MacRumors

Apple today introduced a new MagSafe charging puck that's designed for the iPhone, with a design that's similar to the inductive chargers used for the Apple Watch.

The new MagSafe charging pucks are able to charge the new ‌iPhone‌ 12 models faster than Qi-based charging options, offering up to 15W of power. Apple mentioned the 15W charging on stage during the event, and it's also confirmed on product pages for the new devices.

Qi-based wireless chargers continue to be limited to a maximum of 7.5W of charging power when used with an Apple device, so those who are looking for the fastest "wireless" charging option will want to opt for one of the new ‌MagSafe‌ chargers from Apple.

Apple has designed an Apple Watch-style ‌MagSafe‌ charging puck for iPhones, along with a dual charger that also includes an Apple Watch charger. ‌MagSafe‌ charging specifications are also being made available to third-party companies who will be able to design magnetic chargers for Apple's new ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

The product page for the new charger suggests that it is compatible with all iPhones dating back to the ‌iPhone‌ 8, which is all models that support wireless charging, but the description suggests faster wireless charging is limited to the new models.

Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger for ‌iPhone‌ will be available for $39, with pricing on the combo Apple Watch version unknown as of now.

Apple this morning quietly introduced new Beats Flex headphones, marking the launch of the brand's most affordable wire-free headphones to date.

Beats Flex are priced at just $50, and are identical in design to the BeatsX earphones. With lower-cost Bluetooth-based Beats headphones now available, Apple has discontinued the UrBeats headphones that it previously offered under Beats branding.

UrBeats3 were priced at $60 and were available in Lightning and 3.5mm versions, and with their discontinuation, the Beats brand is no longer offering affordable wired headphone options. The $130 wired Beats EP headphones are still available, though.

For those who prefer wired headphones, Apple still sells EarPods with Lightning and 3.5mm connector options for $19 each, but EarPods no longer come free with iPhones.

As expected, the entire iPhone 12 lineup is compatible with faster 5G networks, but Apple's website confirms that support for high-frequency mmWave bands is limited to models sold in the United States. This includes compatibility with Verizon's new 5G Ultra Wideband network, which as of today is available in 55 cities across the country.

mmWave is supported on all iPhone 12 models sold in the United States, ranging from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. iPhone 12 models sold in all other countries and regions are limited to sub-6GHz bands for 5G.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. In most countries that offer 5G, sub-6GHz networks are more common.

• mmWave vs. Sub-6GHz 5G iPhones: What's the Difference?

Apple says iPhone 12 models support more 5G bands than any other smartphone, and the devices can automatically adjust to LTE when necessary to save battery life, such as when updates are taking place in the background.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with shipments starting Friday, October 23. The smaller 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max are launching later, with pre-orders beginning Friday, November 6 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time and shipments starting Friday, November 13.

Apple's iPhone 12 mini is the smallest iPhone that's been made available since the original iPhone SE, with a 5.4-inch display and a body that's 5 inches high and 2.5 inches wide.

Since it's the smallest iPhone Apple sells, it's also the iPhone 12 model with the lowest battery life, coming in at 15 hours of video playback compared to the iPhone 12's 17 hours. For streaming video, the iPhone 12 mini offers 10 hours of playback, while the iPhone 12 offers 11 hours. The iPhone mini outperforms the iPhone SE, but doesn't measure up to any of the other larger iPhones.

The 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max features 20 hours of video playback, offering five hours longer battery life than the iPhone 12 mini.

Apple breaks battery life down in three categories: video playback, video playback when streaming video, and audio playback. Battery life info for all iPhones in the current iPhone lineup is listed below.

• iPhone 12 Pro Max - Up to 20 hours video playback, 12 hours streamed, 80 hours audio
• iPhone 12 Pro - Up to 17 hours video playback, 11 hours streamed, 65 hours audio
• iPhone 12 - Up to 17 hours video playback, 11 hours streamed, 65 hours audio
• iPhone 12 mini - Up to 15 hours video playback, 10 hours streamed, 50 hours audio playback
• iPhone 11 - Up to 17 hours video playback, 10 hours streamed, 65 hours audio
• iPhone XR - Up to 16 hours video playback, 65 hours audio
• iPhone SE - Up to 13 hours video playback, 8 hours streamed, 40 hours audio

All of Apple's new iPhone 12 devices support fast charging and can be charged to 50 percent within 30 minutes using a 20W power adapter and the included USB-C to Lighting cable.

With the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models no longer shipping with a power adapter, Apple has started selling the 20W USB-C power adapter that was first introduced with the iPad Air on a standalone basis for $19.

The 20W power adapter is included in the box with the ‌iPad Air‌, but those who want one for use with the new ‌iPhone‌ models will need to shell out $19.

All of the new ‌iPhone‌ 12 models and older ‌iPhone‌ models ship only with a USB-C to Lightning cable, with customers expected to provide their own power adapters. Most people likely have several USB-C power adapters on hand from past device purchases, but this will be an inconvenience for those who have few power adapters available already.

Apple's selling price for the new 20W USB-C power adapter is cheaper than the older 18W USB-C model that used to be available for $29.

According to Apple, the power adapter and EarPods were removed from the ‌iPhone‌ boxes to reduce the company's environmental impact, but rumors have also suggested that this transition helps to save a few dollars to offset the cost of the more expensive 5G modems included in the new devices.

AppleCare+ for the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini models is priced at $149 in the U.S. for two years of coverage, or $7.99 per month for ongoing subscription coverage.

The ‌AppleCare‌+ plan for the new iPhones provides coverage for two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months, provided the deductible is paid out.

‌AppleCare‌+ with Theft and Loss is also available for $219 for two years of coverage or $11.49 per month for ongoing subscription coverage. Theft and Loss ‌AppleCare‌+ provides the same benefits, but with added coverage for two incidents of theft or loss every 12 months.

‌AppleCare‌+ for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is priced at $199 for two years of coverage, or it can be purchased for $9.99 per month. Theft and Loss coverage is priced at $269 or $13.49 per month.

With ‌AppleCare‌+, customers must pay a deductible of $29 for screen damage, $99 for other accidental damage, and $149 for theft or loss.

Customers who order Apple's newly announced $99 HomePod mini can get AppleCare+ for $15 when pre-orders start on November 6.

Every HomePod mini comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary tech support, but additional ‌AppleCare‌+ coverage gets up to two years of tech support and accidental damage coverage for the spherical smart speaker from the purchase date.

‌AppleCare‌+ coverage adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a $15 service fee plus applicable tax for ‌HomePod mini‌ or a $39 service fee plus applicable tax for HomePod.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ is compatible with HomeKit and Apple's new Intercom feature, and two placed in the same room will separate sound for an immersive stereo audio experience.

‌HomePod mini‌ requires iPhone SE, ‌iPhone‌ 6s or later, or iPod touch (7th generation) with the latest iOS; or iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 or later, or iPad mini 4 or later with the latest iPadOS.

The speakers will launch and start shipping on November 16.

Apple customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac are eligible for three months of free access to Apple Arcade, Apple's gaming service that has more than 100 titles.

‌Apple Arcade‌ is normally priced at $4.99 per month and it provides access to games that have no in-app purchases or additional fees to pay.

The free three months of service can be claimed within three months of the activation of a new eligible device, with the promotion kicking off on October 22. One free ‌Apple Arcade‌ trial is available per Family Sharing group.

Apple is also continuing its promotion that provides those who purchase a new ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, iPod touch, ‌Apple TV‌, or Mac with a free year of ‌Apple TV‌+ access, but this is limited to those who did not claim the same deal last year.

Following the announcement of the iPhone 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro today, Apple has introduced a new collection of cases and accessories on its online store. The central feature of these accessories is support for MagSafe on ‌iPhone‌ 12.

With MagSafe, the new line of cases will automatically snap onto the back of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro, making for super easy application. Charging accessories will do the same, leading to ultra-simple charging of up to 15W.

Shoppers should note that the accessories listed in this article are not available to purchase yet, and will likely launch at the same time that ‌iPhone‌ pre-orders do, starting this Friday for ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro. On November 6, pre-orders will go up for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

To start, there's a Silicone Case with MagSafe for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. It's available in Plum, Deep Navy, Kumquat, Cyprus Green, Pink Citrus, White, Black, and (PRODUCT)Red. It's priced at $49.00.

The same Silicone Case with ‌MagSafe‌ is available for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini, and in the same colors. They're also priced at $49.00.

The Clear Case with ‌MagSafe‌ is available for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and for the iPhone 12 mini. It's priced at $49.00.

A new accessory this year is the iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe, priced at $59.00. It comes in Baltic Blue, California Poppy, Saddle Brown, and Black. This holds your ID and credit cards on the back of your ‌iPhone‌ 12. The Leather Wallet with ‌MagSafe‌ isn't available to buy yet.

Lastly, the basic MagSafe Charger is priced at $39.00. Apple also announced the ‌MagSafe‌ Duo Charger today, which has space for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and Apple Watch, but it's not yet up on Apple.com.

Apple also says that there will be leather cases for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro lineup, but they are not yet available either.

Catch up on all of our event day coverage by checking out our articles on the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and HomePod mini.

Apple's new iPhone 12 models don't come with EarPods or a power adapter in the box in order to save on packaging materials to reduce environmental impact, and following today's event, Apple has removed the power adapter and EarPods from the box for all other ‌iPhone‌ models as well.

As was rumored this morning, the ‌iPhone‌ 11, XR, and SE will no longer be shipped with power adapters or EarPods, much like the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models. This will allow Apple to use new, slimmer packaging.

All of the ‌iPhone‌ models will, however, come with a USB-C to Lightning cable, an upgrade from the standard USB-A to Lightning cable that used to be included.

Despite rumors that Apple would introduce a Lightning cable with a braided design, that did not happen, and iPhones new and old ship with a standard Apple-designed rubber USB-C to Lightning cable.

While the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 are advertised as starting at $699 and $799 respectively in the United States, this pricing only applies to Verizon and AT&T models, which qualify for an "instant discount" of $30 at launch.

Pricing for T-Mobile, Sprint, and SIM-free versions of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 starts at $729 and $829 respectively.

There is no price discrepancy with iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models, which start at $999 and $1,099 respectively regardless of the model selected.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with shipments starting Friday, October 23. The smaller 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max are launching later, with pre-orders beginning Friday, November 6 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time and shipments starting Friday, November 13.

Update: A spokesperson for T-Mobile has informed MacRumors that the carrier will also have iPhone 12 offers that will go live on Apple's website on Friday, the day that pre-orders of the devices begin.

Update: T-Mobile and Sprint are now offering the same "instant discount" of $30 off the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini as AT&T and Verizon.

Following the introduction of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple has released iOS and iPadOS 14.1 golden master betas for developers, with the iOS 14.1 update presumably coming pre-installed on the new iPhones at launch.

The new updates are available for download from Apple's developer portal. Earlier today, these software releases were positioned as new publicly available software updates, but that is not the case. Apple pulled the initial downloads and has re-released them as downloads exclusive to developers.

There's no word yet on what's included in these updates, but we'll update this article as soon as we find out. Apple has also released a tvOS 14.1 golden master for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models.

Update: This article has been updated to clarify that iOS and iPadOS 14.1 that are available to developers in a beta capacity and have not yet been publicly released.

With the launch of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple has decided to keep the ‌iPhone‌ SE, ‌iPhone‌ XR, and ‌iPhone‌ 11 around as lower-cost options.

The only iPhones that are no longer available for purchase are the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, which have been eliminated in favor of the new ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models.

Apple's full lineup now features iPhones at every price point starting at $399.

• ‌iPhone‌ SE - $399
• ‌iPhone‌ XR - $499
• ‌iPhone‌ 11 - $599
• ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ - $699
• ‌iPhone‌ 12 - $799
• ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro - $999
• ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ - $1099

The ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and ‌iPhone‌ 12 feature 64GB for starting models (upgradeable to 128GB or 256GB), while the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models start at 128GB of storage, which can be upgraded to 256GB or 512GB of storage.

The ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro will be available for pre-order this Friday, with the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ to be available for pre-order on November 6.

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 updates to developers, two weeks after seeding the second betas and a month after releasing the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates.

iOS and iPadOS 14.2 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper developer profile has been installed.

Apple in iOS and iPadOS 14.2 is adding new Emoji 13 emoji characters, with options that include smiling face with tear, ninja, pinched fingers, anatomical heart, black cat, mammoth, polar bear, dodo, fly, bell pepper, tamale, bubble tea, potted plant, piñata, plunger, wand, feather, hut, and more, with a full list available here.

The iOS 14.2 update also brings a new Music Recognition control for the Control Center, which enhances the integration of the Apple-owned Shazam app in the iOS operating system. Music Recognition lets you discover music playing around you and it can recognize music playing in apps even when you're wearing AirPods.

The Shazam Music Recognition feature can be added to Control Center through the Control Center options in the Settings app. To use the feature, open up Control Center and then tap on the Shazam icon to initiate a single recognition. While Apple devices have been able to use Shazam through Siri or the Shazam app for some time, the Control Center option makes it easier to get to the music recognition tool.

The new update also includes a redesigned Now Playing widget for the Control Center, which lists recently played albums that you might want to tap into and listen to when you have no music playing. There's also a redesigned interface for AirPlay, making it easier to play music across multiple ‌AirPlay‌ 2-enabled devices in the home.

For those who have low vision, Apple added a "People Detection" feature in the Magnifier app that uses the camera to let iPhone users know how far away other people are, which can be useful for social distancing purposes.

For the Apple Watch app on the ‌iPhone‌, Apple tweaked the design slightly, updating the watch with one of the new Solo Loop Apple Watch bands.

For Apple Card users, the iOS 14.2 update adds a yearly spending history option so ‌Apple Card‌ holders can see how much they've spent in the current calendar year and how much Daily Cash they've earned. Prior to iOS 14.2, ‌Apple Card‌ offered spending activity information in a weekly or monthly summary.

The new iOS 14.2 beta will likely be in testing for some time as Apple works on releasing new iPhones, with the new iPhones expected to debut sometime in October.

Apple today announced that the 6.1-inch models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order beginning this Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning one week later on Friday, October 23.

The smaller 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max are launching later, with pre-orders beginning Friday, November 6 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time and shipments beginning one week later on Friday, November 13.

iPhone 12 Pro pricing starts at $999, while the iPhone 12 starts at $799 and the iPhone 12 mini starts at $699.

Key features of the iPhone 12 lineup include a new flat-edge design, 5G connectivity, a faster A14 Bionic chip, a new MagSafe system for precise wireless charging and easy-to-attach magnetic accessories, more durable glass, camera improvements, and more. iPhone 12 Pro models also feature a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality.

Apple's Beats brand today is introducing Beats Flex wireless earphones, which add some upgrades to the previous BeatsX earphones yet come with a much lower $49.99 price tag. The new price makes them the cheapest way to get into Apple's wireless earphone ecosystem, which is especially important now that Apple is no longer including earphones in the box with its iPhones.

As with BeatsX, the new Beats Flex earphones are wireless Bluetooth earphones with a cord between the two earpieces that drapes around the neck and provides access to some physical controls. Beats Flex will be available in four colors, with Beats Black and Yuzu Yellow available for pre-order today ahead of an October 21 launch and Smoke Gray and Flame Blue coming in early 2021.

Beats Flex employs a proprietary layered driver with dual-chamber acoustics to achieve rich, balanced sound with outstanding stereo separation. Laser cut micro-venting and an optimized driver angle ensure ear pressure relief and accurate sound delivery. Additionally, an advanced digital processor fine-tunes the audio for accurate bass, precise mids, and low distortion across the frequency curve.

On the design side, Beats Flex feature a lightweight and comfortable Flex-Form cable made of durable Nitinol to connect the earpieces, and as with the previous BeatsX, the Beats Flex earpieces magnetically click together to keep them secure around your neck when not in use. Overall, Beats Flex are 8% lighter than BeatsX.

Beats Flex also have automatic play/pause support, starting up playback when they are inserted in your ears and stopping playback when they are attached around your neck. Four sizes of eartips offer a personalized fit.

As with the previous BeatsX, Beats Flex include Apple's W1 chip that supports quick pairing with iOS devices, iCloud syncing for seamless switching between devices, Audio Sharing to allow two sets of compatible Beats or AirPods earphones to listen to connect to the same device, and more.

On-device controls on the cable of the Beats Flex offer a built-in microphone with wind noise reduction and voice clarity optimization, as well as controls for adjusting volume, controlling playback, taking phone calls, and accessing Siri.

Beats Flex offer up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge, and they recharge using USB-C to help provide maximum compatibility for Apple and Android users. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge when the battery level is low will provide up to 1.5 hours of playback.