Screenshots via iHelp BR
One of my largest disappointments with the iPhone X was a lack of the iPhone Plus/iPad-like landscape mode. This gives iPhone apps a split-screen view in apps that have a list-content relationship, like notes, email, and messages. It makes it easier to switch between list items and their details, such as contacts and messages, or a list of notes and the content of a selected note. It also brings a landscape home screen to the iPhone, so you don’t have to rotate your phone when leaving one app and going to another.
However, the screen on the iPhone X was considered too narrow for this. Safari and other apps gain tabs in their views, which wouldn’t work on the narrow screen of the iPhone X. Apple was likely afraid that, while the phone is wide enough to support landscape viewing, the narrowness of the display would make the usable area of the screen too small.
Thanks to the iOS 12 beta and the latest versions of Xcode, we now see that not only is Apple planning on releasing an iPhone X Plus* this fall, but it’ll also feature the landscape views of current iPhone Plus models and the iPad.
Another Apple Beta Leak
iHelp BR discovered proof of the iPhone X Plus in the latest version of Xcode and iOS 12. Xcode has a handy tool that allows developers to simulate an iOS device on our Macs. It’s why we don’t need to buy every supported iPhone for every developer at a company. Apple is excellent at making accurate and reliable emulators. When the folks at iHelp BR forced the iPhone X simulator into a 2688 x 1242 resolution, it took on an iPhone Plus orientation. This was added to the latest iOS 12 beta, meaning Apple’s preparing iOS and iOS developers for a larger iPhone X.
iPhone X Plus Screen Size
2688 x 1242 at 458 ppi would be a 6.5-inch iPhone. It would make the iPhone X Plus the largest iPhone Apple’s ever produced, with the highest resolution as well. This would put the iPhone X Plus at a generalized “2k” resolution, between 1080p HD and 4k. Apple’s iPhone X Plus will have the largest and sharpest iPhone screen ever.
We’ve long assumed that, with the next generation of iPhones, Apple would discontinue the current design. The iPhone X design is obviously Apple’s future. Therefore, we’re still expecting Apple to release three new iPhone models next year. Apple will reveal the iPhone X sequel, with updated internals, the iPhone X Plus, with a 6.5″ screen, and the mid-sized 6.1″ “budget” iPhone, with an LCD screen, and single rear camera sometime this fall. We likely won’t have to wait longer than mid-September.
* Yes, iPhone X Plus, because I don’t know if Apple will call it the iPhone 11, iPhone XI, iPhone XS, or just the iPhone. So, I’m going with the current naming convention rather than being wrong later.
Sources:
- Filipe Espósito, iHelp BR
- Buster Hein, Cult of Mac