Apple’s new wheeze? An iPhone with no charger
APPle launched its latest iPhone yesterday – without a charger.
The new iPhone 12 takes its charge wirelessly from a new magnetic attachment that can be built into its cover.
This ‘ MagSafe’ device, which snaps on to the phone’s back, is sold separately and must be plugged into the mains as normal.
But with an extra charge conveniently to hand – the phone still has a port for a charging wire – there should be less risk of being stuck with a dead handset.
The iPhone 12, with prices starting at £799, is Apple’s first to come without a charger lead or earphones in the box.
It is also the first to use 5G internet, already available on rival handsets.
Apple says the phone is four times more likely to survive a fall without cracking because its screen contains nanoceramic crystals harder than most metals.
The launch comes two weeks after Apple unveiled its new iOS13 mobile operating system, which includes features such as resizeable and customisable app icons. The iPhone 12 also allows ‘Dolby Vision’ filming and its camera has a night mode providing more detail in low light.
Despite the high-tech innovations, the phone’s flat edges bring it closer to classic Apple models like the iPhone 5, which was released eight years ago.
That prompted online discussion about whether Apple chief Tim Cook was harking back to designs originally masterminded by the late Steve Jobs, who rescued the company from the doldrums 20 years ago.
Industry experts believe Apple’s late entry into the 5G market will cause a stir. The technology allows streaming of HD films without using potentially insecure public wifi networks.
Thomas Husson, principal analyst at Forrester, said: ‘Apple is rarely the first to launch new technologies but waits for a technology to be mature’ And Tim Cook called 5G the ‘most exciting step yet’ in iPhone development.
The phone is also being released in a mini version with a 5.4-inch display instead of the standard 6.1 inch – small enough to fit into a hand and priced from £699. Apple has previously faced heavy criticism for its high prices compared with rivals, so is offering a discount when customers trade in old handsets.
As well as the new MagSafe case or wallet charger, Apple is also selling a MagSafe Duo pad which can charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time.
The tech giant said the phone, in versions called Pro and Pro Max, will be available to preorder from Friday, before going on sale on October 23.