iPhone 12 release date: MagSafe for iPhones, smallest 5G smartphone, and other huge announcements Apple made at ‘Hi, Speed’

Millions tuned in on the much-awaited “Hi, Speed” event Tuesday where Apple finally unveiled the iPhone 12 series. While most of the announcements were mere confirmations of months-long recurring leaks, Apple had other surprises unveiled.

iPhone 12 series has 4 models – all with 5G, OLED display

This has to be one of the earliest information made available to Apple fans. And it is now confirmed that there will be four models of iPhone 12, all of which have OLED display and will support 5G.

The smallest of the bunch is officially named the iPhone 12 mini, which was also revealed in an earlier leak. It is a tad smaller than the new iPhone SE in terms of dimension but has a bigger 5.4” screen because, thanks to an edge-to-edge display. Completing the series are the 6.1” iPhone 12 as well as two iPhone 12 Pro models with 6.1” and 6.7” screens.

MagSafe meets iPhones

One detail that Apple managed to relatively keep behind the curtains was making all iPhone 12 models MagSafe-compatible. The line of magnetically attached accessories has been around since 2006 but was limited for the MacBook Pro laptops until Tuesday.

Advertised as a more convenient way to do wireless charging, all iPhone 12 variants can be used with MagSafe accessories. As demonstrated during “Hi, Speed,” MagSafe on iPhone 12 will not be limited to charging purposes. Apple is already selling MagSafe-compatible phone cases and leather wallets specifically designed for the upcoming smartphones.

iPhone 12 boxes will be smaller and lack free accessories

It has been confirmed that all iPhone 12 models will be shipped without the usual free accessories namely the wired EarPods, power adapter, and Lightning cable. Apple cited that this decision was made as part of its effort to reduce carbon footprint and that most of its customers either own them or have switched to wireless accessories already. But some could still argue that cost-cutting may have been one of the considerations to make this change happen.

Nevertheless, the move has positive effects on the environment. Aside from the redundantly owning the said accessories, this also allows Apple to place the iPhone 12 devices in smaller boxes.

There’s a new iPhone color available

One of the earlier iPhone 12 rumors was the addition of a blue color variant, and it was also confirmed to be accurate this week. Both on non-Pro and Pro models, Apple has introduced a new color variant in different shades of blue.

As usual, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 will come in more color options namely White, Black, Blue, Green, and (PRODUCT)RED. The iPhone 12 Pro lineup comes in four colors, including a darker version of Space Gray called Graphite, the new Pacific Blue, Silver, and Gold.

Apple confirms staggered release dates for iPhone 12 variants

Not surprisingly, the iPhone 12 series has staggered retail launch dates. Arriving first are the 6.1” iPhone 12 and the 6.1” iPhone 12 Pro with pre-order starting on Friday, Oct. 16, at 5 a.m. PDT while store availability follows a week later on Oct. 23. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be released at a later time. Pre-orders will open on Nov. 6 and these will arrive in stores on Nov. 13.

iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12’s prices start at $699 and $799, respectively, with 64GB storage. Apple has doubled the minimum storage option – now at 128GB – on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max without much changes in the pricing that starts at $999 and $1,099.