iPhone 12: Apple’s manufacturing partner confirms 2020 launch
Most iPhone units out there barely have scratches or nicks on them yet and the internet is already buzzing about the upcoming iPhone 12. We will update this article as new information come to light.
Table of Contents
- News and update
- Trail assembly date confirmed
- Camera specs confirmed
- Four new renders (video)
- mmWave 5G and sub-6 tech
- Larger (and better) batteries
- 2020 shake-up
- Release date
- Notch details
- UI animations
- Design and camera
- Other articles in the series
iPhone 12 – Here’s everything we know so far
Trail assembly date confirmed
According to Foxconn, Apple’s biggest manufacturing partner, customers will still be getting the “latest 5G-enabled iPhones ready for an autumn [US] debut”.
If all goes according to plan – and all things considered with COVID-19 currently spreading faster than wildfire – the iPhone 12 should be released between September and December 2020.
In addition, Bloomberg also confirmed with Goldman Sach’s investor relations chief Alex Yang that Apple will commence its first trial assembly lines for the new iPhone in June 2020. As per Bloomberg:
“Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., which makes most of the world’s iPhones, told investors it’s lost time to travel restrictions and other disruptions caused by the pandemic. But with months to go before the first trial assembly lines start in June, Hon Hai can still make the deadline, investor relations chief Alex Yang said on a private conference call hosted by Goldman Sachs.”
Camera specs confirmed
5 March 2020: It’s still a long way to go until the iPhone 12 is unveiled in September 2020. And even though we haven’t seen that many specs yet, this one is the most exciting.
The most recent leak comes from the reliable Max Weinbach who has partnered with EverythingApplePro. The duo revealed some of the important details about the upcoming iPhone’s camera.
According to Weinbach, the phone will boast a triple-camera setup with Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor. It will be the first Apple phone to sport a ToF sensor.
Apple is also testing iPhones with 64 MP camera and is looking to improve the zoom capabilities on the iPhone 12.
Watch: Apple iPhone 12 camera specs
Four new iPhone devices
Apple has big plans for 2020, including the rollout of 5G-enabled headsets and the alleged launch of four new devices to the iPhone 12 series.
Let’s Go Digital confirmed that the Apple would be releasing four devices this year, as opposes to previous years when an iPhone series consisted of only three devices. (updated 28 January 2020)
It is believed that apple will be release a budget device in March, ahead of the grand release scheduled for September 2020. To give us an idea of what to expect, concept creator Jermaine Smit create the follow introduction video:
Watch: iPhone 12 Pro introduction
5G rumour debunked – iPhone 12 to support mmWave 5G and sub-6 tech
As reported by Mehdi Hossein earlier in January, Apple allegedly planned to release the upcoming iPhone 12 in two phases: the release of sub-6GHz in September 2020, and 5G devices which supports mmWave in 2021.
This caused an uproar among netizens, and many felt disheartened at the prospect of waiting until 2021 for the second launch phase.
Rest assured, trusted industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now confirmed that Apple’s roll-out of the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 will be a “unified affair”, encompassing both 6GHz and mmWave technologies.
Kuo said to MacRumors that “iPhone models with mmWave would be available in five markets (USA, Canada, Japan, Korea and the UK). He added that Apple may disable the 5G functionality in countries where expansion is limited. (Updated 17 January 2020)
Larger (and better) batteries
According to Korean publication The Elec, the iPhone 12 is set to have a bigger battery due to new battery protection circuits. The new device will make use of the Protection Circuit Packages, as opposed to Protection Circuit Modules used in previous devices.
Not only will this free up more space, but it will also go a long way when 5G is installed and devices need all the battery boosters it can get, as 5G modems use up more battery juice than LTE modems.
According to The Elec, ITM Semiconducter was brought on board; the company is reportedly building two new plants to handle production capacity. (Updated 24 December 2019.)
A 2020 lineup shake-up
Exciting news! Apple may shake things up a bit and release four new iPhone 12 models in 2020. Yes, that’s right… Four!
Then there’s rumours that Apple would be releasing the iPhone SE 2 in 2020 as well, which would technically bring the total number of iPhones for 2020 to five.
But who’s counting. Spoiler alert, it’s me, I’m counting. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explains:
“Kuo predicts that Apple will introduce 5.4-inch, two 6.1-inch, and a 6.7-inch OLED iPhone models in 2020. He says that all four of these iPhones will also feature 5G connectivity. The difference between all of these models, other than screen sizes, will be camera technology.” (Update 7 December 2019.)
When will the iPhone 12 be released?
Apple is currently working on the iPhone 12 and no set date has been confirmed as yet. However, it’s safe to assume that the device will launch in 2020.
The iPhone 11 was launched in September, and if we were to venture a guess, we’d put our money on the first half of September 2020. From 7 to 13 September, to be exact.
To notch or not to notch
According to tech insider Benjamin Deskin, Apple may be testing Face ID prototypes with new optics which would significantly reduce the size of the handset.
If that is the case, Apple might do away with the notch altogether. The notch has formed part of the iPhone’s design since the iPhone X, but Apple might finally be taking a leaf out of Android’s book.
Most of their competitors have done away with notches altogether. A notch is a cut-out at the top part of the screen to increase the surface area of the display; without giving up the front cameras or sensors.
5G compatibility
Apple’s competitors have all embraced 5G with open arms, and have at least one generation 5G handset already. While Apple has fallen behind on the 5G train, it will likely change with the iPhone 12.
Rumours strongly suggest that the iPhone 12 will be the first Apple device to offer full 5G support. Moreover, the upcoming device is said to have a Qualcomm 5G modem.
It seems that Apple plans to release its first 5G phone in 2020, and have plans to produce their first 5G chip, the Qualcomm 5G X55, by 2022.
Apple already signed a multi-year deal that will see Qualcomm’s chips in their first 5G handset due out in 2020. With the substantial investment into purchasing Intel’s modem business, it might happen even sooner.
Better UI animations
According to trusted leaker Ice Universe, Apple is considering a display with a variable refresh rate of 60Hz/120Hz for their upcoming device. Ice said on Twitter:
“Apple is considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020, and is discussing with Samsung and LG.”
Design and camera
Based on the information already available, Phone Arena released renders of what the upcoming 2020 iPhone 12 device could look like; it appears as though the Apple is moving into slab-like territory.
“I love the idea of slab sides and four cameras, the concepts look amazing. But from a solely technical standpoint, what would the fourth camera do?”
Brooks Roach
According to Victor from Phone Arena, the fourth camera is a Time of Flight (ToF) camera, “solely dedicated to measuring depth”.
![Babes Wodumo to lay charges against Mampintsha’s mother [video]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_usu9uBjwbzI9otnl5btC1IVzTcdX2BhhZ2jN-iQt08zMbluLYptAXu4PxycNPJqRT4eqh1pJK5YJmKdlbO_Sp7ByAHGKO6AVJtsGBsXRK6Fg)
No comments: