A late production start could still lead to short supply at launch
We have no idea what could have possibly changed in a day, and whether or not these new sources cited by Digitimes are different from the "old" ones, but what we do know is that September is not exactly right around the corner. Also, the coronavirus epidemic is showing no signs of slowing down, and no one (not even Trump) knows when the disease will be contained.
Concept iPhone 12 renders
That obviously means it's virtually impossible to predict when smartphone production might go back to normal in China, and although Apple is taking whatever precautions it can, building the iPhone 12 family from scratch in other countries will certainly prove tricky. Especially in the numbers needed to satisfy the undoubtedly rampant global demand likely to be generated by the company's first-ever 5G-enabled handsets.
Bottom line, even if today's optimistic forecast comes true and Apple manages to unveil its next-gen high-end iPhones in September, kicking off production "after June" could well mean the traditional release will end up being unusually limited. All in all, we don't know how this whole affair will play out, but at least for the time being, things look a little less bleak than initially anticipated.
Apple has high hopes for the iPhone 12 family
Following several underwhelming years in terms of sales volume, the Cupertino-based tech giant reportedly expects the iPhone 12, 12 Plus, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max to generate significantly higher demand than its predecessors. Namely, today's "industry sources" are forecasting production of next-gen Apple A14 chips could exceed the A13's numbers by a whopping 50 to 60 percent.
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By the way, while the aforementioned names are far from etched in stone, most reputable analysts and prolific leakers expect Apple to release a grand total of four iPhone 12 variants. All of these should sport high-quality OLED screens ranging in size from 5.4 to 6.7 inches, but if you're a fan of LCD panels, lower prices, or conventional fingerprint scanners, you'll likely get the new device of your dreams next month.
Leaked iPhone 9 renders
Of course, the release schedule of the 4.7-inch iPhone 9 could be greatly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak too, although odds are Apple managed to manufacture a couple million units before factories were closed. It remains to be seen if the budget-friendly handset will be released in limited numbers in late March before manufacturers outside of China can catch up to global demand or if the whole launch will be delayed by a few weeks or so.
The iPhone 9 is widely expected to look an awful lot like 2017's iPhone 8, while the iPhone 12 quartet could take a few design cues from the ancient iPhone 4. We're talking about a subtle homage infused with plenty of modern elements, including a smaller notch housing an even more sophisticated facial recognition system and quadruple cameras mounted on the back of at least two of the four main models tipped for a fall 2020 announcement.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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