iPhone 12 could feature iPad Pro-like design, smaller HomePod also in the works

The Apple iPhone 12 series has been in the news for some time now, with several leaks and rumours floating already doing the rounds months ahead of the expected launch. Last month, we saw an alleged iPhone 12 render, which suggested that the Cupertino-based giant might finally get rid of the display notch. Just last week, yet another render surfaced online but this time it was the iPhone 12 Pro with what looked like a re-designed camera module at the rear along with a LiDAR scanner similar to the one seen on the 2020 iPad Pro. Now, according to a report by Bloomberg, the iPhone 12 series will not only borrow the LiDAR scanner, but also design elements from the latest iPad.

iPhone 12 could take design inspiration from the iPad Pro 2020

iPhone 12 Pro is expected to arrive with triple cameras and LiDAR scanner

According to the report, the top tier iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will feature flat stainless steel edges, and will also flaunt sharply rounded corners and flat screens. The design will borrow cues from the newest iPad Pro 2020 as well as the iPhone 5. The flat-screen bit is slightly intriguing as the popular Apple analyst, Ming-chi Kuo has predicted in the past that these smartphones will have slightly curved screens.
Apart from the design detail, Bloomberg also claims that iPhone Pro models will feature three cameras on the back along with the LiDAR scanner. The lower-end iPhone 12 models will come with a dual-camera setup on the rear. Moving on, the report also suggests that the top-end Pro Max variant will feature “slightly larger” screen than the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s 6.5-inch display. Apple is also said to be working on a smaller notch this year.

Smaller HomePod in the works

The report also revealed that Apple is working on a new HomePod this year. The upcoming smart speaker is expected to have a smaller footprint with a size that’s the half of the original HomePod. To be released in the second half of this year, the new HomePod will come with a lower price tag and is likely to come with more music services integrated. This will help Apple compete with the likes of Amazon Echos and Google Nests.
The report also reveals that new Apple Tags, new MacBook Pro, Apple TV, refreshed budget iPads and a new iMac are in the pipeline for this year.