Apple's next flagship iPhone is almost here and there's plenty of speculation suggesting what might appear.
This feature rounds up all the rumours circulating about the design and features expected for the iPhone XS and XS Max's successors. We also have a separate rumour feature for the iPhone XR successor.
What will the next iPhone be called?
- iPhone XI?
- iPhone X2?
- iPhone 11 Pro?
In the past, we have pretty much known what the next iPhone would be called because Apple used sequential numbers. That all changed in 2017 when Apple introduced the iPhone X. The 2018 models then added an "S" and an "R" to the X branding.
This means that no one is currently sure what the 2019 iPhone or iPhones will be called. Apple might opt for iPhone XI or iPhone X2, or maybe take it back to iPhone 11. There have also been quite a few rumours with 'Pro' in the name for the flagship models.
As we don't know for now and we are unlikely to find out officially until launch day, we will stick with 2019 iPhones for the sake of clarity.
Apple iPhone 2019 release date
- 10 September 2019 announcement
- On sale 20 September?
Apple has confirmed its next event will take place on 10 September 2019 at Apple Park in Cupertino. The next iPhones are expected at the event, along with a new Apple Watch, some advancements on Apple TV and Apple's Bluetooth tracker.
If Apple follows the same pattern as previous years, we can expect the next iPhones to be available to pre-order on 13 September, with an on-sale date of 20 September.
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Apple iPhone 2019 design
- Premium, waterproof design
- Notched display
- Square camera housing
For months, rumours and renders surrounding the 2019 iPhone have suggested the front of the devices will continue to see the large notch at the top of the displays, while the rear will have a redesigned camera housing.
Rather than the dual camera setup on the iPhone XS and XS Max, reports have suggested we will see a square camera housing in the top left corner with three camera lenses on board.
A premium, waterproof design like the previous models is expected again for the new models and there's mention of a matte finish for this year rather than the glossy finish we currently have.
Apple iPhone 2019 display
- OLED
- 5.8-inch/6.5-inch
- Mobile HDR, True Tone
Many rumours suggest the display sizes of the iPhone XS and XS Max will transfer to their successors, which would mean a 5.8-inch device and a 6.5-inch device coming in September 2019. Both of these are said to have OLED panels but 3D Touch is expected to change to Haptic Touch, like the iPhone XR did in 2018.
We'd expect both panels to offer mobile HDR compatibility, Apple's True Tone technology and the same resolutions as their predecessors though. Some rumours have also suggested Apple Pencil compatibility - which would tie in with the 'Pro' name and would be great to see on the flagship devices but we aren't holding our breath just yet.
Apple iPhone 2019 camera
- Triple rear camera
- Face ID improvements
All the rumours point towards the 2019 iPhones offering a triple camera system in a square housing. It's claimed the third lens that is being added will allow for ultra-wide-angle photos and video. It's also said low-light images will improve, as will video recording capabilities.
Face ID improvements are also expected to be coming, with claims the sensors in the new models will allow users to unlock their devices from flat on the table - something the current models don't allow.
Apple iPhone 2019 hardware and specs
- Apple A13 chip
- Battery improvements
- Lightning
The 2019 iPhone models will run on a new chip - which we presume will be called the A13 and it's claimed there will be a new component added to the chip, known as the "AMX" that will handle some of the heavier duty tasks. Battery improvements are expected, but it's thought charging will continue to take place through Lightning, rather than switch to USB Type-C, like the iPad Pro models. There have been suggestions a USB Type-C charger will be in the box though, coupled with a Lightning to USB Type-C cable.
We've also heard reverse wireless charging will be on board, allowing for charging of AirPods with the wireless charging case just through contact.
Storage options could be 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, if rumours are to be believed.
Apple iPhone 2019 software
- iOS 13
The 2019 iPhone models will launch on iOS 13, which Apple previewed during its WWDC developer conference in June earlier this year. A public beta of that software is already available and it brings with it several new features.
You can read all about what to expect from the new software in our iOS 13 preview.
Apple iPhone XI rumours: What's happened?
29 August 2019: Apple will unveil the next iPhone at 10 September event
Apple sent invites to the press for an event on 10 September at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Apple Park. The new iPhones are expected at the event, along with a new Apple Watch.
You can read about how to watch it in our separate feature.
22 August 2019: Apple iPhone 11 'Pro', Watch Series 5 and AirPods 3 details revealed in new report
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman published a report detailing several new features expected for the new 'Pro' iPhone. Gurman mentioned the triple rear camera and what features it would offer, Face ID improvements, the A13 chip, reverse wireless charging and the matte finish instead of glossy finish.
Gurman also mentioned new Apple Watches in his report, new iPads, new AirPods and a cheaper HomePod.
22 August 2019: Case maker expecting Apple Pencil support for iPhone 11
Case maker Olixar has posted a listing for iPhone 11 cases with a slot on the rear for the Apple Pencil. The case is available for pre-order for £20 and the black and grey cases are shown with a silver Apple Pencil, while the tan case is shown with a gold Apple Pencil.
No more information is given and there have been few reports for Apple Pencil compatibility rumoured for the iPhone 11 models so we are skeptical, especially as the Apple Pencil comes in white only for now.
That said, the iPhone 11 Pro name has floated about in previous rumours and this name would make more sense if Apple Pencil compatibility was a feature on the new iPhones, taking from the iPad Pro range.
21 August 2019: New Apple filings reveal dozens of unreleased iPhones and Apple Watches
Apple filed several new filing on the Eurasian Economic Commission, including 12 new iPhones running iOS 13 and four new Apple Watches running WatchOS 6.
Don't worry - that doesn't mean there will be 12 different iPhones launch in September that you'd have to choose from - it's more likely there will be three models and four storage options in each, or something similar.
21 August 2019: Report claims Apple might offer USB Type-C charger in iPhone 11 box
ChargerLAB claimed in a tweet picked up by 9to5Mac that the iPhone 11 will come with an Apple USB Type-C charger, along with a Lighting to USB Type-C cable in the box.
The charging port on the iPhone 11 is still expected to be Lightning therefore, despite the iPad Pro models switching to USB Type-C, but if the tweet is true, it would see the new iPhone ditch the 5W charger.
15 August 2019: The iOS 13 beta may have just revealed when the next iPhone will launch
Apple released the iOS 13 beta 7 to developers on 15 August and some people have found hints whilst digging through the software about the rumoured iPhone 11.
iHelp BR spotted an asset that suggests the iPhone 11 will debut on 10 September. An image - titled HoldForRelease - includes that date on the Calendar app of the iOS 13 home screen. iOS 12 had a similar image but with 12 September as the date - the day the iPhone XS and XS Max were revealed.
15 August 2019: Two Apple iPhone 11 leaks detail camera tech, new 'rainbow' colour and more
EverythingApplePro citing reliable leaker Max Weinbach has offered several details on the 2019 iPhone models. The video claims the new models will come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options, offer improved microphones and they will be available in a subtle 'rainbow' finish.
The leak also suggested the three reported rear camera lenses will all contribute to capturing data for Portrait mode, while one of those lenses reportedly offers a 120-degree field of view.
14 August 2019: iPhone 11 leak lists several features
A post published on Reddit, spotted by AppleInsider, listed a number of features said to be coming the iPhone 11, but given the source can't be verified, they should be taken with a big pinch of salt.
According to the post, the 2019 iPhones will have a triple camera, double-layer motherboard, no front panel changes, storage options of 64GB, 256GB and 512GBm and Lightning over USB Type-C. The post also says 3D Touch is out, the Max model will have a 3969mAh battery, and there will black, white, gold and a new dark green colour.
Additionally, the iPhone logo on the rear is said to be removed for the new models, while the triple lens camera will have a new sensor that uses a "special coating in the circular rectangle area" for "better visual integrity." Remember though, pinch of salt for now.
14 August 2019: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max names appear
A stock list from ESR, a phone case manufacturer, has appeared online with the names iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Based on those names, the iPhone 11 would be the iPhone XR successor, while the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max would refer to the iPhone XS and XS Max successors.
It's possible these are the names, but for now, everything is speculation.
7 August 2019: iPhone 11 release date revealed through Apple partner slip
According to Macotakara, during its latest earnings presentation the president of Japanese mobile network SoftBank hinted that the new iPhone will come out 10 days before the country's new legislation on phone/service unbundling comes into effect.
That new legislation is due on 1 October, which means that the iPhone 11 will be on sale on 20 September, if he is accurate. The 2018 iPhones went on sale on 21 September so 20 September is a pretty good guesstimate.
24 July 2019: Apple's new generation of iPhones will stick with Lightning for charging
A report on 9to5Mac has claimed the 2019 iPhones will feature a redesigned taptic engine to improve touch capabilities and allow for more information with a long-press even without 3D Touch - a feature said to be phasing out this year for all models.
The report also claimed the devices would be sticking with Lightning for charging for this year rather than switch to USB Type C like the iPad Pros.
18 July 2019: YouTubers are already showing off 'dummy' models of the iPhone 11
Several YouTubers have shown off dummy models of what are claimed to be the iPhone 11. Marques Brownlee claims to have received his dummy model from an Australian leaker, Sonny Dickson, while Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy has created a custom dummy based on dimensions he believes to be accurate.
None of the dummies are official but while they vary slightly in design, all have a triple camera array on the rear, arranged in a square housing - something we've seen in almost all leaks over the last few months.
5 July 2019: Is Apple going to launch an iPhone with an under-display fingerprint sensor?
Chinese-based paper The Global Times has suggested Apple will use under-display fingerprint tech to launch a more budget-orientated iPhone in China.
It's unlikely this technology will be used in the flagship models given the success of Face ID so we don't expect to see it on the iPhone XI, but could it be the long-rumoured iPhone SE 2?
25 June 2019: Apple iPhone 11 Max early case suggests no USB Type-C and that square rear camera again
An early case for the Apple iPhone 11 Max from Olixar shows the Lightning port, a smaller notch at the top of the display and a redesigned silence button.
The case also shows a triple rear camera in a square housing - something we have seen multiple times in previous leaks. We wouldn't pre-order the case just yet though as it is unlikely to have been produced from more than an educated guess and perhaps some measurements.
3 June 2019: Apple confirmed iOS 13 and some of its features
Apple confirmed iOS 13 will be available in the autumn and it revealed some of the key features, which you can read about in more detail in our iOS 13 feature.
Of course, those features will come to the iPhone XI, as well as some older iPhones. These new features include:
- A system-wide dark mode (we like it on Mac, but not sure about it on our phone)
- A Find My app that includes Find My Friends and Find My iPhone but it can also locate offline devices via Bluetooth.
- A redesigned reminders app
- New features in Messages
- 3D elements in Apple Maps (yes, like Google Street View)
- Swipe-to-type, very much like Swiftkey and Swype
- More photo and video editing options within the Photos app (which will also be able to remove duplicates and clutter like screenshots)
- Menstrual cycle tracking in the health app (also coming to Apple Watch)
- Faster Face ID unlock and app launch times
13 June 2019: iPhone 11 will be much better than older iPhones at taking great night time photos
Max Weinbach of XDA Developers, claims the iPhone 11 will feature a "dedicated night mode". He also claimed this will be better than the modes on rival phones like the Google Pixel 3 and Huawei P30 Pro.
It's also claimed that the night mode will be able to switch on automatically if the scene requires it.
3 June 2019: Hands on mock-ups of iPhone 11 appear
Ben Geskin posted some hands on mock-up images of the iPhone 11 showing the rumours triple lens camera in the corner of the rear.
The images were created with hands on shots of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, with the triple lens camera Photoshopped on top.
28 May 2019: iPhone 11 could support dual Bluetooth audio
Macotakara reported that supply chain sources have claimed the iPhone 11 could support dual Bluetooth audio. The feature is supported by Bluetooth 5.0 and already available on some competitor devices so it's highly plausible.
23 April 2019: iPhone XI case moulds leak showing square camera arrangement
SlashLeaks published some images from Weibo that show the apparent case moulds for the iPhone XI and XI Max. The moulds show the square triple camera arrangement we have seen in previous leaks, along with the same notch as the current iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.
18 April 2019: Apple's triple camera on 2019 iPhone will be 'inconspicuous' due to black coating
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed two of the 2019 iPhones will have a triple lens camera and the rear super-wide-angle lens and front camera lens will have a "black lens-coating" to make them look "inconspicuous".
Kuo claimed the iPhone XR successor will have a 6.1-inch LCD display and a dual camera.
8 April 2019: Two iPhone XI models reported: 6.1-inch and 6.5-inch OLED screens
Japanese site Macotakara has claimed reliable Chinese supply chain sources have said there will be two new iPhone models this year with an 6.1-inch OLED display and an 6.5-inch OLED display.
The report also suggested the two devices would have triple cameras and the chassis would be redesigned to offset some of the camera bump.
2 April 2019: iPhone 11 predicted to have much larger battery
Another forecast report was released by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicting that all of the next iPhones will have larger batteries to accommodate reverse wireless charging.
If Kuo's predictions are accurate, the next iPhone XS and XR could have around 3000mAh battery capacities, while the successor to the iPhone XS Max might have up to a 3600mAh capacity.
29 March 2019: Leaked schematics show camera setup for iPhone XI
Leaked schematics suggest the next iPhone will have a three-lens camera in a square form, as we have seen on previous renders. We still aren't sure though.
25 March 2019: iPhone 11 could have reverse wireless charging
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a forecast report that suggests the next generation of iPhone wiki offer reverse wireless charging, like the Samsung Galaxy S10. Kuo also suggests the devices will stick with Lightning for the charging port, as Macotakara also claimed recently.
18 March 2019: Standard iPhone 2019 to get triple rear camera too
Japanese site, Macotakara, has reported that the standard iPhone 11 (or iPhone XI) will come with a square triple camera system on the rear, not just the iPhone XS Max successor, as previously suggested in rumours.
The site also revealed some renders of what this might look like and it's similar to the original render we saw earlier in 2019.
11 February 2019: iPhone 2019 will stick with Lightning
There have already been several conflicting reports surrounding the charging port of the next iPhone. The latest comes from Japanese site, Macotakara, which claims the 2019 iPhone will stick with Lightning and bundle the same 5W charger in the box, meaning no 12W fast charging, unless you buy the separate charger.
30 January 2019: Triple cameras reported again for iPhone 2019
Bloomberg has supported the rumours that the next-generation of iPhone will come with a triple lens rear camera, allowing for a larger field of view, a wider zoom range and the ability to capture more pixels. It specified the larger iPhone so it's not clear if the other two will offer dual instead.
It was also reported that an improved version of Live Photos will appear on the 2019 iPhone, said to include six-second-long snaps and Apple is apparently testing USB Type-C on some 2019 iPhones, contradicting previous rumours.
The publication also said Apple was working on a 3D sensor for the 2020 iPhone, something it had initially mentioned for the 2019 iPhone. Ben Geskin, @VenyaGeskin1, then produced some additional renders based on Bloomberg's report.
17 January 2019: Upgraded cameras rumoured for iPhone 2019
According to Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) and CompareRaja, the iPhone's TrueDepth camera will be smaller for the next models, while the resolution will increase from 7-megapixels to 10-megapixels.
It was also claimed the next generation of iPhone XS Max will have a triple rear camera. Two of the lenses are said to be a 10-megapixel sensor and 14-megapixel sensor and the triple system will feature a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens, as the current iPhone XS does.
OnLeaks and CompareRaja also said the iPhone 2019 won't have USB Type-C like the iPad Pro's, sticking with Lightning.
16 January 2019: Further renders appear showing different design for iPhone 2019
Further renders have appeared on CompareRaja, again made in conjunction with @OnLeaks, showing a different design for a triple camera system.
6 January 2019: Renders appear showing iPhone 2019 with ugly triple lens camera
Indian website Digit and @OnLeaks released some renders of what it called "iPhone XI renders first look", featuring an interesting triple camera on the rear. The renders were then corroborated by serial leaker Ice Universe.
Digit speculated that the third sensor would be a Time-of-Flight sensor, like Huawei has just placed on the P30 Pro. It also said its source said the 2019 iPhone is still in engineering evaluation so hopefully this won't be the final design.
12 December 2018: Samsung will make iPhone OLED displays
ET News reported Samsung will be making the iPhone 2019's OLED display and the panels will integrate the touch aspect into the display rather than have it separate, allowing them to be thinner.
4 December 2018: No 5G for iPhone 2019
Sources told Bloomberg Apple won't adopt 5G technology until 2020, meaning no 5G model of the iPhone 2019. Apple has yet to confirm but if it waits until 2020, it will be behind some rivals, including OnePlus and Samsung.
1 November 2018: FaceID to improve for next iPhones
Face ID is reported to be improving for the next iPhones. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new models will come with a new flood illuminator which will apparently help with the impact light from the environment.
15 October 2018: iPhone 2019 models will be the same sizes as 2018
MacRumors reported that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed Apple will continue to offer a 5.8-inch OLED model, 6.1-inch LCD model and a larger 6.5-inch OLED model for 2019.
13 October 2018: Apple Pencil support could come to iPhone 2019
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed future Apple Pencil support could happen for the next iPhone models. The new iPad mini offers it, so the claim isn't completely unreasonable.
27 August 2018: 3D Touch will be ditched for all iPhone 2019 models
MacRumors reported that a Barclays analyst has claimed that all models will ditch 3D Touch, like the iPhone XR did in 2018.
5 July 2018: Triple rear camera reported for iPhone 2019
Economic Daily News has claimed the 2019 iPhones might feature a triple lens rear camera system. No further details were offered.
28 May 2018: All three 2019 iPhones will have OLED displays
ET News has claimed a couple of Apple officials have said the company will adopt OLED technology in all three models of the 2019 iPhone.
7 March 2018: Apple could ditch notch for next iPhone
ET News reported the notch may disappear entirely for the next iPhone models, after previously reporting the notch will reduce in size. We suspect it is less likely to disappear altogether but a change is certainly plausible.
16 January 2018: iPhone 2019 could have a smaller notch
ET News has claimed Apple is considering a smaller notch for the 2019 iPhones by combining the Face ID sensors and the front camera. It's not yet clear how this would work as yet but we are all for a smaller notch.
14 November 2017: 3D sensor rumoured for 2019 iPhone rear camera
Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on time of flight 3D cameras with lasers that bounce to create a 3D image of your surroundings.The system is said to be another step towards turning the iPhone into an augmented reality device.
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