Apple's iPhone update in the autumn of 2018 could see three or
even four new iPhones launched at the same time, and fans
can't wait to hear the announcements.
In this article we look at all the rumours concerning the
successor to the iPhone X , and the expected larger iPhone X
Plus: their release date, prices, design changes, tech specs and
new features.
We've got the latest leaked photos , along with news that the
A12 chip being used in the new iPhone is already under
production using the 7nm process, and a source predicting that
the LCD model will be available in blue, yellow and pink .
We also think Apple is likely to update the iPhone SE in the
spring of 2018, and we have a separate article addressing
iPhone SE 2 rumours. And for advice related to the current
lineup, read our iPhone buying guide and roundup of the best
iPhone deals .
What will the new iPhones be called?
Here are some of the possibilities:
iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 Plus
iPhone 11 and 11 Plus (aka iPhone XI and XI
Plus)
iPhone Xs and Xs Plus
iPhone X Plus (to join the existing iPhone X)
Or just plain iPhone and iPhone Plus
There are enough potential names for the new 2018 iPhone
that we could probably write a whole article just about that!
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
Release date for the new iPhones
We expect the successor(s) to the iPhones 8, 8 Plus and X to be
unveiled in Sept 2018. This would be one year after the iPhone 8
launched, and is in line with Apple's usual habit of launching a
new flagship iPhone every September.
In 2017 the company didn't launch all of its new iPhones at the
same time: the iPhone X arrived one month after the 8 and 8
Plus. (Whether this was intentional isn't completely clear.) But
we don't expect there will be a staggered launch for the new
iPhones in autumn 2018.
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple's focus this year will
be to ensure all the new models are ready to meet the same
shipping date. "Achieving stable shipments and on-time
shipping" will be the company's aim, he said in a research note
back in October 2017.
And in Mar 2018 the Taiwanese site DigiTimes , citing "sources
from Taiwan-based IC design houses", predicted that Apple will
begin production earlier than usual - in Q2 - in order to avoid
the stock bottlenecks it suffered in 2017. That should make a
staggered launch less likely.
In April 2018 the French site Consomac spotted 11 new entries
- all of them devices running iOS 11 - in the Eurasian Economic
Commission (EEC) database, which suggests that Apple is
registering models ahead an iPhone launch. At this point in the
year, however, this is far more likely to indicate an imminent
iPhone SE 2 announcement.
How many new iPhones will Apple launch?
Initial reports indicated that three new iPhones would be
announced in autumn 2018; further reports in Jan 2018
suggested it could be as many as four.
Back in Nov 2017 Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that three new
models would launch in autumn 2018, and that these would
have the same all-screen design with the now-familiar notch.
In January he followed up with more details of each model:
5.8in OLED: iPhone 11 or XI, with largely same
design as iPhone X
6.5in OLED: iPhone X Plus or XI Plus
6.1in LCD: a cheaper alternative - starting at
around $700 - with the notch design of the X
but slightly larger bezels. It will feature Face
ID but not 3D Touch and won't have twin
camera lenses on the rear. Kuo later predicted
that this model could sell 100 million units
We've since heard a number of slightly different predictions.
Nikkei, citing "a source privy to the company's product
designs", said we should expect two new OLED models, in 6.3in
and 5.8in sizes, and an LCD phone measuring 6.1in. But
according to DigiTimes Research senior analyst Luke Lin in Jan
2018, there will be four new iPhones:
5.7- to 5.8in LCD
6.0- to 6.1in LCD
6.0- to 6.1in OLED
6.4- to 6.5in OLED
The 'death' of the iPhone X
A surprising rumour, which started doing the rounds in Jan
2018, holds that Apple is looking to end production of the
iPhone X after only a year on the market. This appears to have
been sparked by analyst Jun Zhang of Rosenblatt Securities
making the (noticeably less controversial) prediction that the
company "may be planning to cut iPhone X production for the
June quarter by as much as 10 million units".
To us it seems more likely that Apple would simply be ramping
down production of what would by then be less of a hyped
product, and focusing instead on making the new phones for
autumn 2018 - which as discussed above could encompass the
launch of three (or four) separate form factors.
If it's diversifying its product portfolio that much, Apple may
withdraw more current products from sale than usual, which
could mean the end of the iPhone X. But for the company to sell
a smartphone for only a year (rather than keeping it on sale
when the successor arrives, at a reduced price) would be
unexpected.
iPhone 2018 prices
The iPhone X was positioned by Apple as a premium iPhone with
a premium price - starting at £999/$999, while the iPhone 8
and 8 Plus were priced at £699/$699 and £799/$799
accordingly. We would expect the new models for late 2018 to
be priced at a similar level.
iPhone X 'Lite'
However, a popular rumour holds that in 2018 you will be able
to get an iPhone X-style handset for much less.
An Economic Daily article from Oct 2017 maintains that more
than one successor to the iPhone X is in the works: along with
the top-tier iPhone X successor (codenamed Lisboa), there will
be a more budget-friendly model (codenamed Hangzhou) to
attract new customers.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple will
introduce an iPhone with many of the X's features but a
cheaper LCD-TFT screen with fewer pixels. This cheaper
handset will cost between $649 and $749, according to Kuo,
which we'd expect to translate to £649-£749.
And in March 2018, Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson
publicised a survey which suggested that a significant number
of potential upgraders were put off by the iPhone X's price,
and predicted that an iPhone X 'Lite' would be released to
cater for these people.
One of the ways that Apple could cut the price tag was by
sourcing the screen from LG rather than Samsung. But these
theories were put in doubt in April 2018 when it emerged that
LG was struggling to hit production targets .
"Manufacturing problems have caused LG to fall behind the
schedule that many suppliers follow before beginning mass
production for iPhones, which usually starts around July, said
people familiar with the matter," reported the WSJ.
"As a result, opinions within Apple are divided on whether LG
Display can become a second source of OLED displays for the
upcoming iPhones."
New iPhone design changes
Here's everything we've heard about the 2018 iPhone's design
so far:
Screen design: smaller bezels and
notches
We expect all of Apple's late-2018 iPhones to adopt the all-
screen iPhone X design. This would mean the successors to the
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, as well as the successor to the iPhone X,
will have a bezel-free design, Face ID camera, and no Home
button.
Content continues below
The bezel-less design allows Apple to fit a larger screen into
the same size of body; for this reason a "reliable supplier
information source" has told Macotakara that the so-called
iPhone X Plus will have a giant 6.5in screen but a chassis of the
same dimensions as the iPhone 8 Plus (which has a 5.5in
screen).
We also expect the new models to feature a notch at the top of
the display, incorporating the FaceTime camera and facial
recognition sensors.
The new notch could be smaller than the notch on the current
iPhone X if a blueprint from case maker Olixar is to be believed.
Olixar has shown off plans for it's own case and cover for a
new iPhone SE, and interestingly those designs suggest that
the new iPhone SE will have a smaller notch. That may not be
surprising given that the phone is smaller - but crucially it
indicates that Apple has been able to squeeze in the
components underneath the notch into a smaller space, and
that could mean a smaller notch on the 2018 iPhone X
successor.
Barclays analysts Andrew Gardiner, Hiral Patel, Joseph Wolf
and Blayne Curtis also think that the notch is likely to get
smaller: in a research note released on Valentine's Day 2018
they predicted this would affect the 2018 launch.
Another indication that the notch could get smaller comes via a
patent application that suggests that Apple could be looking at
a screen technology that allows sensors to be placed in
microscopic spaces between pixels. These gaps would be so
small you wouldn't be able to see them and it would mean that
the sensors could be embedded in the display itself, rather than
behind the notch, according to Digital Trends. However, this
looks like it won't happen in time for the 2018 release.
Analysts have predicted that Apple is looking into a combined
face recognition module and camera, which could result in the
notch being shrunk down when the 2019 updates are
announced.
But the notch disappearing entirely? Not likely. In February
2018, Apple doubled down on the concept, updating its App
Store submission guidelines to insist that from April 2018, all
apps must support the iPhone X's Super Retina display. That
means "respecting safe areas, supporting adaptive layouts",
and absolutely accommodating the notch.
Metal or glass back?
According to Nikkei, Apple is going to continue hedging its bets
when it comes to materials. There will be two OLED phones in
autumn 2018, the site claims, but there will also be single LCD
phone - and this will probably have a metal back. It follows
that this device probably won't be able to offer wireless
charging.
Colour options
What the metal-backed device could offer is a splash of colour:
Nikkei adds that it "will be available in several colours".
Rosenblatt analyst Jun Zhang, meanwhile, predicted in May
2018 that the cheaper LCD iPhone model released in late 2018
would launch in multiple colours, including blue, yellow and
pink.
Jun Zhang argues that this step will be taken in order to
appeal to younger users (which we would note was largely the
justification used for the iPhone 5c in 2013, and that didn't go
particularly well) and to differentiate between the LCD iPhone
and the more expensive OLED models that will launch alongside
it.
"Since Apple start to launch three new models every year, we
believe the company needs to differentiate the designs of the
LCD model from the two high end OLED models," writes Zhang.
"One reasonable choice would be to add different colours."
As for the rest of the range, Bloomberg believes the giant
iPhone X Plus could see the return of the gold colour option,
which was withdrawn for the iPhone X launch.
"Apple is considering a gold [colour] option for the update to
the iPhone X and the larger model," the site writes. "The
company tried to develop gold for the current X handset, but
abandoned it because of production problems... The gold option
is especially appealing to consumers in Asia and may help boost
sales in the region."
A gold iPhone X did once exist it seems, Apple just happen to
have sent an image of a gold iPhone X to the FCC when it was
seeking approval for the new handset, and those images are
now public, via MacRumours.
In March 2018, gold iPhone images were posted by Ben Geskin ,
a prolific if somewhat indiscriminate leaker: he tends to be the
first to post genuine shots of new products, but more cautious
rivals are less likely to be taken in by fakes. So we cannot
depend on this being reliable.
It's possible that this is one of the colour options being
prepared for the autumn 2018 update, but it seems more likely
that this is a the iPhone X in the un-released gold finish.
New iPhone Screen sizes
There could be three or four new screen sizes - including the
biggest screen on an iPhone yet.
The Bell (via The Investor ), quoting anonymous industry
sources, claimed in May 2017 that Apple and Samsung had
signed a deal for the supply of 5.28in and 6.46in sized OLED
panels for the 2018 iPhones; although a report in August 2017
claimed the 5.28in model had been canned in favour of a 5.85in
screen. And in Nov 2017 Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that there
would be three new iPhone models: 6.5in, 6.1in and 5.8in, as
mentioned above .
A Jan 2018 report from DigiTimes suggested the four new
iPhones could come with screens in the following sizes: an LCD
measuring 5.7 to 5.8in, two phones measuring 6.0 to 6.1in (one
an LCD, the other an OLED) and an OLED screen measuring 6.4
to 6.5in. But Bloomberg , writing in Feb, still expected only
three - including "the largest iPhone ever".
Finally ET News predicts a 6.04in screen.
Screen resolution/pixel density
Earning the new branding Super Retina HD , the iPhone X had
the highest resolution (2436 x 1125) and pixel density (459
pixels per inch, or ppi) of any iPhone so far, and after that
major upgrade we don't expect Apple to go any higher than
458ppi in 2018. But there have been some rumours.
It has been noticed on Twitter that eMagin, an OLED
microdisplay maker that Apple (along with LG and Valve)
invested in early in 2018, has the capability to make displays
with a pixel density greater than 2,500ppi. Displays even close
to that capability would be an extraordinary step forward for
the iPhone range.
The reason we don't expect such a step is that eMagin makes
microdisplays, and it's very difficult to recreate their
capabilities on larger screens. eMagin's displays are designed
for extremely close-up use - most obviously VR headsets - and
it's therefore far more likely that this investment is
significant in terms of Apple's VR ambitions .
OLED, LCD-TFT or Micro LED screens
There is some debate over how many new iPhones will feature
OLED screens and which will get LCD instead.
According to Kuo (in Nov 2017), two of the new 2018 iPhones
will feature a OLED screen, like the iPhone X, but one will have
an LCD-TFT display, and therefore a lower price. The
resolution of that model will be lower, too.
However, the model to get the 'budget' features will have a
6.1in screen, rather than the smaller 5.8in model Kuo is also
predicting.
Kuo said: "Two new OLED models target high-end market; new
TFT-LCD model aims at low-end & midrange markets: We
believe the major hardware difference in the two new OLED
models is size, in a bid to satisfy various needs of the high-end
market. The new TFT-LCD model will differ significantly from
the OLED models in hardware and design specs (for instance,
the PPI will be lower). The primary selling points of the TFT-
LCD model may be the innovative user experience of an
integrated full-screen design and 3D sensing with a lower
price tag (we expect it will likely be US$649-749)."
On 26 Jan 2018 Digitimes Research senior analyst Luke Lin said
that Apple is leaning towards releasing two LCD-based iPhones
in 2018. One of these LCD models will be 5.7in to 5.8in, and the
other from 6.0in to 6.1in, reports MacRumors.
There are also reports appearing that suggest Apple is looking
into using Micro LED screens. These could initially appear on
the Apple Watch, as was the case with OLED, but eventually be
used for the iPhone.
Apple's interest in the technology is clear from its acquisition
of LuxVue (a company specialising in the field) back in 2014.
Micro-LEDs offer low power consumption, high brightness,
ultra-high definition, high colour saturation, faster response
rate, longer lifetimes and higher efficiency. While OLEDs offer
many of these features, micro-LEDs offer higher brightness
and colour saturation.
One last screen theory : for its LCD model, Apple could use the
Super Bright Display featured in the LG G7 ThinQ. This would
enable it to offer 1,000 nits brightness. We see how that
device shapes up in our iPhone X vs LG G7 comparison.
Curved screen
This is a recurrent rumour, but sources suggest that it may
finally come true within the next couple of generations.
Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman cites a person "familiar with the
situation" for his claim that Apple is working on phone screens
"that curve inward gradually from top to bottom", although he
acknowledges that this is highly unlikely to be ready for the
2018 update. Instead, Gurman expects curved iPhones to take
two to three years to appear.
Part of the reason that curved screens are at last a realistic
option for Apple comes down to OLED, the screen tech used in
the iPhone X: OLED is far easier to produce in bent, folded or
curved forms than the LCD tech that the company used in all
previous iPhone models.
New iPhone leaked photos & illustrations
In this section we'll post the most interesting leaked photos of
the iPhone XI posted online. This far ahead of the launch we're
more likely to see snatched images of components or
prototypes than the actual device itself.
So far we've see only two, in fact. The first is this photo of
the new gold colour option, posted by the Twitter user Mr
White . Mr White doesn't cite any sources so this may not be
reliable, but it fits in with analyst expectations.
The second is this image posted by Slashleaks. The site
speculates that it shows "mostly likely iPhone X Plus initial
screen protectors and sizes and demo prototypes for trial
runs", but this has been met with a degree of scepticism online
(although readers have voted it to a 'trust score' of 90
percent).
Concept illustrations
We will also post the best artists' renders as they appear.
Ahead of an iPhone launch designers and illustrators around
the world put their brains to the task of imagining radical new
designs.
We mentioned a gold colour finish earlier; this black-and-gold
concept is our favourite from a set of concept illustrations
that the designer Martin Hajek has come up with:
Previously, renders appeared on iDrop News in October 2017:
Back in May 2014, Apple was granted a patent for "Electronic
devices with sidewall displays", which could lead to future
iPhones with displays around the sides and edges as well as on
the front. The patent suggests that the sidewall displays could
be an extension of the main touchscreen, and could be used to
display app icons, or for slide-to-unlock functionality, music
player controls, messaging readout, caller ID, system controls
and more.
The problem is that it would be impossible to put a cover on the
phone without taking away functionality - and without a cover
the phone would be easily broken. Still, we have a concept
image for such a design here:
Concept illustration by Michael Shanks .
New features & tech specs
The late-2017 iPhones added Face ID and wireless charging
features. Here's what we're expecting in 2018.
Face ID/Touch ID
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will expand its
new Face ID facial recognition tech to all new iPhones released
in autumn 2018 because in-screen Touch ID fingerprint
scanning remains a technological challenge - but adds that the
latter is still a possibility.
Kuo warns that Apple's plans are likely to depend on how
favourably Face ID is received. If users find it difficult,
annoying or unreliable in use, the company will plough more
resources into solving the under-screen fingerprint scanner
problem.
On 8 Feb 2018 Kuo's prediction was backed up by two reports
from Apple's Asian supply chain, which each agree that Face ID
is coming to all three new iPhones in 2018. The Korean-
language site ETNews and the Investor each quote industry
sources to support their assertions.
Apple might have settled on Face ID with the iPhone X, but the
company has explored the possibility of integrating the Touch
ID fingerprint scanner into the display of a smartphone or
tablet. In fact, Apple filed a patent describing a Touch ID
display back in January 2013.
The patent describes how you could place your finger on the
display to scan it, instead of the Home Button. It describes a
touchscreen display with a fingerprint-sensing layer that could
be used to introduce advanced multi-user support.
For example, Apple could use the fingerprint sensing display to
only allow particular users to open certain apps. This could be
useful for those with children who like to explore the iPad, for
example.
Additionally, Apple could take the display even further. It could
be used in conjunction with a piano app, for example, to teach
users the correct finger placement for the instrument.
A12 processor
It's easy to say what processor we'll get in the iPhone 2018: a
proprietary Apple chip named "A12 [codename]", following the
A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7 and the A11 Bionic in the iPhone 8
and X.
In May 2018 a Bloomberg report claimed that A12 chips for the
next iPhone are already under production, according to
Bloomberg sources.
The report claims that “people familiar with the matter” have
revealed that TSMC has begun mass production of the new
chips using a 7-nanometer design that “can be smaller, faster
and more efficient than the 10-nanometer chips”.
We already knew that TSMC had developed a 7nm FinFET
production process (which they detail here), which could result
in a 20 percent speed bump and a 40 percent reduction in
power consumption over the 10nm chips.
The iPhone X and iPhone 8 (and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
processor, used in the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, Sony
Xperia XZ2, LG G7 ThinQ, OnePlus 6, and others) all use 10
nanometer chips, so you can expect the next iPhone to be
faster and more efficient than those handsets. Which could
mean that the new phone (or phones) will offer improved
battery life.
Samsung has said that it will start producing 7nm chips at
scale in 2019.
Batteries
In terms of batteries, it looks like we can expect improvements
here in 2018.
According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (in a report referred
to above), the new models with LCD screens (successors to the
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus) will have a 2850-2950 mAh battery. This
should add up to 8% more capacity than the battery in the
iPhone X. In these phones the battery will be rectangular.
And the models with the OLED screens (successors to the
iPhone X, we'll call them the iPhone Xs and XS Plus, for the
sake of argument) will offer an L-shaped, 3300-3400mAh
battery. That is 25% more capacity than the iPhone X.
In other battery-related news, Korea Economic Daily claims
that Apple has chosen LG Chem as the exclusive supplier for
batteries that will be featured in the next-generation iPhone,
due out in 2018. Citing an unnamed source, the report claims
that LG has invested "hundreds of billions" in battery
manufacturing facilities and that it'll be ready to begin full-
scale production in early 2018, just in time for the 'iPhone 11'.
That's not all, either; the report also claims that Apple's next-
generation iPhone will adopt a 'bent' battery module shaped
like the letter 'L'. It's said that the optimised shape of the
battery maximises internal space and also boosts charging
speeds, two features that the iPhone desperately needs.
Apple currently fits two batteries in an L formation inside the
iPhone X, as you can see in this image from iFixIt's teardown.
Alternatively, one persistent rumour holds that Apple will take
the battery tech it developed for the original 12in MacBook
(and retained for the 2016 version ) - whereby contoured,
layered battery units are stacked inside the chassis in order to
take up every possible inch of space - and use these to squeeze
more battery capacity inside the fixed or even reduced volume
that will be available in future iPhones.
Apple could even, thanks to the new technology, make more
radical changes to the overall design of the iPhone, because its
engineers would no longer to base their work on a fixed
battery shape. Although the smartphone is such a mature
market now that it would take a brave manufacturer to
change its essential form - a bit like a mad microwave designer
inventing one that's spherical.
The iPhone X already uses a double-layered logic board to save
space.
RAM
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the successor to the iPhone X could
have 4GB RAM. The iPhone X has 3GB RAM.
Gigabit LTE/LTE Advanced
It might feel like its no time at all since 4G was introduced but
the next big thing is Gigabit LTE, which is in itself a stopgap on
the way to 5G. It seems likely that the 2018 flagship iPhone will
feature this technology.
Gigabit LTE promises download speeds of up to 1000 megabits
per second. Gigabit LTE-ready smartphones will also benefit
from being able to get a data connection miles away from a
tower, and they will be able to get connected even when they
are surrounded by other devices jostling for the same
airspace, say at a busy train station.
Some phones are already capable of supporting the new
technology, including the Galaxy Note 8. The iPhone X however,
does not support Gigabit LTE.
Gigabit LTE is only available at EE test sites at London's Tech
City and in Cardiff. But in 2018 that will change as EE rolls
out Gigabit LTE around the country. Then those phones that
are ready to support it will be able to take advantage of the
faster upload and download speeds, the iPhone X won't.
However, when it launches 5G, which promises speeds in excess
of 1Gb/s (or even 10Gb/s), will require a completely different
modem chip to be used inside smartphones, so even Gigabit LTE
ready phones will miss out. More on 5G below...
5G
One of the landmarks in iPhone history was the inclusion of 3G
in its second-generation model; with the launch of the iPhone 5
Apple fans got 4G as well. Now it seems that 5G could be on its
way, if testing works out.
Apple has submitted an application, obtained by Business
Insider , to test "cellular link performance in direct path and
multi-path environments between base station transmitters
and receivers" using the 28GHz and 39GHz bands, approved for
5G, and 'millimetre wave' wireless technology.
"These assessments will provide engineering data relevant to
the operation of devices on wireless carriers' future 5G
networks," the application adds.
5G will deliver faster cellular internet connections, but the
details remain fuzzy: currently, there are no standards for
5G, although many companies are working towards agreeing on
technology and specifications. You can read more about the
latest 5G developments here: What is 5G?
Perhaps Apple is intending to wait for 5G rather than adding
LTE Advanced capabilities to the iPhone? If it is there may be a
long wait: the first public 5G networks aren't expected to roll
out in the UK until 2020, although some preliminary
implementations may arrive in 2019. It's unlikely that 5G will
become widespread until 2022, though.
Long-range wireless charging
The wireless charging you get with the iPhones 8 and X is the
kind, commonplace with today's technology's standards, where
you still have to physically place the device on a charging mat.
It's convenient, but not exactly a game-changer, since the
two elements have to be in contact or within a couple of
centimetres.
Bloomberg, however, reckons Apple is working on longer-range
wireless charging, potentially charging at a distance of about 1
metre using near-field magnetic resonance. And some cryptic
comments from the CEO of a charging company suggest Apple
may be planning something even more ambitious.
Steve Rizzone, CEO of Energous , spoke to The Verge before
CES 2017 and dropped some major hints about an exclusive "key
strategic partnership" that the company signed a couple of
years back and which has delayed the launch of its wireless
charging tech... which has a range of 15 feet .
"That 'key' partner is suspected to be Apple," observes The
Verge, "and Energous - though declining to state its partner's
name - is certainly happy to fuel the speculation. Rizzone says
the partnership is with 'one of the largest consumer electronic
companies in the world. I cannot tell you who it is, but I can
virtually guarantee that you have products from this company
on your person, sitting on your desk, or at home.'"
Energous isn't the only company working on long-range
wireless charging. In February 2017 it was reported that
Disney Research has come up with a new method for wirelessly
transmitting power throughout a room: users would be able to
charge electronic devices anywhere in that room, much as they
connect to WiFi with current technology.
Fast charging
The iPhone X boasts that it's "fast-charge capable", but the
charging unit bundled with the phone won't blow your socks off
with its speed. Well, according to ChargerLab , Apple is going to
include an altogether more powerful charger with the
late-2018 models.
"According to our exclusive sources inside production lines,"
says the site, "it will ship with an 18-watt USB-C to Lightning
fast charger... Using a USB-C for power delivery should result
in significantly faster power delivery compared to the USB-A
ports that Apple had been using since 2007."
(Speculation about a switch to iPhones being bundled with USB-
C instead of USB-A cables was further enflamed in mid-May
2018 by news of a price drop to the USB-C-to-Lightning
adaptor that Apple currently sells separately.)
ChargerLab claims to have further details on the charging unit
itself, predicting that it will be thinner than the currently used
components "and not in that square-shaped white cube form
factor. This will make it more convenient and portable."
Apple Pencil compatibility
iPhone fans have been requesting this for a while, and
although the case for stylus input on iPhone is less clear-cut
than on iPad, there are definitely situations where it would be
helpful. And the bigger the screens get, the more useful a
stylus would be - which makes the iPhone X, and even more so
the rumoured iPhone X Plus, strong candidates for Apple Pencil
compatibility.
One source, sadly, predicts that we're a little further away
than that. Speaking to the Korea Herald in November 2017,
anonymous industry sources claimed Apple is working on a
smartphone that comes with a "digital pen" - not necessarily
the Apple Pencil - and this will be launched in 2019. This idea
does seem to be at odds with Steve Jobs claims that the best
stylus is the finger.
New iPhone Cameras
Here's where we see the iPhone cameras heading in the 2018
update.
Front-facing 'TrueDepth' 3D camera
According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (in October 2017) the
iPhone X's 3D sensing capabilities are already at least one year
ahead of Android smartphones so it's unlikely we will see an
update to that technology in 2018.
However, in 2019 we may see improvements to the TrueDepth
Camera on the front of the iPhone (as well as a TrueDepth
camera on the back of the device, which we will discuss next).
Rear-facing 3D scanner (for AR)
As mentioned above, it seems unlikely that Face ID, or any of
the TrueDepth technology, will make it to the iPhone's rear-
facing camera in 2018. However, that doesn't mean that the
camera on the rear of the iPhone won't get clever new
features.
In November 2017, Bloomberg reported that 2018's iPhone 11/
Xs/Xi will have a 3D scanner on its rear sensor array, citing
"people familiar with the plan". This is in addition to - and
distinct from - the existing TrueDepth scanner on the front,
which is used for Face ID, Animoji and similar features, and
which "relies on a structured-light technique that projects a
pattern of 30,000 laser dots onto a user's face and measures
the distortion".
Instead, the new system would use "a time-of-flight approach
that calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off
surrounding objects", the site claims.
It's believed that this new scanner will be used primarily for
augmented reality (AR) applications: building a 3D model of the
surrounding environment, and then delivering information and
functionality related to this model. Apple has already gone big
on AR, with the launch of ARKit at WWDC 2017.
Anti-recording patent
In June 2016, Apple filed a patent to prevent people from
recording at concerts through an infrared signal. This is to
address the complaints made by artists that fans are uploading
bad quality videos of their performances, quality control being
the issue here.
The patent has been met with some critics; with some saying it
invades their privacy. Others have seen it as a good move for
artists and those who want a non-smartphone environment.
This can also be used in an educational way, with an infrared
signal used to give more details about a certain object, such as
a plant.
It's still not clear how the technology will really be used, but
it's clear Apple is thinking about it.
'Super-resolution' photos
Apple seems keen to improve the camera capabilities of its iOS
devices, and one patent published by USPTO in May 2014
suggests we could soon see iPhones that are able to capture
"Super-resolution" photos thanks to optical image
stabilisation, which is already a feature of the iPhone 6 Plus.
The patent describes a system that takes a series of
photographs at slightly different angles and stitches them
together to create a 'super-resolution' image.
Apple doesn't suggest a device would capture every photo this
way. Instead, the user would have the option to turn super-
resolution mode on, much like HDR and Panorama modes.
Several rumours suggest Apple plans to introduce a feature
like this with an iPhone in the near future, with reports
pointing to a 'DSLR-quality' capability that would represent
the biggest camera jump in iPhone upgrade history.
DigiTimes has reported that Apple is already booking in
production for iPhone cameras above 12Mp in resolution. This is
at a new factory built by lens maker Largan Precision in
Taiwan.
Interchangeable camera lenses
Apple is also investigating the possibility of making
interchangeable iPhone camera lenses.
In January 2014, the company was issued two patents that
describe methods of attaching camera modules to devices such
as the iPhone and iPad.
The first patent, titled " Back panel for a portable electronic
device with different camera lens options ", describes a
portable electronic device that has a removable case that would
allow camera attachments such as wide-angle or fisheye
lenses.
The second patent, titled " Magnetic add-on lenses with
alignment ridge," offers an alternative method of attaching
new camera lenses to the iPhone using magnets.
It's already possible to use detachable iPhone camera lenses, of
course, but at present those are exterior accessories made by
third parties. You can also read about our pick of the Best
iPhone camera lenses.
Tags: iPhone , Rumour
Share this article
Error loading
player:
Trending video: Oculus Go review
even four new iPhones launched at the same time, and fans
can't wait to hear the announcements.
In this article we look at all the rumours concerning the
successor to the iPhone X , and the expected larger iPhone X
Plus: their release date, prices, design changes, tech specs and
new features.
We've got the latest leaked photos , along with news that the
A12 chip being used in the new iPhone is already under
production using the 7nm process, and a source predicting that
the LCD model will be available in blue, yellow and pink .
We also think Apple is likely to update the iPhone SE in the
spring of 2018, and we have a separate article addressing
iPhone SE 2 rumours. And for advice related to the current
lineup, read our iPhone buying guide and roundup of the best
iPhone deals .
What will the new iPhones be called?
Here are some of the possibilities:
iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 Plus
iPhone 11 and 11 Plus (aka iPhone XI and XI
Plus)
iPhone Xs and Xs Plus
iPhone X Plus (to join the existing iPhone X)
Or just plain iPhone and iPhone Plus
There are enough potential names for the new 2018 iPhone
that we could probably write a whole article just about that!
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
Release date for the new iPhones
We expect the successor(s) to the iPhones 8, 8 Plus and X to be
unveiled in Sept 2018. This would be one year after the iPhone 8
launched, and is in line with Apple's usual habit of launching a
new flagship iPhone every September.
In 2017 the company didn't launch all of its new iPhones at the
same time: the iPhone X arrived one month after the 8 and 8
Plus. (Whether this was intentional isn't completely clear.) But
we don't expect there will be a staggered launch for the new
iPhones in autumn 2018.
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple's focus this year will
be to ensure all the new models are ready to meet the same
shipping date. "Achieving stable shipments and on-time
shipping" will be the company's aim, he said in a research note
back in October 2017.
And in Mar 2018 the Taiwanese site DigiTimes , citing "sources
from Taiwan-based IC design houses", predicted that Apple will
begin production earlier than usual - in Q2 - in order to avoid
the stock bottlenecks it suffered in 2017. That should make a
staggered launch less likely.
In April 2018 the French site Consomac spotted 11 new entries
- all of them devices running iOS 11 - in the Eurasian Economic
Commission (EEC) database, which suggests that Apple is
registering models ahead an iPhone launch. At this point in the
year, however, this is far more likely to indicate an imminent
iPhone SE 2 announcement.
How many new iPhones will Apple launch?
Initial reports indicated that three new iPhones would be
announced in autumn 2018; further reports in Jan 2018
suggested it could be as many as four.
Back in Nov 2017 Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that three new
models would launch in autumn 2018, and that these would
have the same all-screen design with the now-familiar notch.
In January he followed up with more details of each model:
5.8in OLED: iPhone 11 or XI, with largely same
design as iPhone X
6.5in OLED: iPhone X Plus or XI Plus
6.1in LCD: a cheaper alternative - starting at
around $700 - with the notch design of the X
but slightly larger bezels. It will feature Face
ID but not 3D Touch and won't have twin
camera lenses on the rear. Kuo later predicted
that this model could sell 100 million units
We've since heard a number of slightly different predictions.
Nikkei, citing "a source privy to the company's product
designs", said we should expect two new OLED models, in 6.3in
and 5.8in sizes, and an LCD phone measuring 6.1in. But
according to DigiTimes Research senior analyst Luke Lin in Jan
2018, there will be four new iPhones:
5.7- to 5.8in LCD
6.0- to 6.1in LCD
6.0- to 6.1in OLED
6.4- to 6.5in OLED
The 'death' of the iPhone X
A surprising rumour, which started doing the rounds in Jan
2018, holds that Apple is looking to end production of the
iPhone X after only a year on the market. This appears to have
been sparked by analyst Jun Zhang of Rosenblatt Securities
making the (noticeably less controversial) prediction that the
company "may be planning to cut iPhone X production for the
June quarter by as much as 10 million units".
To us it seems more likely that Apple would simply be ramping
down production of what would by then be less of a hyped
product, and focusing instead on making the new phones for
autumn 2018 - which as discussed above could encompass the
launch of three (or four) separate form factors.
If it's diversifying its product portfolio that much, Apple may
withdraw more current products from sale than usual, which
could mean the end of the iPhone X. But for the company to sell
a smartphone for only a year (rather than keeping it on sale
when the successor arrives, at a reduced price) would be
unexpected.
iPhone 2018 prices
The iPhone X was positioned by Apple as a premium iPhone with
a premium price - starting at £999/$999, while the iPhone 8
and 8 Plus were priced at £699/$699 and £799/$799
accordingly. We would expect the new models for late 2018 to
be priced at a similar level.
iPhone X 'Lite'
However, a popular rumour holds that in 2018 you will be able
to get an iPhone X-style handset for much less.
An Economic Daily article from Oct 2017 maintains that more
than one successor to the iPhone X is in the works: along with
the top-tier iPhone X successor (codenamed Lisboa), there will
be a more budget-friendly model (codenamed Hangzhou) to
attract new customers.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple will
introduce an iPhone with many of the X's features but a
cheaper LCD-TFT screen with fewer pixels. This cheaper
handset will cost between $649 and $749, according to Kuo,
which we'd expect to translate to £649-£749.
And in March 2018, Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson
publicised a survey which suggested that a significant number
of potential upgraders were put off by the iPhone X's price,
and predicted that an iPhone X 'Lite' would be released to
cater for these people.
One of the ways that Apple could cut the price tag was by
sourcing the screen from LG rather than Samsung. But these
theories were put in doubt in April 2018 when it emerged that
LG was struggling to hit production targets .
"Manufacturing problems have caused LG to fall behind the
schedule that many suppliers follow before beginning mass
production for iPhones, which usually starts around July, said
people familiar with the matter," reported the WSJ.
"As a result, opinions within Apple are divided on whether LG
Display can become a second source of OLED displays for the
upcoming iPhones."
New iPhone design changes
Here's everything we've heard about the 2018 iPhone's design
so far:
Screen design: smaller bezels and
notches
We expect all of Apple's late-2018 iPhones to adopt the all-
screen iPhone X design. This would mean the successors to the
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, as well as the successor to the iPhone X,
will have a bezel-free design, Face ID camera, and no Home
button.
Content continues below
The bezel-less design allows Apple to fit a larger screen into
the same size of body; for this reason a "reliable supplier
information source" has told Macotakara that the so-called
iPhone X Plus will have a giant 6.5in screen but a chassis of the
same dimensions as the iPhone 8 Plus (which has a 5.5in
screen).
We also expect the new models to feature a notch at the top of
the display, incorporating the FaceTime camera and facial
recognition sensors.
The new notch could be smaller than the notch on the current
iPhone X if a blueprint from case maker Olixar is to be believed.
Olixar has shown off plans for it's own case and cover for a
new iPhone SE, and interestingly those designs suggest that
the new iPhone SE will have a smaller notch. That may not be
surprising given that the phone is smaller - but crucially it
indicates that Apple has been able to squeeze in the
components underneath the notch into a smaller space, and
that could mean a smaller notch on the 2018 iPhone X
successor.
Barclays analysts Andrew Gardiner, Hiral Patel, Joseph Wolf
and Blayne Curtis also think that the notch is likely to get
smaller: in a research note released on Valentine's Day 2018
they predicted this would affect the 2018 launch.
Another indication that the notch could get smaller comes via a
patent application that suggests that Apple could be looking at
a screen technology that allows sensors to be placed in
microscopic spaces between pixels. These gaps would be so
small you wouldn't be able to see them and it would mean that
the sensors could be embedded in the display itself, rather than
behind the notch, according to Digital Trends. However, this
looks like it won't happen in time for the 2018 release.
Analysts have predicted that Apple is looking into a combined
face recognition module and camera, which could result in the
notch being shrunk down when the 2019 updates are
announced.
But the notch disappearing entirely? Not likely. In February
2018, Apple doubled down on the concept, updating its App
Store submission guidelines to insist that from April 2018, all
apps must support the iPhone X's Super Retina display. That
means "respecting safe areas, supporting adaptive layouts",
and absolutely accommodating the notch.
Metal or glass back?
According to Nikkei, Apple is going to continue hedging its bets
when it comes to materials. There will be two OLED phones in
autumn 2018, the site claims, but there will also be single LCD
phone - and this will probably have a metal back. It follows
that this device probably won't be able to offer wireless
charging.
Colour options
What the metal-backed device could offer is a splash of colour:
Nikkei adds that it "will be available in several colours".
Rosenblatt analyst Jun Zhang, meanwhile, predicted in May
2018 that the cheaper LCD iPhone model released in late 2018
would launch in multiple colours, including blue, yellow and
pink.
Jun Zhang argues that this step will be taken in order to
appeal to younger users (which we would note was largely the
justification used for the iPhone 5c in 2013, and that didn't go
particularly well) and to differentiate between the LCD iPhone
and the more expensive OLED models that will launch alongside
it.
"Since Apple start to launch three new models every year, we
believe the company needs to differentiate the designs of the
LCD model from the two high end OLED models," writes Zhang.
"One reasonable choice would be to add different colours."
As for the rest of the range, Bloomberg believes the giant
iPhone X Plus could see the return of the gold colour option,
which was withdrawn for the iPhone X launch.
"Apple is considering a gold [colour] option for the update to
the iPhone X and the larger model," the site writes. "The
company tried to develop gold for the current X handset, but
abandoned it because of production problems... The gold option
is especially appealing to consumers in Asia and may help boost
sales in the region."
A gold iPhone X did once exist it seems, Apple just happen to
have sent an image of a gold iPhone X to the FCC when it was
seeking approval for the new handset, and those images are
now public, via MacRumours.
In March 2018, gold iPhone images were posted by Ben Geskin ,
a prolific if somewhat indiscriminate leaker: he tends to be the
first to post genuine shots of new products, but more cautious
rivals are less likely to be taken in by fakes. So we cannot
depend on this being reliable.
It's possible that this is one of the colour options being
prepared for the autumn 2018 update, but it seems more likely
that this is a the iPhone X in the un-released gold finish.
New iPhone Screen sizes
There could be three or four new screen sizes - including the
biggest screen on an iPhone yet.
The Bell (via The Investor ), quoting anonymous industry
sources, claimed in May 2017 that Apple and Samsung had
signed a deal for the supply of 5.28in and 6.46in sized OLED
panels for the 2018 iPhones; although a report in August 2017
claimed the 5.28in model had been canned in favour of a 5.85in
screen. And in Nov 2017 Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that there
would be three new iPhone models: 6.5in, 6.1in and 5.8in, as
mentioned above .
A Jan 2018 report from DigiTimes suggested the four new
iPhones could come with screens in the following sizes: an LCD
measuring 5.7 to 5.8in, two phones measuring 6.0 to 6.1in (one
an LCD, the other an OLED) and an OLED screen measuring 6.4
to 6.5in. But Bloomberg , writing in Feb, still expected only
three - including "the largest iPhone ever".
Finally ET News predicts a 6.04in screen.
Screen resolution/pixel density
Earning the new branding Super Retina HD , the iPhone X had
the highest resolution (2436 x 1125) and pixel density (459
pixels per inch, or ppi) of any iPhone so far, and after that
major upgrade we don't expect Apple to go any higher than
458ppi in 2018. But there have been some rumours.
It has been noticed on Twitter that eMagin, an OLED
microdisplay maker that Apple (along with LG and Valve)
invested in early in 2018, has the capability to make displays
with a pixel density greater than 2,500ppi. Displays even close
to that capability would be an extraordinary step forward for
the iPhone range.
The reason we don't expect such a step is that eMagin makes
microdisplays, and it's very difficult to recreate their
capabilities on larger screens. eMagin's displays are designed
for extremely close-up use - most obviously VR headsets - and
it's therefore far more likely that this investment is
significant in terms of Apple's VR ambitions .
OLED, LCD-TFT or Micro LED screens
There is some debate over how many new iPhones will feature
OLED screens and which will get LCD instead.
According to Kuo (in Nov 2017), two of the new 2018 iPhones
will feature a OLED screen, like the iPhone X, but one will have
an LCD-TFT display, and therefore a lower price. The
resolution of that model will be lower, too.
However, the model to get the 'budget' features will have a
6.1in screen, rather than the smaller 5.8in model Kuo is also
predicting.
Kuo said: "Two new OLED models target high-end market; new
TFT-LCD model aims at low-end & midrange markets: We
believe the major hardware difference in the two new OLED
models is size, in a bid to satisfy various needs of the high-end
market. The new TFT-LCD model will differ significantly from
the OLED models in hardware and design specs (for instance,
the PPI will be lower). The primary selling points of the TFT-
LCD model may be the innovative user experience of an
integrated full-screen design and 3D sensing with a lower
price tag (we expect it will likely be US$649-749)."
On 26 Jan 2018 Digitimes Research senior analyst Luke Lin said
that Apple is leaning towards releasing two LCD-based iPhones
in 2018. One of these LCD models will be 5.7in to 5.8in, and the
other from 6.0in to 6.1in, reports MacRumors.
There are also reports appearing that suggest Apple is looking
into using Micro LED screens. These could initially appear on
the Apple Watch, as was the case with OLED, but eventually be
used for the iPhone.
Apple's interest in the technology is clear from its acquisition
of LuxVue (a company specialising in the field) back in 2014.
Micro-LEDs offer low power consumption, high brightness,
ultra-high definition, high colour saturation, faster response
rate, longer lifetimes and higher efficiency. While OLEDs offer
many of these features, micro-LEDs offer higher brightness
and colour saturation.
One last screen theory : for its LCD model, Apple could use the
Super Bright Display featured in the LG G7 ThinQ. This would
enable it to offer 1,000 nits brightness. We see how that
device shapes up in our iPhone X vs LG G7 comparison.
Curved screen
This is a recurrent rumour, but sources suggest that it may
finally come true within the next couple of generations.
Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman cites a person "familiar with the
situation" for his claim that Apple is working on phone screens
"that curve inward gradually from top to bottom", although he
acknowledges that this is highly unlikely to be ready for the
2018 update. Instead, Gurman expects curved iPhones to take
two to three years to appear.
Part of the reason that curved screens are at last a realistic
option for Apple comes down to OLED, the screen tech used in
the iPhone X: OLED is far easier to produce in bent, folded or
curved forms than the LCD tech that the company used in all
previous iPhone models.
New iPhone leaked photos & illustrations
In this section we'll post the most interesting leaked photos of
the iPhone XI posted online. This far ahead of the launch we're
more likely to see snatched images of components or
prototypes than the actual device itself.
So far we've see only two, in fact. The first is this photo of
the new gold colour option, posted by the Twitter user Mr
White . Mr White doesn't cite any sources so this may not be
reliable, but it fits in with analyst expectations.
The second is this image posted by Slashleaks. The site
speculates that it shows "mostly likely iPhone X Plus initial
screen protectors and sizes and demo prototypes for trial
runs", but this has been met with a degree of scepticism online
(although readers have voted it to a 'trust score' of 90
percent).
Concept illustrations
We will also post the best artists' renders as they appear.
Ahead of an iPhone launch designers and illustrators around
the world put their brains to the task of imagining radical new
designs.
We mentioned a gold colour finish earlier; this black-and-gold
concept is our favourite from a set of concept illustrations
that the designer Martin Hajek has come up with:
Previously, renders appeared on iDrop News in October 2017:
Back in May 2014, Apple was granted a patent for "Electronic
devices with sidewall displays", which could lead to future
iPhones with displays around the sides and edges as well as on
the front. The patent suggests that the sidewall displays could
be an extension of the main touchscreen, and could be used to
display app icons, or for slide-to-unlock functionality, music
player controls, messaging readout, caller ID, system controls
and more.
The problem is that it would be impossible to put a cover on the
phone without taking away functionality - and without a cover
the phone would be easily broken. Still, we have a concept
image for such a design here:
Concept illustration by Michael Shanks .
New features & tech specs
The late-2017 iPhones added Face ID and wireless charging
features. Here's what we're expecting in 2018.
Face ID/Touch ID
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will expand its
new Face ID facial recognition tech to all new iPhones released
in autumn 2018 because in-screen Touch ID fingerprint
scanning remains a technological challenge - but adds that the
latter is still a possibility.
Kuo warns that Apple's plans are likely to depend on how
favourably Face ID is received. If users find it difficult,
annoying or unreliable in use, the company will plough more
resources into solving the under-screen fingerprint scanner
problem.
On 8 Feb 2018 Kuo's prediction was backed up by two reports
from Apple's Asian supply chain, which each agree that Face ID
is coming to all three new iPhones in 2018. The Korean-
language site ETNews and the Investor each quote industry
sources to support their assertions.
Apple might have settled on Face ID with the iPhone X, but the
company has explored the possibility of integrating the Touch
ID fingerprint scanner into the display of a smartphone or
tablet. In fact, Apple filed a patent describing a Touch ID
display back in January 2013.
The patent describes how you could place your finger on the
display to scan it, instead of the Home Button. It describes a
touchscreen display with a fingerprint-sensing layer that could
be used to introduce advanced multi-user support.
For example, Apple could use the fingerprint sensing display to
only allow particular users to open certain apps. This could be
useful for those with children who like to explore the iPad, for
example.
Additionally, Apple could take the display even further. It could
be used in conjunction with a piano app, for example, to teach
users the correct finger placement for the instrument.
A12 processor
It's easy to say what processor we'll get in the iPhone 2018: a
proprietary Apple chip named "A12 [codename]", following the
A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7 and the A11 Bionic in the iPhone 8
and X.
In May 2018 a Bloomberg report claimed that A12 chips for the
next iPhone are already under production, according to
Bloomberg sources.
The report claims that “people familiar with the matter” have
revealed that TSMC has begun mass production of the new
chips using a 7-nanometer design that “can be smaller, faster
and more efficient than the 10-nanometer chips”.
We already knew that TSMC had developed a 7nm FinFET
production process (which they detail here), which could result
in a 20 percent speed bump and a 40 percent reduction in
power consumption over the 10nm chips.
The iPhone X and iPhone 8 (and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
processor, used in the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, Sony
Xperia XZ2, LG G7 ThinQ, OnePlus 6, and others) all use 10
nanometer chips, so you can expect the next iPhone to be
faster and more efficient than those handsets. Which could
mean that the new phone (or phones) will offer improved
battery life.
Samsung has said that it will start producing 7nm chips at
scale in 2019.
Batteries
In terms of batteries, it looks like we can expect improvements
here in 2018.
According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (in a report referred
to above), the new models with LCD screens (successors to the
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus) will have a 2850-2950 mAh battery. This
should add up to 8% more capacity than the battery in the
iPhone X. In these phones the battery will be rectangular.
And the models with the OLED screens (successors to the
iPhone X, we'll call them the iPhone Xs and XS Plus, for the
sake of argument) will offer an L-shaped, 3300-3400mAh
battery. That is 25% more capacity than the iPhone X.
In other battery-related news, Korea Economic Daily claims
that Apple has chosen LG Chem as the exclusive supplier for
batteries that will be featured in the next-generation iPhone,
due out in 2018. Citing an unnamed source, the report claims
that LG has invested "hundreds of billions" in battery
manufacturing facilities and that it'll be ready to begin full-
scale production in early 2018, just in time for the 'iPhone 11'.
That's not all, either; the report also claims that Apple's next-
generation iPhone will adopt a 'bent' battery module shaped
like the letter 'L'. It's said that the optimised shape of the
battery maximises internal space and also boosts charging
speeds, two features that the iPhone desperately needs.
Apple currently fits two batteries in an L formation inside the
iPhone X, as you can see in this image from iFixIt's teardown.
Alternatively, one persistent rumour holds that Apple will take
the battery tech it developed for the original 12in MacBook
(and retained for the 2016 version ) - whereby contoured,
layered battery units are stacked inside the chassis in order to
take up every possible inch of space - and use these to squeeze
more battery capacity inside the fixed or even reduced volume
that will be available in future iPhones.
Apple could even, thanks to the new technology, make more
radical changes to the overall design of the iPhone, because its
engineers would no longer to base their work on a fixed
battery shape. Although the smartphone is such a mature
market now that it would take a brave manufacturer to
change its essential form - a bit like a mad microwave designer
inventing one that's spherical.
The iPhone X already uses a double-layered logic board to save
space.
RAM
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the successor to the iPhone X could
have 4GB RAM. The iPhone X has 3GB RAM.
Gigabit LTE/LTE Advanced
It might feel like its no time at all since 4G was introduced but
the next big thing is Gigabit LTE, which is in itself a stopgap on
the way to 5G. It seems likely that the 2018 flagship iPhone will
feature this technology.
Gigabit LTE promises download speeds of up to 1000 megabits
per second. Gigabit LTE-ready smartphones will also benefit
from being able to get a data connection miles away from a
tower, and they will be able to get connected even when they
are surrounded by other devices jostling for the same
airspace, say at a busy train station.
Some phones are already capable of supporting the new
technology, including the Galaxy Note 8. The iPhone X however,
does not support Gigabit LTE.
Gigabit LTE is only available at EE test sites at London's Tech
City and in Cardiff. But in 2018 that will change as EE rolls
out Gigabit LTE around the country. Then those phones that
are ready to support it will be able to take advantage of the
faster upload and download speeds, the iPhone X won't.
However, when it launches 5G, which promises speeds in excess
of 1Gb/s (or even 10Gb/s), will require a completely different
modem chip to be used inside smartphones, so even Gigabit LTE
ready phones will miss out. More on 5G below...
5G
One of the landmarks in iPhone history was the inclusion of 3G
in its second-generation model; with the launch of the iPhone 5
Apple fans got 4G as well. Now it seems that 5G could be on its
way, if testing works out.
Apple has submitted an application, obtained by Business
Insider , to test "cellular link performance in direct path and
multi-path environments between base station transmitters
and receivers" using the 28GHz and 39GHz bands, approved for
5G, and 'millimetre wave' wireless technology.
"These assessments will provide engineering data relevant to
the operation of devices on wireless carriers' future 5G
networks," the application adds.
5G will deliver faster cellular internet connections, but the
details remain fuzzy: currently, there are no standards for
5G, although many companies are working towards agreeing on
technology and specifications. You can read more about the
latest 5G developments here: What is 5G?
Perhaps Apple is intending to wait for 5G rather than adding
LTE Advanced capabilities to the iPhone? If it is there may be a
long wait: the first public 5G networks aren't expected to roll
out in the UK until 2020, although some preliminary
implementations may arrive in 2019. It's unlikely that 5G will
become widespread until 2022, though.
Long-range wireless charging
The wireless charging you get with the iPhones 8 and X is the
kind, commonplace with today's technology's standards, where
you still have to physically place the device on a charging mat.
It's convenient, but not exactly a game-changer, since the
two elements have to be in contact or within a couple of
centimetres.
Bloomberg, however, reckons Apple is working on longer-range
wireless charging, potentially charging at a distance of about 1
metre using near-field magnetic resonance. And some cryptic
comments from the CEO of a charging company suggest Apple
may be planning something even more ambitious.
Steve Rizzone, CEO of Energous , spoke to The Verge before
CES 2017 and dropped some major hints about an exclusive "key
strategic partnership" that the company signed a couple of
years back and which has delayed the launch of its wireless
charging tech... which has a range of 15 feet .
"That 'key' partner is suspected to be Apple," observes The
Verge, "and Energous - though declining to state its partner's
name - is certainly happy to fuel the speculation. Rizzone says
the partnership is with 'one of the largest consumer electronic
companies in the world. I cannot tell you who it is, but I can
virtually guarantee that you have products from this company
on your person, sitting on your desk, or at home.'"
Energous isn't the only company working on long-range
wireless charging. In February 2017 it was reported that
Disney Research has come up with a new method for wirelessly
transmitting power throughout a room: users would be able to
charge electronic devices anywhere in that room, much as they
connect to WiFi with current technology.
Fast charging
The iPhone X boasts that it's "fast-charge capable", but the
charging unit bundled with the phone won't blow your socks off
with its speed. Well, according to ChargerLab , Apple is going to
include an altogether more powerful charger with the
late-2018 models.
"According to our exclusive sources inside production lines,"
says the site, "it will ship with an 18-watt USB-C to Lightning
fast charger... Using a USB-C for power delivery should result
in significantly faster power delivery compared to the USB-A
ports that Apple had been using since 2007."
(Speculation about a switch to iPhones being bundled with USB-
C instead of USB-A cables was further enflamed in mid-May
2018 by news of a price drop to the USB-C-to-Lightning
adaptor that Apple currently sells separately.)
ChargerLab claims to have further details on the charging unit
itself, predicting that it will be thinner than the currently used
components "and not in that square-shaped white cube form
factor. This will make it more convenient and portable."
Apple Pencil compatibility
iPhone fans have been requesting this for a while, and
although the case for stylus input on iPhone is less clear-cut
than on iPad, there are definitely situations where it would be
helpful. And the bigger the screens get, the more useful a
stylus would be - which makes the iPhone X, and even more so
the rumoured iPhone X Plus, strong candidates for Apple Pencil
compatibility.
One source, sadly, predicts that we're a little further away
than that. Speaking to the Korea Herald in November 2017,
anonymous industry sources claimed Apple is working on a
smartphone that comes with a "digital pen" - not necessarily
the Apple Pencil - and this will be launched in 2019. This idea
does seem to be at odds with Steve Jobs claims that the best
stylus is the finger.
New iPhone Cameras
Here's where we see the iPhone cameras heading in the 2018
update.
Front-facing 'TrueDepth' 3D camera
According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (in October 2017) the
iPhone X's 3D sensing capabilities are already at least one year
ahead of Android smartphones so it's unlikely we will see an
update to that technology in 2018.
However, in 2019 we may see improvements to the TrueDepth
Camera on the front of the iPhone (as well as a TrueDepth
camera on the back of the device, which we will discuss next).
Rear-facing 3D scanner (for AR)
As mentioned above, it seems unlikely that Face ID, or any of
the TrueDepth technology, will make it to the iPhone's rear-
facing camera in 2018. However, that doesn't mean that the
camera on the rear of the iPhone won't get clever new
features.
In November 2017, Bloomberg reported that 2018's iPhone 11/
Xs/Xi will have a 3D scanner on its rear sensor array, citing
"people familiar with the plan". This is in addition to - and
distinct from - the existing TrueDepth scanner on the front,
which is used for Face ID, Animoji and similar features, and
which "relies on a structured-light technique that projects a
pattern of 30,000 laser dots onto a user's face and measures
the distortion".
Instead, the new system would use "a time-of-flight approach
that calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off
surrounding objects", the site claims.
It's believed that this new scanner will be used primarily for
augmented reality (AR) applications: building a 3D model of the
surrounding environment, and then delivering information and
functionality related to this model. Apple has already gone big
on AR, with the launch of ARKit at WWDC 2017.
Anti-recording patent
In June 2016, Apple filed a patent to prevent people from
recording at concerts through an infrared signal. This is to
address the complaints made by artists that fans are uploading
bad quality videos of their performances, quality control being
the issue here.
The patent has been met with some critics; with some saying it
invades their privacy. Others have seen it as a good move for
artists and those who want a non-smartphone environment.
This can also be used in an educational way, with an infrared
signal used to give more details about a certain object, such as
a plant.
It's still not clear how the technology will really be used, but
it's clear Apple is thinking about it.
'Super-resolution' photos
Apple seems keen to improve the camera capabilities of its iOS
devices, and one patent published by USPTO in May 2014
suggests we could soon see iPhones that are able to capture
"Super-resolution" photos thanks to optical image
stabilisation, which is already a feature of the iPhone 6 Plus.
The patent describes a system that takes a series of
photographs at slightly different angles and stitches them
together to create a 'super-resolution' image.
Apple doesn't suggest a device would capture every photo this
way. Instead, the user would have the option to turn super-
resolution mode on, much like HDR and Panorama modes.
Several rumours suggest Apple plans to introduce a feature
like this with an iPhone in the near future, with reports
pointing to a 'DSLR-quality' capability that would represent
the biggest camera jump in iPhone upgrade history.
DigiTimes has reported that Apple is already booking in
production for iPhone cameras above 12Mp in resolution. This is
at a new factory built by lens maker Largan Precision in
Taiwan.
Interchangeable camera lenses
Apple is also investigating the possibility of making
interchangeable iPhone camera lenses.
In January 2014, the company was issued two patents that
describe methods of attaching camera modules to devices such
as the iPhone and iPad.
The first patent, titled " Back panel for a portable electronic
device with different camera lens options ", describes a
portable electronic device that has a removable case that would
allow camera attachments such as wide-angle or fisheye
lenses.
The second patent, titled " Magnetic add-on lenses with
alignment ridge," offers an alternative method of attaching
new camera lenses to the iPhone using magnets.
It's already possible to use detachable iPhone camera lenses, of
course, but at present those are exterior accessories made by
third parties. You can also read about our pick of the Best
iPhone camera lenses.
Tags: iPhone , Rumour
Share this article
Error loading
player:
Trending video: Oculus Go review
No comments:
Post a Comment