After a long wait, Apple has finally announced four new 5G-equipped iPhones in a virtual event on Tuesday, but how different are they from the past releases?
Apple unveiled its latest iPhone generation at its “Hi, Speed” virtual event, introducing four brand new phones with unique features.
Among the latest updates is 5G – the next-generation high-speed wireless network, which was not offered in previous iPhones.
For those considering upgrading to the new iPhone, Doha News has you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone 12 launch, including release dates, new features, and prices:
Models, Price & Availability:
Apple has released four models for the iPhone 12:
- iPhone 12 mini (5.4in)
- iPhone 12 (6.1in)
- iPhone 12 Pro (6.1in)
- iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7in)
Though all models were announced on Tuesday, each has a specific launch date. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be up for pre-order on 16 October and will go on sale on 23 October. The other two phones will be available for pre-order on 6 November and will go on sale on 13 November.
The iPhone 12 mini is the smallest iPhone Apple has introduced since the 2016 iPhone SE, while iPhone 12 is a successor of iPhone 11. Aside from screen size and battery size, the two phones are technically identical.
The cheapest phone – the iPhone 12 Mini – starts at $699, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max – which has a display of 6.7 inches – will start at $1,099.
iPhone 12 starts at $799, while iPhone 12 Pro will start from $999. Prices exclude taxes and are based on US rates and not Qatar, but the range is expected to be close.
Design changes
The next-generation iPhone 12 and 12 Mini will come in five colours: black, white, red, green, and blue, while the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will come in silver, gold, graphite, and pacific blue.
Compared to the previous iPhone 11, the new iPhone will be thinner and lighter, with a more squared-edged design (similar to that of iPhone 4), rather than the curved-edge style of previous editions.
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All iPhone 12 models offer IP68 water and dust resistance and can hold up to submersion in 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
Apple also revealed the phone will feature an upgraded XDR display and a new, tougher glass atop display called Ceramic Shield. This is infused with nano-ceramic crystals to improve toughness and offers 4x better drop protection than the previous generation.
New features
All new models support 5G, which Apple calls “the most exciting step yet”.
This is good news for Qatar, as Ooredoo recently launched its new 5G network – the fastest yet. However, due to the potential hit to battery life from faster cellular speeds, an inbuilt iPhone 12 feature allows for the phone to automatically detect 5G usage and switch to the slower LTE network to save energy.
The new phones are also powered by a new A14 bionic chip, which the company claims is “fastest… in any smartphone.”
In addition, the new iPhone 12 includes MagSafe, which consists of a system of magnets designed to hold a wireless charging pad in the right place to charge the iPhone, present in the back of the phone.
Camera
Now, for all people who love to snap pictures at every chance they get: the iPhone 12 has a new LiDAR scanner, allowing for faster autofocus in low light, and a new feature: Night Mode portraits.
Similar to the previous iPhone, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini feature a dual-camera system on the back, with wide and ultra wide lenses, while the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max have a telephoto lens.
As for the Pro Max, its camera lenses allow up to 5x zoom from ultra wide to telephoto, in addition to image sensor 47% larger than previous iPhones, enabling better low-light photography. Apple calls its camera the “best camera ever” on an iPhone.
Screen
Most of the new iPhone screens are definitely bigger and better, in some ways.
All new models have a pixel density of at least 458ppi (pixels per inch), whereas the previous iPhone 11 generation was split between 458ppi and 326ppi.
- iPhone 12 Mini: 5.4in, 2340 x 1080 at 476ppi
- iPhone 12: 6.1in, 2532 x 1170 at 460ppi
- iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1in, 2532 x 1170 at 460ppi
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: 2778 x 1284 at 458ppi
What you won’t get
With all its new features, Apple announced something that shocked many: Apple will not include earphones or a charging plugs in the iPhone box.
This is not so great news for those wishing to switch to iPhone for the first time, who will be forced to purchase a charging plug and earphones separately.
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