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

[Mr. Awesome]

I've waited a year for an iPad Pro-style iPhone design. I am literally going to have a heart attack when the unveil them next year. Honestly, I think a lot of people this year are just wishing it would be next year already.

Interesting. It seems strange that an S model would have a redesign as opposed to the 11 - maybe they'll skip to 12?

Based on their new regular and pro lineup, I would guess that they might not make any more "S" models. Then we would have the monstrosity: "iPhone 11S Pro Max"

 

[cocky jeremy]

Great. Even HEAVIER phones, then.

If you think any phone is heavy, you need to hit the gym hard.
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It definitely won't, or the cameras would have to be significantly worse than current ones.

Just make the entire phone a few mm thicker.

 

[Seanm87]

Never understood the love for the squared edges. I think rounded is much better especially on bigger phones.

 

[az431]

If true I think this is great news. I loved the way my iPhone 4s felt in my hand.

This is a rumor, not "news."

 

[FreeSpeech1st]

OMG! iPhone 4 reminiscent design and 5.4 down from 5.8? Take my money Apple!

It will be a lot less bulky than 5.8” and less costly for mass production.

 

[Aston441]

Okay, I admit: that’s a bada$$ design!

it looks like it's from a futuristic sci-fi movie


but it's real

and you can buy it

astonishing how dated iPhone looks compared to that

maybe that's why Jony left

the shame of being completely outclassed

 

[truthertech]

Interesting. It seems strange that an S model would have a redesign as opposed to the 11 - maybe they'll skip to 12?

Pundits and others keep referring to an "s" model, when it's clear that Apple hasn't followed that path for several years. In the first few years, it made sense based on upgrade cycles and the implementation path for major tech advances, to implement changes in a two year cycle, but that hasn't been the case for a while. People aren't on a two year cycle, nor are the tech advances such that they are implemented according to this cycle.

 

[dantracht]

Yet one more reason to hang onto my XR.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Since the iPhone 4 Apple has been on a 4-iteration cycle. You can pick apart the differences but these machines share a similar design language

The ice cream sandwich:
4, 4S, 5, 5S

I disagree that the 4, 4S, 5, and 5S shared a similar design language.

The 4-gen and 5-gen products were very differently designed despite having similar sharp edges.

The 4-gen devices were a frame-middle design, and the 5-gen devices were a frame-back design.

Indeed, the 5 and 5S are more similar to the 6, 6S, 7, 8, X, Xs, and 11 than they are to the 4 and 4S. The 4 and 4S were very unique, and Apple has not used the frame-middle design ever before or since.

 

[FreeSpeech1st]

I’m waiting until 2020 or later to upgrade. My iPhone X does everything I need it to do. I used to upgrade every year. For me, it just doesn’t make sense to anymore.

Those that bought iPhone X in 2017 will have more incentive to upgrade if the new model doesn't have a notch.

 

[nikhsub1]

Interesting. It seems strange that an S model would have a redesign as opposed to the 11 - maybe they'll skip to 12?

The 11 feels like another S design of the last S design really. I think Apple may feel the same way?

 

[travelsheep]

The innovation without the late (TC driven) Jony Ive is as stroong as with him...

 

[phillytim]

I disagree that the 4, 4S, 5, and 5S shared a similar design language.

The 4-gen and 5-gen products were very differently designed despite having similar sharp edges.

The 4-gen devices were a frame-middle design, and the 5-gen devices were a frame-back design.

Indeed, the 5 and 5S are more similar to the 6, 6S, 7, 8, X, Xs, and 11 than they are to the 4 and 4S. The 4 and 4S were very unique, and Apple has not used the frame-middle design ever before or since.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but fact remains the major form factors include:

4/4S/5/5S then 6/6S/7/8 THEN X/XS/11/(?11S?)

4/4S & 5/5S so similar in design that it's easy to argue they were of the same form generation, the 5/5S were really just elongated versions of the 4/4S.

 

[3rdiguy]

I'll get the model after this on then. I know Apple will refine it a little bit.

 

[MrGimper]

Good, the 4/4s design is the best design there's been.

 

[tothemoonsands]

Personally I love the design of the X. So much so that I upgraded to 11 Pro Max this year so that I can ride it out until the 12S. I’m usually an early adopter but with all of the sweeping changes planned for next year, I want some time for Apple to work out the kinks in the design.

 

[Mican]

My wife and I both have 4S phones and we both think that they are the best for our purposes. We have had them for nearly 8 years and they work fine with iOS 9.3.6. We have no plans to replace them.

 

[JustForward]

If you think any phone is heavy, you need to hit the gym hard.
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Just make the entire phone a few mm thicker.

Most people are more inclined to pick a smartphone that doesn't feel heavy or exceed the threshold of what it thinks as mobility in the pocket.

 

[WaxedJacket]

4s is still my favorite iPhone design. The weight and feel of the phone was great. The X was similar for me.

It was also extremely easy to take apart and fix.

 

[ksec]

So Possible Next Year's Lineup.

$1199 iPhone Pro Max 12 - Full 5G, A14, 6GB Memory, New Design, Starts with 256GB. Qualcomm Modem
$1099 iPhone Pro 12

$799. iPhone 12- OLED, 5G without mmWave, A14, Start with 128GB, Tri Camera, Similar Design, Qualcomm Modem
$699. iPhone 11 - Start with 128GB, updated with Qualcomm Modem
$599. iPhone XR - Start with 128GB

$549. iPhone 8s Plus - Start with 64GB, may be updated with A13 ( Possible Night Mode ), Qualcomm Modem
$449. iPhone 8s -

$349. iPhone SE - A13 ?

So Apple finish transitioning their line up, with clear, Pro / Flagship, Mid Range and Entry iPhone, with two selection to choose from in every segment. And the lineup will have Zero Intel Modem.

5G is going to be slightly more expensive, especially with mmWave ( I am still doubting the cost effectiveness of supporting it ) so I would not be surprise if Apple decide to push for another $100 RSP.

And if you look at it from a 256GB perspective, the iPhone would actually be cheaper.

The $799 price gap was missing this year, which would normally be filled with iPhone Plus range.

Not sure how iPhone SE size fit into this though.

I am hoping 2020 gets In Display Touch ID in the Pro, so you get Both FaceID and Touch ID for double security. Which would pave way to possible In Display Touch ID design for iPhone 8s Refresh in 2021.

 

[Haust]

That's the design that would have kept me from switching to a Note 10+. The 11 is just plain blah!

 

[bigjnyc]

Yes! yes! yes! this is what I like to hear. makes skipping this years model totally worth it. Cant wait!

 

[bigjnyc]

Wasnt the 4 known for the exact issue you’re talking about?

no no don't be silly... People were just holding it wrong

 

[mscice]

finally

 

[bigjnyc]

iPhone 12 Pro starting price from 1099$ - 5G 128ssd 6gb ram
iPhone 12 Pro Max starting price from 10199$ - 5G 128 ssd 6gb ram

No way am I paying over 10k for the Max... .I think I'll stick with the regular pro this time.