Apple Announces Digital-Only Event to Be Held on October 13: iPhone 12 Expected

Apple today announced a second 2020 event, which is set to be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. As with Apple's September event focusing on the new iPad and Apple Watches, the October event will be digital only, with Apple likely providing pre-taped segments for each new product that will be announced.

appleevent2020
Since the new iPad Air, eighth-generation ‌iPad‌, and Apple Watch Series 6 have already been announced, the October event is expected to be Apple's iPhone-centric event with Apple introducing the new iPhone 12 lineup.

iPhone 12 Lineup

We're expecting four iPhones in three sizes in 2020. The ‌iPhone‌ 12, which will be the more affordable ‌iPhone‌ model available, will come in 5.4 and 6.1-inch size options. The 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ will be the smallest ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has released in years, and rumors suggest it could even be called the "iPhone 12 mini."

iPhone 12 models
The higher-end flagship ‌iPhone‌ models, expected to be called the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, will come in 6.1 and 6.7-inch size options, with the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ featuring the largest display size that Apple has introduced to date.

iPhone 12 Dummy Feature
All four iPhones will feature edge-to-edge OLED displays with Face ID functionality and front-facing TrueDepth cameras. Despite some early rumors of smaller notches, it doesn't look like the notch is shrinking on most models, but we can expect a proportional notch on the smallest 5.4-inch model. This will be the first time that Apple has used OLED display technology across the ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

iPhone 12 5G New 1
Apple is also expected to introduce 5G support for all of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, though the fastest mmWave 5G could potentially be limited to the higher end models while more affordable models get Sub-6GHz 5G. Sub-6Ghz 5G is the 5G that's expected to be used in most places (with mmWave coming to urban areas) and you can read more about the differences in our guide.

iphone 12 compared fullsize
The 2020 ‌iPhone‌ lineup will feature a redesign with the iPhones adopting an ‌iPad‌ Pro-style look that does away with the rounded edges that have been used since the ‌iPhone‌ 6 in favor of more squared, flat edges.

iphone12dummyflatedges
New camera technology is expected, with the high-end Pro ‌iPhone‌ models expected to gain LiDAR Scanners similar to the LiDAR Scanner introduced in the iPad Pro. All of the new iPhones will use the faster 5-nanometer A14 chips that Apple first introduced in the 2020 ‌iPad Air‌, which should bring solid performance and efficiency improvements.

iphone 12 lineup wide small
Because 5G technology is expensive, Apple is planning to eliminate the power adapter and earbuds that traditionally come with an ‌iPhone‌, instead offering a separate power adapter for purchase. A braided Lightning to USB-C cable could be included, however, and the power adapter rumor has been all but confirmed by the Series 6 Apple Watches, which were also shipped without a power adapter.

iphone 12 no charger earpods
Apple has stuck to September events and releases for new iPhones for years now, but the global health pandemic delayed the launch of new iPhones, and given the delay, Apple also decided to delay its traditional September event. Apple in July confirmed that this year's models would launch "a few weeks later" than the normal September timeframe.

Rumors suggest that the first ‌iPhone‌ 12 models will see an October launch, perhaps not too long after the event is held, but some of the ‌iPhone‌ models, such as the ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌, could be delayed even longer. We may not see the availability of the full ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup until November.

Read more about the ‌iPhone‌ 12 in our dedicated iPhone 12 roundup.

AirPods Studio

Apple is working on high-end over-ear headphones that are a part of the AirPods family, offering an over-ear alternative to the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. Rumors suggest the AirPods Studio will cost $349 and will offer Active Noise Cancellation and a retro-style design.

AirPods Studio Leak Feature

A leaked image allegedly featuring the AirPods Studio

AirPods Studio are expected before the end of the year, so Apple's October event alongside new iPhones would be an ideal time for Apple to introduce them.

AirTags

AirTags are Apple's long-rumored Bluetooth trackers that can attach to items like wallets and keys, letting them be tracked right in the Find My app alongside iPhones, iPads, and Macs. We've been expecting AirTags for quite some time now and we could finally see them in October.

AirTags Blue Title

Smaller HomePod

There's supposed to be a smaller, less expensive HomePod in the works to accompany the existing ‌HomePod‌, and rumors indicate that it's coming before the end of the year.

HomePodSeniorAndJunior2 1

Arm-Based Mac

We're expecting the first Arm-based Macs this year, which could come in the form of a refreshed MacBook Air and a redesigned 23 or 24-inch iMac. Most Arm-based Mac rumors suggest a launch later in the year, so there's no confirmation that we're going to see them at the October event.

applesiliconbenefits

MacRumors Event Coverage

Apple plans to stream the fall ‌‌iPhone‌‌ event live on its Events website, on YouTube, and on the Apple TV when it kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. For those unable to watch, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage both on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Apple's Events website, when viewed on an ‌iPhone‌, includes a tappable augmented reality image that features an animated logo for the event that expands from a series of concentric circles into 3D spheres with the October 13 date image.


Apple has also shared a placeholder for its YouTube livestream on YouTube, so those who plan to watch that way can set a reminder.


Top Rated Comments

nezr Avatar
46 months ago
AirTags confirmed



Attachment Image
Score: 71 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
46 months ago
I wish they put as much effort on the iOS wallpapers as they do on the event announcement illustrations.
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unity451 Avatar
46 months ago
I'm going to lose a lot of money this Fall.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MyopicPaideia Avatar
46 months ago
Boom. I am ready - pretty please announce some Apple Silicon Macs!
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
46 months ago
It’s here. Finally!

Speed: Looks like A14 will be the star of the show along with 5G.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apparatchik Avatar
46 months ago
Maybe an Apple TV announcement as well? hope Apple TV Arcade / A14X rumors are true...
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPad Mini 6 YouTubed 2

When to Expect the Next iPad Mini and Low-End iPad Models to Launch

Sunday April 7, 2024 6:45 am PDT by
While rumors have been focused on new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some Apple customers are wondering when the next iPad mini will be released. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new iPad mini and entry-level iPad models will be released in late 2024 at the earliest. "The company is also working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini, but those...
10th Gen iPad Feature Deals 2

Best Buy Introduces Record Low Prices Across Every 10th Gen iPad

Sunday April 7, 2024 8:01 am PDT by
Following a few notable discounts on MacBooks yesterday, Best Buy today introduced a sale on the 10th generation iPad, including numerous all-time low prices on the tablet. Prices start at $349.00 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, and include $100 markdowns on both Wi-Fi and cellular devices. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may...
apple tv 4k yellow bg feature

When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch

Tuesday April 9, 2024 8:30 am PDT by
It has been nearly a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so the device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade. Below, we recap rumors about the next Apple TV, including potential features and launch timing. The current model is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, announced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

Alleged iPhone 16 Battery Details Show Smaller Capacity for One Model

Tuesday April 9, 2024 3:46 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup will feature bigger battery capacities compared to previous-generation models with the exception of the iPhone 16 Plus, which will have a smaller battery than its predecessor. That's according to the Chinese Weibo-based leaker OvO Baby Sauce OvO, a relatively new source of supply chain leaks with an as-yet unproven track record for accuracy. The iPhone 16 ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

Gurman: New iPads Likely to Launch During Second Week of May

Sunday April 7, 2024 5:10 am PDT by
Apple will likely launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air models during the second week of May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "For those looking for more specific timing, I'm told the launch will probably happen the week of May 6," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "Another data point to that end: Apple retail stores are preparing to receive new product marketing materials...
iPhone 16 Side 2 Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Expected Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday April 2, 2024 7:50 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still months away from launching, there are already over a dozen rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected for the devices so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of April 2024:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with large...
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Laptop

Microsoft Says Windows Laptops With Snapdragon X Elite Will Be Faster Than M3 MacBook Air

Monday April 8, 2024 10:00 am PDT by
Microsoft will advertise that its upcoming Windows laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor are faster than the MacBook Air with Apple's latest M3 chip, according to internal documents obtained by The Verge. "Microsoft is so confident in these new Qualcomm chips that it's planning a number of demos that will show how these processors will be faster than an M3 MacBook Air for CPU...