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

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Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
84 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
84 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
84 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
84 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.
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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.
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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
84 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
84 months ago
Frosted glass? Quick someone do a render!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)