iPhone 12 Price, Release Date, Specs, and News

The iPhone 12 is the latest edition of Apple's flagship smartphone. While it's similar to previous models, especially the iPhone 11 series, in many ways, it also introduces some significant changes that make a great smartphone even better.

When Was the iPhone 12 Announced?

Apple announced four new smartphones at its Fall event on October 13, 2020. The models presented were the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

What Was the iPhone 12 Release Date?

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro shipped on October 23, while the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max shipped November 13.

What's the Price?

The starting prices for the iPhone 12 smartphones are as follows:

• iPhone Mini: US$699 with discounts from phone companies, or $729 without
• iPhone 12: $799 with discounts from phone companies, or $829 without
• iPhone 12 Pro: $999
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: $1099

Prices go up based on how much storage you choose. The most expensive model—the iPhone 12 Pro Max with 512GB storage—costs $1399.

The Latest News about the New iPhone

You can get all the latest news about Apple phones from Lifewire; here are more ways to learn about the iPhone 12.

How Many Models of the iPhone 12 Are There?

There are four models, one more than the three Apple has released for the XS/XR and 11 series. The models differ on screen size and some features, like the camera. The official iPhone 12 models, all of which have 5G, are:

• iPhone 12 Mini: 5.4-inch screen, dual camera.
• iPhone 12: 6.1-inch screen, dual camera.
• iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1-inch screen, triple camera, LIDAR.
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 6.7-inch screen, triple camera, LIDAR.

Key Features of the iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 comes standard with all the iPhone features we know and love, like Face ID, Apple Pay, AirPods support, and FaceTime. The most significant change is 5G integration in the series: Verizon announced at the Apple event that it was turning on nationwide 5G for the phone.

Some of the key new features arriving with the iPhone 12 are:

• 5G: The latest and fastest cellular connectivity standard made its way to the iPhone. Currently, 5G delivers average speeds that are twice as fast as 4G LTE. In the future, 5G could be 10-20 times faster than 4G.
• LIDAR: The iPhone 12 Pro models include a LIDAR sensor, which is already part of some recent iPad Pros, like the iPad Pro 12.9. LIDAR is a depth-sensing technology that is helpful in augmented reality and mapping.
• Improved photos and videos: The most notable upgrade to the iPhone 12's cameras is improved quality in low light, thanks to the LIDAR sensor on the Pro models, additional technology, and an enhanced Night Mode.
• Super Retina XDR: This is Apple's high-definition OLED screen, which runs edge-to-edge and supports HDR at over 400 pixels per inch.
• Design enhancements: The iPhone 12 series features smooth flat edges and is 11 percent thinner, 15 percent smaller, and 16 percent lighter than the iPhone 11. Apple worked with Corning to create a "ceramic shield" for the phone's screen which the company claims offers four times better drop protection than before.
• New processors: The iPhone 12 series uses Apple's latest chip, the A14 Bionic, to deliver up to 50% faster performance than any other smart phone chip. The iPhone 12 series' Neural Engine chip, used for machine learning, doubles from 8 cores to 16, and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is also up to 50% faster than earlier models.
• MagSafe accessories: The iPhone 12 smartphones have built-in magnets on the rear side so users can attach a new line of MagSafe accessories like wireless chargers and car mounts.
• Smart Data Mode. When the iPhone 12 doesn't need 5G speed, it switches back to 4G LTE to save battery. Likewise, it changes back to 5G when necessary.
• No EarPods or charger: The iPhone 12 series doesn't come with EarPods or a power adapter to charge the iPhone's battery from a wall outlet. It does ship with a lightning-to-USB-C cable, though.

iPhone 12 Specs and Hardware

These are the official iPhone 12 specs, as announced on October 13, 2020.

iPhone 12 Colors

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini come in five colors: black, white, Product Red, green, and blue. The iPhone 12 Pro models are available in four finishes: silver, graphite, gold, and Pacific Blue.

The iPhone 11 Pro came in four colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Midnight Green. On the other hand, the baseline iPhone 11 model came in six bright colors.

What Version of the iOS Comes With It?

The iPhone 12 ships with iOS 14 pre-installed.

How To Upgrade to the iPhone 12

Ready to buy your iPhone 12? If you're upgrading from another iPhone, find out if you're eligible for a lower-cost upgrade. Apple also offers an iPhone subscription that lets you upgrade every year, called the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.

Once you've upgraded, you can sell your old iPhone for cold, hard cash.