Technology - Google News

Make iPhone 13 preorders a one-step process on Friday by following these steps - The Verge

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 05:25 AM PDT

If you're planning on preordering one of Apple's new iPhone 13 models at 8AM ET on Friday, September 17th, you might be interested to know that Apple says customers can pre-register their details to make the checkout process a little easier. Now, before you say anything, I completely agree that the idea of pre-registering for a preorder sounds ridiculous. But if you're someone who wants to complete the preorder as quickly as possible to guarantee an early ship date during a time of global component shortages, it's a useful trick to know. Just be aware that this process is only available until midnight on Thursday, Eastern Time.

This isn't the first time Apple has offered pre-registration. But previously this route appears to have been reserved for customers on the iPhone Upgrade Program, MacRumors reports, a 24-month payment plan that includes AppleCare Plus and offers a phone upgrade each year. But now anyone can enter their details early to buy a phone with far less hassle on launch day.

To pre-register, head over to the Apple Store app or Apple's website to get started. Anyone on the upgrade plan will have their upgrade eligibility checked and credit lines approved. Other customers can pick out their preferred iPhone model, register their carrier status, enter payment details, and pick out accessories and / or an AppleCare Plus plan. Just be aware that some users are reporting seeing a "Your iPhone pre-order has expired" error message, which MacRumors notes appears to be a glitch.

Update September 16th, 9:35AM ET: Added link to Apple's press release.

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Cellular iPad Mini Doesn’t Feature mmWave 5G Support, Unlike iPad Pro - MacRumors

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 01:12 AM PDT

Apple this week debuted the sixth-generation iPad mini, cellular models of which can connect to 5G for the first time. However, it's worth noting that cellular connectivity on the new ‌iPad mini‌ does not extend to support for faster mmWave 5G.

ipad mini 6 roundup header
Apple doesn't maintain a cellular compatibility page for iPad models like it does for its iPhones, so the lack of mmWave 5G support on the ‌iPad mini‌ could surprise some Apple customers. Currently, Apple's mmWave 5G support is limited to the iPhone 13 lineup, iPhone 12 lineup, and the cellular variants of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

On the plus side, like the new ‌iPhone 13‌ models, the ‌iPad mini‌ does support more 5G bands overall than ‌iPhone 12‌ and cellular ‌iPad Pro‌ models, according to Apple, so the ‌iPad mini‌ does have greater 5G coverage around the world than the ‌iPhone 12‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌.

Despite rumors suggesting ‌iPhone 13‌ models would support mmWave 5G in additional countries, support for mmWave remains limited to iPhone and ‌iPad‌ models sold in the United States, so its absence in the new cellular ‌iPad mini‌ is only likely to concern customers who are based there.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. All four ‌iPhone 13‌ models support sub-6GHz outside of the United States, and sub-6GHz networks are more common in countries that have rolled out 5G.

Starting at $499 for the 64GB Wi-Fi-only model, the redesigned sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ is available to pre-order now on Apple's online store. Cellular models are available for $150 more over the base price of each configuration. ‌iPad mini‌ shipping begins Friday, September 24.

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