14 DAY TRIAL // Apple only launched this year’s iPhones last month, but everyone is already talking about the next generation.
The 2019 iPhone lineup will most likely come with three different models, just like this year’s series, as Apple is planning to launch a successor to each of the version that got the go-ahead in September.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the LCD version will stick around for one more year, despite rumors that the company could be making the full switch to OLED in 2019.
At the same time, Apple is also planning to keep water resistance untouched, so an IP68 rating is very likely to be offered on the 2019 models too.
iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus all launched with IP67, while iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR have been upgraded to IP68. This improvement is notable especially in the case of users who wanted to take photos underwater, though it’s important to always have in mind that you’re not supposed to do this anyway.
Samsung’s investments in water resistance
However, as various tests proved, the IP68 rating guarantees the iPhone would work fine after being submerged in water for a short period of time.
The next-year models would thus feature no improvements in this regard, so Apple is focusing on other upgrades for these iPhones. Most likely, the same materials would be used, with glass for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max successors.
Apple’s rival Samsung is also investing hard in water resistance and all its flagships already feature the IP68 rating, but it’s not known if the South Korean plans any such upgrades in this regard. The company will take the wraps off its anniversary Galaxy S10 early next year, and there’s a chance that some improvements to make the device last longer in water could be offered too.