Ming-Chi Kuo: 2018 iPhones Will Have 'More Complex' Metal Frames for Improved Cellular Signal Transmission

[kazmac]

Anything to improve cellular signal transmission is great by me; especially on my commutes and at work. Though I would also like if Apple doesn't dumb down the modems depending on brand (they're obviously working on not using Qualcomm, but still.)

Now if Verizon could only do something so non-unlimited users aren't crippled service-wise when surrounded by Unlimited folks.

 

[Phone Junky]

I dont get this comment. You could apply this to every single company and it would be just as accurate.

Just like Tim Cook says the same thing every year. “This is the best iPhone we’ve ever made.” Well, duh?

 

[SashJ]

Just like Tim Cook says the same thing every year. “This is the best iPhone we’ve ever made.” Well, duh?

Yea, I wont lie, I always found that a bit odd lol.

 

[JPack]

Isn't this the same idiot that said supply of the iPhone X would be incredibly limited and most wouldn't get their phones until 2018?

Now this is the, "Forget I was totally wrong about the last guess I made and believe me again this time!"

Is this the same Ming-Chi Kuo that said the X would be severely limited until 2018?

Will it though? Kuo also said there would be massive shortages of the X, and that doesn't appear to be the case.

It's laughable some posters are trying to discredit Ming-Chi Kuo by saying his prediction about availability was incorrect.

As an analyst, he's looking at availability from a macroscopic view across all continents and channels. You've got places like India where there is no presence of Apple Stores and distribution relies on carriers and 3rd party sellers. The forum posters are looking from their own backyard. It really shows the difference between critical thinking and lack thereof.

 

[waigx]

I totally predicted somebody would predict what Kuo's prediction will be.

Inception - let's do synchronized kicks, back to reality, and enjoy current iPhone X

 

[myscrnnm]

I dont get this comment. You could apply this to every single company and it would be just as accurate.

That's his point. Ming-Chi Kuo is always making broad statements that are completely predictable, and you certainly don't have to be an analyst, just have a general understanding of the market and the product to make the same predictions.

 

[cableguy84]

Notch

 

[Gashole]

I'm hanging onto my 7 until they release iPhones with metal backs again. Not a fan of glass as a protective cover for a $1000 device.

 

[timber]

Kuo was one of the few people dismissing Touch ID in any form in the new "OLED iPhone". This was something any reasonable people found at the time really difficult to happen. But he was right. He was also right about LTE Watch. And many more examples.

It is quite obvious that the sources for Kuo predictions are very strong connections to Chinese manufacturers and contractors. Any thing that is hardware related (even more considering Apple's massive volumes) has to be prepared months in advance so it is impossible to hide.

Making predictions isn't easy but hardware predictions by Kuo are as good as it gets. Those aren't really predictions. He just observes the gears that Apple has to put in motion months before launching anything.

 

[JPack]

That's his point. Ming-Chi Kuo is always making broad statements that are completely predictable, and you certainly don't have to be an analyst, just have a general understanding of the market and the product to make the same predictions.

I sure as heck don't see people crediting Kuo when he predicted the exact display resolution, stacked PCB, and L-shaped battery for iPhone X. Nor when he was the first and only person to say iPhone X would not have Touch ID.

Apple sometimes makes obvious, logical, and safe engineering choices. Kuo is reporting them. Yet some people want to discredit Kuo because the moves are too obvious?

Some people here seem to think Kuo is catering to MacRumors posters when Kuo couldn't care less. His main audience are investors looking to place their bets. They need to know if Catcher Technology is receiving orders next year for phone chassis. Or if Lumentum is getting orders again for 2H'18.

 

[myscrnnm]

Anything to improve cellular signal transmission is great by me; especially on my commutes and at work. Though I would also like if Apple doesn't dumb down the modems depending on brand (they're obviously working on not using Qualcomm, but still.)

Now if Verizon could only do something so non-unlimited users aren't crippled service-wise when surrounded by Unlimited folks.

Aren't unlimited users that ones that get crippled? Potential throttling after 22GB during times of congestion, while non-unlimited users can just keep adding on more bandwidth and get the same advertised speeds?

 

[forerunnerg34]

and iOS 12 will run great... only on that device and if it is released before the phone. And water, wet!.

 

[simonmet]

Already X is old news. On to the next... Ha.

You think that’s bad, the iMac Pro and HomePod are already old news before they’re even released!

 

[rGiskard]

So next year Apple will likely have an iPhone lineup of 9 models:

iPhone X
iPhone X Plus
iPhone 8S
iPhone 8S Plus
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone SE

This confused lineup is in my view a good indicator of the confusion and timidity of Apple's executives. They're using market research to make decisions so of course they're told that they need to cover every imaginable price point with a perplexing array of feature sets. Ask consumers what they want and it's aways "more features" and "lower prices" but they'll never tell you what the next killer smartphone category will be.

How about a "sports iPhone" for active people? Make it small like the SE but pack it with X features and prioritize a tough build and long battery life over "thinner."

The best camera is always the one you have with you so how about a special edition X for photographers? Larger image sensors and high quality glass lens modules combined with Apple's own ISP could be the benchmark for smartphone image quality.

How about a teen iPhone with a steel case that, when the user attempts to send a text with more emojis than the parentally configured limit, delivers a shock?

Take risks. Dare to fail. Stop selling three generations of iPhones that can only be differentiated by experts.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Sounds like LIQUIDMETAL to me. About time!

 

[RiddlaBronc]

Macrumors own self-described expert analyst RiddlaBronc stated the lesser iPhone models will receive Face ID while the top of the line iPhone will get a rear facing true depth camera.

 

[tipoo]

I hope it gets quad antenna LTE, that's a real perceivable difference in when it drops a signal and its ability to get it back. Often my iPhone 8 needs a reset to get a signal again, where quad antenna phones like the S8 do better.

 

[kazmac]

Aren't unlimited users that ones that get crippled? Potential throttling after 22GB during times of congestion, while non-unlimited users can just keep adding on more bandwidth and get the same advertised speeds?

I noticed a steep decline in LTE service on the train ride home since Unlimited was offered. As far as Unlimited users becoming crippled after 22GB and the rest, I wouldn't know. Adding on more bandwidth sounds like paying more which is not something I will do. If I am wrong in understanding that, please feel free to correct.

Since the 6s my WiFi and LTE service hasn't been as good as it once was*, and the Unlimited plans service compounded this. * IDK if Apple's tweaks on the modems are making this worse, but I would not be surprised if that also plays a part.

 

[Gregg Thurman]

Let's predict Kuo's prediction in following months:
1. 2018 iPhone X will likely have the same design but enhanced hardware
2. 2018 iPhone X will improve the Face ID accuracy and wider sight angle
3. 2018 iPhone X will have new color choose
4. iPad with Face ID won't have the notch
5. 2018 iPhone X will have improved battery life
6. 2018 iPhone X sale will not as good as 2017
...
...
Can you just stop being boring?

I think everybody should take note (and put into your calendar) that Apple is awarding supply contracts for the next generation iPhone this month, November 2018. This is the same month that Apple (SVP Riccio) awarded supply contracts for the iPhone X last year.

Supply contracts are awarded AFTER design has been tested and LOCKED down. Contracts are awarded to suppliers that have been certified by Apple that A/ they can produce the item as designed, and B/ they have the capacity to produce according to contract schedules.

ERGO, any and all rumors re: production constraints, ad nauseum, come next June/July/August/September will be complete horse ****.

But that won't stop the rumor mongers, so for the feeble of mind that believes such crap I am setting aside a larger amount than I did this year, to pick up cheap options contracts. It'll be like taking candy from a baby, and I won't feel bad about it one tiny bit.
[doublepost=1510007246][/doublepost]

I dont get this comment. You could apply this to every single company and it would be just as accurate.

That's the point: Kuo's prognostications are for the most part common sense, and require no special relationships to gain this "knowledge". Kuo is an idiot relaying on idiots to read and believe his crap is important.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I want an iPhone SE with bezeless design.

Would you pay $899? The SE occupies the lowest cost tier so I think it’s extremely unlikely to become a real product.

A Plus, yes, and it’ll be $150 more than the regular size.
[doublepost=1510015677][/doublepost]

But that Notch tho! Will that be gone?

Do you mean will they remove the ears and make it look like a Samsung or LG? Nope. If that’s the way they wanted to go, they would’ve done it this year.

If you mean will all 8 sensors/transducers magically be placed underneath the screen? No, not for the foreseeable future, say 3 to 4 years.
[doublepost=1510016611][/doublepost]

Just get rid of that camera bump already.

The quality of camera Apple wants to offer requires a certain minimum thickness. (And thicker/heavier with a bigger battery is not something Apple would prioritize vs. a camera bump.)

If the entire camera module could be made thinner without compromising quality maybe the camera bump could go; but I think they’d rather offer a better camera year after year and keep the bump.

The bump, like the notch, are compromises Apple is willing to make to offer more of what they value (camera quality and screen to body ratio, respectively). Function over form, the opposite of what Apple is regularly accused of.

 

[izyreal]

I’m in for an X Plus. Current X is too small

The smaller size is my favorite thing about the iPhone X. I really hope we never go back to the situation where we have to buy the largest phone to get the best hardware.

 

[AdonisSMU]

This article seem to suggest there is a problem with the cell reception and they are going to make an improvement.

I have yet to experienced this.

 

[JPack]

This article seem to suggest there is a problem with the cell reception and they are going to make an improvement.

Improved transmission quality is needed to achieve Gigabit LTE. 256 QAM is more sensitive to noise. A redesigned metal frame is probably needed for more antennas.

For 2018, Apple wants that checkbox beside Gigabit LTE filled in now that Intel has a modem capable of delivering it.

 

[coolfilmaker]

Aren't unlimited users that ones that get crippled? Potential throttling after 22GB during times of congestion, while non-unlimited users can just keep adding on more bandwidth and get the same advertised speeds?

No. Unlimited users are slowing down the whole network for everyone.

 

[I7guy]

No. Unlimited users are slowing down the whole network for everyone.

And the network wouldn’t be slowed if everyone payed for massive amounts of data and used that capacity at the same time?