Kuo Shares 2019 iPhone Expectations: 18W USB-C Charger for Higher-End Models, Bilateral Wireless Charging Might Not Happen

[MacRumors]

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this afternoon sent out a note to investors recapping his expectations for Apple's 2019 iPhone lineup, which is set to be unveiled during tomorrow's September 10 event.

Much of what's included in the note, which was seen by MacRumors, covers predictions that we've previously heard many times, though Kuo offers up details on some rumors that were previously not confirmed, along with some new information on the potential bilateral wireless charging feature and the USB-C chargers we've heard about.

Here's a roundup of the information shared in the report:

[*]New iPhones won't support Apple Pencil.
[*]New iPhones will feature a Lightning connector, not a USB-C port.
[*]5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED models will ship with an 18W adapter with a USB-C connector.
[*]The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will continue to ship with a 5W power adapter with a USB-A connector.
[*]The new iPhones may not support two-way wireless charging after all "because the charging efficiency may not meet Apple's requirements."
[*]Design and notch of new iPhones to be unchanged. New colors expected (likely referring to the new colors for the XR).
[*]Triple-lens cameras for the 5.8 and 6.5-inch iPhones.
[*]All three iPhones will offer ultra-wideband support for improved indoor navigation and object tracking purposes.
Ultra-wideband support is perhaps one of the most interesting changes that's gotten limited coverage. It's a short-range, low-power radio technology that offers more precise indoor positioning than Bluetooth LE and WiFi, which suggests that Apple's rumored Tile-like Apple Tags for keeping track of lost objects will be more accurate than products from competitors.

On the other details included in the note, we've heard reports of Apple's plans to introduce 18W chargers for fast charging out of the box, but previous rumors didn't indicate that the chargers would be limited to the iPhone XS and XS Max successors.

Bilateral wireless charging, which would allow the iPhone to charge devices like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, has long been rumored. In fact, a recent report from Bloomberg suggested Apple is moving the Apple logo on the new iPhones from the top to the middle of the devices specifically for this feature, so it may have been a late stage decision to nix it.

Kuo says that he expects shipments of the new iPhone models will decline by 5 to 10 percent year over year to 65 to 70 million units because of a "lack of innovative selling points." iPhone shipments in 2019 still might reach 180 million units, though, thanks to "demand boosted by price-cut legacy iPhone models."

We don't have long to wait to see what's in store for the 2019 iPhone lineup. Apple's iPhone event will kick off at 10:00 a.m Pacific Time. MacRumors will be providing live coverage of the event both here on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Update: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has backed Kuo's claim that the widely rumored two-way charging feature for 2019 iPhones has been canceled.

Yup, sounds like backside charging is out. https://t.co/8EGrRX1KBA - Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 10, 2019

Article Link: Kuo Shares 2019 iPhone Expectations: 18W USB-C Charger for Higher-End Models, Bilateral Wireless Charging Might Not Happen

 

[AyeKay15]

Now I am extremely disappointed that half of the rumors aren’t going to make the cut for the 2019 iPhones. For shame, Apple

 

[s15119]

Now I am extremely disappointed that half of the rumors aren’t going to make the cut for the 2019 iPhones. For shame, Apple

Apple is to shame because you wanted to believe rumors? I hope you're kidding. hint: this article is a rumor.

 

[farewelwilliams]

no Apple Pencil support. i'm shocked /s

 

[dominiongamma]

Now I am extremely disappointed that half of the rumors aren’t going to make the cut for the 2019 iPhones. For shame, Apple

People should have known that 2020 will be the major upgrade. Anyone who thought 2019 was going to be big was setting themselves up for disappointment

 

[Wintrmte]

If this is true, I'll be curious to see what Apple announces to entice people to upgrade from the current XS line.. For me, it would have been something as simple as moving from the Lightning port to USB-C, since it is currently a huge hassle when I take my 2019 IPad Pro with me and have to have to different chargers, cables, etc.

 

[jnice1121]

Aww man...I hope they’re wrong about the two way charging being scrapped. It was actually the biggest thing making me wanna upgrade from my XR. I dunno if an extra camera will be enough. Maybe I’ll just have to wait till the 2020 iPhone comes out. ‍♂️

 

[kungxpao]

What is it with Apple and their issues with wireless charging?

 

[dan9700]

So the only change is the cameras all the other fluff like faster cpu we don’t need, so really this pro upgrade is just a better camera, I’m upset I wanted something wow that the leaks didn’t say, so better cameras and slightly better Face ID and 3D Touch gone, what’s the point in this phone my hype has been ruined
[doublepost=1568071995][/doublepost]I pray the wireless charging is upgraded like Samsung 15w if it’s the same 7.5 slow charge it’s gonna annoy me, this keynote is gonna be short, nothing pro about an iPhone with slightly better cameras

 

[coolfactor]

We've come a LONG way in a very short time! I think people forgot that just 12 years ago, the iPhone was first introduced and set a whole new bar for mobile technology.

Two-way charging doesn't seem to be a very efficient use of a mobile's battery. I remain skeptical of that feature, and I agree that Apple should lean towards the conservative with that feature, rather than shipping it "just because" the competition, namely Samsung, offers it.

 

[iDento]

The only thing I was waiting for was two-ways wireless charging and that's so I can charge my Apple Watch and AirPods whenever I want. Says so much about my excitement for the new iPhones vs Apple Watch 5.

Not that the iPhone sucks or Apple is doomed, it is just that I am content with my XR.

 

[ondert]

I'm ready, will see those "innovation only" things and laugh a lot probably. Hope I'll be wrong.

 

[BWhaler]

Looks like a hard pass. Which means the “s” revision most likely will be a pass too. Good thing is most people really don’t need to upgrade your iPhone that often anymore. Maybe every 3-4 years for most folks, IMHO.

Wonder how Apple is going to try to make this sound exciting. Or maybe they won’t, and it’s all about the services and other products. Time will tell...

 

[Caliber26]

Oh no, no. Nooooo!!

The wireless charging was something I was so looking forward to having.

 

[Wags]

Pretty good guess that this is planned leak to soften the blow of disappointing iPhone hardware launch.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

So the only change is the cameras all the other fluff like faster cpu we don’t need, so really this pro upgrade is just a better camera, I’m upset I wanted something wow that the leaks didn’t say, so better cameras and slightly better Face ID and 3D Touch gone, what’s the point in this phone my hype has been ruined
[doublepost=1568071995][/doublepost]I pray the wireless charging is upgraded like Samsung 15w if it’s the same 7.5 slow charge it’s gonna annoy me, this keynote is gonna be short, nothing pro about an iPhone with slightly better cameras

Face ID isn't going anywhere.

 

[unchecked]

People should have known that 2020 will be the major upgrade. Anyone who thought 2019 was going to be big was setting themselves up for disappointment

If they follow the unsaid rule of fours (4, 4s, 5, 5s) and (6, 6s, 7, 8), next year could be the last iteration year for this current form factor (X, XS, 11, 12?) and the introduction of the new form factor together with the 12 like the 8 came with the X.

 

[Unity451]

Thinking I'll just hang on to my XR.

 

[rosegoldoli]

If this is true, I'll be curious to see what Apple announces to entice people to upgrade from the current XS line.. For me, it would have been something as simple as moving from the Lightning port to USB-C, since it is currently a huge hassle when I take my 2019 IPad Pro with me and have to have to different chargers, cables, etc.

well the people holding on to iphone 6-7 for dear life might, esp if they don't read rumors like us about 2020

 

[shiseiryu1]

Looks like Apple is planning on “phoning this one in”.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I have a feeling I'll be upgrading my X for the camera. Other than that, nothing of interest. Ok... Bigger battery would be nice.

 

[CalMin]

No on device USB-C port. Too bad - I was looking forward to being able to share with my IPP charger when traveling.

 

[kaycrystal626]

Apple is to shame because you wanted to believe rumors? I hope you're kidding. hint: this article is a rumor.

Except there is no more secret for Apple anymore. Most rumors become true!

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Ten minutes Keynote?

 

[mejsric]

People should have known that 2020 will be the major upgrade. Anyone who thought 2019 was going to be big was setting themselves up for disappointment

in 2018, you said 2019 is the biggest update,
in 2020, im sure you will said that 2021 is the biggest update.