iPhone 12 Review: What will surprise Apple this fall?

Despite the ongoing global challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple remains committed to tradition and is set to unveil its new iPhone in September 2020. According to reliable sources, the new model will feature several significant differences compared to previous versions.

This fall, Apple will introduce four new devices:

1. The main flagship model – iPhone 12
2. Three expanded versions – iPhone 12 Max, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max

By releasing such a diverse lineup, Apple aims to cater to a broader audience.

For a better analysis of the new features and specifications, we will divide them into external and internal aspects and take a closer look at each.

Appearance of the iPhone 12

Leaked prototype images that have surfaced online provide a glimpse into how the design of the device will change.

Design

Unlike the previous generation of smartphones, which featured rounded edges, the iPhone 12 will have flat side edges with sharper corners. The frame will be made of stainless steel, significantly improving mobile signal reception. Thicker antenna lines (for 5G) will be embedded along the sides, with the possibility of reinforced glass being used to protect these components. Additionally, the frame will be approximately 0.9 mm thinner.

The SIM card tray will be located on the left, while the smart connector will be on the right side of the device. The speaker grille will have one less opening, and the power button will be positioned slightly lower.

Changes will also affect the camera system. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max will feature dual cameras, while the Pro versions will have triple-camera setups. Additionally, the square camera module in this generation will be complemented by a LiDAR sensor.

The device body is expected to be thinner. For instance, the iPhone 12 Max will measure 7.4 mm in thickness, compared to 8.1 mm in its 2019 counterpart.

The notch in the new models will be thinner, achieved by repositioning the Face ID sensor components. The Lightning port will be replaced with USB-C.

There is a high likelihood that the new models will support a stylus. Supporting this theory is the presence of a new magnetic connector on one edge of the device. Apple is expected to release a special miniature version of the Apple Pencil for smartphones.

The iPhone 12 will inherit the color palette of the previous generation. However, the Pro models are expected to introduce a dark blue variant, replacing Midnight Green.

Display

All new models will be equipped with OLED displays. Their screen sizes will be:

• 5.4 inches for iPhone 12
• 6.1 inches for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max
• 6.7 inches for iPhone 12 Pro Max

The screen refresh rate will also be upgraded. It will be 90Hz for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max, while the Pro models will feature 120Hz displays—a technology known as ProMotion. With this, scrolling through web pages will appear much smoother.

The 120Hz mode will activate automatically, adjusting based on the content displayed on the screen. Depending on the activity—browsing, watching a movie, or gaming—the refresh rate will vary between 24Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. This automatic adjustment will help reduce power consumption.

There is a possibility that the new models will feature Touch ID embedded directly into the screen glass. This will be implemented using Qualcomm’s ultrasonic scanning technology.

Technical Specifications

The internal components of the new iPhones will also see significant upgrades. Almost every part of the device will be affected by these improvements.

Processor and Memory

The new generation of iPhones will be powered by the Apple A14 Bionic processor. Manufactured using a 5-nanometer process, these chips will be faster, more compact, and energy-efficient. The production of these processors has been entrusted to the trusted Taiwanese company TSMC.

Thanks to the new chip, CPU performance will increase by 29.7%, while the GPU will see a 38% boost, a much bigger improvement compared to the previous iPhone lineup.

The A14 processor will be the first A-series chip to run at a clock speed of over 3 GHz. However, the number of cores will be reduced from 8 to 6 compared to the previous generation.

In terms of RAM, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max will feature 4GB, while the Pro versions will come with 6GB. The internal storage options will be:

• iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 Max: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• Pro models: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB

Battery

According to preliminary information, the new iPhones will feature an L-shaped battery. Its capacity will be:

• 2,227 mAh for iPhone 12
• 2,775 mAh for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max
• 3,687 mAh for iPhone 12 Pro Max

These numbers are lower than those of the iPhone 11 series. Apple’s decision to reduce battery capacity is likely aimed at offsetting the high cost of 5G components with a more affordable battery.

The new power adapter included with the iPhones will have a maximum output of 20W (9V / 2.2A), which will speed up the charging process. Additionally, the USB-C cable will be included in the box.

The fate of the Lightning port remains unclear. There are rumors that Apple may replace it with a USB-C port, which would enhance charging speeds.

Cameras

One of the key differences in the new iPhone models is the camera system. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max will feature dual 16MP rear cameras equipped with wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses.

The Pro models will come with three cameras for advanced photography. One of them, like in the iPhone 11 Pro, will include a telephoto lens, but this time with a 3x zoom instead of 2x. The other two cameras will feature wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. The ultra-wide-angle lens will be equipped with Sensor-Shift technology, which stabilizes the image during shooting.

Additionally, 4K video recording will now support 120fps and 240fps, delivering smoother high-resolution footage. The camera resolution remains 16MP.

The Pro models will also incorporate a LiDAR sensor into the main camera module. This sensor will allow the phone to accurately measure distances to nearby objects, enhancing augmented reality (AR) rendering. Objects in AR will appear more realistic, and motion capture will be more precise.

The front-facing camera will also see an improvement, now featuring a 12MP resolution.

New models are expected to introduce additional image processing tools, further enhancing photo and video quality.

Wi-Fi and 5G

The new devices will feature support for IEEE 802.11ay, the latest Wi-Fi standard. This technology will quadruple data transfer speeds and operate at a 60 GHz frequency.

All iPhone 12 models will be equipped with Qualcomm X55 5G modem chips, enabling full 5G support. The 5G network consists of two standards: NSA (Non-Standalone) and SA (Standalone).

NSA operates on frequencies below 6 GHz, offering speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
SA, which uses mmWave technology (above 6 GHz), has a shorter range but can reach speeds of 1 Gbps and higher.

However, full-fledged 5G functionality will initially only be available in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as only these countries currently have the necessary mmWave infrastructure. Therefore, in regions where this 5G standard is not yet widespread, the iPhone 12 may not support 5G connectivity.

iPhone 12 Release Date

The official launch date for the iPhone 12 remains unknown. In previous years, Apple traditionally unveiled its flagship devices in early September, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the event may be postponed.

Industry sources have provided different speculations:

1. One version suggests that the presentation will take place on September 8, 2020, but the smartphones will not be available for purchase until October.
2. Another suggests that the launch will be delayed until mid-October, with the actual release pushed to November.
3. A third possibility is a staggered launch, where the Max and Pro models will be released first, followed by the other two models a few weeks later.

Apple representatives have confirmed that the iPhone 12 release will be later than usual, but they have not provided any specific dates.