The next flagship smartphone from Apple is probably the iPhone 12, based on the staggering amount of rumors and leaks gracing the internet. As is typically the case at this point in the production cycle, there has been no official word from Apple about the next device, but there's no shortage of evidence that we'll see a new phone from that team in 2020.
Apple's recent release of the new, second-generation iPhone SE adds even more fuel to that fire. With the iPhone 11 series having released in September – over half a year ago now – it's hard to imagine the company's only follow up is a device that is something of a downgrade. Heavily anticipated features like 5G should start making a bigger impact on the markets later this year, and Apple users probably won't want to miss out on those upgrades, especially as other phones have already started to adopt them.
The excitement around new features across the entire smartphone landscape is perhaps why iPhone 12 information has been exceptionally leaky. People want to know what arguably the most important manufacturer in the industry will do in response to new tech. We've seen ideas about the device's design, launch plans, specs, and features go into great detail already and the phone might still be five months out.
iPhone 12's Design Leak
Everything Apple Pro detailed a CAD leak from last week that mostly confirmed what people expected about the look of the iPhone 12. It will sport a metal frame similar to recent models of the iPad Pro, and have an even larger screen-to-body ratio. The front-facing camera in these designs is a smaller cutout than on the 11, and the camera array on the back will be more of a square shape. The glass panels making up the front and back of the phone will be almost completely flat, shifting away from the curved design of the previous phone and Samsung's Galaxy S line. Finally, Apple has dabbled with USB-C connections on newer MacBooks and iPads, but rumors suggest the new phone will be the first to commit to USB-C. Overall, expect a more "boxy" design.
Leaks and Rumors About iPhone 12's New Features
Leaks and some amount of logical deduction suggest iPhone 12 will be the first smartphone to feature LiDar depth sensing. The 2020 iPad Pro includes such a sensor, paving the way for greater use of augmented reality in mobile devices. Speaking of features from the iPad, many leaks predict the iPhone 12 will add ProMotion Technology. This feature allows a device to switch its refresh rate, usually between 60 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz, based on things like power consumption and compatibility with certain apps. Competing phones have implemented similar technology, and if this iPhone will be the first to have a refresh rate above 60 Hz (as it should if Apple is to remain competitive), it will need at least the option to manually toggle refresh rates.
Touch ID has been missing from recent iOS devices aside from the new SE, and it could make a comeback here, in the form of an in-display fingerprint reader. OnePlus and other manufacturers have implemented this technique since as far back as 2017, so it's a proven concept.
There's also the elephant in the room: 5G. Apple has yet to confirm a 5G-capable phone or tablet, stating that it wants the technology to mature. Honestly, 5G adoption probably won't be very strong by September, partially due to the coronavirus, but a failure to add compatibility in 2020's iPhone kills it from a future-proofing perspective.
Release Plans for iPhone 12
The leaks all point to the series being iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, keeping in line with the iPhone 11 series names. For many reasons, new phones go into manufacturing in late Summer, and given the pandemic, this device isn't expected to hit stores until at least that point. Every model is expected to have the new A14 processor (which is already confirmed to be in production), but RAM may vary between 4GB and 6GB.
Image Source: Everything Apple Pro / YouTube