07/16 Update below. This post was originally published on July 14.
Given everything we already know about Apple’s radically redesigned iPhone 12 line, the new phones seemed to be ready to sell as hotcakes. But now Apple has inadvertently confirmed that the entire range has a serious problem.
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro has a stunning new design, but battery life is now a concern
Discovered by MySmartPrice, Apple has introduced the batteries of its four new iPhone 12 models for mandatory certification processes with Safety Korea, 3C in China and UL Demko in Denmark. And these public processes reveal that Apple has reduced its capabilities to the extent that it could have serious consequences for potential buyers.
07/15 Update: Apple has been affected by other iPhone battery problems. The company has lost a class action lawsuit over ‘Batterygate’, where the company admitted to speeding up the performance of older iPhones to protect its old batteries. The problem wasn’t the choke itself, but Apple’s secret to the practice and the fact that it wasn’t telling users that they could simply replace the battery to make their iPhones feel like new. Apple will now pay $ 500 million in compensation to US customers who owned an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus or SE with iOS 10.2.1 prior to December 21, 2017 or an iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with iOS 11.2 or later before December 21, 2017. Eligible customers will receive $ 25 each and you can file a claim on this website.
07/16 Update: Business Insider He has gotten more news about Apple’s iPhone 12 range from popular analysts Wedbush Securities, and brings good and bad news. The good news is about prices, where Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives understands that, despite some unexpected price increasesThe range will actually be the cheapest flagship 5G smartphone on sale this year. However, Ives suggests that Apple will consider some 4G-only versions of these devices, which would be a surprise. Apple has received big tips to make all new models 5G-compatible. The bad news, collected by 9to5MacWedbush also believes the iPhone 12’s lineup will be delayed. It’s not a significant delay, as analysts set an October retail launch instead of September, though availability is expected to be very limited at first.
The battery model numbers for the new iPhones are: A2471, A2431, and A2466, and the second is used on both the iPhone 12 Max and iPhone 12 Pro. Their capabilities are broken down as follows:
- Apple PiPhone 12 (5.4 inch) – A2471 – 2,227 mAh
- Apple PiPhone 12 Max (6.1 inch) – A2431 – 2,775 mAh
- Apple PiPhone 12 Pro (6.1 inch) – A2431 – 2,775 mAh
- Apple PiPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7 inch) – A2466 – 3,687 mAh
Now compare them to the battery capabilities of the current iPhone 11 range:
- Apple PiPhone 11 (6.1 inch) – 3110 mAh
- Apple PiPhone 11 Pro (5.8 inch) – 3,046 mAh
- Apple PiPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7 inch) – 3,969 mAh
In purely numerical terms, the new batteries are only 10% smaller, but what makes this reduction shocking is what they should do. The iPhone 12 range is Apple’s first iPhone 5G, and rival manufacturers have consistently shown that 5G modems consume significantly more power than 4G modems. Consequently, Samsung increased the battery capacity of its Galaxy S20 models by 15% just to sit still.
For Apple, regression of battery life now seems inevitable. Especially with the company that also increases the screen size in two models and introduces higher resolutions. Battery life for the new 5.4-inch iPhone 12 is also a big concern, as this is by far the smallest battery ever used in a 5G smartphone.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro renders based on multiple leaks
Furthermore, Apple’s disclosure seems almost certain to kill hopes that ProMotion 120Hz high refresh rate displays will reach the new range. Highlighted on rival phones for creating silky smooth operation and more responsive touch input, the high refresh rate panels were considered an essential and long-awaited upgrade to iPhone 2020 for some time. But doubts arose in recent weeks about its inclusion and now this news about the battery is going to end this once and for all.
Of course, there’s still a lot to like about Apple’s upcoming iPhones. Their new designs are eye-catching, they look ready to take a seismic performance leap, and iPhone 12 Pro models in particular will have new cameras that can change the game.
All of which makes Apple’s decision to apparently switch iPhone 12 models for battery life a complete shock. For most users, long battery life is at the top of their Wish List, so unless Apple has created some truly magical software optimizations, the company is playing with fire.
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