![2019 iPhones](jpg/2019iphones2645.jpg?lossy)
2019 iPhone: Live Coverage
Apple's 2019 iPhone announcement is happening now. Follow our live coverage. This roundup will be updated shortly after the full announcement.
2019 iPhone Rumors
Contents
- 2019 iPhone: Live Coverage
- 2019 iPhone Rumors
- Dummy Models
- Alleged Renderings and Part Leaks
- Possible Names
- Design
- Displays
- A13 Processor
- Rear Cameras
- Front-Facing TrueDepth Camera System
- Apple Pencil Support
- Other Rumors
- Bilateral Wireless Charging
- Bigger Batteries
- Updated Taptic Engine
- Ultra-Wide Band Support
- SIM Cards
- USB-C
- 18W USB-C Power Adapter
- Wi-Fi 6
- 4x4 MIMO
- 4GB RAM for iPhone XR Successor
- Dual Bluetooth Audio Connection Support
- 2020 iPhones
- Smaller Notch or No Notch
- Launch Date and Supply Info
- 2019 iPhones Timeline
In 2019, Apple is expected to continue offering iPhones in multiple sizes and at multiple price points to provide customers with choice. 2018 brought the iPhone XS (5.8 inches), the iPhone XS Max (6.5 inches), and the iPhone XR (6.1 inches). The two XS devices have higher price tags starting at $999, while the XR is priced starting at $749.
We're expecting a similar lineup in 2019, perhaps with a continuation of both the iPhone XS and XR devices, with rumors suggesting we'll see 5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED iPhones along with a 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. We don't yet know what Apple will call the new iPhones, but iPhone XI or iPhone 11 are possibilities for the iPhone XS successors. Given that naming is up in the air, we're going to be referring to the upcoming iPhones as the "2019 iPhones" for now.
Rumors about the 2019 iPhones started before the iPhone XS and XR were even announced, and we've heard quite a few details on what we can expect. Design wise, the 2019 iPhone lineup will look similar to the 2018 iPhone lineup, but Apple may be planning to use a new matte glass design for the back of the 5.8 and 6.5-inch devices, which is expected to be less glossy. The 6.1-inch iPhone, meanwhile, could come in new lavender and green shades.
Apple is expected to continue using OLED displays for the 2019 devices, and while some rumors suggested Apple might go with an all OLED lineup, doing away with the LCD displays of the iPhone XR, later rumors indicate Apple will stick with the same OLED/LCD mix for 2019. The new iPhones may be about a half a millimeter thicker.
The new iPhones are said to be made from a shatter-resistant glass that will better hold up to drops, and water resistance may be significantly improved.
All 2019 iPhones are likely to adopt upgraded A13 chips from TSMC, Apple's chip supplier. Chip upgrades typically bring improved performance and efficiency, and the A13 will be no different. Apple is also adding a new "AMX" or "matrix" co-processor that will handle some of the math-heavy computing tasks.
Rumors suggest the next-generation 6.5-inch and 5.8-inch OLED iPhones will feature triple-lens rear cameras (with wide-angle, super wide-angle, and telephoto lenses), while the successor to the iPhone XR will feature a dual-lens camera with a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.
Renderings, leaked dummies, schematics, and other rumors indicate Apple the three lenses will be arranged in triangle configuration, necessitating a large, square-shaped rear camera bump. All three iPhones are expected to use this square camera bump design. A triple-lens camera setup has the potential to include benefits like better 3D sensing for augmented reality purposes, 3x optical zoom capabilities, up from 2x optical zoom in the 2018 iPhones, and better performance in low light.
Rumors suggest Apple will add greatly improved video taking capabilities to the new iPhones, allowing for retouching, effects, cropping, and more in real-time while video is being captured.
Apple is planning on a revamped True Depth camera system that uses improved components that can better detect faces from all angles, but there will be no design changes to the notch and it appears it will remain the same size as the notch on the 2018 iPhones. All three of the front-facing cameras in the 2019 iPhones are expected to be 12 megapixels, up from 7 megapixels in the 2018 models.
Apple eliminated 3D Touch in the iPhone XR, replacing it with a new Haptic Touch feature, and rumors have suggested the same thing could happen in the 2019 iPhone lineup, with 3D Touch set to be removed, as suggested in multiple rumors. Bigger batteries are expected, perhaps to accommodate the new camera technology, so battery life could be somewhat extended.
Rumors suggest we're going to see faster WiFi (thanks to the adoption of WiFi 6) and LTE speeds, and we're also expecting the new iPhone models to feature a bilateral wireless charging feature that will let them wirelessly charge other smartphones and devices that support wireless charging like the AirPods.
Apple will debut the new 2019 iPhones at an event on Tuesday, September 10, which will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Apple will livestream the event and MacRumors will have live coverage both on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Note: See an error in this roundup or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here.Dummy Models
Ahead of every new iPhone release, we often see dummy models, which are the culmination of part leaks, leaked schematics, rumors, and other information gleaned from Apple's supply chain.
Dummy models are often an accurate representation of what we can expect from new iPhone models because they're designed for case makers. There's big money in being one of the first companies out with a case for a new iPhone, which is why a lot of careful work goes into dummy models.
We got our hands on some dummy models for the three upcoming iPhones expected in 2019, which give the clearest look yet on the likely design of the 2019 iPhone lineup.
In a nutshell, the 2019 iPhones will look almost identical to the 2018 iPhones, with the exception of the larger rear camera setups that will accommodate new and improved cameras, including triple-lens cameras on the iPhone XS and XS Max successors and a dual-lens camera on the iPhone XR successor.
One thing to note: rumors suggest that the camera lenses in these iPhones will be flush with the camera bump rather than protruding a bit as depicted in these dummy models, so expect the finalized versions of the 2019 iPhones to look more polished, refined and elegant at launch. Also not shown is a rumored matte finish for the next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max.
Otherwise, the design is the same with few physical changes to differentiate the 2019 iPhone lineup from the 2018 iPhone lineup, though we may see new finishes and colors not depicted in these models. Below, we also have other part leaks and renderings that led to the creation of these dummy models.
Alleged Renderings and Part Leaks
5.8 and 6.5-Inch OLED iPhones
Renders of the 5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED iPhones coming in 2019 surfaced in April, and are said based on information shared by leaker OnLeaks, aka Steve Hemmerstoffer, who has, in the past, shared accurate details on unreleased Apple devices.
The two iPhones look similar to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but in given dimensions, are described as being slightly thicker. The current iPhone XS, for example, measures in at 143.6mm by 70.9mm by 7.7mm, while the next iPhone XS is said to measure in at 143.9mm by 71.4mm by 7.8mm.
The larger 6.5-inch iPhone coming in 2019 is said to measure in at 157.6mm x 77.5mm x 8.1mm, compared to the current size of 157.5mm x 77.4mm x 7.7mm. In the case of the next-generation 6.5-inch iPhone, if it is as described, it could be noticeably thicker than the current model.
Design wise, the iPhones look nearly identical to the current-generation iPhones, with the exception of wide square-shaped camera bump at the rear housing three lenses in a triangular configuration. The rear panel of the two devices is said to be made from a single pane of glass, a design meant to minimize the camera bump.
There may also be a redesigned mute switch that's circular in shape rather than pill-shaped, but otherwise, there are no other design changes.
Rumors have suggested Apple is has considered two possible prototype designs for the triple-lens camera, including the square-shaped camera bump seen above, and a more mainstream-looking rear camera in a horizontal layout with a flash located around the middle of the three lenses.
Recent information seems to suggest Apple has decided on using the square-shaped camera bump that arranges the three lenses in a triangular shape.
An alleged schematic for one of the 2019 iPhone models appears to depict cutouts for a triple-lens camera arranged in an offset manner that would require a square-shaped camera bump. It's not clear if this is an accurate schematic, but it is in line with other leaked triple-lens camera renderings.
An image of an alleged rear chassis for one of the 2019 iPhone models surfaced on Chinese social networking site Weibo in April, appearing to depict cutouts for a triple-lens camera setup.
It's not clear which iPhone the component belongs to, but rumors have suggested that it's the 5.8 and 6.5-inch iPhone XS and XS Max successors that will have triple-lens cameras while the LCD iPhone will use a dual-lens camera.
Case maker molds allegedly designed to create cases for two of the 2019 iPhone models surfaced in April. The molds both feature triple-lens camera arrangements in a square shape, suggesting these could be molds for the 5.8 and 6.5-inch iPhone models. The front looks similar in design to the current 2018 iPhone models.
Being the first to have iPhone cases available when new devices are released can be a lucrative business, and case makers often start designing cases well ahead of when iPhones are released. To create cases for unreleased devices, accessory makers rely on leaked data obtained from Apple's supply chain.
We here at MacRumors got our hands on some cases created for the 2019 iPhones, with designs based on rumors suggesting a triple-lens camera setup for the next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max.
The case design features a large square camera cutout to to accommodate the triple-lens camera design, which is arranged in an offset triangle shape.
In our testing, these cases fit the current iPhones perfectly with the exception of the new camera cutouts, as beyond camera tweaks, we're not expecting any major design changes. The 2019 iPhone lineup will look quite a lot like the 2018 iPhone lineup, but in addition to camera changes, Apple may also be planning a new frosted glass design for its OLED devices and new colors for the iPhone XR successor.
Rumors have suggested the new iPhones could be a tad bit thicker than the current models, but that's not noticeable with the cases and is such a small change that it may be imperceptible in real life. There are also some adjustments to button placement, so the buttons could be moved a bit.
CAD renders said to be of the upcoming iPhone XS and XS Max leaked in July, offering up a look at the same design that we've seen in case leaks, renders, and other rumors.
CAD images are often claimed to be official designs leaked from production factories and are used by case makers to create cases for devices ahead of their launch. The XS and XS Max CAD images feature triple-lens camera designs and a square-shaped camera cutout.
6.1-Inch LCD iPhone
Renders of the next-generation iPhone XR feature a device that looks like current iPhone XR, but with a dual-lens camera setup in a square bump that's similar to the square-shaped bump rumored for the next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max.
The renders are based on rumors and leaks that have circulated about the new 6.1-inch LCD device, which is said to have two cameras, while the new OLED devices coming in 2019 will have three.
Other than the dual cameras, the device in the renders looks like the iPhone XR with the same colorful body and thicker bezels around the display. It's said to measure in at 150.9mm x 76.1mm x 7.8mm, while the camera bump will be 8.5mm thick.
The next-generation iPhone XR could potentially come in lavender and green, with Apple replacing the coral and blue shades with the new colors. Pieces of glass said to represent the new colors that are coming leaked in May, and we created a mockup of the colors we can expect based on that image.
CAD images of the 2019 iPhone XR leaked in July, providing a look at the same design that's been spotted in renders and highlighted in rumors. As mentioned above, CAD images are often used for case creation.
The CAD rendering of the next-generation iPhone XR features a dual-lens camera that's arranged in a square-shaped camera bump that matches the square-shaped bump in the next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max models.
Leaked photos said to feature the logic board for one of the upcoming 2019 iPhones surfaced in July 2019. The logic board is presumably for the successor to the iPhone XR given its rectangular design.
The layout and the circuitry on the board look different than the current iPhone XR logic board, but as just one side of the board is printed, no specific information can be gleaned from the leaked images.
Possible Names
Apple deviated from its standard naming scheme with the iPhone X (pronounced iPhone 10) in 2017, and in 2018, we got the iPhone XS and the iPhone XR. Apple went from iPhone 8 to iPhone XR (10R) and we never had an iPhone 9.
With the jump to the "X" name, it's difficult to predict what Apple will call the 2019 iPhones. iPhone XI or iPhone 11 are both possibilities, but what comes after "XR" is a mystery we have yet to solve. Apple's iPhone names for the last 11 years are below:
2007 - iPhone
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3GS
2010 - iPhone 4 (new design)
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5 (new design)
2013 - iPhone 5s
2014 - iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (new design)
2015 - iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus
2016 - iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
2017 - iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X (new design)
2018 - iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
Apple could opt to go with an entirely different name like it did with the iPhone X, and because Apple uses codenames for development, the company's naming schemes often remain unknown until right before new devices launch.
With no clear picture of what Apple plans to name the devices that will launch in 2019, we will refer to them as the "2019 iPhones" until we get a clearer picture of the company's naming intentions.
One rumor has suggested that at least one iPhone coming in 2019 will be feature "Pro" in its name, such as the "iPhone 11 Pro."
The info comes from a Twitter account that is known to have leaked accurate information in the past. If correct, it's not known what Apple will name the other iPhones set to be sold alongside the "Pro" iPhone.
Design
The 2019 iPhone lineup is expected to look similar to the 2018 iPhone lineup, with a 5.8-inch iPhone, a 6.5-inch iPhone (the premium model, based on this year's rumors), and a 6.1-inch iPhone (lower cost).
Major design changes are not expected, but Apple is rumored to be planning to use a new frosted or matte glass for the rear of the iPhone XS and XS Max successors, which would be similar to Google's Pixel lineup. A matte glass design will allow Apple to distinguish the 2019 iPhones from the 2018 iPhones. The next-generation iPhone XR is expected to look similar to the current model without matte glass.
Bloomberg says upcoming iPhones will feature a new shatter-resistant glass that's said to hold up better when dropped, and "dramatically enhanced water resistance" is expected. The new iPhones could be able to be submerged in water "far longer" than the current 30 minute limit.
While there will be few design differences, to accommodate new cameras, the 2019 iPhones may be about a half a millimeter thicker.
The next-generation iPhone XR may come in new colors, with rumors suggesting Apple will replace the blue and coral colors with new lavender and green shades.
A sketchy rumor said to be from a Foxconn worker in China suggests the upcoming 2019 iPhones will not feature the labeling "iPhone" underneath the Apple logo on the device. The same source suggests the new iPhones will be available in a new dark green shade. There's no way to verify these claims, so the information could be inaccurate.
The Apple logo on the 2019 iPhones will actually be centered on the back of the device, a change designed to let users know where to place AirPods or an Apple Watch for charging purposes using the new bilateral charging feature. In prior devices, the logo was more towards the top of the iPhone.
Displays
For the last few years, Apple has been working to bolster its OLED display supply chain for diversification purposes and to cut down its reliance on Samsung, the company that has supplied displays for the iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.
Apple has mulled a partnership with Japan Display, pushed LG Display to build out its OLED display production facilities, and has purchased equipment to build an OLED panel research and development site in Taiwan. For its 2019 iPhones, Apple is said to be using OLED displays from Samsung, and it could also be using some LG displays as well.
Apple is said to be aiming for an all OLED lineup at some point in the future, but it's not looking like that's going to happen in 2019.
Early rumors disagreed on Apple's 2019 display plans, with some rumors pointing towards an all OLED display and other rumors suggesting Apple will continue to use some LCDs, but later information has coalesced around a mixed LCD/OLED lineup, much like 2018.
Apple's 2019 iPhones could potentially be thinner and lighter due to the adoption of Samsung-designed OLED display technology called Y-OCTA, which integrates the touchscreen layer into the display panel. Given that the display panel is already a thin component, it's not clear how much thickness reduction we'll see, but apple is likely to use the technology due to its lower cost.
3D Touch
Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis, who has a somewhat mixed track record, has suggested that all 2019 iPhones will do away with 3D Touch. Apple did eliminate 3D Touch in the lower-priced 6.1-inch iPhone XR, and the company could be planning to remove the feature entirely in the 2019 iPhones.
The Wall Street Journal has said that all three iPhone models could ship without support for 3D Touch, and Taiwanese site DigiTimes has also suggested 3D Touch could be eliminated in the 2019 iPhone models.
Bloomberg has also confirmed reports that Apple is eliminating 3D Touch and instead replacing it with Haptic Touch, which offers similar functionality but with a long press.
In iOS 13, Apple implemented a feature that lets a long press on devices without 3D Touch mimic the function of a 3D Touch (such as peeking at links or using a 3D Touch to see app details on the Home screen), which perhaps suggests that Apple is now designing iOS with a non-3D Touch future in mind. These new long press gestures work on the iPhone XR and on iPads, devices that don't have 3D Touch.
A13 Processor
TSMC will be the sole supplier of the next-generation "A13" ships that will be used in the 2019 iPhone lineup, and iPhones coming in the future. The A13 is expected to be built on TSMC's 7nm+ package with extreme ultraviolet lithography.
The A13, like all chip upgrades, should bring performance and efficiency improvements.
Along with faster A13 processors, the new iPhones are expected to include a new "AMX" or "matrix" co-processor that Bloomberg says will help handle math-heavy tasks to help with computer vision and augmented reality features.
Benchmarks thought to be for the successor to the iPhone XR leaked in early September, suggesting the upcoming iPhone will indeed feature 4GB RAM and a moderately faster processor.
The A13 chip in the next-generation iPhone XR features 6 cores, presumably with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores like the A12. The A13's high-performance cores are shown running at 2.66 GHz in today's result, compared to 2.49 GHz in the A12, leading to an approximately 12-13 percent gain in single-core performance for the A13 with a score of 5415, compared to an average 4796 for the A12 in the iPhone XR.
The A13's multi-core score of is nearly identical to the A12's average score of 11192, though there's potentially some throttling due to thermal limits.
The upcoming 2019 iPhones will also feature a new coprocessor codenamed "R1" or "Rose" that works similarly to the M-series Motion coprocessor, but integrates more sensors with the aim of offering up a more accurate picture of where the iPhone is.
While the motion coprocessor integrates data from the compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, and microphones, the Rose coprocessor will also support inertial measurement unit (IMU), Bluetooth 5.1 features, ultra-wideband (UWB) and camera (including motion capture and optical tracking) sensor data. This information will likely be used for Apple's upcoming Apple Tags, a Tile-like Bluetooth tracker.
Rear Cameras
Multiple rumors have confirmed that Apple is planning on introducing a triple-lens camera system in the second-generation iPhone XS and XS Max, while the second-generation iPhone XR will continue to use a dual-lens camera setup.
The next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max are said to feature triple-lens rear camera setups with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel super wide-angle lens. The next iPhone XR, meanwhile, will have a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.
There were some rumors suggesting Apple would introduce 3D depth sensing technology for the rear-facing camera, but that's been delayed until 2020.
According to Bloomberg, the three-lens camera system will let users zoom out further and capture a larger field of view. The sensors will be able to capture three images at the same time and will use AI software to automatically correct a combined photo if, as an example, a person is cut out in one of the shots.
The camera will be able to take higher resolution images and it will take better low-light images.
Significantly upgraded video recording capabilities are in the works, with Apple planning to introduce a feature that will let users retouch, apply effects, alter colors, and crop video in real time as it is being recorded.
Front-Facing TrueDepth Camera System
Rumors suggest Apple is planning to make changes to the front-facing TrueDepth Camera System that enables Face ID in the 2019 iPhones. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes 2019 iPhones will feature a new flood illuminator that will improve Face ID by lowering the impact of the invisible light from the environment.
All three new iPhones coming in 2019 are expected to feature 12-megapixel single-lens front-facing cameras, which will be an improvement over the 7-megapixel camera used in the 2018 iPhone lineup. Specialized coating techniques for both the front-facing cameras and the super wide-angle camera lens could make the lenses look more inconspicuous.
Despite some rumors suggesting a smaller notch or no notch at all, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often accurately predicts Apple's plans, believes there will be no change to the size of the notch in the 2019 iPhone lineup, and we've seen no changes to the notch in mold leaks and dummy models based on schematics leaked from the supply chain.
While there will be no changes to the design of the notch, Bloomberg believes Apple is planning to add a multi-angle Face ID sensor that's capable of capturing a wider field of view, allowing iPhones to be unlocked even when flat on a table.
The new front-facing camera for the 2019 iPhones could gain support for slo-mo video recording at 120 frames per second, matching the slo-mo feature that's long been available on the rear camera.
Apple Pencil Support
Korean site The Investor, which does not have an established track record for accuracy, has suggested Apple is considering offering an Apple Pencil-style stylus alongside the 2019 iPhone models.
One case maker, Olixar, has designed an "iPhone 11 Pro" case that has a built-in Apple Pencil sleeve, but the case is just a rendering and seems aimed more at drumming up interest than reflecting accurate rumors.
Citi Research believes Apple will add support for the Apple Pencil to the 2019 iPhone lineup, and included it in a list of prospective features coming to the device.
It's unlikely this is accurate, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple Pencil support is a possibility for a future iPhone. No additional rumors have hinted at Apple Pencil support for the 2019 iPhones, so Apple Pencil support may not be a feature coming this year.
Other Rumors
Bilateral Wireless Charging
Two-way wireless charging, or bilateral charging, is a feature rumored for the 2019 iPhones. Two-way wireless charging will let the Qi-based iPhones coming in 2019 charge another iPhone or the new AirPods with Wireless Charging Case. You'll essentially be able to charge any Qi-based device with your iPhone, as it will work as a wireless charger itself.
Though a long-rumored feature, just ahead of the iPhone event, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple may not unveil the feature after all "because the charging efficiency may not meet Apple’s requirements."
Bigger Batteries
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, 2019 iPhones will feature larger batteries that will offer longer battery life and support new capabilities such as the bilateral wireless charging.
Kuo says that battery capacities for the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max successor could increase by 10 to 15 percent, while the battery capacity of the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone XS successor could grow by 20 to 25 percent. The iPhone XR successor isn't expected to see much of a gain, though, with Kuo predicting growth of 0 to 5 percent.
According to Korean website The Elec, the next-generation iPhone XR will use a 3,110 mAh battery, which is around 5.7 percent large than the 2,942 mAh battery in the current iPhone XR.
Taiwanese site DigiTimes says battery sizes will increase across the board with the 2019 iPhones. The next iPhone XS is expected to have a 3,200 mAh battery, the next iPhone XS Max is expected to have a 3,500 mAh battery, and the next iPhone XR is expected to have a 3,000 mAh battery.
Updated Taptic Engine
The 2019 iPhones are expected to have a revamped Taptic Engine that's codenamed "leap haptics," but there's no word yet on what might be different.
Ultra-Wide Band Support
The 2019 iPhone lineup could include support for ultra-wideband, which would offer improvements to indoor positioning and navigation.
Ultra-wideband is a short-range, low-power radio technology that offers more precise indoor positioning than Bluetooth LE and WiFi, which suggests that Apple's rumored Tile-like Apple Tags for keeping track of lost objects will be more accurate than products from competitors.
SIM Cards
The 2019 successor to the iPhone XS may have a dual-SIM, according to DigiTimes. In 2018, the iPhone XS Max and XR featured dual nano-SIM slots in China, but the iPhone XS did not.
As in 2018, this could be a feature limited to the Chinese market. In other countries, the 2018 iPhones featured a single nano-SIM slot and an eSIM, a trend likely to continue in 2019.
USB-C
There have been mixed rumors about Apple potentially transitioning to USB-C in the 2019 iPhone lineup, with some rumors indicating a swap to the new connector while others suggest Apple will stick with Lightning.
Japanese site Mac Otakara originally said the 2019 iPhones could potentially feature a USB-C port, based on supply chain sources, but later shared another rumor suggesting the 2019 iPhone lineup will continue to use a Lightning connector.
According to Steve Hemmerstoffer, who allegedly has details on 2019 iPhone prototypes, the devices do not feature a USB-C port and instead use Lightning ports.
According to Bloomberg, Apple tested some versions of the 2019 iPhone lineup that include a USB-C connector instead of a Lightning port, but it appears Apple ultimately planned to stick with Lightning for the 2019 iPhones rather than swapping over to USB-C.
18W USB-C Power Adapter
Japanese site Mac Otakara has said that Apple could include an 18W USB-C power adapter with the 2019 iPhones along with a USB-C to Lightning cable, which would allow for fast charging out of the box. It's not clear if this is accurate, however, as a different report from Mac Otakara said Apple would continue to include a 5W charger with a USB-A to Lightning cable with the 2019 iPhone lineup.
ChargerLAB also believes that Apple plans to include a USB-C power adapter with the iPhone, which will enable faster charging speeds when paired with a USB-C to Lightning cable. ChargerLAB has a mixed track record when it comes to accurately predicting Apple's plans, so it's not clear if this information is accurate.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will provide 18W USB-C wireless chargers with the two upcoming OLED iPhones, while the LCD iPhone will continue to ship with a 5W USB-A charger.
Wi-Fi 6
Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis believes Apple may be planning to implement support for Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax, in the 2019 iPhone lineup.
Wi-Fi 6 brings higher data rates, increased capacity, better performance in dense environments like concerts and sporting events, and improved power efficiency to better conserve battery on smartphones, tablets, and other battery-powered devices.
4x4 MIMO
The next-generation version of the iPhone XR may feature a 4x4 MIMO antenna design, allowing for faster LTE speeds. The current iPhone XR only supports 2x2 MIMO, compared to 4x4 MIMO in the XS and XS Max. With the change, all three iPhones in 2019 could feature the same LTE equipment.
4GB RAM for iPhone XR Successor
The successor to the iPhone XR could feature 4GB RAM, an upgrade from the 3GB RAM in the 2018 iPhone XR.
Dual Bluetooth Audio Connection Support
The 2019 iPhone models could allow users to connect two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to the same device at the same time, which would allow users to play music, podcasts, and other content from a single iPhone to multiple sets of headphones such as the Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods.
2020 iPhones
We've heard several other rumors about features that could come to iPhones in the years beyond 2019.
Size Options
Taiwanese site DigiTimes believes that Apple will release three OLED iPhones in 2020, in 5.42, 6.06, and 6.67 inches. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often has accurate info about Apple's plans, has also said that Apple will release three OLED devices that include high-end 5.4 and 6.7-inch models along with a lower-end 6.1-inch model.
Laser-Equipped 3D Rear Camera
In 2020, Apple is said to be planning to add a laser-powered time-of-flight 3D rear camera that will result in significant improvements to AR experiences to the iPhone.
A time-of-flight (ToF) camera system uses a laser to calculate the time that it takes for the laser to bounce off of objects in a room, using the data to create an accurate 3D image of the surrounding area. This allows for more accurate depth perception and better placement of virtual objects, and it will also result in photos better able to capture depth.
The camera will be able to scan areas up to 15 feet from the device. Apple's front-facing TrueDepth camera uses 3D technology but because it's infrared and not laser-powered, it only works at distances of 25 to 50 centimeters. Sony could be Apple's supplier for the new system, with Apple in talks with Sony over sensor tests. The camera will be a triple-lens camera, with Apple also planning to introduce improved photo capturing tools.
Apple's manufacturing partners are getting VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers) components ready to use in rear Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera lenses that will be used in the 2020 iPhones.
Two of Apple's three iPhones rumored to be coming in 2020 will use the new time-of-flight rear camera setup. It will likely be limited to the flagship 5.4 and 6.7-inch models, and not included in the rumored 6.1-inch iPhone that's going to have a lower price tag.
5G
Apple was originally planning to use Intel's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhones, due to an ongoing lawsuit with Qualcomm but Intel exited the 5G chip market. Apple settled its disagreement with Qualcomm and will now be using Qualcomm's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhone lineup.
Apple may also use some modem chips from Samsung in select markets where Sub-6GHz networks are more popular for its 2020 5G iPhones.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes all three new iPhones coming in 2020 will offer support for 5G networks. The 5G chips Apple is using in its 2020 iPhone lineup will support both mmWave and sub-6GHz wireless networks, covering all of the 5G connectivity options in the United States.
OLED
The iPhone XR successor in the 2019 iPhone may be the last iPhone to feature an LCD display as Apple is said to be "likely" to transition to an all-OLED lineup starting in 2020. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple will adopt OLED displays to "allow for more flexible handset design."
Apple is said to be "aggressively testing" OLED displays made by Chinese company BOE Display, which could potentially be used in future iPhones. Adopting displays from BOE would allow Apple to reduce its reliance on Samsung. BOE already manufactures LCDs for Apple's iPads and MacBooks, and is expanding into OLED displays.
Apple designers are said to be aiming to remove most of the external ports and buttons on the iPhone for a clean, streamlined device. Apple is expected to work towards this goal with each iPhone iteration, and the first port to go could be the Lightning port once wireless charging technology improves.
As for the more outlandish, Apple is said to be developing an iPhone with a foldable display in partnership with LG Display, with panel production for an iPhone with a folding display set to kick off in 2020. Apple is also said to be working on touchless gesture controls and curved screens, technologies that could launch within three years.
ProMotion
Rumors from notable Samsung leaker "Ice Universe" on Twitter have suggested iPhones coming in 2020 could feature a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate. Apple already uses ProMotion technology in the iPad Pro, so it's not too farfetched to believe it could extend to the iPhone in the future.
The iPad Pro models do, however, use LCD displays and not OLED displays like the flagship iPhone models.
A14 Chip
Rumors suggest TSMC will manufacture the 5-nanometer chips Apple will use in its 2020 iPhone lineup. The 5-nanometer process will produce chips that are smaller, faster, and more battery efficient due to improved thermal management.
Smaller Notch or No Notch
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that at least one new iPhone in 2020 will feature a smaller front camera lens for an improved screen to bezel ratio, ultimately resulting in a smaller notch at the front.
An analyst from Credit Suisse has said that Apple will introduce at least one new iPhone with no notch or Face ID in 2020, relying instead on an under-display fingerprint sensor.
Apple supplier AMS has announced new sensor technology that allows the RBG light and the IR proximity sensor used for the front-facing TrueDepth camera system to be embedded under an OLED display. Apple could potentially be planning to introduce the new sensor tech in its 2020 iPhones, and this would allow Apple to create an iPhone with a smaller Face ID notch.
Under-Display Touch ID
As mentioned above, one rumor has suggested Apple is planning to release an iPhone with an under-display fingerprint sensor instead of Touch ID in 2020, which would allow for a device with no front notch. Apple will reportedly use full-screen acoustic fingerprint authentication, which would presumably work anywhere on the screen.
Barclays analysts have suggested 2020 iPhone models could use acoustic fingerprint technology, and Chinese site The Global Times has suggested Apple will release a notchless phone with an under-display fingerprint sensor aimed at the Chinese market.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is working on an iPhone with both Face ID and an on-display fingerprint sensor for launch in 2021 rather than 2020. Kuo's prediction is based on Apple's patents related to fingerprint on display technology and the continued use of the feature in Android smartphones.
A future iPhone will include both Face ID and an under-display fingerprint sensor, according to a 2019 report from Bloomberg. The technology could be introduced as soon as 2020, but may not be ready until 2021.
Launch Date and Supply Info
Apple will unveil the new 2019 iPhones on Tuesday, September 10, at an event set to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. Following the event, iPhone pre-orders could open on September 13, and a launch could follow on September 20, if Apple follows past release timelines.