Apple today seeded a second release candidate (RC) version of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a almost a week after Apple released the first RC. This RC likely represents the final version of iOS 16.5 that will be provided to the public, which Apple has said is coming this week.
iOS 16.5 adds a Sports tab in the Apple News app, making it easier to access sports-focused content. You can choose to follow your favorite teams to get updates on a regular basis. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture - Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow - My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games - Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive - Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content - Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices
Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option and toggling on the iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
Apple has ramped up internal testing of iOS 16.6 over the past week, according to a reliable source of information. This suggests the first beta version of the update will be seeded to developers and public beta testers in the coming days.
Apple confirmed that iOS 16.5 will be released to the public this week, so the first iOS 16.6 beta will likely be made available either later this week or next week. Apple has been internally testing iOS 16.6 since at least early April, and it will likely be one of the final updates in the iOS 16 software cycle, as Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 at WWDC next month and shift its development efforts towards that update.
iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon, but it remains to be seen which new features, changes, and bug fixes will be included. Apple previously announced that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available in 2023, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.
iOS 16.6 should be released to the public in the weeks after WWDC, which begins June 5. There is no sign of Apple testing iOS 16.7 yet, but it's still early.
Recent reports have converged on the belief that Apple will show off its long-rumored AR/VR headset at WWDC in June, and now Ming-Chi Kuo's latest predictions also align with the rumors, with the industry analyst claiming that the announcement is "highly likely" and the company is "well prepared" for the unveiling.
Previously, Kuo said Apple had pushed back production on the headset to the third quarter of 2023, and that as a result, the device might not be introduced at WWDC, but the analyst apparently no longer holds that view.
In a brief report posted to Medium on Monday, Kuo wrote that the headset's announcement next month "bodes well" for the supply chain share price, with the analyst touching on five of the device's components that – apart from assembly – represent its "most expensive material costs" in his view.
Those include the 4K micro-OLED displays, dual M2-based processors, the headset casing, 12 optical cameras for tracking hand movements, and the external power supply. These components are being supplied by Sony, TSMC, Everwin Precision, Cowell, and Goretek, respectively.
Pricing on the headset is expected to begin somewhere around $3,000. Perhaps with that in mind, Apple won't aim it at general consumers to start with, but will instead position it as a device for developers, content creators, and professionals. Apple expects to sell just one headset per day per retail store, and it has told suppliers that it expects sales of seven to 10 million units during the first year of availability.
Monday, June 5 is the date of Apple's WWDC keynote event, where Apple is expected to finally break its silence about the existence of the headset – although some non-Apple employees may have already been provided with a glimpse of the device.
"The Apple headset is so good," said Palmer Luckey in a tweet posted earlier on Monday, without elaborating. Luckey is the founder of Oculus, which was behind the original Oculus Rift VR hardware in 2012. Meta acquired Oculus in 2014, and Luckey is widely credited with reviving the virtual reality market.
Apple has booked nearly 90% of chip supplier TSMC's first-generation 3-nanometer process capacity this year for future iPhones, Macs, and iPads, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes, providing the Taiwanese foundry with significant growth momentum in the second half of 2023.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature the A17 Bionic processor, Apple's first iPhone chip based on TSMC's first-generation 3nm process, also known as N3B. The 3nm technology is said to deliver a 35% power efficiency improvement and 15% faster performance compared to 4nm, which was used to make the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
Apple's M3 chip for Macs and iPads is also expected to use the 3nm process. The first M3 devices are expected to include an updated 13-inch MacBook Air and 24-inch iMac, both of which could arrive later this year. New iPad Pro models coming next year are likely to be powered by M3 chips, while Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models coming in 2024 will feature M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
According to an App Store developer log obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing a new chip with a 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 36GB of memory, which could be the base-level M3 Pro for the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launching next year.
According to The Information, future Apple silicon chips built on the 3nm process will feature up to four dies, which would support up to 40 compute cores. The M2 chip has a 10-core CPU and the M2 Pro and Max have 12-core CPUs, so 3nm could significantly boost multi-core performance. At minimum, 3nm should provide the biggest performance and efficiency leap to Apple's chips since 2020.
TSMC is also working on an enhanced 3nm process called N3E. Apple devices will eventually migrate to the N3E generation, which is expected to enter commercial production in the second half of 2023, but actual shipments will not ramp up until 2024, according to DigiTimes.
Apple today announced that Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Australia and New Zealand. Available on all iPhone 14 models, the feature enables users to send text messages to emergency services via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is not available. Users can also share their location via satellite in the Find My app.
Emergency SOS via satellite is enabled by default on iPhones running iOS 16.4 or later in Australia and New Zealand. An option to send a text message via satellite will appear after dialing 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. There is also a demo mode in the Settings app under Emergency SOS that allows users to familiarize themselves with the service without contacting emergency responders.
With the service, Apple says users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds in clear conditions. Users are prompted to complete a short questionnaire with vital information, and the interface then shows users where in the sky to point their iPhone to connect and send the initial message. This message includes the user's questionnaire responses, location, altitude, iPhone battery level, and Medical ID info if set.
Apple says the service is designed to work outdoors with a clear view of the sky. Apple warns that foliage or other obstructions can result in emergency messages taking longer to send or failing to send, and satellite connectivity might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.
In Australia and New Zealand, Emergency SOS via satellite is free for two years starting today or at the time of activation of any iPhone 14 model. The service is also available in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models launching later this year will be equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera lens, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities.
In a research note today, obtained by MacRumors, Pu said the 48-megapixel lens on these models will use a new three-stacked sensor that can capture more light for improved image quality. However, based on recent supply chain checks, Pu believes the stacked sensor is likely facing yield issues that could result in iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus production delays. The devices are still expected to launch in September as of now.
Apple first introduced a 48-megapixel camera lens on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last year. The lens enables users to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, which retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility.
Pu was first to report that iPhone 15 Pro models would no longer feature solid-state buttons due to "design issues." He still expects iPhone 15 Pro models to feature a titanium frame, an upgraded A17 Bionic chip, an increased 8GB of RAM, and more, and he reiterated that all four iPhone 15 models will have a USB-C port.
Apple is testing an unreleased chip with a 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 36GB of memory, according to an App Store developer log obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip is being tested inside a future high-end MacBook Pro running the upcoming macOS 14 update, which is expected to be announced at WWDC next month.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said this chip could be the base-level M3 Pro for the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launching next year. The chip is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements.
The current base-level M2 Pro chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro has a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, and starts with 16GB of memory, so the M3 Pro chip would have at least two extra cores for both the CPU and GPU. Apple last updated the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in January, so the laptops are unlikely to be updated again until at least 2024.
Apple still has to release the standard M3 chip before moving on to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Gurman said Apple is working on new iMac, MacBook Air, and low-end MacBook Pro models with the M3 chip, and he continues to believe the first Macs with the M3 chip will be released towards the end of this year or early next year.
In the meantime, Gurman said the long-rumored 15-inch MacBook Air will be released this summer with the M2 chip. He previously said the laptop would be announced at WWDC, which begins with Apple's keynote on June 5.
Apple's rumored Beats Studio Buds+ have already arrived to at least one Best Buy location, according to a photo shared by tech enthusiast and former leaker Ben Geskin. The box confirms the earbuds will have a transparent design option like the Nothing Ear (2) earbuds, and longer 36-hour battery life with the included USB-C charging case.
Beats has yet to officially announce the Studio Buds+, but the earbuds briefly appeared on Amazon last month with a May 18 release date and a $169.95 price. That listing revealed the earbuds will also feature 3x larger microphones and up to 1.6× as much active noise cancellation as the original Studio Buds that launched in 2021.
Beats Studio Buds+ are a sportier alternative to the AirPods Pro, and have a more compact design without "stems" that drop below the ears. The earbuds will also be available in Black and Ivory color options, according to the removed Amazon listing.
Studio Buds+ will feature IPX4-rated water resistance and will be available with XS, S, M, and L ear tip size options to fit a wider range of ears, the Amazon listing indicated. The earbuds were first discovered in iOS 16.4 code last month, and they have also surfaced in FCC filings and other regulatory databases around the world.
The Wall Street Journal on Friday outlined what to expect from Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset project, corroborating several details previously reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and The Information's Wayne Ma.
The report indicates that Apple plans to unveil the headset at WWDC in June, and says many sessions at the conference will be related to developing software for the headset. However, the news outlet claims that mass production of the headset isn't expected to begin until September due to manufacturing delays. Apple is said to be "anticipating some production issues" with the headset, but there are no specific details.
The headset is expected to have an internal screen for virtual reality, while outward-facing cameras would allow users to view the real world inside the headset with augmented reality overlays. This combination is known as "mixed reality."
Other details corroborated by the report include the headset being "experimental" and "unconventional" relative to most other Apple products, costing around $3,000, and having a waist-mounted external battery pack. FaceTime, Apple Fitness+, and gaming could be three major use cases for the headset, the report adds.
While it remains to be seen what the headset's biggest selling point will be, its capabilities "far exceed those of competitors," according to some sources cited in the report. Apple's headset is said to offer "greater levels of performance and immersion" than some competing devices, like Facebook parent company Meta's Quest Pro headset.
WWDC begins with Apple's keynote on June 5, meaning that Apple's headset is likely just weeks away from finally being unveiled to the public.
Apple's custom silicon is expected to leap to 3nm, a next-generation manufacturing technique, later this year, but what exactly does the enhanced process mean for the company's next-generation chips?
Semiconductor fabrication is the process used to make chips. The "node" of the process is, in simple terms, a measure of the smallest possible dimension used in manufacturing, measured in nanometers (nm). The node of a chip helps to determine its transistor density, as well as its cost, performance, and efficiency.
The link to actual physical dimensions has become hazy in recent years as advancements have slowed and marketing has become more important, but it still broadly denotes how advanced the chip technology is.
What Nodes Does Apple Use Currently?
Apple made the last big fabrication process jump in 2020, when it moved to TSMC's 5nm process with the A14 Bionic and the M1 chip. Some chips, such as the S6, S7, and S8 in the Apple Watch have continued to use a 7nm fabrication process because they are based on the A13 Bionic – Apple's final 7nm chip designed for the iPhone.
Apple introduced the A16 Bionic chip with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max last year. Apple claims that it is a 4nm chip because it uses TSMC's "N4" process, but in reality it is made with an enhanced version of TSMC's 5nm N5 and N5P processes.
What Will 3nm Bring?
At minimum, 3nm should provide the biggest performance and efficiency leap to Apple's chips since 2020. The increased number of transistors that are made possible by 3nm allows the chip to perform more tasks simultaneously and at a faster rate, while using less power.
The next-generation production technique allows chips to use up to 35 percent less power while providing better performance compared to the 5nm process that Apple has used for all of its A- and M-series chips since 2020.
3nm chips could also allow for more advanced dedicated chip hardware. For example, a 3nm chip could potentially support more advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks, as well as more advanced graphics capabilities.
Apple was rumored to have engineered a new CPU with ray-tracing capabilities for the A16 Bionic but scrapped the technology late in the A15 Bionic's development process, reverting to the CPU from the A15 Bionic. As such, built-in ray tracing support with the first 3nm chips seems highly likely.
It is worth noting that moving to a smaller chip size can also present some challenges, such as increased power density, heat generation, and manufacturing complexity. This is one of the reasons why major fabrication process leaps occur increasingly less often.
According to The Information, future Apple silicon chips built on the 3nm process will feature up to four dies, which would support up to 40 compute cores. The M2 chip has a 10-core CPU and the M2 Pro and Max have 12-core CPUs, so 3nm could significantly boost multi-core performance.
When Are the First 3nm Chips Coming?
TSMC has ramped up its testing on 3nm production since 2021 but this year the technology is expected to be mature enough to be commercially viable. TSMC is expected to begin full commercial production of 3nm chips in the fourth quarter of 2022. The production schedule is believed to be going to plan.
Analysts believe TSMC is having issues with tools and yield, impacting the ramp up to volume production of the new chip technology. There is a chance that some M3 devices maybe slightly delayed on account of these problems, but it seems unlikely that Apple would want to delay the launch of the A17 Bionic and iPhone 15 Pro models.
Once 3nm production is well established, TSMC will move on to 2nm. It is expected to start production on the 2nm node in 2025.
What Upcoming Devices Will Feature 3nm Apple Silicon Chips?
This year, Apple is widely rumored to introduce at least two chips made with TSMC's 3nm process: the A17 Bionic and the M3 chip. The first devices containing the A17 Bionic are likely to be the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which are expected to launch in the fall.
The first M3 devices are expected to include an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, 24-inch iMac, and iPad Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the only devices rumored to contain the A17 Bionic chip, but it is likely to come to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus next year, and potentially other devices like the iPad mini and Apple TV in the years ahead.
Apple is working on multiple M3 chips, codenamed Ibiza, Lobos, and Palma. Looking further ahead, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models coming in 2024 will feature M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
We got quite the surprise this week with Apple introducing Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad, while the release of Apple's next batch of operating system updates is imminent.
Other news this week included rumors about the Apple Watch Series 9 coming later this year and the iPhone 16 lineup launching in 2024, while it looks like Beats has some upgraded over-ear headphones in the pipeline as well, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Announces Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad
Final Cut Pro will be available for iPads with the M1 chip or later, and Logic Pro will be available for iPads with the A12 Bionic chip or later. Both apps will require iPadOS 16.4 or later.
"With a powerful set of intuitive tools designed for the portability, performance, and touch-first interface of iPad, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro deliver the ultimate mobile studio," said Apple.
Apple Unveils 2023 Pride Band Launching Later This Month
Inspired by the LGBTQ+ community, the band will be available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting May 23, and will be available at Apple Store locations beginning May 24.
The band is priced at $49 and available for the Apple Watch Series 3 and later.
Apple Confirms iOS 16.5 Will Be Released Next Week With These New Features
iOS 16.5 includes a new Pride Celebration wallpaper, a Sports tab in the Apple News app, and bug fixes related to Spotlight, CarPlay, and Screen Time. The update is a minor one overall, which is unsurprising given that Apple will announce iOS 17 at WWDC next month.
Apple Watch Series 9 to Feature Updated Processor Based on A15 Chip
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 will finally include a new processor based on the A15 chip that was first used in the iPhone 13 models, according to info shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In terms of performance, Apple Watches have effectively used the same processor since the S6 chip debuted in the Series 6 in 2020. With watchOS 10 rumored to be a major update, a faster chip for the Series 9 would make sense.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max to Feature Larger 6.3-Inch and 6.9-Inch Displays
By comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively, and these sizes are not expected to change with the iPhone 15 Pro models launching later this year.
Beats Studio Pro would likely be a new version of the Beats Studio3 over-ear headphones that launched in 2017. Potential new features could include a Lightning or USB-C port for charging, Transparency mode, improved Active Noise Cancellation, and more.
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.
Though we don't even have the iPhone 15 models as of yet, rumors are already circulating about the iPhone 16, and what we're hearing is starting to get exciting. 2024 could be the year that Apple tweaks the design of some of the iPhone models, and Apple could adopt features like the solid-state buttons that were initially rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro as well as its own modem chip.
Below, we've created a quick rumor recap that highlights what we know so far, so if you aren't looking forward to the iPhone 15 Pro now that rumors are sounding like it's a less impressive update, you can at least look forward to the iPhone 16.
Size and Design
A rumor just this week suggests that Apple will adopt new screen sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro is expected to have a display size of 6.3 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a display size of 6.9 inches.
The information comes from display analyst Ross Young, who often shares accurate details on Apple's plans. He says that the new size options are exclusive to the Pro models, so this would mark the first time that Apple has used different sizes for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models.
Note that these display sizes are rounded and are not precise down to the decimal point at this time. The current iPhone 14 Pro has a display size of 6.1 inches and the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a display size of 6.7 inches, so we are looking at an approximate increase of 0.2 inches for both devices.
High-End Ultra Model
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple could introduce a higher-end iPhone 16 "Ultra" to be sold alongside the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It would be positioned as a top-of-the-line iPhone, but it is not clear what specifically will differentiate it from the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, and it is also not known what the display size would be.
There is a possibility that the iPhone 16 Ultra could replace the iPhone 16 Pro Max rather than be sold alongside it.
Solid-State Buttons
For the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple initially planned to add solid-state volume, power, and mute buttons that would replace the physical buttons, but due to technical issues, Apple had to scrap the feature.
Solid-state buttons are instead expected be introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, with Apple using haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a traditional button press. With the addition of the solid-state technology, Apple will also change the design of the volume button. Rather than two volume buttons, the solid-state button will be a single, unified button.
5G Modem Chip
Apple has been working on its own 5G modem chip for the last several years, and it could be ready for inclusion in at least some of the iPhone 16 models. Apple wants to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm by using in-house technology.
Rumors suggest that Apple will use the modem chip in a single device before rolling it out to other devices, with a full transition away from Qualcomm modem chips taking up to three years.
Apple also eventually wants to use its own WiFi and Bluetooth chips, and there is a possibility that those components could replace Broadcom chips as early as 2024.
Other Features
There are a few other features that have been rumored for the iPhone 16 models, which we may or may not see.
Under Display Face ID - There were rumors that Apple could adopt under-display Face ID as soon as 2024, which would cut down on the size of the Dynamic Island and possibly allow for a smaller hole punch front camera, but it looks like that's going to be delayed until 2025.
Periscope lens - With the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple plans to introduce a periscope telephoto lens that supports 5x or 6x optical zoom. Apple sometimes expands technology used in a flagship iPhone to additional models the next year, but Apple analyst Ming-Cho Kuo suggests that the periscope technology will remain limited to the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2023.
USB-C Port - Apple is transitioning to USB-C in 2023 with the iPhone 15 models, and the iPhone 16 models will use the same technology.
More Information
As we're still more than a year away from the launch of the iPhone 16 models, these rumors are subject to change and could shift in the future. To keep up to date on what to expect, you can follow our iPhone 16 roundup, which is updated every time a new rumor surfaces.
The Apple Watch's health features are making headlines this month, and have been credited with saving at least two lives. Fall Detection came in handy in two emergency situations in Minnesota and Ohio.
In Minnesota, Apple Watch user Michael Brodkorb was hit by a vehicle that then fled the scene. His Apple Watch detected the impact using Fall Detection and dialed 911 after he was unable to respond. "I was just shocked," he said. "I mean, just the sheer force of what it's like to get hit by a vehicle."
Along with calling 911, the Fall Detection feature alerted his wife and children inside the house, so he was able to get immediate help. He ended up with injuries to his ribs and tailbone. "It absolutely is a life-saving tool," Brodkorb said. Police did find the driver, a 17-year-old boy, but it is not yet clear if he will be charged.
During his recovery, Brodkorb sent an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook, who wished him a speedy recovery.
In Cincinnati, 83-year-old William Fryer was walking on the Ohio River Trail when his knees gave out. No one was around, but his Apple Watch detected the fall, called emergency services, and alerted his daughter.
Cincinnati police were able to locate him and paramedics transported him to the hospital. X-rays ultimately showed that he had a large blood clot that caused his fall, but the blood clot symptoms had been atypical as they had not been noticed. Fryer had the clot removed, and said that he was grateful his Apple Watch had been able to summon help.
The Fall Detection feature on the Apple Watch can be enabled by opening up the Apple Watch iPhone app, going to Emergency SOS, and toggling on the Fall Detection option. Fall Detection is enabled by default for Apple Watch owners over 55, but younger Apple Watch users can also turn it on.
It is now over six months since Apple launched the current iPad Pros, and with a substantial update rumored for the next-generation, when exactly are the new models expected to launch?
The current 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were released in October 2022, adding the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, Smart HDR 4, Wi‑Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 – another minor refresh like the fifth-generation iPad Air. The next-generation is shaping up to be a big update to the device, offering more advanced chip technology, new displays, and potentially a redesign.
With the current- and previous-generation iPad Pro models featuring M-series chips, and the 2022 refresh making the leap to the M2 chip, the M3 chip is the most likely chip to be included in the next-generation iPad Pro. The M3 chip is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, bringing the biggest performance and efficiency boost to Apple's chips in several years. The first Apple devices with M3 chips are not likely to appear until the second half of 2023 at the earliest, which seemingly rules out a new iPad Pro anytime soon.
Moreover, the main feature rumored for the next-generation iPad Pro is OLED – a display upgrade that has been rumored for well over a year. Dozens of reports from multiple sources are consistent that iPad Pro models with OLED displays are scheduled to launch in 2024, rather than this year. The OLED displays Apple is planning to use will reportedly be more durable and enable thinner and more lightweight device designs, and they could have slimmer bezels with the display size options increasing from 11- to 11.1-inches and 12.9- to 13-inches.
The iPad Pro has had the same design for four successive generations since 2018, and it looks like the device could finally get a redesign in its next incarnation. It is not entirely clear what the new design could look like, but a thinner and lighter device with a glass back or larger glass Apple logo to enable wireless charging seems plausible based on current rumors. The device could also switch from a default portrait orientation to a landscape design – a change seemingly supported by the relocation of the iPad mini's volume buttons and the latest entry-level iPad's landscape front-facing camera.
The iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to move to a slightly more contoured design with glass that curves at the edges on the front and back, so a similar design for the new iPad Pro is not out of the question.
The one thing that is clear about the next major iPad Pro update according to rumors is that it will not launch in 2023, meaning that the chances of a new iPad Pro models this year seem to be very low. Apple waited over 18 months between the 2021 and 2022 iPad Pros, and if a similar timeline was followed again, the next-generation iPad Pro would launch in May 2024. This approximate time frame also seems plausible in terms of what is expected from Apple's chip roadmap. All in all, the next-generation iPad Pro is likely just under a year away.
Apple plans to introduce larger 6.3 and 6.9-inch display sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in 2024, but the change in screen size will be limited to the Pro models. The standard iPhone 16 models are expected to feature the same 6.1 and 6.7-inch display sizes that Apple has used for the last several years.
The information comes from display analyst Ross Young, who often shares accurate insights into Apple's plans. Young earlier this week said that the Pro models will have larger display sizes, and he confirmed to MacRumors that these larger screens will be Pro exclusive and will not be coming to the more affordable iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
According to Young, the 6.3 and 6.9-inch display sizes are rounded up, with additional information on the specific measurements set to come at the Display Week conference in Los Angeles on May 23.
At approximately 6.3 and 6.9 inches, the planned larger display sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will be the biggest screens that Apple has introduced to date. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feature 6.1 and 6.7-inch display sizes, which are also the sizes expected for this year's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
A tweak to the display size suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could potentially see a design revision, a decrease in bezels, or both.
Previously, WhatsApp has allowed users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account, but only one of those devices could be a smartphone.
Happily, that's now changed, and WhatsApp has introduced the ability to use the same account on multiple phones. So now you can link another phone as one of up to four additional devices, the same as when you link with WhatsApp on web browsers, tablets, and desktops.
Whether it's an iPhone or an Android phone you choose to add, each linked phone connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Just be aware that if your primary phone is inactive for a long period of time, you will be automatically logged out of all your companion devices.
Follow the steps below to set up your additional phone with your WhatsApp account, after which you'll be able to switch between phones without signing out and pick up your chats where you left off.
Download and launch WhatsApp on the additional phone you want to use.
Instead of entering the phone number associated with your WhatsApp account, tap the Link to existing account option to generate a QR code.
On your primary phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings -> Linked Devices.
Tap the Link a device option and scan the QR code using your phone's camera.
It's as simple as that. Once the QR code is scanned and the sync is complete, you'll be able to see all the conversations that you've had on your original phone. You'll also have the ability to send and receive text and voice-based messages, get involved in group chats, and have access to all of the other things that you're used to doing on your primary phone, just now on your companion phone as well.
Apple has announced that its online store will be launching in Vietnam on May 18 at 9 a.m. local time. The store will be available in both Vietnamese and English, allowing customers to order a wide range of Apple products on the web.
"We are honored to have the opportunity to expand in Vietnam, and extremely excited to be able to provide Apple's superior care and support to customers," said Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, in a computer translated press release.
Apple's online store will be accessible in Vietnam on this page and via the Apple Store app once launched, with free delivery, trade-ins, and more to be available.
This week's best deals include the first deal we've ever seen on the second generation HomePod, the year's best prices on the new MacBook Pros and AirPods Pro 2, and an exclusive offer for our readers from Nomad on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cases.
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.
The week kicked off with the first-ever discount on Apple's second-generation HomePod at B&H Photo, which has dropped to $279.00, down from $299.00. You can get both White and Midnight at this new all-time low price on the 2023 HomePod.
Nomad
What's the deal? Take 36% off Nomad's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cases, and more
Nomad is hosting a large overstock sale on its website this week, and it's sweetening the pot by giving our readers an extra 20 percent off on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus cases. You'll need to enter the code MR14 at checkout in order to get the full 36 percent off on the accessories listed below, but remember the sale as a whole covers everything from AirPods cases to Apple Watch bands, so be sure to browse the full sale on Nomad's website.
There are a collection of AirPods on sale at Verizon and Amazon this week, with some of the year's best deals on AirPods Pro 2 ($199.99), AirPods 3 ($149.99), AirPods Max ($449.99), and AirPods 2 ($99.00).
Amazon introduced a wide array of markdowns on the 2023 MacBook Pro this week, including both 14-inch and 16-inch models. The best deal in this sale is the 10-Core M2 Pro/512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro for $1,749.99, down from $1,999.00, but you can get $249 off multiple models, which we've shared above.
Anker
What's the deal? Save on Anker accessories at Amazon
Amazon has a good collection of Anker accessories at a discount this week, including USB-C hubs, Lightning cables, wall chargers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Many of these require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the deal, and you can find a full list of the products being marked down in our original post. We've collected a few examples of Anker's current deals below as well.
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.
