iPhone 12 launch day: Apple's big event was quite a whirlwind

Like Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference and the Apple Watch and iPad launch event earlier this year, the iPhone event took place entirely online, livestreamed on Apple's website. CNET also hosted a live watch party.

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 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 new blue color option, it'll draw the lion's share of attention.

Apple's invitation, which often offers clues, had 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 was also expected to announce new over-ear headphones during the event, driving some people to ponder whether the circles have to do with audio sounds. (Apple had removed competing headphones from its store ahead of the event.) Alas, the AirPods Studio were not unveiled.

There were 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.

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 were 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. Apple confirmed rumors of an iPhone 12 Mini, possibly as a reaction to some people complaining smartphones are becoming less pocket-friendly.

Come From"CNET"