The news: The starting price for Apple’s flagship iPhone is going up $50, according to Jeff Pu (60% accurate).
Our take: With Apple already removing EarPods and the charging brick, I find a price increase on top of this highly unlikely. Pu’s poor track record also gives me serious doubts, especially for a price prediction.
The rumor: Apple’s next iMacs will boast larger displays of more than 23 and 30 inches respectively, according to Sonny Dickson (73.3% accurate).
Our take: This is the first we’ve heard of a screen-size increase for the larger 27-inch iMac, which furthers my excitement for that model. My current 27-inch iMac is nearly flawless, but with a screen size and bezels similar to the Pro Display XDR, this next iMac could be perfect.
The rumor: Apple silicon will allow computers to become thinner and lighter, leading to a more concise notebook lineup in the future, according to Sonny Dickson (73.3% accurate).
Our take: After Apple just revamped the MacBook Air in 2018, it would be pretty wild to see it disappear already. Conversely…I also struggle to see where it would fit in as part of Apple’s silicon lineup. Just like Apple silicon is a fresh start for the Mac, perhaps ‘The New MacBook’ will be, too.
The news: iOS 14 beta 2 is available now for developers.
The leak: The iPhone 12 will have radically different internal packaging, according to ConceptsiPhone.
Our take: This lines up with all the other rumors we’ve been hearing about the iPhone 12…but I have to questions what the blank, square space is for. It almost looks like it would be for EarPods or a pair of headphones…
The analysis: iOS 14 beta 2 will likely be released early next week, according to historical data from Thinky Bits.
Our take: Apple could, of course, not follow what they’ve done historically (we are still in the middle of a pandemic that only appears to be growing). But I think Monday and Tuesday next week are most sensible even with the extenuating circumstances.
The news: Following last week’s massive iOS 14 beta 1 release, iOS 13.6 beta 3 is out now for developers.
Our take: Although I’ve said this before, iOS 13.6 has to be the last iOS 13 update, right? I’m shocked that Apple is still putting so much time in effort into the 2019 release even now… especially with the iOS 14 beta cycle in full swing.
Watch the hands-on video here: https://youtu.be/pdSs2DMwWyE
The exclusive: The new iPhones coming out later this year will all feature a radical new design that is starkly different from the iPhone 11 series.
Our take: These are the best looking iPhone models ever, and they genuinely feel like something new for the first time in years. We haven’t seen a significant design upgrade since we went from iPhone 5s to iPhone 6, and this year a shift is happening again. Sitting in your hand, the squared design feels just as a right to me as the more curvy iPhones released most recently. You’re going to love these.
The sadness: Following the lead of other sources, Ming-Chi Kuo (76.4% accurate) says that he also thinks Apple will be slimming down in-box accessories for the iPhone 12.
Our take: Yeah so, this is simply disappointing. A significant number of people can barely keep track of the one charger included with their iPhone: if Apple doesn’t include a charger at all this year, it’s going to seriously and negatively affect those users.
The news: Apple will likely include 120Hz ProMotion displays on the highest end iPhones later this year, according to a setting included in iOS 14 beta 1 and Ice Universe.
Our take: Over a year ago, Ice universe was the first source to put a rumor out about 120Hz on the new iPhones this year, and it appears he was right from the start. And the fact that Apple is testing a version of iOS 14 with a “limit frame rate” setting on iPhone is a really good sign!
The rumor: Not only will EarPods not be included with the iPhone 12 this year, a charger might not be free, either, according to Barclays (57.9% accurate).
Our take: While the iPhone is rumored to go portless next year, it wouldn’t make any sense to remove the charging brick this year. I think Barclays will miss the mark on this one. Why would saving a couple of dollars be worth frustrating the vast majority of your buyer-base? Doesn’t make any sense to me.