iPhone 12 Series and HomePod Mini·Wireless Charger Expected to be Unveiled
Main Color of iPhone 12 is 'Blue'...Graphite Also Debuts
Domestic Release Expected Late This Month...First 5G iPhone to Launch First in Korea
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The iPhone 12 new product launch event will begin at 2 a.m. Korean time on the 14th. In addition to the iPhone 12, new products such as the HomePod and wireless chargers are expected to be unveiled.
On the 13th (local time), IT tipster Jon Prosser tweeted, "It is expected that four models of the iPhone 12 series, the HomePod mini, and a wireless charger will be unveiled on the 13th (local time)," adding, "AirPods Studio, AirTag, HomePod 2, and MacBook products will not be included."
Key Point One: What about the iPhone 12 design and colors?
The iPhone 12 series will be released in a total of four models: the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 mini is expected to be a size between the iPhone SE and iPhone 8 and is also anticipated to be released as an LTE model. All four iPhone 12 models will feature OLED displays and have edges reminiscent of the angular design of the iPhone 4.
Hints about the iPhone 12 series colors have already appeared with the Apple Watch 6. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are expected to be available in ▲Black ▲White ▲Red ▲Green ▲Blue. The blue color made an impression on Apple fans with the Apple Watch 6 and is expected to be the main color of this new series. Bright colors like yellow and violet are expected to be replaced by more subdued tones.
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are likely to be released in ▲Gold ▲Silver ▲Graphite ▲Blue. The stainless steel case and band of the Apple Watch 6 replaced the 'Space Gray' color with a darker graphite color. The 'Midnight Green,' which was the main color of the iPhone 11 Pro, will also disappear.
With the iPad and Apple Watch unveiled first, the remaining space will be filled by accessories. Alongside the iPhone 12, the AI speaker HomePod mini will also be unveiled. Its price is expected to be around $99. It is about half the size of the HomePod, approximately 3.3 inches tall, and powered by the S5 chip used in the Apple Watch 5. Additionally, a new wireless charger series called 'MagSafe,' equipped with magnets, is a strong candidate for unveiling. The brand name, which was previously used for MacBook power connectors, will be revived, and it is expected that Apple will introduce the 'MagSafe Charger,' which can charge a single device, and the 'MagSafe Duo Charger,' which can charge two accessories simultaneously. There is also interest in whether Apple will reveal a new product or service as a 'one more thing.'
Key Point Two: iPhone 12 pricing and release schedule
As the first 5G iPhone and released in four models, significant price differences between models are expected. In the U.S., the iPhone 12 mini is expected to start at $699, the iPhone 12 at $799, the iPhone 12 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max at $1099.
Considering that the iPhone 11 started at $699 (99 million KRW domestic retail price), the price of the cheapest model (iPhone 12 mini) is similar to its predecessor. Since U.S. prices do not include tax, it is expected that in Korea, the iPhone 12 will exceed 1 million KRW, the iPhone 12 Pro will be in the 1.3 million KRW range, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will surpass 1.5 million KRW. Given that the 512GB model of the iPhone 11 Pro Max was priced at 2.03 million KRW, the highest price of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is also expected to exceed 2 million KRW significantly.
Customers lined up to purchase the iPhone 11 at the Apple Garosugil store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 25th, the domestic release date of the iPhone 11. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
In Korea, the iPhone 12 series is expected to be officially released at the end of this month, with pre-orders starting on the 23rd. Although slightly later than the U.S., Korea is typically included in the third wave of release countries, often launching more than a month later. Compared to the past, the time Korean fans can get their hands on the device has been brought forward. It is interpreted as an opportunity to increase market share by showcasing the first 5G iPhone in Korea. As of the end of August, Korea has 8.65 million 5G subscribers. Domestic carriers are expected to launch large-scale marketing campaigns targeting iPhone users who have delayed upgrades to compete for 5G subscribers.
The release schedule for the smallest 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and the largest 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max models is delayed until November, which may somewhat disperse demand. Speculation that the release schedule for some models of the iPhone 12 series would be delayed has been ongoing since the first half of the year. Ice Universe explained, "Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will start on the 16th or 17th, while pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini will begin on November 6, and for the iPhone 12 Pro Max on November 13 or 14."
Key Point Three: More distinct tier separation among models
The top two models of the iPhone 12 will feature triple cameras, while the lower two models will have dual cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro and Max models will include a ToF 3D sensor. This allows high-quality 3D photo capture and augmented reality (AR) functionality, using a system similar to the front TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID. The lower models are expected to be equipped with ultra-wide and wide lenses respectively. The iPhone 12 will be powered by Apple's A14 processor, which is expected to offer higher power efficiency and faster performance than its predecessor. Ice Universe predicted, "The iPhone 12 Pro models will support a 120Hz refresh rate."
IT tipster Max Weinbach tweeted via PineLeaks, "Apple is introducing an algorithm feature that allows faster Face ID on the iPhone 12," adding, "Digital zoom on all iPhone 12 models will be greatly improved, and optical zoom on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will also be enhanced." He continued, "The battery life of the iPhone 12 Pro models is expected to increase by more than an hour, but the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 will have lower battery performance than the iPhone 11 due to its form factor."
With the inclusion of 5G components, price increases are inevitable, but to maintain a price level similar to last year, chargers and wired earphones will be excluded. Reducing accessories will shrink the package size, lowering shipping costs. The EU Parliament has also introduced a resolution urging the standardization of chargers to reduce electronic waste, and by excluding chargers, Apple can claim to be participating in this effort. Instead of chargers and earphones, the iPhone 12 package is expected to include a durable, premium Lightning cable with improved durability.
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