This Is What The iPhone X2 May Look Like, Keeping That Ugly Notch As It Launches Later In 2018

We already know that Apple's planning to release three new iPhones later this year, including a successor to the 10th anniversary iPhone X from 2017.

And thanks to a highly trusted tipster, we also know what those three upcoming iPhones may look like.

The images have been spread by leaking specialist Macotakara, who's been pretty accurate about concept renders of flagship phones in the past.

From what we can tell, the left-most iPhone in all probability is the successor to the iPhone 8, while the middle sample looks like the iPhone X2 -- the flagship iPhone to be launched later this year, successor to the iPhone X.

The third and right-most iPhone showcases an updated iPhone SE (probably will be called iPhone X SE), transforming the bdget-friendly iPhone to a more premium device.

What conclusions can we draw from these early concept renders of the upcoming iPhones? That the iPhone X "notch" is here to stay -- it's not going away. Ugh. 

The notch on the iPhone X2 also confirms that Face ID continues (obviously) and that Touch ID is probably dead (we hope not). We don't think even the iPhone X SE will sport a 3.5 mm audio jack, and last year's iPhone X's angular aluminium chassis will be the blueprint of this year's iPhones, too. Commenting on their price points right now would be just too immature, so we won't do it.

Additionally, Forbes is reporting that Apple will soon start a trial production run of the iPhone X2, iPhone X Plus, and iPhone X SE in the next quarter. This is much earlier than in previous years and a direct consequence of the iPhone X production issues faced by Apple in 2017, which had a massive impact on lower than expected sales of the flagship handset.