Oct. 13 (UPI) — Apple on Tuesday unveiled its first 5G-comptable iPhones, including a new Mini smartphone and an update of its Pro device.
The new smartphones will be available as a standard iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max — all with 5G capability.
“Every decade there’s a new generation of technology that provides a step change in what we can do with our iPhones,” CEO Tim Cook said in the virtual announcement. “This is a huge moment for all of us.”
Though 5G capability promises a faster experience for iPhone 12 users, not all cities and carriers offer the technology. The iPhone 12 lineup of phones is the first by Apple to offer 5G.
Prior to the Apple release, 13% of smartphones sold in the first half of 2020 were capable of using the next-generation broadband cellular network, Canalys analyst Ben Stanton told CNN.
“Apple is not too late to 5G, as smartphones with 5G have not yet seen mass adoption,” he said. “Part of the reason is that the killer use case for 5G on mobile has not yet emerged.”
In addition to 5G, all four new phones will be charged using a wireless MagSafe charger — no phones will be shipped with plug-in power adapters or EarPods to cut down on waste.
The Pro models will feature an A14 Bionic dual-camera system that includes ultra wide lens, 27% more light for low-light photos and additional photo editing options.
The phones will come in a variety of sizes and colors.
The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will come in blue, green, black, white and red aluminum finishes; and the 6.06-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.68-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will come in graphite, silver, gold and pacific blue stainless steel finishes.
With the older generation iPhone SE, iPhone X and iPhone 11 still in production, costs for Apple’s smartphones will range from $399 to $1,099.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro can be preordered starting Friday and will be in stores Oct. 23; Mini and Pro Max preorders start Nov. 6, with store availability Nov. 13.
Other rumored announcements expected at Tuesday’s event include an update to the Apple TV hardware and a device designed to compete with Amazon’s line of Echo smart speakers.
During an event last month, Apple introduced new versions of its Watch and iPad devices, in addition to a new fitness service and a bundle of its various subscription offerings.
Click below to watch Apple’s announcement live stream when it begins at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday.