New iPhones: 'Pro' models to sport upgraded camera and Face ID, says report
The devices will replace the existing iPhone XS and XS Max, while a third device will be a follow-up to the cheaper XR.
Thursday 22 August 2019 17:03, UK
Two new iPhone handsets due to be unveiled by Apple next month will be pitched as MacBook-style "pro" models with an upgraded triple-lens camera and improved facial recognition, according to a report.
The pair of devices will replace the existing iPhone XS and XS Max, Bloomberg says, while a third smartphone from the company will be viewed as a follow-up to the more wallet-friendly XR.
Apple is also said to be working on a multi-angle version of its Face ID sensor, which means it will be able to recognise users while the phone is flat on a table, and some form of shatter-resistant tech to protect it from drops.
The triple camera on the rear of the Pro models will include a wide-angle lens, support for higher-resolution photos, and better low-light performance and video recording.
They will also reportedly feature reverse wireless charging like the recently revealed Samsung Galaxy Note 10, allowing the phones to share power with accessories like AirPods.
The replacement for the cheaper XR, which starts at £749 compared to £999 for the XS and £1,099 for the XS Max, will double its number of back camera lenses from one to two - and share a faster processor with the Pros.
The 2019 iPhones will the first to be released since designer Jony Ive left Apple, although they will likely have come too soon for his absence to be felt.
It is widely expected that the California-based firm will reveal all three of the new phones next month, with 10 September having been mooted as a possible date for the announcements.
But Apple could have plenty more to say during its next keynote at its Steve Jobs Theatre, with Bloomberg also reporting details of a new iPad, MacBook Pro and Apple Watch.
The business outlet reports that there will be updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, both with "upgraded cameras" and faster processors, and a fresh 16-inch MacBook Pro to replace the current 15-inch model.
Changes to the Apple Watch will reportedly be extremely minor, with Apple limiting its work on the wearable to new case finishes and a software update.
The September event will arrive just a few weeks after another Apple product launch - the Apple Card.
The titanium credit card was released in the US this week and - while reviewers have been complementary of its security features and money management functionality - Apple has come in for some ridicule for an extensive cleaning guide posted on its website for those looking to keep it in pristine condition.
Apple warns that "some fabrics, like leather or denim, might cause permanent discolouration that will not wash off", meaning your existing wallet or jeans pocket might not be an ideal home for the card.
The firm says those who do experience staining on their card should try and clean it with a "soft, slightly damp, lint-free microfiber cloth", and then "moisten" said cloth with "isopropyl alcohol" to finish the job.
Apple also says users should not try to spruce it up with "window or household cleaners, compressed air, solvents, aerosol sprays, ammonia or abrasives" - and do not even think about wiping it against your jeans.