New Apple iPhone 12 Leaks !!

Apple’s iPhone 12 range is officially delayed, but the bigger story is their controversial mix of big upgradesand surprising downgrades as the company attempts to keep prices down. But it may not be working. 

New information from popular industry analyst TrendForce reveals that, despite a series ofcontroversial cuts, the iPhone 12 line-up looks set to be the most expensive iPhones ever made. And up to $150 more than previously expected.

 

Breaking this down, TrendForce states that the new entry-level 5.4-inch iPhone 12, the renamed 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Plus, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will start from as much as $749, $849, $1,099 and $1,199 respectively. These are $100 increases on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the head turning price rise is the $150 leap for the iPhone 12 Plus, the successor to the iPhone 11. 

And the reason for this increase will prove controversial: 5G, a network standard still not available to most users around the world. At present, 5G chips are cripplingly expensive with recent estimates saying they will add up to $135 to the build cost – or closer to $200, once Apple factors in profit margins. This transition also arrives in a year when Apple is moving all iPhones from LCD to OLED, another cost increase. 

All of which means, Apple is desperately trying to cut costs by removing the charger and EarPods from the box and shrinking battery capacities. The latter of which has put their eagerly awaited ProMotion displays in doubt and looks set to compromise the performance of Apple’s potentially game-changing A14 chip, as it tries to preserve battery life. 

The upside, despite these price rises, is rivals are being hit even harder and the iPhone 12 range is still likely to undercut most premium 5G smartphones on sale today. That said, with Apple tipped to launch a long-lasting, lower priced 4G iPhone 12 Pro early next year, those reluctant to pay the ‘5G Tax’ may well find the smartest upgrade decision is to wait.