New 6.1-inch ‘iPhone 9’ Shown off in Renders from Case Maker

Text Size
- +

Toggle Dark Mode

A new set of renders from a case manufacturer is corroborating rumored design elements of this year’s 6.1-inch LCD iPhone.

The renders, which were obtained by GizmoChina from accessory maker Sanfeng, gives us a first glimpse at what cases made for the LCD iPhone could look like. They also line up current rumors for the mid-range device itself.

The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is expected to sport a similar display design to its OLED counterparts. It’ll feature a notched display, but will sport slightly wider bezels than the iPhone X or its OLED successors. That’s likely due to the less-pliant nature of LCD display technology — at least, compared to OLED panels.

On the rear, the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will come equipped with a single camera. It’s a setup similar to the current iPhone 8, but the renders (and other rumors) suggest that the actual camera lens could be slightly larger, which might be indicative of a wider sensor allowing more light.

Iphone 9 Case 3
Image via GizmoChina

The renders don’t really give any sense of scale, but the LCD iPhone is expected to occupy a middle size tier between an iPhone X and an iPhone X Plus. By most accounts, it’ll pack a 6.1-inch LCD display — which could be sourced by Japan Display.

Other rumors suggest that the Full Active LCD panel would come equipped with technology similar to the MLCD+ display on the LG G7. Essentially, that would allow the LCD display to be brighter without consuming any additional power.

In the renders, the LCD iPhone appears to be a Space Gray finish. Other reports forecast that the lower-cost device could come in brighter casing finishes like yellow, pink, red, blue or orange.

Iphone 9 Case 2
Image via GizmoChina

The layout of the physical analog buttons and the lack of a Home button are both echoes of the iPhone X. In fact, besides the size of the device, the bezels and the single rear camera lens, the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone look basically like 2017’s flagship iPhone X.

Name, Price and Release Date

It’s worth noting that, while GizmoChina calls the device an “iPhone 9,” there’s no indication that that would be the handset’s actual moniker. Because of last year’s naming scheme, there are actually a few possibilities as far the names for this year’s device lineup.

As far as a price point, the available reports differ. But well-connected and accurate TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the device could retail for “lower than $700.”

The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is largely expected to debut at Apple’s fall keynote, alongside an iPhone X successor with a 5.8-inch OLED display and a so-called iPhone X Plus with a 6.5-inch OLED display.

When it comes to the cases themselves, we can safely assume that protective cases made for the 6.1-inch OLED iPhone will not be compatible with other phones in the Apple lineup.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]

Sponsored
Social Sharing