Apple may not have enough new products and features to launch to justify holding an event in October, leading it to unveil devices like the next-generation iPad Air via press release, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
On the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, Gurman said that Apple will not introduce any new iPad models at its "Wonderlust" event next week, which is expected to focus on next-generation Apple Watches and iPhones only.
Gurman said that there is a new iPad Air with improved specifications in the works and the device is apparently "coming soonish." He added that "we may get an iPad refresh in October," not including the iPad Pro, which is not expected to be updated until next year.
Gurman believes that there will be a further Apple product launch in October, but expressed skepticism that an entire event will take place to introduce new devices. He said that it could be similar to the introduction of the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models earlier this year, which were announced via press release and a short video. Gurman claimed that October could see something "along those lines." "I'm not sure they have enough to drag people down to Cupertino to watch the video like they do for this [iPhone 15] launch," he added.
Yesterday, analyst Ming-Chi Kuoreported that Apple will not launch new MacBook models with M3 chips before the end of this year. Previously, the introduction of the first MacBooks with the M3 chip were expected to take place at an Apple event in October. Listen to The MacRumors Show podcast for Gurman's full thoughts and expectations.
Apple's iPhone-centric 2023 fall event is set to begin in just a few days. We've been hearing rumors about what we can expect to see for months now, so we have a good idea of what's coming.
Apple will continue with its four-iPhone lineup in 2023, and the standard iPhone 15 models will be available in 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizes, similar to last year. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will look almost identical to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, with one major exception - a USB-C port.
Rather than a Lightning port, the iPhone 15 models will adopt USB-C, which will allow iPhones, iPads, and Macs to share a charger and a charging cable. Apple is making this change due to regulatory changes in Europe that require electronics to have a standardized charging port, but USB-C technology will be implemented worldwide.
Last year's iPhones continued to have a notch, but that's being eliminated with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Instead, the new iPhones will adopt the Dynamic Island that Apple first used for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, freeing up more display space.
Though the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will get the Dynamic Island, other display technology like the ProMotion refresh rate and always-on display will remain limited to the Pro models. There's one other small design change, which has to do with the glass back. Frosted glass has historically been a feature for the Pro iPhone lineup, but the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to have a frosted glass back instead of a glossy glass back.
Apple is planning new colors for the iPhone 15 lineup, and rumors so far suggest that we will see blue, a coral shade that's a cross between orange and pink, a light greenish yellow color, white, and black. We could see color-matched braided USB-C cables to go along with each new iPhone.
Camera technology will see a significant update with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus adopting a 48-megapixel Main camera with an f/1.6 aperture for higher-resolution images and improved quality in low lighting situations. There will also be a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera, but this is the same camera in the iPhone 14 models with no updates.
New Qualcomm 5G modem chips are expected and we could see improved signal, lower latency, and better power efficiency. Apple is developing a new A17 chip for the iPhone 15 Pro models, but the standard iPhone 15 models will get the A16 chip that's currently in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
We have so far heard no rumors of improvements to battery life, WiFi speeds, or RAM for the standard iPhone 15 models, and pricing is expected to remain the same.
Most of the exciting new changes and feature additions this year are coming to the Pro iPhone models rather than the standard iPhone 15 models. As with last year, we are expecting two Pro iPhones, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have some minor design updates, with Apple introducing notably thinner, curved bezels and a new titanium material for the chassis. Rather than stainless steel, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will feature titanium in colors that include silver, titanium gray, black, and dark blue. Titanium will have a more matte finish than stainless steel, plus the iPhone 15 Pro models could be 10 percent lighter because titanium weighs less than steel.
While there were rumors of volume button changes that Apple was experimenting with, the volume button update did not pan out and there will be no change there. Apple is, however, expected to swap the mute switch for a mute button that will have multiple functions much like the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra.
Code in iOS 17 suggests the button will be able to toggle on Silent Mode, activate the Camera, turn on the Flashlight, activate a Shortcut, turn on a Focus mode, launch the Translate app, start a Voice Memo, and more.
Like the iPhone 15 models, the iPhone 15 Pro models will get USB-C, but the Pro models are rumored to support faster USB 3.2 (20Gb/s) or Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) transfer speeds. Some of the iPhone 15 models (likely the Pro models) are rumored to support charging speeds up to 35W.
Apple is making minor improvements to the Wide Angle and Telephoto cameras of both Pro models to boost low-light performance, but the Main 48-megapixel camera isn't expected to see any improvements. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will get the biggest new camera feature, a periscope zoom function for the telephoto lens. Optical zoom right now is limited to 3x, but with periscope technology, Apple is expected to bring that to 5x or 6x zoom.
While the standard iPhone 15 models will use the A16 chip, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with the A17 chip, built on a new 3-nanometer process. This will be the first chip in several years built on a new node, and it should bring notable performance and efficiency improvements. An increase in battery life is expected.
Apple will use the same 5G Qualcomm chip across its entire iPhone 15 lineup, and there are also rumors of a new "U2" Ultra Wideband chip that will integrate with the Vision Pro headset coming out next year. The Pro models will get Wi-Fi 6E, the newest and fastest Wi-Fi protocol that works with the 6GHz band. Up to 2TB of storage might be available, and the Pro models will have 8GB RAM, up from 6GB in last year's Pro models.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a rich feature set, and rumors suggest it's going to bring a price increase. Multiple sources have said Apple is planning a price hike, but it's not yet clear how much. The new models could be $100 more expensive, which would see the iPhone 15 Pro starting at $1,099 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max starting at $1,199.
More information on what to expect from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can be found in our roundup.
There's a new Apple Watch coming this year, but there's not much to look forward to with this iterative update. We are not expecting any new design changes or new health-related features.
In fact, the refresh will focus on the internals, mainly a new processor. There's going to be a new S9 chip that's built on the A15 technology, and it will be the first notable update to the Apple Watch chip since the Apple Watch Series 6.
Performance will be improved on the Apple Watch Series 9, and we could also see an increase in battery life. The Apple Watch Series 9 is also expected to include an updated optical heart rate sensor and a new "U2" Ultra Wideband chip that will offer better location precision.
There might be a new pinkish color for the aluminum version of the Series 9, and Apple might be planning to introduce a new type of band with woven fabric and a magnetic buckle. There have also been rumors that leather bands are being phased out in favor of more eco-friendly options.
The Apple Watch Ultra is expected to get a refresh in 2023, but we are not expecting new functionality. The device will get the same S9 chip that's coming to the Apple Watch Series 9, the updated Ultra Wideband chip, and the new heart rate sensor, but if any other features are planned, we don't know about them.
One leaker has suggested the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra might be lighter than the first-generation, but it is not yet clear if this is accurate. One change might be a new color option, with rumors pointing toward a black titanium shade.
The AirPods Pro 2 are expected to be updated with a USB-C charging case to replace the current Lightning case, a change that will coincide with the iPhone 15's adoption of a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.
No other hardware changes will be included, so count on the same AirPods Pro 2 as before but with an updated charging port.
New iPhone Cases
According to multiple sources, Apple doesn't plan to manufacture leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, and will instead adopt a more environmentally friendly material.
There is a rumor that the new material will be made of a woven material and will be called "FineWoven," but it is as of yet unclear if that is accurate.
Other Possibilities
With some of the fall events, there are wildcard products that may or may not be refreshed in September, but this year, there's not much we're expecting beyond the iPhone and Apple Watch.
11th-Generation iPad
There have been no rumors about a new low-cost iPad, but Apple has historically refreshed the tablet on an annual basis. It's possible we're going to see an 11th-generation iPad, but not guaranteed.
Possibly Coming Later This Year
The iPhone 15 models and Apple Watch Series 9 may not be the last products we see in 2023. The first M3 Macs could be introduced before the end of the year, with Apple rumored to be planning to introduce an M3 13-inch MacBook Air, M3 13-inch MacBook Pro, and M3 Mac mini. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says M3 Macs are coming this year, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says no M3 Macs will be unveiled until 2024, so it's unclear what might happen.
If new Macs are coming in 2023, Apple could hold an October event or could release the M3 Macs via press release later in the year.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also believes there is a possibility that a new iPad Air will be released in 2023. If so, we could perhaps see it in October.
Not Coming Yet
With the exception of the 11th-generation iPad, no other iPads are getting a refresh in 2023. The iPad Pro and iPad mini are going to get updated, but not until 2024.
Apple's "Wonderlust" event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 12. Apple will livestream the event on its website and on YouTube, plus the livestream will be available through the Apple TV app on supported devices.
For those unable to watch the livestream, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account, plus we'll have a deeper look into all the announcements later in the week.
Mark is known for his accurate insider knowledge about Apple's plans and he is behind many of the major reports covered here on MacRumors. Earlier today, he published a detailed report outlining his expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, revealing a range of new details about the devices Apple is expected to unveil.
For example, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will apparently feature battery life improvements, increased megapixels for their telephoto and ultra wide cameras, and an all-new U2 chip, while Mark shares some background on the shift to a titanium chassis.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have a significantly faster processor, more accurate sensors such as a next-generation optical heart rate monitor, new color options, and manufacturing changes like additional recycled materials and 3D printing.
Mark also shares a few tidbits related to Apple's other product plans including an updated iPad Air in the works, new USB-C accessories, and more.
Overall, Apple's "Wonderlust" event is expected to see the unveiling the Apple Watch Series 9, second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, new premium cases that are no longer made of leather, refreshed AirPods Pro with a USB-C MagSafe charging case, and potentially some other new USB-C accessories. The event is set to take place on Tuesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up with out discussion about Apple's recently announced "Wonderlust" event and some of the latest news about what to expect.
Samsung today kicked off its latest "Discover Samsung" sale, this one described as the first major discount event of the fall season. The sale officially begins Monday, September 11, but Samsung is providing early access to a select few products right now.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We've highlighted some of the best discounts in the list below, including deals on TVs, computer monitors, earbuds, and soundbars. These are early access deals, but should run the duration of the event, which lasts through September 17.
A highlight of the sale is a discount on the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Smartphone, which Samsung has for $120 off select colors on the 512GB model. You can get it for $1,799.99, down from $1,919.99 in Phantom Black and Icy Blue.
There are more savings in the smartphone category as well, with bigger discounts appearing when you bundle a Samsung smartphone with tablets, smartwatches, and earbuds. You can save $230 on a Galaxy Tab S9, up to $250 on a Galaxy Watch6, and $180 on Galaxy Buds2 Pro when purchased at the same time as any of Samsung's smartphone devices.
Apple's highest-end iPhone this year will be named iPhone 15 Pro Max, instead of iPhone 15 Ultra, according to a report on Friday from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The other devices in the lineup will include the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro.
Gurman himself previously reported that Apple has considered Ultra branding for its highest-end iPhone, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra, and it is possible it will be used for the iPhone 16 Ultra with a larger 6.9-inch display next year. For now, however, it appears that Pro Max branding will live on for at least another year.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumored to exclusively feature an upgraded telephoto lens with up to 6x optical zoom, compared to a 3x limit on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The device is also expected to feature a titanium frame, customizable Action button, faster A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more. iPhone 15 Pro Max pricing is rumored to start at $1,199 in the U.S., which would be $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 series at its "Wonderlust" event on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned for our in-depth coverage of Apple's announcements, including in-person coverage from Steve Jobs Theater.
Apple's iOS 17 update has a handful of new features for the Notes and Reminders app, making them more useful for those who prefer the default Apple apps. There are no major overhauls, but the additions do add to the utility of the apps and are changes that some have wanted for some time.
This guide highlights everything that's new in both the Notes and Reminders apps.
Notes
Linking Notes
It's now possible to link one note to another note, useful for connecting two related notes to one another for Wiki-style documentation.
Inline PDFs and Scanned Documents
The Notes app supports inline PDFs, which means you can insert a PDF into Notes and then read, annotate, and collaborate on PDFs.
This functionality also works for scanned documents, and it is available on both the iPhone and the iPad.
Updated Formatting
Notes has gained an option for creating block quotes, plus there's a new Monostyled format to choose.
Pages
A Note from the iPhone or iPad can be opened up in the Pages app, providing additional layout and formatting options.
Reminders
Grocery Sorting
When you create a list with the new "Groceries" list type, you can input various foods and sundries and have them organized automatically by category. The organization makes it easier to find what you need when you're at the grocery store.
Available category types include Produce, Breads & Cereals, Frozen Foods, Snacks & Candy, Meat, Dairy, Eggs & Cheese, Bakery, Baking Items, Household Items, Personal Care & Health, and Wine, Beer & Spirits.
If the iPhone doesn't recognize where an item should go, it remains uncategorized. It does recognize specific brands and types of food like "Sour Patch Kids," so it is a fairly robust solution for grocery shopping. You can also create your own categories in the grocery list.
Custom Sections
Sections or categories are turned on by default for the Grocery list, but any Reminder list created in iOS 17 can have sections added to it.
In any list, tap on the three dots to get to the options interface. From there, tap on New Section to add a section to the list. You'll need to manually organize items in the list in each section, but it can be done with simple drag and drop gestures.
Column View
In the same options interface, there's a new "View as Columns" option that will show each section in a side-by-side view. You can swap between column and list view in the options menu.
Interactive Widgets
iOS 17 brings interactive widgets to the Lock Screen and the Home Screen, and Reminders is one of the built-in apps that can best take advantage of this feature. Reminders in the Reminders widget can be checked off right from the Home Screen or the Lock Screen without having to open up the Reminders app.
Early Reminders
If you add a reminder with a specific date, you can opt to receive an early reminder to get a warning ahead of time. You can get a notification 1 day before, 2 days before, 1 week before, 2 weeks before, 1 month before, 3 months before, and 6 months before, plus there's also an option to set a custom early reminder time.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with GRID Studio to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 512GB iPhone 15. GRID Studio is known for its Apple-themed works of art that are made from old, discarded Apple electronics that are disassembled so each individual component can be displayed.
Each GRID piece is organized around the chassis of the device, with parts labeled and explanations provided so it's clear what's what. GRID Studio also includes interesting and relevant historical facts for added context.
There are a range different GRID Studio frames that feature iPhones, iPads, and iPods, with prices that start at $40 and go up based on the complexity of the piece.
GRID 1, one of GRID Studio's most popular options, showcases the first iPhone that Apple ever made. Priced at $400, it features all of the components that Apple used for the original iPhone back in 2007. The iPhone's shell is positioned next to the power button, headphone socket, speaker, logic board, ear piece, and other components. GRID does not include the original batteries from the device, but replicas are added so the battery is not missing.
The GRID 4s is another iconic device that's available at a special price to celebrate GRID Studio's 3rd anniversary. Right now, it's just $99, down from the original $170 price tag. The Grid 4s has around 40 components from the iPhone 4s, all of which are neatly arranged and labeled.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the colorful iPhone 5c, so GRID Studio has created the $139 GRID iPhone 5C using the bright blue iPhone 5C from 2013. With its polycarbonate shell, rounded corners, and unique colors, the iPhone 5C stands out from all other iPhones Apple has designed, and it was only sold for a short period before it was replaced.
For those looking for something unique, the $400 GRID iPod U2 features the coveted black and red iPod from 2004. It came preloaded with U2 content, and it is appealing to iPod fans and U2 fans alike. The GRID iPod U2 features the iconic click wheel, the black chassis of the iPod, and quotes from both Bono and Steve Jobs.
Along with deconstructed device art, GRID Studio has also recently gotten into t-shirts, and the $40 rainbow-colored GRID Hello T-Shirt is sure to be a favorite of any Apple fan. The classic hello script is created using tons of different device icons in various colors, so it is both colorful and visually interesting.
From September 8 to September 10, GRID Studio is having a $99 sale on the GRID 4s for its anniversary, plus there's a 15 percent discount available on all other products with promo code T15.
GRID Studio will be providing one lucky MacRumors reader with a 512GB iPhone 15 following Apple's event. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 8) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 15. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after September 15 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Apple is unlikely to release any new MacBook models with the M3 chip this year, according to information shared today by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
"It seems that Apple will not launch new MacBook models (equipped with M3 series processors) before the end of this year," Kuo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said an Apple event in October of this year could feature the first Macs with the M3 chip. He said Macs that were candidates for the M3 chip included the 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac. Kuo only ruled out new MacBooks, so there is still potential for a new iMac this year.
The as-yet-unannounced M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the current 5nm-based M2 chip, which debuted in June 2022.
This week's best deals include steep discounts on 15-inch MacBook Air, 13.6-inch MacBook Air, Mac mini, and AirPods Pro 2. We're also tracking a sale offering new Disney+ subscribers the chance to get the ad-based version of the service for just $1.99/month for three months.
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.
Disney+
What's the deal? Get the Disney+ Basic Plan with ads for $1.99/month for three months
Disney+ is offering new subscribers a chance to save on the Basic Plan (with ads), discounting the service to $1.99 per month for three months. After three months, the service will renew for $7.99 per month unless you cancel. This offer will last through September 20.
Disney is planning a significant price increase to its service next month, so anyone interested might want to lock in an annual subscription at the cheaper price before that happens.
Amazon this week has the new 15-inch MacBook Air for $200 off, with prices starting at $1,099.00 for the 256GB model. All discounts represent record low prices for these models of the MacBook Air.
13.6-Inch MacBook Air
What's the deal? Take up to $200 off 13.6-inch MacBook Air
In another exclusive sale, B&H Photo has the M2 Mac mini (256GB) for $499.00, down from $599.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on this model. You can also get the 512GB M2 Pro model for $150 off right now.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
The widely-rumored titanium frame on Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will make the devices about 10% lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro models, according to a report today from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max weigh 206 grams and 240 grams, respectively, according to Apple's tech specs for the devices. An approximate 10% weight reduction would result in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max weighing around 185 grams and 216 grams, respectively. This would make the iPhone 15 Pro the lightest Pro model since the iPhone XS, which weighs 177 grams. Likewise, the iPhone 15 Pro Max would be the lightest Max model since the iPhone XS Max, which weighed 208 grams.
Given that Gurman said the weight reduction will be "about" 10%, the exact figures remain to be seen. If the iPhone 15 Pro ends up being 188 grams or heavier, it would instead be the most lightweight Pro model since the iPhone 11 Pro. In any case, it appears that the upcoming Pro models will be the lightest in several generations of devices.
Pro model weights:
iPhone X: 174 grams
iPhone XS: 177 grams
iPhone 11 Pro: 188 grams
iPhone 12 Pro: 189 grams
iPhone 13 Pro: 203 grams
iPhone 14 Pro: 206 grams
iPhone 15 Pro: ~185 grams?
Pro Max model weights:
iPhone XS Max: 208 grams
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 226 grams
iPhone 12 Pro Max: 228 grams
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 238 grams
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 grams
iPhone 15 Pro Max: ~216 grams?
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 series at its "Wonderlust" event on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned for our in-depth coverage of Apple's announcements, including in-person coverage from Steve Jobs Theater.
Woot this week is back with steep discounts on Apple's 2021 M1 iPad Pro, offering record low prices on these tablets in new condition. All tablets in this sale are in new condition and come with a one year Apple warranty.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 11-inch iPad Pro, Woot is offering these tablets with the Apple Smart Folio in select colors. Prices start at $659.99 (22 percent off) for 128GB Wi-Fi and rise to $849.99 (50 percent off) for 2TB Wi-Fi.
Woot also has multiple 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, and these do not come with the Apple Smart Folio. Prices start at $859.99 (22 percent off) for 128GB Wi-Fi and rise to $949.99 (27 percent off) for 512GB Wi-Fi. As of writing, Woot does not have any 1TB or 2TB versions of the 12.9-inch Wi-Fi iPad Pro in stock.
In addition to Wi-Fi models, Woot also has the cellular versions of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro tablets on sale. Woot's sale will last through September 18, although it could end earlier if select tablets sell out, so be sure to browse soon if you're interested.
We haven't tracked discounts on the M1 iPad Pro at other retailers in about a year, given that recent sales have shifted to focus on the M2 models that launched in 2022. These tablets are fairly similar to one another, with the biggest advantages in the 2022 model being the M2 chip's internal upgrades and Apple Pencil hover. You can find out more information on the tablets in our guide.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Apple plans to bring a USB-C port to the standard AirPods and the AirPods Max as soon as 2024, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a new article outlining his specific expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, featuring new details about the Apple Watch Series 9, second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Gurman mentioned that the company is apparently working to move all of its Lightning-based accessories to USB-C.
USB-C will come to the AirPods Pro first, with the switch being introduced during Apple's event next week where it is expected to be a key feature of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, followed by the other AirPods models as soon as next year. The new AirPods Pro set to be introduced next week will not offer "any other major new hardware features," Gurman said.
In the long term, Gurman reinforced that Apple is working on bringing health features to its AirPods, including body-temperature sensing and a hearing-test system. These improvements are likely to arrive at some point after the switch to USB-C across the lineup.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will offer several previously undisclosed features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims.
In a detailed report outlining his full expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, Gurman said that the Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will offer various sensor and component upgrades, with a general "focus on speed, efficiency, and accuracy." These changes will include a new version of Apple's optical heart rate sensor. The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 feature Apple's third-generation optical heart rate sensor.
The new Apple Watches will also feature an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip, the first generational iteration of the component since the U1 chip's 2019 introduction in the iPhone 11 Pro. The new chip will improve the Apple Watch's location capabilities, allowing people and devices to be tracked more precisely in the Find My App. It is apparently set to come to all of the next versions of Apple's major products, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be manufactured with more recycled materials, as well as come in a black color option for the first time. As previously reported, the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 will feature a 3D-printed casing. Apple plans to start manufacturing the Apple Watch Ultra with the technology starting next year.
This year's main Apple Watch upgrade will be a new processor, which has to date effectively not been changed throughout three successive generations of the device. Apple apparently plans to "heavily tout major gains in processing speed" during its "Wonderlust" event.
The new Apple Watch models will otherwise be largely unchanged compared to their predecessors. The company also plans to shift away from some of its leather watch bands, and there are signs that Apple may finally update or discontinue the Link Bracelet introduced alongside the original Apple Watch.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his expectations for Apple's "Wonderlust" event, revealing several significant new features for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
Gurman claims that the new titanium chassis of the iPhone 15 Pro models will be more durable, reduce weight by around 10 percent, and have a brushed effect, unlike the polished finish of the current devices that have stainless steel frames, to reduce fingerprints. The edges where the metal sides and glass front and back of the device meet are now more smooth and rounded. He added that the displays of both Pro models will look perceptibly larger due to their reduced bezels, which are about one-third smaller.
While the A17 Bionic will offer improved performance thanks to its first-of-its-kind 3nm fabrication process, one of the main benefits of the chip will apparently be enhanced battery life. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max currently have a battery life of around 23- and 29-hours, respectively. The next-generation devices will also feature more memory, increasing from the 6GB of memory that have been offered in Pro iPhone models in recent years.
The new "Action Button" that replaces the mute switch have customizable functionality to perform tasks including "silencing the phone, turning on a Focus mode, opening the flashlight, launching the camera, starting a voice recording, opening Siri shortcuts, pulling up the digital magnifying glass and opening accessibility settings."
In addition, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max's telephoto and ultra wide cameras will feature more megapixels than their predecessors, increasing beyond 12-megapixels for the first time. Gurman also clarified that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will retain its "Pro Max" moniker, and will not be branded as an "Ultra" model as some previous rumors have suggested.
Both the standard and the Pro iPhone models will feature an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip, the first iteration of the component since the U1 chip's introduction in the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019. The new chip will improve location capabilities, allowing people and devices to be tracked more precisely in the Find My App. It is apparently set to come to all of the next versions of Apple's major products. Another improvement coming to the entire iPhone lineup is faster wireless charging speeds and a more repairable design.
Gurman also reiterated several previously reported rumors, such as the Dynamic Island, A16 Bionic chip, and 48-megapixel main camera coming to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro Max's periscope telephoto camera with up to 6x optical zoom.
With Apple's iPhone 15 series launch potentially now just two weeks away, Apple retail employees are reportedly being drilled to emphasize to customers at the point of sale that the switch to USB-C means the new devices cannot be charged with existing Lightning charging cables that they may already own.
When customers purchase a new iPhone 15 model, Apple staff will be trained to caution that while a USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box, a USB-C charger is not. Employees will therefore direct customers to the in-store availability of Apple USB-C power adapters and additional Apple-certified USB-C cables to meet the need for multiple charging locations.
Apple has used its proprietary Lightning port on iPhone models for over 10 years, but in recent years Apple's Macs and iPads have all transitioned to the more common USB-C charging standard. Pressure to comply with new regulations implemented in Europe reportedly hastened the company's decision to switch to USB-C for iPhones, however despite its initial reluctance to make the change in 2023, Apple stands to profit enormously from the switch.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple in March significantly increased the total shipment forecast of its 20W USB-C charger by approximately 120% for the third quarter of this year, and set 20W USB-C charger shipments at about 70 million units for the fourth quarter. Overall, Apple's 20W USB-C charger shipments in 2023 are anticipated to see a significant 30–40% year-on-year growth, amounting to 230–240 million units, thanks to the strong replacement demand.
Kuo believes Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 series will include support for faster charging speeds when used with MFi-certified USB-C chargers, including its own 20W Power Adapter, while Leaker ShrimpApplePro has said that iPhone 15 models will only officially support USB-C accessories certified by the Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) program.
Meanwhile Apple supplier Foxconn is said to be producing accessories like EarPods and cables with USB-C connectors that are MFi certified, and Apple is also expected to release a new AirPods Pro USB-C charging case.
At least some of the iPhone 15 models could support charging speeds up to 35W, which would allow for quicker charging with an appropriate power adapter. It is not clear if this is a feature that will be available for all of the iPhone 15 models or just the iPhone 15 Pro models.
At the current time, the iPhone 14 models can charge at a maximum of around 27W, with the Pro models able to charge a bit faster. An increase to 35W would speed up charging times. If the iPhone 15 models support up to 35W charging, Apple could start recommending its 30W MacBook Air charger or its 35W Dual USB-C charger for maximum charging speed.
Overall, Apple stands to gain significant revenue from USB-C accessory sales as it effectively renders obsolete Lightning cables and connecting USB-A chargers already used by millions of Apple customers worldwide. With iPhone 15 prices expected to increase, many customers in the market for a new model this year will also therefore have to brace themselves for the additional financial burden of replacement chargers and cables.
Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. A live stream of the event will be available on YouTube, on Apple's website, and in the Apple Events app for the Apple TV.
In iOS 17, Siri has learned a few more useful features worth knowing about. One is the ability to use Siri to send messages to friends and family over compatible third-party apps. Keep reading to learn how it's done.
When you ask Siri to send a message in iOS 17, you can now tap to select which app on your iPhone that you want to send it from. This allows you to send messages not just from Apple's built-in Messages app, but also third-party apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.
The feature is compatible with any third-party app whose settings include the "Use with Ask Siri" option. To check if an app has the option, or to enable/disable it, follow these steps.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Siri & Search.
Scroll down to the apps list and tap the app in question.
If "Use with Ask Siri" is enabled for a particular app, you can manually choose it each time you ask the voice assistant to send a message. Here's how.
Activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri" or just "Siri," or by pressing and holding the Side button on your iPhone until the Siri orb appears on the screen.
Ask Siri to send a message to one of your contacts.
In the message card that appears at the top of the screen, tap the Messages icon next to the person's name.
Tap another compatible messaging app in the dropdown to select it.
Type your message in the input field, then tap Send.
There's nothing more to it. In iOS 17, Siri is also able to recognize and respond to multiple back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated.
You can, for example, ask Siri to tell you the time, and then follow that up with a request to text your friend that you're going to be late all in the same Siri request. For more details on what's new for Siri in iOS 17, check out our dedicated guide.
While rumors have been circulating about a $100 price increase for both iPhone 15 Pro models, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today predicted that the smaller iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999 in the U.S., just like the iPhone 14 Pro.
TrendForce believes that only the iPhone 15 Pro Max will cost extra. The research firm predicted that the device will start at $1,199 in the U.S., which would be a $100 price increase compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The device is expected to exclusively feature a periscope lens that enables up to 6x optical zoom, double the current limit.
Despite predicting a price increase for the Pro Max model this year, TrendForce expects that the device will continue to start with 128GB of storage, rather than 256GB as previously rumored. On the other hand, the research firm expects both iPhone 15 Pro models to be equipped with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 14 Pro models.
Time will soon tell if TrendForce is accurate with its latest predictions, as Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series at its event on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage of Apple's announcements next week.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will have the same 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacity options as the iPhone 14 Pro models, according to information shared today by Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.
The research firm reiterated its claim that both iPhone 15 Pro models will be equipped with 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 14 Pro models. Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance, particularly for multitasking. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will have 6GB of RAM, the research firm said.
TrendForce believes the iPhone 15 Pro will start at $999 in the U.S., just like the iPhone 14 Pro. However, the research firm predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will start at $1,199, which would be a $100 price increase compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
All four iPhone 15 models are expected to be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, while many additional features are rumored for the Pro models, including a titanium frame, customizable Action button, A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, a periscope lens with up to 6x optical zoom on the Pro Max, and more.
Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. A live stream of the event will be available on YouTube, on Apple's website, and in the Apple Events app for the Apple TV.
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