Mikey Campbell
A video on Friday purportedly offers the closest look yet at Apple's "iPhone 12 Pro" chassis ahead of an expected release this fall.
The short, five-second video posted to Twitter by YouTube channel EverythingApplePro reveals what appears to be a next-generation iPhone chassis complete with iPhone 4-inspired design, cutouts for a triple-lens camera array, a rumored LiDAR Scanner aperture, repositioned SIM slot and more.
Referred to as the "official iPhone 12 Pro chassis," the metal casing looks to be of production quality, with milled edges, a white glass backing and a selection of assembled innards. Inside, a covering for what appears to be a wireless charging pass-through is seen in a circular area cut out from component shielding.
A module holding the handset's camera cover glass sports five large apertures — three for the main imagers, one for a flash, and another for the rumored LiDAR Scanner. Apple's top-end "iPhone 12 Pro Max" is anticipated to boast a rear-facing LiDAR system borrowed from the fourth-generation iPad Pro.
The glass side of the supposed chassis offers a better view of the camera stack and a faint Apple logo layered by white paint.
While most design aspects shown off in the video have been discussed in previous reports and parts leaks, today's video reveals a small rectangular window located on right side of the device, below the power button. The purpose of the strip is unclear, though at least one prior report notes its existence in early CAD drawings.
Close in appearance to iPad Pro's magnetic Apple Pencil charger, the window could be a design consideration for new accessories like a more compact wireless charging case.
Apple is widely expected to unveil "iPhone 12" this fall, though a release will come weeks later than the usual September launch. An upcoming special event scheduled for Sept. 15 is thought to bring word of new Apple Watch — and potentially iPad Air — models, suggesting iPhone's debut will be pushed to October.
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
8 Comments
I like that the camera bump is not as pronounced as shown in earlier mockups or even the iPhone Pro 11.
I may yet buy one of these! ;)
The rumors have been flying around 5G and what flavor of 5G will be included. As I think about mm wave 5G and its physical limitations, a metal or even glass chassis poses a Potentially significant problem for reception. I wonder if the cutout is for an antenna to be covered by plastic rather than glass?
Given the location on the side of the phone right below the power button, perhaps Touch ID scanner placement?