7 NEW iPhone Features and Upgrades You Can Expect in 2019
Credit: YouTube / EverythingApplePro
The 2018 iPhones are just a few months old, but we can still look ahead to next year's Apple handsets. Even before the launch of the iPhone XS and XR, there has been a slew of rumors and reports about the 2019 iPhone lineup that are worth revisiting.
Of course, the next-generation iPhones will undoubtedly sport a new Apple SoC and a new operating system — likely the A13 and iOS 13, respectively. But here are some other features that have been rumored for the 2019 handsets. Continue reading to learn 7 NEW iPhone Features and Updates You Can Expect in 2019!
7 Triple-Lens Camera
In the smartphone arms race, new camera technology is one of the most popular developments. Most flagships today sport a dual-lens camera system, but Huawei has a triple-lens smartphone. And next year, Apple may have one, too.
Several analyst comments and supply chain reports indicate that Apple will release at least one triple-lens smartphone next year, which could other OEMs to do the same. It isn’t clear which iPhone will get a triple-lens upgrade, but based on precedent, it’ll likely be the premium tier successor to the iPhone XS Max.
6 All-OLED Lineup
While the rumors aren’t quite unanimous, most supply chain sources and analyst forecasts have predicted that Apple will go “all OLED” in 2019. Looking at how the lineup stands now, that’s not too much of a stretch.
But that means that if Apple releases a successor to the mid-range iPhone XR, that it would also be OLED-based. What remains to be seen is whether that will impact the device’s price point. OLED is superior display tech, but if it bumps up the iPhone XR successor’s price, it sort of defeats the purpose of that device.
5 Rear-Facing 3D Cameras
A recent report by Barron’s claimed that one of the biggest additions to the 2019 iPhone lineup will be some added augmented reality features. While the report didn’t offer any more details, we can look back at previous rumor and report coverage to get a bit more context on the matter.
In November 2017, Bloomberg reported that Apple is developing a 3D laser depth-sensing system for its rear-facing camera. That would be in addition to the front-facing TrueDepth system and could open quite a few doors as far as augmented reality capabilities.
4 Thinner and Lighter Body
Most of today’s smartphones, including Apple’s, are incredibly thin and light. That’s particularly true when you consider just how powerful they can be. But a recent rumor suggests that Apple could make the 2019 iPhone lineup even thinner and lighter than its past handsets.
Korea-based ET News indicated that Apple will employ a new touch-integrated flexible OLED display panel for its handsets. That could result in thinner and lighter iPhones, or alternatively, more internal space for larger hardware components — like a bigger battery.
3 Larger Battery
Apple has always taken to bumping up the battery technology in its iPhones whenever it can, but we’re still quite a ways off from a multi-day battery life. Yet, a report from December 2017 could suggest that 2019 iPhones will be one step closer to that goal.
That analyst forecast suggested that Apple will increase iPhone battery capacities in 2019 and 2020, thanks to better battery technology as well as more internal space freed up by smaller but just as powerful internal components. That bodes well for iPhone users moving forward.
2 Slimmed Down Notch
Recent reports have suggested that Apple will debut three direct successors to the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR with few design changes. Many outlets have interpreted that as meaning that the notch, in its current form and function, is here to stay.
But there have been rumors to the contrary. Early this year, insider sources indicated that Apple was “looking into” combining the face recognition module on its iPhones with the front-facing camera. That could suggest that Apple is at least considering slimming down the notch.
1 A Stylus
Apple has famously been anti-stylus, at least as far as its iPhones are concerned. But the times may be changing. And no, we’re not just talking about the Apple Pencil. A report from last year suggests a stylus may be coming for the iPhone, too.
Insider sources told The Investor last October that Apple engineers are actively working on a stylus-compatible iPhone that could debut in 2019. Thinking about the current lineup, a successor to the iPhone XS Max with stylus support would make perfect sense — and allow it to compete better with its Galaxy Note competitors.