Apple has announced major updates to the iPhone, introducing the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, alongside a new $99 HomePod mini, MagSafe accessories, and more. Here’s everything Apple just announced at its October 2020 event.
HomePod mini
Apple has announced the HomePod mini, a smaller $99 version of its first-generation HomePod speaker. Featuring the same Siri-focused experience as the larger model, the speaker allows users to play music from Apple Music and a range of third-party services, with support for Pandora and Amazon Music coming soon.
Image: Apple
Siri is at the heart of HomePod mini. Users can ask the HomePod to send iMessages, change tracks, turn off their lights, ask about the weather, get the latest news, make phone calls, and more.
New with HomePod mini is Intercom, a feature that allows users to pair HomePods around the home and air intercom messages. The Intercom feature also works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so messages can be received when out and about.
HomePod mini is available in white and space gray for $99 (US) and will be available to order on Friday, November 6, with availability beginning the week of November 16. – Read more about HomePod mini here.
iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 mini
Moving on to iPhone, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini with 5G, featuring a new flattened design, dual-camera system, Super Retina XDR display with a Ceramic Shield front cover, and more, priced from $699.
Image: Apple
Available to pre-order on Friday, October 16, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are launching in five new aluminum finishes, including Blue, Green, Black, White, and (PRODUCT)RED. The iPhone 12 mini (5.4-inch) and larger iPhone 12 (6.1-inch) are available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage configurations, starting from $699 and $799, respectively.
The devices boast a dual-camera system offering wide-angle and 120-degree ultra-wide images. – Read more about the iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 mini here.
iPhone 12 Pro & iPhone 12 Pro Max
Finally, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max with 5G, featuring an all-new design with Ceramic Shield, LiDAR Scanner, Super Retina XDR display, and more.
Launching in four stainless steel finishes, including Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue, iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order on Friday, October 16, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max beginning pre-orders on Friday, November 6, priced at $999 and $1,099, respectively.
Image: Apple
iPhone 12 Pro boasts a new flatter design with an edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR display, protected by the all-new Ceramic Shield front cover, which provides enhanced durability. The device features a new seven-element lens and a 52 mm focal length Telephoto camera with an optical zoom range of 4x.
iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models. Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 Pro begin at 5 a.m. PDT on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23, and pre-orders for iPhone 12 Pro Max will begin at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, November 6, with availability beginning Friday, November 13. – You can read more about the iPhone 12 Pro & iPhone 12 Pro Max here.
Accessories
Apple has launched several new accessories for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, all of which feature MagSafe magnets to be compatible with the MagSafe charger. Apple isn’t releasing leather cases for this year’s new iPhone line, instead opting to release silicone and clear cases for both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, in addition to a new leather wallet that magnetically attaches to the back of the new iPhones.
Image: Apple
MagSafe allows users to charge their iPhone without using the Lightning Port. To charge, users simply attach the wired MagSafe charger to the back of the iPhone, or compatible MagSafe accessory, and charge as normal.
All of Apple’s MagSafe cases are priced at $49/£49 and will be available soon. Apple’s Leather Wallet is priced at $59/£59, making it the smallest and most expensive iPhone accessory. The wallet simply attaches to the back of the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro and allows users to store credit cards in the wallet’s pouch.
Image: Apple
A new Leather Sleeve will be available at some point in the future, but Apple is yet to confirm a release date.
Apple is also releasing a MagSafe Duo Charger which will allow you to charge your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. The MagSafe Duo Charger hasn’t been given a release date or price as of yet, with Apple simply stating it will arrive “at a later date.” – You can read more about Apple’s new accessories here.
