2020 iPhones

2020 iPhones

We've heard several other rumors about features that could come to iPhones in the years beyond 2019.

o  Size Options

Taiwanese site Digi Times 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.

o  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.

o  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.

The rumored 5.4 and 6.7-inch iPhone options are said to support 5G speeds, while the lower-end 6.1-inch iPhone in 2020 will continue to work with LTE.

All new iPhones are expected to support 5G in 2021, and by 2022 or 2023, Apple could have its own 5G chips ready, alleviating the need for the company to rely on Qualcomm.

o  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 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.

o  LG's foldable display technology

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.

o  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.

o  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.

o  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.

o  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.

o  Launch Date and Supply Info

If Apple sticks with its standard yearly iPhone upgrade cycle, we will see the new 2019 iPhones in September 2019. Given that Labor Day falls on Monday, September 2, Apple is likely to hold off an announcement until the next week, which is the week of September 9.

Apple often provides time for media attendees to travel to Cupertino and doesn't often hold events on Mondays, so the most likely date of the 2019 iPhone announcement is Tuesday, September 10. We've also heard from a reliable source that the event will take place on September 10.

Though the new 2019 iPhones won't be launching until the fall, Apple has already registered 11 new iPhone models with the Eurasian Economic Commission. These filings are required for encrypted devices sold in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia and are standard ahead of Apple product launches.

Apple suppliers are said to be aiming to produce components for 75 million iPhones in the second half of 2019, which is roughly the same number of iPhones produced during the same time period last year.

Apple appears to be expecting iPhone demand to stabilize following a drop in unit sales.