It appears we can’t expect the next iPhone range to look much different from the current lineup. As according to Nomuar analyst Anna Lee, Apple’s 2019-iPhone lineup won’t be much of a change from the current lineup. Now, this essentially implies that the next iPhone’s design will remain largely similar to the current iPhone XS.
“We think the three new iPhones in 2H19F will likely have the same form factors (body size and displays) as the 2H18 iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, with some added AR [augmented reality]-related features,” said the analyst.
Apple is widely expected to launch three iPhone models next year as well, a 5.8-inch model, a plus sized Max model, along with a 6.1-inch LCD model.
“We think 2019 could be the last year the iPhone uses the iPhone X design architecture, in preparation for initial hardware specs for 5G (sub-6GHz) and AR (augmented reality), before greater architecture upgrades in 2020F for 5G and a more comprehensive AR system,”, the analyst further added.
Besides, the analyst also notes there’s a good chance iPhone sales would shrink even further during the next fiscal year. The analyst estimates 204 million iPhone units sales is fiscal year 2019, while it’s expected to drop in fiscal year 2020 to 200 million units.
Apple has already cut production orders for this year’s iPhone lineup. Reports indicate that iPhone XR orders have been massively reduced, by upto 30 percent. Although, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have not witnessed such reduced orders.
Apple’s decision to reduce production orders comes as a result of lower than anticipated demand for new iPhone models as well as overall shrinking of the smartphone-market. Reports further cite that weak demand in China is another reason for cutting down production of newly launched iPhone models.
