 actually costs $829, advertised $799 price includes ‘carrier special offers’
- Here are all the best iPhone trade in values after iPhone 12 launch
iPhone 12 Pro
The 12 Pro measures in at 6.1-inches, while the 12 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch screen.
Apple says the form factors of the larger 12 Pro devices are “nearly the same” compared to the smaller iPhone 11 Pro models they replace, even though the screen sizes have increased. The frame of the 12 Pro is made out of a durable and shiny stainless steel material available in four different finishes.
As usual, the camera hardware is what differentiates the 12 Pro from the 12. The 12 Pro features a triple-lens camera setup on the back with a telephoto lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a wide lens.
Apple says that the new wide camera features the fastest ever aperture on the iPhone, for 27% improved low-light performance in photo and video. The ultra-wide features a 120-degree field of view, which Apple says is even better for expansive landscape shots.
The 12 Pro Max features an even larger wide camera sensor, making for an 87 percent improvement in low-light photography. Combined, the ultra-wide and telephoto lens system offers 5x optical zoom range, Apple says. You also get all of the same software improvements as the iPhone 12, including Dolby Vision video recording, 10-bit HDR video recording, improved Smart HDR and Night mode, and more.
Finally, the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max also feature an all-new LiDAR Scanner on the back. The LiDAR Scanner enables object and room scanning, AR features, and more. The LiDAR Scanner also contributes to low-light autofocus and improving capture time.
The 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will be available in four colors, including graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue.
