Author: Sam Kohl

  • iPhone 12 Pro’s raw materials cost only $406

    iPhone 12 Pro’s raw materials cost only $406

    The news: The bill of materials for iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, which tells us the raw competent cost, has been published by Formalhaut Techno Solutions (via Nikkei Asia).

    • The raw parts of the iPhone 12 Pro are said to add up to $406 USD…and the cost is only a few dollars cheaper for iPhone 12 at $373 USD
    • The most expensive components? Qualcomm’s X55 5G modem and Samsung’s OLED display, both around $90
    • Last year’s iPhone 11 Pro Max saw a higher cost of $490.50, according to TechInsights

    Our take: I always look forward to seeing how the numbers change year-over-year, but context is important here: this is how much the materials alone cost for the 2020 iPhones. Manufacturing, assembly, storage, shipping, distribution, advertising, etc. all add significant margins on top of the base cost.

  • iOS 14.3 beta 3 released to developers

    iOS 14.3 beta 3 released to developers

    The news: Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 14.3 to developers on Wednesday morning.

    • Previous betas included support for scanning app clips, Apple ProRaw photography and better support for skinned app icons
    • This update also seemingly supports two unreleased products: AirPods Studio and AirTags

    What’s new

    https://twitter.com/WSig/status/1334205171384152064
  • Apple releases MagSafe Duo, ships this week

    Apple releases MagSafe Duo, ships this week

    The news: Just ahead of the end of the day on Tuesday, Apple released the MagSafe Duo charger.

    • The charging mat costs $129 with deliveries as early as December 3, buy it from Apple here
    • MagSafe Duo charges both your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously
    • This product successfully avoided the plight of AirPower

    Our take: I picked one of these up, although I haven’t been to impressed from the early impressions I’ve seen so far. Just happy it actually shipped!

  • Concept imagines redesigned 24/32-inch iMacs with Apple Silicon

    Concept imagines redesigned 24/32-inch iMacs with Apple Silicon

    The concept: New renders from svetapple.sk depict what redesigned iMac models could look like when they’re updated with Apple Silicon…eventually.

    • The purported design is heavily reminiscent of the iPad Pro
    • Rumors suggest that next iMac models will actually come in 24-inch and 32-inch sizes, with larger displays and slimmer bezels

    Our take: While I think these renders looks great…the form factor seems way to thin for an iMac. But with the insane improvements to performance, efficiency, and thermal management we’ve already seen with the M1, maybe this isn’t too far off after all.

  • The best 2020 Apple Black Friday deals

    The best 2020 Apple Black Friday deals

    The deals: We scoured the internet to find the best deals on Apple products for the biggest shopping event all year, Black Friday.

    Stock will likely go faster than usual with so many of us ordering products from home, so some deals may be sold out by the time you click.

    AirPods

    Apple TV

    • $50 Apple gift card with Apple TV HD/4K at Apple

    Apple Watch

    • Series 6 40mm Stainless Steel (GPS + Cellular) $50-120 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 44mm Stainless Steel (GPS + Cellular) $40-50 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 40mm Aluminum (GPS only) $20-69 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 44mm Aluminum (GPS + Cellular) $20 off at Amazon
    • $25 Apple gift card with purchase of Series 3 at Apple

    HomePod

    • $100 Apple gift card with HomePod (2017 model) at Apple

    iPad

    iPhone 12

    AT&T

    • iPhone 12 mini free with trade-in at AT&T
    • Up to $700 off with trade-in on iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max at AT&T

    T-Mobile

    • iPhone 12 for free with select trade-in at T-Mobile
    • Save up to $950 on iPhone 12 Pro with select trade-in at T-Mobile

    Verizon

    • Up to $700 off with trade-in as a new customer on all iPhone 12 models at Verizon

    MacBook Air

    MacBook Pro

    Mac mini

    Apple gift card

    • $20 Best Buy gift card with purchase of $100 Apple Gift card at Best Buy
  • AirPods 3 likely delayed until April-June 2021

    AirPods 3 likely delayed until April-June 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to unveil AirPods 3 a bit later than initially planned, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • Kuo now expects upgraded AirPods in April-June 2021
    • AirPods 3 will likely share a hybrid design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro

    Our take: A bit disappointing, but this is only a brief push back from the February/March timeframe. Excited for the upgraded, non-in-ear design.

  • Numerous redesigned Macs likely coming in the second half of 2021

    Numerous redesigned Macs likely coming in the second half of 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to significantly upgrade a number of Macs in the second half of 2021, according to L0vetodream (88.9% accurate) and Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • While Kuo suggests design changes are coming only to Macs with Apple Silicon, L0vetodream suggests Intel Macs will see redesigns as well
    • 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models and a smaller Mac Pro are expected
    • Apple debuted the M1 chip in MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini earlier this month

    Our take: Seems like the second half of next year will be huge for the Mac. I am extremely excited to see what Apple can do with their silicon in optimized designs.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1331635944290623490?s=20
  • Apple Watch Series 7 may have redesigned body, health upgrades

    Apple Watch Series 7 may have redesigned body, health upgrades

    The rumor: Apple is planning some big upgrades for the Apple Watch Series 7, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • The body of the watch is said to see an “improved form factor design,” although no other details are currently known
    • Per usual, Kuo says to expect upgrades to health management features
    • The last time the Apple Watch saw a significant design change was in 2018 with the Series 4

    Our take: Curious to see what direction the Apple Watch will go, design-wise. Maybe sharper edges like iPhone 12?

    Hero image courtesy of @Wilson_boi_101.

  • Rumors persist of portless iPhone 13 model

    Rumors persist of portless iPhone 13 model

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to radically shift how an iPhone can be charged, according to Jon Prosser (82.4% accurate).

    • At least one 2021 iPhone will likely have no ports at all, with MagSafe becoming the primary charging method
    • Apple reportedly plans to start small and remove Lightning from more devices over time
    • Other iPhone 13 rumors include a 120Hz display and more

    Our take: This has been coming for years, and I think it’s incredibly smart that Apple does not plan to go portless all at once. One of my friends (hey Sarah!) just texted me the other day expressing concern about MagSafe, so it would absolutely be a mistake to force everyone to jump ship on day one.

  • iPad Pro may gain OLED display in 2021

    iPad Pro may gain OLED display in 2021

    The rumor: After exclusively using LCD panels in the iPad since the tablet’s inception, Apple is planning to use OLED in the not to distant future, according to The Elec (100% accurate).

    • Apple may switch the iPad Pro to OLED…but only after introducing a Mini-LED display on the device in the first half of 2021
    • OLED on iPad Pro could happen as soon as the second half of next year
    • The Elec is the first source to suggest that OLED will come to iPad

    Our take: The Elec has an extremely good track record, but a quick switch from LCD to Mini-LED and the not OLED? This doesn’t make any sense to me. I feel like some product lines may have been conflated in the rumor mill.

  • iOS 15 to support iPhone 7 and newer

    iOS 15 to support iPhone 7 and newer

    The news: Owners of iPhones with A9 chips won’t be getting iOS 15, according The Verifier (54.3% accurate).

    • iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE may no longer be supported with the launch of iOS 15 next year
    • An iPhone 7 or newer will likely be required to run the next major version of iOS
    • iOS 15 beta 1 could release as soon as June 2021, if Apple follows tradition

    Our take: This is what I expected, and historically The Verifier gets this right. Apple technically should have cut off support for iPhone 6s and SE device this year, but gave them another year of life with iOS 14.