Leaked schematics confirm that 2019 iPhones will have a square camera hump

The iPhone rumour mill is picking up speed once again. Only two weeks ago we reported that Apple is planning to follow suit with Huawei, Samsung and others in introducing an iPhone with triple rear-facing cameras. Speculation has been abound on Twitter for months too about how the Cupertino-based company will implement these three cameras.

Now, a set of schematics have leaked online seemingly from China that shows what is unmistakably an iPhone with at least three rear-facing cameras. The camera housing looks remarkably like the Huawei used with the Mate 20 Pro, except that Apple has placed its at the top left-hand corner of the back case rather than in the middle as Huawei has.

There is also an aperture for what leakers like OnLeaks think is the LED flash, but there is a mysterious fifth aperture too. It is possible that Apple is planning on equipping its next iPhones with a 3D Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, which OEMs have slowly started to bring to market, such as with Huawei P30 Pro or the Xiaomi Mi 9. Apple has used ToF sensors as front-facing sensors, which create 3D profiles of objects that can help with augmented reality (AR) applications or for taking more detailed photos.

The idea of iPhones having a rear-facing ToF sensor is only speculative at this stage, but it certainly looks like the next generation of iPhones will not lie flat on a table. Hopefully, that huge camera hump does not interfere with wireless charging if or when Apple releases its much-delayed AirPower.