Apple could use 'iPhone 12 mini' name for smallest 2020 model

Mock-ups of the 'iPhone 12' and 'iPhone 12 Max,' though the names may change.

For previous iPhone releases, Apple went down the route of having a designated regular-sized model of iPhone accompanied by a larger model with the "Max" or "Plus" suffix. While the trend may continue for the "iPhone 12 Pro" and "iPhone 12 Pro Max," Apple may opt to shake up the naming convention for 2020.

According to serial leaker "@l0vetodream" on Twitter, the next models may be called the "iPhone 12 mini," "iPhone 12," "iPhone 12 Pro," and "iPhone 12 Pro Max." Rather than a regular-sized model and a larger "iPhone 12 Max," Apple instead may opt to make the smaller model the "mini" instead, if the claim is to be believed.

The change in name does somewhat make sense, based on earlier rumors about the smartphones. The two "iPhone 12" models are thought to have 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch screens, while the "Pro" versions are anticipated to have 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays.

For the suggested names to work, this would mean Apple would consider the 6.1-inch models to be the standard-size versions, with the smaller screen gaining the "mini" addition.

"L0vetodream" has a relatively good track record for leaks and rumors on Apple's product launches and features, which gives some plausibility to the proposed names. There are, however, no guarantees that Apple will use the names until the company unveils the models for the first time.

The "iPhone 12" range is widely believed to have an updated A14 SoC, with twice the number of transistors as the A13, with the standard edition having 4GB of memory while the Pro uses 6GB. The standard editions are rumored to use an aluminum body while Pro models uses stainless steel.

On the back, the "iPhone 12" will have ultra-wide and wide-angle 12-megapixel cameras. The Pro range will have a third for telephoto shots, and are also rumored to gain the LiDAR sensor from the iPad Pro, giving it depth sensing capabilities that could help both with AR and with photographic effects.

Apple is anticipated to announce a second special event, which could take place either in late September or in October, where it is highly likely to reveal the 2020 iPhone range.