iPhone 12: Everything You Need to Know About Apple’s Four New iPhones

Today, Apple finally announced its new line of iPhones for 2020 and, as predicted, there are four new iPhone models to choose from. There’s the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 mini, and two new pro-grade iPhones, the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. We’ll highlight what makes each new model special below.

The big feature that all four new iPhones will have is support for 5G. This will enable them to have faster download and upload speeds, higher-resolution video streaming, more responsive mobile gaming, and just be more reliable in densely-packed areas like cities.

First up, the iPhone 12.

Apple

The iPhone 12 is the first new iPhone that Apple announced. It has the same sized display (6.1-inch) as last year’s iPhone 11 (and 2018’s iPhone XR), but Apple claims the iPhone 12 is 15% smaller, 11% thinner and 16% lighter. It also has an OLED display (rather than LCD) which should help it deliver a better picture with more vibrant colors and more contrast. The iPhone 12 also has straight/flat edges similar to the older iPhone 4 and iPhone 5, as opposed to the more rounded edges of the more recent iPhones.

The iPhone 12 is decked out with Apple’s new A14 Bionic processor, which is the same chipset that Apple integrated in its most recent iPads. Apple claims that the A14 Bionic is the fastest CPU in any smartphone. As far as cameras, the iPhone 12 has a rear dual camera system, with a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP wide lens with fast aperture to help it deliver excellent low-light photos. (Apple claims its the fastest aperture ever in an iPhone.)

One of the most interesting new features of the iPhone 12 is its brand-new MagSafe charging system. That’s right, it has a magnetic back that will work with various MagSafe accessories (such as like phone cases and wireless chargers); the magnetic back will help the iPhone 12 better recognize and align with its supported wireless charger.

The iPhone 12 starts at $799. It will be available for preorder this Friday (October 16), with shipping expected to start the following week (on October 23).

Next up, the iPhone 12 mini.

Apple

Apple announced a smaller version of the iPhone 12 called the iPhone 12 mini, which Apple is calling it the”smallest, thinnest, lightest 5G iPhone in the world.” It has a 5.4-inch screen in a similar-sized body as the new iPhone SE, which has a 4.7-inch screen and was released this past spring.

Unlike the iPhone SE, however, the iPhone 12 mini has notch with all the front-facing camera sensors to enable Face ID. (This replaces the iPhone SE’s Home Button with Touch ID). It helps the iPhone 12 mini have a much bigger screen-to-surface ratio.

The iPhone 12 shares most of the same features as the iPhone 12. It has the same A14 Bionic processor and the same rear-camera system, too.

The iPhone 12 mini starts at $699. It will be available for preorder on November 6 and will ship out the following week.

Finally, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Apple

These are Apple’s new flagship iPhones with pro-grade features for photographers, videographers, creatives and people who just want the best iPhone that Apple has to offer. They have the same A14 Bionic processor as Apple’s other new iPhones, but they have a new LIDAR scanner — I’ll explain in a second — and a vastly improved camera system.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone Pro Max are mostly the same. Both have a stainless steel case with flat-edged bezels, similar to all the other new iPhones. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1-inch display and the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display. Unlike previous years, however, Apple has given the iPhone 12 Pro Max a slightly better camera system, which could be a bummer for people want the best iPhone that Apple has to offer, but also favor a smaller-sized smartphone.

Both iPhone 12 Pro models have a triple-rear camera system with a 12MP wide angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a telephoto lens. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a superior 12MP telephoto lens (with a 65mm focal length and a 2.5x optical zoom) and a larger sensor so it’s better at capturing low-light photos.

The two iPhone 12 Pro models feature a new LIDAR sensor, which was first featured in the most recent iPad Pro models. The primary purpose of the LIDAR sensor was to help with AR effects, but Apple claims it will help with low-light photography; specifically, it will make the improve the cameras autofocus ability (up to six times as fast) as well as enable both iPhones 12 Pros to capture Night Mode portrait shots.

Additionally, Apple made both of its new pro-grade iPhones exceptionally capable at shooting video. They’re the first iPhones to shoot HDR video. They support Dolby Vision HDR and you’ll be able to edit the Dolby Vision HDR footage you shot right in the Photos app.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will both be compatible with Apple’s new line of MagSafe wireless chargers and accessories, just like the iPhone 12 and 12 mini.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max start at $999 and $1,099, respectively. Preorders start this Friday (October 16) for the iPhone 12 Pro, with units expected to ship the following week on October 23. The iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available for preorder a little later on November 6, with shipping to start on November 13.

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