Apple Event 2020: The Unveiling of the New iPhones 12s

 By Matthew Wong

​ On October 13th, Apple hosted its annual event to announce the release of the new iPhones and additional accessories. The iPhone is Apple’s best selling item, and this year, the tech company released four new phones: the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Max. Numerous upgrades were made to the newest models, including improved cameras, a new angular design, and, most importantly, 5G connectivity. As a result of these upgrades, market analysts predict that the release of the new iPhone 12s will greatly boost Apple’s sales.

Each iPhone 12 has different capabilities and features; therefore, each one has a different price. The cheapest phone of the four, the iPhone 12 mini, starts at $699 and has a 5.4-inch display. The iPhone 12 is priced at $799 with a 6.1-inch display. These two phones come in white, black, green, red, and blue. The more expensive models, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max, start at $999 and $1,099 and possess a 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display, respectively. The color options for these two are silver, graphite, gold, and Pacific blue.

In addition to the differences in prices and screen sizes, the cameras for the iPhone 12 lineup will vary. Though all contain wide-angle and ultra-wide angle lenses, as well as a convenient night mode, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max have the most technologically advanced cameras of the four models. These two phones are equipped with a telephoto lens that allows for up to 2.5x optical zoom, meaning they are able to obtain much clearer photos with the zoom feature. Moreover, the two higher-end models are built with light detecting and ranging sensors (LiDAR), allowing the depth of a scene to be more pronounced. This is beneficial to photos and augmented reality programs. 

If you do not want to spend top dollar on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max, there are a handful of advanced features that come standard to the entire new lineup, the most prominent of these features being 5G cellular connectivity. Most mobile phones have 4G LTE capabilities, but with the inclusion of this latest technology, the new iPhones will have faster download and upload speeds as well as a greater bandwidth. 
Each iPhone 12 also gets a physical redesign compared to last year’s model. The iPhone is returning to its “boxier” look, which hasn’t been seen since 2013 with the iPhone 5. Although this look may spark mixed feelings, it is a fresh shift from the rounded features that have graced the iPhone in recent years. 

All of the new iPhones will also have an improved display. XDR Super Retina OLED (organic light-emitting diode) gives the new phones more vibrant colors, allowing for a much-improved viewing experience compared to the basic LCD screen on the iPhone 11. 

Although the iPhone 12s garnered the most attention at the recent Apple event, the MagSafe, an iPhone accessory used for wireless charging and an enhanced version of the HomePod, was also introduced. 

​Before buying a new iPhone, do note that a charger and earbuds will no longer be included with the purchase. Despite this minor drawback, the upgrades to the iPhone will appeal to many customers and ensure another successful year from Apple. 

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