This week saw quite a few leaks and rumors, including Apple itself leaking an icon of what appears to be next-generation AirPods with ear tips that would presumably assist with rumored noise cancelation capabilities. We also heard rumors about an "iPhone SE 2" that would actually be more like an updated iPhone 8 and future high-end iPad and MacBook models equipped with Mini-LED displays.

Read on for a look at this week's biggest news, including our thoughts on a potential October media event and what Apple might introduce at one.

iOS 13.2 Beta Released With Deep Fusion for iPhone 11 and 11 Pro

Apple's wave of software updates continued this week with the release of the first iOS 13.2 beta for developers and public testers. With it brings Apple's promised Deep Fusion camera feature for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, which takes advantage of machine learning techniques for even better pixel-by-pixel optimization of photos.

ryanscoolios13thumbnail
Apple also seeded the Golden Master of macOS Catalina to developers, which is equivalent to the final version of the operating system that will be released for all compatible Macs soon, as well as the second beta of watchOS 6.1 and the first beta of tvOS 13.2.

For users who aren't on the beta track, Apple has released iOS 13.1.2 with several bug fixes and improvements.

iOS 13.2 Beta Includes Icon Depicting New AirPods Design

In the first beta of iOS 13.2, MacRumors has discovered an icon depicting in-ear AirPods, lending credence to rumors that Apple plans to release a new version of the wireless earphones with active noise cancelation and a new design later this year.

AirPods b298%403x
We've also rounded up everything else that is new in the first iOS 13.2 beta, including the return of "Announce Messages with Siri" for AirPods and select Beats headphones, a new "Transfer to HomePod" feature for media, HomeKit grouping, and more.

'iPhone SE 2' With Similar Design as iPhone 8, A13 Chip, and 3GB RAM Expected in Early 2020

Apple plans to release a so-called "iPhone SE 2" with a similar design as the iPhone 8 in early 2020, but with a faster A13 chip and an extra, third GB of RAM, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iphone se and iphone 8
Kuo is at least the fourth source that expects a new lower-cost iPhone to launch early next year. Earlier reports claimed the device will have a 4.7-inch display like the iPhone 8, so it might not be the 4-inch smartphone that some are hoping for. Touch ID is also expected instead of Face ID.

High-End iPad and MacBook With Mini-LED Displays Said to Launch Between Late 2020 and Mid 2021

A new iPhone SE wasn't the only prediction to come from Ming-Chi Kuo this week.

The well-known analyst also expects Apple to release high-end iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED-backlit displays between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021.

ipad pro and macbook pro
Kuo believes one of Apple's suppliers will be Epistar, the largest LED manufacturer in Taiwan. Just this week, without getting specific, Epistar's president revealed that some of the company's clients are working on products with Mini-LED backlighting systems. One of those clients could certainly be Apple.

Mini-LED displays would have many of the same advantages as OLED displays on the latest iPhones, such as high contrast.

iPadOS Tips and Tricks: Gestures, Home Screen Tweaks, Keyboard Options, and More

In one of our latest videos over on our YouTube channel, we go over some must-know iPadOS tips and tricks that are useful to those who have recently updated and want to get more familiar with the changes.

ipadostips
Tips and tricks range from quick screenshots and a floating keyboard to new gestures for selecting text and cutting, copying, and pasting.

We also went hands-on with an iPad Pro dummy unit this week, showing off what the next-generation version of the device might look like if equipped with a triple-lens rear camera like the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max as rumored. Rumors are rather unclear, however, on whether such a camera system could come in a refresh as soon as this month or if might not be until next year.

Subscribe to MacRumors on YouTube for new Apple videos every week!

Apple in October: 16-Inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro Refresh, New Apple TV, and More?

With last month's iPhone 11 and Apple Watch Series 5 event in the rearview mirror, and several more Apple products in the rumor mill, we can now look ahead to what might come later this month.

tim cook wwdc19
There certainly appears to be enough on Apple's slate for an October media event, with rumors of a 16-inch MacBook Pro, an iPad Pro refresh, a new Apple TV, new AirPods, and possibly even the "Apple Tags" if they are ready.

In our article, we explain why Tuesday, October 29 would be a fitting date for a potential Apple event this month.

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!

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
iphone 17 dummies sonny dickson

iPhone 17 Air Almost as Thin as Its Buttons, New Images Show

Thursday April 24, 2025 2:14 am PDT by
If you missed the video showing dummy models of Apple's all-new super thin iPhone 17 Air that's expected later this year, Sonny Dickson this morning shared some further images of the device in close alignment with the other dummy models in the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating just how thin it is likely to be in comparison. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be around 5.5mm thick – with a thicker ...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
ipad air magic keyboard feature

iPadOS 19 Rumored to Show Mac-Like Menu Bar When Connected to Magic Keyboard

Thursday April 24, 2025 12:09 pm PDT by
When an iPad running iPadOS 19 is connected to a Magic Keyboard, a macOS-like menu bar will appear on the screen, according to the leaker Majin Bu. This change would further blur the lines between the iPad and the Mac. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously claimed that iPadOS 19 will be "more like macOS," with unspecified improvements to productivity, multitasking, and app window management,...
top stories 2025 04 26

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Air Rumors, Apple Watch Turns 10, and More

Saturday April 26, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
We've known for quite some time about Apple's plans for a thinner "iPhone 17 Air" coming later this year, but wow, the latest dummy models give us our best look yet at just how thin this phone is going to be. Other Apple news and rumors this week included another iOS 18.5 beta, the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch launch, and more management reshuffling in Apple's Siri division, so read...
Global Close Your Rings Day Pin

Apple Stores Giving Away a Limited-Edition Pin For Free Today

Thursday April 24, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Starting today, April 24, Apple Stores around the world are giving away a special pin for free to customers who request one, while supplies last. Photo Credit: Filip Chudzinski The enamel pin's design is inspired by the Global Close Your Rings Day award in the Activity app, which Apple Watch users can receive by closing all three Activity rings today. The limited-edition pin is the physical...