Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo

  • Apple preps AirPods Pro 2 with new design, case and lossless audio

    Apple preps AirPods Pro 2 with new design, case and lossless audio

    The rumor: Apple is planning a massive overhaul for second-generation AirPods Pro, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).

    Per the new investor note…

    • AirPods Pro 2 will have a new design, alongside an “audible charging case” so you’ll be able to find your headphones easier
    • Apple lossless audio (ALAC) will be supported as a first for wireless AirPods
    • Look for a launch sometime in the fourth quarter of 2022

    Our take: As seen above, MacRumors has already shared images of what the new case is going to look like, although the pods are visually similar to current AirPods Pro. This latest rumor also lines up with what an Apple VP said about the future of AirPods…

  • Apple planning 48MP camera on iPhone 14, periscope zoom lens in 2023 (Kuo)

    Apple planning 48MP camera on iPhone 14, periscope zoom lens in 2023 (Kuo)

    The rumor: A new report reaffirms a wild 48MP camera coming on iPhone 14, per Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).

    • “We predict 48MP for the new 2H22 iPhone and Periscope for the newer 2H23 iPhone” Kuo says, in an investor memo obtained by AppleTrack
    • This mirrors a previous leak from March, in which Kuo reported more exciting developments for the 2023 iPhone, including a true bezel-less design with no notch or cutouts, a periscope zoom lens and under-display Touch ID

    Our take: Nothing new whatsoever in this report, but Kuo seems to be pretty sweet on this 48MP shooter on iPhone 14. Right now it feels very un-Apple like to do a 4x megapixel jump, but I’d bet they’re doing it for good reason. The question is why now…

    The bigger news is still just how good the 2023 iPhones are going to be. I mean these are seriously things we’ve been dreaming about for years now…all happening at once. I really hope all of this stays on track.

  • iPhone SE 4 coming in 2023 with larger display and more RAM

    iPhone SE 4 coming in 2023 with larger display and more RAM

    The rumor: Apple is already working on a fourth-generation lower-cost iPhone, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).

    • In the new note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo describes an ‘iPhone SE 4’ model set to launch in 2023, with a screen larger than the current 4.7-inch version and 4GB RAM
    • Apple is rumored to launch a minor iPhone SE 3 update in the first half of 2022 with a faster processor and 5G

    Our take: More and more, next year’s iPhone SE is sounding like a placeholder update that will buy Apple some time to release a more significant SE in 2023. While I’m still perplexed as to how Apple is going to pack 5G into this tiny 4.7-inch phone, I’m glad the device will at least be getting some attention for the next two years in a row.

  • AirPods Pro 2 releasing in late 2022 (report)

    AirPods Pro 2 releasing in late 2022 (report)

    The rumor: Apple’s highly-anticipated follow-up to the original AirPods Pro are coming a year from now, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).

    • The new note, obtained by AppleTrack, suggests “a significant upgrade to the main chip” is “likely…” but no other details are shared
    • The second-generation AirPods Pro are rumored to feature a new design that is potentially stemless and are expected to drop in the fourth quarter of 2022

    Our take: This timeline feels right to me, and the pods are definitely due for a chip upgrade of some kinds inside (considering the latest AirPods 3 have the same chips as the 2019 AirPods 2/Pro). I’m still intrigued by the idea of a stemless design, though. Will it look like the concept image above or totally abandon the AirPods Pro design we have now?

  • Kuo: Apple’s AR headset will launch in Q4 of 2022

    Kuo: Apple’s AR headset will launch in Q4 of 2022

    The rumor: Apple’s first real AR product is set to launch late next year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (75.9% accurate).

    • In the note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo states that the AR headset will have “Mac level of computing power” and “can operate independently, without relying on a Mac…or iPhone”
    • Dual-4K Micro OLED displays may be included to support VR in addition to AR functionality
    • The device, which saw the design leak months ago, is rumored to release in the fourth quarter of 2022

    Our take: Mac power, the ability to operate independently and 4K displays have me really starting to look forward to this device. I think the fourth quarter of next year is a very realistic launch timeframe.

  • Rumor says iPhone 13 will start at 128GB storage, iPhone 13 Pro gets 1TB

    Rumor says iPhone 13 will start at 128GB storage, iPhone 13 Pro gets 1TB

    The rumor: Apple is upgrading base and Pro iPhone storage with iPhone 13, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • According to a new research note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo provides the following info for iPhone 13 storage:
      • iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
      • iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    • Over the past year, rumors have been a mixed bag on how much storage the Pro iPhones specifically will have

    Our take: I still don’t really understand the need for 1TB of storage on an iPhone, but here it is: it’s happening. But I’d bet the best part of this new option will be the pricing…

  • Apple Watch Series 7 release on-schedule, says Kuo

    Apple Watch Series 7 release on-schedule, says Kuo

    The rumor: Apple’s next watch won’t be impact by the delays in mass-production, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    Our take: This closely mirrors a recent report from Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate), who also suggested that Apple’s next watch would also ship in close proximity to the event, and wouldn’t be delayed much if at all. Good news here!

  • AirPods 3 coming at Apple’s September 14 event, according to Kuo

    AirPods 3 coming at Apple’s September 14 event, according to Kuo

    The rumor: Apple will unveil AirPods 3 on Tuesday, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • AirPods 3, which have already been leaked extensively, may be announced alongside iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 at Apple’s ‘California Streaming’ event on September 14
    • Also mentioned in the research note, obtained by AppleTrack, are the Apple’s plans to apparently continue producing AirPods 2 in the future…perhaps as a budget option

    Our take: I know this may sound like a hot take, but this is now what I’m most excited to see on Tuesday. Plus, it marks the first time Apple will announce a new pair of AirPods on stage since the originals in September 2016.

  • Kuo says Apple Watch Series 7 production issues have been fixed

    Kuo says Apple Watch Series 7 production issues have been fixed

    The rumor: Following brief delays, Apple has fixed production issues for Apple Watch Series 7, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • Per a new research note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo says the new design will be the “key selling point of the Apple Watch 7”
    • As suggested previously by Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate), the new display with slimmer bezels and a new lamination process was causing the brunt of the issues

    Our take: Good news for everyone looking to purchase this at launch…although Kuo notes that mass production is not expected to start until mid-September with shipments happening at the end of the month. I would say a release for the Series 7 in October is almost certain due to these unforeseen issues, but still not as bad a delay as I feared.

  • iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    The rumor: Apple is planning to use low-orbit satellites to bring communication to places it has never gone before on iPhone 13, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • “We predict that the iPhone 13 hardware specs will support LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite communications. If Apple turns on the software, when iPhone 13 users are not in 4G/5G coverage, they can also call and transmit via satellite communications” Kuo says
    • Mark Gurman previously reported on Apple’s plans to allow iPhones to communicate with satellites in December 2019

    Our take: This could be the killer feature of the iPhones this year, and beat any Android devices to the punch. The applications of this technology are wild and would allow people to communicate in places that they simply could not before. That being said, I’ll be impressed if we see this feature land on iPhone 13 and not something next year or the year after. If it does come this year, it will be huge for Apple.

  • New MacBook Air rumored to launch in mid-2022 with new colors, fresh design

    New MacBook Air rumored to launch in mid-2022 with new colors, fresh design

    The rumor: Apple is planning to release a new MacBook Air with additional color options and more next year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    Our take: This sounds like a really solid MacBook Air upgrade and the colors are going to be so refreshing. Excited for next year.