Apple held its iPhone 12 event four weeks after its annual September event due to a delay. It’s finally here, with 5G support as expected and there are now four new iPhones. It’s crazy to think manufacturers now bring out so many versions, which at times, can be confusing for purchasing decisions.

There’s a new iPhone 12 and 12 mini as per the rumours; and then the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. As always, the Pro range has better cameras, like an extra lens and this year, a LiDAR sensor. It is this particular sensor that sold me as I was considering the mini but lets be honest, my phone will always be my primary camera as I don’t have anything fancier (read: DSLR).

To recap, Apple announced the following (we don’t have ZAR prices yet):

  • iPhone 12 mini – 5.4″ ($699)
  • iPhone 12 – 6.1″ ($799)
  • iPhone 12 Pro – 6.1″ ($999)
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max – 6.7″ ($1099)

The most obvious change is the design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4/4S, which imo was the best designed iPhone. It was my favourite shape, I loved the angular industrial look with chamfered edges. I’m so glad to see it back, along with the “pacific blue” shade.

All handsets on the 12 range have the new powerful A14 Bionic chip, OLED displays, IP68 rating (6m up to 30 mins), Face ID, and the new MagSafe wireless charging support (15W).

iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12
Screen size 5.4-inches 6.1-inches
Dimensions 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm (135g) 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm (164g)
Resolution 2340x1080p; 476ppi 2532x1170p; 460ppi
Storage 64/128/256GB 64/128/256GB
Rear camera Dual 12MP Ultra Wide & Wide;
2x optical; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps		 Dual 12MP Ultra Wide & Wide;
2x optical; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps
Selfie camera 12MP; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps 12MP; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps
Connectivity 5G; VoLTE; WiFi calling 5G; VoLTE; WiFi calling
Battery Up to 15 hours Up to 17 hours
Colours Black, white, red, green, blue Black, white, red, green, blue

The iPhone 12 will be available on Friday, 23 October in the US and iPhone 12 mini three weeks later on Friday, 13 November. South African prices and availability is yet TBA.

iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max
Screen size 6.1-inches 6.7-inches
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm (189g) 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4mm (228g)
Resolution 2532x1170p; 460ppi 2778x1284p; 458ppi
Storage 128/256/512GB 128/256/512GB
Rear camera Trio 12MP cameras (Ultra wide, wide, telephoto); LiDAR scanner; 2x optical; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps. Trio 12MP cameras (Ultra wide, wide, telephoto); LiDAR scanner; 2x optical; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps.
Selfie camera 12MP; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps 12MP; 4K @ 60fps; HDR video Dolby Vision @ 30fps
Connectivity 5G; VoLTE; WiFi calling 5G; VoLTE; WiFi calling
Battery Up to 17 hours Up to 20 hours
Colours Silver, graphite, gold, pacific blue Silver, graphite, gold, pacific blue

The iPhone 12 Pro will be available in the US on Friday, 23 October and the 12 Pro Max three weeks later on Friday, 13 November. South African prices and availability is yet TBA.

EDIT: The new iPhones will come with a USB-C charging cable but not a plug. If you don’t have an 11 Pro, which came with a plug with a USB-C, it’s going to be an additional cost to you. I know most people are not exactly going to be charging phones overnight via a laptop.

Stay tuned for South African pricing and availability.