Apple unveils four top-of-the-line 5G smartphones: one is "mini", two are for graphics and video professionals
After a year of waiting, and a few weeks of delay due to the pandemic, Apple has finally unveiled the new iPhone 12 range. Much of what has been leaked over the months has been confirmed by the facts, but there is still much to tell.
Because Apple has still managed to surprise everyone, not so much because it presented the new iPhone Mini, but especially for the two Pro models that, finally, are Pro in the true sense of the word: they are in fact equipped with features much more advanced than the normal ones and are really dedicated to professionals. Those of graphics and video, which can finally edit videos and photos with the smartphone. Here are the technical characteristics of the four models of the iPhone 2020 range: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, all compatible with the 5G network (even with millimeter waves, the fastest ones).
iPhone 12 and 12 Mini: features and prices
iPhone 12 is 11% thinner, 15% smaller and 16% lighter than iPhone 11 and has a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR screen, protected by a new Ceramic Shield glass by Corning Glass. The resolution is 2532×1170 pixels (460 ppi).
The phone is resistant to immersion in water up to six meters, for no more than 30 minutes (IP68). The SoC is the already known Apple A14 Bionic, with 6 cores for the CPU, 4 cores for the GPU (also used for machine learning), 16 cores for the Neural Engine (capable of performing 11 trillion operations per second). According to Apple, it is the fastest chip in the world and makes the iPhone 12 the perfect gaming phone.
The data connection is 5G Ultra Wide Band (both mmWave and Sub 6 GHz, on all four models), with speeds up to 4 Gbps download and 200 Mbps upload (peak, values measured on Verizon network in the U.S. in particularly favorable conditions). The new iPhones also have Smart Data Mode, which chooses by itself when to switch to 5G to optimize performance and power consumption.
The cameras are four (three rear plus the selfie camera). The three rear cameras are: two 12 MP (one wide-angle and one 120-degree ultra-wide-angle) and a 2X telephoto. Stabilization is optical, but only on the wide angle, while Night Mode can be activated on all cameras (including the front). iPhone 12 can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30 fps, 4K video up to 60 fps.
iPhone 12 in Italy costs 939 euros and can be ordered from October 16 in five colors.
The iPhone 12 Mini, on the other hand, is technically the same as the regular model with the only difference being the screen: a 5.4-inch OLED with a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels (476 ppi).
Thanks to the ultra-thin bezels, however, the 5.4-inch iPhone Mini is smaller than the older 4.7-inch iPhone 7. Apple claims that iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest 5G smartphone in the world.
iPhone Mini in Italy costs 839 euros and can be ordered from October 16.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max: features and prices
The Pro and Pro Max versions of iPhone 12 are large, respectively, 6.1 and 6.7 inches, are made with better materials and have an extra camera: the 12 MP telephoto lens. The differences with the standard models, however, go much further because Apple has finally given meaning to the "Pro" suffix.
On the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, the photo sensors are larger, OIS is applied to the sensor and not the lens, and you can take photos in Apple's new ProRAW format with all cameras. This format combines the advantages of HDR+ with those of RAW, which does not compress images.
With the pro versions you can also use 10-bit HDR video recording (700 million colors), with Dolby Vision HDR up to 4K and 60 fps. But, most importantly, you can do photo and video editing in Dolby Vision directly in the phone.
The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, then, are equipped with a LiDar (a laser radar), which is used both for augmented reality and improve the effectiveness of autofocus in low-light conditions.
The iPhone 12 Pro can be ordered from October 16 at a price of 1,189 euros, iPhone Pro Max at 1,289 euros.