Apple iPhone 12 rumors are heating up and the release date is getting close. If you’re thinking about buying an iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro this fall, there are some things you should do before Apple’s 2020 iPhones arrive.

Now that we’re pushing into the fall there are some great reasons to think about waiting for Apple’s next batch of iPhones.

The company’s new iPhone 12 models are reportedly coming with massive changes including 5G support, upgrades to the camera, new processor, and more.

We don’t have an official release date yet, that announcement won’t come for a few weeks, but all signs point to a launch in October.

According to AppleInsider, the iPhone 12 announcement could come on Tuesday, October 13th, followed by pre-orders on Friday, October 16th. This lines up well with iPhone 12 launch rumors and Apple’s standard protocol.

While it might seem like it’s a bit early to start preparing for the iPhone 12’s release date, taking some steps ahead of time will ensure that you’re fully prepared to buy one when the time comes.

In this guide we’ll take prospective iPhone 12 buyers through some steps to take ahead of Apple’s announcements.

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Track iPhone 12 Rumors

If you’re interested in buying one of the new iPhones in the fall, you’ll want to track the latest rumors as we push toward their release date.

Apple does its best to keep things under wraps, but rumors and leaks are inevitable and we’ve seen a ton of information emerge in recent weeks.

Rumors will fill in many of the blanks well ahead of the iPhone 12’s release and they will help you set proper expectations as we close in on Apple’s announcements. If you have proper expectations, you’ll avoid disappointment.

In addition to keeping an eye out for hardware and software rumors, you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for supply chain rumors.

We haven’t heard anything concrete yet, but if rumors start pointing to potential shortages at launch, you might want to think about putting in a pre-order in order to avoid a delay.

If you want a look at the latest iPhone 12 rumors, take a look at our guide.

Check Your Upgrade Status

If you’re planning to buy a new iPhone in the fall, you’ll want to keep an eye on your upgrade status as we push closer to the release date.

If you’re not eligible for an upgrade until October or later, you might not be able to put in a pre-order for a new device since your line won’t eligible.

Carriers will sometimes move up your upgrade status so you’ll want to check in on it to see if anything changes in the buildup to the announcements.

Checking your current upgrade status is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to check your upgrade online at Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular.

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Get Familiar with iOS 14

We recommend getting comfortable with the software that will power the iPhone 12.

Apple’s new iOS 14 operating system has arrived which means you can try it out on your current iPhone ahead of the official release.

If you do this before the iPhone 12 launches you won’t be caught off guard by all of the changes when you open up your new phone.

For more on iOS 14, have a look at our walkthrough.

Research iPhone Accessories

As we speed toward the release you’ll want to get familiar with case manufacturers and other iPhone accessory makers. This way, you’ll know exactly what to buy and how much to spend on accessories if you decide you need them.

We recommend reading reviews and digging into the best iPhone cases, screen protectors, and various other accessories before Apple confirms the devices.

Get a feel for the pricing, dig into pros and cons of each manufacturer, and find styles that appeal to you.

Figure Out How Much Storage You Need

Figure out how much storage you might need ahead of time.

iPhone 12 rumors are hinting at one major change to the iPhone’s storage capacity. Instead of 64GB, it looks like the iPhone 12’s storage will start at 128GB. Rumors point to additional 256GB and 512GB options.

Picking the right storage will help you save money and avoid headaches down the line. While some of you will be fine with the least amount of storage, others will want the peace of mind that comes with having more internal space available.

If you’re unsure about what you might need, take a look at our guide to picking the best iPhone 11 storage size.

Research iPhone 12 Alternatives

Before you decide to wait for the iPhone 12, make sure you go hands on with the current models. You might find a model you like at a price you love.

The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are still fairly expensive, but their prices have dropped since launch.

We’ve also seen deals on Apple’s iPhones from 2018. The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are still solid devices and they’re worth a look as well.

You might also want to take a peek at Apple’s new iPhone SE and other budget alternatives like the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 7. All of these devices are holding up quite well in 2020 and all of them will get upgraded to iOS 14 this fall.

While the iPhone 12 models are exciting, a lot of you might be fine going with a device from the current crop.

If you aren’t committed to buying an iPhone, make sure you check out iPhone 12 alternatives.

Some of these alternatives are already out on shelves. We recommend checking out the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9, OnePlus 8, OnePlus 7, and Google’s Pixel 3, Pixel 4, and new Pixel 4a.

Make a Plan for Your Current Phone, Headphones & Charger

Make a plan for your current phone ahead of time. That way, you aren’t scrambling when the time comes.

Some of you might know of a friend or relative who could benefit from your current device. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down later on this year. You might also look into donating your phone to charity.

If you plan on selling your current device to help offset the cost of your new iPhone, you’ll want to dig into prices at resellers like Gazelle and NextWorth.

You’ll also want to keep your current phone in pristine condition because that’s how you’ll get the most money back from those resellers, your carrier, or Apple when the time comes.

It’s not confirmed, but it looks like Apple won’t include a pair of headphones or a charger in the iPhone 12’s box. And that means you should come up with a plan for those items.

If you already own a pair EarPods, hold onto them. If you don’t, and you were relying on Apple to provide you with a pair, you might want to look into buying a pair of AirPods, a cheap pair of EarPods, or an EarPods alternative.

Apple will likely sell a charger through its website, but you should be perfectly fine buying a cheaper alternative from a company like Anker.

Look Into AppleCare

If you’re set on buying an iPhone 12, you’ll want to protect your investment.

All iPhones come with a standard warranty, but AppleCare is an extended warranty service that delivers better support. If you aren’t familiar with AppleCare’s service and its benefits, you should research them in the days ahead.

You will be able to add AppleCare to your bag during the checkout process when you purchase a new iPhone. You can also buy it later if you decide you want to wait.

Apple now gives users in the U.S. and Canada up to one year to buy AppleCare+.

Research Carriers

If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s coverage or plan, use this time to dig into competitors and see if you can find a better fit. This is especially important because the iPhone 12 series should feature 5G.

Each carrier has its pros and cons, but you might find one that stands out. If you’re interested in switching carriers, please take a look at our guides covering AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

You’ll also want to dig into other carriers like Spectrum, Xfinity, Boost Mobile, and others. They don’t always get the iPhone on day one, but the pricing is often better.

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 12 & 5 Reasons Not To

Wait Because the iPhone 12 Launch is Close > 1 / 16 The iPhone 12 launch is just weeks away and that means those of you interested in picking one up should consider holding off on buying a new device until Apple makes its announcements. Again, it looks like the iPhone 12 series will start shipping in October due to supply chain issues related to the coronavirus outbreak. And again, it looks like the iPhone 12 Pro models might not start shipping until sometime in November. Plans can change, but the leaker who released this information has been spot on in the past. According to Jon Prosser, Apple is currently prepping an iOS 14.1 update for release alongside the iPhone 12 series. iOS 14.1 reportedly won't be ready until October 9th which means the iPhones likely won't start shipping until mid-to-late October. If you don't think you can sit through a few more weeks of rumors and/or you phone isn't going to last that long, you'll obviously want to move onto something else. That said, if you can wait, now is the time to do so. We're getting close. > 1 / 16

Last update on 2020-09-22. This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read our disclosure policy for more details. Images via Amazon API