The world's top Apple analyst releases new research notes on the 2018 iPhone models

by Alan Friedman / Jan 28, 2018, 10:33 PM

The world's top Apple analyst releases new research notes on the 2018 iPhone models

KGI Securities Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has made so many great calls on Apple, that he is considered by many to be the most accurate out of the thousands of analysts who follow the company. In Asia, where it already is Monday thanks to the time difference, Kuo has disseminated a new research note to his clients, containing his latest musings about the 2018 Apple iPhone handsets.

Kuo expects Apple to release three new handsets this year. The lower priced model will be the 6.1-inch Apple iPhone 9. According to Kuo, this model will:

Feature an LCD screen.
Be manufactured by Pegatron (60%), Foxconn (30%) and Wistron (10%).
Japan Display will supply 70% of the LCD screens for the phone, which will use Full Active technology that require bezels measuring only .5mm on each side.
The display will have an aspect ratio of 18:9 with a resolution of 1080 x 2160.
The phone is equipped with a rectangular one-piece battery inside, with a capacity of 2850-2950 mAh, about 8% higher than the cell that currently sits inside the iPhone X.
To keep the price point between $700-800, the iPhone 9 will not have 3D Touch and will sport just a single rear-facing camera.
The phone will have Face ID, a TrueDepth Camera and Animoji.

The second generation Apple iPhone X, possibly named the iPhone Xs, and the 6.5-inch Apple iPhone Xs Plus will both include:

4GB of RAM, and a nice 25% hike in battery capacity to 3300-3400mAh.
The battery on both models will consist of two different parts arranged in an "L" shape in order to maximize the room inside each phone for other components.
The pair will each use OLED screens, although there is speculation that the iPhone Xs Plus might employ a 6.5-inch LCD screen.

According to Kuo, there won't be many changes made to the iPhone X sequel. He does expect the TrueDepth Camera to essentially remain the same (and available on all three models) until the 2019 iPhone handsets are introduced. Next year's iPhone units might have a TrueDepth Camera on the front and back of each phone.

One part of his research note should make Apple brass smile; Kuo sees all three 2018 units selling well, especially the lower priced iPhone 9 with the 6.1-inch LCD display.

source: MacRumors

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37 Comments

1. CreeDiddy

Posts: 2135; Member since: Nov 04, 2011

Getting the 6.5 this year. That’s the phone Apple should have released last year. That is why I returned my X.

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 10:43 PM 1

6. NickHill

Posts: 388; Member since: May 07, 2016

I don't see any reason to return my X its working great. 5.8 screen size is perfect 6.1/6.5 would be big

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 11:20 PM 0

9. Anonymous.

Posts: 423; Member since: Jun 15, 2016

But consider the aspect ratio. 5.8 inches is relatively small for width of a 19.5:9 display, and in order to match the width of traditional 16:9 dispays, the screen size has to be bumped to over 6 inches... 6.5 being the perfect spot, though that would result to an overly tall handset. Well, that's what you get for using a 19.5:9 which is even narrower than 18:9!

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 12:07 AM 2

22. sgodsell

Posts: 7042; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

$700 for a 18:9 LCD 6.1" with a resolution of 2160x1080, no 3D touch, and no TouchID. I can buy an LG Q6 for $180 Amazon Prime, or $250 regular with a 18:9 5.5" LCD with a resolution of 2160x1080, with something similar to 3D touch call long press, and no TouchID. Once again Apple is going out of its way to find ways to charge more for their products that offer similar specs to other products, but for much higher prices.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 7:59 AM 0

23. NickHill

Posts: 388; Member since: May 07, 2016

That $250 has a plastic back, 28nm Snapdragon 435, no fingerprint sensor, medicore cameras, terrible battery life, dated Android but above all its a great heater will keep ya warm

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 8:12 AM 2

24. sgodsell

Posts: 7042; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

First of all, were you expecting it to have the best cameras for its price? Second the battery life is better than an iPhone X, especially paired with that 435 SoC and 3000 MHA battery, so where you got that crap from is lies. It is even rated MIL-STD-810G with higher water resistant compared to any iPhone. Not to mention it supports smart lock, so you can use a smart watch to unlock the LG Q6. Something that no iPhone supports. So if you don't like facial recognition, no problem. You don't get other options with the newer iPhone models. Face the facts, Apple is a rip off. Btw the LG Q6 has Oreo now. So how is the LG Q6 version of Android dated? Last I looked, that is the latest version of Android.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 8:35 AM 0

25. NickHill

Posts: 388; Member since: May 07, 2016

Idk why did you write all that without using that device. My cousin has that phone and believe me screen ontime is no more than 3 hours, facial recognition is s**t fails sometimes in bright daylight just forget using at night. I ain't expect best cameras but those on this device are mediocre. Military grade has nothing to do water resistance its not even IP rated and here in my country its still running Nougat. Edit: Just noticed PhoneArena has already reviewed Q6 you can verify my claims

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 8:53 AM 0

27. sgodsell

Posts: 7042; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

3 hours with a 3000 Mha battery, a SD 435 64 bit SoC, and a 5.5" Full HD+ LCD. Give me a break, clearly your cousin is lying. Even PhoneArena said they got 8 hours 26 minutes was an above average using their tests. They even said it would last a full day, and even part of the next day. But I never trust PhoneArena's battery tests, especially when others rated the battery even higher than PhoneArena. Facial recognition is using only a 5mp front facing camera, and lighting will definitely effect the Q6 recognition. But that is why Android has smart lock. So you can use other things like a smart watch, or other trusted devices sources. But I think you are missing the biggest point. This new iPhone with its 6.1" LCD display if listed at $700. Has the same resolution display with the same aspect ratio. Almost the same bezel less design. Yet the LG Q6 can be purchased for $180 right now with the latest Android Oreo. So you could buy 3.9 LG Q6's for the price of one iPhone 6.1" LCD with no 3D touch. But you get something similar to 3D touch with the LG Q6 and more options to unlock the LG Q6 than the newer iPhones. In other words I could buy almost four LG Q6 for the price of one 6.1" LCD iPhone this fall. Or just buy one LG Q6 this year for $180, or a newer version when it comes out this year. Buy another LG Q7 next year for $180 or even a little more with Android P and better specs again like they do every year with Android smartphones. Buy a new LG Q8 the following year with Android Q, and I still haven't reached the price of Apples new iPhone 6.1" LCD iPhone with no Touch ID or 3D touch. See the picture? Apple is a rip off. You can buy 3 years of smartphones or more for the price Apple is charging. It doesn't even matter if LG updates the devices each year, but they do update them. Because it's still cheaper to buy a new Android device every year than go the route of Apple. Can you not see that? I have only made you look at one device, but there are hundreds of other Android models that arrive every year. With much better value than Apple could ever offer.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 10:12 AM 0

30. NickHill

Posts: 388; Member since: May 07, 2016

I wish I could explain you more about processor architecture and fabrication that I studied in my sophomore year but I guess its not the right place just know that 435 is built on 28nm and its holy crime to compare it to 10nm A11 bionic. iPhones always had great screens if we not count X all of them has LCD screens and no one ever complained about iPhones screen. Yeah I'll be really disappointed to see full hd resolution on a 6.1 inch phone but ya know can't do anything about that. As far as value is concerned everyone knows iPhones are not worth the price Apple demands still people buy that's another thing.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 11:45 AM 0

33. sgodsell

Posts: 7042; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

At first your on about the battery only having 3 hours, then you deflect to 28 nm verses 10 nm manufacturing process. Why because you said check out PhoneArena which gave the battery life above average, where as other sites have it even higher battery life, but your cousin only get 3 hours of battery life. Typical sheeple, especially when proved to you that you were wrong. Then I brought to the table the price. Sheeples will then deflect to something else, like camera or other specs. Yet Sheeple will then say specs don't matter, but they clearly do matter. I know they like to bring up app experience. They also bring up developers prefer to make iOS apps more than Android apps. But that gets shot down today as well. Google Play store has with 3.5 million apps to Apples 2.3 million apps, and its growth rate is now more than 3 to 1. So for every 1 app that arrives on Apple's app store 3 arrive on Google's play store. Check it out on App Annie for yourself. Wouldn't it stand to reason, if developers prefered iOS, then wouldn't the growth rate be on Apple's side? But no it isn't, is over 300% in Androids favour. Plus the experience has definitely changed as well. There is apps on Google's play store that just don't exist on Apple's app store. Like all the VR apps. For the utilities and tools there is a lot of apps that you just cannot find for iOS. As far as emulators and simulators Androids select puts Apples to share. There is even more AR apps on Google's play store right now. There is other app categories where Android outshines iOS as well. When did you last look at Android, really Nickhill? Was it 8 years ago?

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 2:58 PM 0

2. drunkenjay

Posts: 1651; Member since: Feb 11, 2013

not bad but would be nice if face id got more improvements. don't think i would change my x for the larger model.

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 10:44 PM 0

5. kiko007

Posts: 7493; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Why do you assume they won't improve it in the next model? They improved TouchID from gen 1 to gen 2 so I'd at least expect to see some enhancements.

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 11:08 PM 0

29. AmashAziz

Posts: 2894; Member since: Jun 30, 2014

But they took 2 years to do so. Therefore I too think they might make major improvements to FaceID only in 2019 iPhones.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 11:24 AM 0

3. tedkord

Posts: 17199; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

25% battery hike = nice.

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 10:51 PM 0

4. kiko007

Posts: 7493; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

Agreed. As someone who owns an iPhone X, the battery life has left a lot to be desired when coming from a 7 Plus. That 3300mAh cell will do wonders.

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 11:05 PM 0

8. Arch_Fiend

Posts: 3948; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

Just bring back touch ID please!

posted on Jan 28, 2018, 11:48 PM 0

10. gamehead unregistered

No 3D touch on the 9? So Apple remove the headphone jack and the fingerprint reader, but they weren't done I suppose.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 1:46 AM 1

11. meanestgenius

Posts: 21613; Member since: May 28, 2014

I've jumped back into camp iOS with me having gotten iPhone 8 Plus just recently. Count me in for the 6.5 inch XS Plus. The bigger battery will be the reason I choose that one over the others, as well as the screen size. Looking forward to the XS.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 2:16 AM 0

12. rubyonrails3

Posts: 372; Member since: Oct 01, 2014

I hope rumors about LCD on 6.5 Xs plus be wrong. I love my iPhone X love new gestures and faceID but I do wish screen was bigger as my main use is media consumption.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 3:08 AM 0

13. path45th

Posts: 402; Member since: Sep 11, 2016

It will be nice an iPhone X with an LCD screen. OLED screens are not durable and colors tend to be unnatural.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 3:28 AM 0

14. sleepypandaeyes

Posts: 365; Member since: Apr 12, 2015

Looks like there might not be an SE follow up then?. If they follow the 18.9 aspect ratio, the SE would be equivalent to the current iPhone 8 size which allot of people seem to like,.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 3:44 AM 0

15. midan

Posts: 2597; Member since: Oct 09, 2017

According to rumours new SE is coming in few months.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 4:12 AM 0

16. Phantom1031

Posts: 263; Member since: Aug 02, 2014

Forget iphone SE like iphone 5c, it was only one time love by Apple, if there would be any SE works, there would have been some positive hints here and there, but till now there is nothing 3D touch should be included in that cheaper model, otherwise its no go

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 4:42 AM 0

17. phaneendra_92

Posts: 64; Member since: Oct 12, 2013

Seems like good days for jdi displays....

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 5:28 AM 0

18. darkkjedii

Posts: 30904; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

6.5 incher sounds nice, but it's more about the software with me. I'm curious as to what iOS 12 will do.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 7:11 AM 0

26. meanestgenius

Posts: 21613; Member since: May 28, 2014

I’m interested in the software myself, darkk. I’m hoping Apple ports over features from the iPad to these new iPhones, at least the 6.5 inch one. I personally don’t want Apple to make iOS too much like Android, though. Throw in some of the better features that Android handsets are capable of, yes, but don’t make it too open like Android. Just my opinion.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 9:04 AM 1

28. darkkjedii

Posts: 30904; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I can dig it bro, just a few multitasking features, and a new look to the UI would suffice.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 11:18 AM 1

31. meanestgenius

Posts: 21613; Member since: May 28, 2014

Oh, definitely a new look to the UI. That is so badly needed, my dude. It’s one of Androids major strengths: The ability to make your phone look like almost however you want, via launchers, messaging apps like Mood Messenger and Textra, etc.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 2:24 PM 1

32. darkkjedii

Posts: 30904; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

How do you like the 8 Plus?

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 2:37 PM 1

34. meanestgenius

Posts: 21613; Member since: May 28, 2014

My dude, I’m absolutely loving it so far. Just got it his past Friday, and I feel I made a good choice. Went with the 8 Plus over the X primarily because of the battery life. Battery life is the most important metric to me when choosing a smartphone. Most of the top end smartphones are expensive, so the price didn’t sway me. The Notch was a non-factor to me as well. I prefer fingerprint scanning to facial recognition, so that was another factor for me. I’d love it if Apple develops an iris scanner. That, I’d use. And I hope Apple returns the FPS to the next models, even if it’s on the back. I’m already accustomed to Apple’s ecosystem, which is currently the best ecosystem in the Smartphone arena. And if truth be told (I’ve mentioned this before on past Apple and BlackBerry articles) I prefer iOS to Android. I rock my iPad Pro every day. I’ve never been a huge Android fan, I’ve just gone with it due to my preferred OEM’s using it. But I wanted to give the new iPhones a chance, and the 8 Plus was my choice. There are some things I know I’ll miss from Android, but not really deal breakers to me. Especially since I still have my BlackBerry KEYᵒⁿᵉ and my Nokia 6. Rocking both iOS and Android is awesome, and my Android devices are the perfect compliments to my 8 Plus, especially the KEYᵒⁿᵉ. Although admittedly, I’ve been entertaining a few offers from people wanting to buy my KEYᵒⁿᵉ, so I’ll most likely be parting with it soon. One offer I’ve been made is just too hard to turn down, lol. Definitely will get the KEYᵒⁿᵉ successor, anyway.

posted on Jan 29, 2018, 3:05 PM 0

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