Have phones got too expensive? How the new iPhone 12 Pro Max will set you back $2,369 thanks to super-fast 5G and a 12 megapixel camera - but it doesn’t come with headphones or a even charger

  • Apple has four new models of its iPhone 12 ranging in cost from $1,199 to $2,369
  • iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro max all be 5G-ready
  • But the devices will not have wall chargers and Lightning EarPods in their boxes
  • They instead have just a USB cable as Apple aims to reduce carbon emissions

Apple has announced its new range of extravagant iPhones costing up to $2,369 - but this series will have core components missing from the box. 

The tech giant is releasing four models of its latest iPhone 12 device to hit shelves in coming weeks, with prices starting at $1,199 for the iPhone 12 mini and ranging up to $2,369 for the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max. 

The smartphones are designed with rounded-square edges that look similar to the iPad Pro and boast 5G cellular connectivity - the biggest feature upgrade.

While traditionally included in the package, wall chargers and Lightning EarPods have been shed from iPhone 12 bundles as Apple claims it wants to be eco-friendly by reducing production and the size of packaging.

But the missing accessories and even the hefty cost is unlikely to deter the most committed iPhone buyers, who often queue overnight to get their hands on new models.

Apple has announced the release of its new iPhone 12 models, with prices starting at $1,199 for the iPhone 12 mini and ranging up to $2,369 for the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max. Pictured: The iPhone 12 models

Apple has announced the release of its new iPhone 12 models, with prices starting at $1,199 for the iPhone 12 mini and ranging up to $2,369 for the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max. Pictured: The iPhone 12 models

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in five aluminium finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and red

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in five aluminium finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and red

New survey findings from WhistleOut, Australia’s phone and internet comparison site, has revealed iPhone fans are willing to pay more for their handsets than other customers and the majority plan to buy the gadgets outright. 

Out of the 600 Australians questioned, more than 55 per cent are interested in buying an iPhone 12 and 69 per cent of those people intend to snatch one up in the next few weeks. 

The iPhone 12 boast 5G capabilities allowing for faster speeds and connectivity. Pictured: iPhone 12 mini (left) and iPhone 12 (right)

The iPhone 12 boast 5G capabilities allowing for faster speeds and connectivity. Pictured: iPhone 12 mini (left) and iPhone 12 (right)

But half of Australians say upwards of $1,000 is too much to pay for a new phone, but the figure drops to 35 per cent for those interested in buying an iPhone 12. 

For the pricey models, one-in-three people interested in buying an iPhone 12 are happy to pay up to $2,000 for a new handset.

The data also found 75 per cent of people are being more conservative with their money due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

WhistleOut spokesperson Kenny McGilvary said the findings indicate a trend towards Australians purchasing phones outright.  

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'We have seen a marked decrease in people looking to find phones on contract plans, which is how Australians have typically bought flagship devices,' he said.

'The survey results confirm the trend for Australians now preferring to buy handsets outright rather than on contracts, but price doesn’t appear to be such a strong factor for those Australians who want an iPhone 12.'

The addition of 5G capabilities to the iPhone is set to improve download and upload speeds, provide higher quality video streaming, more responsive gaming and high-definition FaceTime - along with other enhanced features. 

Telstra currently dominates 5G coverage, reaching 40 per cent of the population, followed by Optus which has the network available in all capital cities except Darwin and Hobart. 

Vodafone 5G roll outs began in March with plans to span 650 sites, with more towers set to be announced as construction progresses. 

The iPhone 12 also includes a ceramic shield that the firm says is 'tougher than any smartphone glass.' 

iPhone 12 has the traditional 6.1-inch screen but now includes a new Super Retina XDR OLED panels that produce brighter and more vivid colours, up to 1,200 units of brightness, and double the resolution than previous iPhone devices

iPhone 12 has the traditional 6.1-inch screen but now includes a new Super Retina XDR OLED panels that produce brighter and more vivid colours, up to 1,200 units of brightness, and double the resolution than previous iPhone devices

iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to iPhone. This charging method uses an array of magnets placed around the wireless charging coil that Apple says 'perfectly connects to iPhone every time'

iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to iPhone. This charging method uses an array of magnets placed around the wireless charging coil that Apple says 'perfectly connects to iPhone every time'

Apple also unveiled the high-end models - the iPhone 12 Pro (right) and iPhone Pro Max (left). The iPhone Pro Max has the most powerful camera in the lineup and costs $1,099 and the iPhone Pro has a price tag of $999

The iPhone Pro Max (left)  has the most powerful camera in the lineup and costs $1849- $2369 and the iPhone Pro (right) has a price tag ranging from $1699 to $2219

iPhone 12 Outright Prices Australia 

 iPhone 12 mini 

  • 64GB -  $1,199
  • 128GB- $1,279
  • 256GB- $1,449

iPhone 12 

  • 64GB- $1,349
  • 128GB- $1,429
  • 256GB- $1,599

iPhone 12 Pro 

  • 128GB- $1,699
  • 256GB -$1,869
  • 512GB- $2,219

iPhone 12 Pro Max 

  • 128GB- $1,849
  • 256GB- $2,019
  • 512GB- $2,369
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The new addition is 'virtually impervious to heat and electricity' and makes it more resistant if dropped. 

The tech giant also unleashed its fastest camera into the new lineup.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in five aluminium finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and red, while Pro models come in Silver, Gold, Graphite and 'Pacific Blue'. 

The dual-lens camera system boasts a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and wide lenses, along with a seven-element lens that improves low-light performance by 27 percent.

iPhone 12 has the traditional 6.1-inch screen but now includes a new Super Retina XDR OLED panels that produce brighter and more vivid colours, up to 1,200 units of brightness, and double the resolution than previous iPhone devices.

Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini feature an all-screen Super Retina XDR display that delivers a 2 million-to-1 contrast ratio for true blacks, as well as an immersive HDR viewing experience for high-definition video, photos with more detail, - the technology provides nearly twice the peak brightness of iPhone 11.

The makeover is 11 percent thinner than previous models, along with being 15 percent smaller and 16 percent lighter than the iPhone 11.

iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to iPhone.

This charging method uses an array of magnets placed around the wireless charging coil that Apple says 'perfectly connects to iPhone every time.'

The new charger means this will be the first year iOS users will not receive a new wall charger or Lightning EarPods when they open the box of the new smartphone.

Instead, the package will just include a USB-C to Lightning cable- which is compatible with wall chargers. 

The move is part of Apple's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, as it aims to have net zero climate impact for all of its operations.

The firm believes by eliminating both technologies, it can reduce the need for raw materials and reduce carbon emissions by more than two million metric tons each year moving forward.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will start at 11pm AEDT on 16th October ahead of a 23rd October release.  

Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are staggered back to 6th November, ahead of a 13th November release date.   

The dual-lens camera system boasts a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and wide lenses, along with a seven-element lens that improves low-light performance by 27 percent

The dual-lens camera system boasts a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and wide lenses, along with a seven-element lens that improves low-light performance by 27 percent