08/22 Update below. This post was originally published on August 20th
Apple has warned that the iPhone 12 range has been delayed, but now the company may have just leaked a surprising new release date.
iPhone 12 Plus, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 proportional rendering, based on new leaks
Tracked by eagle-eyed 9to5Mac readers, Apple today posted a test feed on its official YouTube account for a live event to be held on 10 September. This is the same date as the launch of the iPhone 11 last year, and it fits perfectly with other previous launch dates for iPhone: Sept 12 (iPhone XS, X), Sept 7 (iPhone 7), 9 Sept (iPhone 6S, 6) .
08/22 Update: according to ZDNet, the release of iPhone 12 seems set for a “One more thing …” moment, with Apple announcing the resurrection of its ambitious AirPower wireless charger. AirPower was meant to stand out from the competition by placing iPhones and AirPods everywhere on the mat to charge. The problem was this required so many wireless charging rings, that it caused excessive buildup of heat. Apple is hotly tipped to fix this via the addition of magnets, which help devices align on the mat and cut down on the number of rings required. Seen Apple’s plans to full port-less iPhone in 2021, this is something Apple should get asked for a second time.
Despite this correlation, some attempts have been made to shoot this. Reliable tipster Jon Prosser dismissed it, which is to be expected, as he promised a much later date (which is also disputed). Interestingly, however, most doubts come down to two false assumptions.
First, a popular claim that Apple never holds events on a Thursday. This is not true. Apple has held Q3 hardware launch events on Thursdays in 2010, 2014 and 2016. There is also a myth that iPhones only launch on a Tuesday, when two of the last four iPhone launches (iPhone XS , 7) happened on a Wednesday.
iPhone 12 concept for retail packaging render
Second, when Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed that the iPhone 12 line-up would be available “a few weeks later”, he talked about their offer with many assuming that their announcement should also be delayed as a result. Prior to Maestri’s remarks, the event was tackled in early September, while two subsequent leaks muddled the water with claims over split-release schedules.
That all means, Thursday, September 10th is completely credible. Moreover, Apple also has a long history of underelling even to investors. After making the “few weeks later” progress during its recent (stratospheric) financial results, the company is now likely working day and night to deliver.
Is the new iPhone 12 range worth what the extra wait will be? Yes and no. For the line-up go new 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, a massive performance version, stylish new design, smart camera tech, competitive prices and 5G. Against them are small battery sizes, another big notch and fall another year behind rival display tech.
The irony with all this speculation about launch / release, is the biggest winners could be those iPhone upgraders who choose to just wait a little longer.
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