As is par for the course, now that the newest iPhone is officially official, it’s all about what’s coming next. The cycle never dies! And today, legendary analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is hoping to keep the ball rolling at least for a bit longer. And this time, it’s all about the display and camera in a future Apple-branded smartphone.
As reported today by 9to5Mac, Kuo is back with a few expectations for the iPhone lineup that will launch next year. This is actually not the first time that Kuo has said Apple plans to ditch the notch in at least one future iPhone model. And, indeed, the analyst continues to lean into the possibility that next year’s iPhone will be the model to do just that.
The research note released today encompasses several different models, though. Including a new iPhone SE, which Kuo says will launch next year with 5G support sometime in the first half of 2022. And then, in the second half of next year Apple will launch a “more affordable” iPhone with a 6.7-inch display.
But! The real shining light in the tunnel of rumored devices is the rumored high-end models. According to Kuo, those two handsets, which will also launch in the second half of next year, will feature a “punch-hole display” and a 48MP Wide camera.
As mentioned above, this is not the first time that Kuo has speculated as such. According to the analyst, both the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will both ditch the notch in favor of the hole-punch display design. We’ve seen this design in some Android-based handsets, something that many people have obviously pointed out over and over again. You can see what that looks like in Samsung’s smartphone above.
As for the iPhone 14 lineup itself, rumor has it Apple will still launch four new handsets — but a mini model won’t be included in the mix. There will reportedly be two 6.1-inch models and a pair of 6.7-inch models, too. As far as the naming scheme is concerned, that will supposedly be: iPhone 14 (6.1-inch), iPhone 14 Max (6.7-inch), iPhone 14 Pro (6.1-inch), and iPhone Pro Max (6.7-inch).
Kuo also says that the iPhone 14 lineup won’t feature an under-display fingerprint sensor. Instead, Kuo’s investor note says Apple has delayed the new implementation for Touch ID until 2023 at the earliest. So, a bit of bummer there for folks who have been eagerly anticipating the reintroduction of Touch ID into Apple’s flagship iPhone lineup.
Are you ready to say goodbye to the notch?