iPhone 12 launch, special Apple Event; time and how to watch online
The new iPhones, including the new form factor iPhone 12 mini, will be announced from Apple Park, Cupertino, on 13 October, 2020, starting at 10:00 a.m. PDT.
Apple will announce its latest models of iPhones - the iPhone 12 and variants (Pro, Pro Max and the new mini) - on Tuesday, 13 October in a special Apple event broadcast live from Apple Park in Cupertino California. The event starts at 10 a.m. PDT.
Follow the iPhone 12 event live
Apple goes Hi, Speed
The event is called Hi, Speed, almost certainly a reference to the 5G chips the iPhone 12s will have, which allow for connection to the latest, super-fast wireless networks.
Rumours are that it’s likely only the biggest member of the family, the Pro Max will get the very fastest mmWave 5G (battery capacity and body size mean it may only be feasible in the chunky 6.7 inch Pro Max), while the rest will get sub-6Ghz 5G.
This is Apple’s second special event of this fall. The new iPhones are usually announced in September, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed the tech giant’s manufacturing plans back a touch, meaning the company announced their new Watch and a new iPad Air back at the event in September.
The new iPad Air is rocking the latest Apple silicon - the blazingly fast 64-bit A14 Bionic chip - but interestingly the company didn’t go into as much detail as you might have expected at that event. Why? Because it’s the chip in the new iPhones and Apple will be really boasting about it at this event.
When is the special Apple event ‘Hi, Speed’ to announce the new iPhones?
The iPhone 12 will be announced by Apple live from Cupertino on Tuesday 13 October at 10 a.m. PDT. (Note that many of the sections of the presentation are recorded, though CEO Tim Cook's introduction will be live).
That’s 1 p.m. ET; 6 p.m. London; 7 p.m. CEST; 10:30 pm Delhi and 4:00 a.m. Sydney.
Check out when it starts no matter where you are in the world.
How to watch the launch of the iPhone 12
The special Apple event will be streamed live on Apple.com.
It’s also on the Apple YouTube site.
You can also watch here on AS, with live commentary of the announcements
The iPhone 12 line-up
The phones expected to be launched on Tuesday are:
iPhone 12: 6.1 inch display, from $799
iPhone 12 Mini: 5.4 inch display, from $699
iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1 inch display, from $999
iPhone 12 Pro Max: 6.7 inch display, from $1,099
The new mini is effectively all the goodness of an iPhone 12 squeezed into a smaller body. It’s not competing with the SE, Apple’s bargain basement (well, for them) phone which is currently retailing at $399.
Note that all the 12s are expected to get OLED screens, but the Pro models will get even nicer panels in them, with 10-but colour displays, which translates into even more vibrant colours and better colour gradation.
iPhone memory
Barring surprises, expect the Mini and the regular 12 to sport 64, 128 and 256GB versions, while the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available with memory of 128, 256 or 512GB.
Talking of memory, here’s a nice trip down memory lane and inspirational teaser for today’s event from reviewer Rene Ritchie.
One more thing from Apple?
What else could we be going to get from Apple at the Hi, Speed event?
HomePod mini: the HomePod currently sells for $299, so there’s plenty room for a small, easier-on-the-budget version of that. The speakers in the newish 16” MacBook Pros prove Apple have the design chops to produce decent sound from very small enclosures.
AirPods Studio: the AirPods line up of AirPods and AirPods Pro could be added to with over-ear headphones. Apparently two models may be set to debut.
What we’re not apparently getting:
AirTags: These product-tracking Tile competitors have been rumoured to be in the pipeline for some time but are apparently still not quite ready for prime time, says Jon Prosser:
New Macs: Apple have promised us new Apple silicon-based computers before Christmas, with the MacBook Air (or some new laptop format) being the most likely to be released, BUT don’t expect that announcement here. Hi, Speed is almost certainly going to be all about the new iPhones and Apple won’t want to dilute the message. Expect a third fall event for the new Macs with Apple designed chips…