Kuo Again Predicts No 3D Touch for 2018 6.1-Inch LCD iPhone

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming 6.1-inch LCD iPhone may not feature 3D Touch due to cost constraints, according to a new note shared yesterday by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and published by Chinese site Feng.

Kuo says that the 6.1-inch iPhone will use what he calls "Cover Glass Sensor" (CGS) technology, relocating the iPhone's touch module from the display panel (in-cell technology) to the surface glass. The CGS method reportedly results in a display that's lighter and more shock resistant.

With this display technology, Apple will add a thin-film sensor to the touch film sensor included in the CGS, but the purpose of the new layer is unknown. It will, however, result in a 15 percent increase in the cost of the touch panel, resulting in a higher purchase price of $23 to $26.

To offset the cost of the new display it plans to use, Kuo believes Apple will remove the 3D Touch functionality on the 6.1-inch iPhone, which would be a curious move as 3D Touch is well-integrated throughout the operating system that runs on the iPhone at this point.

The other two iPhone models Apple is expected to release in 2018, the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X successor and the 6.5-inch OLED device that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus," will continue to offer 3D Touch functionality.

Because Apple plans to incorporate the CGS display technology into future iPhones, including OLED models starting in 2019, 3D Touch could potentially be removed from all future iPhones.

It's not clear what the mystery thin-film sensor mentioned in Kuo's note will do, but it could be some kind of 3D Touch replacement system. Apple is said to be planning to release iPhones with touchless gesture controls in the next few years, and this could be the first step towards that goal. A gesture-based system is around two years away, however, so it the film could be some other new input method to replace 3D Touch.

Kuo believes the 6.1-inch iPhone will make up 65 to 75 percent of iPhone shipments during the year, given its lower price point and its feature parity with the two OLED devices Apple plans to introduce.

While the 6.1-inch iPhone will not feature OLED technology, it is said to have an edge-to-edge screen design and support for Face ID, like the OLED phones in the 2018 iPhone lineup.

Article Link: Kuo Again Predicts No 3D Touch for 2018 6.1-Inch LCD iPhone

 

[Baymowe335]

While Apple plans to distinguish features between models, this seems unlikely to me.

 

[tridley68]

Bring on the 6.5 OLED I phone X tired of waiting...

 

[nwcs]

And this is why “3D” touch doesn’t really get implemented anywhere meaningfully outside the core OS. They need to either fish or cut bait with it.

 

[orev]

3D Touch isn't that great, but it would be exceedingly odd if the removed it from one device and not others. It seems more likely that this new mystery component is a different way to handle 3D touch. A "thin film sensor" added to the screen seems sort of obviously something to do with touch/pressure sensing.

Given the issues with prediction we saw around FaceID/removal of the fingerprint sensor, I think it's more likely there is just some other component that Kuo is currently unaware of that will take it's place. A lack of orders for a previously-used component is a bit of a stretch to saying it will be completely removed.

 

[rp2011]

With a new SE, perhaps Apple could get rid of the 5.8 OLED altogether. As an owner of both the 8 plus and x, i will upgrade my X to the larger one, and downgrade my 8 Plus to the new SE.

 

[somethingelsefl]

One of Apple's underrated innovations... Missing. And instead replaced with more fragmentation.

Bad Apple

 

[Ds6778]

Fanboy aside. Apple sure is creating a “spam the market” approach with iPads and iPhones.

 

[jedwards87]

They giveth and they taketh away. They are starting to look like Google with the fragmentation of stuff. Assuming this is true of course.

 

[Rychiar]

the size of the X is perfect. focus on getting an under the screen fingerprint sensor and more optical zoom on the camera

 

[L-Viz]

that lcd phone should have been 4 inch. Product range design fail.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

Bring on the 6.5 OLED I phone X tired of waiting...

Yes! Make it a 7" phablet and call it a day. It will definitely fit in my pocket since I don't wear super skinny, ultra slim, yoga pants like most "guys" do.

 

[MacDevil7334]

With the exception of the quick cursor action (turns the keyboard into a trackpad) and the hard press on the left to access the multitasking screen on the non-X iPhones, there is nothing about 3D Touch that can’t be accomplished by a simple long press (and is on older iPhones and all iPads). Apple never put its full weight behind the technology. Good riddance.

 

[theheadguy]

It's not clear what the mystery thin-film sensor mentioned in Kuo's note will do, but it could be some kind of 3D Touch replacement system. Apple is said to be planning to release iPhones with touchless gesture controls in the next few years, and this could be the first step towards that goal. A gesture-based system is around two years away, however, so it the film could be some other new input method to replace 3D Touch.

This paragraph makes the article seem misleading. A 3D Touch replacement system? So, 3D Touch done a different way? In other words, 3D Touch remains.

Yes! Make it a 7" phablet and call it a day. It will definitely fit in my pocket since I don't wear super skinny, ultra slim, yoga pants like most "guys" do.

Honestly you should just feel confident about yourself without worrying about what other guys around you wear. Yoga pant envy is not a pretty thing...

 

[L-Viz]

Yes! Make it a 7" phablet and call it a day. It will definitely fit in my pocket since I don't wear super skinny, ultra slim, yoga pants like most "guys" do.

Will.O. prepared his pockets for the new iMegaphone X

... or he is carrying a man-purse. Take your pick.

 

[Andres Cantu]

3D Touch has been a hit-or-miss on my X anyway. The sensitivity setting doesn’t seem to do anything.

 

[profets]

3D Touch has been a hit-or-miss on my X anyway. The sensitivity setting doesn’t seem to do anything.

Same. I've used it heavily since it launched on the 6s. But on the X it's never worked as well. Feels quite awkward at times.

 

[Juicy Box]

Kuo believes Apple will remove the 3D Touch functionality on the 6.1-inch iPhone, which would be a curious move as 3D Touch is well-integrated throughout the operating system that runs on the iPhone at this point.

I know this will bother a lot of iPhone users, but I never liked 3D Touch, and disabled it when I had a 6s Plus. 3D Touch is one thing missing from my current iPhone, the SE, but I don't miss it at all.

 

[mi7chy]

Useless UI gimmick that only consumes battery and takes up valuable space that could be used for a larger battery, silo for precision pen input, etc. Good riddance.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

Master Kuo, the Oracle of Thebes, the Sphinx of Cupertino has spoken.

And the SE Mark II not given a whiff... disappointed.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Same. I've used it heavily since it launched on the 6s. But on the X it's never worked as well. Feels quite awkward at times.

That’s very interesting. Must be an OLED thing.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

Will.O. prepared his pockets for the new iMegaphone X

... or he is carrying a man-purse. Take your pick.

Touche!

 

[techpr]

No 3D Touch, No Buy! One of the features I use the most on my iPhone.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Gotta save those pennies on a £600+ device I guess.

 

[topgunn]

I won't miss 3D touch one bit.