If you’ve suddenly found yourself working from home and need a cheap monitor to improve your computing experience – we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up the best monitor deals which include top brands like Dell and Samsung from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Dell. We’ve included a wide range of sizes and features, with prices starting at just $89.99.
If you’re working in a compact space and need a smaller screen size, you can get the 22-inch Sceptre monitor from Amazon for only $89.99 or the Philips 24-inch Frameless monitor on sale for $94.99.
Shop more of cheap monitor deals below and make sure to check out work from home essentials guide if you’re looking for more bargains on laptops, printers, headsets and more.
The best Windows tablets are only getting better, giving Apple’s popular iPads a serious run for their money. That’s because they boast enough power in their svelte form, making them great for productivity, casual gaming and creative work. And, that’s what makes them excellent laptop alternatives, only more portable and often less expensive.
In fact, many of them tout enough power to rival the best 2-in-1 laptops. Whether you’re looking to play PUBG Mobile or write emails and type up work documents, these devices have you covered. Of course, as with all tablets, they are perfect for media consumption, web surfing and staying in touch with loved ones as well.
We scoured the market to find the best Windows tablets out there for you. We’ve even tested and reviewed every single pick, ensuring that whichever one you end up with, you’ll get a quality device. No matter what you need, you’ll find the ideal Windows tablet for you here.
Best Windows tablets at a glance:
Microsoft Surface Go
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
Acer Switch 5
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Lenovo Yoga Book C930
Microsoft Surface Go is thin, light, portable, elegant and affordable.
The Microsoft Surface Go meets that large demand for a budget Surface device, while also being among the best Windows tablets for anyone who wants to do a bit of work on the go. It’s thin, light, portable and elegant like its more expensive cousins, but it has a price tag that’s a bit more affordable for regular users, thanks to Microsoft packing in everything they could in a device with a reasonable price tag. If you’re a student, or just someone who wants to consume some media while traveling, including playing some of the best laptop games on an airplane, then you can’t go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Go.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet offers great value all around.
Touted by Lenovo as ‘an IT admin’s dream,’ the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet indeed offers many of the makings of such a device. That includes dual Thunderbolt ports for faster data transfers, Windows Hello login via fingerprint reader, and the optional IR camera for a more secure login and Microsoft AutoPilot readiness. And, that’s without mentioning the SSD and battery that are field serviceable so that you can get a certified technician to come to you if you need parts replaced. But that’s not all; it’s also got a light and sleek chassis, and it comes with the ThinkPad Pen Pro, which means it’s great value all around.
The Acer Switch 5 is the perfect solution for students and professionals who don’t want to buy into the Surface trend.
The Acer Switch used to be a more affordable alternative to the Surface Pro. These days, the Acer Switch 5 will cost you just as much, but that’s also for comparable specs except perhaps an older processor. Price increase aside, this tablet is still one of the best Windows tablets – not to mention, best performing – out there, and it’s the perfect solution for students and professionals who don’t want to buy into the Surface trend.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has received impressive gains in power.
The seventh iteration of Microsoft’s award-winning product may not be the generational leap many Microsoft tablets have been waiting for, but it offers some improvements from its predecessor. This 2-in-1 tablet aimed at pros has received impressive gains in power, making it more capable than ever as a laptop alternative. Also, it now boasts a USB-C port and Wifi 6 connectivity. And, of course, it offers that same level of portability that many Windows tablet users crave. The best part is that it has a few configurations, which means you can choose how much power and storage space to get depending on how much you need.
It’s second stunning screen that’s the biggest selling point of the Lenovo Yoga Book C930.
The Lenovo Yoga Book C930 is a truly innovative 2-in-1 laptop, with a second E Ink display that moonlights as a keyboard, a pad for making notes and drawing and a traditional E Ink reader for viewing documents. It’s perhaps this second stunning screen that’s the biggest selling point of the Lenovo Yoga Book C930. That fact that it’s thin and light makes it an excellent tablet as well. If you’re looking for a laptop that doubles as a tablet and a drawing pad, this one’s an ace in our book.
With school closures now becoming the norm across the world, a lot of parents may not just be worried about childcare – but also how to ensure the continuing education of their children. This is especially as we still have no idea how long the corona virus pandemic is going to continue, or when schools will re-open.
However, there are distance learning platforms out there that do cater for children and even better are dedicated to keeping them safe online, and here we’ll feature some of our favorites:
ABCmouse (2-8 years)
ABCmouse offers learning activities for young children, from preschool age to 7th grade, all accessed from your home computer or mobile device.
There are 10 different levels involved, and over 850 lessons. As expected with online learning for children, the aim of the activities is to be fun and engaging while still ensuring that children are taught core concepts. Additionally, there are rewards and tickets to help guide and motivation children through the different lessons, which encompass all areas of reading, math, science, and arts.
Among the activities are a range of animations, games, books, songs, puzzles, and printables for coloring in. There’s also an interactive zoo, farm, and aquarium. Kids can create their own avatar as well, so that progressing through lessons and activities can feel more personalized and engaging.
ABCmouse is available as a subscription, costing $9.95 (about £8.50, AU$17) each month, but the first month is free, which is a great way to test out the site while giving your children something to do during the school closures.
Adventure Academy (8-13 years)
Adventure Academy is aimed at children aged 8-13 years, and offers a learning program that covers reading, math, science, and more. As with ABC Mouse, gamification works at the heart of the learning process to ensure that lessons remain fun, interesting, and engaging. The result is that Adventure Academy works something like a MMO adventure game, where players can create avatars, meet online, and they can even have their own online homes.
The language section offers curriculum development for reading, writing, spelling, as well as general English comprehension. The math section covers multiplication and division, geometry, fractions and decimals, as well as word problems. The science section covers curriculum studies involving various aspects of physics, chemistry, and biology, such as forces and motions, environments, and atoms. A social studies section allows for children to learn history and geography, economics and innovation, as well as cultures and traditions.
Pricing for Adventure Academy is currently offering a promotion where all the courses are available for a single annual payment of $59.99 (about £50, AU$100), which auto-renews at the same price each year after. However, there’s also a free month’s trial available so you can try the platform out to ensure you and your kids like it first.
ReadingIQ (12 years and under)
ReadingIQ is a lending library of digital children’s books, best suited for the under-12s. Like Amazon’s KDP Select, you pay a single monthly fee which opens up instant access to a very wide range of books. There are thousands of books for children available in every type of genre, from story and picture books, informational and reference books, as well as graphic novels, joke books, and song books.
There are helpful suggestions by age group, specifically for pre-readers who are younger than two years old, emerging readers up to four years old, growing readers aimed at ages five to eight years, then advanced readers up to around 12 years old. There’s also a Spanish section suitable for readers between two and 12 years.
All of the books are available to read in digital format for tablet or smartphone as well as desktops, and there are both guided reading and recommended book options offered to encourage children to keep reading.
Pricing is a single subscription of $7.99 (about £7, AU$14) per month, and the best news perhaps is that a single account can serve up to three children, making it especially suitable for families, as well as a cost-effective way to encourage your children’s’ reading.
If you’ve been waiting for an Xbox One Roblox bundle then you’re in luck this week as Microsoft has just launched the new Xbox One deal via their official store – Just in time if you need something to keep the kids entertained this weekend.
For just $299 / £249 you’ll get the base console – an Xbox One S 1TB – as well as a wireless controller, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a code to download Roblox and some free in-game redeemable goodies.
Wait, isn’t Roblox free-to-play, we hear you asking. Yes, indeed, it is free to download the base game. However, like the recent Fortnite bundle, Microsoft has included some DLC (additional downloadable content) – in this case, you get 2,500 Robux ($R) to spend, plus three exclusive avatar bundles and accessories. If you’re not au fait with Roblox, $R 2,500 equates to around $30 of extra goodies to keep the kids entertained, which all adults will agree is a good thing right now.
This week is a great time to pick up an Xbox One deal: the price is fair and there are some excellent games on the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate currently – Gears 5, Sea of Thieves, and Outer Wilds to name just a few of the 400-plus available titles. Microsoft is also offering one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1, which means you can save even more money if you want to extend the free trial included with the Roblox bundle.
Roblox is an online games platform, where users can design and upload their own games, and play games that other people have created. It’s a great option for kids because, like Minecraft, it allows them to stretch their imagination and creatively interact with the medium itself, unlike a more traditional video game. It’s extremely popular, with 115 million monthly users, making it one of the biggest games platforms in terms of reach worldwide.
Today’s best Xbox One deal in the US
Check out the latest Xbox One bundles at Microsoft
Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook have collectively lost $1.3 trillion in value over the past month, as markets quake under the strain of the coronavirus outbreak.
Facebook experienced the most significant slump, shedding 29.63% of its value, while Amazon’s losses were limited to 13.33%, insulated by an uptick in ecommerce activity.
The wider S&P index – made up of 500 of the largest US companies – sunk by 29% in the same period, wreaking havoc on stock portfolios and pension pots worldwide.
The rapid spread of the coronavirus – now classified a pandemic by the World Health Organisation – has rocked markets across the globe.
Analysts fear economic turbulence brought about by the outbreak could give rise to a global recession – officials from the Bank of America have even indicated recession has already arrived.
Last week, UK and US indexes fell 10% in the worst day since the 1987 crash, while French and German equivalents plummeted by as much as 12%. The decline came after the US placed restrictions on travel from mainland Europe and later the UK.
Supply chain disruption, store closures and job losses among consumers are all likely to impact earnings in the technology sector. Last month, both Apple and Microsoft announced they expect to miss quarterly revenue targets as a result of the virus.
Despite the bleak short-term outlook, the world’s tech giants are considered well positioned to recover from the plunge, although the same cannot be said of smaller players.
Sennheiser Momentum deals are offering some fantastic prices on cheap true wireless earbuds this weekend, thanks to the launch of their follow up model this week. While the second version won’t be available until April, the originals are available for a reduced price right now as retailers look to shift their stock.
You can find the Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds on sale for just $199 in the US, with UK prices settling at £189 at Amazon this weekend. While the new model will feature active noise cancellation, the classic Sennheiser Momentum earbuds still offer powerful sound and a gorgeous design not usually seen at this price point.
That’s right, you’ll usually be paying far more for true wireless earbuds of this caliber, making this an excellent opportunity to snag a premium pair of buds for far less. These Sennheiser Momentum deals are available in both the US and the UK, so audiophiles from both sides of the pond can claim their savings this weekend.
WWDC 2020 (or Worldwide Developers Conference 2020 to give it its full name) is the next of Apple’s annual software-focused shows.
It’s here that we’re likely to get our first official look at iOS 14, alongside various other software updates, but new hardware could make an appearance too, including potentially the iPhone 9 and a new iPad Pro.
So there’s a lot to look forward to, and while there was some question over whether the show would go ahead, given the current coronavirus pandemic, Apple has now confirmed that it will – but it’s going to be online.
Below you’ll find all the information on when it’s likely to be held along with what Apple might show off and announce.
Apple hasn’t yet confirmed the exact dates of WWDC 2020, but it has said it’s happening in June. That’s no surprise, since WWDC always kicks off on the first or second Monday in June, meaning June 1 or 8 this year.
It’s likely to run through to the Friday, but Apple’s keynote – which is where the major announcements typically happen – will probably be on the first day, so one of the two dates above.
And Apple has now confirmed that WWDC 2020 is going ahead. There was some doubt, as the coronavirus has already caused numerous events – including MWC 2020 and Google IO – to be canceled, so the same could have happened to WWDC 2020.
While Apple isn’t cancelling it though, it is moving the event online. This seems like a smart move, and for most people – who would only be tuning in to the online live stream anyway – it should make little difference.
What to expect at WWDC 2020
As WWDC is focused on software, the most likely announcements are all software related, but there’s a significant amount of hardware that could make an appearance too. The following things are all possibilities.
iOS 14 and iPadOS 14
While we’re not certain that all the things below will make an appearance at WWDC 2020, iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 seem like safe bets, since Apple has a long history of announcing new mobile software at the event.
That said, this isn’t when the finished versions of the software will land on phones and tablets. Rather, Apple will likely announce many of the key features and changes, and release an early developer build.
This, while aimed at developers, will likely be accessible to users willing to jump through a few hoops, though a public beta will probably follow soon after anyway, with the finished software likely launching in late September alongside the iPhone 12.
We’re also very likely to get our first official look at watchOS 7 during WWDC 2020, though as with iOS 14 it probably won’t be finished and launched before late September, where it might land alongside the Apple Watch 6.
We haven’t heard any rumors about watchOS 7 yet, but likely will do in the coming weeks and months.
iPhone 9
The iPhone 9 could look a lot like the iPhone 8
The iPhone 9 has been heavily rumored and we’re confident that it’s landing soon, but the question is how soon. There’s a high chance based on rumors that it could land in late March, ahead of WWDC 2020, but elsewhere we’ve heard simply that it will land in the first half of the year, making Apple’s show a candidate.
As with the show itself, it’s also possible that the coronavirus has affected development and production of the iPhone 9, so even if a March launch was once on the table, it may not be now, which again makes WWDC a real possibility.
As for what to expect from the iPhone 9, this is thought to be a relatively affordable handset that alternatively might launch as the iPhone SE 2. Rumors suggest a design similar to the iPhone 8, complete with large bezels and a physical home button with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner baked in.
Specs reportedly include a 4.7-inch LCD screen, an A13 Bionic chipset (as found in the iPhone 11), 3GB of RAM, a single-lens rear camera, and 32GB or 64GB of storage.
New iPad Pro 2020
The iPad Pro 11 is overdue a refresh
We’re overdue a new iPad Pro, with the iPad Pro 11 landing back in 2018. But the next model, as with the iPhone 9, could actually land in late March according to reports, so we’re not at all confident that it will land at WWDC 2020.
But if not March then – particularly with the coronavirus throwing schedules off – WWDC seems like the next obvious candidate.
The new iPad Pro 2020 is rumored to have three rear cameras, up from just one on the current models, but other than that we don’t know much about it.
There’s talk of an Apple slate with a miniLED screen (which could make for a better quality display) but reports suggest that will land in late 2020, so if the next iPad Pro does arrive at or before WWDC then it might be too early for that tech.
macOS 10.16
It’s not just mobile software that we’ll likely get a look at during WWDC, the next version of macOS is also likely to be unveiled. We don’t know anything about macOS 10.16 yet, but going by previous releases it – like the other software on show – will probably get revealed at WWDC 2020 but not fully launch until at least September.
AirTag
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a Tile rival, possibly called AirTag, which would be a small device that you can put in a wallet or a rucksack (or attach to other belongings) and then track them if they go missing.
We’ve heard that this might land in the first half of the year, so WWDC is a possibility. That said, it hasn’t specifically been linked to WWDC, so we’re not at all sure that we’ll see it there.
HomePod 2
Apple is likely working on a new HomePod, with some reports suggesting that it could be a more compact one, possibly launching as the HomePod Mini.
But whether the HomePod Mini or HomePod 2, there’s a good chance a new model will land in 2020, and WWDC 2020 is a likely venue for the announcement, especially as the original HomePod was announced at a WWDC (though it didn’t hit stores until a long time later).
Apple TV and tvOS 14
Mention of a new Apple TV 4K model was recently found in tvOS software, so a new Apple TV could be on the way, and it’s possible it will land at WWDC.
Whether or not new hardware does though, there’s also a high chance that new software will, in the form of tvOS 14, especially given that tvOS 13 was shown off at WWDC 2019, followed by a launch in September.
New Mac hardware
We’ve mentioned that new Mac software is likely to be announced at WWDC. Well, new Mac hardware is as well. At WWDC 2019 we got the Mac Pro. At WWDC 2020 we could potentially see a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or refreshed versions of any of Apple’s other desktop or laptop hardware.
Apple’s WWDC, the annual World Wide Developers’ Conference that the company hosts each year to show off its new software, is not set to take place in California any more.
Instead, the June event will happen online instead, for reasons that are implicitly related to the coronavirus pandemic that has seen authorties advise against meetings of 1,000 people or more.
The world of sports is being transformed by the rapid spread of coronavirus. Premier League games have been suspended, as well as soccer/football games across Europe. Obviously, safety has to come first – and social distancing is almost impossible when you’re in a venue like a packed football stadium.
Most major sporting leagues have now put their seasons on hold, or taken serious precautions on travel to stop the spread of the virus. Below, we’ve rounded up the major stories around how coronavirus has affected the world of sport so far, from football to F1.
Football games postponed by coronavirus, including the Premier League
In the Premier League, all English football matches are postponed until April 3 at least. “The FA, Premier League, EFL and FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until Friday 3 April at the earliest,” the FA said in a statement. “This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the Covid-19 virus.”
This follows Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta testing positive for coronavirus. Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi also has coronavirus, which resulted in the squad going into self-isolation.
All UEFA games scheduled for next week are postponed, including Manchester City vs Real Madrid and Juventus vs Lyon. Europa League games which would’ve included Wolves, Rangers and Manchester United are off.
Two upcoming England friendlies at Wembley Stadium, against Italy and Denmark, will not go ahead. Scottish football has been put on hold until further notice, too.
The UK government is considering banning sporting fixtures altogether, according to the BBC. Previously reported plans to play some games behind closed doors clearly weren’t strong enough measures to deal with the developing situation around coronavirus.
UEFA is meeting on March 16 to discuss the possibility of delaying Euro 2020 by a year, according to the BBC.
In Italy, all sporting fixtures are suspended until April 3, including Serie A. In the US, MLS is suspended for 30 days. Leagues in Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands are also suspended.
NBA, NHL and MLB are all suspended due to coronavirus
The NBA season has been suspended until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week.
The NHL decided to suspend its season after the NBA did, so that’s on hold for now. Likewise, the MLB has suspended all games for a minimum of two weeks, affecting all impending spring training games and the regular season start on March 26.
The NFL has said it won’t delay the start of the league, although the kickoff game isn’t happening until September. Team travel in the NFL has been suspended in many cases, however, and the HBCU Combine and Regional Combine Invitational due to take place on March 27 has been canceled. Likewise, the NFL’s annual meeting in late March has been shelved.
The F1 season is called off until May, while golf and tennis has been delayed
The Australian GP has been called off, along with the Bahrain and Vietnam Grand Prix. The next scheduled event in F1 is the Dutch Grand Prix on May 5.
All PGA events have been cancelled through to the Valero Texas Open, including The Players Championship.
No tennis games will take place until at least April 20, with the ATP Tour delayed by six weeks.
England’s Test series of cricket in Sri Lanka, which was due to begin on March 19, has also been called off.
We’ll say it now: the iPhone 12 needs to be a huge change to Apple’s smartphone. The iPhone 11 range brought very little in terms of an upgrade. With new camera tweaks and some more power inside, they were modest updates to the popular iPhone range.
So what will the next iPhone – the first of a new decade – bring? Is Apple going to give us a truly new iPhone instead of an incremental upgrade?
The good news is that in the build up to the iPhone 11 launch we heard lots of rumors and leaks of a much-altered iPhone. These include the possibility of a 5G iPhone model, new cameras, a new design, a supercharged screen… if all of those rumors were referring instead to the iPhone 12, it could prove to be the big upgrade we’re hoping (and waiting) for.
We’ve mixed together all the latest leaks and updates on the new iPhone in the article below, and added in some thoughts on what we’re expecting, based on well over a decade of monitoring the growing rumor mill around the latest iPhone…
Before that, though, the iPhone 9 (or, as we’ve also heard it could be called, the iPhone SE 2) could be announced, which is a new budget device for people who don’t want to splash out too much on a new iPhone.
Latest story:The main camera on the iPhone 12 might have a 64MP sensor, which is a huge step over the 12MP snapper on the iPhone 11. This sounds dubious, but that information comes from a reliable source, so it could be true.
What will it cost? We’re expecting well over $700 / £700 for the base model
iPhone 12 release date and price
There aren’t any official iPhone 12 release date rumors as yet, but come on – we’re almost certain that we know when it’ll appear. Apple launches its new phones almost metronomically, and while every year there’s a rumor of it changing, it’s always held to a similar time.
Firstly, the new iPhone release date will definitely be September 2020 – and it’s always around the second week. So we’re going to guess that we’ll see Apple unveil the iPhone 12 on 8 September (or possibly 15 September if it wants to hit a later on-sale date).
You’ll be able to pick it up 10 days after that, so you’ll need a Friday off work if you’re desperate to get your hands on one.
There’s also the outside chance that the novel coronavirus outbreak in China – where the iPhone is usually manufactured – may impact on the production of the next iPhone. One report from DigiTimes cites sources saying development will be unaffected though, and we currently believe that to be the case considering how late it’s expected to launch in the year.
We’re likely to hear of the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9 before September with certain rumors suggesting a more affordable iPhone model will land around March or April 2020.
The iPhone 11 Pro
When it comes to the iPhone 12 price, it’s likely to stay broadly in line with the current models. For reference, the iPhone 11 starts at $699 / £729 / AU$1,199, the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 / £1,049 / AU$1,749, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts at $1,099 / £1,149 / AU$1,899.
Having said that, one report suggests that the cost of materials for the iPhone 12 range might go up, which could mean even higher prices at retail.
That’s why we’re calling it the iPhone 12, even though Apple hasn’t confirmed this name. Others might be calling it the iPhone 2020 or the ‘new iPhone’ – but we’re not thinking that will be the moniker Apple plumps for.
iPhone 12 design
Apple could be making some big changes to the design and screen for the iPhone 12 range, including getting rid of the notch.
Or at least, one of the upcoming phones might lack a notch according to analysts, with the front-facing camera potentially set to be embedded under the screen instead. If this happens we’d expect it to be the most expensive iPhone 12 model that has this feature – likely the iPhone 12 Pro Max, or whatever it launches as.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max
Another leak suggests Apple is developing new Face ID tech which will lead to a redesigned and potentially slimmer notch. Allegedly, the company is trying out several combinations, including ones that minimize the front-facing optics so much that they fit in the top bezel.
We might get more than just a notch removal, with Kuo also saying that he expects the metal frame to be more like the iPhone 4’s frame, suggesting it won’t be curved like on current models. He also says that overall the design is likely to be “significantly” different to current iPhone models.
Then again, a more recent leak suggests that the designs will actually be staying much the same, other than some differences in the camera layout and the dimensions. Based on this leak, the 5.4-inch iPhone could be around 131mm tall, the 6.1-inch could be around 147mm, and the 6.7-inch model could be slightly taller than the 158mm iPhone 11 Pro Max.
However, it’s also said to be thinner, apparently coming in at 7.4mm thick, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max is 8.1mm thick.
In any case, the leak above from Kuo affirmed several much-rumored trends, like the iPhone 12 Pro versions adding a time-of-flight sensor, the budget flagship adding a telephoto lens, and series-wide support for 5G as well as finally switching to USB-C.
It might not just be the camera that’s built into the screen either, as Apple is also rumored to be equipping its next phones with an in-screen fingerprint scanner.
This would be a big change for the brand, since current models don’t have a fingerprint scanner at all. That said, if the camera really is in-screen then it might not be possible to have all the Face ID sensors, so it could be that this fingerprint scanner will replace Face ID, though we’re not convinced Apple would go that far.
As for colors, we’ve heard a rumor that the iPhone 12 will drop the forest green of its predecessor for a navy blue – a svelte hue more in line with dress colors, for sure. But like the divide between the ‘fun’ pastel colors in the standard iPhone 11 and the classier hues in the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, we might not see the blue come to the lower-priced model.
A new display for the iPhone 12?
One or more 2020 iPhone models might also have a 120Hz refresh rate, up from 60Hz on current models. This – which has been rumored by a reputable leaker – could make interactions feel smoother. This is a claim we’ve now heard more than once, and some phones already have higher refresh rates than 60Hz, as do some iPads, so this isn’t unbelievable.
The screen sizes could be changing too, with respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying that the iPhone 12 Pro Max could have a 6.7-inch screen (up from 6.5 inches on the iPhone 11 Pro Max), and the iPhone 12 Pro could have a 5.45-inch screen (down from 5.8 inches on the iPhone 11 Pro).
He adds that the standard iPhone 12 will apparently stay at 6.1 inches, but will get upgraded from LCD to OLED. That’s a claim we’ve heard more than once, and would mean all three 2020 iPhones would have an OLED screen.
Another source has broadly agreed, but said to expect a 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone 12 Pro. They also said that the two Pro models will use a form of OLED that’s both thinner and cheaper to produce than the screens used in the iPhone 11 Pro range. That could mean lower prices, but we wouldn’t count on it.
The side of the iPhone 11 Pro
Elsewhere we’ve heard a similar selection of sizes, but that Apple could launch four new models in September. According to an analyst, Apple will launch a 6.7-inch phone, a 5.4-inch one, and two 6.1-inch ones.
They don’t go into any more detail but that suggests there will be both a top-end and slightly lower end model in a 6.1-inch size, if this claim is accurate.
And it might well be, because it’s claim that we’ve now heard again, this time from reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who adds that all four models will have OLED screens and 5G, but that one of the 6.1-inch models and the 5.4-inch one will have two rear cameras, while the other two models will have three.
We’ve also heard that at least some iPhone 12 models could have thinner, cheaper and more energy-efficient screens than the iPhone 11 range. This in turn may allow the phones themselves to be thinner, as well as lasting longer between charges.
iPhone 12 specs and camera
Another big change could take the form of 5G, which has been widely rumored for the iPhone 12. Kuo even says that he thinks all three models will support 5G. We fully expect at least one of them will, given that multiple sources have suggested as much and that a number of other phones already support 5G.
That could well be supported by both a custom-made 5G antenna, an a 5nm A14 Bionic processor inside the iPhone 12 – what that means for the average consumer is an iPhone with an even longer battery life and more power than ever. That would be rather impressive, given the iPhone battery life is currently the best we’ve ever seen from Apple.
The RAM could also get a boost, with analysts claiming that the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will have 6GB of the stuff, up from 4GB on their predecessors – though the standard iPhone 12 will apparently stick with 4GB. This is something we’ve now heard again, so it may well be true.
And the iPhone 12 might also support the new 802.11ay specification, which could allow it to share content at speeds of at least 20-30Gbps. So in every sense this phone is likely to be fast.
The iPhone 12 might also get a camera upgrade, with a laser-powered 3D camera rumored for inclusion. This would be on the back, and while only one rumor mentions lasers, another also talks about a depth-sensing snapper, while one mentions 3D sensing, so this might well be something we see in some form.
One source says the iPhone 12 might have a 64MP main camera, over the 12MP snapper on the previous few versions, which would be a huge upgrade. This leak also suggests that the phone will have multiple lenses that support night mode shooting, and the ultra-wide snapper could have a dedicated macro mode.
Another report from Fast Companycites sources close to production of the phone and says these same features are in development. One of the sources for this rumor claims the two top models would get this, along with a triple-lens camera, while the two lower end ones would just get a dual-lens camera without 3D sensing.
A recent EU ruling may also mean future iPhones won’t be able to use Lightning cables in Europe. That may force Apple to switch the connector on future phones to USB-C, and while it’s not clear yet whether this will be the case for the iPhone 12 it may be something to consider.
Another report from Chinese publication Caifa news also suggests Apple and other manufacturers may soon use GaN power adapters. These are currently used by Xiaomi, and allow for fast-charging speeds up to 65 watts.
There’s no gurantee this will debut on the iPhone 12 – or any future iPhone for that matter – but it may mean we see an improved fast-charging experience along the line.
Of course, the iPhone 12 will also use new software, namely iOS 14, and while we don’t know much about this yet, one leak suggests it could feature a new, iPadOS-inspired app switching screen.
What we want to see from the new iPhone
The iPhone 11 range is a strong – but safe, and thus a bit dull – upgrade for Apple. So for the iPhone 12 we want to see bigger, riskier changes, such as the following.
1. Exciting new features
First things first – the new iPhone needs to be good. Brilliant. Better than expected. We’re talking things that we haven’t even thought of. Things that we’re hoping Apple’s brightest minds are currently dreaming up in the company’s labs.
This might sound like a very vague request, but Apple is one of the biggest companies in the world and if any brand could make a decent folding handset, or one with detachable VR glasses, it’s Cook’s Crew.
Because a tweaked design and improved specs are expected, ordinary, and no longer enough as consumers are holding onto their handsets for longer than ever. Come on Apple, give us something mind-blowing.
2. A new design
The back of the iPhone 11 Pro
Perhaps the thing we want most from the iPhone 12 is a new design. Apple has been rolling out basically the same design for several years now, ever since it refreshed the look with the iPhone X.
Sure, some things get tweaked, but the core is the same. And it’s starting to look a bit dated. That’s thanks mostly to the large notch, which might be necessary for all the camera components needed for Face ID, but which we’d like to see shrunk or removed if possible.
Beyond that, we’d really like a whole new look. There’s not too much wrong with the rest of the iPhone 11 Pro’s design, but it certainly feels overly familiar at this point.
3. An in-screen everything
We’d like the iPhone 12 to have an all-screen front, and one way to achieve that is to move the front-facing camera under the display. If Apple can effectively achieve that, it’s sure to impress.
While it’s on, we’d like Apple to re-add a fingerprint scanner, for those times when Face ID isn’t working quite as slickly as it should. But we want this in the screen too, or better yet, make the whole screen one big fingerprint scanner, as it has been rumored Apple might be planning for a future phone.
4. A higher refresh rate
The iPhone 11 Pro
One way some companies are further improving their displays is by upping the refresh rate from the standard 60Hz. The OnePlus 7 Pro for example has an optional 90Hz refresh rate, while the Razer Phone 2 goes up to 120Hz.
This can help make interactions with the handset and animations feel silky smooth, so we’d like to see Apple offer a higher refresh rate of its own. It’s not out of the question, especially as some iPad Pro models have a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Indeed, exactly that refresh rate has been rumored for the upcoming iPhones.
5. Further battery boosts
For the first time in years, with the iPhone 11 range it feels like Apple has really prioritized battery life in its phones, but we want the company to go even further with the iPhone 12. Or at the very least not go backwards.
We’re still waiting on an iPhone that can comfortably last two days, and we’d like the iPhone 12 (or at least the iPhone 12 Pro Max) to be it.
6. 5G support
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus 5G
Apple is behind when it comes to 5G, as none of the iPhone 11 range offer it, while rival handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S20 family and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G do.
Apple’s lack of support isn’t a big deal right now, as 5G coverage is still very sparse in most countries, but by the time the iPhone 12 launches it will be more widely available and a large number of other handsets will support it, so it will be time for Apple to jump on board.
The good news is that it’s heavily rumored that 2020’s iPhones will support 5G, so this is one thing we’re likely to get.
7. A lower price
We ask for this every year with new iPhones and this year we actually kind of got it, with the base iPhone 11 starting at less than the iPhone XR did. So it’s actually not impossible that we could see an even lower price – or a reduced price for the rest of the range – with the iPhone 12.
We wouldn’t count on it, but Apple’s more affordable phones are typically its best-selling in recent years, so there should be some incentive to cut costs where possible.
