MacRumors

All of the iPhones in Apple's iPhone 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineups feature Qualcomm modems that support 5G, but potential buyers need to know that not all 5G networks are equal. There's the super fast mmWave (millimeter wave) 5G and the slower but more widespread Sub-6GHz 5G.

In the United States, all of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 models support both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, but mmWave technology is not available worldwide. The 2022 ‌iPhone‌ SE is also limited to sub-6GHz 5G connectivity. This guide highlights the differences between mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G to give you an overview of how 5G works on the ‌iPhone‌.

mmWave vs. Sub6GHz Explained

5G is fifth-generation cellular wireless, succeeding the 4G LTE networks that have been in use since 2010. There are two kinds of 5G networks: mmWave, which is the super-fast 5G that most people are talking about when they talk about 5G speed improvements, and sub-6GHz, the 5G that most people are going to experience for the time being.

Smartphones transmit voice and data over the air using electromagnetic radio frequencies, with these frequencies organized into different frequency bands. Some of these bands have more capacity than others and are able to deliver information faster, which is the case with mmWave.

mmWave refers to higher frequency radio bands ranging from 24GHz to 40GHz, and Sub-6GHz refers to mid and low-frequency bands under 6GHz. Low-frequency bands are under 1GHz, while mid-bands range from 3.4GHz to 6GHz and are not considered "mmWave."

mmWave 5G networks are ultra-fast, but they're also ultra-short range. To use mmWave technology, you need to be within about a block of a 5G tower, which isn't feasible in suburban and rural areas. mmWave spectrum is also blocked and obscured by doors, windows, trees, and walls, further limiting its available range, and because it requires so many towers for coverage, it's expensive for carriers to deploy.

Because of its limited range, accessing mmWave spectrum has only become possible over the course of the last few years due to technological advancements like Massive MIMO, adaptable beamforming, and miniaturization of complex antenna processing functions, and mmWave is still nascent technology that's in the process of being adopted.

mmWave's limitations make it best suited for dense, urban areas, or specific targeted spots like airports or concerts. In rural and suburban areas, mmWave technology is not practical because it doesn't have enough range, which is where the Sub-6GHz networks come in. Sub-6GHz 5G is faster than 4G, but it doesn't offer the blazing-fast speeds that you can get with mmWave. Since it has a longer range and can better penetrate objects, it's much more affordable for carriers to implement.

It's worth noting that mmWave 5G offers greater bandwidth, relieving network congestion. In crowded areas, LTE speeds can slow because of the number of devices connecting, while mmWave technology is able to handle a greater number of connections without significant speed drops. For that reason, you may see mmWave set up in crowded areas where network congestion is a problem, such as at sporting events, airports, concerts, and other locations where many people gather, as well as in urban areas.

With an ‌iPhone‌ that supports both mmWave and Sub-6GHz, you can take advantage of lightning-quick 5G speeds where mmWave technology is available, while other 5G coverage is similar to the more modern LTE networks. With an ‌iPhone‌ that only has Sub-6GHz, you can use the most widely available 5G networks, but are blocked off from the faster mmWave that might be available in cities.

Over time, low-band and mid-band 5G speeds should get much quicker just like LTE did as it evolved, but those incredibly fast speeds that people expect from 5G are mmWave speeds and are much more limited in availability.

Speed Differences

mmWave spectrum can deliver theoretical speeds as high as 5Gb/s, which is much, much faster than the speeds achievable with LTE connectivity.

In practice, early mmWave networks have been delivering speeds that max out at around 2Gb/s, but as we found when we tested Verizon's mmWave network with a Samsung smartphone in Chicago in mid-2019, speeds vary drastically based on your position and proximity to the nearest 5G tower.

Sub-6GHz networks fall somewhere in between mmWave and LTE speeds. Sprint's Sub-6GHz network (which is now T-Mobile's), for example, has seen maximum speeds of about 200Mb/s. A good LTE connection can hit those speeds, but realistically, Sub-6GHz 5G is faster than most people will see with LTE, though not reaching those incredible speeds possible with mmWave.

OpenSignal in August 2020 analyzed real-world 5G speeds in multiple countries (using smartphones that currently support 5G), and the speed results for the United States might be surprising to those who are expecting major speed gains from 5G. Average download speeds on 5GHz networks were around 50.9Mb/s, compared to 28.9 Mb/s on LTE, and that's because most of the coverage in the U.S. is Sub-6GHz at this time.

Other countries have more advanced 5G networks and can provide some insight into the speed improvements we could realistically see within the next few years. On average, OpenSignal found 5G connectivity to be between 1.4x and 14.3x faster than 4G, but this data does not separate mmWave 5G from Sub-6GHz 5G.

One other interesting metric OpenSignal noted was time connected to 5G networks. In the United States, smartphone owners with devices that support 5G spent just 19.3 percent of the time connected to 5G networks because of their limited availability.

mmWave Availability

In the United States, AT&T and Verizon have implemented mmWave support, but it's still available in a limited capacity. It's in select major cities and not even citywide - it's typically limited to select neighborhoods.

With Sub-6GHz, it's already more widespread with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile rolling out lower-spectrum and mid-band 5G networks that are available to many more customers.

Which iPhones Support mmWave?

All ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 models in the United States support mmWave 5G networks. Outside of the United States, only sub-6GHz 5G networks are supported.

Do I Need the mmWave 5G Connectivity?

In a nutshell, no, most people don't need mmWave connectivity, nor will most people even access to it on a regular basis for the next several years to come.

Full mmWave 5G connectivity is still in the process of rolling out, and it continues to be limited in scope. It's only available in major cities in the United States, and in most of those major cities, it's not available everywhere and is in select areas.

The transition from 4G to 5G started in 2019 and there's still a ways to go, so most people are going to be able to get by without mmWave speeds. To know whether mmWave technology is worth it for you personally, it's a good idea to look up your carrier and see if mmWave spectrum has even rolled out where you live.

5G information for the major carriers in the United States is linked below so you can see the coverage for your particular carrier in your area.

• Verizon
• AT&T
• T-Mobile

If you don't spend a lot of time in one of the specific neighborhoods in one of the cities where your carrier offers 5G technology, you're not going to benefit from mmWave speeds and purchasing a mmWave ‌iPhone‌ should not be a major concern at this time. If you do live in a major urban area with a lot of mmWave 5G towers, you could see benefits from an ‌iPhone‌ that supports the faster technology.

Carriers are, of course, going to continue building out their mmWave networks and in a few years it could be much more widespread, which is a consideration for those who take future-proofing into account when making an ‌iPhone‌ purchase. But even years from now, mmWave is still likely to be limited in scope and available only in more urban areas and Sub-6GHz is the 5G most people will know and connect to.

Keep in mind that some carriers are charging more for 5G right now. Verizon, for example, is pricing 5G plans $10 higher than comparative 4G unlimited plans. AT&T and T-Mobile aren't charging higher prices yet, but that could change as 5G further expands.

Apple's Future 5G Plans

Apple is working on creating its own modem chips that are designed in-house, much like the Apple silicon and A-series chips, which will allow the company to reduce its reliance on modem chip vendors.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple could transition to its own 5G modems as early as 2023. Once Apple comes out with its own modem designs, it will no longer need Qualcomm. 2023 is the "earliest" date, however, so the timeline could change.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about mmWave vs. Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here. If you want to know more about Apple's 5G iPhone plans, make sure to check out our 5G iPhone guide.

Normally we'd be zeroed in on Apple's annual iPhone event at this time, but with things still up in the air this year, rumors are flying fast and furious about what new products will be launching and when we'll see them.

Report: iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, iPad Air, Smaller HomePod, and Over-Ear AirPods Launching This Fall

The calendar has turned to September, which means new Apple products should be on the horizon! While the exact timing of announcements might end up being different than usual due to the pandemic, new products expected at some point this fall include iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6 models, a 10.8-inch iPad Air with an edge-to-edge display like the iPad Pro, a smaller HomePod, over-ear AirPods headphones, and potentially even a new Apple TV and item tracking AirTags.

Japanese blog Mac Otakara this week reported that Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6 models at a (presumably virtual) event in the second half of October. This rumor is supported by a reliable leaker who said Series 6 models won't be announced in September.

iPhone 12 Pro Expected to Come in 'Dark Blue' Color Option

A pair of reports this week claimed that Apple plans to make its iPhone 12 Pro models available in an all-new Dark Blue color that would replace the Midnight Green finish offered for iPhone 11 Pro models.

As with the latest iPad Pro, iPhone 12 Pro models are expected to feature a flat-edged stainless steel frame, while sticking with frosted glass on the back. As seen in leaked photos this week, the devices are also expected to feature a LiDAR Scanner next to the triple-lens rear camera system, which should pave the way for improved augmented reality experiences within supported apps.

While all iPhone 12 models are expected to feature OLED displays and 5G support, a report this week claimed that only the highest-end 6.7-inch model might get the fastest version of 5G known as mmWave.

iOS 13.7 Released With 'Exposure Notifications Express'

Apple this week released iOS 13.7 with support for a new feature called "Exposure Notifications Express," which allows users to enable COVID-19 Exposure Notifications without downloading their public health authority's app in participating regions.

Apple said that Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. will soon be adopting Exposure Notifications Express, and more U.S. states could follow in the future. Keep in mind that the Exposure Notifications system as a whole still functions on an opt-in basis, with a toggle switch located in the Settings app.

Apple this week also seeded the seventh developer betas of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 (we've rounded up everything new), watchOS 7, and tvOS 14, as well as the sixth beta of macOS Big Sur.

Super-Lightweight 12-Inch MacBook With Apple Silicon Rumored to Launch This Year

During its WWDC keynote in June, Apple announced that it will be switching to its own custom-designed processors for Macs starting later this year. These machines will be known as Apple Silicon Macs.

The China Times this week reported that one of the first Apple Silicon Macs will be a lightweight 12-inch MacBook with an A14X chip and up to 20 hours of battery life. The report claims the notebook will launch by the end of 2020.

The same report also mentioned that Apple is developing its own custom GPUs for at least some Apple Silicon Macs, supposedly including a new iMac that will launch in the second half of 2021. Apple said that it expects to finish transitioning its entire Mac lineup to Apple Silicon within around two years.

Apple Watch Series 6 Rumors: Blood Oxygen Tracking, Performance Improvements, Faster Wi-Fi, and More

While the Apple Watch Series 5 was a relatively minor refresh, this year's Series 6 models could pack several new features, such as blood oxygen monitoring and faster Wi-Fi and cellular speeds.

We've put together a video with everything you can expect from Apple Watch Series 6 models, and for more details, make sure to check out our roundup.

Apple's AirTags Rumored for October Launch: Here's What to Expect

Apple is working on a Tile-like Bluetooth tracking device that's designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets. Called AirTags, these item trackers will let you keep an eye on your possessions right in the Find My app.

‌AirTags‌ are perhaps one of Apple's worst-kept secrets because we've been seeing signs of them in various versions of iOS since early 2019, but it looks like ‌AirTags‌ may finally be ready to launch, coming alongside new iPhones this fall, so we took a look at what we know so far about them.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

iOS 14's biggest changes focus on the Home Screen, the App Library, redesigned compact interface for phone calls and Siri, Picture in Picture, the Translate app, and updated privacy protections, but Apple also improved many of its existing apps to add new features and functionality.

The Photos and Camera apps didn't get new designs, but received some notable changes like captions, navigation improvements, new shortcuts for capturing images, and more, with all of the new additions to the two apps outlined in the guide below.

Camera Performance and Shooting Speed

Apple in iOS 14 added speed and efficiency improvements to the Camera app. You can capture photos up to 90 percent faster, at up to four frames per second. The time it takes to get your first shot after opening the app is now 25 percent faster, and capturing portraits is 15 percent faster shot to shot.

There's also a new "Prioritize Faster Shooting" toggle in the Camera section of the Settings app that adapts image quality when rapidly pressing the shutter so you can make sure you're not missing a shot due to processing times.

Expanded QuickTake Video Support

QuickTake in iOS 14 is now available on the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. Previously, it was limited to the ‌iPhone‌ 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and SE (2020). QuickTake lets you hold down on the shutter button when in photo mode to capture a video without having to swipe over to video mode.

• iOS 14: How to Quickly Shoot Video Using QuickTake on iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max

Volume Up/Down Burst Mode and QuickTake

It's long been possible to press the volume buttons to snap a photo when the Camera app is open, but this shortcut functionality is expanded in iOS 14. If you long press on the Volume Up button you can take a series of photos in quick succession, which is known as Burst Mode.

If you press and hold the Volume Down button you can activate QuickTake to capture video without having to take the time to go into video mode.

Video Mode Toggles

In the upper right corner of the Camera app, there are details on video quality and frames per second when in video mode. In iOS 14, you can tap in that corner to change the video mode rather than having to open up the Settings app to do so. This works in video mode and Slo-Mo mode.

This was previously available on the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and 11 Pro, and in iOS 14 has expanded to all iPhones.

• iOS 14: How to Change Video Quality in the Camera App

Exposure Adjustment and Night Mode Improvements

In the Camera section of the Settings app, if you tap on "Preserve Settings," you'll find a new toggle for "Exposure Adjustment." Exposure Adjustment preserves any tweaks you've made to exposure rather than resetting it from shot to shot so you can continue to take photos with your preferred exposure settings.

Toggling on Exposure Adjustment also ensures that the exposure adjustment indicator remains visible.

Apple is improving Night Mode for the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, and when you take a ‌Night Mode‌ shot, the camera uses the gyroscope to offer up a guidance indicator to help you hold the ‌iPhone‌ steady. There's also a new option to cancel mid-capture rather than having to wait for the capture to finish.

Selfie Mirroring

When taking a selfie with an ‌iPhone‌ using the Camera app, it flips the image so that it's the opposite of the mirror image that's shown in the preview, which can be confusing. Because most social networking apps use mirrored selfies, many people are more accustomed to mirroring functionality than the flipped selfies that the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ uses.

In iOS 14, you can use the new "Mirror Front Camera" toggle to cause the Camera app to take mirror image selfies where the finished product looks like the image preview. To enable the feature, open up the Settings app, select Camera, and toggle on "Mirror Front Camera."

• iOS 14: How to Stop Your iPhone From Flipping Your Selfie Shots

Photo Captions and Filtering

The ‌Photos‌ app in iOS 14 supports captions so you can add additional context to your photos with the information you add synced across iOS and Mac.

To add a caption to an image in the ‌Photos‌ app, just swipe up on any single photo you're looking at to see additional details and then tap on "Add a Caption" and type in whatever you want.

In the "All ‌Photos‌" view, there's a "Filter" option where you can choose to display favorite photos, edited photos, all photos, or all videos. To get to the Filter options, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Filter." You can also choose to change the Aspect Ratio Grid to show the photo sizes or stick with the square version.

• iOS 14: How to Add Captions to Your Photos on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14: How to Filter Images in Your Photo Library on iPhone and iPad

Album Sorting and Hidden Album

In any album in the ‌Photos‌ app, you can tap the three dots in the right hand corner of the display to get to sorting and filtering options. Filter options work like above, but the sort option lets you sort by oldest photos or newest photos to make it easier to find what you're looking for.

As for the Hidden album, there's a new option to hide it from the Albums list. In the ‌Photos‌ section of the Settings app, toggle on "Hidden Album." The album won't be available in the ‌Photos‌ app, but you'll still see it when you use the image picker in other apps.

• iOS 14: How to Conceal and Reveal the Hidden Album in Photos
• iOS 14: How to Sort Images and Videos in Apple's Photos App

Streamlined Navigation

Pinch gestures to zoom in and out now work in the Albums, Favorites, Media Types, and Shared Albums sections of the ‌Photos‌ app, so you can easily zoom in and out to see everything in a given location. In iOS 13, the pinch zoom gesture to see more photos or photos that are larger was limited to the main ‌Photos‌ section.

Memories and Live Photos Improvements

Apple in iOS 14 improved the Memories feature to show more relevant photos and videos, and there are a greater number of music tracks available to watch with photo slideshows. Apple says that the framing has also been improved when switching between horizontal and portrait orientations for better transitions.

Redesigned Image Picker

Throughout iOS 14, there's a new image picker wherever you use iOS to insert a photo into another app. The new version lets you select from albums or search for people, places, or photo contents, which makes it easier to find the exact photo you want to use.

Better Zoom

In iOS 14 you can use the pinch to zoom feature to zoom much further into photos than was possible in iOS 13, so you can see more of the detail in a photo.

Limited Photos Permissions

Apps that ask permission to access photos can now be provided with access to a limited number of images if you don't want to give blanket permission for an app to access your entire camera roll.

With the limited photos option, you can continually update the photos that are shared with the app, selecting just a couple at a time that you want to upload or edit.

You will be asked about limited photos access whenever an app wants permission to use photos, and you can control which apps have access to all of your photos, limited photos, or no photos in the Privacy section of the Settings app under "‌Photos‌."

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the Camera and ‌Photos‌ features in iOS 14, know of something we left out, or or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here. If you want to know more about what's coming in iOS 14, make sure to check out our iOS 14 roundup.

Apple supplier ASE Technology is packaging core chips for at least two new Apple Watch models based on its system-in-package technology, and it will also incorporate the technology into third-generation AirPods, according to DigiTimes.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu reported that the new Apple Watch lineup will include a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5 and a replacement for the Series 3 that will compete with lower-cost fitness trackers like Fitbits.

While new Apple Watch models are typically announced alongside new iPhones in September, rumors suggest that this year's Series 6 lineup might be unveiled in October. Rumored features include a new S6 processor for improved performance, expanded health capabilities like blood oxygen monitoring, and faster Wi-Fi and cellular speeds.

The report claims the third-generation AirPods will be released in 2021, lining up with a timeframe shared by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who expects a launch in the first half of the year specifically. There have been conflicting rumors as to whether these AirPods will sport the same design as the AirPods Pro, including in-ear tips and shorter stems below the ears.

Apple is rumored to have several other products in its pipeline, including a 10.8-inch iPad Air with an edge-to-edge display like the iPad Pro, a smaller HomePod, over-ear AirPods headphones, a new Apple TV, and item tracking AirTags. While some of these products will likely be released by the end of 2020, timing is less certain amid the global health crisis.

Apple continued to dominate the North American wearables market in the second quarter of 2020, with a growth of nine percent year-on-year, according to a new report by Canalys.

The shipments of wearables in the North American market grew 10 percent in the second quarter of 2020, but the value of the market remained flat year-on-year. A boom in low-end activity trackers meant that the average selling price of a wearable declined by 11 percent to $235. The surge in more basic devices offset the United States' third consecutive quarter of smartwatch decline.

In spite of this, the Apple Watch Series 5 was America's best-selling smartwatch, matching last year's Series 4 model for shipments. Demand for the Apple Watch Series 3 also grew by 30 percent.

Recent IDC research similarly showed Apple's ongoing dominance of the global wearables market. North America was one of only two regions to demonstrate sustained consumer demand for wearables with quarter-on-quarter growth.

Canalys predicts that going into 2021, medical-oriented devices will move certain products into an elevated tier, creating much stronger differentiation between casual fitness devices and those that offer advanced health tracking. The upcoming Apple Watch Series 6 will likely contribute to this by offering new health-tracking features such as blood oxygen monitoring.

Following several months of explosive growth, Apple's stock came crashing down on Thursday, dropping around eight percent in a single day. It was the worst day of trading for technology stocks as a whole since March.

Apple's market capitalization slid over $180 billion as a result of the sell-off, marking the largest one-day loss in value for any company ever, according to Barron's. The report claims the previous record was set by Volkswagen in October 2008, when the automaker lost $153 billion in value in a day, shortly after a massive short squeeze.

Apple is down another five percent today as of writing, stripping the company of its $2 trillion status during intraday trading.

Apple's stock price is still twice as high as it was in late March. Despite the global health crisis, the company set a June quarter revenue record of $59.7 billion, buoyed by strong Mac and iPad sales as more people work, learn, and connect with others from home.

Apple recently announced a four-for-one stock split that took effect for shareholders of record as of August 24. Split-adjusted trading began August 31.

As we head into the long weekend ending with Labor Day on Monday, a number of retailers have introduced deals that should be advantageous for anyone shopping around for Apple products and related accessories. In this article we've rounded up some of the best Labor Day deals for Apple fans, including discounts on the Bluetooth speakers, charging accessories, HomeKit devices, and more. Most of the discounts will expire early next week.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Best Buy

Best Buy is holding a Labor Day sale on a variety of products, including kitchen and laundry room appliances, 4K TV sets, and home electronics. For the home electronics category, Best Buy is offering various indoor workout equipment, routers, smart vacuums, and more.

This also includes sales on Beats headphones. You can get the Powerbeats Pro for $199.99, down from $249.99; the Solo Pro for $229.99, down from $299.99; and the Powerbeats (wired) for $129.99, down from $149.99.

Right now, you can also save on the HomePod, which is discounted to $199.99 from $299.99 this week. If you're interested in setting up a stereo pair, Best Buy is also offering the HomePod in a 2-pack for $399.98, down from $599.98 (in Space Gray and White).

Twelve South

At Twelve South you can take 12 percent off sitewide by using the code SeeYaSummer through Monday, September 7. Twelve South has plenty of accessories tailor-made for Apple products like the MacBook Pro, iMac, and AirPods, and the retailer offers free shipping in the United States.

Ring

Numerous discounts on Ring products have hit Amazon and the Ring website. The Ring Video Doorbell (Second Generation) is on sale for $79.99, down from $99.99, and you can also save on Ring's cameras and security systems.

Doorbells

• Peephole Cam - $79.99, down from $129.99
• Video Doorbell (Second Generation) - $79.99, down from $99.99
• Video Doorbell 3 - $149.99, down from $199.99
• Video Doorbell Pro - $189.99, down from $249.99

Cameras

• Floodlight Camera - $209.99, down from $249.99
• Spotlight Cam Battery - $169.99, down from $199.99

JBL

JBL's Labor Day sale includes up to 50 percent off Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and other audio equipment. We've collected a few accessories from the sale below, but be sure to visit JBL's website to browse every discount before they expire.

Bluetooth Speakers

• JBL GO 2 - $29.95, down from $39.95
• JBL Link Music - $69.95, down from $119.95
• JBL Link Portable - $99.95, down from $179.95
• JBL Boombox - $399.95, down from $499.95

Wireless Headphones

• JBL Tune 125TWS - $79.95, down from $99.95
• JBL Live 300TWS - $119.95, down from $149.95
• JBL Live 650TNC - $149.95, down from $199.95
• JBL Live 500BT - $99.95, down from $149.95

Caldigit

Caldigit is offering up to 41 percent off a collection of portable hard drives and dock accessories for its Labor Day sale. This includes the popular Tuff Nano USB-C Portable External SSD (512GB) for $99.99, down from $169.99 (also available in 1TB for $209.99).

Newegg

Newegg is providing its customers with up to 70 percent off gaming computers, monitors, Bluetooth speakers, mice, tablets, and more.

The sale also includes routers from TP Link and Samsung SSD, so be sure to browse the entire event before it expires.

OWC

At OWC's Labor Day event you can save on iMac memory kits, USB-C docks, audio accessories, and more. The retailer's memory kits make it super easy to expand the memory of your current iMac to help speed up older models.

Miscellaneous

• Belkin - Up to 50 percent off chargers and cables.
• Dell - Save on PCs, monitors, keyboards, headphones, and more.
• Dyson - Take $150 off Dyson V8 Absolute Pro cordless vacuum.
• The Home Depot - Save on various smart home products from Nest, Lenovo, Ring, and more.
• Nomad - Take 20 percent off sitewide with code LABORDAY
• Hyper - Take 20 percent off USB-C hubs and other Mac accessories with code LABOR20

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Images of what appears to be an original Apple Watch prototype in its security case have been shared online by Twitter user @AppleDemoYT.

The photos show a prototype stainless steel Apple Watch concealed within a silicone security case, marked with a redacted serial number. Apple usually transports its prototype and testing units in thick protective cases that are intended to mislead and conceal the true design of the product.

Interestingly, the security case seems to resemble a third-generation iPod nano with a click wheel. In the years leading up to the announcement of the Apple Watch, it was not uncommon for some users to use the sixth-generation iPod nano as a watch using third-party cases. It is therefore fitting that Apple disguised the original Apple Watch as an iPod nano.

The prototype was allegedly used for internal testing before the official release of the original Apple Watch. The device came in a cardboard box marked "Apple Confidential," with multiple warnings about unauthorized use.

Images of original Apple Watch prototypes have surfaced before, showing slight variations from the final design. While no useful information can usually be gleaned from most prototypes, it is interesting to see how Apple conducts the development of its products before they reach the market. Prototype devices are hotly desired by collectors and occasionally surface on auction sites and at device recycling facilities.

This week's addition to Apple Arcade is World's End Club, described as a new type of action-adventure game that fuses a thrilling story with 2D side-scrolling action. The game is available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

World's End Club revolves around a group of "oddball kids" from Japan who get into an accident while on a bus for a class trip. When they wake up, they find they are trapped in an abandoned theme park under the sea. Suddenly, a mysterious clown appears and orders the kids to play a "Fate Game," forcing them to fight for their lives.

Watch the trailer below:

Apple Arcade has also started advertising three more titles that are coming soon to the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, including the sword-swinging fantasies Slash Quest! and Marble Knights as well as puzzle game A Monster's Expedition.

Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac users with access to over 100 premium games with no in-app purchases or ads for $4.99 per month. The games can be downloaded from the Arcade tab of the App Store.

In line with previous reports, Broadcom has confirmed that a ramp-up of its chip shipments, for what analysts believe is the iPhone 12, will run into the final quarter of 2020 (via Reuters). This is a quarter later than most years, which suggests that Apple's upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup will be delayed.

In June, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan discussed a "major product cycle delay" at a "large North American mobile phone" company. There was no mention of Apple by name, but according to Bloomberg, this is phrasing that Tan often uses to describe Apple.

Earlier this year, Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed that this year's new iPhones will be released later than normal. The statement remained vague about the exact release date, simply saying that the devices will be "available a few weeks later" than usual.

In 2019, Broadcom earned one-fifth of its revenue from supplying Apple. The confirmation of significant late-2020 shipments from the company indicates that the ‌iPhone‌ 12 is highly unlikely to arrive this month. Multiple reports are now pointing towards October for the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, as well as Apple Watch Series 6 models, and the long-rumored AirTags.

Facebook has announced a new forward limit on its Messenger chat platform so that messages can now only be forwarded to five people or groups at a time.

The limiter was revealed in a Facebook Newsroom blog post explaining that the new rule has been introduced to provide users with "a safer, more private messaging experience," particularly amid the ongoing global health crisis and in the run up to major elections in the United States.

Limiting forwarding is an effective way to slow the spread of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause real world harm.

The change follows a similar limit on Facebook-owned WhatsApp that was introduced in July. In limiting the ability to forward messages to multiple chats at once, the encrypted messaging platform cited events in India as a specific example of how spreading fake messages could cause harm.

Earlier this year, a series of viral message-related crimes in India resulted in 12 dead in the span of just one month. One incident left one man dead and two others severely injured after false rumors went viral on WhatsApp that they had tried to abduct children.

WhatsApp said it was "horrified" by the violence in India, and that it had announced several changes to help address the issues.

Apple has published a human rights policy document that commits to "freedom of information and expression," following years of criticism from investors that it shows too much deference to Beijing and accedes to China's censorship demands.

The four-page document formalizes Apple's commitment to "respecting the human rights of everyone whose lives we touch," but concedes that the company is "required to comply with local laws," although it stops short of mentioning any particular country.

"Where national law and international human rights standards differ, we follow the higher standard. Where they are in conflict, we respect national law while seeking to respect the principles of internationally recognised human rights."

The Financial Times reports that Apple's board of directors approved the policy and published it ahead of a deadline of September 5 for shareholders to submit motions for next year's investor meeting.

The commitment comes seven months after some of Apple's shareholders defied management and supported a proposal from a consumer advocacy group called SumOfUs that would have compelled it to uphold freedom of expression globally. Apple reportedly tried to strike the proposal from the agenda but was denied by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Apple has faced increasingly pressure from investors about its relationship with China and its tendency to accede to Beijing's demands. Last year, for example, Apple removed the app of news outlet Quartz from China's ‌‌App Store‌‌ after complaints from the government that it included content that is illegal in the country. The app was covering the Hong Kong Umbrella Movement protests at the time.

Apple has also been forced to remove many VPN apps from the ‌‌App Store‌‌ in China due to the administration's regulations. Other apps affected in the past include WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and the New York Times app.

Sondhya Gupta, campaign manager at SumOfUs, welcomed the publication of Apple's human rights policy, but told FT it was not clear how Apple would create proper oversight or measure progress, and Apple had not said how it would disclose the actions it might take in response to government demands that could limit free expression or access to information.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

The ongoing dispute between Apple and Epic Games has spurred complaints from Japanese game developers about Apple's App Store business model and the way it handles third-party app submissions.

Bloomberg reports that some developers in the Japanese gaming market have been emboldened by the dispute and are becoming more vocal about their own concerns, which including Apple's 30% commission rate and inconsistent enforcement of App Store policies.

While Epic, publisher of the hit title Fortnite, focuses on the 30% revenue cut app stores typically take, Japanese game studios have broader concerns. They have long been unhappy with what they see as Apple's inconsistent enforcement of its own App Store guidelines, unpredictable content decisions and lapses in communication, according to more than a dozen people involved in the matter.

According to game developers in Japan, Google's Play Store offers a smoother approval process and better communication than the App Store. Some developers even rely on a third-party service called iOS Reject Rescue, which helps them navigate through Apple's approval process if their app is rejected.

"Apple's app review is often ambiguous, subjective and irrational," said Makoto Shoji, founder of PrimeTheory, which provides the rejection service. "While Apple will never admit it, I think there are times when they simply forget an item's in the review queue or they intentionally keep it untouched as a sanction to a developer giving them the wrong attitude," Shoji told Bloomberg.

Japanese developers have also been critical of the way Apple interprets what is appropriate content and say it often changes policies without advance notice. One topic in particular they take issue with is Apple's judgement of what constitutes overtly sexualized or pornographic material. The report notes that several game studios had characters in swimsuits approved only for them to be later rejected as Apple considered them to be "sexualized."

Apple has faced increasing scrutiny over its App Store practices from both developers and regulators in recent months. In response to the public clash between Apple and Epic Games, Japan's antitrust regulator has said it will "step up attention" to the iPhone maker's practices and how they affect the country's massive mobile gaming market.

Apple is working on a Tile-like Bluetooth tracking device that's designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets. Called AirTags, these item trackers will let you keep an eye on your possessions right in the Find My app.

Based on images found in iOS, AirTags may be small, circular tags with built-in Bluetooth and ultra-wideband support for tracking purposes. You'll be able to locate your AirTags in the ‌Find My‌ app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac right alongside all of your Apple devices that support ‌Find My‌.

The rumored ultra-wideband support is worth noting because it's going to let iPhones with a U1 chip (the ‌iPhone‌ 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max) track positioning with more accuracy than Bluetooth alone. If you lose your keys down the couch cushion, for example, the ‌iPhone‌ should be able to lead you right to them.

We don't know how AirTags will attach to items, but Apple may use rings, adhesive, or a similar method. The exact design also isn't known at this time, but AirTags are expected to be water resistant. As for charging, there are mixed rumors. AirTags might have a replaceable CR2032 battery or they might feature a rechargeable battery that works with an Apple Watch-style charging puck.

Anything that's lost will show up on a ‌Find My‌ map, and you'll see an associated address. Inside, and when you're close, you may also see an augmented reality map with the specific positioning of your lost device. AirTags will also be able to play a sound when you're close by, making it even easier to locate what you're looking for.

There's an iOS 13 feature that lets Apple products communicate with one another when offline, so your lost ‌iPhone‌ can ping off of someone else's that it comes into contact with even without a cellular connection, letting you know where it is. This same feature could come to AirTags.

We could be seeing AirTags quite soon, if the most recent AirTag rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara is to be believed. ‌Mac Otakara‌ believes Apple will hold an event in October that will see the launch of ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, the Apple Watch Series 6, and the AirTags.

For more on what to expect when the AirTags launch, make sure to check out our complete AirTags guide.