Future iPhone Rumors

Apple in 2023 will opt for a USB-C port for the iPhone instead of a Lightning port, according to Bloomberg and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This would see USB-C as the default charging method over Lightning for all iPhone 15 models.

Multiple sources have said that Apple will stick to Lightning, but the European Union is passing new legislation that would force Apple to adopt USB-C on all of its devices sold in Europe. If this legislation is enacted, Apple would need to ship special USB-C models in Europe, or make a change across all of its devices, which seems more likely.

Apple is working on creating its own modem chips that are designed in-house, much like the Apple silicon and A-series chips, which will allow the company to reduce its reliance on modem chip vendors. Apple has been working on the modem for several years and development accelerated after Apple acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple could transition to its own 5G modems as early as 2023. Once Apple comes out with its own modem designs, it will no longer need Qualcomm. 2023 is the "earliest" date, but multiple rumors have suggested that Apple chip supplier TSMC will be ready to manufacture Apple's modem chips in 2023.

A periscope telephoto lens could be introduced in the 2023 iPhone models, allowing for greater zoom capabilities without increasing the overall thickness of the device.

Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a way to put the hardware for Face ID under the display to get rid of the notch. It was initially thought that Apple could adopt under-display Face ID technology as soon as 2022, but display analyst Ross Young says that components like the infrared camera will not be moved under the display until 2023 or 2024.

Further in the future, Apple could potentially introduce some kind of foldable iPhone, based on various rumors and patents the company has published, as well as competition from companies like Microsoft and Samsung, which have developed foldable smartphones.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has started "early work" on an iPhone with a foldable display, but the company has not yet committed to releasing a foldable device. Rumors suggest a foldable could come as early as 2024, but that 2025 is a more likely target date.