October 23, 2020
iPhone 12 released
Apple began selling the iPhoneApple's smartphone line — touch-first mobile computing and the App Store ecosystem since 2007. 12 on October 23, 2020 — 5G, flat-edge design, and MagSafeApple's magnetic wireless charging and accessory system — snap-on alignment for power and cases. accessories.
What it was for
5G connectivity changed how developers thought about mobile bandwidth; MagSafeApple's magnetic wireless charging and accessory system — snap-on alignment for power and cases. created a new accessory and charging APIApplication programming interface — a defined way for programs to talk to each other or to a service. ecosystem. The flat design returned to a form factor reminiscent of iPhoneApple's smartphone line — touch-first mobile computing and the App Store ecosystem since 2007. 4/5 industrial design.
Companies
- Apple
Why it's here
The iPhoneApple's smartphone line — touch-first mobile computing and the App Store ecosystem since 2007. 12 brought 5G and MagSafeApple's magnetic wireless charging and accessory system — snap-on alignment for power and cases. to the mainstream iPhoneApple's smartphone line — touch-first mobile computing and the App Store ecosystem since 2007. line.
Why it mattered
5G and magnetic accessory attachment opened new mobile hardware interaction patterns.
What it solved
iPhones lacked 5G radios; wireless charging alignment was finicky without magnets.
Media
- ImageIPhone 12
Rafael Fernandez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- iPhone goes on saleJune 29, 2007
- iPhone 11 releasedSeptember 20, 2019
- iPhone 13 releasedSeptember 24, 2021
- Android announcedNovember 5, 2007
- T-Mobile G1 releasedOctober 22, 2008
- Samsung Galaxy S releasedJune 4, 2010