On the eve of Apple’s “By Innovation Only” press event, a highly respected analyst just threw cold water on reports that the iPhone 11 will have a pair of exciting features borrowed from competing handsets.
Ming-Chi Kuo says the next iOS devices will have neither reverse wireless charging nor Apple Pencil support.
A less exciting iPhone 11
Kuo was the first to predict (way back in February) that the 2019 iPhone would be able to send wireless power, not just receive it. This would allow the device to give an emergency charge to another handset. Or, it could power up AirPods in a wireless charging case.
As the original source of the reverse-charging rumor, it’s somewhat ironic that the TF International Securities analyst wrote in today’s note to investors that this feature could have been dropped. He says it’s because “charging efficiency may not meet Apple’s requirements.”
In addition, Kuo used today’s note to deny the shaky rumors that the iPhone 11 Pro models — the replacements for the iPhone XS and XS Max — will include support for a redesigned Apple Pencil.
The analyst predicted the next iOS handsets won’t have USB-C ports, either. They will stick with Lightning. However, the replacements for the iPhone XS and XS Max will come with 18-watt wall chargers that include USB-C ports, Kuo predicts.
2019 iPhones not going head-to-head with Galaxy Note S10
Reverse wireless charging is included in all of Samsung’s Galaxy S10 series. And an active stylus has been part of the Galaxy Note series from the beginning. And Samsung company moved to USB-C years ago. If Kuo is correct, Apple isn’t going to copy these features for its new flagship handsets.
Plus, the 2019 iPhone models reportedly will come in the same screen sizes as the ones they replace: 5.8 inches, 6.1 inches and 6.5 inches. There’ll be no change in the size of the screen cutout (the notch).
This leaves the much-rumored triple-lens camera as the standout feature of the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
