iPhone 12 launch day: Apple’s big event is finally here

This story is part of Apple Event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple headquarters.

Apple set Oct. 13 as the date for its latest iPhone’s debut, and the day has finally arrived. The new device, rumored to be called the iPhone 12, is expected to include superfast 5G wireless connectivity and a new, iPad-inspired design. Apple’s event starts at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST). 

There’s no official word yet on price or release date, but here’s what the latest rumors say. Like Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and the Apple Watch and iPad launch event, the iPhone event will take place entirely online. 

Apple will livestream the event on its website. Here’s how to watch. CNET is also hosting a live watch party, starting at 9:30 a.m. PT. We’d love to have you join us.

Read more: iPhone 12 is almost here, which means now is the worst time to buy a new iPhone

Apple’s fall product launch this year is expected to touch off a wave of upgrade purchases, analysts say, with fans eyeing the iPhone’s rumored new 5G capabilities and boxier look, similar to that of the iPad Pro. A “staggering” 53% of respondents plan to buy this year’s iPhone, according to a survey by electronics reseller Decluttr. Flashier rivals — such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2, with its foldable display, or Microsoft’s Surface Duo, with two screens sandwiched together — offer new spins on the standard metal-and-glass smartphone construction. But most consumers will likely gravitate toward what they know.

And even if the new iPhone only offers a few new bells and whistles beyond a different exterior design and a possible new blue color option, it’ll draw the lion’s share of attention. Still, here’s what else Apple could announce.

Apple’s invitation, which often offers clues, has an Apple logo inside circles with hues of blue, orange and red. And there’s a pun: “Hi, Speed.” 

This didn’t stop people from speculating about what other mysteries could be hidden in the invite’s meaning. Apple’s also expected to announce new over-ear headphones (AirPods Studio?) during the event, driving some people to ponder whether the circles have to do with audio sounds. (Apple has removed competing headphones from its store ahead of the event.)

There are also increasing signs that Apple will show off a new HomePod Mini, offering a cheaper take on its $299 smart speaker to more directly compete with Amazon and Google’s Nest.

Yes, you can read into Apple event slogans and taglines. “Speed” is very likely referring to new iPhones.

As for Apple event invite imagery hinting at specific products, that is more up for debate.

My initial reaction with this new invite was some audio-related news. pic.twitter.com/2JIF6gFP4V

— Neil Cybart (@neilcybart) October 6, 2020

Apple also included an augmented reality trick on its website, as it did for last month’s event, with circles on the invite turning into floating orbs that reveal the Oct. 13 date.

The new iPhone or iPhones will replace the $799 iPhone 11, the $999 iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, which started at $1,099 when it launched in 2019. 

The prices are expected to largely remain the same, but Apple is expected to upgrade the features, including better cameras, faster chips and the company’s newest software, iOS 14. There are also rumors that Apple may offer an iPhone 12 Mini, possibly as a reaction to some people complaining smartphones are becoming less pocket-friendly. What the iPhone 12 probably won’t include is a Touch ID button, like the new iPad Air.

When Apple jumps into the 5G market, it’s expected to immediately become a huge player. This year, Apple likely will ship 50 million 5G iPhones, according to Strategy Analytics, which would make it the second biggest 5G vendor in 2020 — and that would be in less than three months of sales. By comparison, Samsung shipped more than 6.7 million Galaxy 5G smartphones last year, after its first 5G phones hit the market in May 2019.

Strategy Analytics expects Apple to become the world’s biggest 5G phone vendor next year.

A different iPhone launch

Apple hosting its event over the internet isn’t the only thing that sets its iPhone announcement apart from those of previous years. The device is also arriving later in the year than it typically does, with analysts expecting either a late October or early November release for Apple’s newest handsets. That’s about a month later than typical iPhone launches, something Apple warned about in July when it acknowledged the new smartphones would arrive “a few weeks” later than normal due to supply issues related to the pandemic.

Apple’s announcements will also overlap with Amazon’s rescheduled Prime Day shopping event, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Typically, Prime Day takes place in July, but this year it was pushed back due to the pandemic.

Apple still held its annual September event, though, using it to announce new iPads, a new Apple Watch and its new Apple One subscription service. The service combines its $5-a-month Apple TV Plus, $10-a-month Apple Music, $10-a-month Apple News Plus and $5-a-month Apple Arcade gaming efforts.

Aside from its new iPhones, Tuesday’s event may be the first time the company shows off its newest computer, powered by chips the company calls Apple Silicon.

Apple hasn’t shared many details about its newest chips, which will replace the Intel processors Apple’s relied on for 14 years with processors similar to the ones powering its iPhones, iPads and Apple TVs. Apple said it’ll continue to sell Intel-powered computers for now, but the company said the performance improvements, battery life and easier connections with the iPhone and iPad are driving the change.

“Hardware and software is fundamental to everything we do,” Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said when announcing the effort this summer. “It will take Mac to the next level.”

Still, people will likely be most interested in the iPhone, and with good reason. Analysts have been increasingly saying they expect this year’s upgrade, with its new design and 5G wireless technology, will lead to much higher demand.

“Taking a step back we believe iPhone 12 represents the most significant product cycle for Cook & Co. since iPhone 6 in 2014 and will be another defining chapter in the Apple growth story looking ahead despite a softer consumer spending environment,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives wrote in a note to investors shortly after Apple’s announcement went out. Ives said he expects the iPhone 12’s launch to be a “once in a decade” event, with or without the coronavirus.