iPhone 12: What’s new with Apple’s first 5G phone?
Apple has unveiled its first 5G compatible mobile phone – the iPhone 12 – in a move chief executive Tim Cook said was the “beginning of a new era”.
Apple’s first 5G iPhone has been eagerly awaited. The company set the tech world abuzz when it unveiled the “Hi, Speed” tagline for this year’s event, which was pushed back by a month.
Covid has posed little threat to Apple’s business model. Its sales have increased as people stuck inside have turned to its products to be entertained, to stay in touch with each other, and to work.
iPhone gets a new look for 5G model
The iPhone features flat sides, similar to the iPhone 5. Its 6.1-inch display is the same size at the iPhone 11’s.
However, Apple also launched an iPhone 12 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch display and an iPhone 12 Mini with a 5.4-inch display.
The California company said the iPhone 12 would be the first to ship without a charger adapter or headphones. It said this was part of “our efforts to reach our environmental goals”.
It will have a “ceramic shield” that is “tougher than any smartphone glass”. Potential buyers will have a range of five colours to choose from: black, white, blue, red and green.
iPhone 12 to be fastest yet
“Today is the beginning of a new era for iPhone,” Cook said in an empty theatre in Apple’s Cupertino, California headquarters. “Today we’re bringing 5G to iPhone.”
Apple said the phone will allow users to “download films on the fly. Stream higher-quality video. Or FaceTime in HD over cellular. With lots less lag”.
The iPhone 12 will start at £799, £70 more than last year. The iPhone 12 Mini will start at £699. The iPhone 12 Pro will start at £999 and the Pro Max at £1,099.
It will feature a new A14 bionic chip. This will help the phone handle “console-quality games”.
Apple hopes new suite can sustain sales
Apple has offered customers a wide range, with four new iPhones. Its business has boomed this year and the company will hope the new selection encourages people to upgrade.
Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus and Google have already launched 5G phones. But Apple’s allure could make the technology become more widespread.
Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, said: “Before this launch, 16 per cent of consumers said they were planning to upgrade to a 5G smartphone in the next year.
“The industry will be hoping that this iPhone will spur thousands more people to make the leap to 5G.”