Three years ago, Apple released the iPhone 10 that put a dent in the tech industry by mainstreaming the notch and the introduction of Face ID.
Since then, Apple has made minimal changes to the iPhone series — iPhone XS (2018) with performance improvements and the current showstopper iPhone 11 (2019) with thetriple camera setup.
The popular belief is Apple iPhone 2020 will revolutionize the iPhone series as we know it. This is because iPhone 2020 would be the first iPhone in Apple’s three-year cycle restarting next year.
As a matter of fact, the latest iPhone 2020 rumors suggest that it’s going to be big. So, here is everything we know about the iPhone 2020 or dare I say, “iPhone 12.”
What will the iPhone 2020 be called?
Apple has created a terminology ruckus since the introduction of iPhone X (pronounced as iPhone 10) in 2017. When users thought of it as a one-time thing, Apple complicated things further with the announcement of iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018.
Just when users started accepting the new terminology, Apple reintroduced the numbering scheme with iPhone 11 in 2019. So the question is, what will the iPhone 2020 be called?
As it turns out, iPhone X was named to commemorate the 10-year marking of Apple launching its first iPhone in 2007. The iPhone XS series was merely an update to it. Therefore, Apple will likely call the new device “iPhone 12”, in continuation of the numbering scheme.
Since it is a new release cycle, Apple will likely refrain from introducing an iPhone 11S or iPhone 11S Pro. Of course, there are no official announcements, but it makes sense to go with iPhone 12 as of now.
iPhone 12 release date
Excluding the iPhone SE, nearly all the iPhones (5S and above) have been announced at Apple’s fall events usually held in the month of September. Undoubtedly, Apple will release the iPhone 12 in September 2020.
It’s way too early to guess the iPhone 12 release date, however, I reckon the release somewhere in the last two weeks of September, given the last three generations have followed the same timeframe.
iPhone 2020 Rumors
5nm A14 Bionic Chip
It’s no brainer the iPhone 12 will include the latest A14 bionic chip. However, the rumor is that TMSC, Apple’s long-time chip provider, willmanufacture 5nm chipsfor the next-generation iPhones.
As compared to the 7nm chips used in iPhone 11, the chip will be extremely small, drastically improve speed and battery life. However, few believe that the 5nm architecture might add up to the final iPhone 12 price.
It is also rumored that iPhone 12 will go for a triple-stacked logic board, different from the dual-stacked board in iPhone 11 series.
5G Connectivity
Apple will reportedly includeQualcomm’s X55 5G modemin all the three 2020 iPhones, dropping the Intel chips that Apple has been including in iPhones since the Apple-Qualcomm dispute.
The Qualcomm’s X55 is the second generation 5G chip from the chipmaker. Theoretically, the chip can deliver 7GB/s and 3GB/s maximum download and upload speed respectively.
In order to support the 5G connectivity, rumors are iPhone 12 will come withwider antenna bands, also they will be made of tempered glass, or Sapphire instead of plastic.
New Face ID
Many trusted leakers have claimed that Apple will introduce asmaller notch, possibly a narrower notch, for the iPhone 2020. Previously, Apple supplier AMSannouncednew camera sensor technology that enables IR proximity sensor and RBG light, used in Apple FaceID, to go under the display.
A small notch will improve the screen-to-bezel ratio of the devices. However, the downside is that the notch will remain for at least three more years as Apple will most likely continue with the design as per its cycle.
Exclusive: One of the 2020 iPhone prototypes has 6.7-inch display with Face ID and TrueDepth camera system housed in the top bezel.pic.twitter.com/sAJE7J12ty
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin)August 18, 2025
With that being said, a rumor going wild on the Internet is that Apple might introduce one iPhone with no Face ID/notch, instead rely on an in-display fingerprint sensor. Since Apple released iPhone X along with iPhone 8, therefore the rumor seems plausible.
3D Sensing Camera
Apple introduced three camera lenses with the iPhone 2019 lineup, therefore it is highly unlikely that the iPhone 2020 will feature an entirely new camera setup.
However, rumors are that Apple will add a new time-of-flight3D camerathat will enable users to play with Augmented Reality. For those who don’t know, a time-of-flight camera sensor can create a 3D-map of the soundings using lasers that bounce off from the object back to the sensor.
LTPO Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate
An earlier report for iPhone 12 claimed the next-generation iPhonelineup will packLow-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) display technology. The new technology offers a power saving of approximately 5-15%. Apple recently deployed the tech in theApple Watch Series 5resulting in the low-powered always-on display.
Apple is considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020, and is discussing with Samsung and LG.pic.twitter.com/4aoU303umu
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce)August 09, 2025
Apple will reportedly use the same tech on the upcoming iPhones.
Apart from that, there are rumors indicating that iPhones 2020 will feature120Hz pro-motion technology. Apple has been using Pro-Motion tech in high-end iPads, therefore, the company might introduce the same in next-generation iPhones.
Last but not least, users who plan to grab the lesser-priced iPhone next year will be glad to hear that all the iPhone 12 variants may come equipped with OLED displays, instead of including an LCD display in the budget one.
USB Type-C or No Port at all?
There are conflicting rumors regarding the port in the upcoming iPhones. For a long time, analysts have claimed that Apple will introduce USB Type-C ports in iPhones 2020, doing away with lightning ports.
Popular leaker Ben Geskin, however, claims thatApple’s long-term planis to get rid of ports entirely and instead, rely on wireless charging and Ultra-Wide Band technology (UWB) that will enable wireless data transfer speeds of 500Mbps in the 3m range and 110Mbps speed in the 10m range.
Confirming Geskin claims, Ming-Chi Kuo says thatApple is planningto launch a high-end iPhone without a Lightning connector in the second half of 2021.
Apple will reportedly launch five iPhones next year. At first, we will iPhone SE 2, second iteration to the iPhone’s budget series.
Later in September 2020, fans will see four iPhones — all featuring high-end OLED display and 5G support. Reportedly, users will see a 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model.
iPhone SE 2 Rumors
It goes without saying that the iPhone 2020 will put a big hole in your pocket. However, people low on a budget can also think of buying iPhone SE 2,scheduled for the first quarterof2020.
Similar to the first generation, iPhone SE 2 will have a smaller form factor and will have a lower price. Reports suggest that iPhone SE 2 will be priced at $399.
Rumors say that iPhone SE will sport a screen size of 4.7-inch — same as the iPhone 8. As for the specifications, it will include the A13 Bionic chip with 3GB RAM.
A recent rumor claims that Apple will ultimately call the low budget iPhone as iPhone 9 which is really absurd.
Apple will reportedly also launch an iPhone SE 2 Plus in 2021. The device will sport a screen size of 5.5 or 6.1-inch. Interestingly, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple iPhone SE 2+ will feature a full-screen display and install Touch ID on the power button.
