Video: Rounding up the 2019 iPhone rumors, including USB-C, 5G, and more

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2019
It is the start of a new year, and there's already a number of rumors circulating about Apple's iPhone releases for 2019. Based on the chatter we've been hearing, there could be some big changes for the iPhone arriving later in 2019, including a shift to USB-C and a triple-camera setup on the rear.


USB-C

Out of all the rumors, the biggest one is the switch from the Lightning port to USB-C. In June last year, DigiTimes claimed 2019 iPhones will switch to USB. Just a few days ago, Jean Baptiste Su seemingly backed up those rumors in a report published by Forbes.






How likely are we to see USB-C on an iPhone this year, given that neither outlet has a stellar track record?

The 2018 iPad Pro has finally made the switch over to USB-C, so that's definitely the first step in the process. The previously-rumored 18W USB-C power adapter is already shipping with the new iPad Pro models, while also being available for purchase separately on Apple's website. It also conveniently offers enough power to fast-charge the latest iPhones from empty to 50 percent in only 30 minutes.

An iPad Pro with USB-C connectivity
An iPad Pro with USB-C connectivity


Apple could easily ship that same USB-C power adapter right in the box of a 2019 iPhone model, but we won't know for sure until it happens.

Rear Cameras

Rumors of a triple-lens camera coming in an iPhone this year have also sparked from well-known leak source OnLeaks, while Digit.in published renders of what a triple-lens camera could potentially look like. This orientation is unlikely, given the amount of internal space that it will consume in this orientation, but three cameras is still a possibility.

A render of what a triple-lens iPhone could look like
A render of what a triple-lens iPhone could look like


The three lens camera setup is rumored to support Sony's "time of flight" 3D depth map technology, which could expand the possibilities for augmented reality on iPhones and make autofocus shooting faster and more precise for both video and photography.

However, back in September, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that it's unnecessary for the 2019 iPhone models to be equipped with a rear-side time of flight system. Given it is a major feature, more rumors could be expected in the near future.

Face ID updates

Along with the time of flight comments, Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting an improved Face ID system will be implemented in the 2019 iPhone lineup. Kuo wrote that he believes Apple will raise the output power of the flood illuminator, which should lower the impact of invisible infrared light in the environment and ultimately make for a more accurate system, both for Face ID authentication and face-tracking features like Animoji.

TrueDepth camera in use in Face ID
TrueDepth camera in use in Face ID


Back in May, Apple was granted a patent for a technology called "vein imaging using detection of pulsed radiation." Basically, this would allow Face ID or similar technology to scan the veins inside a users face, making authentication more secure by adding in elements that are not easily replicated in a mask.

Apple doesn't need a more powerful flood illuminator for this, and Apple's research doesn't always make it to market. Even so, such a system could make an already reliable and secure authentication system like Face ID even better.

5G

There's recently been a lot of talk about 5G modems coming to smartphones, but we're not likely to see an iPhone with 5G until at least 2020. One report from Fast Company suggests Apple intends to use Intel's 5G-capable modem in an iPhone slated for release in 2020, not 2019.

Apple sitting out the first year of 5G isn't a big deal. There are still fights to be had in regards to how the networks are built -- and the carriers still have a lot of work to do.

Existing cellular networks still offer a lot to consumers, as 4G LTE already supports download speeds of up to 125MB/s. Even this isn't fully utilized by the iPhone, as the iPhone XS has only attained download speeds of up to 72 MB/s, in a survey taken using the SpeedSmart Speed Test iOS app.

Those speeds are already more than fast enough for most users, and there's still room for improvement on Apple's part, even without 5G.

Displays

Back in May, a report from South Korea's ETNews claimed Apple has decided to use OLED displays in all new 2019 iPhone models. The report also mentioned the possibility of an LCD model being maintained if there are more than three new models, which seems unlikely.

The iPhone XS Max's OLED display
The iPhone XS Max's OLED display


I personally welcome this change, since most high-end Android phone manufacturers have already switched to OLED displays on all of their high-end devices.

On top of that, rumors from ETNews allude that Samsung might be supplying Apple with a new Y-Octa OLED panel technology for Apple's 2019 iPhones, which integrates the touch-layer directly into the OLED panel. Theoretically this can make OLED displays thinner and cheaper to produce.

This would make it easier to switch to OLED across the entire iPhone lineup. The only concern is that initial panel shipments are expected to be limited -- and Samsung has yet to use the technology in its own devices.

There have also been talks of Apple bringing an in-screen Touch ID sensor to the 2019 iPhone lineup, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple has left Touch ID behind for the hugely successful and accurate Face ID system.

With Face ID rumored to be gaining improvements this year, we concur that it doesn't make a lot of sense for Apple as a whole to bring back Touch ID.

Waterproofing

If you're hoping to see better waterproofing in the 2019 iPhones, you may be out of luck. Ming-Chi Kuo says the new devices will retain the existing level of waterproofing we see on current iPhones. Much like 4G LTE, it's more than enough for the vast majority of iPhone owners..

This used to be a nightmare scenario for smartphone owners.
This used to be a nightmare scenario for smartphone owners.


Most users just want to be able to take their iPhone into the bathtub, hot tub or perhaps a swimming pool without the fear of ruining their phone if it accidentally gets wet or drops in the water. The latest IP68-rated iPhones already offer enough water resistance for that level of protection.

Hiding the Elements

Austrian company AMS recently launched an optical sensor that can measure ambient light from behind a smartphone's OLED screen. While we think we won't see this implemented until at least 2020, this type of technology paves the way for future iPhones to hide more of its sensors under the display and further reduce the size of bezels.

This may be a long shot into the future, but with transparent OLED displays already in the making, Apple could move the entire Face ID TrueDepth sensor array, including the front-facing camera beneath the display for a notch-less and bezel-less full-face design. To make this function, Apple would simply turn off pixels that are located directly above any of the sensors or cameras while using Face ID or taking a selfie photo.

But again, we definitely shouldn't expect anything like this until at least 2020.

Regardless of what Apple does to the iPhone, it's likely that what will arrive will be interesting and with enough changes to make it exciting for almost everyone.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 18
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    Anyone can safely anticipate upcoming features/changes in 2019 and 2020 iPhones starting with WiFi 6, additional cameras,USB-C, 5G, upgraded screen, etc. Who knows there could be around/less than 5" iPhone to replace SE for those who prefer smaller frame iPhone and to keep cost down like SE, with current XR hardware. Unless fold-able screen, smaller phone like 4" SE's days are long gone because now a days most users across world prefer larger screen phone.
    edited January 2019
  • Reply 2 of 18
    Please go notchless
  • Reply 3 of 18
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,274member
    My guess regarding USB-C on iPhones -- probably not, at least not in 2019. There's really no need for it on a consumer level; it distinguishes the iPad Pro from the non-Pro, and Apple likely remembers the hulaballoo when they dropped the 30-pin connector. Maybe some year, but not this year is my guess.

    Likewise, while Apple might or might not include a chip that is "5G" capable in 2019 phones because we know what the specs look like for it and chipmakers may want to future-proof the phones a bit, but the chances of anyone reading this to actually be using real 5G (as opposed to Lyin' AT&T's fake "5G E" nonsense) before late 2020 is pretty much nil.

    Finally, I'm pretty sure Apple will keep an LCD option around for next year and quite possibly beyond that -- it's still much cheaper than OLED, Apple's made some very notable innovations to LCD for phones, and the people who have the iPhone XR don't give a flying crap that it's not OLED.
  • Reply 4 of 18
    USB c won't happen due to apples own cable they should introduce a new cable or just go cable-less in favor of qi wireless I mean apple is really trying their best to go wireless it should be one of those solutions I wouldn't want USB c cause apple simply isn't Android guys come on if y'all want usb c so bad go over to Android 
  • Reply 5 of 18
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


  • Reply 6 of 18
    chasm said:
    My guess regarding USB-C on iPhones -- probably not, at least not in 2019. There's really no need for it on a consumer level; it distinguishes the iPad Pro from the non-Pro, and Apple likely remembers the hulaballoo when they dropped the 30-pin connector. Maybe some year, but not this year is my guess.

    Except USBC was introduced to Apple products on the very consumer Macbook
  • Reply 7 of 18
    USB c won't happen due to apples own cable they should introduce a new cable or just go cable-less in favor of qi wireless I mean apple is really trying their best to go wireless it should be one of those solutions I wouldn't want USB c cause apple simply isn't Android guys come on if y'all want usb c so bad go over to Android 
    wireless is to practicality as self driving vehicles are to feasibility? i can't remember how it goes.

    and no we like lightening ports better but that has nothing to do with it. Apple must streamline its ports not doing so creates confusion and more inconsistencies confusion is not what apple needs at this juncture. 


  • Reply 8 of 18
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    What features will USB-C bring to the iPhone that are not possible with the Lightning Cable? I’m just curious, I have the USB-C to Lighting Cable and the 18W power adapter for fast changing and I think it’s great! I just can’t think of any features I would use with a USB-C iPhone.

    Thanks
  • Reply 9 of 18
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    Mike149 said:
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    What features will USB-C bring to the iPhone that are not possible with the Lightning Cable? I’m just curious, I have the USB-C to Lighting Cable and the 18W power adapter for fast changing and I think it’s great! I just can’t think of any features I would use with a USB-C iPhone.

    Thanks
    Lightening port/cable is superior in all respect but has some arguments against it. Not a worldwide charging/data port standard,backward compatibility with legacy USB, higher throughput thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C connector, iPad Pro usb-c adoption helps less port incompatibility among Apple products and also other products use usb-c ending less cables into land fields, etc,etc, I may be wrong but Apple participated in developing USB-C standards. Much as we love lightening port, future for iPhone port is moving to USB-C. Question is not if but when ? In my opinion, if not 2019 than 2020 is for sure. Meanwhile if Apple somehow moves entirely to wireless and get rid of physical port like 3.5mm jack than that is a different ball game but do you believe that can happen in next 2-3 years ? So, USB-C for every phones, tablets, gadgets is a transition charging and data transfer mechanism until widespread wireless charging and data transfer becomes norm.
    edited January 2019 Mike149
  • Reply 10 of 18
    jcs2305jcs2305 Posts: 1,336member
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    My macs at home are older and still running strong. My laptop is company provided and they havent updated to machines with USB- C yet. So I am not sure that USB-C is a must as you put it ... With the prices of the chargers and cables, it’s a bit expense to make the switch at this point in my opinion. 

    It seems USB-C adoption is a must for you and some folks here at AI, but not every Apple customer. 
    StrangeDays
  • Reply 11 of 18
    jcs2305 said:
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    My macs at home are older and still running strong. My laptop is company provided and they havent updated to machines with USB- C yet. So I am not sure that USB-C is a must as you put it ... With the prices of the chargers and cables, it’s a bit expense to make the switch at this point in my opinion. 

    It seems USB-C adoption is a must for you and some folks here at AI, but not every Apple customer. 
    Suppose I tried to plug in my lightening headphones into my new USB-C iPad. whoops! 

    Suppose I attempt to charge my new USB-C iPad with my IPhone charger whoops did it again.

    It’s inconsistent it’s nasty. MacBooks have USB-c the new iPad has USBc should there not be seamless interoperability after all isn’t that the core promise of Apples ecosystem? 

  • Reply 12 of 18
    wood1208 said:
    Mike149 said:
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    What features will USB-C bring to the iPhone that are not possible with the Lightning Cable? I’m just curious, I have the USB-C to Lighting Cable and the 18W power adapter for fast changing and I think it’s great! I just can’t think of any features I would use with a USB-C iPhone.

    Thanks
    Lightening port/cable is superior in all respect but has some arguments against it. Not a worldwide charging/data port standard,backward compatibility with legacy USB, higher throughput thunderbolt 3 uses USB-C connector, iPad Pro usb-c adoption helps less port incompatibility among Apple products and also other products use usb-c ending less cables into land fields, etc,etc, I may be wrong but Apple participated in developing USB-C standards. Much as we love lightening port, future for iPhone port is moving to USB-C. Question is not if but when ? In my opinion, if not 2019 than 2020 is for sure. Meanwhile if Apple somehow moves entirely to wireless and get rid of physical port like 3.5mm jack than that is a different ball game but do you believe that can happen in next 2-3 years ? So, USB-C for every phones, tablets, gadgets is a transition charging and data transfer mechanism until widespread wireless charging and data transfer becomes norm.
    So the whole point is just to have consistency with ports among different products? If so, then that’s ok. I was hoping for better features. If they included the Lighting to USB-C cable and fast charging brick with the current iPhones, I think it would be less of a big deal to people. I was originally using the Lightning to USB-C cable with the 87W charger for my MacBook Pro, but I noticed the iPhone got really hot. I got the 18W charger and it doesn’t get nearly as hot. I understand being able to fast charge and being able to plug my iPhone into my MacBook Pro with the cable that comes in the box. But, there should still be different charging bricks because of the watt requirements.

    Thanks
  • Reply 13 of 18
    anomeanome Posts: 1,533member
    Back in May, Apple was granted a patent for a technology called "vein imaging using detection of pulsed radiation." Basically, this would allow Face ID or similar technology to scan the veins inside a users face, making authentication more secure by adding in elements that are not easily replicated in a mask.

    Apple doesn't need a more powerful flood illuminator for this, and Apple's research doesn't always make it to market. Even so, such a system could make an already reliable and secure authentication system like Face ID even better.

    No, not FaceID. Vein imaging is an important aspect of Retinal scanning. They're going for EyeID. Or EyeD for short.

    The trick is getting the scanner to work at arm's length, so you don't have to hold it up to your eye while using it at a checkout. Iris scanning is easier at a distance, but less secure overall.

    Also, not needing a more powerful flood illuminator is handy, since you don't want to blind your users while scanning the backs of their eyes.

  • Reply 14 of 18
    JinTechJinTech Posts: 1,020member
    anome said:
    Back in May, Apple was granted a patent for a technology called "vein imaging using detection of pulsed radiation." Basically, this would allow Face ID or similar technology to scan the veins inside a users face, making authentication more secure by adding in elements that are not easily replicated in a mask.

    Apple doesn't need a more powerful flood illuminator for this, and Apple's research doesn't always make it to market. Even so, such a system could make an already reliable and secure authentication system like Face ID even better.

    No, not FaceID. Vein imaging is an important aspect of Retinal scanning. They're going for EyeID. Or EyeD for short.

    The trick is getting the scanner to work at arm's length, so you don't have to hold it up to your eye while using it at a checkout. Iris scanning is easier at a distance, but less secure overall.

    Also, not needing a more powerful flood illuminator is handy, since you don't want to blind your users while scanning the backs of their eyes.

    I highly doubt Apple would ditch FaceID this fast in the game. Don't expect anything like "EyeD" for at least another five years.
  • Reply 15 of 18
    ne1ne1 Posts: 69member
    chasm said:
    My guess regarding USB-C on iPhones -- probably not, at least not in 2019. There's really no need for it on a consumer level; it distinguishes the iPad Pro from the non-Pro, and Apple likely remembers the hulaballoo when they dropped the 30-pin connector. Maybe some year, but not this year is my guess.

    Likewise, while Apple might or might not include a chip that is "5G" capable in 2019 phones because we know what the specs look like for it and chipmakers may want to future-proof the phones a bit, but the chances of anyone reading this to actually be using real 5G (as opposed to Lyin' AT&T's fake "5G E" nonsense) before late 2020 is pretty much nil.

    Finally, I'm pretty sure Apple will keep an LCD option around for next year and quite possibly beyond that -- it's still much cheaper than OLED, Apple's made some very notable innovations to LCD for phones, and the people who have the iPhone XR don't give a flying crap that it's not OLED.
    There wasn’t that much “hullabaloo” about the 30 pin connector- there was a lot more about the headphone jack. I hope they do keep Lightning, however, because of its durability.
    USB-C is not bulletproof enough to put on a device we use every day. 
  • Reply 16 of 18


    A render of what a triple-lens iPhone could look like
    A render of what a triple-lens iPhone could look like

    That render really looks bad. It looks like the iPhone has some cancerous growth.

    I hope Apple has a better design.

  • Reply 17 of 18
    Suppose I tried to plug in my lightening headphones into my new USB-C iPad. whoops! 

    Suppose I attempt to charge my new USB-C iPad with my IPhone charger whoops did it again.

    I'm profoundly skeptical that anyone would be that stupid.

    Would it be nice to have all of my Apple devices be able to use the same connector?  Yes, it would.  But it's not a "must".
  • Reply 18 of 18
    jcs2305jcs2305 Posts: 1,336member
    jcs2305 said:
    USB-C in 2019 iPhones is a must -- Apple customers DO care and ARE paying attention to Cooks inconsistencies gimme a break w this nonsense already. 


    My macs at home are older and still running strong. My laptop is company provided and they havent updated to machines with USB- C yet. So I am not sure that USB-C is a must as you put it ... With the prices of the chargers and cables, it’s a bit expense to make the switch at this point in my opinion. 

    It seems USB-C adoption is a must for you and some folks here at AI, but not every Apple customer. 
    Suppose I tried to plug in my lightening headphones into my new USB-C iPad. whoops! 

    Suppose I attempt to charge my new USB-C iPad with my IPhone charger whoops did it again.

    It’s inconsistent it’s nasty. MacBooks have USB-c the new iPad has USBc should there not be seamless interoperability after all isn’t that the core promise of Apples ecosystem? 

    As I said these are things are your use case, not every apple user.

    Apple has introduced 2 prodcuct lines with USB-C in the last year..you are jumping the gun a bit with the inconsistent and nasty comments I think..

    The two concerns you list with lightning headphones and using my lightning iPhone charger with the new USB-C iPad doesn't concern me at all, as I don't have or use the products you mention. I do however use multiple lightning ported devices every day. As is also the case with the rest of my household..

    Let's not forget you said USB-C adoption is a must for 2019 iPhones yet all you mention is your new iPad?

     All I am saying it isn't a must in 2019 and if I was forced to replace the lightning chargers and cords in my home to USB-C it would be an expensive undertaking, and also hinder me from plugging these devices into my Macs at home or my work PC. 

    Apple sells USB-C to lightning connectors so you can have the interoperability that you mention.
Sign In or Register to comment.