Category Archives: Device Rumors

IPHONE 12 – (MORE) RUMORS

The iPhone 12 is Taking Shape – And It’s Better than Earlier Rumors Suggested

Gleaming with excitement and welling in anticipation – tech aficionados and Apple Fanboys/girls must be riding on a roller coaster of emotions as the release of the newest line of iPhone draws near.

While earlier rumors had already set the stage for an exciting release, things have only gotten juicer in the last few weeks. The successor to the widely popular iPhone 11 is taking shape – and it’s beautiful.

But it’s not just about the aesthetic—the word on the street points to some serious raw power under the hood. Read on for the latest tittle-tattle on what Tim Cook and his team are cooking up in Cupertino.

 

 

Updated Release Dates – When Apple, When?

Let’s start off with the nagging question that keeps lingering in the mind of anyone who gives two cents about the iPhone: how much longer do we have to wait?

Drawing on earlier rumors and Apple’s tradition, we should be 2-3 months away from the release of the iPhone 12 lineup—but the media team at the Cupertino company is still hush-hush on development of things. Our only sources of information are prediction and whispers from leakers.

The rumors surrounding the most likely release date are wild. At its worst, a disheartening report by GizChina back on May 28 suggested that the release date of the new iPhones may be pushed back to late November—citing supply chain challenges due to the pandemic. An earlier report by The Wall Street Journal had suggested an October release date—citing similar COVID-19 disruptions.

For the optimists, an analyst report by Daniel Ives (according to AppleInsider), claims that Apple’s supply chain is up and running—and the September release date we’ve been accustomed to is back on track.

The latest rumors (July 23), come from a Japanese rumor source that claims the LTE version of the iPhone 12 will be released in October—and the 5G version later in November. But to be on the safer side and avoid heartbreaks, it’s advisable to take all this information with a pinch of salt—until we get an official announcement from Apple.

 

Here’s the Specs Sheet (*Rumored)

We compiled every tit-bit of information we could unearth from the most recent rumors and came up with what an iPhone 12 specs sheet would look like.

  • Likely Release Date: Sometime in Fall 2020
  • Number of Models: Four (iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max)
  • Processor: A14 Bionic Chip
  • Display: OLED screens and 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
  • Rumored Prices: iPhone 12 ($649), iPhone 12 Max ($749), iPhone 12 Pro ($999), iPhone 12 Pro Max ($1,099)

 

iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Max iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max
Display 5.4-inch Super Retina OLED 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
Body Aluminium Aluminium Stainless steel Stainless steel
RAM 4GB 4GB 6GB 6GB
Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Processor A14 Bionic, (5-nanometer) A14 Bionic (5-nanometer) A14 Bionic (5-nanometer) A14 Bionic (5-nanometer)
Cameras Dual rear Dual rear Triple rear + LiDAR Triple rear + LiDAR
5G mmWave, Sub-6GHz mmWave, Sub-6GHz mmWave, Sub-6GHz mmWave, Sub-6GHz
Battery 2,227 mAh 2,775 mAh 2,775 mAh 3,687 mAh
Price $649, $749 $749 / $849 $999 / $1,099 / $1,299 $1,099 / $1,199 / $1,399

 

Horse Power Under the Hood – Most Powerful Processor?

The iPhone 11 features an immensely powerful A13 (7-nanometer) bionic chip—that still holds its own against 2020 flagships a year later. And to what we can only assume is a huge flex by Apple, the company is set to introduce an even more powerful and efficient chip to juice up the upcoming iPhones.

PhoneArena claims that the predecessors to the iPhone 11 will be superpowered by an A14 (5-nanometer) processor. This promises to be 30% more power efficient and 15% faster than the A13. The current iPhones are already one of the most powerful smartphones in the market—and if these rumors are true, Apple is set to widen the gap further.

 

We May Get a 120Hz ProMotion Display Afterall

Displays with a refresh of 120Hz are nothing novel today. Manufacturers such as OnePlus, Samsung, ASUS, POCO, and OPPO have devices equipped with blazing fast displays. Apple is yet to experiment with the feature—but a June 26 rumor might change all that.

According to a tweet by Ice Universe—a Samsung leaker with a decent track record—the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max with finally boast of a 120Hz refresh rate. This leak coincides with another rumor appearing in MacRumors—in which an accessibility setting to “Limit Frame Rate” was identified in the iOS 14 developer beta. And judging from the fact that current devices capable of 120Hz refresh rates also have a similar setting, we can only assume the best.

 

There’s a Leak on (in) the Battery!

Amid all the exciting rumors, here’s one to spoil the euphoria—there could be a downgrade to the battery. A report by MySmartPrice claims that the next iPhones could have smaller batteries compared to the iPhone 11s—and other flagship in the market, for that matter. Here’s what the report noted:

  • Apple iPhone 12 (5.4-inch) – 2227mAh
  • Apple iPhone 12 Max (6.1-inch) – 2775mAh
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro (6.1-inch) – 2775mAh
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7-inch)– 3687mAh

To stoke the fire, Ming-Chi Kuo (an Apple analyst) claims that the devices will not ship with a charging adapter—at all! Considering we expect 5G connectivity and higher refresh rates, these minuscule battery packs are somewhat underwhelming.

 

Are You Excited?

All things considered; the iPhone 12 is shaping up to be one of the best devices of 2020. It’s the personification of “beauty and brain”—so far. Stay in touch for more updates as the rumor mills continue churning out exciting news. For a sneak peek into other rumors not discussed in this article, kindly check out the previous post on the same. And while you’re at it, protect your devices with some of the nest screen protectors in the market.

Google Pixel 5 – Rumors

Google Pixel 5 Rumors, Leaks, and Everything in Between

Fall 2020 is fast approaching—aka., the period when smartphone companies ‘wage war’ against each other to woo consumers before the holiday season. As tension and anticipation grow to a fever pitch, we can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us.

One particular device that cannot afford to disappoint is Google’s Pixel 5. Its immediate predecessors—the Pixel 4 and 4 XL—failed to live up to expectations. This year’s flagship is a chance for retribution. A chance to improve where the Pixel 4 failed and win back the favor of consumers. So, what can we expect from the Google Pixel 5 come Fall?

 

 

Google Pixel 5 Release Date

Based on their track record, Google has a remarkably consistent release schedule. The Pixel 3 was released in October and so was the Pixel 4. Drawing on this trend, it’s only logical to assume the Pixel 5 will debut right around the same period. Then again, nothing is running according to schedule nowadays—with the COVID 19 pandemic and all. So before you confidently ink October as ‘Pixel month’, prep yourselves for anything.

 

Rumored Google Pixel 5 Design

Leaks for the Google Pixel 5 have largely been under wraps with little-to-no concrete information to go by. The most notable rumor on the device’s design comes from a rendering of a prototype shared by Jon Prosser on his YouTube channel. The back of one of the prototypes features a peculiar halved-oval design for the camera module. In another leak highlighted by BGR (originally posted by Slashleaks), the front part still has relatively chunky bezels—supposedly housing the Face Unlock feature.

As for the display, we can only expect an improvement or replication of last year’s model. This includes a 5.7-inch or a 6.3-inch display for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4L, respectively. The 2019 flagships also featured OLED panes, a 90Hz refresh rate, and HDR support.

 

Improved Charging and Power Management?

Last year, users were up in arms criticizing the Pixel 4’s uninspiring battery. A battery capacity of 2,800mAh for a leading smartphone with a 90Hz refresh rate drained significantly faster than its peers.  For this reason, Pixel 5’s battery life will be one of the most sought-after features. Battery capacity aside, Google may introduce an interesting power-management feature—i.e. reverse wireless charging. This is according to data unearthed by XDA Developers.

 

Other Rumored Features

  • Foregoing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865? Google always ships its Pixel smartphones with the latest Android version and Snapdragon chipset. While the former is true, 9to5Google notes that the Pixel 5 may feature a Snapdragon 765G processor instead.
  • Camera: As shown in the CAD render by Jon Prosser, Google Pixel 5 may finally get a wide-angle lens—which has become a staple in the latest devices.
  • Google might ditch the Soli Sensor: According to a source linked to 9to5Google (via Tom’s Guide), Google may drop its motion-sensing feature. We don’t know how you’d feel about that, but it may translate into a smaller bezel and improved battery life.

 

Google Pixel 5 Price

Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 debuted at $799 for the base model and $899 for the XL model. With stiff competition from Samsung Galaxy S20 and the upcoming iPhone 12, it’ll be interesting to see the direction Google takes. There are even rumors that the devices could have a starting price of $699.

Whether or not you’re in the Pixel camp, there’s no denying that the devices tend to have an excellent display. With this in mind, you want to keep it free of blemishes and micro-abrasion. This is possible with a high-quality screen protector—fitted to take the abuse on behalf of your device.

iPhone 12 – Rumors

The iPhone 12 Rumors Are Heating Up – Here’s What We Know…So Far

A revamped design, a 3D depth-sensing rear camera sensor, 4 models, 5G connectivity, a next-gen A14 Bionic chip, a 120Hz refresh rate—the upcoming iPhone 12 appears loaded with a slew of new and exciting features. It promises to be one of the most innovative smartphones released by the Cupertino-based tech giant in recent years.

While we’re still a couple of months from the official launch of the iPhone 12, we already have a good idea of what to expect when Tim Cook (Apple’s CEO) takes to the stage. As leaks and rumors continue to pour in, here’s everything we know so far.

2020 iPhone Shock As Nine 'All-New' Apple iPhones Revealed

 

ONE Model, FOUR Times the Joy!

Ready to be spoiled by choice? According to one of the most enduring rumors, Apple is set to surprise users with not 3 (as it did with the iPhone 11 series in 2019), but 4 models of the iPhone 12 come fall 2020. In fact, hints that Apple would expand its line of phones have been around since late last year. It’s hard to imagine there was a time when Apple only released a single flagship annually.

In December 2019, Ming Chi Kuo—an Apple analyst with a respectable track record—predicted that 2020 would see 5 iPhones (the other being the recently released iPhone SE 2020). Ming Chi Kuo’s information was later confirmed by Jon Prosser – aka., the guy who accurately leaked the release of the new MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPhone SE 2020, right down to the date. As highlighted by Ross Young from Display Supply Chain, the lineup includes:

  • iPhone 12: 5.4-inch OLED display (2340×1080) and dual rear lenses
  • iPhone 12 Max: 6.1-inch OLED panel (2532×1170) and dual rear lenses
  • iPhone 12 Pro: 6.1-inch OLED panel (2532×1170) with support for 10-bit color and three rear cameras plus a LiDAR sensor. It could also feature a 120 Hz refresh rate.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: Similar to the iPhone 12 Pro—but with a bigger 6.7-inch OLED panel (2778×1824)

 

Let’s Talk Display!

As highlighted earlier, we expect 3 screen size variations, all featuring OLED displays. What’s more, rumors from serial leaker Ice Universe and DigiTimes suggest that the upcoming iPhone flagship might boast of a welcome display improvement – a switchable 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rate. This will allow for a smoother scrolling experience as seen on the iPad Pro and most iPhone competitors.

Information is also trickling in that all variants of the iPhone 12 could feature Samsung’s Y-OCTA integrated touch. This is according to Economic Daily News and Barclays analysts through MacRumors. The under-display ultrasonic display sensor would provide better security and convenience to iPhone users.

But as seen in the latest Samsung smartphones, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are a major challenge for conventional screen protectors—which is why you should not settle for ‘conventional’. Instead, safeguard your premium device with Tech Armor’s top-of-the-range screen protectors.

 

iPhone 12 Design Leaked?

Anticipating buyers expect a notable cosmetic change every year to freshen up their iPhone game. This year, speculations point towards a design that is both nostalgic and modern. Remember the iconic flat metal-edge body of the iPhone 5? Well, Bloomberg reports that we could be seeing a come-back of this design—but with a modern twist.

Say goodbye to the curved design that has characterized the series since 2017, and hello a boxy design—with an aluminum/stainless steel frame and flat glass panels. Reliable leaks also claim that the devices with be impressively compact, including a smaller notch. We’re interested to see how consumers respond to this development.

 

iPhone 12 Camera Features

iPhones never skimp on camera quality! This has been the case for as long as iPhones existed—and Apple doesn’t plan to change the narrative anytime soon. So, what’s new with iPhone 12 camera setup and features?

Fast Company claims that the LiDAR time-of-flight sensor used on the front camera for Face ID could also feature on the rear camera. The claim was later confirmed by 9 to 5 Mac after they combed through a beta version of the iPhone 12’s iOS 14. This technology uses pulsed lasers to better measure the distance of an object from the sensor. Its possible applications are wide—from improving AR features to snaping higher-quality images.

Mobile photography aficionados should also be excited over the possibility of a new sensor-shift image stabilization technology. This would allow the camera to detect the phone’s movement and counter it using small electrical actuators. The result? Quality shots even in the shakiest of hands.

 

What Else Can We Expect from the iPhone 12?

  • A14 Bionic Chip: Brace yourselves for blazing speeds and beastly processing power—rivaling not just other smartphones, but also PC laptops. As reported by Tom’s Guide, iPhone 12 benchmarks by released by GizChina suggest that the new A14 processor is set to obliterate every other smartphone on the planet.
  • 5G Connectivity: According to Nikkei, the entire iPhone 12 lineup with feature—a long overdue—5G connectivity. Unfortunately, rumors by Jon Prosser and DigiTimes claim that the iPhone 12 (5.4-inch) and iPhone 12 Max (6.1-inch) will not ship with the faster mmWave 5G technology.
  • USB-C: iPhone users are accustomed to the proprietary Lighting port. But if the latest iPad Pro and virtually every other smartphone manufacturer are anything to go by, we might be seeing a USB-C port on the iPhone sooner than later—or not! There’s word on a portless device, but take it with a grain of salt. As for now, leaked reports suggest that the iPhone 12 will not feature a USB-C.
  • Pricing: According to a major leak (as reported by CNET) the iPhone 12 could literally be cheaper by the dozen (see what we did there?). The source claims that you might be able to land a brand-new iPhone 12 for a low starting price of $649.

 

When is the iPhone 12 Release Date?

Hankering to get your hands on one of the most anticipated devices of 2020? Well, so are we—plus millions of Apple fanboys around the world gleaming with excitement. If you’ve marked your calendar for September—as per the norm with other iPhone releases—you might have to hold your horses a little longer (*sigh).

Emerging reports are increasingly pointing towards a delayed-release. Both the Wall Street Journal and quotes by Broadcom’s CEO (via Bloomberg) claim that the iPhone 12 release date may be pushed to October—rather than September. This is largely due to delays in the production cycle as a consequence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Give Your iPhone the Love it Deserves—Protect it With Tech Armor

Apple’s iPhones are easily one of the most sought-after devices in the market. Although the iPhone 12 is touted to be more affordable at $649, repairing an iPhone tends to be an expensive task. With this in mind, steer clear of avoidable damage to your device with the help of Tech Armor screen protectors. This is especially important in light of reports calling the iPhone 12 predecessor’s screen into question. According to 7News Australia—and even a thread on Apple’s official forum—the iPhone 11 gets scratched far too easily. Don’t wait to find out if your iPhone 12 will have the same issue, get protected as soon as you buy the device.

Samsung Note 20 – Rumors

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 is Around the Corner – We’re in The Endgame Now!

The best Samsung phones typically rank as the crème de la crème of Android handset. In 2020, we’ve already seen the Samsung Galaxy S20 series take the market by storm—and Samsung seems to be prepping for another exciting release to shake the industry even further.

According to developing rumors and leaks, Samsung is scheduled to release the highly-anticipated Galaxy Note 20 series this fall (somewhere around August 2020). The big-screen phones are expected to deliver top-of-the-range performance and advanced features to rival any competitor—including the upcoming iPhone 12.

Here’s a breakdown of the relevant rumors and ‘word on the street’ about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20. What should you expect from the new stylus-packing flagship? Read on for more on the possible release date, noteworthy (*pun intended) features, and specs.

Disclaimer: Some of the rumored features might make you drool—so brace yourself!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 launch event details just leaked | Tom's Guide

First Things First – The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Release Date

The Samsung Galaxy Note lineup is typically launched in Fall (August/September) of every year. In line with tradition, several rumors point to a similar release date in August 2020—even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest and juiciest leak suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be released during the Samsung Unpacked event of August 5th. As reported by Daniel Petrov from PhoneArena, this rumor comes from a prolific leaker—Ice Universe—who has a somewhat good track record when it comes to offering sneak peeks of the latest Samsung flagships. As if this is not exciting enough, the rumor goes on to say that Samsung might also unveil the Galaxy Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Tab S7, and the Galaxy Watch 2 in the same event.

Although Samsung has not explicitly provided the release date, they hinted that two eagerly-awaited devices—the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2—will be launched during the second half of 2020. In an official statement, the company said, “Looking ahead to the second quarter … the company will continue to offer differentiated products in the premium segment with the launch of new foldable and Note models.”

But contrary to the norm, The Korean Herald reports that the unveiling is expected to take place online for the first time in 2020 for obvious reasons (…COVID-19). The same report goes on to suggest that release will still take place in August.

However, it’s safer to take all the ‘release date’ rumors with a pinch of salt. The global pandemic has already delayed several launch events—and it’s hard to predict the turn of events at Samsung, let alone your local tech store. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is only a few months away as expected.

 

Leaked Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Display and Design Specs

Most rumors point to the release of two models—the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus. But could there be a third entry in the name of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra? Well, possibly! According to Abid Iqbal from MySmartPrice, a Bluetooth SIG certification listing suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is also in the works. Whether that’s the case or not, we’re excited to see how it all unfolds.

As for the screen size, differing reports place the Galaxy Note 20’s screen size between 6.4” and 6.7”. In an earlier post by Tom Bedford from TechRadar, he quoted tweets by Ross Young (a supply chain expert) who claimed that the Note 20 will have a 6.42” display and a resolution of 2345 x 1084. Young also said that the Galaxy Note 20 Plus will come with a 6.87” screen and a resolution of 3096 x 1444. He went further to suggest that the Galaxy Fold 2 will feature in place of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

There are also several leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus design. The most interesting one being a 360-degree video showing the device from all angles. As expected, most rumors claim that the Galaxy Note 20 series will boast of a 120Hz refresh rate.

 

Introducing…(drumroll)…The 3D Sonic Max Fingerprint Scanner!

Perhaps one of the most stand out features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 phones will be the incorporation of the 3D Sonic Max fingerprint scanner—making it the first handset to feature the sensor.

Essentially, it builds on the in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensors seen on the Samsung Galaxy S20—but with several noteworthy upgrades. Unlike its predecessor, the 3D Max fingerprint sensor by Qualcomm is significantly larger, easier to use, and more responsive.

If this rumor materializes come August 2020, it could allow users to unlock their phones with two fingers simultaneously. This not only provides an added layer of security, but it also comes at a time when Face ID isn’t as reliable due to facemasks (…COVID-19).

Sure, this biometric system sounds cool, secure, and convenient—but it can cause problems as far as screen protectors are concerned. Gaps between the display and the screen protector can interfere with the accuracy of the ultrasonic waves. This is why you should invest in high-quality screen protectors from reliable companies such as… you guessed it, Tech Armor!

 

Other Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Features – Camera, Battery, Processor, and Price

Calling all serial snappers! A leak from Ice Universe claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus will feature a 108 MP main camera, a 13MP periscope lens (seen in the S20 Ultra), 12MP ultra-wide lens, 50x digital zoom, and a laser focus system. Sure, this is not a lot to go by, but it’s juicy nonetheless.

To little surprise, the device is rumored to run on a Snapdragon 865 chipset. This makes sense since Samsung flagships typically come with the latest Snapdragon chipsets—case in point, the Samsung Galaxy S20 line. For regions that get devices fitted with Samsung’s Exynos processors, expect an Exynos 992 (or 990) chipset. Other leaks claim that a 4,000mAh and 4,500mAh battery will power the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus respectively.

As for the price, we don’t expect the Galaxy Note 20 to go for anything less than $1,000. This is based on the pricing of previous models—i.e., the Galaxy Note 10 ($949) and the Galaxy S20 ($999).

 

Are You Excited for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20?

With Fall 2020 approaching, this might be the right time to decide whether you’re ready to splash some cash for a Galaxy Note 20 upgrade. If the rumors are anything to by, this might be one of the best phones in 2020—and a glimmer of sunshine in an otherwise disaster-laden year.

If you decide this is the device of your dreams and you want it gracing your palms, consider protecting your investment with the help of Tech Armor. Think of our screen protectors as a low-cost insurance policy for your valuable handsets. Don’t watch over $1,000-worth of mobile ingenuity ‘crash-and-burn’ from a single slip—get some Tech Armor to take the fall.