[On the Way to Work] "iPhone 12, the Beginning of a New Era" Enjoy Apple Unpack Through Photos

Apple CEO Tim Cook is speaking about the value of 5G at an online streaming event unveiling the iPhone 12 on the 13th (local time).
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] "Today marks the beginning of a new era for the iPhone."

On the 13th at 2 p.m. (local time), Apple held an online streaming event to unveil its first 5G smartphone, the iPhone 12 series. The event featured a keynote speech by Apple CEO Tim Cook, followed by the introduction of the iPhone 12 series along with the new smart speaker HomePod mini.

Major foreign media reported that hundreds of thousands of viewers were waiting 30 minutes before the online event started, showing intense interest. After the event began, concurrent viewers reached 2 million, peaking at 2.8 million at the moment the iPhone 12 was revealed.

CEO Cook emphasized, "Today marks the beginning of a new era for the iPhone," highlighting that 5G will enable ultra-fast data downloads and uploads, high-definition video streaming, more responsive gaming, and real-time interaction.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

HomePod Mini [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The first product unveiled was the HomePod mini. CEO Cook introduced the HomePod mini through a video filmed at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, saying, "We are launching a new smart speaker." The size was reduced to 3.3 inches, half the size of its predecessor, the HomePod. The price was also set much lower at $99 compared to the previous $299 HomePod. Integration with the AI voice assistant Siri has been strengthened.

On the 13th (local time), Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon, who took the stage at Apple's new product launch event, introduced the 5G partnership with Apple. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

At the event, Apple also introduced its 5G partnership with Verizon. Apple will collaborate with Verizon in the U.S. to provide the millimeter-wave service called 'Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband.' According to Verizon, this service offers a maximum download speed of 4.0 Gbps and a maximum upload speed of 200 Mbps.

Hans Vestberg, Verizon CEO, who wore an outfit similar in color to CEO Cook’s and took the stage, said that most consumers had been waiting for expanded 5G coverage, promised 5G performance, and favored devices, but "that waiting is over with the iPhone." He stated, "5G has just become a reality," and introduced plans for future service expansion.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the unveiling of the iPhone 12 series.

The lineup includes 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. All four models support 5G. CEO Cook introduced the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini as the base models, followed by the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max as the higher-end versions.

Apple CEO Tim Cook posing with an iPhone 12 Pro in hand
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The iPhone 12 adopts a design with an aluminum frame that forms a right angle with the screen, similar to the iPad Pro. This design is explained as accommodating the new 5G antennas. The iPhone 12 is 11% thinner, 15% smaller in volume, and 16% lighter than the iPhone 11. Additionally, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max use stainless steel and glass materials.

The iPhone 12 is also equipped with the new 'A14 Bionic' chip, the first smartphone chip manufactured using 5-nanometer process technology. The front display features a 'Ceramic Shield' with nano-ceramic crystals, enhancing impact resistance compared to other smartphones. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, said, "The arrival of 5G signals the dawn of a new era for the iPhone," adding, "We will deliver the best 5G experience and provide our most advanced technology to users who want to maximize their iPhone."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President of Apple Marketing, is introducing the iPhone 12 series at an event on the 13th (local time). [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The domestic retail prices are ▲ iPhone 12 mini at 950,000 KRW ▲ iPhone 12 at 1,090,000 KRW ▲ iPhone 12 Pro at 1,350,000 KRW ▲ iPhone 12 Pro Max starting at 1,490,000 KRW. In Korea, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will officially launch on the 30th of this month, with pre-orders starting on the 23rd. The iPhone 12 mini and Pro Max will be released in the U.S. and other countries on the 6th of next month. Korea is not included in the first wave of release countries. Prices start at 1,090,000 KRW for the iPhone 12 and 950,000 KRW for the iPhone 12 mini.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Dennis Turman, Vice President in charge of Hardware System Engineering at Apple, is introducing MagSafe.
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

At the event, Apple also introduced MagSafe, a wireless charging pad for the new iPhone 12 lineup. There is the 'MagSafe Charger' which can charge one device, and the 'MagSafe Duo Charger' which can charge two devices simultaneously, including the Apple Watch. This attaches simply to the back of the iPhone rather than plugging into the device. Magnets are arranged around the wireless charging coil. It can also attach to cases, and a dedicated wallet is supported. Apple emphasized that this allows charging up to 15 watts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.