The new iPhone could bring a slew of fresh Features

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 Iphone9 (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.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The new iPhone from Apple
  • When is it out? Almost certainly September
  • What will it cost? We're expecting well over $700 / £700 for the base model

iPhone 12 release date and price

There isn't any official iPhone 12 release date information 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 almost certainly 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.

That said, there's a chance that the novel coronavirus outbreak in China may impact on the production of the next iPhone.

We had heard that development would be unaffected, and there are even now reports that the main manufacturing factories are fully staffed up, but elsewhere there are reports that the phone will be delayed until October or November, with Apple apparently not even having finalized the design yet (as of late March 2020).

We're likely to hear of the iPhone SE 2 or IPhone9 before September, with many rumors suggesting a more affordable iPhone model will land around March or April 2020......

Should I wait for iPhone 12 or buy a discounted iPhone 11 now?

The iPhone 12 release date is still half a year away, if the September 2020 launch window stays constant, so you should probably consider the discounted iPhone 11 if you need a new iPhone in the next days, weeks or even months.

In an ordinary year, this is a long time to wait anyway – like, say, if you broke your phone and need a replacement ASAP – but it’s possible Apple’s launch date might be pushed back due to the Coronavirus. A report has claimed that won’t be the case and it will launch on time, but it’s always possible that the outbreak’s disruption of supply chains and/or retail options inhibits the release. 

In any case, if you need a new top-tier Apple phone now, you’re looking at the iPhone 11 or the higher-spec iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max