iPhone 12 Series: design, specs, release date rumors
Despite all of the things that have happened this year and all of the tech events that ended up canceled or postponed, there are still a few devices that we can count on to be released this year, including the upcoming iPhone 12 that is expected to be with us in a couple of months. Here is everything we know so far about the release date, prices and all rumors about the internals, the design, and even the 5G feature.
iPhone 12 Specs
We are expecting to see three devices within the Series 12: iPhone 12, 12 Max, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. At the same time, we will finally see a 5G feature included either only with Max and Pro models, or it will be available as a separate device that might not even be released alongside the new Series.
According to the rumors, there will be several options when it comes to the internals. The iPhone 12 and 12 Max are going to have 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options and 2,227mAh and 2,815mAh batteries respectively. At the same time, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are expected to have 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, combined with 2,775mAh and 3,687mAh batteries respectively. It is expected that all devices feature the A14 chip as well as the U1 chip for improved location and sharing features.
When it comes to camera specs, the exact lenses have not yet been identified but some rumors mention that we can expect a quad-camera setup on the largest device in the series: 12 Pro Max, which would include three lenses and a ToF sensor which can further help application of AR. Other than that, we can expect further improvements in Night Mode and Portrait Mode, as well as the Face ID.
Lastly, let’s mention the software. As you probably already know, Apple has recently announced the latest version of its smartphone software, and it is safe to assume that iOS 14 will be available immediately.
iPhone 12 Design
There are not that many official renders that come from reliable sources, but some that we have seen include a bit different housing than what we are used to as they predict less rounded edges than on the most recent predecessors. Series 12 devices are also expected to be a bit thinner, yet a bit larger than before. Apple always releases some unique colors of its devices, but unfortunately, this is still not known for Series 12. Perhaps it will include frosted matte glass housing that was included in last year’s Series.
When it comes to the display, we are expecting either a significantly minimized notch, or even potentially a punch-hole front camera design but it is still unclear how the Face ID will be implemented. Other than that, rumors already pointed out that the new iPhones are expected to all have OLED displays, instead of LCD ones, possibly including an in-display fingerprint sensor. Even though the original rumors mentioned a 120Hz refresh rate, that spec has still not been confirmed by a reliable source. Finally, these are the dimensions predicted for upcoming flagships:
- iPhone 12: 5,4 inches
- 12 Max: 6,1 inches
- 12 Pro: 6,1 inches
- 12 Pro Max: 6,7 inches
iPhone 12 Release Date and Price
The new iPhone was expected to follow the usual release schedule which would set the official event in the second week of September, while the sales would either follow by the end of the month or at the very beginning of October. But, this year was not like any other which is why we are not surprised that Apple announced it will be releasing the new 12 Series a bit later than usual, probably early October, while the 5G models might be released a month later. The exact reason is not known, but it most likely has something to do with the effects of the global pandemic on device production.
Another important detail that was rumored since June is that the device won’t come with a charger or headphones included. Even though at first it does seem very strange, realistically most iPhone users already own another pair of headphones that they would prefer over the flimsy wired EarPods, as well as a charging power plug. This does unfortunately mean that if you do not have it, you will have to pay for the additional accessories.
When it comes to the price of the iPhone 12 Series, there were almost no rumors until very recently. Luckily, thanks to a famous Apple leaker, you can expect the following price ranges:
- iPhone 12: $699-849
- 12 Max: $799-$949
- 12 Pro: $1049-$1349
- 12 Pro Max: $1149-1449
UPDATE (6th October): official launch event revealed
We officially have the date for the launch event of the new iPhone 12 lineup. Announced and confirmed by Apple, you can expect the event “Hi, Speed” to take place on the 13th of October 2020 at 10am PT. The design of the promo material reminds us that the new iPhones will have 5G network compatibility, as well as the new A14 Bionic processor. Furthermore, the color of the promo material is blue and orange, hinting that the rumors might be right about a new “Midnight Blue” device being released. Even though we just saw the new Apple Watch and iPad, these might not be the only Apple products revealed this fall, with the possibility of seeing the forever rumored over-the-ear AirPods, and even a new HomePod. We are very excited to follow up on the event, so stay tuned to the Samma3a Tech blog and our social media for live updates!
UPDATE (31st August): video leak reveals the camera setup
With the official launch right behind the corner, there are more details available with each passing day. Thanks to Komiya‘s tweet, we know exactly what to expect from each device in the iPhone 12 series, from the price to the camera and even the notch. The table below shows all of the specs which did not really come as a surprise, except for a couple of details which are important to point out.
Below is also the size comparison for all four devices:
The first thing that can be noticed is that the base model is the only one that has a smaller notch, while other models will have the same one as we have seen in the past iPhone generations. We are not sure why exactly this is the case and did we lose something for the sake of a smaller notch, but we hope Apple would slowly start ditching its huge notch for something more pleasing. Further, Komiya also confirmed the leak we mentioned yesterday, reassuring us that the LiDAR scanner will indeed be available in Pro and Pro Max devices. Unfortunately, we have no confirmation from this source regarding the refresh rate across devices, but we are indeed looking forward to seeing 5G connectivity on all models.
UPDATE (30th August): video leak reveals the camera setup
Thanks to Jon Prosser, one of the most reliable leakers when it comes to details about Apple products and announcements, we got to see the first hands-on video of the upcoming iPhone. The video was published on YouTube and reveals one of the latest pre-production models (PVT) before the device is actually scheduled for mass production which is expected to happen in September. Based on this leak, we found out that iPhone 12 Max Pro is going to have LiDAR assisted autofocus, but the feature might also be present on another device in the series. It also revealed that there will be two video modes: 4K at 120fps, and 4K at 240fps Slow Mode. When it comes to the display, Jon also revealed that the Pro model is indeed going to have 120Hz refresh rate, thanks to the screenshot that reveals the “Adaptive Refresh Rate” feature that will alter the refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the content displayed. The video leak that he revealed to prove this also confirms the notch that is going to stay pretty much the same. The last thing worth mentioning is the face recognition: you won’t be required to put the phone straight in front of yourself in order to unlock the device as it will work at an angle too.
UPDATE (26th August): is the launch only a few weeks away?
Up till now, the release date of the new Apple Series was predicted for the very end of September but, Apple’s possible slip-up might have revealed the exact date that would be only a couple of weeks away. The live stream test briefly showed up on Apple’s YouTube channel, showing that the stream was scheduled for 10th of September 2020 which is only two weeks instead of a full month away. Even though this slip-up would usually set the date in stone, this type of accident is not that common for Apple. Furthermore, the launch of iPhone 11 also took place on the 10th of September last year, meaning there is a chance that the date of the live stream test for this year could be automatically set. At the end of the day, the start of sales was expected to be postponed for a few weeks due to the current world health situation, so why would the launch take place so much sooner before the devices hit the stores? Maybe the launch on the 10th is for another Apple device? We are yet to see if Apple comments on the slip-up, or perhaps even announce what the live stream would be about.
