Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
69,463
40,563


Twitter leaker Jon Prosser has shared a pair of images that appear to be schematics of Apple's unreleased "iPhone 12," showing a smaller notch than the one currently found on iPhones with Face ID.

The first image looks like a photo of a CAD illustration, which are sometimes leaked from Apple's supply partners. The second image appears to be based on the first schematic, and draws out the details of the hardware housed within the notch.

iphone-12-notch-CAD-prosser.jpg

To achieve a more compact package, the redesigned hardware layout has the TrueDepth camera's ambient light and proximity sensors in a more central position within the array, with the iPhone speaker sitting above them in the bezel of the handset instead of between them.

Unlike Apple's marketing images of the hardware in the notch, the microphone is not pictured in either image. Prosser says it hasn't been labelled in order to emphasize the other hardware, and that it's actually housed next to the speaker.

Earlier this month, another leaker shared images said to depict the iPhone 12 with a notch that is approximately 1/3 smaller than the current notch, but the images didn't reveal details of the hardware arrangement inside.

iphone-12-notch-CAD-prosser-1.jpg

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to suggest that at least one new iPhone in 2020 will feature a smaller front camera lens for an improved screen to bezel ratio, ultimately resulting in a smaller notch at the front. More recently, sources close to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman have corroborated rumors of a slimmer notch.

We've heard rumors suggesting Apple eventually plans to debut an iPhone design that eliminates the notch entirely, but it's not entirely clear just how that would work as the front-facing camera still needs to be able to function even with some sensors under the display.

Apple supplier AMS last year announced new camera sensor technology that allows the RBG light and the IR proximity sensor used for the front-facing TrueDepth camera system to be embedded under an OLED display. It was thought that Apple could potentially introduce the new sensor tech in its 2020 iPhones to achieve the smaller notch, but that's not what today's alleged leaked schematics suggest.


Last June, one analyst with investment firm Credit Suisse in Asia said that Apple plans to offer notch-less iPhones with full-screen fingerprint authentication in 2021. However, the same analyst said Apple will launch one notch-less iPhone this year, and the rumor mill hasn't swung in that direction and it's unlikely to do so at this late stage in the yearly cycle. Regardless, Apple removing the notch on the iPhone is almost certainly its end goal.

Apple is expected to offer four iPhones in three different sizes this year: A 5.4-inch ?iPhone?, a 6.7-inch ?iPhone?, and two 6.1-inch iPhones. One 6.1-inch model and the 6.7-inch model will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch ?iPhone? and the 5.4-inch ?iPhone? will be lower-end models and successors to the ?iPhone 11?. Apple is expected to launch the new models in the fall.

Article Link: Alleged Leaked 'iPhone 12' Schematics Show Speaker Integrated into Bezel to Achieve Slimmer Notch
 
Last edited:
but somehow these schematics contradict themselves.....ok in both smaller notch, in both slimmer bezels...but in one, they talk about larger antenna cuts and here is the same slim cuts
[automerge]1587375826[/automerge]
A iPhone without a front camera would be handy. I just want a pocket iPad, never once used FaceTime or took a selfie.
no front camera means no facetime, no selfies and no faceID....it will lose a lot of customers..
 
I'm sure there' a good reason for this, but just looking at it wouldn't it make sense to swap the camera and the for projector around so something round is in the corner, letting them tighten it up slightly?
 
  • Like
Reactions: NetMage
Knowing Tim and his disgusting practices, this CAD probably represents the €1200+ iPhone. The regular 5.4 and 6.1 will most likely end up getting the old design with 720P 60hz OLED made by Chinese BOE.
this design will be for the both Pro models....6.1" and 6.7" and yes the regular one will have OLED instead LCD now...with the current design
 
  • Like
Reactions: NetMage
If the notch is still there, it doesn't make a big difference if it is smaller. It is an improvement and there will be more room to display battery status etc. but the UI won't change dramatically.
They'll get rid of the notch eventually, and that will be a significant difference in design.
I'm not sure I'll upgrade, but the smaller notch is not a compelling reason. A 120Hz ProMotion display would be way more interesting.
 
Latest rumours seem to suggest smaller bezels. They certainly look smaller if these schematics are to be believed.
Having flat edges alone should reduce the bezels a little bit. Imagine applying a metal file to the curved edges of the current iPhones, I'm pretty sure one could remove a bit of the curvature before cutting into something internal.
[automerge]1587377868[/automerge]
It´s only me or the smaller it is the uglier it becomes?

x-g7-p20.jpg
I'd say the middle version still looks ok.
 
Knowing Tim and his disgusting practices, this CAD probably represents the €1200+ iPhone. The regular 5.4 and 6.1 will most likely end up getting the old design with 720P 60hz OLED made by Chinese BOE.
The most expensive iPhones getting the best tech like a smaller notch and ProMotion wouldn’t really be surprising. Nor would the mid-tier staying with an A13 or other differences that could keep costs down. You consider that disgusting? Huh, ok 🤷‍♂️

PS I wouldn’t expect them to cut the resolution of the 6.1” model.
 
It´s only me or the smaller it is the uglier it becomes?

x-g7-p20.jpg

Certainly with those phones it's the case - none of them are willing to spend the money to get rid of the chin, but excluding Face ID is obviously a given for them as they can't do it anyway so it's pretty easy for them to make the notch smaller!
[automerge]1587378416[/automerge]
I want an iPhone without a notch that has a Touch ID sensor and front-facing camera under the screen.

I want a phone that floats.
 
Crazy how much technology is packed into such a small space

That isn't really the case, none of the component were merged or shrinked. They just move the speaker and microphone to the top of the phone / bezel.

I think I wrote something about this last year being the only possible solution for a 5.4" Edge to Edge iPhone. But I didn't envision it will come with the smaller bezel. ( Remember we are talking about no bottom chin, not sure if that is done on Android yet ) Apple used to be very stubborn about bezel thickness. The New Apple seems to be better at adopting changes.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: aylk
Dear Macrumours - please stop labelling these as "schematics"! As an hardware engineer I always get excited by the news headline - only to have my excitement dampened when I realise it's just a drawing that hundreds of sub-suppliers (will) have access to.

A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols.

For electronic equipment a schematic always refers to the circuit diagram in my decades of industry work.

These are (CAD) drawings.

Real iPhone schematics (circuit diagrams) are much rarer to get hold of (and IMO more interesting)!
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.