iPhone 12 Release Date
The iPhone 12 series was officially unveiled by Apple on October 13, 2020, during a virtual event held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
The devices were released in two phases:
- October 23, 2020: iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro
- November 13, 2020: iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max
The global release dates for the iPhone 12 series varied depending on the region. For example, the devices were released in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on October 23, 2020, while they were released in China on October 30, 2020.
iPhone 12 Variants
The iPhone 12 series was released in October 2020 and introduced four distinct variants: the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Each variant offers unique features and specifications tailored to meet the needs of different users.
iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12 mini is the most compact and affordable variant of the iPhone 12 series. It features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display, the same A14 Bionic chip as the other iPhone 12 models, and a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens.
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is the standard variant of the iPhone 12 series. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A14 Bionic chip, and a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The iPhone 12 also supports MagSafe, a new wireless charging and accessory system.
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro is the premium variant of the iPhone 12 series. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A14 Bionic chip, and a triple-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports MagSafe and offers additional features such as ProRAW image capture and Apple ProRes video recording.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest and most advanced variant of the iPhone 12 series. It features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A14 Bionic chip, and a triple-camera system with a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also supports MagSafe and offers additional features such as ProRAW image capture and Apple ProRes video recording, as well as a longer battery life.
Pre-Order and Availability
The iPhone 12 was available for pre-order on October 16, 2020, and officially released on October 23, 2020. Pre-orders were accepted through Apple’s website, as well as through authorized retailers. Customers who pre-ordered the iPhone 12 were able to pick up their devices at Apple Stores or have them shipped to their homes.
Initially, the iPhone 12 was available in limited quantities due to production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Apple was able to ramp up production in the months following the release, and the iPhone 12 became widely available by the end of 2020.
Pre-Order Process
To pre-order the iPhone 12, customers could visit Apple’s website or go to an authorized retailer. Customers were required to provide their contact information, shipping address, and payment information. Apple offered a variety of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay.
Initial Availability and Distribution
The iPhone 12 was initially available in four models: the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 were available in black, white, blue, green, and red. The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max were available in silver, graphite, gold, and pacific blue.
The iPhone 12 was initially available in over 30 countries and regions. Apple worked with a variety of carriers to ensure that the iPhone 12 was available on a wide range of networks.
iPhone 12 Features
The iPhone 12 series introduced significant enhancements and new features that set it apart from previous models. These features include a refreshed design, an upgraded display, an advanced camera system, and various other improvements.
Design
The iPhone 12 features a redesigned chassis with flat edges, reminiscent of the classic iPhone 4 design. This provides a more modern and angular aesthetic, while maintaining the sleek and premium feel associated with Apple products.
Display
The iPhone 12 lineup introduces a new display technology called Super Retina XDR OLED. This display offers improved color accuracy, higher contrast, and increased brightness levels compared to previous iPhone models. It also supports HDR content, providing a more immersive and cinematic viewing experience.
Camera System
The camera system in the iPhone 12 series has received a major upgrade. The rear-facing camera setup now includes a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The telephoto lens offers 2x optical zoom, while the ultrawide lens allows for capturing wider shots. The front-facing camera has also been upgraded to 12MP, enabling higher-quality selfies and video calls.
Other Notable Enhancements
- 5G Connectivity: The iPhone 12 series supports 5G cellular networks, providing significantly faster download and upload speeds.
- MagSafe: The iPhone 12 models feature a built-in MagSafe ring, which enables the use of magnetic accessories such as wireless chargers and cases.
- A14 Bionic Chip: The iPhone 12 series is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which offers improved performance and efficiency compared to previous iPhone models.
Pricing and Carriers
The iPhone 12 was released with a range of pricing options depending on storage capacity and variant.
iPhone 12 Pricing
- 64GB: $799
- 128GB: $849
- 256GB: $949
iPhone 12 Mini Pricing
- 64GB: $699
- 128GB: $749
- 256GB: $849
iPhone 12 Pro Pricing
- 128GB: $999
- 256GB: $1,099
- 512GB: $1,299
iPhone 12 Pro Max Pricing
- 128GB: $1,099
- 256GB: $1,199
- 512GB: $1,399
The iPhone 12 was available from a variety of carriers, including:
- AT&T
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- Sprint
- US Cellular
Critical Reception
The iPhone 12 garnered mostly positive reviews from critics upon its release. Many praised its improved design, powerful performance, and enhanced camera system. However, some reviewers noted its high price and lack of major design changes compared to previous models.
Strengths
* Sleek and durable design: The iPhone 12 features a new flat-edged design made from Ceramic Shield, which is said to be four times more resistant to drops than previous models.
* Powerful performance: The iPhone 12 is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which is the fastest smartphone chip available at the time of its release.
* Enhanced camera system: The iPhone 12 features a new dual-camera system with improved low-light performance and the ability to record 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Weaknesses
* High price: The iPhone 12 is one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.
* Lack of major design changes: Some reviewers noted that the iPhone 12’s design is very similar to the previous iPhone 11 models.
* No included charger: The iPhone 12 does not come with a charger in the box, which has been criticized by some reviewers.
Overall, the iPhone 12 was well-received by critics, who praised its improved design, powerful performance, and enhanced camera system. However, some reviewers noted its high price and lack of major design changes compared to previous models.
Sales Performance
The iPhone 12 series had a strong sales performance in the first few months after its release. In the first weekend of availability, Apple sold over 1 million iPhone 12 models.
Compared to previous iPhone models, the iPhone 12 sold better than the iPhone 11 in the same period. The iPhone 12 also had a better sales performance than the iPhone X in its first few months of availability.
Market Impact
The iPhone 12’s strong sales performance had a positive impact on the smartphone market. The iPhone 12 helped to boost Apple’s market share in the smartphone market, and it also helped to drive sales of other 5G smartphones.
Q&A
When was the iPhone 12 released globally?
The iPhone 12 was released globally on October 23, 2020.
What are the different variants of the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 comes in four variants: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
How can I pre-order the iPhone 12?
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 began on October 16, 2020, through Apple’s website and authorized retailers.
