Sucking up hours of attention from users around the world since 2007, the iPhone has been a huge source of profit for Apple. The Cupertino-based company, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, has always been famous for their level of secrecy—leaving consumers hungry for information, and thirsty for any juicy leaks. There may be great speculation and a lot of rumors in the technology game overall, but sites like Macotakara give it their all when it comes to detailing features that are supposed to be under wraps until Apple formally releases them.
(Image credit: BGR)
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown off marketing campaigns and major manufacturer releases globally; however, despite delays for conferences and production dates, the arrival of the iPhone 12 to the masses still seems imminent. You may be impatient if you have been walking around with an outdated iPhone for a while and are looking forward to some improvements. Macotakara caters to these types of frustration, offering their own ‘release’ of 3D-printed mockups, amid numerous rumors.
3D-printed mockups of the purported iPhone 12 series phones: Screen sizes and notch design. (Image Source: Macotakara)
Working from ongoing speculation that there will be four sizes of iPhones offered, to include a 5.4-inch model, the folks at Macotakara have gone to great lengths to demonstrate mockups for us. With an array of 3D-printed samples, you can see that they do expect some changes. And, while of course none of this is confirmed, their creativity in using digital fabrication or speculative prototypes is fascinating.
You may be surprised to note changes to the camera lenses, as the prototypes display upgrades such as dual lenses for the iPhone 12, and three lenses for the iPhone 12 Pros (notable as other leaks have also mentioned a LIDAR sensor for the iPhone 12 Pros which is not displayed in the 3D prints).
3D-printed mockups of the purported iPhone 12 series phones: Rear cameras. (Image Source: Macotakara)
Leaks also predict the following possibilities:
- OLED screens instead of LCD
- New chassis
- Metal case with flat edges instead of the normal curves
- SIM card slot now placed under the volume buttons, reconfigured for expected support of 5G
- 5G antenna-in-package where SIM card used to be located
While it is interesting to note possible changes to the realm of the smartphone, noted by 3D-printed models, we also must point out the connection between iPhones and smartphones overall to 3D printing. Users and researchers have innovated in projects such as adding scanning capabilities or even offering features to assist in delivery of medical treatments. Smartphones in general have been used as depth-sensing devices, diagnostics, detection devices for high blood pressure, and even wind-powered chargers have been 3D printed.
Most relevant here is the fact that, if the iPhone 12 series does feature LiDAR scanning or some other improved form of depth scanning than the current generation has, it may be possible to create 3D models directly from scans using the new phones. In that case, Macotakara may even be able to 3D scan the real thing with the real thing to 3D print an even more realistic mock up.
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3D-printed mockups of the purported iPhone 12 series phones: SIM tray placement. (Image Source: Macotakara)