2019 iPhones - Rumors about Apple's 2019 iPhone lineup con't 2/2

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◄ part 1

3D TOUCH

Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis, who has a somewhat mixed track record, has suggested that all 2019 iPhones will do away with 3D Touch. Apple did eliminate 3D Touch in the lower-priced 6.1-inch iPhone XR, and the company could be planning to remove the feature entirely in the 2019 iPhones.

The Wall Street Journal has said that all three iPhone models could ship without support for 3D Touch, and Taiwanese site DigiTimes has also suggested 3D Touch could be eliminated in the 2019 iPhone models.

Bloomberg has also confirmed reports that Apple is eliminating 3D Touch and instead of replacing it with Haptic Touch, which offers similar functionality but with a long press.

In iOS 13, Apple implemented a feature that lets a long press on devices without 3D Touch mimic the function of a 3D Touch (such as peeking at links or using a 3D Touch to see app details on the Home screen), which perhaps suggests that Apple is now designing iOS with a non-3D Touch future in mind. These new long-press gestures work on the iPhone XR and on iPads, devices that don't have 3D Touch.

A13 Processor

TSMC will be the sole supplier of the next-generation "A13" ships that will be used in the 2019 iPhone lineup, and iPhones coming in the future. The A13 is expected to be built on TSMC's 7nm+ package with extreme ultraviolet lithography.

The A13, like all chip upgrades, should bring performance and efficiency improvements.

Along with faster A13 processors, the new iPhones are expected to include a new "AMX" or "matrix" co-processor that Bloomberg says will help handle math-heavy tasks to help with computer vision and augmented reality features.

Rear Cameras

Multiple rumors have confirmed that Apple is planning on introducing a triple-lens camera system in the second-generation iPhone XS and XS Max, while the second-generation iPhone XR will continue to use a dual-lens camera setup.

The next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max are said to feature triple-lens rear camera setups with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel super wide-angle lens. The next iPhone XR, meanwhile, will have a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.

There were some rumors suggesting Apple would introduce 3D depth-sensing technology for the rear-facing camera, but that's been delayed until 2020.



According to Bloomberg, the three-lens camera system will let users zoom out further and capture a larger field of view. The sensors will be able to capture three images at the same time and will use AI software to automatically correct a combined photo if, as an example, a person is cut out in one of the shots.

The camera will be able to take higher resolution images and it will take better low-light images.

Significantly upgraded video recording capabilities are in the works, with Apple planning to introduce a feature that will let users retouch, apply effects, alter colors, and crop video in real-time as it is being recorded.

Front-Facing TrueDepth Camera System

Rumors suggest Apple is planning to make changes to the front-facing TrueDepth Camera System that enables Face ID in the 2019 iPhones. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes 2019 iPhones will feature a new flood illuminator that will improve Face ID by lowering the impact of the invisible light from the environment.

All three new iPhones coming in 2019 are expected to feature 12-megapixel single-lens front-facing cameras, which will be an improvement over the 7-megapixel camera used in the 2018 iPhone lineup. Specialized coating techniques for both the front-facing cameras and the super wide-angle camera lens could make the lenses look more inconspicuous.

Despite some rumors suggesting a smaller notch or no notch at all, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often accurately predicts Apple's plans, believes there will be no change to the size of the notch in the 2019 iPhone lineup, and we've seen no changes to the notch in mold leaks and dummy models based on schematics leaked from the supply chain.


The current TrueDepth camera system in the iPhone XR

While there will be no changes to the design of the notch, Bloomberg believes Apple is planning to add a multi-angle Face ID sensor that's capable of capturing a wider field of view, allowing iPhones to be unlocked even when flat on a table.

The new front-facing camera for the 2019 iPhones could gain support for slo-mo video recording at 120 frames per second, matching the slo-mo feature that's long been available on the rear camera.

Apple Pencil Support

Korean site The Investor, which does not have an established track record for accuracy, has suggested Apple is considering offering an Apple Pencil-style stylus alongside the 2019 iPhone models.



One case maker, Olixar, has designed an "iPhone 11 Pro" case that has a built-in Apple Pencil sleeve, but the case is just a rendering and seems aimed more at drumming up interest than reflecting accurate rumors.



Citi Research believes Apple will add support for the Apple Pencil to the 2019 iPhone lineup, and included it in a list of prospective features coming to the device.

It's unlikely this is accurate, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple Pencil support is a possibility for a future iPhone. No additional rumors have hinted at Apple Pencil support for the 2019 iPhones, so Apple Pencil support may not be a feature coming this year.

Other Rumors

Bilateral Wireless Charging

Two-way wireless charging, or bilateral charging, is a feature rumored for the 2019 iPhones. Two-way wireless charging will let the Qi-based iPhones coming in 2019 charge another iPhone or the new AirPods with Wireless Charging Case. You'll essentially be able to charge any Qi-based device with your iPhone, as it will work as a wireless charger itself.

Bigger Batteries

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, 2019 iPhones will feature larger batteries that will offer longer battery life and support new capabilities such as the bilateral wireless charging.

Kuo says that battery capacities for the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max successor could increase by 10 to 15 percent, while the battery capacity of the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone XS successor could grow by 20 to 25 percent. The iPhone XR successor isn't expected to see much of a gain, though, with Kuo predicting growth of 0 to 5 percent.

According to Korean website The Elec, the next-generation iPhone XR will use a 3,110 mAh battery, which is around 5.7 percent large than the 2,942 mAh battery in the current iPhone XR.

Taiwanese site DigiTimes says battery sizes will increase across the board with the 2019 iPhones. The next iPhone XS is expected to have a 3,200 mAh battery, the next iPhone XS Max is expected to have a 3,500 mAh battery, and the next iPhone XR is expected to have a 3,000 mAh battery.

Updated Taptic Engine

The 2019 iPhones are expected to have a revamped Taptic Engine that's codenamed "leap haptics," but there's no word yet on what might be different.

Ultra-Wide Band Support

The 2019 iPhone lineup could include support for Ultra-Wide Band, which would offer improvements to indoor positioning and navigation.

SIM Cards

The 2019 successor to the iPhone XS may have a dual-SIM, according to DigiTimes. In 2018, the iPhone XS Max and XR featured dual nano-SIM slots in China, but the iPhone XS did not.

As in 2018, this could be a feature limited to the Chinese market. In other countries, the 2018 iPhones featured a single nano-SIM slot and an eSIM, a trend likely to continue in 2019.

USB-C

There have been mixed rumors about Apple potentially transitioning to USB-C in the 2019 iPhone lineup, with some rumors indicating a swap to the new connector while others suggest Apple will stick with Lightning.

Japanese site Mac Otakara originally said the 2019 iPhones could potentially feature a USB-C port, based on supply chain sources, but later shared another rumor suggesting the 2019 iPhone lineup will continue to use a Lightning connector.

According to Steve Hemmerstoffer, who allegedly has details on 2019 iPhone prototypes, the devices do not feature a USB-C port and instead use Lightning ports.

According to Bloomberg, Apple tested some versions of the 2019 iPhone lineup that include a USB-C connector instead of a Lightning port, but it appears Apple ultimately planned to stick with Lightning for the 2019 iPhones rather than swapping over to USB-C.

18W USB-C Power Adapter

Japanese site Mac Otakara has said that Apple could include an 18W USB-C power adapter with the 2019 iPhones along with a USB-C to Lightning cable, which would allow for fast charging out of the box. It's not clear if this is accurate, however, as a different report from Mac Otakara said Apple would continue to include a 5W charger with a USB-A to Lightning cable with the 2019 iPhone lineup.

ChargerLAB also believes that Apple plans to include a USB-C power adapter with the iPhone, which will enable faster-charging speeds when paired with a USB-C to Lightning cable. ChargerLAB has a mixed track record when it comes to accurately predicting Apple's plans, so it's not clear if this information is accurate.

Wi-Fi 6

Barclays analyst Blame Curtis believes Apple may be planning to implement support for Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax, in the 2019 iPhone lineup.

Wi-Fi 6 brings higher data rates, increased capacity, better performance in dense environments like concerts and sporting events, and improved power efficiency to better conserve battery on smartphones, tablets, and other battery-powered devices.

4x4 MIMO

The next-generation version of the iPhone XR may feature a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, allowing for faster LTE speeds. The current iPhone XR only supports 2x2 MIMO, compared to 4x4 MIMO in the XS and XS Max. With the change, all three iPhones in 2019 could feature the same LTE equipment.

4GB RAM for iPhone XR Successor

The successor to the iPhone XR could feature 4GB RAM, an upgrade from the 3GB RAM in the 2018 iPhone XR.

Dual Bluetooth Audio Connection Support

The 2019 iPhone models could allow users to connect two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to the same device at the same time, which would allow users to play music, podcasts, and other content from a single iPhone to multiple sets of headphones such as the Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods.

2020 iPhones

We've heard several other rumors about features that could come to iPhones in the years beyond 2019.

Size Options

Taiwanese site DigiTimes believes that Apple will release three OLED iPhones in 2020, in 5.42, 6.06, and 6.67 inches. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often has accurate info about Apple's plans, has also said that Apple will release three OLED devices that include high-end 5.4 and 6.7-inch models along with a lower-end 6.1-inch model.

Laser-Equipped 3D Rear Camera

In 2020, Apple is said to be planning to add a laser-powered time-of-flight 3D rear camera that will result in significant improvements to AR experiences to the iPhone.

A time-of-flight (ToF) camera system uses a laser to calculate the time that it takes for the laser to bounce off of objects in a room, using the data to create an accurate 3D image of the surrounding area. This allows for more accurate depth perception and better placement of virtual objects, and it will also result in photos better able to capture depth.

The camera will be able to scan areas up to 15 feet from the device. Apple's front-facing TrueDepth camera uses 3D technology but because it's infrared and not laser-powered, it only works at distances of 25 to 50 centimeters. Sony could be Apple's supplier for the new system, with Apple in talks with Sony over sensor tests. The camera will be a triple-lens camera, with Apple also planning to introduce improved photo capturing tools.

Apple's manufacturing partners are getting VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers) components ready to use in rear Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera lenses that will be used in the 2020 iPhones.

Two of Apple's three iPhones rumored to be coming in 2020 will use the new time-of-flight rear camera setup. It will likely be limited to the flagship 5.4 and 6.7-inch models, and not included in the rumored 6.1-inch iPhone that's going to have a lower price tag.

5G

Apple was originally planning to use Intel's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhones, due to an ongoing lawsuit with Qualcomm but Intel exited the 5G chip market. Apple settled its disagreement with Qualcomm and will now be using Qualcomm's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhone lineup.

Apple may also use some modem chips from Samsung in select markets where Sub-6GHz networks are more popular for its 2020 5G iPhones.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes all three new iPhones coming in 2020 will offer support for 5G networks. The 5G chips Apple is using in its 2020 iPhone lineup will support both mmWave and sub-6GHz wireless networks, covering all of the 5G connectivity options in the United States.

OLED

The iPhone XR successor in the 2019 iPhone may be the last iPhone to feature an LCD display as Apple is said to be "likely" to transition to an all-OLED lineup starting in 2020. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple will adopt OLED displays to "allow for more flexible handset design."

Apple is said to be "aggressively testing" OLED displays made by Chinese company BOE Display, which could potentially be used in future iPhones. Adopting displays from BOE would allow Apple to reduce its reliance on Samsung. BOE already manufactures LCDs for Apple's iPads and MacBooks and is expanding into OLED displays.

Apple designers are said to be aiming to remove most of the external ports and buttons on the iPhone for a clean, streamlined device. Apple is expected to work towards this goal with each iPhone iteration, and the first port to go could be the Lightning port once wireless charging technology improves.


LG's foldable display technology

As for the more outlandish, Apple is said to be developing an iPhone with a foldable display in partnership with LG Display, with panel production for an iPhone with a folding display set to kick off in 2020. Apple is also said to be working on touchless gesture controls and curved screens, technologies that could launch within three years.

ProMotion

Rumors from notable Samsung leaker "Ice Universe" on Twitter have suggested iPhones coming in 2020 could feature a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate. Apple already uses ProMotion technology in the iPad Pro, so it's not too farfetched to believe it could extend to the iPhone in the future.

The iPad Pro models do, however, use LCD displays and not OLED displays like the flagship iPhone models.

A14 Chip

Rumors suggest TSMC will manufacture the 5-nanometer chips Apple will use in its 2020 iPhone lineup. The 5-nanometer process will produce chips that are smaller, faster, and more battery efficient due to improved thermal management.

SMALLER NOTCH OR NO NOTCH

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that at least one new iPhone in 2020 will feature a smaller front camera lens for an improved screen to bezel ratio, ultimately resulting in a smaller notch at the front.

An analyst from Credit Suisse has said that Apple will introduce at least one new iPhone with no notch or Face ID in 2020, relying instead on an under-display fingerprint sensor.

Apple supplier AMS has announced new sensor technology that allows the RBG light and the IR proximity sensor used for the front-facing TrueDepth camera system to be embedded under an OLED display. Apple could potentially be planning to introduce the new sensor tech in its 2020 iPhones, and this would allow Apple to create an iPhone with a smaller Face ID notch.

UNDER-DISPLAY TOUCH ID

As mentioned above, one rumor has suggested Apple is planning to release an iPhone with an under-display fingerprint sensor instead of Touch ID in 2020, which would allow for a device with no front notch. Apple will reportedly use full-screen acoustic fingerprint authentication, which would presumably work anywhere on the screen.

Barclays analysts have suggested 2020 iPhone models could use acoustic fingerprint technology, and Chinese site The Global Times has suggested Apple will release a notchless phone with an under-display fingerprint sensor aimed at the Chinese market.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is working on an iPhone with both Face ID and an in-display fingerprint sensor for launch in 2021 rather than 2020.

Kuo's prediction is based on Apple's patents related to fingerprint on display technology and the continued use of the feature in Android smartphones.

Launch Date and Supply Info

Apple will unveil the new 2019 iPhones on Tuesday, September 10, at an event set to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Following the event, iPhone pre-orders could open on September 13, and a launch could follow on September 20, if Apple follows past release timelines.

2019 iPhones Timeline

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