APPLE UNVEILS iPHONE 12 MODELS

Apple introduced the world to the iPhone 12 on Tuesday, unveiling four new models launching starting later this month, during a virtual event held at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The tech giant said the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available for preorder this Friday, and launch October 23. The larger iPhone 12 Pro Max and smaller iPhone 12 Mini will be available to preorder November 6, and launch November 13.

The smartphones also mark Apple’s debut in 5G, the next wireless service expected to deliver major upgrades in speed and connectivity.

“Today is the beginning of a new era for iPhone,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook during the virtual event.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models in blue, green, black, white, and red, starting at Sh87,000 about Sh76,000, respectively.

iPhone 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models in graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue starting at Sh109,000 and Sh119,000, respectively.

None of the new iPhones will ship with headphones or a power adapter, as a way of reducing the carbon footprint, but will contain a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box and will support faster wireless charging.

“Apple is also removing the power adapter and EarPods from iPhone packaging, further reducing carbon emissions and avoiding the mining and use of precious materials, which enables smaller and lighter packaging, and allows for 70 per cent more boxes to be shipped on a pallet,” said the tech giant.

The new iPhones also have Apple’s new MagSafe system, which magnetically attaches accessories to the back of the phone, including a new MagSafe wireless charging puck.

Also new on the iPhone 12 is a sleek flat edge-to-edge design reminiscent of the iPhone SE. But unlike the iPhone SE, the iPhone 12 offers a ceramic shield front cover which, according to Apple, increases drop protection by four times and is “tougher than any smartphone glass.”

Camera options available on the iPhone 12 and iPhone12 mini includes a 12MP Ultra Wide and a 12MP Wide angle cameras capable of an array of features including portrait mode, optical image stabilisation, night mode, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, night mode time lapse among others. The US tech firm says this provides “an unparalleled camera experience that makes it easier than ever to intuitively capture the perfect photograph or video.”