iPhone 12: All the key info

After a slight delay, the new iPhone has finally been announced, and we’re very excited about what we’ve seen so far. Read on to find out more...

What are the new iPhones called and how much do they cost?

We only expected three new premium handsets this year, but Apple surprised us with the announcement of an additional compact version of the iPhone 12. Great news for those of us with dainty digits. 

The four models are as follows:

- iPhone 12 mini (5.4 inches), from £699
- iPhone 12 (6.1 inches), from £799
- iPhone 12 Pro (6.1 inches), from £999
- iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7 inches), from £1,099

(FYI, the standard iPhone 12 is around £70 more expensive than the equivalent iPhone 11 was at launch, but the 12 Pro and Pro Max are actually £50 cheaper than the previous iterations).

When will the iPhone 12 be released?

The new range was announced at the Apple Event on the 13th of October, and the 12 and 12 Pro will be available for pre-order on the 16th of October and shipping/in stores on the 23rd of October. 

You’ll have to wait a tad longer for the 12 mini, and the 12 Pro Max though. Both will be available for pre-order on the 6th of November and on sale on the 13th of November. *Twiddles thumbs*.

What features do they have? 

As usual, Apple is pushing boundaries with their new devices. They claim that the brand-spanking-new processor, the A14 Bionic, is the fastest ever seen in a smartphone – and independent benchmarking has it outperforming the previous frontrunner; Apple’s very own A13. Talk about consistency! 

On top of that, every version of the iPhone 12 is 5G compatible. That makes the price jump of the standard version a little easier to understand, and the drop in price for the two top-of-the-range versions a pleasant surprise. Great news considering we’re likely to see the super-fast network spread further across the UK by the end of next year.

The cameras on the new handsets have been given a big upgrade. The 12 mini, 12, and 12 Pro have the same sensors on the main camera and ultra-wide lenses as the iPhone 11, and The 12 Pro has the same telephoto set up as the 11 Pro, but there are a bunch of new additions too. 

There’s an improved lens on the main wide camera on the 12 mini, 12, and 12 Pro which performs better in all light-settings. The ultra-wide lens has also been upgraded, so your landscape images will look significantly sharper. The 12 Pro Max pushes things even further, with a massive new sensor that captures 87% more light than the 11 Pro (and trust us, that’s a gamechanger). 

You’ll also be able to record 60 frames-per-second videos in 4K HDR, so however you’re trying to capture the moment, you’ll be well served. When it comes to materials, the iPhone 12 protects its impressive OLED screen with new Ceramic Shield technology, which is apparently four times more resistant to damage from drops than standard smartphone glass. They’ll also have the highest possible IP rating (IP68) which means they’ll deal well with dust and water, as long as exposure isn’t prolonged. Music to our ears.

The iPhone 12 won’t ship with EarPods or (more importantly) a plug-head for the charger cable. For those of you who’d like an official Apple USB-C wall adapter, it’ll set you back an extra £19. Bit disappointing, that. 

What do they look like?

They look absolutely gorgeous. We think the return to a squared-off brushed metal edge (ala. the iPhone 4/5) is a great move by Apple for a couple of reasons. One: it’s great to see a bit of variety in flagship smartphone design, and two: apparently, it’ll make the iPhone 12 slightly more robust. Win-win.

They’ll come in a wide range of colours too, with the 12 and 12 mini available in black, blue, green, white, and red, and the 12 Pro and Pro Max in gold, graphite, Pacific Blue, and silver. The aluminium edge will match the colour of the handset, which we think looks better than the silver finish used across the board on the older versions.

We had our fingers and toes crossed for a notchless iPhone this year, but alas, there’s still a ridge at the top where the front-facing camera is housed. Maybe next year. 

What’s the verdict?

The introduction of the iPhone 12 feels like a big reboot for Apple. The technical improvements are more pronounced than previous years, the handsets look better than ever, and 5G compatibility is reassuring for those concerned about futureproofing.

This is the most excited we’ve been about an Apple handset for a while, and it’ll unquestionably be worth a look if you’re currently in the market for a premium smartphone.

You might also like:

- Gadget insurance with Protect Your Bubble: get your devices covered now*.
- Samsung Galaxy S20: Everything you need to know about this incredible handset.
- Huawei P40: Find out more about one of the best smartphones of 2020.

*Underwriter Assurant General Insurance Limited. Gadget age restrictions, T&Cs & excesses apply. Customer UK