Malcolm Owen
The 2019 iPhones will largely be the same as the 2018 models in terms of basic specifications, analysts at Mizuho Securities believe, with the follow-up to last year's releases thought to "lack novelty" aside from an upgrade to include more cameras on the rear.
The iPhone models arriving for 2019 have been speculated to have relatively few changes to the formula laid out by the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, aside from an increase in the number of cameras. In an investor note shared with AppleInsider, Mizuho appears to be going along with the opinion of other industry observers.
The 2019 batch will consist of two OLED models and one LCD version, with the same specifications as the 2018 counterparts for the screen size, resolution, and exterior appearance. The displays will have some slight changes, including the removal of Force Touch from the iPhone XS and XS Max replacement, and "potentially slightly more narrow bezels."
No changes to the exterior is anticipated, with the TrueDepth camera notch thought to remain, while the application processor will be a 7-nanometer processor "with only minor changes." As to be expected, 5G compatibility is thought not to appear in the 2019 models.
On the back, Apple apparently won't include rear-facing 3D sensing modules "after taking into consideration component features, production capacity, costs, and energy-saving ability," but they could provide "new business opportunities." At this point, Mizuho thinks the "only major change will be an improved rear camera."
The LCD model will have a dual-camera setup while the OLED models will have a triple-camera arrangement, just as previously rumored. The sensor size will be the same sensor size and 12-megapixel resolutions as the 2018 batch, with the main and third cameras having optical image stabilization and siz lenses while the second camera will be a fixed-focus super-wide-angle lens of 120 degrees, to improve the iPhone's Portrait Mode.
In terms of suppliers, the 6.06-inch LCD model will have Japan Display as a main source followed by LG Display and possibly Sharp. On the OLED side, the smaller 5.85-inch version will be sourced from Samsung Display, which will share duties with LG Display for the 6.46-inch edition.
"As we mentioned above, we expect the 2019 models to lack novelty," the firm bluntly states. "We think the iPhone will struggle for two straight years, which would be a rare occurrence for the company."
Mizuho has "high hopes" for the triple cameras and the super-wide angle lenses, "but Huawei, Samsung, and other peers have already launched multiple phones equipped with triple cameras." Even so, it believes it is "difficult to predict" whether cameras are the correct path to recapturing market share.
Charles Martin
Andrew O'Hara
63 Comments
We hear this every year.
The only thing I wanna see is the notch shrunken down into the bezel. Which will be quite the accomplishment and open the doors for future Apple tech products to incorporate the tiny monster. We could see the tech implemented seamlessly into Apple TV, Homepod, Mac, AR Glasses etc.
Ok...this is like idiots on parade. Market share isn't what matters. In this case, I'd take profit over market share. A classic example where they need to say something because they are being paid to say something. It's like live news coverage where they have no actual information so they just babble. This is babble. The phone will still pretty much look like a...phone. Much like my 2018 Honda looks a lot like my 1990 Honda.
I'm not sure sharing this kind of gunk is worthwhile. It's noise. Maybe there needs to be an 'all noise' website white noise is covered. Or at least make him present his 'opinion' via song...
"but Huawei, Samsung, and other peers have already launched multiple phones equipped with triple cameras."
Yes...that's why I buy a new phone. Whatever Samsung does, yup...It has nothing to do with quality.
Folding phones....
Oh well...
Hard to disagree with, but widely anticipated. This is hardly news.
It’s not like the competition will have something newer that is all that much better than their prior iteration.
From a stock price performance standpoint this is not such a bad thing: Apple can price more aggressively (increasing market share) while maintaining margins (from economies of scale since most of it is a second iteration).
The renders for the new models look like they have substantially larger lenses than the current generation which would suggest that they're using larger sensors. I suspect Apple resented losing their traditional lead position in cameras and are intending to make this the standout feature.
“Re-capturing market share.”
How much market share did iPhone lose?