2019 iPhone

What to expect from next month’s iPhone 11 refresh

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what-to-expect-iPhone-11
Here are all the things we think Apple has up its sleeve.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

The 2019 iPhone lineup is just weeks away from getting its grand unveiling. And according to recent rumors, it could be a lot more exciting than we first anticipated.

Faster chips and an extra camera sensor may not be the only reasons to upgrade this year. Two-way wireless charging, improved Face ID, and Apple Pencil support could also be on Apple’s list.

Here’s everything we expect from next month’s iPhone refresh.

2019 iPhone to bring tougher glass, even better Face ID

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iPhone 11 R and 11 Max on fence post
These iPhone 11 dummies should be a lot like the real thing.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

This year’s iPhone refresh will introduce new “shatter-resistance technology” and even better Face ID, according to a new report.

It is claimed users will be able to unlock Apple’s next-generation handsets from multiple angles — like when they’re lying flat on a table — thanks to a new Face ID sensor with a wider field of view.

Samsung unleashes Galaxy Note 10 to take on iPhone

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Note10
The Note 10 comes in two sizes.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung unveiled its latest answer to the iPhone today during an event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The new Galaxy Note 10 is undoubtedly one of the prettiest smartphones Samsung has ever come out with, thanks to its giant display with a pinhole cutout for the camera. This year’s Note 10 lineup comes in two different varieties. The Note 10 comes with a 6.3-inch display, while the monstrous Note 10 Plus packs a 6.8-inch display. But screen sizes aren’t the only thing that sets them apart.

Apple Pencil might work with 2019 iPhone

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An iPad Pro case can prevent your Apple Pencil from charging.
Apple Pencil support might get added to 2019 iPhones.
Photo: Apple

The days of Apple Pencil being only supported on iPad could soon be numbered.

Citi Research’s Apple analysts published their predictions of new features for the new 2019 iPhones and while most of the list is pretty ho-hum, there’s one new addition that hasn’t been on our radar: Apple Pencil.

Notchless iPhone XI concept is too futuristic to be real

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iphone concept
An alternative take on the iPhone XI.
Photo: Bassam Nasser

The grand unveiling of the iPhone 11 is less than two months away and even though we pretty much already know the new design, that’s not stopping some concept designers of dreaming what could be.

Notchless front displays have already made their way onto Android phones. This year’s iPhone is still expected to have a notch, so Bassam Nasser imagined what it would look like if Apple was ahead of the competition. His gorgeous concept also packs a horizontal three-lens camera and an embossed Apple logo that makes the iPhone look more futuristic than ever.

Too bad this can’t be real:

See Pixel 4’s new Face ID clone in action

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Pixel 4
The Pixel 4 will challenge the iPhone later this year.
Photo: Google

Google’s next flagship smartphone will borrow one of the iPhone’s most popular new features when it launches later this year.

Full details of the upcoming Pixel 4 will be revealed this fall. For now, Google seems pretty content to keep spilling out teasers of the new phone. The company already gave a glimpse of the giant new camera on the back. Today we’re getting a look at the new Face ID copy-cat feature and another big surprise.

Check out the teaser:

4 reasons iPhone 11 might cost less than iPhone XS [Opinion]

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The camera bump is about to get bumpier in the iPhone XI.
A lower launch price for the iPhone 11 and 11 Max is possible.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Updated Sept. 10: Apple has taken the wraps off the 2019 iPhone models. As hoped, the replacement for the iPhone XR costs $50 less. However, the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are priced the same as last year’s models.


There are solid reasons to be optimistic that Apple will actually drop the price of the flagship 2019 iPhone models. Recent moves by the company signal a willingness to lower the cost of its other computers, and information leaking out about the replacement for the iPhone XS series indicates that it will be cheaper to make.

Most importantly, the company needs to respond to the plethora of evidence that it charges more than most people are willing to pay for even high-end handsets.

Improved Taptic Engine could replace 3D Touch in iPhone 11

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3D Touch
The handy but not vital tricks that come with 3D Touch are reportedly going away.
Photo: Apple

Evidence continues to grow that the iPhone 11 will lack 3D Touch, and will instead include a smarter version of Haptic Touch — a fancy name for long-pressing on the screen.

Previous unconfirmed reports indicated Apple would kill 3D Touch to lower the cost of the 2019 models.

Upcoming iPhone XI gets third eye in intriguing new renders

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iPhoneX1
This weird design looks kind of cool.
Photo: MKHBD

With renders and dummy units showing how a third rear camera might look on 2019 iPhones, there’s still some debate about how the new lens array will look on the final product.

Notorious smartphone-leaker Ben Geskin tweeted a few images this morning showing a different take on the iPhone XI and iPhone XI Max than we’ve seen before. Instead of having a giant black tile in the back, Geskin suggests Apple may not hide the lenses at all. Instead, the three-lens array would be on full display.

Is this what the iPhone XI will really look like?

iPhone 11 launch date leaks from Verizon

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The 2019 iPhone could have a much larger camera bump than any predecessor.
We’re likely just 3 months away from the replacement for the iPhone XS.
Render: OnLeaks/Digit.in

Information reportedly leaking from the largest US wireless carrier reveals when Apple’s next handset is going to launch. However, the timing is not a surprise so it’s not clear if Verizon has inside information or if the company is just guessing based on previous iPhone launch dates.

The next iPhone will launch in the latter part of September, according to a Tweet from frequent leaker Evan Blass. A graphic shows the date being approximately Sept. 20.

Update: Apple just took the wraps off the the iPhone 11, as well as the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. All these models can be pre-ordered starting Friday, September 13 and will debut one week later, on September 20.

Leaked Pixel 4 sports square camera bump like 2019 iPhone

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Pixel 4
Pixel 4 mockup for case makers.
Photo: Unbox Therapy

Square camera bumps are shaping up to be one of the biggest smartphone trends of 2019.

Leaked images of Google’s upcoming Pixel 4 smartphone surfaced online today, revealing some surprising design changes for the handset, including a square in the back that packs multiple cameras. It looks awfully similar to the leaked iPhone 11 renderings we’ve seen so far.

Take a closer took:

2019 iPhone could finally take on Google Pixel’s amazing Night Sight

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Pixel 3 Night Sight
The Pixel 3 destroys iPhone in low-light performance.
Photo: Google

Apple is developing its very own Night Sight feature for the next-generation iPhone lineup, according to a new report.

Google’s Pixel handsets have been well and truly beating rivals on low-light camera performance for years now. But it is claimed Apple has a similar feature up its sleeve called “Night Mode” — and we should see it this year.

Apple cuts production of older iPhones with new models ‘on track’

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iPhone xs xr compared
Sales of the iPhone XR are said to be falling fastest.
Photo: Apple

Apple has cut production of older iPhone models for the third quarter of 2019, according to a new report from analysts.

The move suggests that demand for the company’s more affordable devices has started falling. Meanwhile, manufacturing is on track for Apple’s next-generation handsets coming this fall.

Leaked photos reveal new 2019 iPhone XR colors

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IPhone Xr
Say goodbye to coral and blue.
Photo: Apple

The 2019 version of the iPhone XR will likely come in two new color options.

Leaked details of the new colors surfaced last week revealing that Apple will opt for Green and Lavender instead of coral and blue. Today we’ve got our first glimpse of what the new colors will look like thanks to some photos of leaked colored glass pieces for the rear casings.

The green one looks especially great:

2019 iPhone cases make way for third camera lens

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2019 iPhone case
Look at the size of that cutout!
Photo: Slashleaks

Case-makers are already preparing themselves for this fall’s big iPhone refresh.

New images show updated case designs for an iPhone XS successor with a larger camera module. They line up with recent rumors that have claimed Apple’s next-generation flagships will have a third rear-facing camera sensor.