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'iPhone 12 Pro Max' design detailed in new video

Renders made from a combination of leaked CAD designs and allegedly separately sourced information

A new video claims to show an almost-finished Apple design for the forthcoming "iPhone 12 Pro Max," featuring details, such as a smaller notch, that tally with previous reports.

Whether the "iPhone 12" range launches as usual in September or not, Apple is of course at least very close to finalizing its design. Now a video has been released that claims to show most of what Apple's "iPhone 12 Pro Max" will look like.

The video, from Twitter users @EverythingApplePro and @MaxWinebach, claims to show a 3D-printed mockup based on leaked drawings. It's said that the original CAD drawings were as sent to unnamed case or peripheral manufacturers.

However, the video also stresses that the mockup plans are only 70% complete. Specifically, the positioning of the rear cameras and the front notch may not be finalised.

In keeping with previous reports, this 3D-printed mockup shows the "iPhone 12 Pro" having an iPad Pro-like chassis with flat edges. It also has the expected 6.7-inch display

That's larger than the current iPhone 11 Pro Max's 6.5-inch screen, and the 3D-printed model suggests that the overall dimensions of the forthcoming phone will be slightly larger to accommodate this. It also claims, though, that the new phone will be thinner at 7.4mm instead of the present 8.1mm. Bezels around the screen are said to be 0.9mm.

While size and positioning of the camera is yet to be finalized, it is claimed that the raised camera protrusion will now be a square that is 5mm larger in both length and width to the present one. Unlike now when the lenses themselves protrude out from the housing, the new phone will have them be slightly recessed and the housing deepened to protect them.

It will include a LiDAR sensor, although Apple is reportedly experimenting with different positions for it.

Apple is also said to have been investigating different sizes, depth and rounding for the Face ID notch. Previous reports have said that it's possible the notch may disappear entirely as the technology becomes small enough to be hidden in the bezel, and reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also claim that the notch will at least be reduced.

According to EverythingApplePro, the leaked CAD designs featured a notch with a similar size to the present one, but separate leaks have suggested a different curvature to how it fits into the screen.

Their mockup also shows a wider antenna band at 1.83mm instead of the iPhone 11 Pro Max's 1mm, and this was expected to be necessary because of the 2020 iPhones adopting 5G.

The current iPhone 11 Pro Max (left) next to a 3D-printed mockup of the 2020 version
The current iPhone 11 Pro Max (left) next to a 3D-printed mockup of the 2020 version

These bands are in approximately the same places around the sides of the new phone, but other regular items have reportedly moved. The sleep/wake button is said to be slightly lower, and the SIM tray has been moved to the opposite side. Taking that SIM tray's previous position is what appears to be a Smart Connector, similar to those seen on the iPad Pro models.

The CAD drawings and model also fit with previous mockups in how they show a change to the speakers. According to this new leak, the speaker grills will one fewer holes on the right side of the Lightning connector. The report claims that the speakers will overall be 10% to 15% louder and with improved dynamic range.