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iPhone 12 – bigger zoom, more battery and faster Face ID?

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When Apple introduced the iPhone 11 in September 2019, some users may have been disappointed. Because really big innovations are missing in the current models. The more Apple fans are now looking forward to the upcoming iPhone, which Apple will show tomorrow evening. TECHNOLOGY BUTTON already reveals what to expect from the iPhone 12.

Tomorrow at 7 p.m. German time, the time has come – Apple introduces the iPhone 12! The successors to the current iPhone 11 family will include a total of four devices – an iPhone 12 mini with a 5.4-inch display, two devices with a 6.1-inch screen each and a 6.7-inch model. We summarize here which innovations Apple fans can expect from the devices.

Contents

Latest iPhone 12 rumors

The cat is out of the bag. Apple has invited to the online event tomorrow, Tuesday (October 13th) at 7 p.m. German time, at which the manufacturer will officially present the iPhone 12. The motto of the event is “Hi, Speed” – an allusion to the faster A14 Bionic and 5G?

Apple has planned two hours for the keynote. Time enough to possibly show other devices. Will we possibly also see new headphones from the company? At least one thing is certain. The iPhone 12 series comprises a total of four models. Apple has improved its equipment in some points compared to the iPhone 11, as a recently published data sheet is supposed to show. The leaker Max Weinbach (@PineLeaks) put it online.

 

 

 

According to the data sheet, Apple has not only made Face ID face recognition faster, the manufacturer should also give the iPhone 12 more battery and a better camera zoom.

Better zoom for iPhone 12

All four new iPhone 12 models, i.e. both the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, are said to have a better camera than their predecessors. Among other things, Apple has improved the zoom. While the iPhone 12 and the mini model should only have a digital zoom – but with significantly better software behind it – the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max also have an optical zoom. Apple has improved this so that up to 4x or 5x optical magnification is now possible. The Pro Max has the best sensors – its camera should surpass that of the other models.

According to PineLeaks, Apple is also introducing a new dynamic zoom algorithm that will be responsible, among other things, for improvements to Face ID. The face recognition sensor is smaller than before, but thanks to the dynamic zoom algorithm it can capture even wider angles.

According to the data sheet, Apple is extending the night mode to the telephoto camera. The telephoto lens could be equipped with a 3x optical zoom. In addition, the leaker confirmed the statements after the models of the iPhone 12 series can record 4K videos at 120 or 240 frames per second (frames per second – FPS). A 120 Hz display, on the other hand, is off the table, as is speculation about a ProMotion display.

More battery power

There has been talk for a long time that the new iPhones should also have larger batteries. After all, the new 5G module also requires more electricity. So far, however, it has not been clear how the adjustments in capacity could affect the actual runtime. PineLeaks is more specific here: the iPhone 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max should last up to an hour longer than their predecessors. On the other hand, the shortest running time is offered by the mini model, which is the most compact. Apple can only install a small battery with less power.

Possible prices of the new iPhones

The prices of the new iPhones are usually of particular interest to Apple fans. There was also much speculation in this regard in advance. The Leaker Apple Lab is currently trying to answer the question of the questions. He is said to have found out the prices for all models in all available memory variants.

 

 

 

The information largely coincides with that of the Leaker Komiya in August – with two exceptions. According to Apple Lab, the manufacturer is selling its iPhone 12 Pro with 128 GB of storage for 50 US dollars less than Komiya predicted. If the information is correct, Apple would not exceed the $ 1,000 mark – a not insignificant factor for many buyers.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max should also be cheaper in the smallest memory configuration. While the price for this model was 1149 euros in August, Apple Lab is now quoting a price of 1099 US dollars / euros. So far, none of the information has been confirmed.

 

 

Display and design

Even if we expect more innovations with the iPhone 12 than we saw with the iPhone 11, the appearance of the smartphones will probably not change significantly. Apple will probably work with the classic notch again, but it will be a bit narrower than before. There is space for some sensors in the notch. In addition to the actual front camera, there are also the light sensor, the proximity sensor and the sensor for Face ID.

The manufacturer changed the arrangement of the rear camera with the iPhone 11. The square design of the camera divides minds, not everyone can make friends with it. Usually Apple keeps a new design for a while, so we will definitely see the dominant camera design on the iPhone 2020 as well.

How the iPhone 12 could look in the end is shown by render images that were created on the basis of current reports. They were created by the  Svetapple fan blog from Sweden.

Render image of the iPhone 12 and the previously suspected equipment of the device
Photo: svetapple.sk Photo: svetapple.sk

More Hertz and inches on the iPhone 12

According to the well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, there are changes in the display of Apple’s new iPhones. With the generation change from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS (Max) to the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro (Max), Apple kept the diagonals of 5.8 to 6.5 inches. According to Kuo, Apple uses a display diagonal of 5.4 inches, 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches for the 2020 models. And not only that: Apple has probably said goodbye to LCD technology. Instead, all four new iPhone 12 should have an OLED display.

A previously speculated ProMotion display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz will probably not exist. Instead, the frame rate is “only” a maximum of 90 Hz. A shame, because the manufacturer has already had experience with such screens. After all, the 2017 iPad Pro with the “ProMotion” function is able to double the refresh rate from the standard 60 Hz to 120 Hz. The higher refresh rate means that movements on the screen (such as scrolling, animations and games) are displayed more smoothly.

Compared to the previous 60 Hertz iPhone panel, the smartphone works faster thanks to 90 Hz. Apple could also appeal to gamers with the smoother playback. With Apple Arcade, the manufacturer already presented a gaming platform in 2019 with which users receive a flat game for 4.99 euros a month. However, only the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max should receive this 90 Hz display. Apple equips the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 with a 60 Hz display. The 10-bit color depth for lifelike and strong colors should also only be found in the Pro models. The iPhone 12 mini could also lack the XDR classification that we already know from the iPhone 11 Pro models.

iPhone 12 in a new color?

The creators of the “ConceptsiPhone” channel have created a rendering video based on the latest reports that could well pass as an Apple promotional video. In the video they show an iPhone 12 in a new navy blue shade.

Apple has also introduced a new color for the iPhone 11 – the manufacturer offers the Pro model in midnight green, among other things. It is therefore quite conceivable and likely that there could be an exclusive color again for the next generation of iPhones in addition to the classic black, gray and silver.

Technical Equipment

Keynote 2020: Apple introduces the new iPhone processor

Unusual for Apple, but a good preview of the iPhone 12: at yesterday’s September event, the company presented the new iPad Air (4th generation) – with the new A14 Bionic chipset. The same processor that the iPhone 12 is supposed to have. Usually Apple introduces new generations of chips with new iPhones. So yesterday’s event gave us a special insight into the performance of the iPhone 12.

Apple A14 is the first mass-produced chip to be manufactured using 5-nanometer technology | Photo: Apple / Screenshot Photo: Apple / Screenshot

Moderate increase in processor performance …

The A14 Bionic is the first chip to be manufactured using the 5 nanometer process. The smaller the process, the more efficient the chip. The A14 will consume less power than the A13 from the iPhone 11 despite its higher performance. However, since the A14 was introduced with the new iPad Air, Apple compared the performance of the chip with the previous iPad generation. There, however, the A12 Bionic and not the A13 Bionic from the iPhone 11 was used. The 40 percent increase in performance that Apple states for the A14 applies in comparison to the A12. However, the chip experts at Anandtech did a quick calculation. The A13 has 20 percent more power than the A12. If Apple’s information on calculating the performance across the chip generations is consistent, this results in an increase of almost 16 percent from the A13 to the A14.

The structure of the processor remains the same with 6 cores, which are composed of 2 power cores and 4 energy-saving cores.

The CPU (processor) in the A14 is again divided into 2 performance cores and 4 energy-efficient cores | Photo: Apple / Screenshot Photo: Apple / Screenshot

… and graphics

The same calculation can be made for graphics performance. Apple states a 30 percent increase over the A12. This only results in an increase of around 8.3 percent compared to the A13. The structure of the graphics unit with 4 cores remains the same as in the A12 and A13.

Neural engine with significantly more power

The Neural Engine on the A14 Bionic is a separate processor that can perform many smaller calculations at the same time. It is used, for example, for Face ID and machine learning and helps the processor and graphics unit with things like photo processing. In interaction with the processor and graphics unit, according to Apple, “image recognition, natural language learning, motion analysis and more” are possible on the iPhone.

The Apple A14 with Neural Engine Photo: Apple / Screenshot

The Neural Engine has made a big leap in the A14 and now has 16 cores with up to 11 TOPs (Tera Operations per Second – corresponds to one trillion calculations per second). That is more than twice as many as the 5 TOPs in the A12 and 83 percent more than the 6 TOPs in the A13.

Unusually small leap forward

Although the A14 is manufactured with 5 nanometers and has an astonishing 11.8 billion transistors – 38 percent more than the 8.5 billion in the A13 – the overall increase in performance is relatively small. Only 16 percent for the processor and 8.3 percent for the graphics sound very little compared to the giant leaps that the 12th and 13th generation of Apple’s chips have made.

It’s possible Apple will want to focus more on energy efficiency and sustained performance. In recent generations, it has been criticized that the chips are actually too strong for the limited cooling volume in the iPhone and iPad. In this way they can achieve a very high performance, but only for a short time – afterwards they have to be cooled down so that there is no damage from overheating. Ultimately, the September event did not tell us which path Apple wants to take with the A14. For that we have to wait until the iPhone 12 is presented.

5G, but with restrictions

For a long time, iPhone users had to wait for a model with 5G. After the new cellular standard has already been integrated into many Android competitors, an Apple cell phone with 5G is finally coming this year. But not all owners of the upcoming iPhone 12 will be able to experience the gigabit speeds that have been praised. According to reports, such high bandwidths are only reserved for the largest and most expensive model in the range.

At least that’s what the US business magazine Fast Company reports . According to its information, only the iPhone 12 Pro Max will have the antenna design for mmWave, which is necessary for the high-speed radio frequencies. This may be due to the correspondingly large case – the iPhone 12 Pro Max with a display diagonal of 6.7 inches is the largest model in Apple’s 12 series. Another reason could be the battery. Because the spark over mmWave eats a lot of energy, so a particularly powerful battery is necessary. The smaller 5.4 to 6.1 inch versions should also support 5G, but not all frequencies.

5G support thanks to cooperation with Qualcomm

Qualcomm should be decisive for the 5G iPhone. The chip manufacturer is apparently working with Apple and granting the iPhone manufacturer access to its 5G modem X55. This should enable the iPhone 2020 in connection with Apple’s in-house A14 chip to spark over the LTE successor.

However, the 5G iPhone should also be more expensive than the standard models with LTE. ” AppleInsider ” speaks of a possible price increase of 400 euros, which is not exactly small in view of the already expensive RRP. The price for the iPhone 2020 5G should then be a good 1500 euros. It remains to be seen whether users will actually pay the surcharge for 5G. What is certain is that the network operators in this country are only just about to upgrade the networks with 5G. The new mobile communications standard can currently only be used in everyday life in a few large cities. But if you want an iPhone that you can use for several years, the investment could make sense.

Is Apple making wireless charging easier?

The 5G iPhone is to get a more powerful battery with 4,000 mAh in order to be able to compensate for the additional energy requirements. At the same time, the upcoming iPhones will support reverse wireless charging. It would thus act as a wireless power bank and would be able to charge accessories such as the AirPods. Manufacturers such as Huawei and Samsung, for example, are already relying on this technology. Apple will probably optimize wireless charging for the iPhone 12.

One annoyance so far is that you have to place the smartphone very precisely on the charging mat so that electricity flows wirelessly. From smartwatches, however, we know a solution that Apple is now apparently using – magnets. Distributed around the charging coil, you can pull the iPhone into the correct position for charging and hold it there. The prerequisite is that the charging mat is also magnetic. Apple could well have a new Qi charger in the works that users have been waiting for a long time.

Among other things, on the Chinese portal Weibo and on Twitter, there are pictures that show the magnets that Apple uses.

 

 

 

In the meantime, the sources are also certain that Apple will continue to forego USB-C in the iPhone 12 in favor of the Lightning connector. Market observers also took notice when it became known that the new smartphones would probably no longer bring headphones with them. Apple will therefore probably reduce the accessories.

Is Apple bringing back the fingerprint sensor?

The reports that Apple could return to the fingerprint sensor for the iPhone 2020 are also getting fresh fire. Because the manufacturer has filed a patent for a new type of Touch ID. As with Android smartphones, the sensor could wander under the display – Apple has already installed a similar optical sensor in its new MacBook Pro with 16-inch display. You can read more detailed information on how Apple could implement the fingerprint sensor under the display on the upcoming iPhone here:

However, it is relatively certain that the manufacturer will update Face ID. In such a way that you can unlock your face from an even greater angle. Thanks to the new “Dynamic Zoning Algorithm”, Face ID should also become more secure, but what exactly is behind it remains to be seen.

Apple updates the camera

With the current iPhone 11, Apple is already focusing on the camera. Instead of a single camera there is a dual camera, instead of the dual camera a triple camera with 12 megapixels each and a new wide-angle lens. Apple is also promoting the night mode for better shots in the dark. With the iPhone 12, the manufacturer will go even further this year. Apparently Apple is planning to use a 64-megapixel camera and thus a significantly higher resolution. In times of cameras with 108 megapixels, it is at least necessary for Apple to move up a bit here.

A 3D camera based on the well-known time-of-flight technology is also under discussion again. ToF sensors measure the time it takes a light pulse to get to an object and back again and thus determine the distance between this object and the camera. A maximum distance of 40 meters is possible, which is why ToF sensors are well suited for applications such as augmented reality. In the iPhone 12 it could be used in the form of the new LiDAR sensor.

Apple’s LiDAR sensor

The analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, among others, had predicted such a sensor. But instead of appearing for the first time in an iPhone, Apple has already brought the further developed ToF sensor into its iPad Pro 2020. LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. Because the sensor is used for light detection and distance measurement. According to the Swedish blog Svetapple.sk, it could look like this:

Concept of the iPhone 12 Pro with LiDAR sensor
Photo: svetapple.sk 

But not only the LiDAR sensor should make the iPhone 12 Pro special. Kuo suspected that the device will also have sensor displacement stabilization. The current iPhone 11 generation has an ultra wide angle, but this is not optically image stabilized. A larger sensor and the sensor-based stabilization should ensure better and sharper images with less image noise.

In Jon Prosser’s hands-on leak, experimental settings appear that reveal that Apple could work on a slow-motion function for video recordings in 4K resolution. The video and screenshots show that there are apparently options with 120 frames per second (frames per second, FPS for short) and with 240 FPS for buttery smooth slow-motion recordings. That would be a significant improvement over the previous maximum of 4K at 60 FPS. Such high resolutions with 120 FPS or even 240 FPS place enormous demands on the hardware. The fact that Apple is even testing this function, according to Prosser, would be an indicator of the extremely high performance of the next iPhone.

iOS 14 as the latest operating system version

New iPhone, new iOS version – Apple is planning several changes to iOS 14. As things stand at the moment, this includes not only freely selectable standard apps, but also new fitness functions, extended mouse support and adjustments to iMassage.

Prices and availability

Apple will not present the new iPhones this year in September, but only in October. More precisely, October 13th was confirmed as the date for the keynote. In addition, buyers will probably have to wait longer if they want to purchase a certain model. Because the four iPhone 12 models are reportedly not being launched at the same time.

After leakers like Jon Prosser reported a staggered market launch of the iPhone 12 weeks ago, industry magazine DigiTimes is now  following suit . According to its information from supplier circles, Apple is launching the iPhone 12 models in two stages, starting with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, the largest model, will follow later. DigiTimes does not reveal what exactly means later.

Jon Prosser was more specific here in advance. He, too, spoke of a two-part market launch in mid-August, but with a slightly different division of the models. According to him, the iPhone 12 models will appear first, followed by the Pro versions.

 

 

The division into the sizes, reported by DigiTimes, seems a little more obvious, as very similar components are processed here. The components for the smaller and largest iPhone 12, however, are slightly different due to the size differences, which would justify the delay.

Price increase despite fewer accessories?

Not only are the start dates this year different than usual. The scope of delivery is also more slimmed down if you believe the reports. It seems almost certain that the iPhone 12 will bring fewer accessories than its predecessors. More precisely, according to various reports, Apple saves the headphones and the power supply. The idea behind this is plausible, but is unlikely to meet with a lack of understanding among buyers: Apparently, Apple is convinced that many customers now have a power supply unit for charging themselves – be it from older smartphone models or from other devices. For this reason one can save the production of further adapters, so the opinion.

But if some now think that the iPhone 12 will also be a bit cheaper because of these savings, they are probably wrong. Analyst Jeff Pu expects ” MacRumors ” according to a price increase of 50 euros for the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini. On the one hand, this is due to the new OLED display, on the other hand, it is probably due to the support of 5G. Komiya also confirms this with a tweet and speaks of prices starting at 699 US dollars for the mini iPhone.

In his opinion, the 6.1-inch version of the iPhone 12 with the lowest memory configuration will cost $ 799 – that would also be more than the previously speculated $ 749.

 

 

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The iPhone 12 Disappointed Me, so I Now Use the … | |  -  15 October 2020 at 16:59

[…] You can find the full article on TECHNOLOGY BUTTON. […]

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iPhone 13 – possible release date and features leaked | | Welcome to the technology and lifestyle portal  -  16 December 2020 at 13:30

[…] Also read: iPhone 12 – bigger zoom, more battery and faster Face ID? […]

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