If you’re hoping for a smaller notch on the iPhone 12 than previous models you may be in luck, according to an image tweeted by Apple leaker Jon Prosser Sunday.
The image appears to be a CAD diagram. It shows a labeled version of what Prosser claims is the new notch for Apple’s next-gen iPhone. Compared to the ones seen on the last three generations of iPhones — dating back to the iPhone X — it looks substantially smaller.
The design shows a slightly reconfigured version of the notch’s sensor array. The components are squeezed together slightly more, suggesting that Apple has found a way to miniaturize them.
The notch features several components. These include infrared camera, flood illuminator (which shines the infrared light at your face for Face ID), proximity sensor, dot projector (for throwing out the dotted light pattern for Face ID recognition), front camera, and ambient light sensor. It doesn’t seem that Apple is adding any additional sensors to the front of the phone — although reports suggest the rear iPhone camera may get a LiDAR sensor.
Here you go, internet. pic.twitter.com/REfSw28KSX
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) April 20, 2020
Coming soon to an iPhone near you
The iPhone notch was considered controversial early on. However, it’s now largely faded into the background for many users. It’s simply one of the identifiable design touches that mark out the iPhone. Nonetheless, there are occasional reports that Apple is trying to eliminate it altogether. It seems that this year’s iPhone 12 won’t do that. But it could well claw back a few precious millimeters of screen real estate in the process.
In a separate tweet, Prosser said that the iPhone 12 is likely to have no smart connector. This was previously rumored for the device. Oh, and Apple Pencil support is reportedly a no-go as well. While the Apple Pencil was never rumored to be supported for the iPhone 12, there have nonetheless been periodic rumors over the past few years that support for Apple’s stylus was on its way to iPhone.
This year’s iPhone 12 is rumored to have a number of big upgrades. These include 5G support, a boxier iPhone 4-style design, and Apple’s first 5-nanometer A-series chip.
No smart-connector on iPhone 12.
No doubt that it may be on a future prototype — but it’ll be used for charging on a portless iPhone.
Definitely no Apple Pencil support.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) April 19, 2020
Does the iPhone notch annoy you? Will a reduced notch change the device for you in terms of its appeal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
