The biggest technological news of the year is the presentation of the new generation of iPhone smartphones. The brand that defined the term "smartphone". It is the most popular smartphone in the world, as evidenced by sales figures and numerous customer satisfaction surveys. The iPhone is king. Long live the king!
iPhone 12 delivers ultra fast 5G, a new processor A14 Bionic with revolutionary technology 5 nm, new screen technology – Super Retina XDR, new materials that are significantly more durable and include ceramic composites and significant design "changes" in both the exterior and interior architecture. Here's an even improved method of MagSafe wireless charging, in which Apple involves "magnets" and new accessories of a practical nature. Photography and videography are also greatly improved. At the same time iPhone 12 brings a revolutionary sustainable approach to the production of such devices and commits itself to making Apple a carbon-neutral company by 2030. With this, it bets on recycled "raw materials", which for the first time are an essential part of a new device. The prices remain the same, the essence does not change. Stays great.
Other essential innovations
MagSafe
Apple is also working to improve the iPhone 12's wireless charging, which features a MagSafe system with built-in magnets that ensure the iPhone fits properly with supported MagSafe accessories. Cases, refills and other accessories are magnetically attached to the iPhone 12. Apple is also introducing a dual wireless charger for iPhone and Apple Watch that uses new MagSafe technology.
Photo & Video
As for the cameras, the Pro devices contain three of them, one of which has a 65mm optical zoom or 2.5x zoom. The main camera has 12 MP (26 mm) and is optically stabilized with new technology, and here, of course, there is also the obligatory ultra-wide-angle camera with 12 MP. Pro models will have the ability to save photos to RAW format, which means a lot more options for photo enthusiasts. The latter has been known in the Android world for some time. Another feature we've had in Android for a long time is HDR video recording. We believe that Apple has taken this functionality to a much higher level, because when it comes to video recording, this smartphone has been way ahead of everyone for quite some time.
5G
In his opening remarks, Tim Cook emphasized that this is a completely new era for the iPhone because it brings support for 5G technology. During the presentation, the emphasis was on millimeter wave support, which will benefit users in the US using the Verizon network. According to Verizon representatives, the millimeter wave has covered stadiums, airports and similar places where large numbers of people gather at the same time. Of course, we will only feel the benefits of this once the COVID-19 season is over. It is important to note here that the new iPhone 5G is used "smartly", i.e. in a way that the device is connected to the 4G network, while we switch to 5G only when speed is really needed. This mode of operation should contribute to maximum battery savings.
Let's take a closer look at the new iPhone 12 family
As expected, Apple introduced four new phones. iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is in an aluminum case and brings an identical 6.1-inch screen as a predecessor, but according to Apple it is a device for 11 percent thinner. The screen is expressed in technology OLED with a contrast of 2,000,000:1 and the resolution is increased. Interestingly, the screen brightness has been increased to 1,200 nits. Screen protectors have evolved. Namely, Apple has developed this ceramic shield in cooperation with Corning, which represents significantly better protection compared to the classic protective glasses Gorilla Glass. How this will turn out in practice remains to be seen.
As expected, the new A14 Bionic processor is waiting for us under the hood, which is based on a 5-nanometer process and contains 11.8 million transistors. It basically has six cores and should be up to 50 percent faster than its predecessor, while also being significantly more economical! The artificial intelligence component has also been improved with a possible 11 trillion processes per second. The GPU has also been improved, offering up to 50 percent faster speed, which should be felt most in demanding games. Unfortunately, the charging slot that connects to the computer still remains in the Lightning standard.
The iPhone 12 contains two cameras. One is a classic with 12 MP (26 mm) and is optically stabilized, and the other is an ultra-wide angle with 12 MP.
iPhone 12 Mini
The iPhone 12 Mini 5G has a 5.4-inch screen. Except for the dimensions, everything inside is the same as the bigger brother. Like the iPhone 12 5G, the Mini is IP68 water and dust resistant, has a Super Retina XDR display and the same cameras. Prices for the iPhone 12 Mini start at US$699.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
Of course, the more powerful versions, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, were also shown. Unlike the standard model, which uses aluminum, the Pro has a steel cladding and a ceramic protective layer in black, white, blue and gold. The screen of the 12 Pro model has been increased to 5.8 inches, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max to 6.7 inches, although the devices themselves have remained physically almost the same dimensions as last year's models due to slightly reduced edges around the screen.
Super Retina XDR displays have a declared maximum brightness of 1,200 nits and a resolution of 458 pixels per inch. Needless to say, it's unfortunate that Apple hasn't introduced a faster screen refresh rate, say 120 Hz, which brings much more comfortable operation and image display, and that Android competitors have had it quite routinely for months at half the price ( and here screens with a refresh rate of 144 Hz are increasingly common). But still, we expected conservatism. Apple is in no rush here, and maybe that's just as well.
It is clear that the Pro devices are powered by an identical system chip A14 Bionic. The 12 Pro has a triple camera, including a telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom, while the 12 Pro Max has a 5x zoom. The wide-angle camera has for 47 percent larger sensor than its predecessor. The devices can record in Apple Pro Raw format and reportedly achieve 87 percent better performance in low light. A lot of attention has been paid to the Deep Fusion feature.
In terms of video, a number of improvements have been introduced, such as recording in Dolby Vision HDR and the 10-bit HDR standard, which is the first phone with this capability. Pro models have scanners LiDAR (a device critical to autonomous vehicles) that will help capture night photos, games and apps that rely on augmented reality, and the like.
The price remains the same as last year: the iPhone 12 Pro will start at US$999 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will start at US$1,099.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available for pre-order this Friday, and will go on sale on October 23rd, with the iPhone 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max a bit later on November 13th.
HomePod mini
Before the new one iPhone a smaller version of Apple's home smart speaker HomePod mini was presented for the first time, which is a miniaturized and more rounded version of the already known HomePod. The speaker can wirelessly play music, podcasts, radio and many other services, and of course it works with the help of the virtual assistant Siri, which recognizes the voices of all members of the household and answers questions accordingly. All smart home functions such as lighting, heating and more can also be controlled via speakers.
A household that has several HomePods can use them as a kind of intercom for mutual communication, which includes communication via iPhone, iPad, CarPlay... It will be available in white and black and will cost 99 US dollars. Sales start from November 16.
