08/26 Update below. This post was originally published on August 23rd
Perhaps the most notable thing about the (officially delayed) iPhone 12 lineup is their (relatively) affordable prices. But now we know why, and not everyone will be happy with where Apple is making the cuts to achieve it.
iPhone 12 Pro Max color concept
In a new report by award-winning Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo (seen by MacRumors), Kuo shows that Apple will prevent the massive price increases that affect rivals, by putting pressure on component supplies and the battery technology of ‘ to degrade the new iPhones. Something that looks harmful.
08/25 Update: iPhone fans scared off by Apple’s downgraded iPhone 12 batteries (see below) have now made a decision, with reports Apple will cancel its iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models after launching the iPhone 12 lineup. While this has been repeating Apple’s launch pattern in recent years, those who appreciate the longest possible battery life seem to be disappointed by the new iPhones and left without a long lasting Pro alternative. Apple is understood to keep the iPhone 11 at entry level (and its price drops by $ 150 to $ 549), but anyone who wants a new Pro-level iPhone with the maximum possible battery life should move now. My personal tip would be to wait for the release of iPhone 12 and see if the new A14 chip can perform wonders, but it’s a big question.
08/26 Update: a fascinating update of the productive leaker iHacktu Pro claims that the A14 can simply live a miracle of battery life. The insider states that the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Max (also tipped are called the iPhone 12 Plus) will provide the battery life increase of 3 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes compared to its predecessors, the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 11. Furthermore, it is said that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro provide the same battery life “until the battery reaches 11 %. “The leaker signs off by writing that the A14 chip is” fire “. These are remarkable claims and would be a truly wonderful achievement how much smaller the battery capacity of the iPhone 12 setup will be. The only potential downside, is that Apple may have decided to do some of the The remarkable performance gain of A14 to achieve this.
By breaking this down, Kuo explains that Apple’s adoption of Sub-6GHz 5G technology in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Plus will increase Apple’s costs by $ 75- $ 85, while the full fat millimeter wave 5G in the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will add $ 125– $ 135. Such increases have added $ 200/300 to the final selling price of phones like Samsung’s Galaxy flagships, but Kuo says Apple will make up to 50% off its battery costs by moving the iPhone 12 models to batteries with simpler, smaller designs with less layers.
The result seems to be an approximately 10% reduction in battery capacities over the range, compared to the line-up of iPhone 11. Given the higher power consumption of 5G, this is a surprising change and really puts pressure on Apple’s superlative new A14 chip to do some wonders of energy. The lower capacities are also thought to be the reason behind Apple’s decision to scrap the ProMotion displays on the Pro models.
Apple’s exciting 5.4-inch iPhone 12 (concept shown) may be let down by poor battery life
Moreover, while some iPhone fans may not be happy to trade the battery life for a cellular standard they may not even be able to receive, Apple has long been looking forward to this process. Kuo states that Apple will go even further in 2021, moving the iPhone 13 lineup to a “pure soft board” battery design that will cut a further 30-40% of the cost. How this affects their performance remains to be seen.
Needless to say, this cost-cutting decision could be a deal-breaker for some upgrades, especially with the iPhone 12 range set to keep its big notch for another generation. That said, the aforementioned A14 chip could be a game changer, its super small and super large new screen size will win new fans, the cameras are about to get a lot smarter and they have a new chassis design that looks great. Then there is the fact that Apple will beat competitors on price this year, and that alone can be enormous.
If you are not yet convinced, then my advice is to wait. The range is already delayed and next year comes a new iPhone 12 model that may just be the smartest purchase of all.
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