Apple's iPhone 12 event invite
Credit: Apple
What time is Apple’s October event?
The event takes places today at 6pm BST.
How to watch the October 13 event
You can watch the launch event through an Apple live stream on YouTube. Alternatively, follow the event with our live blog tomorrow.
What was unveiled last month?
Apple’s first live event of the autumn did not see the reveal of the iPhone 12, however, the tech giant still made a number of big announcements.
Chief among the updates was the new Apple Watch Series 6, starting at £379. The smartwatch has a new health sensor that allows users to measure their blood oxygen levels and also hosts a new S6 chip, which the company said was based on the same hardware used in the iPhone 11.
Elsewhere, Apple also unveiled a £259 Watch SE, boasting many of the Series 6 features, but without the 6’s powerful processor and always-on display.
The iPad line-up received a boost too with the iPad Air assuming the form factor of the hugely popular iPad Pro range.
The release of a new iPad and Apple Watches corresponded with the rollout of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7 software updates. The company also announced Apple One services bundles.
Apple also unveiled its first bundle offer — a collection of subscriptions to its major services for one price — known as Apple One.
There are three tiers to Apple One. The Individual package includes Apple Music, TV+, Apple Arcade and 50GB of iCloud storage for £14.95 a month.
The top tier, known as Premier, includes Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, News+ Fitness+ and two terabytes of iCloud storage for £29.95 a month.
It also launched a new subscription service from the iPhone maker, Fitness+ offers a range of workout sessions and classes led by pro instructors, which can be viewed on an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.
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What will the new iPhone be called?
The new iPhone is expected to be broadly known as the iPhone 12, but there could be several different variants with different sizes and specs. Analysts expect four new iPhones.
These will be the iPhone 12, which will have a 5.4-inch screen and a possible larger iPhone 12 Max with a 6.1-inch screen. Rumours have it that these phones will come with dual rear cameras and the capability to connect to 5G networks.
There will also be a more powerful iPhone 12 Pro with a 6.1-inch screen and a larger iPhone 12 Pro Max coming in with a 6.7-inch display. These phones are said to come with triple rear cameras and 5G connectivity.
The new iPhones are expected to come with then new option of a dark blue colour.
While concrete details on the aesthetics of the phone remain light, some believe Apple, either accidentally or on purpose, gave a glimpse at what the latest phone will look like.
In September’s Time Flies launch event video, while it was panning through the various areas of Apple’s campus, some eagle-eyed watchers believe they saw what the phone looks like.
Did the new iPhone 12 handsets sneak in an appearance at Apple's latest event? pic.twitter.com/JgYka2vEZJ
— Leo Kelion (@LeoKelion) September 15, 2020
New features to expect on the iPhone 12
5G connectivity
At least some of the new iPhone devices coming this month are expected to boast the ability to connect to 5G networks. These phones will come with 5G modem chips, most likely from Qualcomm. Phones with 5G connectivity offer faster download speeds giving the ability to download or stream high definition films and games in seconds.
We believe iPhone 12 represents the most significant product cycle for Cook and Co since iPhone 6 in 2014 and will be another defining chapter in the Apple growth story," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors, referring to chief executive Tim Cook.
The time is ripe, analysts said, for Apple to hit the market with an iPhone tailored to the super-fast 5G telecom networks taking root around the world.
"Apple absolutely needs 5G right now," said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart, "not for the US, but for China, where 5G is driving purchase decisions."
Some Apple rivals have already produced 5G models, and China is far ahead of the US when it comes to the new-generation networks.
New sizes and screen technology
The four new iPhones are expected to come in several new sizes, split into two high-end devices and two cheaper devices. The smallest iPhone 12 model is, according to reports, going to have an approximately 5.4-inch screen, while two other models will have 6.1-inch screens. The largest phone will have a 6.7-inch screen. The Pro versions are also expected to come with 120Hz screen refresh rates, meaning the screens are more responsive for gaming. The 120Hz screen may only be available on the most expensive Pro Max model.
Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, said this year’s iPhone announcement would be interesting not just because of the introduction of 5G to Apple devices, but also the range of phone sizes and potential prices available to users.
"The iPhone 12 is the first 5G-capable handset from Apple, and its arrival opens up almost half of the UK’s smartphone market to the new technology," he said.
"Some 16pc of consumers say they are planning to upgrade to a fifth-generation phone in the next year, and the iPhone 12 could be the shot in the arm that 5G needs.
"We’re expecting the iPhone 12 series to contain enough models to form a 90s pop band, with four or five versions that could include the base model, a mini, a Pro, a Max and a Pro Max.
"The mini is expected to have a 5.4-inch screen, barely larger than the popular iPhone SE, while the middle versions should be 6.1 inches, and the biggest Pro Max device measuring 6.7 inches, the biggest iPhone screen ever.
"The smallest model could cost under £700, but the top-end iPhone 12 Pro Max is likely to join the handful of super-phones that cost more than £1,000."
Improved cameras
Apple’s phones currently come with Face ID technology on their front-facing cameras. This uses 3D depth sensing camera technology to read a user’s face. Now, Apple is planning to improve its rear cameras on at least some of its phones with similar technology to add better augmented reality capabilities. This will see it come with a Lidar laser scanner that can create more accurate augmented reality objects. However, this Lidar sensor may online come in the most expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max model, according to recent leaks.
According to Apple tipster Max Weinbach, the new iPhone will also come with improved camera technology that offers 3 times zoom, rather than the 2 times zoom it currently has.
Bigger battery
The largest new iPhone is expected to come with an even larger battery than on previous models, according to Weinbach. It is expected to have up to a 4,400mAh battery, according to Weinbach.
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No headphones or charger?
Yes, this year the new iPhones are also said to be the first sold without a bundled power adapter or a set of wired headphones. Analysts at TF Securities and Barclays have both predicted Apple will keep the charging cable that comes in the box, but ditch the wall plug.
This is likely to annoy anyone new switching to an iPhone if they lack the necessary adapters and have to splash extra money on new wires from Apple. However, as James Titcomb writes, it is probably not a bad thing to cut out all that unnecessary e-waste.
Apple probably gave its biggest hint yet that verify those early reports. The latest Apple Watch will be ditching the power adapter when it ships this year as the company pledges to cut down on its environmental impact.
How much will the new iPhone 12 cost?
The new devices are expected to come with several different levels of storage — between 128GB, 256GB and 512GB — which will affect their prices.
According to Jon Prosser of FrontPageTech, the regular iPhone 12 will start at $649 (£526), the iPhone 12 Max at $749, iPhone 12 Pro at $999 and iPhone 12 Pro Max at $1,099. There are currently no UK price estimates.
Overall, it has been a tough year for the smartphone industry, with the pandemic disrupting economies and supply chains.
"Recovery will be slow, with tough market conditions expected to continue through 2021," Mears said.
Total smartphone sales were down 16 per cent in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC. It remains to be seen whether the new iPhone can change that.
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