Kuo: 2020 iPhones to Have Redesigned Metal Frame Similar to iPhone 4

[wib]

I love my 7 Plus but still feel very nostalgic about my old 5, which was my first smartphone and first Apple product. I love that design in a phone, but seem to dislike it in the larger form of the iPad for some reason. I was planning to buy one last year until I saw the design in the shop.

I think it would be wonderful if they would introduce two versions of the next phone, one with a glass back and one with a metal back. The kind of people who complain about the weight may well be the kind of people who don't care about or use wireless charging. Maybe some potential pro max buyers are going down to the smaller and cheaper sizes out of weight consideration, rather than cost.

 

[greytmom]

I loved iPhone 4. Beautiful design.

 

[NetMage]

Apple has kept the main number of the phone the same when the same case fits. The X and XS can share a case, the 11’s new camera bump won’t fit. A change of external design will mandate a name change as well.

 

[FahadMuneeb]

What about 6.1 iPhone? Does it going to get redesign too?

 

[pipis2010]

Cool, but the question remains: are we gonna have an all-screen design without the notch?

 

[pearvsapple]

Perfect iPhone design:

1. Get rid of camera bump by increasing the chassis size to match the camera length.

2. Get rid of front camera altogether. The current notch is fugly. Either bring back them bezels or get rid of it completely.

 

[ds2000]

I loved the 4, brilliant design and super light.

 

[iPhonemaster5S]

The technology within the notch is also a lot more sophisticated than what the competition is doing. For me, I value security and convenience of FaceID over everything the competition offers.

The camera technology is now industry-leading.

The processors are now beyond desktop-class.

The new Super Retina XDR display is the best in the world.

Beyond desktop class? My i7 9700k would like a word with you.....

 

[ChineseBots]

People,

Apple is not calling it 11S, nor are they skipping to 12.

It'll simply be called iPhone and iPhone Pro.

iPhone mini will be released in early 2020.

Thanks,
Bye

Loving this concept, and I love sniffies👍

 

[mattopotamus]

I'm hoping that he's getting the size of the 5.4" SE 2 phone mixed up with the 12 Pro 5.8" phone. I don't want a phone any smaller than my current Xs and the 6.5" is just too big

It does seem odd they would do away with the 5.8”. While I prefer a smaller phone the current X/XS/Pro line seems to be the perfect size for millions of people.

 

[gazwas]

Not only do I disagree with you, but Apple literally continued to make the 5 design for years after its "obsolescence" via the SE because it is such a beloved design.

I very much doubt it and was more likely down to its low cost design in producing a budget iPhone rather than its beloved design.

 

[shpankey]

Anyone other than me feel like Apple could leave the notch and in the empy space on each side use a black background with white letters to show the time, battery, wifi, cell bars, instead? Then block off the main display using that area while leaving the aforementioned info always on. This would be the best of both worlds; no wasted screen space but the notch being virtually invisible (on an oled screen, which has absolute black).

 

[JulianL]

It does seem odd they would do away with the 5.8”. While I prefer a smaller phone the current X/XS/Pro line seems to be the perfect size for millions of people.

Yes. The rumours of screen size really worry me if it is true that the 5.8"/6.5" Pro models will go to 5.4"/6.8" with a 6.1" lower cost model remaining. That potentially leaves a pretty significant number of Pro users in a dilemma. Will a 5.8" user really be forced to take a drop in screen size if they want to stay with the Pro range? And to make matters worse if they didn't want to take the drop in screen size then their other option of biting the bullet and going up to the slight-too-big-for-them Max size (by definition since that would almost certainly be why they chose the 5.8" in the first place) becomes even less of an option than it is now because the rumour is that the Max version is going to get even bigger so even less palatable an option for those people kicked out of their 5.8" sweet spot.

I'm hoping those rumours are wrong in particular the idea that 5.4" and 6.8" will be the Pro models next year. To me it would make way more sense if 6.1" and 6.8" were the Pro models where with a bit of slimming of bezels maybe the changes in dimensions between the current 5.8" and 6.5" models would be very minor so perhaps everyone is happy. Then the 5.4", also edge-to-edge with no home button and thin bezels, might become the much smaller unit closer to the old SE size that many people have been asking for. That leaves the question of what happens to the current lower-cost Xr/11 line. Maybe that stays, perhaps keeping the 11 on the books for next year as the cheaper price option. To me that would all make for a very nice and rational set of choices to offer people.

 

[jimbo1mcm]

My XS sits in a drawer while I use my Iphone SE with a leather cover and a wireless receiver underneath. Love the convenient small size. All in on a new 5.4 inch size. Remember that 5.4 will be diagonal and make it just slightly taller than the SE. Probably slightly wider and thicker. Start the renders!!!

 

[Roller]

Anyone other than me feel like Apple could leave the notch and in the empy space on each side use a black background with white letters to show the time, battery, wifi, cell bars, instead? Then block off the main display using that area while leaving the aforementioned info always on. This would be the best of both worlds; no wasted screen space but the notch being virtually invisible (on an oled screen, which has absolute black).

I put a black band the same vertical height as the notch at the top of my home and lock screen wallpaper photos that does exactly that. It makes the time and indicators a bit easier to read.

 

[phillytim]

I really don't have much faith in this rumor, which contradicts itself in the first place.

If Apple is going to move the iPhone to the newest iPad Pro form factor, then that would be like the 5/5S - not like the 4/4S what the rumor says. iPad Pro has no metal band on the outside around its perimeter, like the 4/4S had.

And I can't see what Apple is doing by making the small Pro even smaller (online videocasters already say the small Pro shouldn't be any smaller). If anything, its size should either stay the same or be a bit bigger.

And those who say that Apple will drop the number system and just call it the iPhone & iPhone Pro - well we've been there, done that with rumors already for this year - and it didn't happen.

Just sayin'!

 

[newyorksole]

iPhone 4/4s was my favourate and the most beautifully ashtetic iPhone design to date and one I would upgrade my iPhone X for. 😘

Yoooo the iPhone 4 changed the freaking game. What an awesome phone. New design, Retina, iMessage, FaceTime, iOS, Camera Flash, glass on both sides.

Man... what an update. This next iPhone is going to be siiiiick.

 

[MyMacintosh]

This is a more worthy upgrade imo. Drop the weight and i'm in.

 

[mattopotamus]

Yes. The rumours of screen size really worry me if it is true that the 5.8"/6.5" Pro models will go to 5.4"/6.8" with a 6.1" lower cost model remaining. That potentially leaves a pretty significant number of Pro users in a dilemma. Will a 5.8" user really be forced to take a drop in screen size if they want to stay with the Pro range? And to make matters worse if they didn't want to take the drop in screen size then their other option of biting the bullet and going up to the slight-too-big-for-them Max size (by definition since that would almost certainly be why they chose the 5.8" in the first place) becomes even less of an option than it is now because the rumour is that the Max version is going to get even bigger so even less palatable an option for those people kicked out of their 5.8" sweet spot.

I'm hoping those rumours are wrong in particular the idea that 5.4" and 6.8" will be the Pro models next year. To me it would make way more sense if 6.1" and 6.8" were the Pro models where with a bit of slimming of bezels maybe the changes in dimensions between the current 5.8" and 6.5" models would be very minor so perhaps everyone is happy. Then the 5.4", also edge-to-edge with no home button and thin bezels, might become the much smaller unit closer to the old SE size that many people have been asking for. That leaves the question of what happens to the current lower-cost Xr/11 line. Maybe that stays, perhaps keeping the 11 on the books for next year as the cheaper price option. To me that would all make for a very nice and rational set of choices to offer people.

I personally think they will keep the current lineup and possibly increase the size of the Max and add a new SE.

 

[JustForward]

If next year iPhone doesn’t remove the notch, Tim Cook or the vice president of iOS hardware engineering should immediately resign from 

 

[newyorksole]

If next year iPhone doesn’t remove the notch, Tim Cook or the vice president of iOS hardware engineering should immediately resign from 

Apple has sold millions upon millions of iPhone X/XS/XR/11/11 Pro. I don’t think the “ugly notch” is really hurting sales...

You’re entitled to your opinion, but to ME the notch is fine. It makes the iPhone look unique. It’s symmetrical and disappears while I’m actually ya know... Using the iPhone.

Of course I want to see a smaller notch or no notch, but the iPhone X series is the best looking batch of iPhones next to the iPhone 4/4S.

 

[Souponastick270]

If true and they bring back a proper black colour option (Jet Black) then I will consider upgrading from my JB 7+ !

For me the 4/4S was peak iPhone design, the 5S I had after the 4 was a great phone but I didn't like the part metal part glass design on the rear.

 

[JustForward]

Perfect iPhone design:

1. Get rid of camera bump by increasing the chassis size to match the camera length.

2. Get rid of front camera altogether. The current notch is fugly. Either bring back them bezels or get rid of it completely.

Couldn't agree more. Deep down, It seems that the majority of people really hated the notch and makes no sense to compromise a good screen design for scanning a face.

 

[Nipommu]

Why? The camera bump is awesome.

are you seriously asking me why I want the bump that doesn't lay flush with the phone and wobbles on a flat surface gone? and no the bump isn't awesome other than packing a half decent camera what other benefits does it have. your one of those people who also say the notch is awesome right. they can make the phone thicker and make it disappear doesn't seem impossible. I want that bump and that notch GONE.

 

[k.alexander]

Yes. The rumours of screen size really worry me if it is true that the 5.8"/6.5" Pro models will go to 5.4"/6.8" with a 6.1" lower cost model remaining. That potentially leaves a pretty significant number of Pro users in a dilemma. Will a 5.8" user really be forced to take a drop in screen size if they want to stay with the Pro range? And to make matters worse if they didn't want to take the drop in screen size then their other option of biting the bullet and going up to the slight-too-big-for-them Max size (by definition since that would almost certainly be why they chose the 5.8" in the first place) becomes even less of an option than it is now because the rumour is that the Max version is going to get even bigger so even less palatable an option for those people kicked out of their 5.8" sweet spot.

I'm hoping those rumours are wrong in particular the idea that 5.4" and 6.8" will be the Pro models next year. To me it would make way more sense if 6.1" and 6.8" were the Pro models where with a bit of slimming of bezels maybe the changes in dimensions between the current 5.8" and 6.5" models would be very minor so perhaps everyone is happy. Then the 5.4", also edge-to-edge with no home button and thin bezels, might become the much smaller unit closer to the old SE size that many people have been asking for. That leaves the question of what happens to the current lower-cost Xr/11 line. Maybe that stays, perhaps keeping the 11 on the books for next year as the cheaper price option. To me that would all make for a very nice and rational set of choices to offer people.

I agree 100% with everything said above. I am very concerned that they will get rid off/or make smaller the current 5.8" Pro. Most who have an X/Xs/11Pro in 5.8" WILL NOT want to go to a smaller phone, or be forced to go to a smaller phone; and almost all of these people will definitely not want to go to an EVEN BIGGER 6.7" vs. 6.5" Max. I know plenty of people who went from 5.8" X to 6.5" XS Max just to complain about the size of the device for a year and to now go to a 5.8" 11Pro.

Again, agree, my hope is that 6.1" and 6.7" are new (for next year) Pro models, where they either shrunk the notch (which does not bother me at all, I feel like the notch only bothers those people who don't own an X/11 gen phone) or tweaked the screen to body ratio just enough to bump the sizes from 5.8 to 6.1 and from 6.5 to 6.7. I could definitely see them adding a smaller "mini" phone in roughly 5.4" to replace the current SE (especially if the design language of the new phones will look anything like the SE design language). But THEY HAVE TO ADD that 5.4" to TWO other Pro sizes, as opposed to replace the 5.8 with a 5.4. And if they really will have 3 phone sizes in the Pro lineup, then they probably should spread them out more, i.e. 5.4 -- 6.1 -- 6.7; as opposed to 5.4 -- 5.8 -- 6.5.

I am certain that the Xr and/or 11 (most likely 11) will stay in the line-up for years to come. So that will continue to be the 6.1" phone, which makes me worry that the 6.1" phone in this rumor may not be the 5.8"=>6.1" Pro as I discussed in the paragraph above.

I really don't have much faith in this rumor, which contradicts itself in the first place.

If Apple is going to move the iPhone to the newest iPad Pro form factor, then that would be like the 5/5S - not like the 4/4S what the rumor says. iPad Pro has no metal band on the outside around its perimeter, like the 4/4S had.

And I can't see what Apple is doing by making the small Pro even smaller (online videocasters already say the small Pro shouldn't be any smaller). If anything, its size should either stay the same or be a bit bigger.

And those who say that Apple will drop the number system and just call it the iPhone & iPhone Pro - well we've been there, done that with rumors already for this year - and it didn't happen.

Just sayin'!

AGREE 100%. Although people are "asking" for a smaller phone, that doesn't mean Apple should take away the current best seller (as far as the Pro line goes, we all know that the 6.1" Xr/11 is outselling either of the Xs/Xs Max / 11Pro/11Pro Max phones) 5.8" Pro size option. I think a ton of people, myself included, would be very upset about that. I wouldn't go down to a 5.4" screen from a 5.8"; I would start thinking about going to a 6.1" (which would be ok), but I also wouldn't want to drop down from Pro phone to a non-pro phone to do this.