iPhone 12 2020: All the rumours so far

The camera array is certainly eye-catching

The iPhone 12 is set to make its debut this year, and if it does arrive late, it looks set to be a huge update with a focus on 5G and possibly a new design. Here are the early leaks, rumours and all we know so far.

Apple has just launched the iPhone SE 2, but most of the attention is still around the brand’s next flagship. As usual, the rumours swirling about the iPhone 12 are already whipping up a frenzy, and we’ve rounded up all we know so far. Early indications say we should get a new design, 5G network support and maybe even a smaller notch.

Read on for everything we (think) we know so far.

Al the rumours at a glance

• What is it? The follow-up to 2019’s iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max
• When’s it out? Probably September 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic might cause delays in when it’ll actually
• What will it cost? We’d expect the price to be in line with current models, so upwards of £700 – although this could rise yet higher due to recent increases in manufacturing costs.
• Will iPhone 12 have 5G connectivity? Almost certainly, but we’re not sure whether this will apply to all of the new models.
• What will the iPhone 12 look like? We could see a design more akin to the angular iPhone 5, rather than the softer curves of the iPhone 11

iPhone 12 release date

There have been no official details around the iPhone 12 release date; however we’ve heard plenty of rumours about when it might arrive. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many are suggesting that even if the phone does get the traditional September unveiling, it might actually arrive on shelves a little later. Or we could see a split release, with the higher end phone arriving slightly later. Previously, we saw this with the release of the iPhone X.

The WSJ report claims that production has been pushed back a month, so there’s always the chance we could still see a September release.

You can see the previous release schedule for the iPhone below.

• iPhone 11: September 2019
• iPhone XS and iPhone XR: September 2018
• iPhone X and iPhone 8: September 2017
• iPhone 7: September 2016

The latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system (presumably called iOS 14 this time around) also traditionally makes its entrance around the same time of year and will, without doubt, be pre-loaded on all the new models as standard. iOS typically gets its big unveiling at WWDC in June, followed by an array of public and developer-only betas in the run-up to the big launch event.

iPhone 12 design

UBS analysts believe that Apple will release not one, but four new iPhones in 2020, with the following specifications:

• A 6.7-inch iPhone with 6GB of RAM and a triple-lens rear camera with 3D sensing
• A 6.1-inch iPhone with 6GB of RAM and a triple-lens rear camera with 3D sensing
• A 6.1-inch iPhone with 4GB of RAM and a dual-lens rear camera
• A 5.4-inch iPhone with 4GB of RAM and a dual-lens rear camera

It would be unusual to see Apple release a slate of four new phones, but it’s understandable as each performs a different function for the brand, from an affordable option all the way to a no-holds-barred, supersize, premium device. But what will they look like?

Apple is testing a few Face ID prototypes with new optics, some are smaller in width, some are narrower to fit in the top bezel.

— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) October 22, 2019

Twitter leaker Ben Geskin has reported that Apple is working on a new Face ID system with smaller optics (above), which could result in a more subtle notch that hugs the top of the phone more closely, perhaps even fitting within the phone’s bezel. It would be a radical design change if the iPhone 12 had a smaller notch or possibly no notch at all (with an in-display camera instead). Several leaks and tips suggest that Apple might also reintroduce TouchID under the display.

Image Credit: EverythingApplePro / Max Weinbach

Since then, a full video of iPhone 12 Pro Max renders has surfaced courtesy of Max Weinbach (once again) and Everything Apple Pro:

While the design looks familiar, there are a few key changes. Firstly the screen size has been augmented slightly, to reach 6.7-inches and at the top of that screen, the notch has also been shrunk so that now it appears to measure approximately 2cm across. On top of that, the device itself seems to be slimmer with a less obvious camera bump, now measuring 7.4mm thick overall.

If you’ve also been hoping for a refreshed colour palette, then there’s some more good news on the way. Tipster Max Weinbach, who recently polished his reputation with a flurry of highly accurate Samsung Galaxy S20 leaks, has stated that the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro is set to be available in navy blue (shown above in a rendered image). The current model, the iPhone 11 Pro, is available in the following four tones: Space Grey, Silver, Midnight Green, and Gold, so we’re not sure if this new colour will be an extra or a replacement.

The latest rumours are hinting that Apple might be going back to a design it used many years ago. Like the latest round of iPad Pros, it has been suggested the iPhone 12 could have a look similar to the iPhone 5. According to the well-informed Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, some handsets in the line-up will resemble the squarer, more angular design of one of our favourite iPhones ever. Gurman also suggests that at least the two high-end iPhone 12 models will benefit from the new designs, perhaps creating a tiered design hierarchy.

iPhone 12 screen

According to prolific tech leaker Ice Universe, Apple is speaking with major AMOLED display manufacturers (including both Samsung and LG) the screen requirements, and the brand is also mulling over an increased refresh rate, from standard 60Hz to a super-fast 120Hz.

A variable refresh rate would mean that the new iPhone could switch between high and low refresh rates depending on the use – like the ProMotion tech used in the iPad Pro – meaning that the iPhone will catch up with the latest generation of Android phones (including the Pixel 4, Samsung Galaxy S20, and the OnePlus 8 Pro).

But a variable refresh rate similar to the iPad Pro’s ProMotion tech would be a much-welcome addition to the range and should help save battery life as it won’t be pushing 120Hz or 90Hz all the time.

iPhone 12 camera

Apple recently bought out a start-up, Spectral Edge, which uses infrared imaging tech and machine learning to create “crisper and more lifelike photos”. The company has worked on better white balancing, as well as combining infrared photographs with standard photos, to capture better photos in sub-optimal misty and foggy conditions.

Could this provide any clues for what we can expect from the iPhone 12? Truth be told, it’s probably too early for the tech in question to join this year’s iPhone, but it certainly gives us a good idea of we’ll see in the future, and we can’t wait to see how it will look in action.

For now, we at least expect the iPhone 12 Pro models to have a similar set-up to the iPhone 11 Pro, with three rear camera lenses (wide-angle, ultrawide, and telephoto) – but it would certainly be nice to see a telephoto sensor added to the iPhone 12 base model for a diverse triple camera experience.

According to the video posted by EverythingApplePro and Max Weinbach (embedded further up the page), the Pro versions of the handsets will also feature LiDAR sensors in order to enhance Augmented Reality capabilities (similar to the one found on the latest iPad Pro). This would give the device a fourth sensor, making it even more versatile.

iPhone 12 software

Usually released a few days before the new phones, it’s easy to guess the iPhone 12 will come running the latest version of iOS.

iOS 14 should be revealed in June at WWDC and rumours are suggesting we could see widgets added to homescreen. This would freshen up the iOS UI and make more use of the larger real-estate.

Will the iPhone 12 have 5G?

Nikkei has reported that Apple is preparing to ship a total of 80 million units of 5G-enabled modems for this year’s iPhone. This news almost certainly means that each phone in the new flagship range will support 5G, in a complete U-turn from the surprising omission in last year’s range.

We’re looking forward to seeing what Apple can get out of the new technology. The manufacturer seems to have timed this release just right, as, by September, 5G networks should be in far better shape than they are currently, making it an even more enticing proposition to more consumers than before.

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