Tag: Mark Gurman

  • iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Yet, Says Analyst

    iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Yet, Says Analyst

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is generating quite a buzz. New information hints that this new model might be the thinnest iPhone yet, although there are some mixed messages about its specifications.

    Sleeker Design

    Mark Gurman’s recent newsletter indicates that the iPhone 17 Air could be approximately 2 mm slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro. Given that the iPhone 16 Pro measures 8.25 mm in thickness, this suggests the iPhone 17 Air might be around 6 mm thick, potentially making it Apple’s slimmest smartphone to date. However, the 2024 iPad Pro, which is currently listed at $899 on Amazon, will still hold the title of the thinnest Apple product. Gurman hasn’t elaborated on additional features of the device, but he did mention it would include Apple’s custom modem, which is anticipated to debut in the iPhone SE 4.

    Size and Pricing Speculations

    Reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will have a display size of about 6.6 inches, placing it between the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. There are also rumors that this new variant may have a higher price tag than the Pro Max, which could make its supposed 48 MP single-lens camera configuration quite hard to digest for consumers. Other rumored specifications include an A19 SoC, along with 8 GB of RAM and a 24 MP front camera.

    A Word of Caution

    As is common with pre-release rumors, it’s wise to take this information with a grain of skepticism. The launch of the iPhone 17 is still roughly 10 months away, meaning there’s plenty of time for changes to occur. If you’re interested in the recently unveiled iPhone 16, be sure to check out our detailed review of that model.

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  • Apple M5 iPad Pro Launch Expected Late Next Year, Analyst Says

    Apple M5 iPad Pro Launch Expected Late Next Year, Analyst Says

    Right now, everybody is focused on the upcoming launch of the Macs powered by the M4 chip. Apple has just shared that starting Monday, they will begin unveiling a range of announcements related to Macs, which will probably include some details about the M4 models.

    High-End Variants

    The more advanced M4 Pro and M4 Max versions are all set to enhance the MacBook Pro range. The newly designed Mac mini will feature the M4 and M4 Pro chips, while the 24-inch iMac refresh will stick to the regular M4 processor.

    Speculation on the M5 SoC

    However, talk about Apple’s next-generation M5 chip has already started popping up online. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the M5 could make its first appearance in a future iPad Pro, expected to launch toward the end of next year. It’s quite intriguing that Apple might introduce its M-series technology in iPads before Macs, which may highlight the company’s increasing focus on efficiency rather than just performance.

    Performance of the M4

    This isn’t to say that the M4 chip lacks power – it’s an extremely fast chip that excels even in the slim 5.1 mm-thin iPad Pro. The M4 is over 20% quicker in both single-core and multi-core tasks compared to its predecessor, even with the limitations of a passively cooled system. In recently leaked benchmarks for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the M4 significantly outperformed the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, boasting a 60% advantage in multi-core tasks.

    Little details are available about what the M5 might offer, as it’s still more than a year away. Additionally, compared to its other products, Apple’s progress in silicon is often kept under wraps. Keeping this in mind, we probably won’t have much insight into the features of the M5 until it’s ready for announcement.

    Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

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  • New Entry-Level iPad Expected in 2025, Insider Reports

    New Entry-Level iPad Expected in 2025, Insider Reports

    While Apple has introduced new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and a revamped iPad mini this year, the entry-level iPad hasn’t seen an update in two years. However, recent reports suggest that a new version is on its way, possibly arriving next year.

    New Developments in iPad Design

    In his latest weekly newsletter, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has indicated that Apple is deep into the development of a new entry-level iPad model, which is expected to be called the iPad (11th Gen). He mentions that this upcoming iPad, with the internal codenames J481 and J482, will mostly keep the design of the 2022 version, featuring uniform yet thick bezels and a single rear camera.

    Performance Upgrades Expected

    The new iPad will likely see a performance enhancement, suggesting it will be equipped with a better chipset than the older A14 Bionic chip found in the 2022 model. Although it is not anticipated to use the Apple A18 chip, which powers the new iPhone 16, Apple may aim to install a chipset that aligns with its Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

    Launch Timeline and Pricing Insights

    Mark Gurman has shared that the iPad (11th Gen) or iPad 11 is set to debut next spring, likely alongside a new iPhone SE and refreshed iPad Air models. As for the pricing, details are currently unclear. The iPad (10th Gen), which is available on Amazon for $298, saw a price reduction, now starting at $349 instead of $449. The new model will probably not be priced below $400.

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  • New Affordable Apple Watch Coming Soon, Cheaper than SE

    New Affordable Apple Watch Coming Soon, Cheaper than SE

    Apple recently launched the second-generation Watch SE alongside the Series 8. Since that time, the smartwatch range has expanded with new models like the Watch Ultra 2, Series 9, and Series 10. Nevertheless, the third-generation SE has yet to be unveiled.

    Expectations for Watch SE 3

    There was speculation that the Watch SE 3 would be announced during the September 9 event, but only the Series 10 was revealed. Additionally, no successor to the Watch Ultra 2 was presented, despite expectations for its debut at the iPhone 16 launch.

    Design and Pricing Insights

    According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, a trusted source, Apple is focusing on making the upcoming SE model more budget-friendly. Specifically, Gurman mentioned that the new SE smartwatch will likely use a plastic frame instead of aluminum. This change could not only reduce the overall cost but also allow for a variety of vibrant colors, reminiscent of the iPhone 5c.

    Currently, the Watch SE 2 is the most affordable smartwatch Apple offers, with the 40 mm version priced at $250 and the 44 mm version at $280. There are also cellular options available for both sizes, which add an additional $50.

    Potential Hardware Updates

    Furthermore, Gurman suggests that the new Apple Watch SE might receive a chipset upgrade. The existing model is equipped with the Apple S8 SiP, which is also found in the 2022 Series 8, but it remains uncertain whether the new budget-friendly smartwatch will feature the latest S10 chip. It might instead include the S9, which is used in the Series 9 (the GPS 45 mm version is currently priced at $329 on Amazon).

    Mark Gurman via: MacRumors

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  • Apple’s Ambitious AirPods 4 Production Targets, 2 Models to Debut This Year

    Apple’s Ambitious AirPods 4 Production Targets, 2 Models to Debut This Year

    Apple is rumored to be preparing for the launch of AirPods 4 later this year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, known for his reliable coverage, has shared more insights on the upcoming TWS earphones from Apple. Earlier reports suggested that the tech giant from Cupertino would be introducing two distinct models of the AirPods 4. Let's delve into the specifics.

    Production Insights and More

    Mark Gurman discloses that the mass production of AirPods 4 is set to commence in May, in collaboration with partners GoerTek and LuxShare Precision. These earphones are expected to debut alongside the iPhone 16 series, either in September or potentially in October. Apple aims to manufacture between 20 to 25 million units of the next-gen TWS earphones, surpassing the production estimates of previous models.

    Two Models in Line

    Apple is anticipated to unveil the AirPods 4 in two variations, codenamed B768E and B768M. The former is categorized as 'entry,' while the latter signifies a 'mid-tier' offering. With the introduction of these TWS models, Apple will discontinue the second and third-generation AirPods, consolidating their lineup to feature entry-level and mid-tier AirPods 4, AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and AirPods Max.

    Features to Expect

    Expectations for the AirPods 4 include a fresh design, enhanced fit, USB-C compatibility, and more. The mid-tier model is rumored to incorporate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the Find My tracking feature, akin to the capabilities of the AirPods Pro.

    Mark Gurman also notes that the refresh for AirPods Pro is slated for the following year. The current-generation AirPods Pro might receive a hearing aid mode update in the upcoming iOS 18.

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