Other What will an iPhone look like in 2025?

[Shirasaki]

unless Apple can find a way to do fast charging through that Apple Watch like charger then I still think it’s an issue. Also, one issue I have is every now and then I will wake up in the morning and realize that my phone did not quite connect with the wireless charger. Granted, if Apple is using a magnetic connection that shouldn’t be an issue, but there still some mornings where I would wake up to a 40% charge I need to get as much juice as possible in the 30 minutes that I am getting ready.

However, my biggest gripe is that without a port you lose the ability to restore the device in case of a severe issue.

You know what, these are all concerns I have regarding apple’s portless approach. But we all know Apple, being living in a tinfoil hat society, will care nothing about those concerns and force users to suffer. How to charge iPhone while on the go wirelessly? How to handle computer connection? How to make sure iOS is solid and rigid enough to be able to recover on its own, eliminating the need to connect to any computer? And the charging speed you just mentioned is also critical, as you cannot leave your phone behind while charging on charging pad in a cafe.

What’s the ideal scenario for portless phone? This is my guess: Office, home, and any other places the user is going at a typical day all has wireless charger, have no local media storage, and don’t need any computer for emergency restore, use nothing but mainstream apps and play some games. Unfortunately, not everyone living like that.

iPhone 7 removing headphone jack was controversial, but at least that was somewhat manageable and no huge deal breaker. I will closely follow this charging port removal change and see how big the backlash would be. I for one, would never buy any phone that don’t have a charging port. I can resort to burner phone if I have to, and use iPad for everything modern, unless apples solution is somewhat tolerable.

 

[ZillaL]

The only way this will be possible is when computing power is so capable, everything you need or want to do is possible with a device the size of an iPhone.

The amazing thing is that demand for compute power has been, what economists call, elastic since the 1960s. This means when price goes down by x %, the demand grows with more than x %. So assuming this stays true the next 5 years, we will still have personal computers around in 2025, doing new things, we havn't yet thought of.

 

[Traverse]

What’s the ideal scenario for portless phone? This is my guess: Office, home, and any other places the user is going at a typical day all has wireless charger, have no local media storage, and don’t need any computer for emergency restore, use nothing but mainstream apps and play some games. Unfortunately, not everyone living like that.

While I do work in an office where I could technically charge it if needed, I don't want to have to worry about it. Plus, at the end of the day I want to know what Apple's narrative is about a port-less device. iPhone's currently have good water resistance so what does removing the port bring to the experience? All I can think of at the moment is negatives, but I genuinely want to know what the point of it is - other than adhering to a design philosophy. I just feel like a USB-C port would pretty universally improve the experience.

Also, I don't want Apple to make syncing media harder (even though we have WiFi sync for now). I still have to sync my music via my Mac because even after 5 years iCloud Music Library doesn't reliably sync play counts. I'm not doing anything fancy, just a simple playlists that force-rotates random music and it just doesn't work reliably unless I sync the old fashioned way. I'm perfectly fine if I'm not Apple's target user or even on their radar, but don't actively make it harder for me to do basic non-cloud things for no real reason.

 

[Shirasaki]

While I do work in an office where I could technically charge it if needed, I don't want to have to worry about it. Plus, at the end of the day I want to know what Apple's narrative is about a port-less device. iPhone's currently have good water resistance so what does removing the port bring to the experience? All I can think of at the moment is negatives, but I genuinely want to know what the point of it is - other than adhering to a design philosophy. I just feel like a USB-C port would pretty universally improve the experience.

Also, I don't want Apple to make syncing media harder (even though we have WiFi sync for now). I still have to sync my music via my Mac because even after 5 years iCloud Music Library doesn't reliably sync play counts. I'm not doing anything fancy, just a simple playlists that force-rotates random music and it just doesn't work reliably unless I sync the old fashioned way. I'm perfectly fine if I'm not Apple's target user or even on their radar, but don't actively make it harder for me to do basic non-cloud things for no real reason.

Given apple’s recent move of completely eliminating software update deferral feature, I feel Apple is in some sort of desperation mode, especially when the latest jailbreak targets a very wide range of iOS and devices.

In my experience, Apple is always the company that acts like a kid demanding to be unique while ignoring everyone else. This mentality has brought them to where they are now, but maybe no further. It’s like Apple has reached a turning point and only Apple know where they want to go. I often compare Apple to China cause they share some similar characteristics, such as secrecy and cult-driven fan base. They want people think they are always doing great job and flawless and ignore those ugly stuff within. Only time will tell.

 

[Brien]

There's so much potential in smartphones. They really could be the only computing device a person needs.

The OS needs to grow up before Pro users would accept that, though.

No Xcode, no multi-user, no proper clipboard (copy/paste without formatting etc.) are all things that make iOS a no-go for many at a workhorse level.

 

[tedley]

The 2025 iPhone will be the size of a piece of rice. No ports, bezels or even screen. It will be surgically implanted in your brain by a genius bar employee who has successfully completed an extensive 3-week course in the simple surgical procedure. You will need an genius bar appointment for the procedure.

There will be a wireless headset available for the paltry sum of $1999.

It will look shocking similar to this

This raises the question. Inquiring minds want to know.....

Did Steve Jobbs really die -- or did he return to the collective???

 

[bluecoast]

• Periscope cameras
• Likely some sort of AVR 3D image capture & display (to be used with the Apple Glass)
• Micro LED screens
• Some sort of always on display i.e. like the Watch [Edit]
• eSIM only
• Iris scans - agree with the OP
• Portless - agree with the OP
• Haptic/non-moving buttons
• At least a semi-flexible chassis (ie flexible at one point in the body [EDIT] for durability more than anything) though foldeable if they can get the tech to work
• Better repairability of key components.
• Better durability
• Easier to replace the battery

 

[Shirasaki]

eSIM only

As long as apple wants to sell iPhone in China, this won’t happen. But if only for global market maybe.

Haptic/non-moving buttons

Might as well just remove buttons at all. Cue the MacBook Touch Bar.
I am not so sure how to turn on/off iPhone if iOS is frozen though.

• Better repairability of key components.

Easier to replace the battery

These two don’t line up well with “no button and no ports”.

 

[bluecoast]

As long as apple wants to sell iPhone in China, this won’t happen. But if only for global market maybe.

Might as well just remove buttons at all. Cue the MacBook Touch Bar.
I am not so sure how to turn on/off iPhone if iOS is frozen though.


These two don’t line up well with “no button and no ports”.

Fair enough. Re. my point about repairability and durability. I don’t think that we’ll see Apple produce a Fairphone equivalent.


However I do think that we’re moving to a time where Apple is starting to prioritise durability, battery life and a (relatively) ease of repair, rather than the ‘thinnest’ obsession of the Ive era where components were packed in, and difficult to remove.

For example, to replace the top speaker on my iPhone 7 meant replacing the screen.

Finally, when I say ‘haptic buttons’ I mean the equivalent to the MacBook trackpad.

 

[Shirasaki]

Fair enough. Re. my point about repairability and durability. I don’t think that we’ll see Apple produce a Fairphone equivalent.


However I do think that we’re moving to a time where Apple is starting to prioritise durability, battery life and a (relatively) ease of repair, rather than the ‘thinnest’ obsession of the Ive era where components were packed in, and difficult to remove.

For example, to replace the top speaker on my iPhone 7 meant replacing the screen.

Finally, when I say ‘haptic buttons’ I mean the equivalent to the MacBook trackpad.

Ok cool.

I doubt it though, as apple still obsessed with removing ports and buttons. Not like those elements should exist on a phone forever, but I have a hard time believing these moves “make iPhone or any Apple devices easier to repair”.

 

[44267547]

Ok cool.

I doubt it though, as apple still obsessed with removing ports and buttons. Not like those elements should exist on a phone forever, but I have a hard time believing these moves “make iPhone or any Apple devices easier to repair”.

A portless iPhone essentially will demolish third-party repair shops. Apple will only have specific access to those phones in terms of repairs and/or accessible parts. You can’t even purchase OEM parts for an iPhone, Apple will make it nearly impossible in the future for the iPhone to be serviced by anyone except them.

 

[pcdtech]

My wish list:

• A fully wireless iPhone, no ports or a smart connector, with 30 watt wireless charging
• A notchless design with thinner bezels than the iPhone 11 Pro
• 5.4" screen size
• Higher pixel density and brightness than the iPhone 11 Pro with greater color gamut
• 120 Hz display
• Rich, powerful sound
• Saphire crystal

 

[Shirasaki]

A fully wireless iPhone, no ports or a smart connector, with 30 watt wireless charging

Which relies on very robust and nearly bug free software. I doubt apple can go that direction very soon without backfire.

 

[pcdtech]

Which relies on very robust and nearly bug free software. I doubt apple can go that direction very soon without backfire.

I’m not an expert but I’m less concerned about Apple’s ability to nail the software for a portless design without any failure, but we do know it’s being worked on. What I am more concerned about is Apple’s willingness to push their batteries to greater limits. They have always been very conservative, more than the Android OEM competitors. I don’t believe a 30 watt wireless iPhone is likely in 2025, but I can dream.

 

[Shirasaki]

A portless iPhone essentially will demolish third-party repair shops. Apple will only have specific access to those phones in terms of repairs and/or accessible parts. You can’t even purchase OEM parts for an iPhone, Apple will make it nearly impossible in the future for the iPhone to be serviced by anyone except them.

I once dreamed the device we have today got hacked wirelessly through sending maliciously crafted electromagnetic waves. When apple iPhone goes portless, this type of high-tech attack may rise, and user will have absolutely no control and no idea.

 

[44267547]

I once dreamed the device we have today got hacked wirelessly through sending maliciously crafted electromagnetic waves. When apple iPhone goes portless, this type of high-tech attack may rise, and user will have absolutely no control and no idea.

I seriously think you just envisioned the future of how manipulation will eventually be a reality. As tech evolves, So does ‘malicious activity‘ of someone trying to obtain your information.

 

[Shirasaki]

I seriously think you just envisioned the future of how manipulation will eventually be a reality. As tech evolves, So does ‘malicious activity‘ of someone trying to obtain your information.

Once Apple removes the ports, they will eventually be forced to address hardware security flaws as iPhone CANNOT be designed to not have connectivity at all. Some hardware flaws need a brand new chip design, which will cost customers hefty price to replace compromised device. Worse, a massive wireless attack could render billions of various devices (Not just iPhone) across the world vulnerable. The future looks bleak to me. All might start from removing the charging/data port from iPhone.

IoT industry has acknowledged the huge risk of wireless attack in IoT world due to poorly designed insecure devices. I wonder what Apple will respond to this inevitable danger. That’s why removing charging ports won’t help improving device security as people might think, if at all.

 

[SmugMaverick]

The same as the 2020 model

same frame and maybe a smaller notch

2015-2020 had the same design just changes to the screen and number of cameras but the frame remained the same every year.

2015-2020 - Chunky sides and curved metal with bezels pretending to be edge to edge.