CALIFORNIA – Tech giant Apple is going to unveil the 2018 iPhone lineup along with a couple of interesting gadgets in an event at the Steve Jobs Theater today (Wednesday).
2018 iPhone
The Silicon Valley-based is going to launch not one or two but three iPhones this year.
iPhone XS
The iPhone X successor will be called iPhone XS, according to 9to5Mac, the new smartphone will feature an OLED 5.8-inch AMOLED screen, dual rear cameras, stainless steel backs, A12 A12 processors built upon a 7nm process, combined with the second generation Apple-designed GPU, 4GB of RAM and three storage options – 64, 256 and 512 GB.
The color options are the familiar Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
The new iPhone will run Apple’s latest iOS 12.
iPhone XS unofficial preliminary specifications
| Display | 5.8-inch 19.5:9 Super AMOLED Display with (1125 x 2436) resolution |
| Chipset | Apple A12 with Apple four-core graphics GPU |
| Memory | 4GB RAM + 64/256/512GB ROM |
| Main Camera | 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/2.4, phase detection autofocus, Quad LED flash |
| Front Camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | 2710 mAh |
| OS | iOS 12 |
| Misc | Face ID, IP67 dust/water resistant |
iPhone XS Max/Plus
This iPhone is the sibling to iPhone XS and shares all the features except screen size which is increased to 6.5-inch. The colors are the same.
iPhone XS Max unofficial preliminary specifications
| Display | 6.5-inch 19.5:9 Super AMOLED Display with (1242 x 2688) resolution |
| Chipset | Apple A12 with Apple four-core graphics GPU |
| Memory | 4GB RAM + 64/256/512GB ROM |
| Main Camera | 12 MP f/1.8 + 12 MP f/2.4, phase detection autofocus, Quad LED flash |
| Front Camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | 3300 mAh |
| OS | iOS 12 |
| Misc | Face ID, IP67 dust/water resistant |
iPhone Xr
This would be the cheapest iPhone in all three variants, The phone will feature a 6.1-inch lower resolution LCD instead of OLED, a single rear camera, aluminum chassis, 3GB of RAM, Apple A12 chipset, three storage options – 64, 256 and 512 GB.
It’s anticipated that Chinese models of the iPhone 9 will feature dual-SIM capability, a first for any iPhone.
iPhone Xr unofficial preliminary specifications
| Display | 6.1-inch 19.5:9 Super AMOLED Display with (1125 x 2436) resolution |
| Chipset | Apple A12 with Apple four-core graphics GPU |
| Memory | 4GB RAM + 64/256/512GB ROM |
| Main Camera | Single 12MP f/1.2, phase detection autofocus, Dual LED flash |
| Front Camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | To be announced |
| OS | iOS 12 |
| Misc | Face ID, IP67 dust/water resistant |
iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will feature a true Dark Mode and Always on Display.
All the 2018 iPhones are expected to utilize the front facing True Depth camera to enable Face ID; while the display cut-out or notch is expected to remain.
It’s expected that the 2018 iPhones will get a beefier 18W charger in the box.
Wireless charging on the current 2018 iPhones caps out at 7.5W. While the QI standards support wireless charging up to 15W, Apple would have to have to accommodate not only the appropriate hardware to enable 15W wireless charging but manage the additional heat generated. Ideally, the AirPower Mat would also get 15W charging.
Pricing
The expected prices of the three smartphones are:
- 1-inch iPhone 9 model will cost €800/£700/$700
- 8-inch iPhone Xs mode will cost €910/£800/$800
- 5-inch iPhone Xs (Plus/Max) model will cost €1.150/£999/$999
Apple Watch Series 4
Alongside the new iPhones, the Cupertino based company is also expected to launch a new generation of its smartwatch. The new Apple Watch is expected to have a similar design to the current Apple Watch 3, but potentially with a slightly larger screen squeezed into the same size body.
Additional rumored specifications include a touch-sensitive haptic button along with a redesigned digital crown to better aid waterproofing. Improved health sensors could also make an appearance on the Series 4 Apple watch.
