New research report about the 2019 Apple iPhones would make Steve Jobs say "Yuck!"
According to an analyst's note sent out to clients by Citi Research, the upcoming Apple iPhone 11 series could include a feature that will make the late Steve Jobs spin in his grave. As noted by Business Insider, the research arm of Citibank's Private Banking unit says that it expects to see "support for (an) iPhone pencil/stylus" with the new models expected to be unveiled in September. But remember, it is a rumor and a similar one made the rounds last August before the 2018 iPhones were introduced. Obviously, that report was inaccurate.
Back in January of 2007 when Jobs unveiled the original iPhone, he famously put down the use of a stylus in order to promote the touchscreen on the device. Jobs was talking about how iPhone users would be able to navigate around the UI when he said, "What are we going to do? Oh, a stylus, right? We're going to use a stylus. No. No. Who wants a stylus? You have to get 'em, put 'em away, you lose 'em. Yuck! Nobody wants a stylus. So let's not use a stylus."
But the Apple Pencil was introduced in 2015 alongside the iPad Pro. Last year, Apple released a second-generation model that works with the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018). The latter version charges on the tablet through the magnetic "Smart Connector."
Some of today's styluses are productivity tools and are more than just pointing devices
Citi also expects the 2019 iPhones to be equipped with a "bezel-free screen" no different than what the current lineup sports now. And the researchers at Citi say that the batteries on the new units will have higher capacities. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has already told clients of TF International that he sees Apple including larger batteries this year because of the new reverse wireless feature that is rumored to be included with the 2019 iPhones.
Will the 2019 Apple iPhones support the Apple Pencil?
Similar to the wireless PowerShare feature on the Samsung Galaxy S10 line, iPhone 11 users will reportedly be able to use the rear panel of their phone to wirelessly charge AirPods, the Apple Watch, or another compatible phone. Since this will tax the battery on the host handset, Kuo expects the iPhone 11 Max to sport a battery in the range of 3491mAh and 3650mAh; that would be a 10% to 15% hike from the battery powering the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone 11, according to Kuo, will carry a battery with a capacity between 3189mAh and 3322mAh for a 20% to 25% bump from the iPhone XS. And the iPhone 11R could be equipped with a 3089mAh battery, a small 5% increase from the one powering the iPhone XR. The latter already has the best battery life of any iPhone ever.
Citi's report also says that the FaceTime camera will go from 7MP to 10MP on the upcoming models, with 14MP cameras on the back. The OLED models will both sport three sensors housed inside the square camera module based on previous rumors and renders. There will be a primary camera, a telephoto, and a wide-angle camera. The iPhone 11R will have both a primary and a telephoto camera in the back.
Pricing of the 2019 phones, according to Citi Research, will remain the same. The 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Max will start at $1,099. The 5.8-inch iPhone 11 will be priced at $999 and up, and the basic model of the iPhone 11R will cost $749. While not mentioned by Citi, we expect Apple to toss an 18W fast charger in the box (previously a $29 extra) along with a Type-C to Lightning dongle.
The controversial square camera module on the back of the 2019 iPhones
While the stylus, for the most part, has been dead and buried, it has shown up as the S Pen on Samsung's Galaxy Note handsets, and LG has its popular Stylo series. But accessories like the S Pen and the Apple Pencil are more than just mere pointing devices. They are productivity tools that users can employ to get things done. Perhaps Steve Jobs wouldn't be so quick after all to dismiss iPhone support for the Apple Pencil.
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