Rumor claims 2019 iPhone will get 10MP TrueDepth camera, stick to Lightning
Although Apple is expected to deliver significant upgrades to the rear-shooting camera on 2019 iPhones, other components may not follow suit, a rumor claimed on Wednesday.
One of the rumored modifications is the inclusion of a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, according to CompareRaja, citing information from Steve Hemmerstoffer, better known by his @OnLeaks Twitter handle. That would mark a significant jump versus the 7-megapixel camera on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Apple is also reportedly making improvements to its TrueDepth system, used for Face ID and Animoji. These weren't specified, though the site pointed to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in November indicated that Apple might increase the output of the system's flood illuminator to minimize the impact of ambient infrared light.
A previously-mentioned triple-lens rear camera may include 10- and 14-megapixel sensors, but details of the third sensor are unknown. One possibility is that this will support a "time of flight" (TOF) system for depth maps, useful in Portrait shooting and augmented reality.
Repositioning of cameras is allegedly forcing Apple to adjust iPhone's internal design, changing to a nearly square-shaped battery and placing the logic board above the battery instead of parallel to it. However, either rumored camera alignment would occupy more internal space than Apple would likely find acceptable.
The company is said to be keeping a Lightning port, at least in prototypes. Speculation has suggested that Apple might move to USB-C as it did with 2018 iPad Pros, which would expand accessory compatibility.
CompareRaja and @OnLeaks recently posted two renders said to represent camera placement on Apple prototypes -- one with a square corner module, the other with a centered horizontal alignment. Because Apple is still in engineering validation testing, it's possible that neither layout could be adopted, even if some aspects of the rumors prove authentic.
A standard September 2019 launch date is anticipated.
One of the rumored modifications is the inclusion of a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, according to CompareRaja, citing information from Steve Hemmerstoffer, better known by his @OnLeaks Twitter handle. That would mark a significant jump versus the 7-megapixel camera on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Apple is also reportedly making improvements to its TrueDepth system, used for Face ID and Animoji. These weren't specified, though the site pointed to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in November indicated that Apple might increase the output of the system's flood illuminator to minimize the impact of ambient infrared light.
A previously-mentioned triple-lens rear camera may include 10- and 14-megapixel sensors, but details of the third sensor are unknown. One possibility is that this will support a "time of flight" (TOF) system for depth maps, useful in Portrait shooting and augmented reality.
Repositioning of cameras is allegedly forcing Apple to adjust iPhone's internal design, changing to a nearly square-shaped battery and placing the logic board above the battery instead of parallel to it. However, either rumored camera alignment would occupy more internal space than Apple would likely find acceptable.
The company is said to be keeping a Lightning port, at least in prototypes. Speculation has suggested that Apple might move to USB-C as it did with 2018 iPad Pros, which would expand accessory compatibility.
CompareRaja and @OnLeaks recently posted two renders said to represent camera placement on Apple prototypes -- one with a square corner module, the other with a centered horizontal alignment. Because Apple is still in engineering validation testing, it's possible that neither layout could be adopted, even if some aspects of the rumors prove authentic.
A standard September 2019 launch date is anticipated.
Comments
Animoji tend to stop working when you get close at normal distances for example.
Putting USB-C on the other end of the cable seems more important to me. With my MBP 2 years old and Apple's apparent drive for USB-C, I couldn't believe that my new iPhone XS needed a dongle to connect to my MBP. So let's have a brave drive for the future at the charger/host end of the cable first.
But as I'm a fan of the Lightning port I'd rather keep it then swap it for the USB-C. Because I don't see Apple making the phone 100% wireless, having a Lightning port as the last port on the iPhone would suit me just fine.
And I find the Lightning connector and port to be less fiddly than any USB port.
I put my iPhone on a dock every night, if it was USB-C I’m not sure how easy it would be in the dark and with one hand reaching over the side of my bed. I think I’ll miss Lightning if we get a different port.
Problem is they will never use it as it would negate the need to upgrade devices.
Apple and tech in general aren't in the market of 1 and done. They want to sell you the same thing over and over...
But, there's another (very potential) aspect for the future: The iPhone is becoming powerful enough to be the driver of a laptop or even a desktop. Technically, the potential for it to be plugged into a hub with a 27" monitor, keyboard, mouse and external storage exists. Or, previously, somebody floated the idea of a laptop with an iPhone slotted into it in place of a trackpad and the iPhone provided the trackpad, CPU, GPU, memory, storage, and connectivity.
Will Apple ever do that? It's not really science fiction anymore.
... I think Steve would have had the guts to do it. I'm not sure that current Apple management does.