iPhone 12: Leaks Rumors and Updates | Let’s Talk
Okay, lets us talk about iPhone 12. When there was a time like 10–12 months ago when the rumors of the iPhone 12 started to come out. There were all these like wish lists, features, and predictions of what will be coming in the iPhone 12. There was really cool stuff like 120 Hz screens, smaller notches, new designs and shapes, and new sizes, but there was one feature that I was the most hopeful for. It was the feature that I thought would change that fundamentally how I viewed iPhones. There was a rumor that the iPhone 12 would be using USB C, the universal charging, and people rejoiced everywhere. iPhone users and Android users, both were excited and more the unreleased iPhone 12 was excited but, but, but, what I think is the rumors were false. It doesn’t look like we are getting USB Type C charging on the iPhone 12. It looks like we are stuck with the lightning ports again. Alright, let us talk about iPhone 12 leaks and updates, rumors.
Highlights:
- Apple could release a cheaper, 4G-only version of its expected iPhone 12 in early 2021, according to a new report from Wedbush securities.
- Apple is expected to release several new iPhone models in the fall that will support 5G connectivity
- Four iPhones coming this time, with new physical design
- Screen sizes will be 5.4”, 6.7” and 6.1”
- A14 Bionic Chip with Triple-lens 3D camera
- Starting price will be $649
iPhone 12 Lineup:
We are a few months away from the launch of 2020 iPhones, which are expected in September or October 2020. We are expecting that 2020 iPhones will be called as iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. and sizes will be 5.4”, 6.1”x2, and 6.7” respectively. Rumors suggest the 6.7-inch iPhone and one 6.1-inch model will be higher-end devices with triple-lens cameras, while the 5.4 and 6.1-inch models will be lower-end iPhones with dual-lens cameras and a more affordable price tag.
Design Leaks:
The 2020 iPhones will feature an overhauled design with a metal frame that’s similar to the frame of the iPhone 4. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the new iPhones will use a more complex segmentation design, and new trenching and injection molding procedures.
Along with the iPad Pro-style design and size tweaks, leaked schematics that allegedly reveal Apple’s plans for the device also show several other minor design tweaks worth noting, as listed below:
- Slightly larger camera lenses
- Thicker antenna lines at the side for 5G
- SIM tray relocated to the left side of the device
- Smart Connector-like input on the right (which may actually be an antenna)
- One less speaker hole on right side of the speaker grille
- Slightly lower power button
Colors:
One rumor suggests that at least one of the iPhone 12 models could come with a new navy blue finish. Apple introduced a new midnight green color with the iPhone 11 Pro lineup, so it’s not unreasonable to think there could be a new blue color in the works as well.
Schematic & Mockups:
Leaked images said to depict the iPhone 12 picture a notch that is approximately 1/3 smaller than the current notch, which is in line with rumors that have suggested the notch in the 2020 iPhones could be smaller.
There’s no clear word on where these images came from, nor if they’re accurate, but it appears they could be from some kind of support documentation. The rear camera array is also pictured with a triple-lens camera and 3D sensor, as has been rumored.
A rendering of the iPhone 12 Pro Max said to be based on leaked CAD designs was shared in April, and it lines up with many of the rumors that we’ve heard about the device so far. The new iPhone appears to take design cues from the iPad Pro, with a square-edged stainless steel frame between two pieces of glass and a larger 6.7-inch OLED display.
The render suggests the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be 7.4mm thick, quite a bit thinner than the 8.1mm thick iPhone 11 Pro Max. The camera bump is expected to be thicker, measuring in at 1.26mm, up from 1.21mm. The notch in the rendering is the same size as the existing notch, which is not in line with rumors about a smaller notch.
It’s not clear if these renderings are entirely accurate, but given that they match well with the current rumors that we’ve heard about the upcoming iPhones, this could indeed be what the 2020 iPhones will look like.
Alleged iPhone 12 schematics that surfaced in April have suggested Apple will implement a smaller notch by integrating the front speaker for the device into the bezel. The updated hardware layout also features the ambient light and proximity sensors moved to a more central position within the TrueDepth camera system.
3D printed iPhone 12 mockups based on leaked schematics and info from Apple’s supply chain surfaced in June, providing a size comparison.
These mockups may not be entirely accurate as the camera setups depicted don’t feature the LiDAR 3D sensor that some of the iPhones are expected to include.
They do depict a relocated SIM tray, which rumors have suggested will be moved to the left side under the volume buttons in order to make room for the 5G antenna module. on the right side.
Images on Weibo said to be from the iPhone 12 depicts a circular array of magnets in the body of the device. There are 36 individual magnets, which could be related to charging or mounting. There is speculation that it could be for alignment purposes should Apple release its own wireless charger at some point.
Leaker: macotakara.jp
Display:
Display details expected for each iPhone have leaked, with details below:
- 5.4-inch iPhone 12 — OLED display from Samsung Display with Y-OCTA integrated touch. 2340 x 1080 resolution with 475 PPI.
- 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max — OLED display from BOE/LG Display with a 2532 x 1170 resolution and 460 PPI.
- 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro — OLED display from Samsung, possibly with XDR. ProMotion possible, but not guaranteed based on power requirements and lack of LTPO. 2532 x 1170 resolution and 460 PPI.
- 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max — OLED display from Samsung with Y-OCTA support and possibly with XDR. ProMotion possible, but not guaranteed based on power requirements and lack of LTPO. 2778 x 1284 resolution at 458 PPI.
A14 Chip:
Rumors suggest TSMC will manufacture the 5-nanometer chips Apple will use in its 2020 iPhone lineup. The 5-nanometer process will produce chips that are smaller, faster, and more battery efficient due to improved thermal management.
TSMC is on track to begin volume production of its 5-nanometer A14 chips designed for the iPhone starting in April.
The A14 chip will focus on speeding up artificial intelligence and AR tasks, according to Bloomberg.
RAM:
Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis believes the iPhone 12 Pro models will feature 6GB RAM, while the iPhone 12 will have 4GB RAM, which has also been echoed by leaker L0vetodream.
UBS analysts also believe the four iPhones in development will feature varying amounts of RAM. They’re expecting a 6.7-inch iPhone with 6GB RAM, a 6.1-inch iPhone with 6GB RAM, a 6.1-inch iPhone with 4GB RAM, and a 5.4-inch iPhone with 4GB RAM.
5G Connectivity:
In 2020, Apple plans to transition back to Qualcomm modem chips instead of Intel chips, using Qualcomm’s 5G technology in its iPhones. Qualcomm and Apple were previously embroiled in a bitter legal battle but managed to settle their disagreements in April of 2019.
All of the iPhones expected in 2020 will use 5G technology, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. All four iPhones will feature Qualcomm’s X55 5G modem chip.
The X55 chip offers 7Gb/s peak download speeds and 3Gb/s upload speeds, though these numbers are theoretical maximums and actual speeds will depend on carrier network. The chip is Qualcomm’s first 5G chip that supports all major frequency bands, operation modes, and network deployments.
There are two kinds of 5G networks — mmWave (faster and limited in range) and sub-6GHz (slower but wider spread) and there could be some differences in which countries support which specifications. mmWave 5G technology will likely be limited to major cities and dense urban areas because of its short-range, while 5G networks in rural and suburban areas will use the slower sub-6GHz technology. Though multiple sources have suggested the 2020 iPhone lineup will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 modems, Taiwanese site DigiTimes believes the devices could instead use the Snapdragon X60.
The X60 is more power-efficient and has a smaller footprint than the X55, and it is able to aggregate data from mmWave and sub-6GHz bands simultaneously for a more optimal combination of high-speed and low-latency network coverage. It’s not clear if DigiTimes is accurate as the X60 was released in February, which isn’t enough time for testing. Qualcomm has also said that chips using the X60 won’t launch until 2021.
Pricing:
Rumors suggest that pricing on the iPhone 12 could start as low as $649 this year, which would be the lowest price that Apple has charged for an OLED iPhone. Pricing could range from $649 to $1,099, with these estimates rumored:
- 5.4-inch iPhone 12: $649
- 6.1-inch iPhone 12: $749
- 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro: $999
- 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max: $1,099
Several rumors have suggested pricing in 2020 will be about the same as pricing in 2019, but Analyst Jeff Pu believes iPhone 12 pricing will start at $749 for the 5.4-inch model, up to $50 from the entry-level iPhone 11 model, priced at $699.
Based on that price point, the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 could start at $799 or $849. It’s not clear if the price increase would also include the higher-end Pro models, which currently start at $999 and $1,099.
What’s Coming in the Future
Apple designers are said to ultimately be aiming to remove most of the external ports and buttons on the iPhone for a clean, streamlined device. If wireless charging technology improves, Apple could potentially get rid of wired charging altogether, and rumors indicate Apple will release an iPhone without a Lightning port in 2021.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the highest-end iPhone model coming in 2021 will offer a “completely wireless experience.” Charging would, presumably, be done all wirelessly through Qi-based wireless charging accessories.
Apple could be planning to combine wireless charging and a port-less Smart Connector system for data transfer and syncing.
Kuo also expects Apple to introduce an “iPhone SE 2 Plus” with a full-screen design, no Face ID, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the power button in 2021. This device is expected to feature a 5.5 or 6.1-inch LCD display and it will be positioned as a lower-cost iPhone.
Kuo believes this iPhone will feature an LCD display and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the side button of the iPhone.
Qualcomm in February 2020 introduced the Snapdragon X60, its third-generation 5G modem, which is expected to be used in smartphones starting in early 2021. Apple could adopt the Snapdragon X60 for iPhones set to be released in the fall of 2021.
Barclays analysts also believe that starting in 2021, Apple will remove the Lightning connector from at least one iPhone model.
Two to three iPhones coming in 2021 are expected to have the sensor-shift stabilization predicted for the high-end 6.7-inch 2020 iPhone, and the 2022 iPhone could feature a periscope lens for much improved optical zoom capabilities.
Leaker Fudge (@choco_bit) has suggested the iPhone 13 will feature some major camera improvements, but it’s so early in the development cycle that Apple’s plans could change or the information could be inaccurate, so the leak should be viewed with skepticism until confirmed. Here’s what Fudge says is in the works:
- 64-megapixel wide-angle lens with 1x optical zoom and 6x digital zoom
- 40-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x-5x optical zoom and 15–20x digital zoom
- 64-megapixel anamorphic lens for video capture (2.1:1)
- 40-megapixel .25x min ultra-wide-angle lens with optical reverse zoom
- LiDAR 4.0
Japanese site Mac Otakara has shared a rough mockup and rumors that suggest at least one 2020 model will feature a notch-less design with an under-display camera, ultra-thin bezels, and a USB-C port, but it’s not clear if this information is accurate.
Apple’s supply chain partners are developing OLED displays using LTPO backplane technology for 2021 iPhones, which will result in better power efficiency and possibly longer battery life. LTPO may be necessary for Apple to bring 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates to iPhone displays.
Apple’s 2021 iPhones may feature single 5G band support, working on mmWave or sub-6GHz networks, but not both. This would allow Apple to save money in countries where mmWave 5G technology has not been implemented.
As for the more outlandish, Apple is said to be developing an iPhone with a foldable display in partnership with LG Display, with panel production for an iPhone with a folding display set to kick off in 2020. Apple is also said to be working on touchless gesture controls and curved screens, technologies that could launch within three years.
