If you like to stay on top of the latest smartphone technologies, you have been waiting for the Apple iPhone 12 for months. Because of the ongoing pandemic, its anticipated release was postponed. However, the notorious tech company is finally ready to launch this new series. The iPhone 12 series has four different devices, including the 12, the 12 Mini, the 12 Pro, and the 12 Pro Max. The standard 12 and the 12 Pro are available for sale starting Oct. 23. The Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max won’t be available until Nov. 13. But is it the best smartphone on the market? We discussed why it may or may not be.
Apple 12 and 5G
All of the phones in the Apple 12 series come equipped with the 5G support, meaning you are connected to the fastest wireless internet network available.
You’ll get quicker downloads, faster uploads, and improved connections. However, these improvements will appear over time as more phone carriers branch out their networks. Speeds also still depend on location as well as carriers.
What’s Different
Some immediate differences users will notice is the lack of a charging cable. Why? Because the company is moving toward a wireless charging station. Apple feels not including them will help shift the company toward a better environmental plan because of concerns regarding minerals required to build chargers. iPhone 12 users still will receive a USB-C cable cord to connect to other devices. However, there is no base to plug into an electrical socket.
You will also have to shell out extra for headphones — AirPods, to be specific. Like previous iPhones, there is still no headphone jack. This element was phased out like the cable cord, but many analysts predicted these features’ end.
Price
The standard iPhone 12 costs $799, but if you want a mini, you can shave off a cool hundred dollars. The iPhone Apple 12 Mini is around $699. The Pro, which has better picture quality and capability, costs $999. Naturally, the most advanced version in the series, the 12 Pro Max, is the most expensive, retailing for $1,099.
The Apple iPhone 12 v. iPhone 11
| Apple iPhone 12 | iPhone 11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD; 1,792×828 pixels | ||
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 326ppi | ||
| Dimensions (Inches) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 in | 5.94×2.98×0.33 in | ||
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 150.9×75.7×8.3 mm | ||
| Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.78oz; 164g | 6.84 oz; 194g | ||
| Mobile software | iOS 14 | iOS 13 | ||
| Camera | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | ||
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | ||
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | ||
| Processor | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic | ||
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | ||
| RAM | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | ||
| Expandable storage | No | None | ||
| Battery | Not disclosed, but Apple claims 15 hours of video playback | Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 1 hour longer than iPhone XR | ||
| Fingerprint sensor | No (Face ID) | No (Face ID) | ||
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning | ||
| Headphone jack | No | No | ||
| Special features | 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | ||
| Price off-contract (USD) | $829 (64GB), $879 (128GB), $979 (256GB) | $599 (64GB), $649 (128GB), $749 (256GB) | ||
| Price (GBP) | £799 (64GB), £849 (128GB), £949 (256GB) | £599 (64GB), £649 (128GB), £749 (256GB) | ||
| Price (AUD) | AU$1,349 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB) | AU$999 (64GB), AU$1,079 (128GB), AU$1,249 (256GB) |
*Prices as of Oct. 13.
The Future is Here
The unveiling of the new Apple iPhone 12 took place on Oct. 13, 2020. As Apple CO Tim Cook unveiled the new iPhone, he explained the upgrade as ideal for the new generation. During the virtual event, he said, “Every decade, there’s a new generation of technology that provides a step change in what we can do with our iPhones.”
There are five different colors you can choose from for the iPhone 12 and the Mini, which are black, white, blue, red, or green. If you haven’t purchased a smartphone in recent years, will you upgrade your device to one of these new sizes at a lower cost?