The iPhone 12 is already rumored to consist of four different versions, but it appears that a surprise fifth model may be in the works

Twitter tipster Komiya revealed Apple's full smartphone lineup for next year and mentioned this mysterious iPhone 12s model in it, which is said to appear between Q1 and Q4 of 2021

Normally, when Apple releases an "S" model of the iPhone, it comes a year after the original launch as a modest upgrade with nearly identical exterior However, the iPhone 12s, which is expected to be released by next fall, does not fit this pattern

Komiya's tweet covers next fall, meaning that the iPhone 12s could be the main upgrade to the iPhone once a year After all, Apple used to make an S version of the iPhone every other year, although it stopped doing so after the iPhone Xs

However, other leaked information points to next year's Apple phone being the iPhone 13 Not much is known or even rumored about next year's iPhone, but one potentially significant change could be the elimination of the Lightning port, creating the first completely portless wireless iPhone

All of this could make the iPhone 12s look like an in-between model, offering the core features of the iPhone 12 but without the low price tag of the iPhone SE 2020 This would be an unusual move, as Apple typically uses the previous year's iPhone models as mid-tier models rather than creating a new mid-tier model

One suggestion is that the iPhone 12s will be a 4G-only model of the basic iPhone 12 All four iPhone 12 models are said to have 5G While this is a good thing to ensure that people can continue to use their phones in the future, it will mean higher prices for some users who do not have access to a 5G network locally Thus, the previously rumored 4G iPhone 12 model would be a great way to keep prices down and attract more users

In support of this, Komiya's tweet also reveals what will happen to existing iPhone models when the iPhone 12 arrives The timeline shows that Apple's current least expensive flagship-level model, the iPhone XR, will be discontinued when the iPhone 12s are released It then suggests that the iPhone 11 will be the newest option at the bottom, with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12s above it

As for other models, the iPhone 11 will continue to be sold throughout 2021, as will the iPhone SE However, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will no longer be sold after the iPhone 12 is released, according to Komiya

The iPhone 12 will likely be released later this year than in previous years as a result of coronavirus-related issues that have hampered development More specific rumors from leaked sources suggest that it will take place in mid-October Notable features include OLED displays on all four models, a new size range of 54", 61", and 67", and the addition of a LiDAR depth sensor in the rear camera array of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models