Apple's 2019 iPhone Refresh Could Be A Yawner While 2020 Models Get Exciting Upgrades
It is getting to be that time of the year when iPhone leaks and rumors heat up, as Apple is expected to unveil its 2019 models in a few months. As we approach the inevitable launch, other smartphone makers have released flagship devices of their own, with advanced features like 5G connectivity. Will the 2019 iPhones bring anything exciting to the table?
Time will tell, though analysts at Barclays don't necessarily think they will. Instead, Barclays believes Apple will again release three models just like it did for 2018 (iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR) with designs that are overall similar to existing models. The only major change, according to Barclays' crystal ball, is the addition of a third rear camera.
Back from September 2019, I bring you the very 1st and very early glimpse at which I guess #Apple will unveil as #iPhoneXI!!! Yes, time has already come to meet the new #iPhone through gorgeous 5K renders made on behalf of new coming Partner @digitindia -> https://t.co/b6SxFUS2tx pic.twitter.com/97jrlTHQ5G
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) January 6, 2019
Barclays is not exactly going out on a limb with that prediction. Prominent leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks on Twitter) said all the way back in January that the iPhone XI (or whatever it ends up being called) will sport three rear cameras, a prediction that was echoed by Ice universe (@UniverseIce), another notorious leaker.
In a research note that was viewed by MacRumors, Barclays added that production will begin shortly, and that manufacturing will reach capacity sometime between July and August, just ahead of the new unveiling in September.
Barclays also said that Apple may remove 3D Touch altogether (a feature that is present on the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS, but not the iPhone XR) and replace it with Haptic Touch.
Looking further down the line, Barclays believes Apple's 2020 iPhone models will be more interesting. For one, that's when 5G connectivity is expected to be part of the iPhone family. By extension, that means 5G connectivity will not be present in the 2019 models (if the predictions are accurate), though in fairness 5G networks are not exactly ubiquitous (or even close to it) at the moment.
The 2020 models could also resurrect Touch ID through the use of acoustic fingerprinting. Taking it even further, Barclays says this could be implemented into the entire front display, rather than just a section at the bottom, based on what the firm has seen in some patent applications. The 2020 models could also add 3D sensing by way of the rear camera system.
We have to take all these predictions with a grain of salt, of course, though we will find out soon enough.
Top Image Source: Digit.in via Steve Hemmerstoffer
