This story is part of Apple event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple headquarters.
Apple sent out official invitations to its October 13 announcement eventto confirm Our educated guess when the iPhone 12 will be introduced. This event, like others during the coronavirus era, is virtual and you can watch the livestream from home from 10 a.m. PT.
During a virtual event on September 15thApple kept up to date on the new iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max (Apple hasn't confirmed the names of the phones, but we'll dive into those for now). Instead, the company launched two new wearables, the Apple Watch Series 6 and View SE, as well as a number of iPads.
While we usually see new flagship iPhones in September, that is Covid-19 outbreak has forced suppliers in China to shut down or operate with limited capacity. This not only affected Apple's inventory in Septemberbut it can affect Sale too. Apple also closed its US retail storesalthough now some have reopened on a limited scale. All of this culminated in Apple confirms there would be a delay on the iPhone 11 sequels.
Despite such disruptions and Apple's veil of secrecy, there are some things we do know about the iPhone 12. From what we've seen of iOS 14 (which is available for download now), we can expect the phone to have software features like widgets, app libraries and picture-in-picture. Unofficial hardware rumors include 3D depth sensing on its rear cameras and new screen sizes. Adding 5G connectivity would also make sense considering Apple's main opponent, Samsung, launched several 5G phones this year, including the recent Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra, as well as the flagship Galaxy S20 phones. The later timeline might have some unexpected positive consequences too, including giving carriers like Verizon more time to build out its 5G coverage.
Until any of that happens though, check back often as we will continue to update it with the most probable and compelling rumors. And if you're already planning to get the device, here are three things you can do now to prep for the iPhone 12.
Top iPhone 12 rumors
- Apple said the iPhone 12 will be available "a few weeks later" than the usual mid-September launch. Apple has since sent an invitation to its Oct. 13 event, where the iPhone 12 launch is expected.
- There may be four iPhone 12 models in four different screen sizes: the iPhone 12 Mini (5.4-inch) the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro (6.1-inch), 12 Pro Max (6.7-inch).
- The iPhone 12 base model may be cheaper than the iPhone 11's $699 starting price.
- iPhone 12 phones may have 5G.
- iPhone 12 may not come with earbuds or a power adapter.
- iPhone 12 may come in dark blue.
- iPhone 12's rear-facing camera(s) may have 3D depth-sensing technology.
Announcement date: Oct. 13
Back in August, in what appeared to be a misstep on Apple's part, a Twitter user posted a screenshot of a possible Apple livestream event scheduled for Sept. 10. The event date and time appeared on Apple's YouTube page and then was taken down.
The event actually ended up being held on Sept. 15, and it wasn't at all about the iPhone. Another mobile leaker and Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser reported that the iPhone 12 would be introduced during an Oct. 12 event and will ship out Oct. 19, for instance.
We now know Apple will host another virtual event on Oct. 13, where the iPhone 12 is expected to make its debut.
Release date: iPhone 12 may ship out in October
Despite Apple's largest manufacturer, Foxconn, assuring investors it should still make its fall timeline, The Wall Street Journal reported that the iPhone 12 could face delays. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic and its unprecedented effect on manufacturing and consumer demands. The report estimated that Apple may wait until October to announce or launch the phone, which is about a month after the iPhone's usual launch. As we moved into October, this estimate proved true.
Apple CFO Luca Maestri all but confirmed this on a quarterly earnings call, saying, "This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later" than last year's mid-September launch.
Others have suggested not a single launch date but several. A rumor floated by DigiTimes and picked up by MacRumors, suggested that Apple may launch its 2020 iPhones in multiple stages. The two 6.1-inch iPhone models may launch first, with the 6.7- and 5.4-inch variants coming later. (For more on the different speculated iPhone sizes, read more below.)
While we expect to see the iPhone 12 at Apple's Oct. 13 event, no release date has been confirmed thus far.
Price: iPhone 12 may be cheaper than iPhone 11
When the iPhone 11 debuted last year, we were pleasantly surprised that its base model cost $699, which was $50 cheaper than 2018's iPhone XR. This trend may continue, with one tech analyst reporting that Apple will price the iPhone 12 at $649, the iPhone 12 Pro at $999 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max at $1,099.
5G: iPhone 12 may have next-gen connectivity
Several rumors are predicting that Apple will include 5G connectivity this year. More specifically, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the company to unveil three 5G phones, and Fast Company reported that Apple may use its own proprietary 5G antennas.
There are a couple of reasons why the company didn't jump on the trend in 2019. First, Apple usually isn't the first in on mobile trends, preferring instead to perfect an emerging technology before committing to it. For example, it was behind its competitors in making phones with 3G and 4G LTE connectivity when those networks just launched.
Second, Apple stopped working with the leading 5G modem provider, Qualcomm, because of a dispute over Qualcomm's licensing fees. The two companies settled their litigation in April 2019, and then agreed to a multiyear 5G chip deal. This led to Apple's previous partner of 5G modems, Intel, to ultimately exit the 5G phone modem business altogether and Apple later acquired Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion. Apple is still working with Qualcomm, but it got started too late to launch a 5G phone last year when a few of its rivals released their 5G models, like the Galaxy S10 5G, LG V50 5G and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G.
Whatever its start date though, Apple releasing a 5G phone is notable not only because the phone will be able to connect to the next-gen network, but also because this standout feature won't be entirely under Apple's control. 5G networks are built by carriers, and Apple is taking a risk because users all across the country will have different experiences on this nascent network depending on their coverage.
From Samsung to Motorola: 5G phones you can get right now
Design: iPhone 12 may be similar (or not) to iPhone 11
Every other year, Apple usually makes notable cosmetic changes to its iPhone to freshen up its look, much to the delight of anticipating buyers. But a report by Japanese publication Mac Otakara, citing an unnamed Chinese supplier, reported that the iPhone 12 will look similar to the iPhone 11. The only possible difference is that the iPhone 12's edges will be slightly bowed.
On the other hand, Apple is also speculated to completely revamp the iPhone's design with flat edges (similar to the new iPads). This could trigger what Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called "the perfect storm of demand," which would drive up sales and result in a "super cycle" for Apple.
Accessories: iPhone 12 may not come with EarPods or power adapter
In one of the more unpopular rumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on it Apple may not have included its wired EarPod headphones in the iPhone 12 box. This would be a move to encourage people to buy the company's wireless network AirPods instead. Apple has had EarPod headphones since then iPhone 5 release in 2012So this would be a remarkable change. AirPod and AirPod Pro Earphones are currently priced at $ 159 (£ 159, AU $ 249) and $ 249 (£ 249, AU $ 399), respectively.
Ming-Chi Kuo expects the The iPhone 12 is delivered without a power supply unit even after 9to5Mac. The reason is mainly in the cost. If Apple foregoes that, it can keep costs down while the phone charges with 5G components. This would also help reduce freight costs as the size of the packaging would shrink.
Apple would not be alone with the change. Samsung Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra Don't come with headphones either - If you really need a pair, Samsung will send these for free. But contrary to the rumor about the power supply, the Note is on the phone still come with a charger in the box.
Processor: iPhone 12 will likely have A14 Bionic
Given that the latest iPhones have the A13 Bionic processor, it is very likely that the next proprietary chipset will be called the A14 Bionic. And like every year, we expect this to be faster and more efficient than its predecessor. More precisely, an Apple leaker on Twitter, Komiya, reported that the A14 will have a CPU gain of 40% and a GPU gain of 50%.
Colors: The iPhone 12 Pro may be available in dark blue
Last year Apple introduced a midnight green color for the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. If You like the shadow or you don't, the color variant actually Sold well compared to expectations. There may be a chance this year that Apple will bring another new color to market. Navy blue, on the iPhone 12 Pro according to XDA Developer. This would be in trend as blue is both Pantone's New Year's color pick ("classic blue") and Shutterstock has added "phantom blue" to its 2020 color forecast.
Technical data and display: Four possible iPhone 12 models
One of the more persistent rumors about the upcoming iPhones is that Apple may introduce new screen sizes. One of the models should be loud according to the iPhone 12 Mini a leak on September 24th, could have a 5.4 inch screen (from the current iPhones that are iPhone SE has the smallest display measuring 4.7 inches). And the iPhone 12 Pro Max could get up to 6.7 inches (for reference, the iPhone 11 Pro max has a 6.5 inch display).
There is also speculation that the iPhone 12 will appear will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz and maybe that The iPhone 12 Pro may have a ProMotion displaythat is currently being presented at the iPad Pro. Most phones update at 60 frames per second or 60 Hz, other phones like the Galaxy S20 and that OnePlus 8 Pro Refresh at 120 Hz. With a higher refresh rate, a phone feels faster and smoother when scrolling through websites and apps.
With the possibility of new display sizes, rumors have spread that Apple will expand its iPhone line. In December 2019, CNET's Lexy Savvides wrote:
According to JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee, Apple will be releasing four new iPhone 12 models in the fall of 2020: a 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch phones, and one 6.7-inch phone. All of them have OLED displays.
Those size predictions were also supported this week by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who believes the iPhone 11 Pro's current 5.8-inch size may drop. The 5.4-inch and one of the 6.1-inch models are therefore the devices in the lower price range, which will probably be referred to as the iPhone 12. The more expensive phones then are the other 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, respectively.
Continue reading: The Best Ways to Sell or Trade Your Old iPhone in 2020
Camera: The iPhone 12 may have 3D depth detection
Since the iPhone X, newer iPhones have had front-facing cameras with 3D depth detection. Known as face recognitionThis feature scans your face to unlock your phone and authorize digital payments. It was rumored that Apple could take it a step up and introduce the same system into the rear cameras. In August 2019, CNET's Vanessa Orellana wrote:
Longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors and 9to5Mac) expects two of the 2020 iPhones models to have a new lens for the time-of-flight camera on the back of the phone. The setup is similar to that of the current True Depth camera system used for face recognition on the front of the phone, except that it uses a slightly different technology that allows objects to be mapped in 3D from a greater distance. This would vastly improve augmented reality applications and take certain camera features like portrait mode to the next level.
Renderings of the iPhone camera array with built-in depth detection lens were circulated lots on-line Commentators Note how the possible camera layout of the iPhone 12 resembles a hob.
It's unclear how many of the new iPhones would be equipped with this feature, if any.
Big changes for iPhone 2020