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Apple’s iPhone gets its features from a combination of hardware and its software operating system (called iOS, which is short for iPhone operating system). The most current version of the operating system is iOS 14. It’s helpful to understand which new features the latest models and iOS 14 bring to the table (all of which are covered in more detail in this book).

Apple’s latest additions to the iPhone family are the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. Like their predecessors, they are highly advanced smartphones that leave competitors in the dust. Here are some of the key features of the latest iPhone models:

 An A14 Bionic chip: Each of the four new iPhone models includes the new A14 chip. The truly innovative tech in these models demands a processor that can handle some heavy lifting while still being able to answer calls and retrieve email.

 5G: The latest iPhones are the first to support 5G. 5G is the latest — and by far, the fastest — cellular wireless technology. 5G promises to expand the connectivity of not just our smartphones, but just about any device that supports the technology, including computers, cars, smart home devices, and so much more. 5G has the potential to change global communication, providing ridiculously fast and reliable connectivity.

 Splash, water, and dust resistance: Your new iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max is resistant to damage caused by water splashing onto it or from dust collecting within it. You might consider acquiring AppleCare+, which is Apple’s extended warranty, currently priced at $149 for iPhone 12 and 12 mini, or $199 for iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. AppleCare+ does cover up to two incidents of accidental damage, which could more than cover the cost of repairing your iPhone without it. You can also get AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage for $50 more for iPhone 12 and 12 mini, and $70 more for 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.Now, you don’t want to take your iPhone 12 model deep-sea diving, but it’s likely to survive submersion in about six meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Mind you, these numbers have been tested in labs and aren't based on real-world conditions. In other words, if your iPhone 12 model gets wet, it’s much more likely to survive the ordeal than older iPhone iterations, but it still isn't something you’d like to see happen to your expensive investment.

 MagSafe charging: iPhone 12 models include MagSafe charging, which uses Apple’s MagSafe technology to charge your iPhone with a magnetic connector that snaps onto the back of the device. Apple also has a series of accessories, such as cases and wallets, that are MagSafe compatible, meaning you can charge your iPhone even if has those accessories attached.

 Ceramic Shield: The toughness and durability of Apple’s screens just keeps getting better. Ceramic Shield was developed by Apple and Corning, and according to them, it’s the toughest screen ever for a smartphone, making it four times more likely than other smartphones to survive a drop unscathed.

Don’t think your iPhone is unbreakable. Cases are still a good — no, make that a great — idea. As a matter of fact, Apple has a line of cases that not only protect your iPhone but also allow for wireless Qi or MagSafe charging.

Any iPhone model from the iPhone SE (1st generation) forward can use most features of iOS 14 if you update the operating system (discussed in detail in Chapter 3); this book is based on version 14 of iOS. This update to the operating system adds many features, including (but definitely not limited to) the following:

 Home screen enhancements: Your Home screens are where all your apps are organized. iOS 14 introduces features such as App Library, the ability to hide entire Home screen pages, and enhanced widgets.

 Siri improvements: Siri just keeps getting better. Siri can now speak in more languages and voices, send audio messages, and includes 20 times more facts than in previous iterations. Siri also has a more compact presence on your screen, so the entire screen isn’t taken up when using the feature.

 Widgets: With iOS 14, you can now place widgets on your Home screen. Widgets are snippets of information, such as weather and calendar appointments, that are provided at a glance so that you don’t have to open individual apps. Widgets were once only available on the Today screen, but now you can place them anywhere you like, and you can also customize their size and appearance.

 App Library: The App Library affords you a new way to organize and access your apps, alongside the traditional way of doing so with your Home screen(s). Apps are automatically organized in the App Library according to category.

 Compact Calls and Picture-In-Picture (PIP): In the “old-timey” days before iOS 14, phone calls and FaceTime calls would take up your entire screen. Now those calls only take up a small portion of your screen (if you like), allowing you to multitask while talking.

 Translate: iOS 14 introduces the new Translate app. Translate allows you to carry on a conversation in 11 different languages. It also offers a mode that allows you and another person to speak to one another in your native languages while Translate instantly displays the translation for each of you. It’s almost like something out of Star Trek.

Don’t need or use all the built-in apps? You can remove them from your Home screen. When you remove a built-in app from your Home screen, you aren't deleting it — you’re hiding it. This is due to security reasons that are beyond the scope of this book. However, the built-in apps take up very little of your iPhone’s storage space, and they can easily be added back to your Home screen by searching for them in the App Store and tapping the Get button.

These are but a very few of the improvements made to the latest version of iOS. I suggest visiting www.apple.com/ios/ios-14 to find out more.