According to a research note by TF International Securities’ Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will unveil redesigned iPhones next year with a new metal frame structure reminiscent of tthe company’s iconic iPhone 4.
Kuo says Apple will change its flagship iPhone design “significantly” next year. Specifically, the new devices will feature a new metal frame with “a more complex segmentation design, new trenching and injection molding procedures, and sapphire or glass cover assembly to protect the trench injection molding structure.”
We predict that the new 2H20 iPhone design will change significantly […] The metal frame and the front and rear 2/2.5D glass are still used, but the metal frame surface will be changed to a similar design to the iPhone 4, replacing the current surface design.
The report predicts that the new design will be a major selling point that will contribute to supplier revenue and profitability, and combined with 5G support, will increase Apple’s smartphone shipments to 85 million units in 2020, compared to 75 million new iPhone shipments in 2019.
MacDailyNews Take: Liquidmetal, finally?
Sweet! The 4 and 5 series phones were SO MUCH EASIER to hold when taking pictures. And with the camera being the main focus this year and in the future, that’s a big deal.
Very, very smart re-introduction for a major portion of the population. Gold mine. Apple’s slowness with such a release surprises me frequently.
Mirrors the iPad Pro line
It will mirror iPad Pro line
iPhone 4s cracked all the time. My favorite design was the iPhone 5. I suspect metal on the back inhibits radio frequencies, but I’m not a fan of glass on the back of the phone. It is like holding a bar of soap.
I think iPhone 4/4S are the best looking. Even today, they look great. No bulging lens, weird antenna lines, oversized screens… Apple should “remake” it so it looks very similar, except the screen goes edge-to-edge on the front. The extra-small iPhone a lot of people want, physically smaller and lighter than iPhone 5/5S/SE, but it still has 4-inch screen. Single camera on glass back (or maybe two) with no lens bulge. “iPhone 4X” 🙂
love this design!
I am happy for this. It must happen. See to it!
Just found a reason to not upgrade my 6 just yet.