2019 iPhone Wireless Power Sharing Feature Now Unlikely: Analyst

On the eve of Apple’s highly anticipated 2019 iPhone special event, famed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released his predictions of what may come to life tomorrow.

In a research note to clients and shared by MacRumors, Kuo detailed numerous predictions about this year’s iPhones.

To start, Kuo says 2019 iPhones will not support Apple Pencil. He also says this year’s line up will also retain Lighting ports and not USB-C.

As for OLED models (5.8” and 6.5”), these successors to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will now get an 18W adapter with a USB-C connector, while the 6.1” LCD model (the next iPhone XR), will still get the sad 5W adapter with USB-A.

iPhones this year were rumoured to support a wireless power share feature, which is found on rival Samsung’s flagship smartphones. This is now unlikely for 2019 iPhone models, says Kuo, “because the charging efficiency may not meet Apple’s requirements.” The analyst predicted back in April this feature could be coming to 2019 iPhone models.



Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is echoing what Kuo is saying, noting on Twitter, “Yup, sounds like backside charging is out,” following up on his previous comment of, “Have heard as well Apple has been having some issues with the reverse wireless charging for AirPods/Watch on back of the new high-end iPhones, despite it being planned. This is a feature Samsung has had for months and would be Apple’s second miss on charging (AirPower) if true.”

Kuo again reiterates design changes are not expected, but new colours are coming (most likely for the new XR successor), while OLED iPhone models will get triple-rear cameras.

All three iPhones this year will support ultra-wideband says Kuo, for better indoor navigation and tracking of objects.

Also, in a last-minute prediction, Gurman also says he believes the naming scheme for this year’s models to be: iPhone 11, iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max.

Stay tuned for Apple’s special event, set to kick off in just over 12 hours from now. Here’s how to watch it live.

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.