Turn it up to 12
Apple’s new iphone 12 range offers a host of updates including what’s claimed to be the fastest chip in a phone
THERE were few surprises from Apple’s big “special event” this week – we got exactly what we were expecting – a new iphone. A bit more than that, actually – four new phones were revealed during the hour-long presentation – two variants each of the iphone 12 and iphone 12 Pro.
The unifying factor was that all four phones will be the first from Apple to support high-speed 5G mobile internet connectivity.
Apple also showed off its latest smart speaker – a smaller and more affordable Homepod.
Here’s what you need to know about the new devices.
IPHONE 12
THE first thing you’ll notice about the iphone 12 is the new design. Gone are the curved edges, with a look that mimics the ipad Pro and harks back to the sleek flat sides introduced with the iphone 4 all those years ago.
Cosmetic change isn’t the only thing, though, there’s a new “Ceramic Shield” screen, which Apple says is the most durable in any smartphone.
And the camera unit also sports an upgraded wide lens and sensor, which is faster than previous models so can capture more light for better performance when conditions are not ideal. The ultra-wide lens remains.
There’s also a new size option – after years of going bigger, the iphone this year offers a smaller model. The iphone 12 Mini has a 5.4in display. The screen on the regular 12 is 6.1in.
Both phones also have upgraded waterproofing and can now being submerged for 30 minutes to a depth of 6m, and both will come in five aluminum finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and (PRODUCT) RED.
IPHONE 12 PRO
THE new Pro models all offer the features of the regular 12, but are made with different materials – four stainless steel finishes, including graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue.
The upgrades go way beyond that, though. The camera unit has a third – telephoto – lens as well as a LIDAR scanner, which is effectively a depth-meter used for better augmented reality experiences, but also helps the
cameras focus in low light.
The regular Pro has a 6.1in screen while the Pro Max is the real beast of the line-up with a 6.7in screen – the biggest ever on an iphone.
There are some differences between the two versions of the Pro, too, with the bigger phone having a larger sensor in its wide lens and a better telephoto lens.
THE A14 BIONIC
THE real story about the whole iphone 12 line-up is its massive brain – all four have the latest Apple-designed chip, the A14 Bionic (the same chip in the new ipad Air Apple announced last month but not yet released).
This is a real powerhouse of a chip, and Apple claims it’s the fastest and most powerful in a phone.
It enables all sorts of outstanding features – including remarkable “computational photography” tricks like Night mode, Deep Fusion and HDR 3 – you don’t really have to know what all those mean, it’s enough to know that there’s a lot of
heavy lifting going on behind the scenes to make sure your photos and videos look their best.
For the Pro models, the chip also makes possible the capture of a new photo format – Apple PRORAW, coming in an update later this year. This aims to offer the best of both worlds with an image that takes advantage of all of Apple’s sophisticated “computational photography” features, while retaining all detail for later adjustments and editing.
The chip also, of course, makes everything else you do on your iphone faster and smoother.
VIDEO
AND that goes for video, too. Apple has ramped up the video efforts in the iphone 12, with the new chip enabling it to be the first camera to shoot HDR video with Dolby Vision.
The 12 is also the first and only device to enable an end-to-end Dolby Vision experience, allowing users to capture, edit, and share cinema-grade videos natively on the phone itself.
Improved stabilisation also adds to the cinematic look.
MAGSAFE
THERE is also a new system to allow magnetic attachment of chargers and accessories to the rear of all versions of the 12, making wireless charging more reliable as it helps with alignment. But it can also be used to attach cases and accessories – Apple is making a card holder that snaps to the back of the 12, but this will obviously be an area in which third-party accessory makers will get creative.
PRICES: iphone 12 (starting at £799) and iphone 12 Pro (starting at £999) are available to order from Friday, for delivery from October 23. iphone 12 Mini (starting at £699), and iphone Pro Max (starting at £1,099) will be available to order from November 6, with availability beginning Friday, November 13. Homepod Mini will cost £99 and be available to order from Friday, November 6, for delivery on Friday, November 13.