iPhone 12 mini: 5 Rumored Features You Could Miss Out On
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Apple's iPhone 12 Pro may have some cutting-edge features, but it seems that everyone can't stop talking about the iPhone 12 mini. Maybe it's the expected affordable price tag or the small screen that everyone seems to adore. But, before people take the plunge, they should know that this small phone comes with a few compromises. Continue reading to browse the rumored features you will miss out on if you decide to purchase the iPhone 12 mini.
Telephoto Zoom Lens
Unlike the iPhone SE 2020, which has a single-lens camera, the iPhone 12 mini is rumored to include two camera lenses -- a wide-angle lens and an ultra-wide lens. Missing is the telephoto lens that is expected to land only on the higher-end iPhone 12 models.
Even though it may have one less camera lens, the iPhone 12 mini could benefit from the processing power of the A14 bionic. The A14 is expected to bring Smart HDR and other photo enhancements to Apple's entire iPhone 12 lineup, including the entry-level iPhone 12 mini.
LiDAR Scanner
The iPhone 12 Pro models are expected to ship with a LiDAR scanner similar to the one that debuted earlier this year on the iPad Pro. The LiDAR scanner uses reflected light to map your surroundings and accurately measure your distance to nearby objects. This distance, or more accurately depth, map can be used in augmented reality applications and AR games such as Pokemon Go.
Its usefulness doesn't end there. The data collected by the LiDAR scanner also could be used by the iPhone's camera. It could improve autofocusing, especially in low light conditions, which are challenging for most cameras. LiDAR also may play a role in depth-based effects such as portrait mode, which focuses on a subject and blurs the background.
OLED Display
All iPhone 12 models are expected to have an OLED touchscreen display with the iPhone 12 Pro Max sporting a 10-bit color profile with XDR for bolder colors and more true-to-life representations. The iPhone 12 mini will be the smallest of the lot with a 5.4-inch display, which is smaller than the 6.1-inch iPhone 11 and the slightly bigger than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE.
Early rumors hinted that only the iPhone 12 Pro models would include a 120Hz ProMotion display. Recently leaked information suggests Apple will not add that technology to any of its iPhone models this year.
A Large Battery
If the rumors are correct, the iPhone 12 will become the smallest iPhones both in size and battery capacity. Leaked certifications suggest the iPhone 12 mini may ship with a 2,227 mAh battery, which is significantly less than the whopping 3,687 mAh battery rumored to ship int he iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple's new A14 Bionic chipset is rumored to be extremely energy efficient, but that can only do so much to extend the battery life of this lower capacity battery.
mmWave 5G Connectivity
All four rumored iPhone 12 models -- the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max -- will include 5G connectivity. Only the high-end iPhone 12 Pro Max, though, will support the faster mmWave 5G technology.
All the other models, including the iPhone 12 mini, will connect using the slower sub-6Hz 5G network. Rumors suggest only the iPhone 12 Pro Max is large enough to accommodate the larger antenna need for mmWave connectivity.
When Will the iPhone 12 mini Arrive?
Even though the iPhone 12 is thought to be missing a few features, it still shapes up to be a more than capable phone. It will have Apple's latest A14 bionic processor, a new square-design, and a dual-lens camera. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 12 lineup at its October 13 press event.
Pre-orders could begin as soon as October 16, with a retail launch to follow on October 23. Consistent rumors suggest Apple may stagger the iPhone 12 launch with some iPhone 12 models arriving in October and others coming out later, most likely in November.