Here’s How Apple Plans to Make the iPhone XI’s Camera Less.. Ugly

At this point, we know that at least one iPhone with a triple-lens camera setup is coming this year. But the supposed design of that camera has been called ugly by users and various Apple sites alike.

Looking at alleged renders of the so-called iPhone XI’s camera bump, it’s pretty easy to see why. Apple is rumored to add an additional lens by way of making the camera bump larger and square-shaped. The lenses would then be arranged in a triangular shape.

It’s not the triangular shape that seems to be stirring controversy. Instead, it’s likely the obtrusiveness and clunkiness of the square camera bump.

Apple has reportedly experimented with various other camera lens layouts for its upcoming iPhones, but it’s the squarish design that keeps popping up in supply chain reports and other leaks.

For better or worse, it’s looking more like the final design.

But phone leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer of OnLeaks, in partnership with India-based site CashKaro, has revealed some new information that could make the iPhone XI camera design less controversial among Apple fans.

According to CashKaro, the iPhone XI is rumored to sport a “new and unique“ rear panel design crafted from a single sheet of glass. That single sheet of glass is also expected to include the camera bump, which could minimize the component’s clunkiness.

OnLeaks and CashKaro also published a new set of renders that imagines what the iPhone XI, with the updated rear panel design, could look like.

In addition to the rear glass, the iPhone XI will retain the 5.8-inch OLED display of its predecessor, though the site notes that there will be an “almost indistinguishable” reduction in the size of the notch and screen bezels.

The iPhone XI is also expected to be somewhat thicker and larger than the iPhone XS, though not by much. Here are the specifications CashKaro published, with the iPhone XS’s specs for comparison’s sake.

• iPhone XI: 143.9mm x 71.4mm x 7.8mm
• iPhone XS: 143.6mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm

The OnLeaks and CashKaro renders indicate that the rear microphone will be in a different spot than in earlier leaks. The leakers also suggest that the device could have a “differently shaped mute button” that echoes the design on older iPads.

It’s worth noting that the renders also corroborate previous rumors that both the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max successors will have a triple-lens camera setup. Earlier rumors suggested that only the larger iPhone would have three camera lenses, but that no longer seems to be the case if these newer rumors are accurate.

A three-lens design, which is expected to include a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens in addition to a telephoto and standard wide-angle lens, will carry a number of benefits for iPhone users.

While the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max successors are expected to jump to three camera lenses, the refreshed 6.1-inch iPhone this year is thought to include a dual-lens setup.

The 2019 iPhones are also rumored to sport two-way wireless charging, indoor navigation features, and updated internals.

[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.]