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Apple Announces iPhone 12 Series at “Hi, Speed” Event

October 16th, 2020

Apple Announces iPhone 12 Series at “Hi, Speed” Event
David Quinn

by David Quinn

VP of Strategy & Partnerships at Gummicube, Inc.

During Apple’s “Hi, Speed” event, the iPhone 12 series has been announced. The newly revealed iPhone devices include the iPhone 12, 12 Mini and 12 Pro. Unsurprisingly for an event titled “Hi, Speed,” these new devices boast improved operating and internet speed, due to the emphasis on 5G. Additionally, the new phones have improved image resolution and features that can impact App Store Optimization and app development.

iPhone 12 Series

After the iPhone 12 announcement was delayed, Apple’s “Time Flies” event introduced new Apple Watch and iPad devices, but no new iPhones. Instead, the announcement was postponed for a new event in October, where three new phones were revealed.

iPhone 12

The first new device is the iPhone 12, the latest model in the iPhone series. This new phone features a 6.1-inch display size, the same as iPhone 11. At the same time, the phone is thinner, smaller and lighter than the iPhone 11, thanks to its flat edged casing design.

The iPhone 12 also includes a Super Retina XDR display with 2532 x 1170 pixel resolution at 460 pixels per inch. This gives it significantly higher resolution than previous models.

Additionally, the iPhone 12 includes:

  • A14 Bionic chip with 40% more transistors than the A13 and 50% faster graphics
  • A new dual camera system using computational photography to improve photos with machine learning and Night Mode
  • 4K, 60 frames per second video recording
  • MagSafe for iPhone to magnetically attach accessories such as cases, wallets and chargers
  • Custom antenna and components built with 5G in mind
iPhone 12

iPhone 12 Mini

Along with the iPhone 12, Apple also revealed the iPhone 12 Mini. It’s common for Apple to release standard, mini, and pro versions of iPhone series, and this is no exception.

The iPhone 12 Mini includes all the same features and functionality as the iPhone 12. The difference here is its size, with a 5.4-inch display. This makes it the smallest 5G enabled smartphone on the market. The 12 Mini has 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution at 476 ppi.

iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max

Along with the Mini version of the iPhone 12, Apple also revealed the Pro models. The 12 Pro is another 6.1-inch device, boasting a Super Retina XDR display and 2532 x 1170 pixel resolution at 460 ppi.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger than the standard iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, at 6.7 inches. It also boasts the highest resolution yet at 1242 x 2688 pixels at 458 ppi.

The 12 Pro devices are built with a new Ceramic Shield for improved protection and include a number of camera and video enhancements.

These enhancements include:

  • Super Retina XDR displays
  • Three front-facing cameras, including an all-new wide camera with optical image stabilization
  • Apple ProRAW to create new deep image files which can be edited in the Camera app or third-party apps with a new API
  • HDR video recording that makes it the first camera to record in Dolby Vision HDR
  • LiDAR Scanner depth detection that uses light detection for precise depth, particularly for room scanning and augmented reality
12max

5G Enabled

The theme of the event was speed, and that was highlighted with the announcement that each new iPhone is built for 5G.

The event showcased how 5G networks can provide faster speeds, with double the peak download and upload speeds from current networks, and increased capacity to reduce congestion.

The low latency will make mobile gaming and video streaming quicker and easier, opening up new possibilities for app and mobile game development. Apple and Riot Games demonstrated this by showcasing League of Legends: Wild Rift, a mobile version of the popular desktop-based video game for the iPhone 12.

What This Means for ASO

Developers need to start preparing their apps and App Store listings for these new devices. While some apps will want to update for the new functionality, developers may want to update their screenshots based on the new screen sizes and resolutions.

While the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have the same screen size as the iPhone 11, the 12 Mini’s 5.4-inch display is smaller than most recent models. iPhone 12 Pro Max has the largest screen yet, with a 6.7-inch display. It is possible that Apple will eventually require higher resolution screenshots to be uploaded to App Store Connect, although there is nothing announced at this time.

Camera, video and augmented reality apps will also want to update for the iPhone 12 Pro. The improved camera functionality and depth detection can help improve the quality of these apps, such as by providing more in-depth AR and higher quality photos.

LiDAR can potentially provide significant improvements for apps that use features like augmented reality, photo/video effects or object and room scanning. Developers of these apps should be sure to update their apps accordingly and emphasize the improvements, which may include designing new creative assets.

The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max include some significant camera upgrades that photography app developers will want to explore. Developers will need to add the new API to make full use of Apple ProRAW photos.

Every new device presents new opportunities for app developers. Those that truly want to capitalize on them will need to use App Store Optimization to help their apps stand out against the competition.

Want to learn more about App Store Optimization? Contact Gummicube and we’ll help get your strategy started.

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