Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 12 will make its official debut on 13 October.
The virtual launch event is due to start at 10am PT (6pm BST), according to official invites sent out this week. While the invite gives little away, its "Hi, Speed" tagline is likely a nod to the fact that the iPhone 12 will be the first iPhone to feature 5G connectivity.
It could also be a reference to the upgraded A14 Bionic CPU that's set to power the iPhone 12. Apple is touting the chip, which debuted in the recently launched 2020 iPad Air, as its "most powerful" yet, and is promising a 40% boost in CPU performance and a 30% improvement in graphics compared to the A13 Bionic.
Rumours suggest Apple will announce four new iPhones at the event, including 5.7in and 6.7in models. As well as upgraded internals and 5G support, these will reportedly feature a an angular design reminiscent of the iPhone 4, OLED screens, and a new LiDAR sensor for improved depth-sensing.
Pricing for the iPhone 12 is expected to be comparable to the launch price of the iPhone 11, shipping at £1,049. There will also be a cheaper entry-level model with a reported starting price of £729, although it's very likely this version won't support 5G.
It's currently unclear when the new iPhones will go on sale, but it will be later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apple's iPhone launch events typically take place in early-September, but the company admitted earlier this year that the pandemic had caused disruption to its global supply chain.
It also remains to be seen whether Apple will debut any other new products at the 13 October event. Rumours suggest the company may also show off new over-ear headphones, a more affordable HomePod, and a competitor to Tile's location-tracking tags.
The company could also share more details about its first Arm-based MacBooks, which are expected to debut before the end of the year.
Image credit: Apple
