The rumor: Apple’s next iPhone SE won’t be debuting until the first half of next year, according to DigiTimes (63.5% accurate).
According to the report, ‘iPhone SE 3’ will include the A14 processor and support for 5G connectivity
This story echoes prior rumors also pointing to a launch in the first half of 2022
Our take: If every source in the game is saying that a new SE is coming in the first half of 2022, I’m inclined to believe it. And feature-wise, it sounds like it’ll be just as minimal as the 2020 iPhone SE.
The rumor: Apple’s highly-anticipated, redesigned MacBook Pro models are no more than four months away, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On)
Now, Gurman says “you should probably expect a launch between September and November at the latest.”
Our take: This is actually really good news, considering that I was expecting this to launch this Fall at the earliest…not the latest. Still, this product can’t come soon enough as the whole world is seemingly waiting to see what Apple’s M1+ silicon looks and feels like.
For the 2021 iPhones, “expect a a faster A15 chip, smaller notch, a new display for better battery life and the potential of an Apple Watch-like always on mode and a 120Hz refresh rate and upgrades to video recording” Gurman says
Our take: With the LTPO screen tech to support this, I would hope that we see this. But considering that most Android handsets have had this for as along as I can remember, I’m still not convinced that Apple will finally implement it. Even though Gurman is nearly 90% accurate…
This week’s Power On: Apple should improve its Apple Card amid its larger push into financial technology, Netflix plans to add video games to its service, details on the next iPhones, and Apple launches a MagSafe battery pack. Read here and subscribe! https://t.co/QqGqzS9Lup
The exclusive: This is your first look at the updated design coming to Apple’s 2021 iPhone lineup, rumored to launch sometime in September.
There aren’t any major, structural changes…but there are big camera upgrades happening across the board
The lower-end 5.4/6.1-inch iPhone models will see their lenses criss-crossed for a fresh design
Apple’s 6.1-inch Pro model is getting a much larger camera module equal in size to that on the Pro Max
A smaller, redesigned notch is also coming: the speaker grill has been relocated to the top bezel accordingly
Minor button placement changes for the side button and volume rocker can also be seen here, but it’s possible they could also be a printing error
Our take: We’ll have to wait until September for the full picture of what these iPhones will be, but on the outside these absolutely look like an “S year” upgrade. It’s the same great design we got on iPhone 12 but with camera changes and a new notch. And this is a good thing: I wasn’t ready to part with the iPhone 12 design so soon. It still holds up with no contest.
Gurman also says the notch will likely get even smaller again, next year
Our take: A smaller notch this year is something we’ve heard over and over again, but only Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate) has said that an even smaller cutout is happening next year. No mention of hole-punch, specifically, from Gurman though…
The rumor: Face ID will remain the defacto biometric system on this year’s new iPhones, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).
“The company has tested an in-display fingerprint scanner for this year’s devices, however that feature will likely not appear on this generation” Gurman says
Previous rumors suggested that Touch ID would be making a comeback on the 2021 iPhones, allowing for Face ID + Touch ID dual-authentication
Our take: Super disappointing to hear that in-display Touch ID will, yet again, not make the cut this year. Seems like the main (and only) incentive to go Pro will be the 120Hz display…
