iPhone 9 could be surprisingly affordable and new iPads could have Face ID

Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research note, packed full of information about upcoming iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.

In the note, obtained by MacRumors, he says that the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone (which might be called the iPhone 9) will have iPhone X-like features yet go on sale for just $600-$700 (around £450-£530, AU$810-AU$950), which is significantly less than his earlier estimate. Perhaps unsurprisingly he therefore believes this will be the best-selling new iPhone model.

And despite apparently entering production later than the rumored 5.8-inch iPhone XI and 6.5-inch iPhone XI Plus, the iPhone 9 is said to go on sale alongside them in September.

Improvements and innovations

Moving on to iPads, Kuo is reiterating earlier claims that new models this year (presumably the iPad Pro 3) will sport Face ID, and he’s also standing by his earlier claim that the Apple Watch 4 will have a larger screen.

Looking further ahead, Kuo adds that he believes 2019’s iPhones will have “marked innovations” but says that the design and features of these phones probably won’t become clearer until September or October of this year at the earliest.

Much of this information isn’t new, but that Kuo is standing by it suggests he has confidence in it, and if the iPhone 9 really is as cheap as he expects it could be something of a bargain by Apple standards, as that’s a potentially lower launch price than the iPhone 8 had. We should find out how accurate most of this information is in September.

Via Phone Arena

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Latest in iPhone
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Apple iPhone 16 on orange background with big savings text overlay
You can get a free iPhone 16 Pro Max without a trade at Verizon right now - with one minor catch
Apple CEO Tim Cook
Forget Siri, Apple needs to launch a folding iPhone and get back on track
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
The latest batch of leaked iPhone 17 dummy units appear to show where glass meets metal on the new designs
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung's rumored smart specs may be launching before the end of 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #652)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)