Ming-Chi Kuo Says 2018 iPhones Unlikely to Have Rear-Facing TrueDepth Camera System

Apple is unlikely to expand its front-facing TrueDepth system for Face ID and Animoji to the rear-facing camera module on iPhones released in 2018, according to oft-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iphone x black white
In a research note with KGI Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the iPhone X's 3D sensing capabilities are already at least one year ahead of Android smartphones. For that reason, he thinks Apple's focus with next year's iPhone models will be ensuring an on-time launch with adequate supply.

Based on aforementioned assumptions, we do not expect 2H18F iPhones to come with rear TrueDepth Camera/3D sensing, contrary to market expectations. While we agree that a rear TrueDepth Camera/3D sensing can potentially provide more augmented reality (AR) applications, we note that Apple needs to quickly resolve two issues if it wants 2H18F iPhones to have a rear TrueDepth Camera/3D sensing, namely: (1) the development of AI and ARKit software and an ecosystem, which takes time; and (2) achieving stable shipments and on-time shipping, which are challenging due to the higher spec requirements of rear TrueDepth camera.

Even without rear TrueDepth, Kuo believes 2018 iPhone models will unsurprisingly come with other tech spec upgrades to attract consumers. He has a positive view on the prospects of the new iPhone models.

Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

44267547 Avatar
100 months ago
One more mention of this Ming-Chi Kuo, and I will stop visiting MacRumours... sigh.
Ming Kuo is a regular here on Macrumors. At least his predictions are some of most accurate. (I did mention his name one more time inadvertently).
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
outskirtsofinfinity Avatar
100 months ago
One more mention of this Ming-Chi Kuo, and I will stop visiting MacRumours... sigh.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
desmond2046 Avatar
100 months ago
One more mention of this Ming-Chi Kuo, and I will stop visiting MacRumours... sigh.
Just want to remind you Ming-Chi Kuo predicted accurately the iPhone X in March 2016
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/26/kuo-iphone-2017-oled-curved-glass/
He also predicted iPad Pro 10.5 in August 2016
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/08/15/kuo-10-5-ipad-pro-2017/
Not to mention the touch bar Macbook Pro
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/05/23/macbook-pro-2016-oled-display-touch-bar/

Just want to give him the credit he deserves. If you think this is not reliable I don't know what source of rumor would you trust.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HacKage Avatar
100 months ago
Can we please have a separate section for things Ming-Chi Kuo says, and make it opt-in?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0003939 Avatar
100 months ago
One more mention of this Ming-Chi Kuo, and I will stop visiting MacRumours... sigh.
I just mentioned Ming-Chi Kuo. What're going to do now? :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EdT Avatar
100 months ago
One more mention of this Ming-Chi Kuo, and I will stop visiting MacRumours... sigh.
Ming-Chi Kuo.

Can I have your stuff after you leave?

/not meant as an insult.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)