A new concept iPhone explores the possibility of pico projectors creating a full-size external display and keyboard, essentially turning the handset into a mobile desktop.
Watch a video of this proposed device in action.
The design and video were created by Hassan Kaymak for ConceptsiPhone.
Pico projectors are a real thing
Concept devices fall somewhere on a spectrum from “interesting idea” to “flat-out science fiction”. Unfortunately, this one is fairly far in the sci-fi range. The extremely small projectors that would be required just aren’t available.
There are pico projectors on the market, but they are larger than an iPhone, don’t project both a screen and a keyboard, and certainly don’t include the gesture recognition necessary for a virtual keyboard.
All that said, phones with Mac-size virtual displays and keyboards might become a reality someday. It’s not going to happen in time for the iPhone 11.
An iPhone 11 wishlist
The other specifications Kaymak would like to see going into the next-gen iOS handset are typical of concept devices, and some are based on rumors.
That includes a triple-lens camera. And the super-slim clip-on AirBattery that was recently part of another ConceptsiPhone proposal.
This designer would also like to see Apple remove the screen-cutout from future handsets. The real iPhone 11 might take a big step in this direction with an under-screen selfie cam.