A smartphone chassis, allegedly destined for the 2019 iPhone, has leaked out on Chinese social media.
The metal plate seems to indicate Apple’s next-generation handset will have an additional rear-facing camera. And just as other rumors have hinted, they will be arranged in a strange triangular formation.
We all have our own wish-lists for the 2019 iPhone. Many of us want a smaller notch in the Super Retina display. We would all like faster wireless charging. Some would even like to see USB-C connectivity.
The reality is that the iPhone probably won’t change a great deal this year. But one area where we can expect to see a big improvement is in its cameras.
2019 iPhone could pack triple camera system
The rumors have promised that this year’s flagship iPhones will feature three rear-facing camera sensors. And in recent weeks, we’ve started seeing hard evidence that corroborate these claims, like leaked schematics.
Now a supposed 2019 iPhone chassis has appeared in the wild.
Photo: Weibo
It matches the previous schematics perfectly, with three cutouts for camera lenses arranged in a triangular formation, and another two for an LED flash and microphone. There’s also a large hole in the center for a charging coil.
The image of the chassis was posted to Chinese micro-blogging network Weibo. It was spotted by tipster Ben Geskin, whose “iPhone 11” mockups have previously depicted what the iPhone’s new camera system will look like.
Photo: Ben Geskin
What will that third camera do?
It’s not yet clear what that third camera lens will be used for. On new Android flagships, the third lens enables ultra-wide panoramas, as well as significantly improved low-light performance. It could also enable better optical zoom.
We expect at least one of Apple’s next-generation iPhones to feature a third lens — likely the largest model. But some reports have warned that the smaller iPhone XS successor will stick with just two rear-facing cameras.
We’ll know more this fall when Apple makes the new iPhone lineup official. In the meantime, we can expect to see many more leaks like this one.
