iPhone 12 gets first hands on — see it in action now

iPhone 12 Apple Event
(Image credit: Apple)

The iPhone 12 has just made its first hands-on appearance on TV, and Apple's newest range of phones looks more handsome than ever.

We have Good Morning America to thank for this, specifically ABC technology and consumer contributor Becky Worley, who had two iPhone 12 handsets in the studio to show off: the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro.

iPhone 12 design and colors

iPhone 12

(Image credit: ABC)

The video makes it easy to see how Apple's new flat-sided design looks. It's similar to the classic iPhone 4, except the color of the back is now reflected in the metal side rails, giving the phone a more consistent look around all its sides.

The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models showed off by Worley are in two different blues: a plain 'Blue' for the iPhone 12 and and a 'Pacific Blue' for the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

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In addition to blue, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini come in Black, White, Red and Green. The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max come in Silver, Graphite and Gold in addition to Pacific Blue.

There are other design changes briefly mentioned in the GMA segment, such as the Ceramic Shield display that promises four times more drop protection than other smartphone glass.

iPhone 12 MagSafe and wallet

iPhone 12

(Image credit: ABC)

Worley also shows off one of Apple's new MagSafe wallets, a line of accessories and a 15W wireless charger that neatly attaches to the back of the new iPhones via magnets. The magnets are there to help align and secure the accessories, as well as provide a more convenient fastening method than before.

Why no iPhone 12 charger in the box?

GMA also played a short interview clip between Worley and Kaiann Drance, Apple's VP of iPhone marketing, discussing the controversial decision to not include chargers or EarPods in the iPhone 12 box.

Defending the decision, Drance said that Apple still believed the phones were a good value without the included accessories, plus people already own these and don't require more. This latter point also feeds into Apple's environmental goals to avoid creating unnecessary waste.

You'll still get a USB-C to Lightning cable included in your iPhone 12 box. But if you don't have an existing charger with a USB-C port, such as the one included with the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, you'll need to buy a new charger. A 20W USB-C charger costs $19, and the MagSafe charger costs $39.

iPhone 12 cameras

We can also look forward to 5G within the new A14 Bionic chipset, and camera software and hardware changes which introduce a more effective 7-part lens for the main camera and new Night Mode timelapse, selfie and portrait modes. The iPhone 12 Pro models get a particularity sophisticated triple rear camera array complete with a LiDAR sensor that improves autofocus.

iPhone 12 Outlook

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both go on sale on October 23, while the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max appear later on November 13. Pre-order dates for these phones are October 16 and November 6 respectively, if you're keen to be one of the first owners of Apple's latest handset. Check out the best iPhone 12 pre-order deals to get the best deal. 

Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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