Quotable Kuo says 2019 iPhones will have triple-camera system, upgraded front camera

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems to have a better track record predicting upcoming iPhone features than many other pundits, and today he said in a note to investors that Apple’s 2019 iPhones will feature (finally) a 12-megapixel front camera and that the 6.5-inch and 5.8-inch OLED models (much like the iPhone XS and XS Max) are going to have a triple-camera system that includes a super-wide 12-megapixel lens.

As you can see from the mockup of the three-lens camera at the top of the page (image has been making the rounds on multiple Apple websites), the camera “bump” is expected to be pretty good-sized. According to Kuo, Apple is working on a black lens coating that will make both the front lens and the third back lens match the iPhone’s bezel, making it essentially invisible. That could reduce the visual impact of the third lens and also provide visual uniformity in the ubiquitous “notch” on the latest iPhones.

Kuo’s view into his crystal ball (based on supplier reports), also shows that the successor to the 6.1-inch iPhone XR will have a dual-camera system similar to that on the iPhone XS. Kuo also expects the front camera to go from a 4-element lens to a 5-element design, and that the super-wide lens added to the top-of-the-line model will be made by Sony for Apple, using a 1 micrometer sensor.

As in past years, the 2019 iPhone models are expected to be announced in September.