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Leaked Case Molds Show Square iPhone Camera Bump

If these molds are real, then all three iPhone models arriving this year will include a square camera bump on the back and an unusual triangular layout for the iPhone 11 and 11 Max.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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We've still got a while to wait until the expected iPhone model refresh in September, but that means there's also plenty of time for details to leak. The latest is news of a square camera bump expected to appear on the back of all three 2019 iPhones.

As 9To5Mac reports, news of the square bump comes via Mark Gurman on Twitter who posted an image of purported 2019 iPhone case molds. These molds are typically used by case manufacturers to design their new cases around, but ultimately a few fall through the cracks and offer us a teaser of what's to come.

The square camera bump is sure to stand out mainly because the camera layout being suggested is quite unusual. On the iPhone 11 and 11 Max there's a trio of cameras, but they are positioned in a triangular configuration with the flash and microphone positioned above and below within the square. The refreshed iPhone XR also has the square bump, but is limited to just two camera alongside the flash and microphone.

While all three are unusual layouts, they are also distinctive which is likely why Apple is happy with this design. The configuration is surely done with good reason, but for marketing purposes just showing the camera area of these phones in an image will make them instantly recognizable as iPhones.

This could be a fake mold or an early design that's since been rejected. However, until we learn otherwise this looks to be the new back of the iPhones and a major camera upgrade for Apple's smartphones.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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