What’s in the iPhone 12? Wall Street analysts give us their predictions

Analysts think the answer to that question is a resounding yes.

“Investors are heavily expecting a 5G iPhone,” said DA Davidson analyst Tom Forte.

But, it’s possible that not all models of the iPhone 12 will connect to the fastest 5G networks.

“I would be shocked if they came out with millimeter wave just for the base model,” Sag said.

Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan said Apple may even choose to make only the highest end iPhone 12 connect to millimeter wave 5G.

In any case, Apple will likely release US- and non-US versions of the 5G iPhones, according to Wedbush’s Ives, since network technology can vary from country to country.

What if I don’t care about 5G?

You could still be in luck. Analysts say Apple could release a 4G version of the iPhone 12, or a new 4G version of the lower-priced iPhone SE that launched earlier this year — it’s just not clear when.

DA Davidson’s Forte said he thinks the lowest-price option in the iPhone 12 lineup released this fall could be a 4G model. Others, including Ives and Sag, said a new 4G iPhone is more likely to hit the market in the first half of next year, at a lower price point than its 5G counterpart.

How many models will there be?

Ives has written that he expects to see four iPhone 12 models, including one with a larger, 6.7-inch display.

If Apple does release four models of the new iPhone, one of them could also be the smallest iPhone Apple has produced, both Sag and Mohan said.

“There’s a pretty large audience that continues to gravitate towards the smallest iPhone,” he said. “It’s really just a question of whether Apple thinks the market is big enough to make it worth it.”

How much will I be shelling out?

Good question.

“Pricing is always the biggest unknown when it comes to Apple,” Mohan said.

Last year, the iPhone 11 (starting at $699) was Apple’s cheapest new smartphone since the iPhone 8.

This year, the price of the highest-end iPhone 12 model will likely go up by around $100, to account for the cost of adding the superfast 5G connectivity, Mohan said. As for the lower-end models, multiple analysts agreed that Apple is likely to try to keep the prices relatively consistent with last year.

However, DA Davidson’s Forte also noted that after releasing the lower-priced iPhone SE earlier this year, the company may not feel the need to offer a bargain version of the 12 this fall.

What else will I get?

When it comes to battery life, most analysts don’t expect any major changes.

However, Mohan said that in the highest-end version of the iPhone 12 — expected to be the largest model and have millimeter wave 5G connectivity — Apple may use that extra space to beef up the battery. Connecting to the fastest 5G networks could be a battery drain, and this would help boost the value of the device.

Forte added that the iPhone maker may also integrate new video capability, a feature that could capitalize on the new 5G connectivity.

One thing iPhone 12 buyers may not get: A charging block. Since most iPhone owners already have the block that plugs into the wall, several analysts said they think Apple may ship the new iPhone with only a charging cord. It could be an environmentally friendly move, and save Apple a few dollars per iPhone.

“It just goes to show how much cost pressure is on the business when you’re trying to incorporate new features,” Mohan said. “Where are you going to cut costs and not upset a consumer? This could be one of those instances.”