Apple launches iPhone 12 with 5G, A14 Bionic processor, higher resolution display
Apple's new iPhone 12 brings 5G, a Super Retina XDR display, multiple colors, plus a new design that includes Ceramic Shield to strengthen the glass
Apple has unveiled the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 at its September "Hi, Speed" event. The iPhone 12, starting at $799, features flat sides instead of the previous curved design, but continues to be made from glass and aluminum.
The glass element is greatly improved, however, with Apple bringing its Super Retina XDR format to this entry-level iPhone. "The new all display also has a higher resolution, with twice as many pixels, as iPhone 11," said Kaiann Drance, vice president, iPhone Product Marketing. "It now has 460 pixels per inch. So text will be sharper for easier reading, and your photo with more detail."
As well as improvements to what the display shows, Apple has strengthened the glass that its front screen is made from. "The coverglass on iPhone 12 is the toughest in the industry," continued Drance. "Our incredible materials engineering team has been working closely with our partners at Corning the leaders in glass technology on a new cutting edge material.
"We call it Ceramic Shield," she said. "[It] goes beyond glass by adding a new high temperature crystallisation step, which grows nano ceramic crystals within the glass matrix to dramatically improve toughness."
The iPhone 12 includes an Apple Silicon A14 Bionic processor which Apple says brings 50% performance improvement over the iPhone 11.
The iPhone 12 retains a dual camera system, but it's improved
Apple says that improved computational photography means the iPhone 12 now has Night Mode. It means brighter pictures, and better contrast, plus more texture and less noise in Deep Fusion shots.
The iPhone 12 is now the first phone camera to shoot HDR video in Dolby Vision. The film industry standard brings the ability to shoot cinema-grade videos directly on the iPhone 12.
It also features what Apple describes as an end-to-end Dolby Vision experience, meaning that films can be shot, then edited and shared on iPhone. Editing and sharing can be done in the Photos app or iMovie, and playback is improved with new cinematic video stabilization.
This new system is compatible with existing Qi wireless chargers, but when charging with new MagSafe compatible connectors, the iPhone can receive up to 15W.
MagSafe uses an array of magnets to make sure that the wireless charger precisely aligns with the iPhone's internal wireless charging system. Apple is launching a MagSafe Charger for the iPhone, or a MagSafe Duo Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch.
These MagSafe peripherals, plus cases, will be available or order from October 16.
How Apple's new MagSafe wireless charging works
While adding all of these features, Apple has removed both the power adapter and the wired headphones from the iPhone 12. Apple says that this reduction enables them to make substantially smaller boxes, to the extent that it can ship 70% more iPhones on a shipping pallet.
"Customers already have over 700 million lightning headphones," said Lisa Jackson, vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, "and many customers have moved to a wireless experience with AirPods, Beats, or other wireless headphones."
"There are also over two billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that's not counting the billions of third party adapters," she continued. "So we are removing these items from the iPhone box, which reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of precious materials."
"Altogether, the changes we've made for iPhone 12 cut over 2 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually," continued Jackson. "It's like removing 450,000 cars from the road, per year. This is huge. And we're really proud that Apple is taking the lead. We hope others will follow, making this impact even bigger for our planet."
Apple's new iPhone 12 will be available to pre-order at $799 in the US and most territories from October 16. Orders will begin to arrive for customers on October 23.
Apple has unveiled the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 at its September "Hi, Speed" event. The iPhone 12, starting at $799, features flat sides instead of the previous curved design, but continues to be made from glass and aluminum.
The glass element is greatly improved, however, with Apple bringing its Super Retina XDR format to this entry-level iPhone. "The new all display also has a higher resolution, with twice as many pixels, as iPhone 11," said Kaiann Drance, vice president, iPhone Product Marketing. "It now has 460 pixels per inch. So text will be sharper for easier reading, and your photo with more detail."
As well as improvements to what the display shows, Apple has strengthened the glass that its front screen is made from. "The coverglass on iPhone 12 is the toughest in the industry," continued Drance. "Our incredible materials engineering team has been working closely with our partners at Corning the leaders in glass technology on a new cutting edge material.
"We call it Ceramic Shield," she said. "[It] goes beyond glass by adding a new high temperature crystallisation step, which grows nano ceramic crystals within the glass matrix to dramatically improve toughness."
The iPhone 12 includes an Apple Silicon A14 Bionic processor which Apple says brings 50% performance improvement over the iPhone 11.
Cameras and video
The new phone continues to have a dual-camera system, but Apple has improved it. "[The iPhone 12] has the ultra wide camera that people love, and use to take inspiring photos and creative ways," said Drance. "[It] also has a new wide camera... This allows more light to hit the sensor, making every photo better."The iPhone 12 retains a dual camera system, but it's improved
Apple says that improved computational photography means the iPhone 12 now has Night Mode. It means brighter pictures, and better contrast, plus more texture and less noise in Deep Fusion shots.
The iPhone 12 is now the first phone camera to shoot HDR video in Dolby Vision. The film industry standard brings the ability to shoot cinema-grade videos directly on the iPhone 12.
It also features what Apple describes as an end-to-end Dolby Vision experience, meaning that films can be shot, then edited and shared on iPhone. Editing and sharing can be done in the Photos app or iMovie, and playback is improved with new cinematic video stabilization.
Improved wireless charging
As expected, Apple has revived its MagSafe name, but is using it for a new and improved wireless charging system.This new system is compatible with existing Qi wireless chargers, but when charging with new MagSafe compatible connectors, the iPhone can receive up to 15W.
MagSafe uses an array of magnets to make sure that the wireless charger precisely aligns with the iPhone's internal wireless charging system. Apple is launching a MagSafe Charger for the iPhone, or a MagSafe Duo Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch.
These MagSafe peripherals, plus cases, will be available or order from October 16.
How Apple's new MagSafe wireless charging works
While adding all of these features, Apple has removed both the power adapter and the wired headphones from the iPhone 12. Apple says that this reduction enables them to make substantially smaller boxes, to the extent that it can ship 70% more iPhones on a shipping pallet.
"Customers already have over 700 million lightning headphones," said Lisa Jackson, vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, "and many customers have moved to a wireless experience with AirPods, Beats, or other wireless headphones."
"There are also over two billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that's not counting the billions of third party adapters," she continued. "So we are removing these items from the iPhone box, which reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of precious materials."
"Altogether, the changes we've made for iPhone 12 cut over 2 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually," continued Jackson. "It's like removing 450,000 cars from the road, per year. This is huge. And we're really proud that Apple is taking the lead. We hope others will follow, making this impact even bigger for our planet."
Apple's new iPhone 12 will be available to pre-order at $799 in the US and most territories from October 16. Orders will begin to arrive for customers on October 23.
Comments
I was offended when one of the brief clips showed someone pulling out what looked like a knife from his pocket. That was scary, and RA---T. I won't use the word.
And if you're one of the 6 people on earth who really don't, then what about the rest of us who do? Why do I want to pay for those (plus the extra costs for shipping the larger boxes, and the cost to the environment, etc -- all real things not just BS marketing)... AGAIN?
Nope. A million dead globally, 220,000 US dead and counting. It's not going away in November.
If you're referring to the stock headphones or stock charger, it's fine. I have half a dozen of each sitting in a draw and I know I'm not alone. Just as the old printers didn't include parallel port printer cables, we don't need millions or billions of these sitting around in drawers or landfill. It's fine. You likely have what you need already, and can toss on in your cart if you done. We'll live.
Meanwhile, they just doubled the base-storage of the Pro from 64gb to 128gb. I'd much rather they save money not shipping junk I don't need, and use it including more storage I can use. It's a win win win.
Not sure "rude" is fair. But whatever we want to call it, the sarcasm and snark in the post I was replying to warranted it I think.
And yes, often we give the chargers away with the phone, but often we don't. I've nearly always just traded my phone back into the carrier I was on a payment plan with and they don't want or give any credit for including the charger or headphones with the traded in phone. so I really do have at least 17 of those Apple USB charger bricks. It's ridiculous.
Not including it in the box gives us the choice - and choice is better, surely? Anyone who doesn't have one can still buy one separately (they're not exactly expensive), but those of us who do have them don't have to pay for them again. I'll bet a lot of them start showing up on ebay or whatever. Those of us who have 17 can make a few extra bucks and those who need them can get them cheap if desired. They last a VERY long time before failing. As StrangeDays says above, it just seems to be win win win all round I think.