Apple has revealed its iPhone 12 range, which will start being released in New Zealand on October 23 with models starting at NZ$1349.
The new phones were showcased in a livestream event the company had billed as 'Hi, Speed', a nod to the new devices joining those from rival manufacturers in being able to connect to 5G networks.
Along with the main iPhone 12 model, an iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max were also unveiled during the livestream, which was presented as a virtual briefing from Apple Park in California.
All of the new phones feature OLED screens and flat aluminium sides for a look similar to the iPad Pro and iPad Air.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro feature 6.1-inch screen sizes, while the iPhone 12 Mini is 5.4 inches and the Pro Max is 6.7.
Apple talked a lot about 5G during the livestream - a technology it's getting in on after several of its competitors, including Samsung, Huawei and Oppo.
Although it's still in its early days, 5G promises to deliver much faster mobile internet when it's fully deployed.
5G coverage is available in a growing number of areas in Aotearoa. Earlier this year, Spark cited NERA Economic Consulting research it commissioned which said 5G is likely to add between $5.7 billion and $8.9 billion per year to the national economy.
Apple says it's been testing 5G with over 100 carriers in multiple regions and has managed a speed of 3.5Gbps in perfect conditions.
New features of the iPhone 12 range include magnetic charging with MagSafe, a feature previously offered with Apple's MacBook line. Accessories such as a leather cover and wallet also use MagSafe to snap onto the phones.
The iPhone 12 range features a new A14 bionic chip, which Apple says has overtaken its A13 to become the fastest chip of any smartphone on the market. Other new features include 'Ceramic Shield', which the company claims is the toughest glass on any smartphone and will greatly increase the durability of the device's screen.
As for the iPhone 12 Pro models, they feature new photography upgrades for their triple-cameras, each of which boast 12MP - less than the 108MP offered in smartphone cameras from the likes of Samsung and Xiaomi.
The Pro models also offer 10-bit HDR video recording in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Apple says they're also the first ever phones able to capture and edit Dolby Vision HDR.
iPhone 12 NZ pricing:
- The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini will be available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models in blue, green, black, white and red, starting at NZ$1499 and NZ$1349 respectively.
- The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models in graphite, silver, gold and pacific blue starting at NZ$1899 and NZ$2099 respectively.
Pre-orders open in New Zealand this Saturday.
