There’s a lot of contradictory information about Apple’s new iPhone 12 line-up floating around, some of it very exciting, some of it increasingly concerning. But perhaps the most surprising has just been confirmed.
Massively popular YouTuber Filip Koroy (aka EverythingApplePro), has posted a new video detailing a mysterious ring of magnets that will be fitted inside every new iPhone 12 model. And it looks set to have a dramatic (and potentially expensive) impact on the iPhone cases we buy.
Posting new images, Koroy shows that the magnetic ring – which extends downwards to form a shape akin to a table tennis bat – will take up most of the back of the new iPhones. Its purpose is still unknown, with speculation that it will be both a snap in wireless charger (to aid placement) and deliver enough magnetic force to secure the phones in a magnetic case holder – such as when driving.
The impact of this is twofold. First, Apple is clearly planning big things for this feature because it has had to redesign the iPhones’ NFC hardware around it (quite literally) with a new tightly wound coil design that sits inside the magnets. Second, official Apple case leaks show the company has designed them to work with these magnets so standard third party cases may no longer be a viable option.
Why is Apple doing this? The smart bet is long term planning. The company is tipped to introduce a wireless charging-only iPhone next year and, for that to be successful, it is going to need an intuitive, reliable wireless charging system that doesn’t leave you worried about perfect placement every time you drop it on a mat. Road testing this with the iPhone 12 range, when there’s still margin for error, would make a lot of sense.
Either way, the feature adds a (much needed) air of mystery to the iPhone 12 line-up. Especially after initial highs about their stylish new design, speed upgrades, expanded screen sizes and faster charging were somewhat undermined by revelations about their downgraded batteries, legacy notches, ProMotion doubts, LiDAR doubts, 5G mmWave doubts and increased prices.
With the iPhone 12 range also officially delayed and their release likely staggered, I suspect this won’t be the last we hear about their mysterious new magnets before Tim Cook explains them on stage.
