iPhone 12 release: UK price, specs and how to pre-order Apple's new smartphone
Apple has unveiled four new iPhones, all of which will be able to connect to 5G networks across the UK.
The company is hoping that cheaper iPhone 12 Mini will attract customers at its £699 price, while others may opt for the standard iPhone 12. And then at the top of the market is the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max with advanced new cameras.
When will the iPhone 12 be released?
Apple has two different release dates for its new line-up of iPhones. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order from October 16 and will be released on October 23.
The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available to pre-order from November 6 and will be released on November 13.
iPhone 12 features
5G connectivity
The biggest new addition to the iPhone is adding 5G connectivity to all iPhone 12 models. Phone network operators across the UK have been rolling out 5G in the country since last year, although the new networks aren't yet available everywhere.
5G will increase download speeds, meaning iPhone 12 customers in 5G coverage areas will be able to download new apps and stream high definition television shows more quickly than people with 3G or 4G smartphones.
5G also increases the bandwidth of phone signals. You may have noticed that you struggle to get data reception in particularly busy places like train stations. 5G should solve this issue.
Apple said in its keynote that the company has updated its software to take advantage of 5G download speeds and the iPhone 12 will automatically switch down to 4G networks if you don't need the higher download capacity.
Improved cameras
All of the new iPhones come with improved cameras but Apple has kept the biggest improvements for its most expensive iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini both come with dual cameras on the back of the smartphone including an ultrawide camera. Apple says the main camera is the fastest ever released on an iPhone.
The top-of-the-line iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 47pc larger camera sensor, Apple says, which will make it much more effective at nighttime photography.
And both of the iPhone 12 Pro models come with a new telephoto lens that results in a 4x optical zoom range (for the iPhone 12 Pro) and 5x (for the iPhone 12 Pro Max).
MagSafe wireless charging
Another new feature in the new iPhones is magnets on the back of the smartphone so that wireless charging accessories and other items can magnetically "snap" on to your phone. Apple introduced this as a way to make sure that the iPhone 12 lines up perfectly with wireless charging sensors.
New LiDAR sensor
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will both come with a LiDAR sensor on the back next to the cameras which will be able to study the world around the smartphone to build up a detailed understanding of the phone's surroundings.
This will be useful for taking photographs as the iPhone can sense how far away a subject is, even in the dark. And it's also going to be useful for advanced augmented reality apps, giving the iPhone a much more precise understanding of where nearby objects are.
How much does the iPhone 12 cost?
The cheapest iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini which comes with a 5.4-inch screen, will sell for a starting price of £699.
The standard iPhone 12 will sell for £799 but comes with a larger 6.1-inch screen.
The iPhone 12 Pro will sell for £999 and also has a 6.1-inch screen.
The top-of-the-line iPhone 12 Pro Max will sell from £1,099 and has a 6.7-inch screen, Apple's largest ever smartphone screen.
No headphones or charger?
Apple announced during its reveal of the iPhone 12 that the company will stop including a charging adapter and headphones in the box with purchases of any new iPhone.
Apple claims this is because most people already have charging cables and headphones, so they don't need to purchase new ones.
The iPhone 12 will come with a Lighting to USB-C charging cable in the box, but it won't include a wall plug adapter for the cable.
How can I pre-order the iPhone 12?
Phone networks in the UK are preparing to open pre-orders for the new iPhone 12.
EE is allowing people to register their interest for the iPhones through its website here.
Similarly, Carphone Warehouse is allowing customers to register for Apple news such as when pre-orders go live. O2 also has a way to sign up for updates on major device launches.
Customers can also purchase the iPhone 12 directly through Apple's website when pre-orders open.
What are the best iPhone 12 deals?
Operators are likely to launch various packages and deals for the iPhone 12 in the coming weeks as the new smartphones so on sale. Verizon has announced a trade-in deal in the US, for example. So far, no deals have been announced for the UK.
