We’re fast approaching the time of the year when Apple typically unveils a fresh batch of iPhones. Usually the Cupertino-tech giant lifts the lid on the latest iPhone handsets in a showpiece event in September fronted by CEO Tim Cook. But this isn’t a typical year, and with the coronavirus pandemic impacting all parts of our life the smartphone industry is one area of the world that has been affected too.
Apple has confirmed that its new iPhone models will be slightly delayed at launch, with a mid-October arrival on shelves worldwide mooted by sources with knowledge of the supply chain. However, this slightly longer than usual wait could be well worth it with the iPhone 12 rumoured to bring the biggest set of design changes since 2017’s iPhone X launch.
Besides a much smaller-notch for the front facing camera and facial recognition system (boosting the amount of screen real-estate possible in the frame of the phone) the iPhone 12 is expected to feature a metal, square-edged frame similar to the iPhone 4. There will be a number of different models available for iPhone fans in 2020, with at least two models allegedly featuring flat, stainless steal edges instead of curved ones.
The iPhone 2020 range is expected to be made up of four models in three different display sizes – 5.4inch, 6.7inch and two handsets with 6.1inch screens. But unlike previous years, all iPhone 2020 models are expected to feature an OLED display regardless of price.
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For those that are used to an LCD screen on the iPhone XR or iPhone 11, this should be a big-step up. A 120Hz ‘ProMotion’ refresh rate could be included in the higher-end devices which also are expected to boast a triple-lens rear camera set-up. Meanwhile, the high-end iPhone 12 models could also feature a mode which allows user to shoot 4K video at 120 and 240 frames per second, offering crystal clear clarity.
There are plenty of rumours doing the rounds about the iPhone 2020 range, which looks to be a big step up from the iPhone 11 handsets.
And a new patent could have revealed a surprise feature that will be getting announced at the upcoming iPhone 12 launch event.
As reported on in a post by Techradar, a new patent has lifted the lid on a front-facing time-of-flight (ToF) sensor that should appear on Apple’s next handset.
While that might sound a mouthful, the ToF sensor is better known as the tech behind the in-air gestures which appeared on the LG G8 and then the Google Pixel 4. As the name suggests, air gestures let a device’s user perform a range of actions such as dismissing notifications or controlling music playback with swipes in the air.
How successful these innovative features are remain up for debate, but with a little bit of refinement it has the potential to be real-game changes for smartphone users.
And if the recently discovered patent is any indication then Apple could be looking to make a big push with this feature in their next range of smartphones. If Apple does include a ToF sensor with the iPhone 12 then it would be replacing the front facing sensor that has been around since the release of the iPhone X in 2017.
Besides bringing with it air gestures, the ToF sensor could also boast improvements to selfie capture as well as beef up facial recognition for Face ID.