Apple Announces First 5G Smartphone, iPhone 12
2020-10-15
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1Apple has announced its first smartphones built to work with 5G, the world's fastest ever wireless technology.
2While the new phones may have been long awaited by Apple fans, many users will not experience the reality of 5G anytime soon.
3This is because 5G networks are still being built in many parts of the world, including wide areas of the United States.
4At a virtual release event on Tuesday, the company announced four versions of its latest device, the iPhone 12.
5The base model has the same display size as the iPhone 11 - 15.5 centimeters - but the new iPhone 12 is lighter and thinner. It sells for $800.
6A much smaller version, called iPhone 12 Mini, has a 13.7 cm display. It is priced at $700.
7The company describes the Mini as "the world's smallest, thinnest, lightest 5G phone."
8The other two devices - the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max - are aimed at users seeking Apple's highest end smartphones.
9The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest of the new devices, with a 17 cm display.
10The Pro version comes with a 15.5 cm display.
11The iPhone 12 Pro sells for $1,000, while the Pro Max costs an additional $100.
12Apple says the Pro and Pro Max versions offer a more powerful three-camera system and improved photo processing tools to produce higher quality pictures and video.
13The two devices also come equipped with a new three-dimensional, or 3D "LiDAR" sensor system.
14LiDAR is a technology that uses light lasers to scan areas and measure distances.
15Apple said users will be able to use the tool to create "depth maps" of whatever space they are in.
16LiDAR can also improve camera operations in low light situations and at night.
17Pre-orders will begin October 16 for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro in the United States, Britain, China and some other countries.
18The iPhone Mini and Pro Max will be available for pre-order on November 6 and will arrive in stores November 13.
19The company said all its iPhone 12 models in the United States will support "millimeter wave" 5G, the fastest version of the technology, as well as mid and low band signals.
20Some competing Android devices support only the lower band versions of 5G.
21Apple brought in the head of U.S. wireless carrier Verizon, Hans Vestberg, to explain the strength of 5G on its network.
225G promises much faster speeds for things like downloading movies and gaming on mobile devices.
235G is also expected to prevent internet slowdowns in high use areas.
24But connecting at such speeds currently can be rare.
25While major telecom operators have launched 5G networks, major speed improvements are still uncommon in much of the world.
26Some parts of Asia - notably China and South Korea - have established 5G networks that offer users major speed improvements.
27Bob O'Donnell is head of TECHnalysis Research, a technology market research company.
28He told the Reuters news agency he thinks Apple may be setting users up for disappointment by drawing too much attention to the benefits of 5G.
29Many users receiving their new 5G iPhones will only be able to experience small speed increases until wireless carriers fully build out their network systems, O'Donnell said.
30"I don't feel like Apple clarified that as much as they could have."
31Still, many industry experts expect the new 5G devices to sell well since Apple has one of the world's most loyal and wealthy user bases.
32The iPhone remains at the center of Apple's business.
33Competitors making Android devices - such as South Korea's Samsung and China's Huawei - began launching their 5G smartphones more than a year ago.
34During its launch event, Apple also announced it was shrinking the size and price of its HomePod smart speaker.
35The new HomePod Mini - which is based on Apple's Siri assistant technology - will cost $100 and start shipping on November 16.
36The smart speaker launch is seen as a move by Apple to catch up to Amazon and Google in the market for internet-connected home devices.
37Apple still holds only a small share of the market.
38Experts say a big reason for Apple's low sales of its smart speaker is that its main HomePod device costs $300, while competing products from Amazon and Google cost as little as $50.
39I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Apple has announced its first smartphones built to work with 5G, the world's fastest ever wireless technology. 2While the new phones may have been long awaited by Apple fans, many users will not experience the reality of 5G anytime soon. This is because 5G networks are still being built in many parts of the world, including wide areas of the United States. 3Four new models 4At a virtual release event on Tuesday, the company announced four versions of its latest device, the iPhone 12. The base model has the same display size as the iPhone 11 - 15.5 centimeters - but the new iPhone 12 is lighter and thinner. It sells for $800. 5A much smaller version, called iPhone 12 Mini, has a 13.7 cm display. It is priced at $700. The company describes the Mini as "the world's smallest, thinnest, lightest 5G phone." 6The other two devices - the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max - are aimed at users seeking Apple's highest end smartphones. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest of the new devices, with a 17 cm display. The Pro version comes with a 15.5 cm display. The iPhone 12 Pro sells for $1,000, while the Pro Max costs an additional $100. 7Apple says the Pro and Pro Max versions offer a more powerful three-camera system and improved photo processing tools to produce higher quality pictures and video. 8The two devices also come equipped with a new three-dimensional, or 3D "LiDAR" sensor system. LiDAR is a technology that uses light lasers to scan areas and measure distances. Apple said users will be able to use the tool to create "depth maps" of whatever space they are in. LiDAR can also improve camera operations in low light situations and at night. 9Pre-orders will begin October 16 for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro in the United States, Britain, China and some other countries. The iPhone Mini and Pro Max will be available for pre-order on November 6 and will arrive in stores November 13. 105G technology 11The company said all its iPhone 12 models in the United States will support "millimeter wave" 5G, the fastest version of the technology, as well as mid and low band signals. Some competing Android devices support only the lower band versions of 5G. 12Apple brought in the head of U.S. wireless carrier Verizon, Hans Vestberg, to explain the strength of 5G on its network. 5G promises much faster speeds for things like downloading movies and gaming on mobile devices. 5G is also expected to prevent internet slowdowns in high use areas. 13But connecting at such speeds currently can be rare. While major telecom operators have launched 5G networks, major speed improvements are still uncommon in much of the world. Some parts of Asia - notably China and South Korea - have established 5G networks that offer users major speed improvements. 14Bob O'Donnell is head of TECHnalysis Research, a technology market research company. He told the Reuters news agency he thinks Apple may be setting users up for disappointment by drawing too much attention to the benefits of 5G. 15Many users receiving their new 5G iPhones will only be able to experience small speed increases until wireless carriers fully build out their network systems, O'Donnell said. "I don't feel like Apple clarified that as much as they could have." 16Still, many industry experts expect the new 5G devices to sell well since Apple has one of the world's most loyal and wealthy user bases. The iPhone remains at the center of Apple's business. 17Competitors making Android devices - such as South Korea's Samsung and China's Huawei - began launching their 5G smartphones more than a year ago. 18HomePod 19During its launch event, Apple also announced it was shrinking the size and price of its HomePod smart speaker. The new HomePod Mini - which is based on Apple's Siri assistant technology - will cost $100 and start shipping on November 16. 20The smart speaker launch is seen as a move by Apple to catch up to Amazon and Google in the market for internet-connected home devices. Apple still holds only a small share of the market. 21Experts say a big reason for Apple's low sales of its smart speaker is that its main HomePod device costs $300, while competing products from Amazon and Google cost as little as $50. 22I'm Bryan Lynn. 23Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Apple. Hai Do was the editor. 24We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 25________________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27virtual - adj. using computer and internet technology to conduct activities normally carried out in person 28display - n. a computer or device screen that shows electronic information 29three-dimensional - adj. appearing to have length, depth and width 30scan - v. the act of scanning, or looking at all or part of something 31disappointment - n. feeling unhappy about something that did not turn out as good as expected 32benefit - n. a good or helpful result or effect 33clarify - v. make something easier to understand by explaining it