Crystal Cox/Business Insider
- Apple just announced its next major event, where it is highly expected to announce the iPhone 12.
- Apple typically reveals its new iPhones every September, but this year’s launch has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The iPhone 12 is expected to come with 5G support, a fresh design, and new size options among other changes.
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Apple just announced that it will hold an event on October 13, during which it is expected to unveil its iPhone 12 lineup among other products.
The event invite simply says “Hi, Speed,” which could potentially be a reference to the 5G support that expected to come with the iPhone 12. It will be broadcast from Apple Park, much like the other events Apple has hosted virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Apple typically announces its new iPhones in September, but said in July that it expected supply of its 2020 iPhones to be delayed because of the coronavirus. Bloomberg reported in September that Apple would instead announce its new iPhones in October and launch them shortly thereafter.
The iPhone 12 is expected to be a significant upgrade that brings 5G support, a new design with flat edges much like the iPad Pro, new size options, and faster performance.
Apple is expected to release four different iPhone 12 models this year: two versions to succeed the iPhone 11, and two that will effectively replace the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. All models will reportedly support 5G, but the more expensive "Pro Max" is also expected to come with a Lidar sensor for better performance in augmented reality apps.
If history is any indication, the iPhone 12 will likely be the event's main attraction. But there are also other rumored products said to be in Apple's pipeline. These include AirTags, a Bluetooth tracker for locating lost items using your iPhone, as well as a faster new Apple TV and Apple's first pair of over-ear headphones. Apple also previously said its first Mac computers running on Apple silicon will debut before the year is over.
The event comes just after Apple held a keynote in September to unveil two new Apple Watches, new iPads, and a digital fitness service.
Despite the pandemic, demand for Apple's next iPhone is expected to be high. The company has asked suppliers to build about 75 million iPhone units for this year, according to Bloomberg, which is roughly on par with last year's launch.
Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives has described the iPhone 12 launch as a "once in a decade" launch for Apple, estimating that 350 million active iPhones around the world are in the window of an upgrade opportunity.
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