This week in Apple: Five iPhones possible in 2020, maybe including 'iPhone 9'

This week in Apple news we have some new rumors pertaining to the batch of 2020 iPhones. Apple could introduce the biggest iPhone lineup ever with a whopping five devices, including the iPhone 12 models shown in concept renders above. Read on for more info on that!

We also have some rumors about the batch of 2021 iPhones, the 2020 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, Apple’s acquisition of Intel’s modem business, a lawsuit against Apple over its objectively-bad butterfly keyboard, and the first-ever Apple Music Awards.

See the Apple news roundup below for all the latest.

The top Apple news stories of the past week:

• 2020 iPhone lineup could potentially be biggest-ever: According to JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee (via CNBC), there will be four devices in the main 2020 iPhone lineup. According to another source, there could also be a low-budget ‘iPhone 9.’ If true, this coming year would be the biggest ever for Apple when it comes to iPhones. The rumored devices are:
  • iPhone 12 (Small) with 5.4-inch OLED display
  • iPhone 12 (Large) with 6.1-inch OLED display
  • iPhone 12 Pro with 6.1-inch OLED display
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max with 6.7-inch OLED display
  • iPhone 9 with a 4.6-inch display (which we’ve been referring to as the iPhone SE 2)
• The main lineup of 2020 iPhones could be 5G-ready: The CNBC source mentioned in the previous bullet point also posits that the main 2020 iPhones will feature 5G connectivity. However, the non-Pro models could be limited to sub-600mHz connections while the Pro models could feature both sub-600mHz as well as mmWave connections.
• An iPhone with an in-display fingerprint sensor: According to industry rumors, Apple is in talks with Qualcomm and other suppliers to put an in-display fingerprint sensor in a future iPhone. This would be a first for the company as it recently went all-in on Face ID.
• 2021 iPhones could be split in two: Apple always releases its iPhones in September, but that could change in 2021. According to JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee, there could be two iPhone launches in 2021: one in the Spring and then one in the Fall. If true, this would bring Apple more in line with Android competitors such as Samsung and HUAWEI.
• 2021 iPhones could come without any ports at all: It’s long been rumored that Apple will eventually ditch the Lightning connector, but it looks like it won’t replace it with the universal USB-C. Instead, Apple could launch a future iPhone that has no ports at all.

Related: iPhone with Qualcomm in-display fingerprint sensor is likely on the way

• Next year could be the year of the Mini-LED display: According to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors), Apple could launch a high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip in the third quarter of 2020 and a refreshed 16-inch MacBook Pro in the fourth quarter of 2020. Both of these devices could have Mini-LED displays, which could give Samsung’s AMOLED panels a run for their money.
• Apple’s Intel acquisition complete: Intel announced earlier this week that the sale of its modem business to Apple is now complete. Last week, Intel admitted that it sold its smartphone modem business to Apple at “a multi-billion dollar loss.” Ouch.
• First-ever Apple Music Awards announced: Not content to just have a music streaming service, Apple will now hand out music awards to industry talent. The first-ever Apple Music Awards winners are as follows:
  • Global Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
  • Songwriter of the Year: Billie Eilish and Finneas
  • Album of the Year: “When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” by Billie Eilish
  • Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Lizzo
  • Song of the Year: “New Town Road” by Lil Nas X
• A class-action suit against Apple will move forward: The class-action suit filed against Apple over its extremely terrible butterfly keyboard on its older MacBooks will move forward, according to a federal judge.

Thinking about making the switch?

If you are reading this Apple news article on an iOS device and thinking about making the switch to Android, we have multiple articles and guides that can help you with that process. Despite how it might seem, moving from iOS to Android is easier than ever, and many of the services and systems on iOS have similar or even the same counterparts on Android.

The best place to start would be our guide on how to switch from iPhone to Android, which goes over all the basics. We also have more specific guides, such as how to transfer your calendar from iPhone to Android. We also have app guides that will give you the best alternatives to iOS staples, such as our list of best alternatives to FaceTime on Android.

If you’re looking for a great Android device to replace your iPhone, consult our list of the best Android smartphones available now.