While the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro have just come out, it's never too early to start thinking about Apple's next iPhone. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and reported by MacRumors, the company's 2020 iPhone will showcase a significant redesign including a metal frame structure similar to the iPhone 4. Additionally, the next iPhone is expected to feature new trenching and injection molding procedures, and sapphire or glass cover assembly that will protect the trench injection molding structure.

MacRumors points out that the iPhone 4, designed by Jony Ive, was the first smartphone to have an exposed squared-edged aluminum frame between two panes of glass. Fast forward, and the iPhone 11 features an aluminum frame wrapping around the round corners of the display in an all-glass enclosure.

Kuo feels that the metal design of the next iPhone will cut down on the negative impact of metal shielding on the high-frequency transmission efficiency of the internal antenna, as the sapphire or tempered glass will better protect the injection molded structure. This means, however, that the cost of the metal frame and glass case will likely increase substantially.

For more on Apple's 2020 iPhone, which is expected to support 5G networks, visit MacRumors.