We already know a lot about the iPhone 12 range, including its reworked design. But now new information has revealed everyone was wrong about Apple’s most exciting iPhone 12 model.
In a major exclusive, hugely popular YouTuber Filip Koroy (aka EverythingApplePro) has revealed that Apple’s all-new (and surprisingly affordable) 5.4-inch iPhone 12 will be much smaller than was expected. And the result is a truly compact, cutting-edge all-new device which may well become the hottest smartphone this year.
“I want to say, we were completely wrong on the sizing of the 5.4-inch,” explains Koroy, referring to the renders he had built from previous leaks. “Ours was way too big. Actually taking a look at the sizing in reference to the other iPhone sizes, this thing is small. Imagine that design [above], full display. This is going to be a ridiculously popular device.”
05/11 Update: in a major exclusive, Front Page Tech, the most reliable Apple insider this year, has hit the mother lode of all iPhone leaks and filled in all the gaps we were missing. In his latest video, FPT’s Jon Prosser reveals Apple will call its new phones: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Max, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max – yes, that’s a mouthful. The Pro models will get stainless steel chassis, a 512GB storage option and 6GB RAM Vs an aluminum chassis, 256GB top end storage and 4GB RAM for the standard models. The good news is 128GB will be the new entry level storage, double the previous 64GB starting point. But on the flipside, Prosser states 120Hz displays will not come to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max and are still in doubt for the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max. Prosser says Apple is concerned about battery life and not interested in making it an optional setting, so we have to wait and keep our fingers crossed. For me personally, its omission would be a deal breaker.
05/10 Update: further details of the iPhone 12 design have leaked thanks to another major exclusive from Filip Koroy. In his new video, Koroy explains that Apple will limit the 120Hz ProMotion display to only the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max – which will be a bitter pill to swallow for some. That said, he has also confirmed Apple will reduce the size of the notch this year, widen the angle of Face ID for easier unlocking at angles and increase battery capacity, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max jumping to “over 4,400 mAh” (the iPhone 11 Pro Max had a 3,969 mAh battery). Lastly, Koroy states that the iPhone 12 line-up will get much improved cameras thanks to bigger sensors, a 3x optical zoom and improved low light performance (full camera details here). Given Apple’s plan to introduce aggressive new pricing, 2020 looks like a big year for the company to further distance itself from the competition.
05/09 Update: we now have a further big piece of the puzzle for Apple’s 2020 iPhone plans after the Car Connectivity Consortium published its 2.0 specification for digital car keys. This is central to Apple’s leaked plans to launch CarKey in iOS 14, which will enable iPhone owners to open their cars with their phones. Moreover, the 3.0 spec will add Ultra Wideband support which Apple is building into its flagship iPhones. Expect Apple to go big on this with the launch of the iPhone 12 line-up in September.
And how small is this? Koroy’s dimensions come from a Macotakara leak which was initially dismissed but which he has now discovered to be credible and they reveal the 5.4-inch iPhone won’t be much bigger than the original (2016) 4-inch iPhone SE and smaller than the new 2020 4.7-inch model:
- 5.4-inch iPhone 12: 131 x 64 mm (5.15 x 2.51-inches)
- 4-inch iPhone SE: 123 x 58 mm (4.84 x 2.28-inches)
- 4.7-inch iPhone SE: 138 x 67 mm (5.43 x 2.65-inches)
Yes, Apple is finally making a truly compact, bezel-less iPhone. Moreover, the bezel-less design incorporates a 19.5:9 aspect ratio which is longer and thinner than the 16:9 ratio in the iPhone SE models. This means the 5.4-inch display can still result in a narrower smartphone than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE.
Downsides? As the entry-level iPhone 12, we do know that the 5.4-incher will miss out on several features compared to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, but they are unlikely to be deal-breakers for many. The biggest omissions are a 2x optical zoom (there will be only standard and ultra-wide angle cameras) and no LiDAR sensor – which is used for 3D mapping environments for AR applications.
On the flip side, the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 will have an OLED display, smaller notch, Apple’s ballistic new A14 chipset, 5G (no mmWave, but that’s a good thing) and have Apple’s lowest price in years. With rivals also forced into making major 5G behemoths, there is going to be nothing like this iPhone on the market.