Apple this evening began sending out emails to Apple TV+ subscribers who have a trial subscription to let them know about a planned three month trial extension.
We're giving you extra time to discover the latest Apple Originals and catch up on shows returning for a second season. You don't have to do anything -- just keep watching for free until February 2021.
It's been an incredible debut year. Audiences are loving the Emmy Award winner The Morning Show, the blockbuster WWII thriller Greyhound, the heartwarming comedy Ted Lasso, and so much more. Be on the lookout for new premieres, hit movies like On the Rocks, the eye-opening docuseries Tiny World, and Season 2 of Servant, For All Mankind, and Peabody winner Dickinson.
First announced last week, the trial extension applies to those who purchased a device beginning in September 2019 and signed up for a free year of service when Apple TV+ launched on November 1, 2019.
The first Apple TV+ subscribers who activated their year of access on that date were set to have their trial periods expire at the end of October or the beginning of November, but Apple is now extending those expiration dates until February.
Apple is also providing credits to subscribers who pay for an Apple TV+ annual plan or Apple TV+ monthly plan, offering them $4.99 per month for each month through February.
Apple TV+ adopters who signed up for their free year of service after a device purchase between November 2019 and January 2020 will benefit from the promotion that Apple is providing, with those subscriptions now expiring later than expected. Those who signed up for a free year after January 31, 2020 will not benefit because their free trials will already extend beyond the promotion limits.
According to Apple, the promotion is being offered so that Apple TV+ subscribers have more time to check out the latest Apple original content. Apple says that new trial renewal dates will show up under Manage Subscriptions in the Apple TV app soon.
Apple hasn't provided release date information for the new 10.9-inch iPad Air, but Walmart this afternoon began accepting preorders for some models.
Stock is limited, but Walmart is offering the space gray and rose gold models for preorder. According to Walmart, iPad Air purchases will ship out on Friday, October 23.
Friday, October 23 is also the release date that was temporarily listed by Best Buy's Canadian site site before it was updated to say "coming soon."
Walmart's preorders are another indication that the iPad Air is meant to be released on October 23, though it's not yet clear why Apple hasn't updated its site with the release date information.
If the October 23 release date for the iPad Air is accurate, we could perhaps see preorders from Apple on Friday alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
The fourth-generation iPad Air models feature an edge-to-edge display, a Touch ID power button, and the same A14 chip that's in the new iPhones, with pricing that starts at $599. Walmart is, however, offering a $40 discount.
Update: Walmart's pre-order stock of the new iPad Air models appears to have sold out.
Apple on Tuesday unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 12 lineup, which includes the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 2020 iPhones feature all-new designs with flat edges, edge-to-edge OLED displays, upgraded camera technology, and 5G connectivity.
Apple highlighted many of the features of the new devices during Tuesday's event, but there are some lesser known tidbits that you might have missed. We've rounded up some notable tidbits worth knowing before you make a purchase.
mmWave 5G Availability
If you're expecting to unbox your iPhone, set it up, and get blazing fast 5G speeds, you might be disappointed. 5G is still in the early stages of rolling out, and the fastest mmWave 5G is limited select portions of major cities, which means most people aren't going to be able to use it.
The good news is that there are two kinds of 5G networks, and the slower but still speedy sub-6GHz networks will be more widely available. There's no guarantee you'll see out of the box speed improvements, but things should improve over the course of the next year.
5G Antenna
Speaking of mmWave 5G, it is only available on iPhone 12 models sold in the United States, with iPhone 12 models in other countries supporting only sub-6GHz models. iPhones that do have mmWave support have a little antenna on the right side of the device, so they look just a bit different.
1080p FaceTime Calls Over 5G
When connected to a 5G network or WiFi, FaceTime calls are available in a higher-quality 1080p resolution. WiFi FaceTime calls at 1080p require iOS 14 to be installed as that's an iOS 14 feature.
Smart Data Mode
5G connections can drain more battery than LTE, so Apple is adding a Smart Data Mode that will switch between 5G and LTE networks as needed to preserve battery life. When you don't need 5G, such as when an app is updating in the background, your iPhone will swap over to LTE. When you do need 5G for downloading a movie, making a FaceTime call, or streaming video, the 5G connection activates.
There is, of course, a toggle so you can choose to use Smart Data Mode or have 5G activated all the time.
iPhone 12 and 12 Mini Pricing
Apple on stage advertised pricing on the iPhone 12 and 12 mini as starting at $799 and $699, respectively, but that's not quite accurate. Those are the prices with a discount from U.S. carriers, and right now, only Verizon and AT&T have the new iPhones at those prices. T-Mobile is supposedly launching some kind of similar deal on Friday, but the details haven't been announced.
If you want to buy a new iPhone 12 or 12 mini SIM-free, it's actually going to cost you an additional $30, so the iPhone 12 is really priced at $829 and the iPhone 12 mini is priced at $729.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max Optical Zoom
There are different telephoto lenses built into the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 52mm telephoto lens, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a longer 65mm telephoto lens, which will affect portraits and other shots taken with the two phones.
The 52mm telephoto lens in the iPhone 12 Pro supports 2x optical zoom and a 4x total optical zoom range across all lenses, along with 10x maximum digital zoom.
The 65mm telephoto lens in the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports 2.5x optical zoom and a 5x total optical zoom range across all lenses, along with 12x maximum digital zoom.
Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization
The Wide camera of the iPhone 12 Pro Max adopts Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization, which, as the name suggests, stabilizes just the sensor of the lens, allowing for better stabilization compared to the Optical Image Stabilization that was used before and for other lenses. iPhone 12 Pro Max users can expect less camera shake and blur from movement.
Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization is used in DSLRs, and this is the first time that it's been brought to an iPhone. The feature is limited to the wide-angle camera on the Pro Max and is not available for the other cameras or on the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro uses standard Optical Image Stabilization.
15W MagSafe Charging
Apple put a ring of magnets in the iPhone 12 models and designed a MagSafe wireless charger to work with those magnets. The charger is similar in design to the Apple Watch charging puck, and it snaps right onto the new iPhones.
With the MagSafe charger, the iPhone 12 models can charge at up to 15W, which is twice as fast as the 7.5W Qi-based charging limit.
Night Mode Portraits
With the new LiDAR Scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, it's now possible to take Portrait shots in Night mode with the Wide camera. The LiDAR Scanner can map out the scene to separate the subject from the background while the camera captures bright colors and artful bokeh for any lighting in the image.
Speaking of Night mode, it's also available for the Ultra Wide camera for the first time so you can get some great nighttime wide-angle shots.
Night Mode for the Front-Facing Camera
Apple's new A14 chip includes a new Image Signal Processor that adds new photographic capabilities to the rear cameras and the front-facing TrueDepth camera. Night mode works with the front-facing camera for the first time so you can take neat nighttime selfies.
Deep Fusion and HDR 3 for Front-Facing Camera
The front-facing camera also supports Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and Dolby Vision HDR video recording. Deep Fusion introduces improvements in color and texture in mid to low-light scenes by pulling out the best pixels from multiple exposures to make one great aggregate image.
Smart HDR 3 improves highlights, shadows, white balance, and contouring in every image for more natural lighting, and Dolby Vision HDR support allows for recording and editing Dolby Vision video.
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Form Factor
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are the same 6.1-inch size as the iPhone 11, but the dimensions are slightly different. The new models are 11 percent thinner, 15 percent smaller, and 16 percent lighter than the iPhone 11.
In terms of specific dimensions, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro measure in at 5.78 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide, and 0.29 inches thick (7.4mm). The iPhone 11 is 5.94 inches tall, 2.98 inches wide, and 0.33 inches thick (8.3mm).
If you were hoping that iPhone 11 cases would fit the new iPhone 12 models, then you're out of luck. The fit won't be quite right.
As for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini, those are all new sizes that have no equivalent. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest iPhone to date with its 6.7-inch display size, while the 5.4-inch iPhone mini is the smallest iPhone Apple has released since the 2016 iPhone SE.
More Info
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pre-orders start at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16, and if you're planning to pre-order, make sure to check out our time zone guide to see when pre-orders are happening in your country.
If you're still trying to decide whether to upgrade from an iPhone 11, make sure to check out our Buyer's Guide comparing the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 12, and if you're trying to decide between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro, we've also got a guide for that.
Apple today informed developers that they can offer pre-orders for apps up to 180 days prior to when it's released for download on the App Store, giving developers more time to build excitement for app features, services, and content.
Now you can let customers pre-order your app up to 180 days before it's released for download on the App Store. Take advantage of this longer lead time to build more excitement for your app's features, services, and content, and to encourage more pre-orders. Once your app is released, customers will be notified and it will automatically download to their device within 24 hours.
Apple has been allowing developers to offer App Store pre-orders since 2017, with the pre-order feature letting customers make a purchase ahead of an app's release date. Pre-orders are available for both free and paid apps.
Prior to today's change, pre-orders could only be made available for up to 90 days before an app's release. Once the release date for an app rolls around, the app that has been pre-ordered is automatically downloaded to the customer's device, with paid apps charged at release.
With the launch of the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple now offers more size options than ever when buying an iPhone. We've previously posted size comparisons between leaked iPhone 12 dummy models vs a variety of other iPhone models. Now that the iPhone 12 has been officially released, we have revisited these size comparison graphics and found that the dummy models were right on the mark.
iPhone SE vs iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7/8/SE 2 vs iPhone X/XS/11 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro Max / XS Max / 7 Plus / 8 Plus vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
This graphic shows the relative sizes of all the iPhones from the iPhone SE to present. The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 / Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max sizes fit nicely between the existing models.
Note, we took some small liberties for the interest of comparisons. For the iPhone 11 Pro Max image, the back camera setup does not accurately represent the XS Max, 7 Plus and 8 Plus cameras, but the overall sizes of all these devices are near identical.
To see them at full width comparison, click to see the following image in full size:
In addition to physical size, you have to consider how things will appear on the screen itself. Due to the size difference, websites will render differently and information may be presented differently. Here are 3 screenshots of the same webpage rendered in each device. This was simulated in Xcode and scaled to fix the respective devices:
Safari in iPhone Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone Pro Max
Apple reportedly believes the 6.1" iPhone 12 model at $799 will be the most popular selling iPhone with the iPhone 12 Mini being the second most popular. Many are happy with the return of a smaller iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini shares the same features as the iPhone 12, so you aren't missing out much when choosing between those models, though the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max do bring other improvements.
iPhone 12 Mini Size
For those wanting to see how big an iPhone 12 mini might look in your hand, we made this graphic that can be used from an existing iPhone. The image has been updated to reflect the final iPhone 12 mini release.
Simply, save the corresponding image on your iPhone to see. Left and right aligned images are provided.
iPhone 12 preorders begin this Friday. 6.1-inch models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order Friday, October 16, while the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max open pre-orders on Friday, November 6.
Nike customers who sign up for a new Apple Card can get $75 cash back when spending $75 or more on Nike products with a promotion that Nike is highlighting in emails sent out to customers today. The deal is also outlined on Apple's website.
Through November 15, new Apple Card members who sign up and spend over $75 at Nike using Apple Pay will receive $75 cash back, with the deal available to customers who make the purchase within 30 days of opening a new Apple Card account. Purchases can be made from Nike.com, in Nike apps, or at Nike stores.
The deal is available for new Apple Card holders only, with the $75 bonus delivered as Daily Cash that can be added to an Apple Cash card or used as a credit on an Apple Card statement balance.
Apple has offered similar bonus deals in the past, providing sign up deals like $50 cash back for the first Apple service purchase or $50 in bonus cash when making a purchase at Walgreens. Apple Card deals rotate often, and this one will last through mid-November.
Update: There is also a new Apple Pay promotion offering 15% off at American Eagle when using the promo code APPLEPAY in the AE + Aerie app, on ae.com, or on aerie.com through October 21.
Samsung on its social channels is mocking Apple for removing the power adapter from the iPhone 12 lineup and other iPhone models, pointing out the fact that the Samsung Galaxy smartphones continue to ship with a power adapter.
"Included with your Galaxy," reads a Samsung Facebook post that features a picture of a power adapter.
Apple notably is no longer providing power adapters or EarPods with iPhone purchases, a change applicable to the new iPhone 12 modelsand new purchases of iPhone 11, iPhone SE, and iPhone XR models. Apple says that the change will let it cut down on carbon emissions both through the elimination of the accessories and through the smaller box size iPhones now use.
Apple at Tuesday's event said the shift was made for environmental reasons, but there has been speculation that Apple may have removed the accessories to cut costs due to the expense of the 5G modems used in the new iPhone lineup. Apple's iPhones ship with just a USB-C to Lightning cable, and power adapters and headphones must be purchased separately.
Though Samsung is touting the USB-C power adapter that comes with current Galaxy models, rumors have suggested that Samsung too plans to stop including chargers in the boxes of some of its smartphones starting in 2021. Samsung is allegedly planning to nix power adapters because chargers "have become widespread" and doing so will cut production costs.
It's not clear if this will happen, and Samsung may opt to keep offering power adapters to differentiate its smartphones from Apple's iPhones. Samsung did, however, make fun of Apple for removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016 before copying the decision and releasing the 2018 Galaxy A8 without a headphone jack.
Samsung has a long history of mocking Apple's design and product decisions, oftentimes prior to adopting some of the same changes. Samsung this year is targeting the iPhone 12, which competes with its Galaxy Note20 5G and Galaxy S20 5G lineup. In addition to the rib about the power adapter, Samsung has also shared a tweet that mocks Apple for being late to introduce 5G.
Apple's first iPhone 12 models will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro launching first. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available for pre-order on November 6.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro are set to kick off on Friday, October 16 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, which is a new launch time that Apple adopted as of last year.
Apple is planning to make the new devices available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously, so we've made a guide to let MacRumors readers know when pre-orders will in their country. Pre-orders are launching in more than 35 countries and regions on October 16, but in some regions such as India and South Korea, pre-orders won't take place until October 23, so double check your country page to make sure your pre-orders are on October 16.
Honolulu, Hawaii — 2:00 a.m. HST
Anchorage, Alaska — 4:00 a.m. AKDT
Cupertino, California — 5:00 a.m. PDT
Phoenix, Arizona — 5:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada — 5:00 a.m. PDT
Denver, Colorado — 6:00 a.m. MDT
Dallas, Texas — 7:00 a.m. CDT
New York, New York — 8:00 a.m. EDT
Toronto, Canada — 8:00 a.m. EDT
Halifax, Canada — 9:00 a.m. ADT
London, United Kingdom — 1:00 p.m. BST
Berlin, Germany — 2:00 p.m. CEST
Paris, France — 2:00 p.m. CEST
Moscow, Russia — 3:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland — 3:00 p.m. EEST
Istanbul, Turkey — 3:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 4:00 p.m. GST
Shanghai, China — 8:00 p.m.
Singapore — 8:00 p.m.
Perth, Australia — 8:00 p.m.
Hong Kong — 8:00 p.m.
Tokyo, Japan — 9:00 p.m.
Adelaide, Australia — 10:30 p.m.
Sydney, Australia — 11:00 p.m.
Auckland, New Zealand — 1:00 a.m. NZDT next day
Following pre-orders on October 16, the first iPhone 12 and 12 Pro shipments will arrive to customers on Friday, October 23, though in some countries such as India and South Korea, the new iPhones will be available on Friday, October 30.
Pre-orders will only be available for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order on Friday, November 6, and will be launching on Friday, November 13.
Those hoping to get a device on launch day should make sure to pre-order right away, as there's no word on how much available supply Apple will have. Preliminary reports suggest demand is high and supply is low, with pre-orders from telecoms in Taiwan selling out in under an hour.
Pricing on the iPhone 12 starts at $829, though many U.S. carriers are offering a $30 discount that drops the price to Apple's advertised $799 price point. Pricing on the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999. Device payment plans are available through carriers, Apple Card Monthly Installments and Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, plus device trade-ins are available.
Nanoleaf today introduced the newest lights in its Shapes lighting panel lineup, debuting the Shapes Triangles and the Shapes Mini Triangles, which are interoperable with one another and the Nanoleaf Hexagon panels that launched earlier this year.
The new Shapes Triangles are Nanoleaf's second triangle-shaped product and are a followup to the original Nanoleaf Light Panels that were triangle shaped. These new panels are an upgrade over the original and are not compatible with the original triangles. Nanoleaf says that the new Triangles have feature slightly rounded and smaller corners.
With the launch of the Triangles and Mini Triangles, it is possible to connect different panel shapes together for the first time since Nanoleaf began producing light panels. The Triangles and Mini Triangles can connect with one another, and they can also be connected to the Hexagon-shaped panels.
"Nanoleaf's vision for the Shapes Line is to give users the complete design freedom to create their most personal lighting experience yet. Smart lighting is about pushing the boundaries of possibility and that is exactly what we wanted to offer with our Shapes Line," says Gimmy Chu, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanoleaf. "With the addition of Triangles and Mini Triangles, we're allowing users to explore and combine lighting shapes like never before. Bringing together smart technology and thoughtful design, the Shapes Line leads the Smart Decor category for a lighting experience that truly has no limits."
The Mini Triangles can be used alone and are sold in a standalone set, marking Nanoleaf's smallest lighting solution to date. The standard Triangle panels can also be used on their own, or combined with the mini version.
Like other Nanoleaf products, both the Triangles and the Mini Triangles can be set to more than 16 million colors with Nanoleaf offering solid colors, and shifting color patterns that can be set and controlled through the Nanoleaf app. Triangles and Mini Triangles connect to WiFi and are compatible with HomeKit.
Nanoleaf offers a LayoutDetect feature that optimizes how the panels are lit, along with pre-programmed scenes that can mirror nature or paint the room in a rainbow of light. Triangles and Mini Triangles have the same feature set as other products like Rhythm Music Sync, which allows them to light up based on the music that's playing in the room.
With the Hexagons, Nanoleaf introduced a new snap-on mounting system for easier installation and redesign, which is also used by the Triangles and Mini Triangles. Alongside the launch of the new light panels, Nanoleaf will be debuting an app update that includes a new color picker and a more intuitive interface that allows for access to a wider range of colors and palettes.
In the future, Nanoleaf plans to introduce an "Essentials" line that's equipped with smart bulbs and light strips. The bulb has a multi-faceted design while the light strip will offer multiple colors, with both controllable through the Nanoleaf app.
Nanoleaf's Triangles and Mini Triangles can be purchased from the Nanoleaf website starting today, and they are also available in some retail store locations. Triangles are priced at $199 for a set of 7, while Mini Triangles are priced at $119 for a set of five. An expansion pack with three large Triangles is $60, and an expansion pack with 10 Mini Triangles is priced at $119.
Sony today made its Imaging Edge Webcam software available for Macs, letting Mac uses transform their Sony cameras into webcams that can be used in lieu of built-in Mac webcams.
Sony first unveiled its Imaging Edge Webcam software for PCs in August, with the initial software limited to Windows 10 machines. At the time, Sony promised a fall expansion to the Mac, which has now happened.
Imaging Edge Webcam works with a wide range of popular E-mount, A-mount, and DSC cameras, with a full list available on Sony's website.
If you have a compatible Sony camera, the Imaging Edge Webcam software is free to download from the Sony website. macOS 10.13 to macOS 10.15 is required for the software to run.
Last month, Apple introduced a new iPad Air with a larger 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display, a faster A14 Bionic chip, and a USB-C port instead of Lightning. It is also the first Apple device to feature Touch ID built into the power button.
Apple says the new iPad Air will be available at some point in October, and ahead of the launch, cellular models of the device have now received the requisite FCC approval in the United States, as alerted to us by MyHealthyApple.com. Wi-Fi models received approval last month.
Apple has yet to provide a specific release date for the new iPad Air, but rumors suggest that the device could launch Friday, October 23, in which case orders could begin as soon as tomorrow. Pricing starts at $599 for Wi-Fi models, while cellular models start at $729, with 64GB and 256GB storage capacities available.
Honda this week introduced the 2021 Accord with upgraded styling and tech features, including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto integration on the higher-end EX-L and Touring trims, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen display.
Wireless CarPlay works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for the iPhone to be connected to the infotainment system with a Lightning cable. Together with wireless charging, these features free up the USB ports in the vehicle, which have been moved to the front of the center console for easier access.
Hyundai has also added wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to the 2021 Santa Fe, on models that are not equipped with navigation. Wired CarPlay and Android Auto remain standard on navigation-equipped models. The vehicle is now equipped with a larger 8-inch touchscreen, an upgrade from the 7-inch display in previous models.
In addition to Honda and Hyundai, wireless CarPlay is available in select vehicles sold by Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Alpine and Pioneer also offer aftermarket wireless CarPlay systems for self installation.
CarPlay is Apple's in-car platform that enables drivers to access a range of iPhone apps from the dashboard, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Pandora, WhatsApp, and Downcast. Since iOS 12, third-party navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze have also been supported.
The 2021 Accord went on sale at Honda dealerships in the United States earlier this week, with pricing starting at $31,090 for a trim equipped with wireless CarPlay. The 2021 Santa Fe will arrive at Hyundai dealerships in the United States by the end of the year, but pricing was not disclosed in the press release.
In 2020, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro as the successors to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, with a new squared-off industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, OLED displays, and MagSafe across the lineup.
The iPhone 12 starts at $599, and while the iPhone 12 Pro has now been discontinued, it is sometimes available from some third-party stores for prices well below $999. As these iPhones share a large number of features, should you consider purchasing the lower-cost model to save money, or opt for the high-end Pro model? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.
Comparing the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro share an overwhelming majority of features, such as display size, processor, and 5G. Apple lists these same features of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro:
Similarities
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi, featuring HDR, True Tone, P3 Wide Color, and Haptic Touch
Battery life with up to 17 hours of video playback
Ceramic Shield front
Water resistant to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes
Compatible with MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers
Available in 128GB and 256GB
Lightning connector
Apple's breakdown shows that the iPhones share a number of notable features. Even so, there are some key differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, including the LiDAR Scanner and Telephoto Lens.
Differences
iPhone 12
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 625 nits max brightness
Aerospace-grade aluminum
12MP Ultra Wide and Wide camera lenses
Optical image stabilization
2x optical zoom out, 2x optical zoom range, and digital zoom up to 5x
Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 30 fps
Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
Available in Blue, Green, PRODUCT(RED), White, Black, and Purple
Note that the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a few additional improvements over the iPhone 12 Pro beyond a much larger 6.7-inch display. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also offers a wider optical zoom range, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a telephoto lens with a larger aperture, and longer battery life.
Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both iPhones have to offer.
Design and Colors
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both have a squared-off industrial design with a flat band around the sides. The dimensions of both devices are identical, although the iPhone 12 is 25 grams lighter. More noticeable is the use of different materials and finishes.
The iPhone 12 uses aerospace-grade aluminum on the edges and a single piece of polished glass on the rear, while the iPhone 12 Pro uses surgical-grade stainless steel on the edges and a single piece of matte glass on the rear.
iPhone 12 colors
The two devices also use completely different color palettes. The iPhone 12 is available in Blue, Green, PRODUCT(RED), White, Black, and Purple, while the iPhone 12 Pro is available in Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite, and Silver.
iPhone 12 Pro colors
The iPhone 12 Pro espouses a more luxurious appearance, but the iPhone 12 still looks like a premium device. As the designs are so similar, and only vary in terms of color options and materials, preference for the iPhone 12 or 12 Pro will come down to personal taste.
Cameras
The main difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is the rear camera setup. The iPhone 12 has a dual 12MP camera system with Ultra Wide and Wide lenses. This facilitates a two-times zoom out. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro has a 12MP camera system with Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses. This allows it to offer a two-times zoom in and a two-times zoom out. For video, iPhone 12 Pro can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, but iPhone 12 can only do this up to 30fps.
The iPhone 12 Pro also has a LiDAR Scanner, which allows for Night mode portrait photos and enhanced AR experiences.
iPhone 12 Pro triple camera
Beyond hardware, the two devices offer different camera software features. iPhone 12 can use digital zoom to zoom in up to five times, but iPhone 12 Pro doubles this to a ten times digital zoom. iPhone 12 Pro can also capture photos using "Apple ProRAW," a new RAW file format that takes full advantage of the device's rear cameras.
iPhone 12 dual camera
iPhone 12 Pro clearly provides a more capable and fully-featured camera experience, so users who prioritize photo and video capabilities should get the more expensive device, and even consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, beyond the telephoto lens, many of these features, such as Apple ProRAW and LiDAR, will not be important to the majority of users. For most people, the iPhone 12's camera setup will be more than sufficient, and still offers a range of significant advances, such as HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, Night mode time-lapses, and front-facing Night mode and Deep Fusion.
Other iPhone Options
If you feel that the iPhone 12 is slightly out of your budget, and you do not need the new industrial design, 5G connectivity, the latest A14 chip, or OLED Super Retina XDR display, you may wish to consider the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 uses the same materials as the iPhone 12, has the same 6.1-inch screen size, and starts at $499. The iPhone 11's A13 chip and dual-camera setup are still highly capable for day to day use.
If you feel that the iPhone 12 Pro is too small or you want the absolute best iPhone camera available, you may wish to consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a much larger 6.7-inch display, and comes with a wider optical zoom range, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a telephoto lens with a larger aperture, and longer battery life.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the iPhone 12 Pro offers minor advancements over the iPhone 12 in terms of materials and the rear camera. The iPhone 12 Pro is around $100 to $200 more than the iPhone 12, and many people will find it difficult to justify the additional cash simply for more premium materials and a better rear camera setup. Those opting for the iPhone 12 Pro will be seeking the most premium iPhone, or be interested in specific features such as the LiDAR Scanner or the Telephoto lens.
Since the two phones share a large majority of features, including design, an OLED Super Retina XDR display, 5G connectivity, the A14 Bionic chip, battery life, and MagSafe, it is difficult to actively recommend the more expensive model. As the improvements of the iPhone 12 Pro are minor and specific, most people should get the iPhone 12.
One caveat to this recommendation is if you have a need for more than 64GB of storage. The iPhone 12 starts at 64GB for the base model while the iPhone 12 Pro starts at 128GB. If you want or need 128GB or more, then the price gap closes between the models.
Benchmark results for the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are beginning to surface on Geekbench, and based on the scores available so far, the new A14 Bionic chip is over 20 percent faster than its A13 predecessor in iPhone 11 Pro models.
One result for the iPhone 12 Pro lists a single-core score of 1,597 and a multi-core score of 4,152, which is 26 percent faster than the iPhone 11 Pro's average single-core and multi-core scores of 1,327 and 3,289 respectively. Likewise, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is around 20-25 percent faster than the iPhone 11 Pro Max, although there are only two results so far.
As to be expected, iPhone 12 Pro performance appears to be roughly in line with the new iPad Air, which is also equipped with the A14 Bionic chip. In one result, for example, the new iPad Air had single-core and multi-core scores of 1,583 and 4,198 respectively.
iPhone13,3 corresponds with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro
It's worth noting that some results for the iPhone 12 Pro models are showing significantly lower multi-core scores, but Geekbench founder John Poole informed MacRumors that this is common with brand new iPhones with a fresh "out of box setup," as the devices could be in the process of being restored among other factors.
As noted by Apple, the A14 Bionic chip is the fastest smartphone chip ever, and the first to be built on a 5-nanometer process. The chip's integrated Neural Engine has also been doubled from 8-cores to 16-cores, making it up to 80 percent faster for machine learning tasks, such as applying Deep Fusion to improve detail in photos.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders begin tomorrow at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, followed by the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 6.
Following the debut of the iPhone 12 series, Apple is offering U.K. customers pre-approval for its monthly payment plan ahead of when first pre-orders begin this Friday.
Customers planning to make 24 monthly payments of £54.12 at 0% APR can use the Apple Store app on the iPhone to go through all of the pre-approval steps to get ready to purchase an 6.1-inch iPhone 12 or 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro on October 16.
"Get Ready" involves these three steps:
Choose your iPhone model and features, add a trade-in if you want, and select monthly payments.
Get approved now for a 24-month, no-interest loan from Barclays.
At 1:00 p.m. U.K. time on Friday, 16 October, use the Apple Store app on your iPhone to complete your order.
Pre-approvals are available until 05:00 a.m. U.K. time on Friday October 16.
Customers planning to pay in full can get ready by setting up Apple Pay or adding a payment card to their account, and adding their preferred iPhone to Favorites so they can check out quickly at pre-order.
Pre-sales for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro in Taiwan sold out within just 45 minutes, reports DigiTimes.
Market sources report that iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pre-orders from Taiwanese telecoms operators, including Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET), and Taiwan Mobile, were extremely positive. Pre-orders opened yesterday, and CHT reports that its entire iPhone 12 pre-sales quota was sold out in 45 minutes.
65 percent of pre-orders from CHT were apparently for the iPhone 12, and FET reports that its pre-orders of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro were evenly split. Moreover, FET says that its iPhone 12 pre-orders were three times higher than last year's iPhone 11 lineup.
The same sources believe that iPhone 12 lineup will significantly help to accelerate demand for 5G, with 5G service subscribers expected to increase rapidly to one million in Taiwan by early 2021.
The report is the first concrete information about the iPhone 12 lineup's sales figures and model split after months of speculation.
iPhone 12 shipments could reach as many as 80 million units by the end of the year thanks to Apple's more affordable pricing strategy, according to market observers (via DigiTimes).
The pricing dynamics, coupled with a number [of] technology updates, including a faster A14 processor, improved product designs and camera functionalities, is expected to bring a new round of sales growth for Apple, said the observers.
Shipments of the new iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, will at least top 70 million units by the end 2020, with the possibility of hitting 80 million barring a further escalation of the US-China trade conflicts, they said.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max start at $999 and $1,099, respectively, which are the same prices that the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max were when they launched last year. However, the 256GB and 512GB storage options for both iPhone 12 Pro models are $50 cheaper than their predecessors were at those capacities. Meanwhile the iPhone 12 starts at $799, and the iPhone 12 mini starts at a more affordable $699 entry point.
Apple's decision to adopt a two-phase shipment strategy – with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro becoming available later this month and the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini arriving in November – is not expected to significantly affect demand, and may extend Apple's order pull-ins from the upstream supply chain to the first quarter of 2021, according to DigiTimes' sources.
TSMC, which produces the 5-nanometer A14 Bionic processor in Apple's new iPhones, is expected to benefit most from robust sales. TSMC also fabricates the A14 chips in Apple's iPads, which are currently seeing a surge in popularity, and the foundry is expected to roll out over 150,000 wafers for 5nm chips in the fourth quarter of 2020, with Apple accounting for about 90% of related orders.
Foxconn remains Apple's main iPhone assembler, and has reportedly secured the bulk of orders for the new iPhone 12 series through the first quarter of 2021. Foxconn is also the sole supplier of the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max and is estimated to be handling over 70% of the orders for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, according to DigiTimes.
Apple's iPhone 12 event this week was a pre-recorded online production, which meant there was no usual press hands-on time with the new iPhones immediately after. Instead, Apple debuted an iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro on "Good Morning America," allowing ABC News tech reporter Becky Worley to have some time with the devices.
The five-minute segment offers a better idea of what the iPhone 12 in Blue and the iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue look like in real life, as well as the how the new MagSafe magnetic wallets snap to the back of them.
The segment also includes a short interview with Apple VP of iPhone marketing Kaiann Drance, who introduced the iPhone 12 during Apple's digital event. Asked about the lack of EarPods and power adaptor in the iPhone box, France argued that the decision to leave them out was because it was "the right thing to do" because customers often already own them, and the new handsets have so much more to offer users anyway.
"Well, there's so much in the phones already. There's a lot of amazing reasons, and we think it's a good price for all that. But for the other reasons I mentioned, people often already have all that, and it's sitting around in their house. Maybe they have multiple ones of that. So it was kind of the right thing to do in terms of the larger environmental goals and the larger benefits to the environment."
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro launch on Friday, October 23, with pre-orders to take place this Friday. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are set to become available in November.
