Amazon has introduced a few discounts on Apple's 2020 MacBook Air in both 256GB and 512GB storage options. To start, you can get the 256GB MacBook Air for $849.99, down from $999.00. You'll see this price after a $100 coupon is applied automatically at the checkout screen.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Likewise, the 512GB MacBook Air has an automatic coupon on Amazon this week. It's priced at $1,149.99, down from $1,299.00, following a $99.01 coupon at checkout (or $49.01, depending on the color you choose). Both models are available in all three colors, and these sales represent the best discounts that we've ever tracked for the new 2020 MacBook Air.
These models were updated in March of this year with a new Magic Keyboard with scissor switches, faster processors, more storage space, and a reduced starting price tag of $999.00 for the 256GB model. Both models feature a 13-inch Retina display, slim black bezels, and a Force Touch trackpad. Apple offers the MacBook Air in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Apple today unveiled "Apple Music TV," a constant live stream of currently popular music videos, live shows, and events that will run for 24 hours every day (via Variety).
Users in the United States will be able to watch Apple Music TV in the Apple Music app as well as in the Apple TV app. In the TV app, you can scroll down a bit to find Apple Music TV highlighted today, and it's at the top of the Browse tab in Apple Music.
The new service has begun with a countdown of the top 100 most streamed songs in the United States on Apple Music. On Thursday, viewers will be able to tune in to a launch celebration of Bruce Springsteen's upcoming album, while on Friday it'll be the exclusive home to the launch of two music videos: Joji's "777" and Saint Jhn's "Gorgeous."
Apple said that every Friday it will debut new videos on Apple Music TV, and that viewers can expect to see Apple Music 1 radio host Zane Lowe appear on the platform doing interviews and more.
The British government is closing a loophole in U.K. driving laws that allowed some smartphone users to escape punishment for picking up and using their mobile device to take a photo or play a game while driving (via BBC News).
As it stands, making phone calls and sending text messages are banned while driving on roads in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Drivers can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if they use a hand-held phone when driving. Drivers who passed their driving test in the last two years can also lose their license.
The current applicable law says it is illegal to use a device "which performs an interactive communication" while driving. However, drivers have successfully argued that filming or taking photos while driving does not match the wording in the current legislation.
For example, in 2019 Ramsey Barreto was found guilty of using his phone to film a crash in north London two years ago, but the 51-year-old successfully appealed against the conviction.
Two High Court judges subsequently criticized the 16-year-old law on using mobile phones, which they said had failed to evolve with the rise of smartphones.
BBC News reports that the new legislation will apply across the U.K. and is expected to come into effect early next year.
Mobiles will still be able to be used to pay for a drive-through takeaway, and drivers will still be able to use devices hands-free under the plans, according to the Department for Transport.
Using an iPhone 12 in Dual SIM mode throttles the cellular data speed to 4G LTE, according to an Apple Sales FAQ shared with retailers and carriers.
All 5G iPhone 12 models support Dual SIM mode, which refers to the ability to switch between a SIM card and an eSIM operating on independent numbers and/or carriers. However, an image of a training document from Apple's Sales Web resources called "What you need to know about 5G on iPhone" and posted to Reddit suggests the iPhone 12 will not support 5G on either line when Dual SIM mode is active. The FAQ reads:
"Does 5G work with Dual SIM?" When using two lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G data isn't supported on either line and will fall back to 4G LTE. If customers are using eSIM only and are on a 5G-supported carrier and service plan, they'll have 5G access.
The document suggests that only by disabling one SIM or the other will 5G speeds be available – a limitation that, if confirmed, will come as a blow to iPhone 12 customers who intended to use separate work and personal lines, for example.
On the bright side, this incompatibility could be a software issue, and therefore something Apple could resolve down the line. Indeed, the Reddit user who posted the above image claims that an update coming later in 2020 will enable 5G when using a Dual SIM mode.
This information is allegedly revealed in Apple's internal training documents, but 5G is not anywhere mentioned in Apple's Dual SIM support page, which was last updated on September 26. We've reached out to Apple to clarify the matter and will update this article if we get a response.
(Thanks, De Paul Sunny!)
Update: MacRumors has received independent confirmation that the documentation is genuine.
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a research note this morning detailing what he's seen with the volume of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders in the first weekend of sales.
Kuo had previously indicated that Apple's estimated shipment allocations for the new iPhone models placed the iPhone 12 at the top with 40-45% of inventory allocation (up from 15-20%). However, the strong interest in the iPhone 12 Pro in pre-orders has caused him to revise that split:
The iPhone 12 Pro pre-order beat our expectation because of Apple core fans’ initial preference for high-end models, the strong demand in the Chinese market, and the coming peak season demand in the US and Europe.
Due to the demand, Kuo sees the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro to each have approximately 30-35% share each of new iPhone shipments in this quarter. Meanwhile, Kuo also downgraded his expectations for the iPhone 12 mini with estimates that it will be responsible for only 10-15% of sales (down from 20-25%). Kuo cites weak demand for the smaller device in the Chinese market.
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 are very similar devices, though the Pro model has LiDAR, a telephoto camera lens and more RAM. More detailed comparison available:
Taiwanese carriers believe that sales of iPhone 12 models will be strongest since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, according to the Economic Daily News.
To keep up with strong demand for the devices, the publication claims that Apple suppliers Foxconn and Pegatron are offering increased bonuses to workers on the assembly line. iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders began Friday, while the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available to order starting November 6.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Taiwanese carriers sold out of iPhone 12 pre-orders in just 45 minutes, but it is unclear how much supply was available. iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders were also quick to sell out in the United States, with delivery estimates slipping to November less than an hour after pre-orders began.
Introduced in 2014, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were extremely popular thanks to their larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays, helping Apple sell a record 135.6 million iPhones in the two quarters after the devices launched. However, Apple stopped disclosing iPhone unit sales after its 2018 fiscal year, so any iPhone 12 sales figures will be estimates.
Apple announced the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro this week, and pre-orders opened on Friday, October 16, with shipping dates due to begin on Friday, October 23.
The launch of a new iPhone is always a mad dash with case manufacturers trying to launch their products in time for the first customers. We've collected this list of early iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro cases presently available.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
From the Forums
Our iPhone Accessories forum is buzzing with activity from readers who are trying to pick out the perfect case. We've pulled some interesting recommendations from these threads, which you can explore yourself or ask for more personalized advice.
Apple's own silicone case for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro features a soft-touch finish and fits snugly over the volume buttons, side button and curves of the device without adding heft. It features perfectly aligned port hole cutouts and has built-in magnets for MagSafe accessories, and is of course compatible with Apple's MagSafe charger. The case offers a decent amount of protection, and is available in Plum, Deep Navy, Kumquat, Cyprus Green, Pink Citrus, White, Black, and PRODUCT(RED).
Long-time case manufacturer Speck's Presidio2 line takes in the Presidio2 Armor Cloud, Presidio2 Grip and Presidio2 Pro, and thanks to a partnership with company Microban, each of model features protection against stain and odour-causing bacteria around the sides of each case. Armor Cloud protects against drops up to 16 feet, while the Grip and Pro feature a soft-touch finish. Speck also offers a number of clear cases with design flourishes and impact protection.
This tough yet relatively slim bumper case from Survivor promises to guard against harsh impacts, scrapes and scratches, dust and dirt, thanks to an ultra-strong base and a four-layer construction that integrates FortiCore shock absorption technology protective against 16-foot drops. Meanwhile a raised bezel ensures screen protection, and microbial and antifungal protection prevents discoloring stains, odors and degradation. Available in Black and Asphalt Black.
Totallee's typically minimalist offering sits at the extreme end of the iPhone 12 case market, in that it really is extremely thin indeed. In fact, it's more like a second skin for your device that shields it from scratches and adds grip, but provides very little in the way of drop protection. If your top priority is keeping your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro slim and sleek, then this is might well be the case for you. Available in green, navy blue, and frosted black and clear colors.
Casetify is this year touting its first-ever antimicrobial cases, layered with the brand's proprietary Defensify coating. Both the Impact and Ultra Impact cases claim to destroy 99% of bacteria and germs on impact with the surface, and despite being just 1.2mm thin, the Impact offers protection from drops up to 6.6-foot, while the Ulta Impact offers 9.8-foot drop defense. There's also a vegan Leather case that's made of 90% recycled materials, As usual, the big plus with Casetify is that both cases are available in 15+ colorways, thousands of custom prints and personalized finishes, and every case features a flash-absorbing camera ring on the rear.
Tech21 is offering an iPhone 12 case for people who prefer to travel light. Its Evo Wallet cover has a secure magnetic enclosure that features a pocket for two bank cards and includes a handsfree stand for watching video. The case offers drop-protection up to 12-foot, claims microbial protection, and is MagSafe compatible.
Otterbox's Symmetry Series combines an inner hard shell that deflects shock and an outer soft slipcover for absorbing impacts, while a raised lip around the edge helps guard the screen against cracks. Besides offering decent overall protection for your iPhone 12, the case also includes an integrated popgrip that lies flush in the case when not in use and can be easily swapped out if you want to switch up the look.
Conceived by Scandinavian designer Jesper Ståhl, the Nudient case features a minimalist look with impeccably precise cutouts. The exterior is coated with three layers of rubberized material for better grip, and a suede fabric inner to keep your handset protected from scratchy dust particles. It also has built-in magnets for use with Nudient's own magnetized accessories. The case is available in Sangria Red, Pine Green, Ink Black, Midwinter Blue, Dusty Pink, Clay Beige, and Saffron Yellow.
The Emma Crossbody Bandolier is a classic black leather case and gold-tone details and an open-face design, but its signature feature is the adjustable crossbody shoulder strap for handsfree carrying. Emma includes a hidden snapback credit card compartment on the rear, and is available in 10 understated colors for a chic look.
Slim yet protective, RhinoShield's SolidSuit case is a one-piece shell with a premium finish on the back. It uses proprietary impact-resistant technology called ShockSpread material, which offers military-grade defense against drops and falls, yet its featherweight design ensures you won't even know it's there. It's available in a range of colors and custom prints, and also plays nice with the company's range of add-on camera lenses.
If you're looking for something that offers more protection, ArmadilloTek cases feature shock absorbent TPU and an impact-resistant thermal plastic shell, along with a honeycomb design and reinforced corners to keep your iPhone safe. There's also a built-in kickstand that's useful for watching videos and FaceTiming.
Apple's new MagSafe charger and cases have begun arriving to some customers earlier than expected, and images of the accessories have started to surface on Twitter. The photos provide a first look at the products in real-world use.
As of writing, some MagSafe cases are also available for pickup at select Apple Stores in countries like the United States, Canada, and Germany.
Filip Chudzinski, developer of Apple Watch band app Bandbreite and editor of Apple Store-focused Twitter account Storeteller, has shared a number of high-quality images of the MagSafe charger and the Deep Navy Silicone Case for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
YouTube channel DerDaku has shared a MagSafe charger unboxing video in German:
MagSafe is set to improve the charging experience on iPhone 12, with magnets that are optimized for alignment and efficiency, and the technology still supports existing Qi charging mats.
MagSafe also brings a new ecosystem of magnetic cases and accessories that snap onto the iPhone 12. This includes new silicone, leather, and clear cases that easily connect onto the back of the iPhone, as well as a separate leather wallet accessory. Third-party accessories from Belkin and OtterBox have also been announced.
The images reveal a ring containing MagSafe's magnets on the interior of the case and confirm that Apple's new silicone cases cover the bottom of the iPhone for the first time.
The MagSafe charger also seems to be made of matte silver aluminium, unlike the polished metal seen on Apple's similar Apple Watch charging puck.
It came about a month later than in most years, but this week finally saw Apple's media event where it showed off its new iPhone lineup. As expected, we got four new devices in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineups with staggered release dates, and Apple also showed off the upcoming HomePod, a much smaller and cheaper smart speaker compared to the standard HomePod.
Apple's media event obviously dominated the news this week, including not just the main hardware but also the new MagSafe ecosystem of accessories coming with the iPhone 12. This week also saw the start of pre-orders for the fourth-generation iPad Air, as well as some rumors about a possible Mac-focused event in November, so read on for all of the details!
Everything Announced at the Apple Event in 7 Minutes
Apple this week hosted its second event in as many months, introducing its long-awaited iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup, the all-new HomePod mini, and a collection of MagSafe chargers and accessories that magnetically attach to the back of the new iPhones.
For more detailed coverage of Apple's announcements this week, check out the rest of our top stories below.
Apple Unveils iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max With 5G, Flat-Edge Design, LiDAR Scanner, and More
This year's flagship iPhones have arrived with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, both of which feature a new flat-edge design with slightly slimmer bezels, compatibility with 5G networks, a faster A14 Bionic chip, improved cameras, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, a new Pacific Blue color, improved durability, and more.
As was rumored, iPhone 12 models ship without EarPods or a charger in the box. Apple touted the environmental benefits of no longer bundling these accessories, noting that the move reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of rare-earth elements. Removing these accessories has also resulted in iPhone 12 models shipping in a thinner box. EarPods and a power adapter can be purchased separately for a reduced price of $19 each.
Equipped with a dual-lens rear camera system, the iPhone 12 mini's new Wide lens has an ƒ/1.6 aperture, the fastest yet on an iPhone.
Like the higher-end iPhone 12 Pro models, the iPhone 12 mini features Apple's latest A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, new Ceramic Shield front glass that Apple says provides four times greater drop protection, and a new magnet-based MagSafe system that allows for precise wireless charging and easy-to-attach accessories from Apple, like a leather wallet for the Apple Card.
iPhone 12 mini will be available in five aluminum finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED. Pre-orders begin Friday, November 6 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with shipments and in-store availability beginning one week later on Friday, November 13. Pricing starts at $699.
Apple Announces HomePod mini With Spherical Design and S5 Chip for $99
Nearly three years after the HomePod launched, the Siri-powered speaker now has a smaller sibling.
The spherical HomePod mini stands just 3.3 inches tall, compared to 6.8 inches for the standard HomePod. However, despite being much smaller, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio."
The top of the speaker features a backlit touch surface with volume and playback controls, and it glows when Siri is invoked. By placing two HomePod minis in a single room, a stereo pair can be created for a wider soundstage.
Like the existing HomePod, the HomePod mini offers HomeKit smart home capabilities, handing off of audio from an iPhone, multi-user detection, ambient sounds, and compatibility with Apple's new Intercom feature for sending messages to everyone in a household — from one HomePod to another, or to an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, or vehicle with CarPlay.
HomePod mini will be available in white and space gray for $99, with pre-orders set to begin Friday, November 6.
While not shown during its event, Apple also introduced Beats Flex earphones, an upgraded version of BeatsX for $49.99.
Apple Revives 'MagSafe' Brand With New Magnetic Accessories for iPhone 12 Lineup
On the back of the iPhone 12 models is a new magnet-based MagSafe system that allows for precise wireless charging and easy-to-attach accessories from Apple and third-party brands like Belkin and PopSocket.
Apple's lineup of MagSafe accessories will include chargers, cases, and even a leather wallet that can hold an Apple Card. Some of these accessories are available to order starting this Friday, with others coming later.
MagSafe was previously the name of Apple's detachable power cable for MacBooks, a feature that was fully discontinued by 2019.
Fourth-Generation iPad Air Now Available for Pre-Order
While Apple didn't announce anything about availability of the new iPad Air at its media event on Tuesday, the company did launch pre-orders of the new tablet on Friday alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
Priced starting at $599 for 64GB of storage, the 10.9-inch iPad Air features an edge-to-edge display with a unique Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. Like the new iPhone 12 models, the iPad Air uses Apple's new 5-nanometer A14 Bionic chip.
The new iPad Air comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and blue, and it features Apple Pencil 2 support, a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera. Following a week of pre-orders, it will be availabile starting Friday, October 23.
First Mac With Apple Silicon Expected to be Announced in November
During its WWDC keynote in June, Apple announced that it will be switching from Intel to its own custom-designed processors for Macs starting later this year, promising industry-leading performance per watt. At the time, Apple said that it plans to ship the first Mac with Apple Silicon by the end of the year and complete the transition in about two years.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Google has added a new feature to its Search app that allows you to hum a song that's stuck in your head, and then use the company's machine learning algorithm to try and identify it.
In the Google app or using the Google Search widget, tap the mic icon and say "what's this song?" or click the "Search a song" button. Then start humming the tune for 10-15 seconds. When you're done, the Google app returns results showing the most likely options based on the tune.
Then you can select the best match and explore information on the song and artist, view any accompanying music videos or listen to the song on your favorite music app, find the lyrics, read analysis and check out other recordings of the song when available.
You can also whistle or sing the tune, and the app will use its machine learning models to "transform the audio into a number-based sequence representing the song's melody," which it then compares to existing songs.
Google says it trains the models on sources including humans singing, whistling or humming, as well as audio recordings, ignoring things like instruments and vocal quality to zone in on the numeric sequence. You don't need to use perfect pitch for it to work, and the results were impressively accurate in our tests, so if you have a frustrating brain worm that you just can't identify, this is the easiest way to put you out of your misery.
The feature is currently only available in English on iOS, but Google says it hopes to expand it to more languages in the future.
Apple has held events in September and October so far, first focusing on the Apple Watch Series 6 and iPad Air and then new iPhone 12 models and the HomePod mini. There are still a handful of products that Apple is expected to launch before the end of the year, so will we see a November event?
From AirPods Studio to an Arm-based Silicon Mac, there are still new devices that we could see this year. Below, we've outlined the rumored products that didn't make an appearance at the October event.
AirPods Studio
Apple is planning to add high-end over-ear "AirPods Studio" headphones to its AirPods lineup, and some rumors suggest that may be a product that's ready to go and set to launch before the end of 2020.
There was speculation that AirPods Studio would show up at the October event, but a massive leak outlining what we'd see at the event didn't include AirPods Studio, so we ended up knowing not to expect it.
Both AirPods and AirPods Pro launched in the later months of the year, so there's still a good chance we're going to get new headphones this year. Rumored to be priced starting at $350, AirPods Studio will feature Active Noise Cancellation and a retro-style design that could involve both a premium model made from high quality materials and a sport-oriented model made from breathable, lighter weight materials.
AirPods Studio could feature magnetic ear cups and headband padding that can be swapped out for a customizable look, much like Apple Watch bands, and there could be neat features like ear detection so there's no right or left side when wearing the headphones.
The 2020 launch date isn't a sure thing, as there's been some mixed information suggesting the AirPods Studio might not be ready for launch, so it's unclear just what's going to happen.
AirTags
We've been hearing rumors about Apple's Bluetooth-based item trackers for well over a year, and there's never been a clear launch timeline. It would have made sense to unveil the AirTags alongside new iPhones given the interoperability between them, but that didn't happen.
If you've been living under a rock and aren't familiar with AirTags, they're Apple's version of the Tile. AirTags are small Bluetooth-equipped item trackers that you can attach to important but easily lost items, allowing the AirTags (and the items) to be tracked right inside the Find My app alongside your Apple devices.
There's no guarantee that AirTags are launching in 2020, so there's a chance that we aren't going to see them this year. In fact, leaker Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting Apple's plans, recently said the AirTags won't be coming until March 2021. Prosser has since said that the AirPods Studio headphones have actually been pushed back, so Apple is going to debut AirTags instead. Given the super mixed information, we'll have to wait to see what ends up launching.
Recent speculation suggests that Apple perhaps has had the AirTags ready to go for quite some time (hence code found in early versions of iOS 13), but has held them back to allow third-party item tracker manufacturers time to develop their own solutions that integrate with the Find My app in an effort to stave off antitrust accusations. Since AirTags rumors first leaked, Tile has been unhappy because a better Apple-designed Bluetooth tracker that integrates right into the Find My app has the potential to tank Tile's business.
Apple Silicon Macs
Apple itself has said that the first Mac with an Apple Silicon chip is coming before the end of 2020, so we can count on at least one Mac launch in November or December.
There's no word yet on exactly which Mac will get an Apple Silicon chip first, but based on rumors, candidates include a new MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, a resurrected 12-inch MacBook, or a new 24-inch iMac.
Apple is working on a revamped 14-inch MacBook that will be similar to the 16-inch MacBook and a redesigned 24-inch iMac to replace the 21.5-inch iMac, and the launch of both of these significant redesigns would be an ideal time to unveil fresh new Apple-designed chips.
Regardless of which Mac comes first, Apple is transitioning its entire Mac lineup to Apple Silicon chips, a process that's expected to take a year. By the end of 2021, Apple may be well on its way to sunsetting all Macs with Intel chips. We may not be able to count on AirPods Studio or AirTags for certain, but new Macs are definitely coming.
Apple TV
As with AirTags, rumors about a next-generation Apple TV have been floating around for months, if not years. We haven't had a new version of the Apple TV since 2017, and we're long overdue for an update.
Apple is said to be working on multiple Apple TV set-top boxes, including one that has an A14X chip that offers console-like performance. There are also rumors of a new Apple TV remote with Find My integration to keep it from getting lost.
No Apple TV made an appearance at Apple's October event, and it's not looking like we're going to see it a potential November event, either. According to an August report from Bloomberg, a new Apple TV might not be ready to launch until sometime in 2021.
November Event?
There's a chance that Apple could hold a third November event to show off new products because the Apple Silicon Macs at a minimum are event-worthy devices. Of course, there's no guarantee at this time, because the devices that are still on the horizon could also come out through a press release.
Predicting a possible event date in November is tricky. November 3 is election day in the United States, November 11 is Veterans Day, and November 26 is Thanksgiving in the United States with Apple giving all corporate employees that week off. If Apple does hold an event, we could perhaps get invites in the first week of November with an event to take place on November 9 or 10 ahead of Veteran's Day.
A recent rumor has suggested that Apple is actually planning an Apple Silicon event for November 17, so that could be when we'll see an announcement instead. That date is getting awfully close to Thanksgiving a week later, but Apple doesn't have a lot of options in the month of November.
In 2020, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max as the successors to the popular iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, with a new squared-off industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, a LiDAR Scanner, and MagSafe. As Apple's premium flagship offerings from 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max were the most fully-featured iPhones available until the launch of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro started at $999 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max started at $1,099, and while Apple has now discontinued them, customers may still find them available for much lower prices from third-party stores. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are actually a number of differences between the devices besides just screen size. Our guide highlights the differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.
Comparing the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max share virtually all of the same key features. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display technology, A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, a "pro" camera setup with 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses, LiDAR Scanner, and are available in the same colors. More interesting is where the two devices differ.
Differences
iPhone 12 Pro
6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution
Telephoto lens with ƒ/2.0 aperture
2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range
Digital zoom up to 10x
Dual optical image stabilization
Battery life with 17 hours of video playback
Weight of 6.66 ounces (189 grams)
Originally priced at $999, $1099, $1299 for 128GB/256GB/512GB
iPhone 12 pro Max
6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution
Telephoto lens with ƒ/2.2 aperture
2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom range
Digital zoom up to 12x
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Battery life with 20 hours of video playback
Weight of 8.03 ounces (228 grams)
Originally priced at $1099, $1199, $1399 for 128GB/256GB/512GB
Aside from physical size, Apple has added a few more camera improvements into the Max. Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see where exactly the iPhone 12 Pro contrasts with its larger sibling.
Display Size
The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is the display size. The iPhone 12 Pro has a size of 6.1 inches, and the 12 Pro Max has a size of 6.7 inches. This means that the larger phone will be able to display more content, with the UI elements of apps spaced further apart, and items such as the keyboard will be much bigger. The smaller phone, however, will be much more pocketable and easy to use with one hand.
The displays themselves use the exact same technologies and have the same features, but the main reason to prefer the iPhone 12 Pro will be because of its better fit in the hand and easier one-handed use. Likewise, those that prefer a larger display, to the point that it may begin to cannibalize the 7.9-inch iPad mini, will clearly prefer the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Dimensions and Weight
As a smaller phone, the iPhone 12 Pro obviously has a lesser height and width than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro is 14.1mm shorter and 6.6mm narrower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, both phones have the same thickness of 7.4mm. The iPhone 12 Pro is also 39 grams (1.38 ounces) lighter than its larger counterpart, at just 189 grams (6.66 ounces) in total.
Cameras
The camera is another key area of separation between the devices. The two iPhones have very similar rear camera arrays, with three 12MP cameras, including an Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto, and a LiDAR Scanner, and many of the same software features, such as Smart HDR 3, Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Apple ProRAW. However, the larger size of the 12 Pro Max has allowed Apple to add three additional camera features.
The Wide camera of the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 47 percent larger sensor with bigger pixels, which lets in a lot more light than the Wide-angle camera of the iPhone 12. Low-light photos taken with the iPhone 12 Pro Max are 87 percent better, according to Apple, with images also featuring more detail and better color.
The Telephoto lens on the iPhone 12 Pro has an f/2.0 aperture while the Telephoto lens of the iPhone 12 Pro Max has an f/2.2 aperture, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 65mm focal length and 2.5x zoom lens that is superior to the 52mm focal length and 2x zoom lens in the iPhone 12 Pro, allowing for a 5x optical zoom range.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max also has sensor-shift optical image stabilization on its Wide lens instead of lens-shift optical image stabilization. This means that the camera sensor moves to counteract shake, rather than the lens. The result is improved optical image stabilization.
Increased zoom in, better low-light performance, and sensor-shift optical image stabilization are noteworthy, if not especially groundbreaking, camera improvements. Nevertheless, if you heavily use your iPhone for photography and videography, the advancements on the 12 Pro Max will likely be appreciated.
Battery Life
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max also differ when it comes to battery life. The iPhone 12 Pro can deliver up to 17 hours of video playback, according to Apple. However, since the iPhone 12 Pro Max is much larger, it can accommodate a larger battery and therefore offer a longer battery life. This means that the iPhone 12 Pro Max can reportedly deliver up to 20 hours of video playback. Real-world battery life for both devices is likely to be lower than Apple's estimates, as mixed usage tends to be a bit heavier than video playback alone.
If battery life is a priority for you, the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers excellent battery life. If you choose to get the iPhone 12 Pro, it will still have a fair battery life, but it does not reach the capability of the 12 Pro Max.
Other iPhone Options
With an original a starting price of $999, if the iPhone 12 Pro is outside your comfortable spending range, you should definitely consider its cheaper counterpart, the iPhone 12 ($599/$699), or even the iPhone 11 ($499).
The most obvious decision point between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max falls comes down to screen size. The camera enhancements of the iPhone 12 Pro Max also make it the best iPhone for photography and videography. Likewise, heavy battery users will value the added capacity.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max represents the most you can get out of an iPhone in all areas, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. A large 6.7-inch phone is not for everyone. Some may consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max's size excessive or uncomfortably large, while others will love the larger display for consuming media.
Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and Apple offers the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup in three different sizes to meet all users' needs. Since the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max share almost all features except for some camera hardware, it comes down to individual taste. The added $100 in price seems a fair trade for the added size, battery life and camera features.
Apple's iPhone mini has the shortest battery life out of all the iPhones in the iPhone 12 lineup due to its small size, but Apple has not provided public information about the battery's capacity. A regulatory filing from Brazil, however, suggests the iPhone 12 mini has a battery capacity of 2,227mAh.
The same regulatory information says the iPhone 12 features a 2,815mAh battery, which is smaller than the 3,110mAh battery in the iPhone 11.
The regulatory info comes from ANATEL, Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency that certifies new electronic devices. The listing was found by Brazilian site Tecnoblog, with the site claiming to have found documentation on all four of the new iPhone models. Information on iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max battery capacity has not yet been shared, however.
A battery certification leak earlier this summer also indicated that the iPhone 12 mini would have a 2,227mAh battery capacity, but that same leak said that the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro would feature 2,775mAh batteries, which doesn't match up with the ANATEL info.
There is a possibility that the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have different battery capacities, so the 12 Pro could have the rumored 2,775mAh battery, which would make both certification leaks accurate. The earlier certifications also suggested the iPhone 12 Pro Max would have a 3,687mAh battery, but it's not yet clear if that's accurate.
Apple appears to be using smaller batteries in this year's iPhone lineup compared to last year as the iPhone 11 Pro had a 3,046mAh battery and the iPhone 11 Pro Max had a 3,969mAh battery. Compared to those models, the new iPhones have similar battery life thanks to efficiency improvements introduced by the A14 Bionic chip.
According to Apple, the iPhone 12 mini's battery lasts for up to 15 hours with standard video playback, up to 10 hours with streaming video playback, and up to 50 hours with audio playback.
Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro offer up to 17 hours of video playback, up to 11 hours of streaming video playback, and up to 65 hours of audio playback, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max lasts for up to 20 hours for video playback, up to 12 hours for streaming video playback, and up to 80 hours for audio playback.
While not detailed in the tech specs, MacRumors can confirm that Apple's new HomePod mini features a non-detachable power cable that ends with a USB-C connector for use with the 20W power adapter included in the box.
With the switch to USB-C, the HomePod mini could potentially be powered by a wider range of devices and peripherals, ranging from MacBooks to USB-C battery packs with enough wattage, but this will ultimately depend on how much power the HomePod mini draws.
The standard HomePod also has a non-detachable power cable, but it terminates with a plug for direct connection to a wall outlet.
The standard HomePod's power cable ends with a plug (via iFixit)
It's worth noting that soon after the original HomePod launched, it was discovered that the power cable can technically be removed if enough force is applied, so time will tell if this is possible with the HomePod mini too. In an internal document obtained by MacRumors in 2018, Apple warned that the HomePod's power cable should not be removed, noting that this could cause damage to the cable or internal components.
Introduced at Apple's event earlier this week, the HomePod mini has a more compact, spherical design, standing just 3.3 inches tall. However, despite being much smaller, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio," a feature that is powered by the same S5 chip as in the Apple Watch Series 5.
HomePod mini will be available in white and space gray for $99, with pre-orders set to begin Friday, November 6 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Apple today launched a new Diwali promotion in India that will see the company providing customers with a set of AirPods with the purchase of any iPhone 11 model. The new iPhone 12 models are not part of the promotion.
Apple is offering the standard AirPods With Charging Case free with purchase, but customers can choose to upgrade to the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case or the AirPods Pro.
To celebrate Diwali, take home AirPods on us with your new iPhone 11. If you like, you can upgrade to AirPods with a Wireless Charging Case or AirPods Pro. And you can add free engraving in Bag to make it personal. Choose from seven regional Indian languages, emojis and more.
AirPods with Charging Case are valued at INR 14,900, with customers able to upgrade to AirPods with Wireless Charging Case for INR 4,000 or AirPods Pro for INR 10,000.
The promotion will last from October 17, 2020 to November 12, 2020, with terms and conditions available on Apple's website. [PDF]
Apple's online store in India launched on September 22, providing Indian customers with a way to make purchases direct from Apple for the first time. Apple is also planning to open retail stores in India in the future.
Following the launch of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, Apple has begun marketing them through TV commercials, ads, billboards, and more. An ad uploaded to YouTube this afternoon promotes the new iPhone 12 and 12 Pro as "the most powerful iPhone ever," highlighting the design, camera, 5G connectivity, and more.
The spot features the songs "Gopher" by Yma Sumac and "Drumdown Mambo" from Whethan. It shows off the iPhone's design and then features a shockwave that's set off when the device is unlocked as a demonstration of its power.
Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are available for pre-order as of today, with the first orders set to arrive to customers on Friday, October 23.
Apple today shared the trailer for "Fireball," a Werner Herzog documentary that's set to debut on Apple TV+ on November 13.
"Fireball" explores the cultural and physical influence that meteors, comets, and deep impacts have had on earth in regard to mythology, religion, and human imagination.
Apple acquired the rights for "Fireball" over the summer. The documentary is the third collaboration between Herzog and director and geoscientist Clive Oppenheimer who previously teamed up for "Encounters at the End of the World" in Antarctica and "Into the Inferno" exploring active volcanoes.
"Fireball" joins several other documentaries available through Apple TV+ such as "Tiny World," "Boys State," and "The Elephant Queen."
In other Apple TV+ news, actress Kate Hudson is planning to join the cast of "Truth Be Told" for season 2. Season 1 of "Truth Be Told," which stars Octavia Spencer, focused on the reopening of a murder case after a popular podcast about it.
The first season starred Aaron Paul as Warren Cave, but "Truth Be Told" is designed to be an anthology series with a new main storyline each season. Hudson will play Micah Keith, a lifestyle guru and longtime friend of Spencer's character, Poppy Parnell, with the two exploring a new murder case that "deeply involves both women."
Alongside the iPhone 12 models, Apple introduced a new MagSafe line of accessories that work with a ring of magnets built into the new devices. MagSafe technology is being provided to third-party case makers, who are coming out with MagSafe products.
OtterBox today announced the launch of several cases designed to work with Apple’s MagSafe accessories, including the Figura, Aneu, and Symmetry+ Series.
Priced at $50 to $60, the cases feature slim but protective designs along with MagSafe compatibility. The Figura cases feature multi-color designs and are made from a soft-touch material for a comfortable grip, while the Aneu comes in solid colors with a grippy edge.
The Symmetry+ cases feature a more protective design with DROP+ technology and are infused with a silver-based additive that blocks microbial growth and protects against common bacteria.
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