iPhone 12 Dummy Models Depict Design and Size Options

iPhone 12 Dummy Models Depict Design and Size Options

Ahead of the launch of new iPhones we often see dummy models created based on leaked schematics and specifications, with those models designed to let case makers create cases for the new devices ahead of their release. We got our hands on a set of dummy models that represent the iPhone 12 lineup, giving us our first close look at the iPhone 4-style design and the different size options.

Dummy models like these often turn out to be accurate, and given that these line up with the glut of rumors that we've had about the 2020 iPhones so far, the dummies are likely to represent what we can expect to see this fall in terms of size and overall body design.

Apple is rumored to be releasing four iPhones in 2020: a 5.4-inch ‌iPhone 12‌, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 12‌, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro Max. The two "Pro" devices in 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizes will be higher-end, more expensive devices, while the 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ and other 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ will be more affordable similar to the iPhone 11.

All of the 2020 iPhones are expected to feature a new design that more closely resembles the ‌iPhone‌ 4 or the iPad Pro with a square-edged frame and a front and back glass body, which can be seen in the dummy models. It's a clean, sturdy design that will be a welcome departure from the rounded corners we've had for iPhones since the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 6.

‌iPhone 12‌ dummy on right, 2020 iPhone SE on left The 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ will be the smallest ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has released since the original ‌iPhone SE‌. It's bigger than the original ‌iPhone SE‌, but with its all-display design, it's smaller than the 4.7-inch 2020 ‌iPhone SE‌ and of course much smaller than the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro.

Original ‌iPhone SE‌ on left, ‌iPhone 12‌ dummy in middle, 2020 ‌iPhone SE‌ on right

Though smaller than the 4.7-inch ‌iPhone‌, it has a larger display because Apple is doing away with the bezels and the Touch ID Home button. All iPhones in 2020 will have full-screen OLED displays with Face ID and minimal bezels.

The 6.1-inch dummy model is larger than the 5.8-inch ‌iPhone 11 Pro‌, as is expected, and it is similar in size to the ‌iPhone 11‌, which was also a 6.1-inch device. Size wise, it's not too far off from existing iPhones, but the feel of the phone in the hand is different because of those flat edges.

The 6.7-inch model is the largest ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has ever released, and it's noticeably bigger than the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max. For those who prefer larger displays, the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ will be appealing.

‌iPhone 11 Pro Max‌ and ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro Max dummy

Apple's two lower-end ‌iPhone‌ models (5.4 and 6.1-inch) are expected to have dual-lens camera setups, while the higher-end models will have triple-lens cameras. There are also rumors that the Pro models could feature the same LiDAR Scanner introduced in the ‌iPad Pro‌.

That LiDAR Scanner is not pictured in these dummy models, and that's because these are designed for case makers. Case makers care about the size of the rear camera bump, but what's in that bump doesn't matter to them.

‌iPhone 12‌ dummies next to ‌iPad Pro‌ camera setup

For that reason, these camera setups are not likely to accurately represent the actual camera modules added in the 2020 iPhones. The same goes for the front-facing camera setup. There have been rumors that the notch will be smaller and that the notch is the same size on these dummies is not necessarily an indication that those rumors are untrue.

There's one other major design change worth noting. There's a new cutout area underneath the power button on some of the dummy models, which is believed to be necessary for the 5G antenna on the devices. All of the 2020 iPhones are expected to support 5G speeds.

For more on what to expect in the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ lineup, including more detailed rumors on colors, camera setups, features, and accessories, make sure to check out our iPhone 12 roundup.

02

iPhone 12 production delayed, claims report

The coronavirus pandemic has had an effect on many things, and the upcoming iPhone 12 may be one of them.

According to a report by Nikkei Asian Review, the iPhone 12 production has been badly hit by the pandemic, with the schedule now between four weeks and two months behind compared where the company should be for a September launch.

However, Apple has improved on the situation from a few months ago, where it was looking like the new iPhones might not launch until 2021.

According to the report, Apple has "aggressively tried to cut delays," with the hardware development team returning to the head office last month to keep things moving forward and suppliers working overtime to speed things up.

Must read: I wish I'd found this iPhone accessory years ago

The report claims that Apple completed the required Engineering Verification Tests (EVTs) on the mmWave 5G iPhone 12 in June, but that Design Verification Tests and Product Verification Tests need to be finished before mass production can begin.

"What the progress looks like now is months of delay in terms of mass production, but Apple is doing everything it can to shorten the postponement. There's a chance that the schedule could still be moved ahead," a source told Nikkei.

The report also claims that Apple is scaling back expectations for the iPhone 12. Initially the company had ordered components for 100 million units, but has scaled this back to a still very healthy 80 million.

Apple has also put in a larger than expected order of 45 million older iPhones for the second half of 2020 to cover the delay.

Would a delay of a month or so bother you?

03

Apple's iPhone 12 will be late, but not as late as it might've been, report says

Apple's upcoming smartphone, the iPhone 12, probably won't launch in September, when Apple typically launches new flagships. However, according to a new report by Nikkei Asian Review, it won't be postponed into next year, either. 

According to the outlet's sources, all four upcoming variants of the iPhone 12 will be delayed by one to two months due to production disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

In March, Nikkei gave a grim prediction of the iPhone 12 being "months" late, with the possibility of it being delayed into 2021. Several other outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, chimed in with their own reports in the following months, predicting a delay of at least a month.

Now, one of Nikkei's sources claims that Apple is doing "everything it can to shorten the postponement." Further delays down the road are possible, too, as some of the final designs for parts "have not yet been locked down."

The report indicates that 5G parts are partly to blame for the delay, as the high-end iPhone 12 model, which uses the faster, millimeter wave 5G band, is currently two months behind schedule, while the other models, which use the sub-6 GHz 5 band, are between 1 and 1.5 months behind. 

Nikkei's sources also claim that Apple is ramping up production of older models, including the iPhone XR, the iPhone 11, ant the iPhone SE, to weather out the iPhone 12 delay. 

Apple is widely expected to launch four new iPhones later this year: two cheaper models with 5.4- and 6.1-inch screens, and two high-end variants with 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens. All of the phones should have an OLED display, though some high-end variants will have a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and 5G connectivity. 

The new phones should also come with an upgraded Face ID system and a LIDAR sensor on the back. The two pricier models will likely come with a larger battery and 3x optical zoom. Finally, a rumor says that the iPhone 12 will come without a charger or earbuds in the box.