Celebrity Life

We review the latest iPhone 12 Pro, and discover that it's Apple’s best smartphone to date.

A month after its September Keynote, the $2-trillion tech company revealed a quartet of new iPhones: The iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro, the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 12 and 12 Pro are now available, while the Mini and Pro Max are still on the way (with availability beginning November 13). This drop of iPhones are 5G-enabled, and all four have new systems.

The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11 — both feature a dual camera system with wide and ultra-wide zooms. The 12 Mini, which has a 5.4-inch display, is simply a smaller version of the 12 (see photos taken with it here). The Pros, on the other hand, are the ones with the triple camera system (more about that later). Of the four, the 12 Pro Max boasts the biggest iPhone screen ever at 6.7 inches. It also has a longer battery life and (without getting into specifics) extra camera capabilities like further zoom, enhanced low-light performance and “sensor-shift” stabilisation for better-quality images and videos (the Pro shifts the lens instead to counter movements).

Now, you can say that the regular Pro doesn’t get you all of the cutting edge tech in the range, but do you want to be carrying a huge slab of glass around in your pocket? One that makes single-handed or gesture typing a pain because your thumb can’t reach the far end of the screen?

[caption id="attachment_211756" align="alignnone" width="777"] The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max side by side.[/caption]

Which brings us back to why I think the iPhone 12 Pro is the best handset, period. Sure, the extra camera tricks are cool and will presumably produce better results (albeit in some settings, which we shall see when it hits stores), but the regular Pro is more manageable than the Monster Max and just as impressive in performance.

Let’s start with the fundamentals that are standard across the 12s. It supports 5G — but until the local network catches up, the promise of faster speeds remains a promise. There’s the powerful A14 Bionic processor, Apple’s “fastest chip in a smartphone”, that makes everything from opening and switching apps to playing games run faster and smoother. Of course, this claim has been subjected to benchmark tests by Apple nerds from all over, and I’m pleased to report that the Pro not only outshone its predecessors (as you’d expect), it also obliterated pretty much every other phone in the market today in terms of speed and efficiency. Echoing tech reviewer Tom’s Guide, Android phones should just give up now.

It also has the gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display for more true tone colours, darker blacks and crisper pictures, a “Ceramic Shield” glass that purportedly helps with screen shatter and scratches, sleek flat edges (fans of iPhones past, rejoice!), a IP68 water resistant rating (maximum depth of six metres up to 30 minutes), and a nifty magnetic backing branded as MagSafe that allows you to attach things like a cardholder or a wireless charger.

[caption id="attachment_211757" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The innovative new MagSafe system enables seamless, high-powered wireless charging and easy-to-attach accessories.[/caption]

With the iPhone 12 Pro, you’re essentially shelling out more for its kickass camera. Similar to the 11 Pro, it has a triple-lens setup: a primary wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field view and a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom range as well as a 10x digital zoom. In this year’s edition, the wide-angle lens lets in more light to capture more details thanks to the f/2.0 aperture, and the results are stunning.

But what is perhaps the most exciting upgrade in the Pros is the LiDAR scanner, which measures the distances of objects nearby using light reflection. It’s what NASA is using for its next Mars landing, and what Tesla is using for its self-driving cars. This translates to a better augmented reality experience, superior autofocus, and the ability to use the Portrait mode in low-light conditions. It’s also worth noting that you can now shoot smooth, incredibly detailed HDR videos at 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 frames per second.

[gallery ids="211763,211764,211758,211759,211760,211761,211762"]

This all sounds amazing, doesn’t it? It really is. The iPhone 12 Pro is an absolute beast. It’s speedy, the display is bright and beautiful, the speakers produce louder, clearer sound, and it takes fantastic images and videos.

That said, even Apple’s best has had a few complaints, such as the device doesn’t come with a power adapter and in-box wired earphones (for environmental reasons), and the battery life isn’t that much better than its predecessor. But if you’re coming from iPhone X and later, those are hardly problems. More details here about the iPhone 12 Pro.

This story was written entirely using the iPhone 12 Pro, and first appeared on Prestige Singapore

(All images: Apple)

The post Review: The iPhone 12 Pro is Apple’s Best Smartphone to Date appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Our hunch was right: Apple has revealed its first 5G iPhones.

Apple announced Wednesday morning it was releasing new iPhones using 5G, making it the latest smartphone maker to adapt to the new-generation, high-speed wireless networks.

"We are going to introduce 5G across our entire lineup of iPhone models," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said at a streamed launch event from the company's headquarters in California on October 13. "Today is the beginning of a new era for iPhone."

The new models include the redesigned iPhone 12 — successor to the top-selling iPhone 11 launched last year — which will start at HK$6,799. A smaller iPhone 12 Mini with a 5.4 inch display will start at HK$5,999. There are also a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro (from HK$8,499) and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max (from HK$9,399) with the largest Super Retina XDR displays ever on iPhone.

These will be available for pre-order in Hong Kong from October 16 at 8PM for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, and from November 6 at 9PM for the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Click here for more details.

[caption id="attachment_211239" align="aligncenter" width="777"] The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max feature the largest Super Retina XDR displays ever on iPhone. (Image: Apple)[/caption]

The new lineup of iPhones was expected to ignite a surge in interest in smartphone upgrades to take advantage of the faster networks.

Apple joins other handset makers including Samsung and Huawei in introducing smartphones taking advantage of the growing 5G footprint around the world, which could open up new markets and technologies.

5G networks are touted as promising an exponential leap in the amount and speed of wireless data, enabling advances in self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, connected health and more as sensors and servers communicate instantly.

[caption id="attachment_211240" align="aligncenter" width="712"] The new Apple HomePod Mini. (Image: Apple)[/caption]

The growth of 5G could also be a catalyst to revive a sluggish smartphone market. Total smartphone sales were down 16 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC.

Apple also introduced a new version of its HomePod smart speaker standing just eight centimetres (3.3 inches tall). The HomePod mini, which responds to voice commands and plays music, will start at HK$749. Pre-orders can be placed here from November 6 onwards.

(All images: Apple)

The post Apple Introduces its New 5G iPhones, Including Four iPhone 12 Models appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Our hunch was right: Apple has revealed its first 5G iPhones.

Apple announced Wednesday morning it was releasing new iPhones using 5G, making it the latest smartphone maker to adapt to the new-generation, high-speed wireless networks.

"We are going to introduce 5G across our entire lineup of iPhone models," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said at a streamed launch event from the company's headquarters in California on October 13. "Today is the beginning of a new era for iPhone."

The new models include the redesigned iPhone 12 — successor to the top-selling iPhone 11 launched last year — which will start at HK$6,799. A smaller iPhone 12 Mini with a 5.4 inch display will start at HK$5,999. There are also a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro (from HK$8,499) and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max (from HK$9,399) with the largest Super Retina XDR displays ever on iPhone.

These will be available for pre-order in Hong Kong from October 16 at 8PM for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, and from November 6 at 9PM for the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Click here for more details.

[caption id="attachment_211239" align="aligncenter" width="777"] The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max feature the largest Super Retina XDR displays ever on iPhone. (Image: Apple)[/caption]

The new lineup of iPhones was expected to ignite a surge in interest in smartphone upgrades to take advantage of the faster networks.

Apple joins other handset makers including Samsung and Huawei in introducing smartphones taking advantage of the growing 5G footprint around the world, which could open up new markets and technologies.

5G networks are touted as promising an exponential leap in the amount and speed of wireless data, enabling advances in self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, connected health and more as sensors and servers communicate instantly.

[caption id="attachment_211240" align="aligncenter" width="712"] The new Apple HomePod Mini. (Image: Apple)[/caption]

The growth of 5G could also be a catalyst to revive a sluggish smartphone market. Total smartphone sales were down 16 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC.

Apple also introduced a new version of its HomePod smart speaker standing just eight centimetres (3.3 inches tall). The HomePod mini, which responds to voice commands and plays music, will start at HK$749. Pre-orders can be placed here from November 6 onwards.

(All images: Apple)

The post Apple Introduces its New 5G iPhones, Including Four iPhone 12 Models appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The first 5G iPhone is almost here.

Apple has scheduled a media event for October 13 amid expectations it would unveil one or more new iPhones which use ultrafast 5G wireless technology.

The event comes a month after Apple disappointed some fans with a September event which unveiled new service bundles but no new smartphone.

Apple, which has habitually unveiled new iPhones ahead of the holiday season, has said supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic have delayed its plans for product launches by several weeks.

[caption id="attachment_211006" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The key visual for Apple's invitation to its October 13 event, where it's expected to unveil a 5G iPhone. (Image: Apple)[/caption]

A notice posted on Apple's website offer no specific clues but included the message, "Hi, Speed," in an apparent reference to the faster wireless networks being introduced in many parts of the world.

"Across the board we are seeing an uptick around production and pent up demand for the slate of iPhone 12 models (expecting four new models) set to be unveiled next week in this launch event," said Daniel Ives at Wedbush Securities.

Ives said he is expects strong demand for the new handsets with consumers looking to upgrade older models. "Importantly, with our estimation that 350 million of 950 million iPhones worldwide are currently in the window of an upgrade opportunity, we believe this will translate into an unprecedented upgrade cycle," he said in a note to clients.

[caption id="attachment_211001" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Apple, which has habitually unveiled new iPhones ahead of the holiday season, has said supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic have delayed its plans for product launches by several weeks. (Image: Josh Edelson/ AFP)[/caption]

The news comes after Google unveiled two new smartphones with 5G wireless capability under its Pixel brand, which showcases the Android mobile system but has limited market share. Google's Pixel handsets have won positive reviews for their powerful cameras and integrated artificial intelligence, but have failed to crack the top ranks of the smartphone market dominated by the likes of South Korea's Samsung, Apple and China's Huawei.

Total smartphone sales were down 16 percent in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC, whose survey showed Huawei leading the market ahead of Samsung, Apple and Chinese firms Xiaomi and Oppo.

The post Apple’s 5G iPhone Expected to Launch October 13 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The Peak reviews Samsung’s glass-iest clamshell foldable, S20s with space-age cameras, and its budding answer to the Airpods Pro.

The post Samsung Galaxy S20 series and Galaxy Z Flip: What’s hot and what’s not appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The Peak reviews Samsung’s glass-iest clamshell foldable, S20s with space-age cameras, and its budding answer to the Airpods Pro.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

The world in the palm of your hand.

The post Five major smartphone innovations in 2019 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The world in the palm of your hand.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.