With an unusual year in the world, the different technology manufacturers have had to modify their launches of new products and sometimes delay them due to the effects of the pandemic in their supply chains. Year after year, Apple launches its iPhones in September. Usually an event is held the first week of September and the new models are shipped at the end of the same month. Apparently, the pandemic could have affected these schedules. In any case, it would be talking about the month of October. It is not the first time that Apple has this problem, the iPhone 4 also suffered manufacturing delays, although for other reasons.
What expectations do we have of the IPhone 12? The first big change in this new iteration is the abandonment of the current design for the one already used in the new iPads. Apple is reverting to its successful flat-outlined metallic iPhone 4 design. This year, Apple will be introducing a new 5.4-inch size. This new model complements the basic line with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Max.
As for the Pro line, there would always be the iPhone 12 pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max of 6.1 and 6.7 inches respectively. Both the new size and the 12 Max would have two rear cameras, wide and ultra wide. The new iPhone 12 would achieve a 5.4-inch screen with a smaller size than the current 4.7-inch iPhone SE.
According to statements from its CFO, Luca Maestri, the new model would be overdue and will be shipped at least 2 weeks later than the rest. It is speculated that the 6.7 model would also suffer the same delay. All models will now include 5G. About the specifications this is what is known.
Model 12 will use the A14 chip and would be manufactured by TSMC. Unlike other years, the improvement will not be incremental, but could have up to a 40% improvement in performance over the A13 of the iPhone 11 Pro. This would far exceed the Snapdragon 865 Plus of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, by example. Regarding the standby efficiency, it should be at least 30% more efficient, which will contrast with a possible reduction in the size of the batteries in the new design.
In terms of memory, the Pro models will now have 6G which would imply an increase of 50%. Possibly, the biggest change of the iPhone 12 is the incorporation of LiDAR Technology in the cameras of the Pro line. Since the 2020 iPad Pro already have it, it is certain that it is incorporated into the iPhone. LiDAR is not a new technology, it has been used for decades in the military sector and is essential, now, in autonomous vehicles and robots. It is basically the ability to “sweep” a field, through laser, to calculate the distances of objects. The sensors shoot rays of light and these, when they return, allow to determine the depth and a series of characteristics to identify them.
Regarding photography and how it will benefit the iPhone 12, it will depend on the implementation of Apple. However, the information from the LiDAR sensors, coupled with the lenses and algorithms to process a scene should offer substantially better precision in portraits and other complex scenes. Also, for augmented reality applications they now have a tool to offer a more natural experience. How game designers incorporate it into their products remains to be seen.
Finally, in terms of prices, not much variation is expected in the Pro line, but the new 5.4-inch iPhone is expected to be very competitively priced and given its high-end components it will be an excellent option for Android users.
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