Apple’s best iPhone 12 upgrades have been dropping like flies in recent weeks with display disappointment, design concerns and strange battery decisions. But arguably the most exciting new addition, does now look to have been confirmed.
Picked up by the excellent new site AppleTrack, the first iPhone 12 Pro Max case to show the flagship phone’s redesigned camera array has leaked. The case reveals not only the enlarged rear cameras, but also how Apple will integrate its hugely exciting new LiDAR sensor in the phone’s triple camera array. And it’s not what everyone was expecting.
08/25 Update: in a further boost to the iPhone 12 Pro lineup, 2020's breakout Apple tipster Jon Prosser has told Apple fans: "Don’t give up on 120hz on 12 Pro yet..." explaining "I know they’ve got iPad Pro-like 'Promotion' running on 12 Pro Max. Just not sure if it’ll make launch. But there’s enough evidence from my sources not to give up on it quiet yet." He does warn that the new iPhones will not use Samsung's LPTO displays (seen in the Note 20 Ultra) which are optimized for high refresh rate panels, but this was expected. Despite this, the concern is less about whether the new line-up has 120Hz capable screens, but whether Apple implements them due to battery drain concerns - a problem of Apple's own making. Either way, this feature is clearly touch and go and, for some (including myself), its omission would be a deal breaker.
Apple was widely tipped to add the LiDAR sensor by shifting the iPhone 11’s triangular camera setup into a square design of four equal sized lenses (three cameras, one LiDAR sensor). Instead, the case shows Apple has kept the same layout and managed to shrink the LiDAR sensor down significantly from the large module first seen in the iPad Pro in March. The result is a sensor which is as small as the LED flash and can nestle into the bottom right corner of the camera hump.
While sufferers of trypophobia will be happy with this new design, it does raise questions. Most notably, has Apple managed to shrink the LiDAR sensor without impacting the superb 3D mapping performance it delivers in the iPad Pro (video below). And will LiDAR also be seen on the smaller iPhone 12 Pro? (iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Plus models will miss out).
My personal opinion is if Apple wants widespread LiDAR adoption by app makers, then it needs to equip both iPhone 12 Pro models. Having clearly spent significant time designing this tech, what Apple doesn’t need is another failed 3D Touch situation on its hands. With the right support, LiDAR will be a true differentiator for the iPhone range as virtual and augmented reality apps continue to evolve at a frightening pace.
LiDAR performance will also get a big helping hand from Apple’s multi-generational A14 performance. My big concern, however, is battery life with this new high performance hardware set to take a toll on the iPhone 12 range’s downgraded battery tech. Especially with 5G added to the mix.
We will have to wait a little longer to know how this pans out, with Apple already confirming a delayed release and subsequent warnings claiming this may be longer than expected. That said, with Apple also introducing an eye-catching new chassis design and undercutting rival prices for the first time, the iPhone 12 Pro models are poised to give LiDAR a flying start.
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