Apple's iPhone 12 launch is undoubtedly its biggest announcement of the year, but 2020 isn't over yet and neither is what we expect from Cupertino. While the events may be virtual these days, the new hardware headed out to Apple Stores is very much real: here are four big things we could still see before the year is through.
Tuesday is shaping up to be a big day, but Apple is hoping to give you a few reasons to save some Amazon Prime Day money to spend on a new iPhone instead. The Cupertino company is holding its "Hi, Speed" event on Tuesday morning, and we're expecting to see the new iPhone 12 family make its debut.
Apple's big iPhone 12 event may have four phones, but some of the most hotly-anticipated accessories - including AirPods Studio headphones and Apple's first tracking tags - could end up MIA, new leaks suggest. The "Hi, Speed" event on October 13 is expected to cover a number of bases, with the iPhone 12 range adding 5G and ceding a little stage time to a new HomePod mini. Don't expect a full accessories-fest, though.
Apple's much-rumored smaller smart speaker, the HomePod mini, could share the stage at the company's big iPhone 12 event next week if the latest rumors are to be believed. Kicking off at 10am PT on Tuesday, October 13, the "Hi, Speed" event will unsurprisingly be dominated by the new four-strong iPhone 12 range - complete with 5G and new camera features - but Apple is also said to be finally filling a long-empty gap in its line-up.
A huge iPhone 12 leak could have spoiled just about all of Apple's surprises for its October 13 event, with full pricing, colors, accessories and more for the new range detailed. If authentic, the "Hi, Speed" event being live-streamed next Tuesday will also bring a shake-up to what you get in the iPhone box.
Google is reportedly planning to crack down on Android apps bypassing its in-app purchase rules, holding developers to an existing - but little-enforced - requirement. The decision follows a controversial legal spat between Apple and Fortnite-developer Epic Games, in which the publisher criticized the so-called "App Store tax" of 30-percent on purchases made within software.
Rumors that Apple's smallest 2020 smartphone will launch as the iPhone 12 mini continue to gain weight, with a new leak claiming to show official labeling confirming the new name. Chatter of an iPhone 12 mini began back in January, with talk of it kicking off a four-strong line-up of iOS smartphones that would top out at the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Google's Pixel 4a 5G will offer faster connectivity in a familiar phone, and now we know just how familiar to expect it to be. Set to be officially unveiled at Google's "Launch Night In" on September 30 - alongside the Pixel 5, a new Chromecast, a smart speaker, and more - the Pixel 4a 5G could well end up being one of the most affordable ways to put 5G in your pocket.
Apple's new iPad Air may be treading on the toes of the iPad Pro right now, but the flagship iPadOS tablet may have a surprise in store to again justify its premium position. The next iPad Pro refresh is believed to be the recipient of the next big thing on Apple's display roadmap, mini-LED.
Google may have teased its own new Nest smart speaker back in July, but a new leak gives us a much better view of just what the unusually-shaped model will look like - and the new Google Chromecast launching alongside it. There were more than a few scratched-heads when Google responded to the leaks around what speaker codenamed "Prince" with an official image of it, not least because of the weirdly pillowy shape.
Despite the fact that we're quickly closing in on the holiday 2020 launch window for the PlayStation 5, Sony has yet to talk pricing for the console. Rumors reported that Sony was possibly waiting for Microsoft to make the first move, and last week, Microsoft did exactly that, announcing that the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will cost $499 and $299, respectively. The ball is now in Sony's court, and we're hoping that the company finally confirms pricing in a PlayStation 5 showcase it's hosting tomorrow.
It's September 15, the Apple Store is offline for updates, and we're expecting a whole host of shiny new tech to arrive in there later today when the Cupertino firm finishes up its latest event. Unlike most September Apple events in previous years, however, the new iPhone isn't expected to be on the agenda. Instead, ready your wallet for something new for your wrist, among other things.