Every September, Apple launches new iPhones and, despite how crazy 2020 has been, the company looks set to do the same this year.
Apple likes to run a tight ship, with a regular release schedule and closely guarded product specs. It tends not to let any information about the upcoming phones leak ahead of launch day. However, thanks to supply chain analysts and relentless tech leakers, we already have some idea of what the upcoming 2020 iPhones will look like.
So, here's everything we already know about the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro ranges.
No Charging Brick in the Box
According to noted Apple leaker Kuo Ming-Chi and research analysts at Barclays, the iPhone 12 models might not ship with a plug or charging cable in the box.
However, we have since seen rumors which suggest that a new braided style charging cable will be included with the iPhone 12 series but the charging brick will not.
While this might sound ludicrous, it certainly wouldn't be an unprecedented move from Apple. The company was among the first to remove headphone jacks from phones, and it is also expected to stop bundling free EarPods with the iPhone 12.
Apple is also likely to talk up the environmental impact of not giving away a free charger with the iPhone 12. By not shipping a charger it would reduce the amount of waste plastic stuck in people's homes or ending up in landfill sites.
Of course, you'll still be able to buy a new charging brick from Apple, which is also set to feature faster 20W charging speeds. There's no word on how much these, erm, optional charging bricks will cost, however.
From our point of view, it seems like another attempt to upsell the iPhone. Apple knows that not shipping a charger won't put regular iPhone buyers off the new phones, so there's no downside.
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Radical(ish) Redesign
The iPhone 12 series looks set to have one of the most significant redesigns of any recent iPhone.
While the iPhone X, XS, and 11 series all featured curved sides. However, it's expected that the iPhone 12 series will feature flattened sides, similar to the current iPad Pros and reminiscent of the old iPhone SE.
There have been a host of leaked renders and models which show off this design departure.
The iPhone 12 models are also set to gain some new colors, with orange, violet, and light blue colors available. You'll also still be able to buy red, black, white but the yellow and green colors from 2019's iPhone 11 are gone.
To us, it certainly helps give the iPhone 12 series a unique look compared to its predecessors and its Android competitors.
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iPhone 12 Mini is a New Smaller, Cheaper iPhone
One of the big changes from iPhone 11 series to 12 series will be a fairly dramatic reduction in screen size, according to some tech leakers.
A new iPhone 12 Mini model will have a 5.4-inch display.
This means that the new iPhone 12 Mini will have smaller dimensions than the brand new iPhone SE. The new SE measures 138mm tall and 67mm across while the new iPhone 12 Mini is expected to be 131mm and 64mm tall and wide, respectively.
This new baby iPhone will also (finally) have an OLED display as well as a smaller notch to house the front-facing camera. It'll also come packing Apple's updated mobile processor, which is set to be 5G-ready.
What's more, It is expected that the iPhone 12 Mini will cost $649 — that's $50 less than the iPhone 11 at launch.
There will also be a larger 6.1-inch version of the iPhone 12, which directly replaces the iPhone 11 and will cost $749, though it doesn't look set to gain anything beyond the bigger screen and a redesign.
However, it isn't all good news with the iPhone 12 Mini. Apparently, the phone will make do with two rear cameras, and won't support the LiDAR tech from the new iPad Pro. Apple uses LiDAR on the iPad Pro to help map 3D environments for AR applications. As for fewer cameras? It may buck a trend, but with the latest image processing software, a phone with two cameras can certainly compete against those with more.
For more generous specs, you'll need to look towards the iPhone 12 Pro models…
Want to know more about the latest iPhones?
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iPhone 12 Pro Models Get Enticing Specs Bump
While the iPhone 12 models come across as cost-cutting and offering a more streamlined package than the iPhone 11, the iPhone 12 Pro models look set to offer beefed-up specs.
There will be two Pro models: a 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro with triple rear cameras, 5G, and LiDAR; and a 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max with three rear cameras, 5G, and LiDAR. The 12 Pro will cost $999, while the 12 Pro Max will cost $1,099.
Both Pro models will have a stainless steel frame rather than aluminium for a heavier, more premium feel. Both phones will also have 6GB of RAM, rather than the 4GB offered on the iPhone 11 and regular iPhone 12 models. There will also be a 512GB storage version of the iPhone 12 Pro models.
The two iPhone Pro models will both get 120Hz refresh rate displays, although the cheaper iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini models won't.
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The iPhone 12 Series will be Revealed on October 13
That's right, the grand unveiling will be in the middle of October.
And, much like the recent Apple Watch and iPad update event, this iPhone launch should be short and sweet.
However, while it is expected that customers would be able to place pre-orders for the iPhone 12 models on October 16, you might not be able to get your shiny new 5G iPhone with the millimetre wave 5G standard until December.
Sub-6Ghz 5G iPhones, on the other hand, should be delivered on October 23.
iPhone Unknown: What Aren't We Sure About?
Of course, we can't be completely certain about any of this. Tech leakers will claim that they are the most trusted source with the best track record, but they can still get stuff wrong.
In fact, many of the images that you see surrounding phone rumors are renders created from sketchy information, and you'll often see the images differ significantly depending on who has created them.
At the moment, it seems that tech leakers aren't completely sure about the high refresh rate options for the iPhone 12 Pro models. Some are claiming that Apple is ditching the tech because it can't get the color calibration right, while others are claiming it's about battery life. Of course, neither could be right, and we could end up with 120Hz screens — no one knows.
Just want to point out that we said that Apple won't do 120hz unless it is perfect. If they can't perfect it, they won't do it. I was told specifically engineers were unhappy with it and it sounded like color calibration was the reason. https://t.co/BQPvSfRjCe
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) May 11, 2020
Top image credit: Forbes/ EverythingApplePro