Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has announced that it is planning to completely redesign its flagship iPhone, hoping to make them more like iPads. In a news release, Apple said that the iPhone redesign will be part of a major autumn refresh that will see 5G added to as many as four new handset models and the release of two new accessories.
This year’s successors to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be joined by two lower-end models to replace the iPhone 11. At least the two high-end devices will have flat stainless steel edges instead of the current curved design, as well as more sharply rounded corners like the iPad Pro that was introduced in 2018.
Reminiscent of the iPhone 5 design, the new handsets will have flat screens rather than the sloping edges on current models. Apple has also been developing a smaller and cheaper version of its Home Pod speaker, to be released as early as this year, and “Apple Tags” that will let users track real-world objects like keys and wallets.
Because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, at least some of the new iPhones could be released weeks later than normal, though still within the typical fall window. Apple hasn’t informed suppliers of any significant delays, and its engineers are expected to travel to China and finalize product designs in May of this year. Also, the upcoming iPhone Pro models will include three cameras on the back while the lower-end phones will continue to have two cameras, as with the current lineup.
Apple will add the 3-D LIDAR system that debuted with the iPad Pro in March to its top-tier devices, setting the stage for advances in augmented-reality applications. Apple is also investigating removing the cut out at the top of the display for the selfie camera and Face ID sensors in future designs.
Since 2012, Apple has released major new iPhones each September, except for the release of the iPhone X in 2017 that came in November due to supply constraints that year. Apple also said it is working on a new version of the MacBook Pro, Apple TV, budget iPads and a new iMac.
AAPL shares gained 55 cents to $268.54.
Tech Insider
