The next two generations of iPhones are likely to come with significant hardware upgrades, according to a new report, including 3D cameras on the rear and a move from the Lightning connector to USB-C.
Addressing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that the 3D camera system is part of Apple, and is specifically designed to "scan the environment and create three-dimensional reconstructions of the real world."
Compared to the current 3D sensor that powers the facial recognition system, which operates at a maximum of 50 centimeters, Apple's new 3D cameras will support a distance of up to 4.5 meters thanks to a laser scanner. Cupertino is said to be in talks with Sony about 3D sensors, although it's unclear where the negotiations between the two are at the moment.
The source claims that putting a 3D camera on the iPhone is the last step before Apple introduces its own AR headset, possibly in 2020.
An iPhone with a 3D camera is expected to be released next year, while for 2019, Apple is working on other significant improvements, especially for the successor to the iPhone XS Max. The new model will have three cameras on the back, while the upgraded iPhone XS will have a dual camera. A new LCD version is also planned, before Apple makes the full switch to OLED in 2020.
USB-C and CarPlay
Apple originally planned to install 3D cameras on the iPhone in 2019, but the plan was ultimately postponed for reasons that are currently unknown.
Facial recognition will also be upgraded in the next iPhones, but contrary to recent rumors, Apple will not be bringing back Touch ID. Previous reports have suggested that Apple could follow in the footsteps of its Android rival and integrate a fingerprint sensor into the display. But according to today's report, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Another change concerns Lightning, which Apple could finally abandon this year in order to adopt the USB-C connector.
There are also significant software improvements. iOS 13, which is scheduled to be released in September, will include dark mode, as well as Live Photos, the duration of which will be increased to six seconds. CarPlay will also receive some fixes, although there are no details about this.
There are no plans for a 5G version of the iPhone in 2019, although Apple is considering such a model for 2020.
