iPhone 12 features 5G speed

Emily Fendall-York
Staff Writer

Just released in time for the holidays, Apple’s new iPhone 12 has a number of a few new features. There’s a new type of chip in the phone that is “50 percent faster than the fastest competing smartphone chips.” 

Although price varies with your cellular plan, the retail price for the iPhone 12 mini (5.4-inch display) is $699, the iPhone 12 (6.1-inch display) costs $799, the iPhone 12 pro (6.1-inch display) is $999 and the iPhone 12 pro max (6.7-inch display) costs $1,099.

According to their promotional materials, Apple differentiates between the pro and non-pro iPhone models by offering different variations on material, finish, and color. The iPhone 12 is ringed in anodized aluminum with a glossy glass back and matte camera bump. The iPhone 12 mini and 12 come in black, white, blue, green, and red. But, the Iphone 12 pro and pro max come in Graphite, Silver, Gold and pacific blue. 

Also, this new iPhone has brought back the squared edges instead of rounded givinging it a different look and feel making it thinner, smaller and lighter. It also has the best newest 5G cellular speed which is the fastest speed for cellular plans now. It also was made to be more durable and has 4x better drop performance and so many more advancements.

Getting into the qualities of the phone, when you open the iPhone 12 box you will realize that there is no cube and no headphones included. The weirdest part is that the new cube is not like others. Instead of the cube having a USB port; it now has a USB-C but still has the classic lightning charger on the other end. Although this charger allows faster charging, since this is a new type of Apple cube, everyone will have to purchase the cube in order to charge their phone correctly unless you’re using a different method for charging. 

The headphones themselves vary depending on where you are purchasing them, but at Apple the headphones with the lightning connector cost $19 and the cube costs $19 and even though the cord is included, the price for it is $19 for one meter and $35 for two meters.

The reason Apple has cut down on including the charger cube and headphones is not just that it makes Apple more money, but reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of precious materials. Almost every year the new version of the iPhone comes out and includes the charger. After someone buys the newest iPhone all the time, the chargers and extra cords pile up and turn out to be a waste. 

It also shrinks the package, allowing more boxes per shipment and fewer shipments overall. They’re transitioning manufacturing partners to renewable energy as well. This decision eliminates over 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

Another way to charge the newest Apple iPhones, which includes the iPhone 8 and newer, is to use a wireless charger. A wireless charger is just a pad that you plug in and when you set your phone on it, it will charge your device. This is one way you can avoid purchasing a new charger.

The newer Mac computers also have a technicality to the purchase which is that there are no USB ports in the side of the computer, they are all USB-C. In order to plug something into the computer with a USB or anything other than a USB-C you have to purchase an adapter. In this situation, the new iPhone cord comes in handy because you wont need an adapter for your phone to plug in any more. This is another easy way to avoid buying the new block for the iPhone 12 but most find it easier to just have the charger. Most people plug their iPhone into their computer to upload and transfer images and information, the process of transferring that information has become more simple now with the new iPhone 12 cord.

These changes in chargers and ports can get frustrating because of the fact that it’s new. Everyone who has owned the original charger now has to switch and buy a whole new charger block. But, everywhere companies are finding ways to improve the environment by cutting down on producing harsh chemicals and products that are unnecessary. 

The iPhone 12 overall is not a horrible offer, especially since Black Friday and Christmas shopping is coming up. There could be major offers or bundles that companies are doing during the holiday shopping with the new iPhone that make the purchase a way better deal. The iPhone 12 overall is not a necessity but, with it being more break and water resistant and all of the new tech gone into the camera, software and all of its new pretty colors, it’s a great gift for the holidays and is a great phone but it can be pretty spendy.