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iPhone XI: What the rumours have to say

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DailyBiteMay 30, 2018 | 15:31

iPhone XI: What the rumours have to say

With Apple Worldwide Developers Conference right around the corner and its annual Keynote event just months away, news reports of everything Apple and even the upcoming iPhones have started pouring in, thick and fast.

Despite there appearing to be no consensus on the name of the upcoming iPhones, with many calling it the iPhone XI, some calling it the iPhone 9 and still others calling it the X2, the ever-churning rumour mill has already drawn up a list of what we can expect. 

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Three iPhones?

As per earlier reports, Apple is expected to release an updated version of the iPhone X with a 5.8-inch OLED screen, a larger 6.5-inch OLED model (call it an iPhone X Plus), and a new mid-range model that will feature a 6.1-inch display and borrow elements of both the iPhone X and the cheaper iPhone 8 variants.

Latest reports, however, claim the OLED panel won't just be used on of the three models, but would rather be used on all three, thus giving more power to the expected three iPhone-theory for this year. 

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An all OLED line-up?

Apple, which had started using OLED displays for its iPhones only last year, is now expected to equip its 2018 line-up with OLED displays sourced possibly from its rival, Samsung. 

The source behind this is South Korea's ET News which reports that Apple will transition to an all-OLED line-up next year. The report cites industry sources which claim that Apple's three new iPhones will follow the iPhone X in sporting an OLED display.

However, it notes that if Apple releases a fourth iPhone in 2019, that model will likely stick with an LCD screen.

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What will the iPhone XI look like?

Even though Apple may well be looking to announce three new phones for 2019, it's more than certain that all eyes will be fixated on the flagship, iPhone XI. 

Despite retaining the OLED panel already found on the iPhone X, the new device could well bring with it a number of interesting changes in terms of looks. As per trusted Apple analyst, KGI’s Ming Chu Kuo, this year’s iPhone will retain the bezel-less look of its predecessor and will bring with it a design similar to that of the iPhone X. Interestingly, the notch is also set to remain. 

Much like the iPhone X, the new iPhone will also be made majorly out of glass, however, this year, we could see more colours than were made available last year. 

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New features and specs?

The feature set on the new iPhone is expected to not be too different from what is present on the current generation iPhone. After having put in months of work in developing advanced facial recognition tech in Face ID, expect Apple to not let go off it this year, and only improve on it by working on it some more. 

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With rival flagships improving on cameras, and the Pixel 2, Galaxy S9 and Huawei's P20 Pro upping the game, expect Apple to also bring some improvements to the camera setup on the new device. However, do not expect anything out of the ordinary, like the P20 Pro and its three-camera optical module. That would probably be held back by Apple for a later date. 

At the heart of it, the new iPhone is also expected to come equipped with an upgrade on the existing A11 Bionic processor that, to date, remains the most powerful processor for smartphones. Rumours also suggest a bigger battery pack for the iPhone XI, which could bring with it a 3400mAh pack, thus representing a 25 per cent gain on the iPhone X. 

How much will it cost?

The futuristic iPhone launched to mark the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone was announced with much fanfare and a starting price matching the hype created around it – $999 (Rs 89,000).

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus too were launched with high price tags starting at Rs 64,000 and Rs 73,000. Come September, expect Apple to sell the new iPhones at a higher price than what the current iPhones are selling for. 

Last updated: May 30, 2018 | 15:31
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