Prior to an iPhone leak, many case manufacturers use diagrams of the upcoming Apple device to plan out their cases. Often, they’ll use molds, CNC, or 3D printing to create models of the upcoming devices, to ensure their cases will feel right on them. It’s not enough to design the cases to specifications, but to ensure that they feel right on a physical device. Since case manufacturers can’t get their hands on the new models until after release, they make their own.
Those case dummies sometimes make their way into the hands of journalists, or just employees willing to share photos of them. While these leaks aren’t always 100% accurate, they’ve been generally close to the finished product for years.
Now we’re getting a look at the upcoming iPhone designs, and they look better than ever.
iPhone 4/5 and iPad Pro Influences
We’ve heard that Apple was finally going to switch their iPhone designs from the hard to grip rounded edges they’ve been using since the iPhone 6 to something that’s easier to hold with flat edges, like the iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and new iPad Pro. In fact, the new iPad Pro may be the first product testing this new design philosophy. It’s been popular.
Here are the first iPhone 12 dummies: 3 sizes (5.4, 6.1, 6.7). Flat edges, 3 cameras on the bump like recent molds. Notch, cameras should not be taken 100%, but chassis promising. pic.twitter.com/fcw3bLhVEF
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) June 21, 2020
We can see the iPhone in three screen sizes here, the 5.4-inch iPhone, a 6.1-inch model, and a larger than ever 6.7-inch model. Rumor has it these will represent four new iPhone models. Two will be iPhone 11 replacements, one in the smallest 5.4-inch size and one in the current 6.1-inch size. Then the pro models would increase in size, up to 6.1 inches on the iPhone 12 Pro from the 5.7 inches on the iPhone 11 Pro, and 6.7 inches on the iPhone 12 Pro Max from the 6.5 inches currently on this device.
The new 5.4 inch device will give those wanting a hand and pocket-friendly phone the very thing they’ve wanted since Apple started blowing up their devices with the iPhone 6, while still catering to those who want the larger screen size.
A note on these leaks, pay no mind to the cameras. They may be different on the final versions. Case manufacturers just know to leave a gap for the camera bump. The 5.4-inch iPhone, for example, is expected to have just two cameras, like the iPhone 11.
Release?
WWDC starts tomorrow, but don’t expect to see any new hardware until later this fall. Much later this fall, actually. COVID-19 pushed back production schedules and even Apple’s design team. Instead of a September reveal and release, we may have to wait until October or even November.
Which is awful, as the iPhone 11 has been the least happy I’ve been with an iPhone for a while, exclusively due to the fact that it’s the largest iPhone I’ve ever owned. I just can’t wait to have a smaller iPhone again. It’s a shame it won’t be Apple’s high-end model, but I’ve come to realize that I’d prefer a phone that fits in my hand than the spec bump or extra camera. I feel like, come fall, many people will make the same choice. We’ve been without a small iPhone since the 2016 iPhone SE. It’s finally time to have a handheld phone again.
Source: Malcolm Owens, AppleInsider