Barclays: iPhone 12 Models Will Have 'Refreshed' Face ID System, Lightning Connector Could Be Dropped in 2021

Thursday January 16, 2020 5:45 am PST by Joe Rossignol
iPhone 12 models will feature a "refreshed" front-facing TrueDepth system that benefits Apple supplier Lumentum, according to Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis, Thomas O'Malley, and Baylie Harri. This suggests that Face ID could be improved on iPhone 12 models, but no specific details were provided.


In a research note provided to MacRumors, the analysts added that the rear-facing camera system on iPhone 12 Pro models will feature 3D sensing based on a time-of-flight solution, as widely rumored. They also expect iPhone 12 Pro models to be equipped with 6GB of RAM, up from 4GB in iPhone 11 Pro models.

The biggest change of all could come next year, as the analysts said they see potential for Apple to remove the Lightning connector from at least one iPhone model in 2021, echoing a prediction shared by fellow analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last month. This could result in wired EarPods being removed from the box, they said.

Kuo has said that Apple plans to release five new iPhone models in 2020, including a lower-end "iPhone SE 2" or "iPhone 9" by the end of March and four higher-end, 5G-enabled models in the fall.

Correction: A previous version of this article listed Apple supplier Lite-On Semiconductor in the first paragraph. The supplier mentioned in the research note was actually Lumentum.

Related Roundup: iPhone 12
Tags: Barclays, Lightning, Face ID
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chrixxa
6 weeks ago
a completely wireless device is absolutely stupid
Rating: 43 Votes
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LV426
6 weeks ago


No Lightning or USB-C. No wired charging or I/O. Completely wireless.


That would seriously **** up people who have expensive cars with wired-only CarPlay.
Rating: 37 Votes
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jarmstr
6 weeks ago
Hope they add USB type C so it can share the newer Mac & iPad connectors.
Rating: 21 Votes
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farewelwilliams
6 weeks ago
“This suggests that Face ID could be improved on iPhone 12 models, but no specific details were provided.”

My data shows the camera will possibly be refreshed and could be improved on iPhone 12 models. Can I be an analyst now?
Rating: 21 Votes
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1bcoolrob
6 weeks ago
Just preordered
Rating: 15 Votes
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benshive
6 weeks ago


No Lightning or USB-C. No wired charging or I/O. Completely wireless.

I already rarely ever use the lightning port so that wouldn't be much of a problem. I'll be interested in seeing what they do for charging though. If they don't include a wireless charger in every box, then you'll be buying the device with no way to charge it in the box. Plus, if Apple doesn't end up developing their own wireless charger, you'll be required to go out and buy a third party charger to be able to even use the device.
Rating: 15 Votes
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iapplelove
6 weeks ago
My iPhone X is still running strong, great battery life and fast enough for a daily.

Im not planning on upgrading until the next iPhone is USB-C like my iPad and the notch is removed.
Rating: 13 Votes
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timber
6 weeks ago


a completely wireless device is absolutely stupid

The idea of having an iPhone that can't be used while charging (well, if you are really handy perhaps you can) is so absurd that it boggles the mind.
That is without even getting into specific uses like charging on the go (someone could come up with an equally ridiculous large induction battery box) or using CarPlay on every car that isn't a BMW (and some other models).
And the idea of having huge electrical losses just to please a departed Apple exec is also so ridiculous and environmentally criminal that it should be outlawed.
Rating: 12 Votes
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jb-net
6 weeks ago
It would be stupid not to offer any kind of wired connector. Wirless charging is and will not be as efficient, syncronisation is and will not be as secure and many recent cars with carplay won't work anymore. Wired connection is still a must.
Rating: 11 Votes
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tayalva
6 weeks ago
getting rid of a wired port altogether would screw me with CarPlay. I have a 2018 Subaru that has wired CarPlay and I'd be pretty pissed if they got rid of it entirely and I was unable to use it, or I'm required to not upgrade my phone. It seems they try these new "features" on 1 phone, and then the rest follow in the coming years
Rating: 5 Votes

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