Leaker L0vetodream on Twitter posted a simple tweet: “12mini 12 12 Pro 12 Pro Max.” As usual, they offer as few details as possible. The leak seemed to give us an idea about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 12 naming scheme. It confirms that we won’t get an “iPhone 11s,” but a true update, the redesign we’ve been waiting five years for. It also seems to suggest the smallest iPhone, the 5.4-inch iPhone 12, will be the “iPhone 12 mini.” This could mean that, like Apple’s other “mini” products, like the iPad mini, the iPhone 12 will feature most if not all of the features of the new, larger iPhone 12, in a smaller package.
But with just the word of one (admittedly reliable) leaker, we didn’t have much to go on. Until now.
Another leak, supposedly of Apple’s upcoming iPhone cases, reveals that the next iPhone will indeed feature this naming structure. The leak seems to come from Apple’s packaging stickers, and appears legitimate.
Leaked Stickers
https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1308009156486467584?s=20
The leaked stickers appear to match the previous iPhone silicone case stickers. The UPC codes and QR codes are different, but the rest of the content seems to be the same. There are no obvious signs of photo manipulation either. The stickers seem legitimate.
They clearly say, “iPhone 12 mini,” “iPhone 12” and “iPhone 12 Pro Max.” They’re stickers for Apple’s black silicone cases. Larger third party case makers have not been as daring this year as they have in the past, and they haven’t released their cases yet. They could be waiting for Apple’s announcement. The iPhone 12 is supposed to be a completely new design, so case manufacturers are right to be cautious.
Interestingly, the person notes that the largest iPhone 12 model will be 6.7 inches. That would make it 0.2 inches larger than the current iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 mini is supposedly 5.4 inches, 0.4 inches smaller than the current smallest full-screen iPhone model. That nearly half of an inch will make a large difference to users, and may help ignite a new trend in smartphones: small smartphones that actually are small. Looking for small flagship smartphones today is a mess, with most “small” models coming in around 6 inches, an absurdly large size to consider “small.”
Questionable Naming
The iPhone 12 mini is a fantastic name. It doesn’t make the name extraordinary long. It reveals exactly what the device is with as few words as possible. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are similarly well-named. But the iPhone 12 Pro Max? That’s still a mouthful. Apple really should have considered just going with “iPhone 12 Max.” That would have been enough to show it was their top-of-the-line model.
Regardless, the leak seems legitimate. The fact that Apple already has their packaging and UPCs in order suggests that the company is preparing to ship their devices soon. With a release date likely in early to mid-October, that seems like a reasonable presumption.
Sources:
- Hartley Charlton, MacRumors
- Luke Dormehl, Cult of Mac
- William Gallagher, AppleInsider
- Tim Hardwick, MacRumors
- Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider