Kuo: 2019 iPhones Can Wirelessly Charge Other Devices, Feature Frosted Glass and Larger Batteries, and More

In a thorough research note outlining Apple's plans for 2019, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo describes his outlook for the next iPhone lineup. According to Kuo, the 2019 ‌iPhone‌ lineup will mirror that of the current lineup, including 6.5-inch and 5.8-inch OLED models as well as a 6.1-inch LCD model.

2018 iphone trio
As for changes to expect in 2019, Kuo says the ‌iPhone‌ XR successor may be upgraded to 4GB of RAM, while all models will include frosted glass casing, larger batteries, the ability to wirelessly charge other devices, and new technology for indoor positioning and navigation.

The new 5.8" OLED may support DSDS, and the new 6.1" LCD may be upgraded to 4GB. All of part of the new models’ main upgrades include Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) for indoor positioning and navigation, frosted glass casing, bilateral wireless charging for charging other devices, upgraded Face ID (with a higher power flood illumination), larger batteries, and triple camera feature (wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide lens).

Kuo also says all three models will include Lightning connectors rather than USB-C and have the same notch area as current models, contradicting other rumors of smaller notches.

kuo 2019 apple roadmap

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
91 months ago
May this... May that... In other words, Ming doesn't really know and is just guessing.

Even if some is true, it looks like an incremental update.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zachdog Avatar
91 months ago
Where are the reasonably sized iPhones? The Xr is beautiful but too large. Want to sell more iPhones, Apple? How about an iPhone XR mini? I’ll buy. I know many, many others who would buy this as well.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crawfish963 Avatar
91 months ago
Those sound like some serious upgrades if true.
I'm hoping this is sarcasm. Assuming these prediction are accurate, there is nothing exciting about the 2019 iPhones. They would need to drop the price, add USB-C, fast-as-TouchID Face ID, and a smaller notch to get me to bite.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iconoclysm Avatar
91 months ago
May this... May that... In other words, Ming doesn't really know and is just guessing.

Even if some is true, it looks like an incremental update.
I would never expect much more than that from anyone, ever again.
[doublepost=1550458909][/doublepost]
Similar to how the Samsung G10 can charge the Samsung ear buds using its wireless charging capability in reverse.
Or the iPad Pro charges the Apple Pencil 2.
[doublepost=1550459115][/doublepost]
RE: "As for changes to expect in 2019, Kuo says the iPhone XR ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-xr/') successor may be upgraded to 4GB of RAM,"

That's a definite !

If they don't, it's a MAJOR class action lawsuit that will cost AAPL hundreds of Billions of dollars in market cap !

Furthermore, I believe there is a very good chance that AAPL offers ALL existing XR owners, as well as those who purchase before Sept 2019, a low-cost Trade-in upgrade to the 4 GB model in Sept.

The existing XR is in-deed broken ... Photosets has proven it !

The existing XR is the first "Lemon" that I am aware of that AAPL has ever produced.
Really? They will be sued for selling people what they know they're buying? Get real.

Lemons apply to manufacturing defects and flaws, not the disclusion of enough RAM. I can name PLENTY of Apple products that were pretty awful, the XR isn't even close.
[doublepost=1550459189][/doublepost]
Frosted glass? Is this for the rear or front?

Also what do they mean that the phone will be able to wirelessly charge other devices?
For the rear, it will provide grip to the slippery glass like one of HTC's more recent phones, most likely.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SmugMaverick Avatar
91 months ago
I can live without usb-c. The xs face id is just as fast, to me, as touch id. Notch - meh. Price, it is what it is.
People like you are the reason apple is a mess right now.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
puma1552 Avatar
91 months ago
Frosted glass? Quick someone do a render!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)