Apple iPhone Archives - Gizmochina

Future Apple iPhones may feature in-house battery tech that could improve battery life

Sean — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 11:56:14 +0000

Apple could be planning a major change for its future iPhones. The company might soon shift its smartphones to in-house developed battery, which could offer various improvements in battery performance compared to current iterations.

Apple iPhones may soon be powered by self-developed batteries

According to a South Korean report, the Cupertino based giant is working on developing proprietary battery tech. These cells could be employed on its future generation of iPhones. These handsets would likely be slated to launch in 2025. So the iPhone 16 lineup is unlikely to feature this technology. The report claims that the new Apple batteries for the iPhone will offer major improvements in battery performance.

This would likely be related to the overall battery life or the higher fast charging rate support. The ET News claims that the company is directly involved in the manufacturing of the materials that will be used in the new batteries. Apple will reportedly employ this in-house battery in the 2025 iPhones. Furthermore, the report adds that Apple is looking to improve the performance of cathode materials. The company is apparently also considering Carbon Nanotubes or CNTs as a conductive material for improved performance.

Apple might also plan to increase the silicon content in the cathode materials for its iPhone batteries. For those unaware, a battery houses a cathode and cathode materials. Newer smartphones feature graphite as secondary material, but the iPhone maker could be planning on increasing the silicon content in the cathode materials. This, in turn, could help reduce charging and discharging periods.

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro to reportedly have Titanium frame and thinner bezels

Jeet — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 01:08:12 +0000

There have been many rumors about the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series models, and the new report from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg pretty much confirms some of the rumors for the devices.

According to the latest report, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro models will come with a Titanium frame for smartphones, while the bezels around the display will be thinner.

The report reveals that instead of the stainless steel frame, the new Pro models of the iPhone will come with titanium frame. Also, thanks to the new display technology, the bezels around the screen will be thinner, shrinking the size of the black border by about one third.

Earlier, it was reported that the company will swap out the mute button on the smartphones for a customizable button and the company’s proprietary Lighthing port will be replaced by the USB-C port.

While the features for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro series models are appealing, the users will be paying a higher price. Some of the analysts are expecting up to $200 price hike for the Pro Max model. To know for sure, we will have to wait for the official launch in the coming month.

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Apple’s latest iOS 17 drops support for iPhone 8 and iPhone X

Jeet — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:00:02 +0000

At the WWDC 2023, Apple took the wraps off its highly anticipated mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, along with the 15-inch MacBook Air powered by M2 chip.

The Cupertino-based technology giant also showcased the latest operating systems that the company will release later this fall and has confirmed the list of devices that will be left behind.

The company has announced the iOS 17 operating system for Apple iPhones and confirmed that the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X won’t be getting this newer version of the software. The update requires the smartphone to be running the A12 Bionic chipset or later.

The older smartphones that are eligible for the iOS 17 include iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and iPhone SE (second generation). Similarly, those using the iPhone 5th generation or the first generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro won’t be able to install the new iPadOS 17.

With the newer version of the operating system, Apple is bringing features like Live Voicemail transcripts, the StandBy display mode, and better autocorrect, among others.

Some of the features coming to the iOS 17 include Smart Home Lock Screen which can turn iPhone into a “smart-home display” when not in use. It can show various information, including calendar appointments, weather data, notifications, and more. There’s also Contact Posters that allow users to customize how they’re represented on other people’s phones.

It is also bringing Live Voicemail to transcribe voicemails in real-time. For safety, there’s Check-In, a feature that will let users automatically notify family and friends when they have made it home safely. iOS 17 also introduces a new Journal app for sourcing memories using people, places, activities, music, and photos that users can add to daily journal entries.

Apple iPhone 16 rumored to feature vertically-aligned camera sensors

Jeet — Tue, 23 May 2023 07:12:19 +0000

The upcoming iPhone 15 lineup is expected to go official in a few months, but it’s the iPhone 16 series smartphones, which will debut more than a year later, have been in the news.

Some details about the Apple iPhone 16 smartphone getting launched next year have surfaced online and in the latest development, details about the rear camera sensor arrangement have been revealed.

The new information, shared by Twitter user @URedditor, claims that the standard iPhone 16 model will come with a two-camera setup where the sensors will be arranged in a vertical layout. The same design is also expected to be expanded to the iPhone 16 Plus.

It is further said that the change will make the device “instantly recognizable” as the latest model, at least when combined with other newer design aspects on the device, including the Dynamic Island and a USB-C port.

Apple switched to the diagonally-arranged sensors setup for the rear camera with the iPhone 13 lineup, and the same is found on the current generation iPhone 14 series models.

While Apple is expected to go with the vertically-aligned camera sensors on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, the Pro series models in the lineup are expected to continue with the diagonally-arranged sensors.

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Apple brings Emergency SOS via Satellite feature to Australia and New Zealand

Jeet — Mon, 15 May 2023 02:14:57 +0000

Last year, when Apple released the new iPhone 14 and 14 Pro series smartphones, the company added Emergency SOS via Satellite. After the company started rolling out the feature, it has been focused on expanding it to other regions.

In the latest development, the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature has been launched in Australia and New Zealand for Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro users running iOS 16.1 or later version.

With the addition of two more countries, the satellite feature is now available in 14 countries — United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand.

The feature enables users to send text messages to emergency services when there’s no cellular network or Wi-Fi connection available, that too without any other type of hardware additions or additional software. When the user contacts an emergency service with this new feature, it sends the current location and a message that the user needs assistance.

It’s worth noting that the feature only works outside in open spaces with a clear sight of the sky and without obstructions like trees, buildings, etc.

As of now, the Emergency SOS via Satellite is a free service for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, and after two years, users will need to pay a monthly subscription fee to continue using the service. Apple has not yet revealed how much it plans to charge for this feature once the free service period gets over.

Apple iPhones Won’t Get Under-display Face ID Anytime Soon

Jeet — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:09:44 +0000

Apple iPhones have been one of the best-selling smartphones in the world, and the company has been trying to add new features to the device with each iteration. However, the company still lags in some technologies and features compared to some flagship Android offerings.

While most of the premium Android smartphones come with under-display biometric authentication to unlock the device, Apple has still been unable to add such technology to its devices, and it appears that it isn’t happening anytime soon.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

According to the latest report coming from Ross Young, Apple is unlikely to implement the under-display Face ID technology on its smartphones until 2025. So, if you have been waiting for iPhones without a display notch, you would have to wait a few more years as the Cupertino-based tech giant isn’t prepared to implement under-display technology anytime soon.

Earlier, it was reported that the Apple iPhone with under-display Face ID could be officially launched in 2024, but the timeframe appears to have been pushed back because of sensor-related issues. Going by the new timeframe suggested, the Apple iPhone 17 lineup could be the first to have Face ID components hidden under the display.

Even when Apple adds under-display Face ID technology to the iPhones, it is said that the phone will still have a hole for the front-facing camera sensors. While we expect major changes to the smartphone, it is too early to speculate what changes will happen to the iPhone’s design as the company implements new technologies.

For the upcoming iPhone 15 series, Apple will add Dynamic Island to all four models, which is currently limited to iPhone 14 Pro models only. We expect a few other major changes with the upcoming iPhone lineup, especially the adoption of a USB-C port instead of the company’s proprietary Lightning port. The company is also rumored to launch an Ultra model in the iPhone lineup, but it’s not yet clear if the device is getting launched this year or next year.

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Apple First Gen iPhone That Is Still in the Box Sees an Auction Bid Cross $63,000

Sean — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:29:49 +0000

We already know that an iPhone from Apple holds its value for far longer than any other smartphone from its Android counterpart. This apparently holds true for even its first even iPhone model, which is apparently worth more than 60,000 US Dollars now.

For those unaware, the first gen iPhone was originally announced back in 2007. Typically, the value of consumer electronic products like smartphones usually drops over the years. However, this doesn’t apply to collector items or iconic products like the first iPhone which has been selling for prices higher than its original retail price more than a decade ago. But now, an unopened iPhone that is still in the original packaging saw an online auction bid that hit a whopping 63,356.40 US Dollars.

In other words, it has a value that is more than 100 times the phone’s original price tag of 599 US Dollars. The bidding had originally started at 2,500 US Dollars and was initially believed to max out around the 50,000 US Dollars mark. But the iPhone that is still in its original box managed to blow past this figure as well. The former Apple CEO Steve Jobs had unveiled the iPhone back in 2007, and the device has in many ways shaped the industry since then.

Interestingly enough, this particular iPhone that is being auctioned right now was also featured on a television show called the “The Doctor & The Diva” in the US. The program held weekly “Treasure Hunt Tuesday” events and the owner of this model was Karen Green. When asked why she never opened this box, she said that “I didn’t want to get rid of my new phone and I figured it was an iPhone so it will never go out of date.”

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Apple Working On Reverse Wireless Charging Tech for the iPhone: Report

Sean — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:22:32 +0000

While reverse wireless charging has already been seen on Android smartphone from various brands, it seems that Apple is still working on developing this technology with the latest report also hinting at its arrival for next gen iPhones.

According to sources close to the matter, the Cupertino based giant is still working on perfecting the full reverse wireless charging technology for its iPhones. For those unaware, this technology basically makes your smartphone a wireless charging pad, enabling you to charge other products that support wireless charging. Meaning, your phone can end up charging another device that supports wireless charging, or even TWS earbuds that have charging cases that support the same.

The sources added that the brand had originally hoped to debut the reverse wireless charging technology on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, the company had failed to meet its deadline. So now, it appears that Apple engineers are hard at work again to finish the wireless charging tech along with building software optimizations for it as well. Reverse wireless charging can also be called bilateral wireless charging.

Notably, ever since the iPhone 12 series, Apple has incorporated at least some elements that enable reverse wireless charging. However, this feature has been deactivated on the devices likely over various reasons. But once the company fully supports reverse wireless charging, we can expect the iPhones to be capable of charging any Qi enabled accessory. One of the best uses would likely include charging your AirPods.

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Unopened First-gen iPhone Could Be Auctioned for up to $50,000

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 21:38:09 +0000

An unopened iPhone from 2007 has been put on auction in the United States for an expected price of $50,000. The iPhone is owned by Karen Green who received the iPhone gift from her friends in 2007. This is yet another confirmation of the first-gen iPhone as a collector’s item.

The unused and unopened iPhone 2G or iPhone 1 was given to Green when she landed a new job back in 2007. However, at that time, she was already having three phone lines, and carrier compatibility issues prevented her from using the gadget. It had been on her shelf since then but she attempted to sell off the device in 2019. However, the $5,000 valuation of the iPhone did not meet her expectations. She is now willing to sell the item with a minimum of $50,000 expected from the sale. Green hopes to use the proceeds of the auction to fund her business.

The auction is organized by LCG Auctions and will run until February 19. This is not the first iPhone that has been auctioned for such an amount. The first-gen iPhones could currently fetch between $30,000 and $50,000 on the minimum. A few more first-gen iPhones unopened and unused could still be held by some people. The price of the iPhones will continue to rise as they increasingly become more sought after.

The Apple iPhone has undergone an outstanding transformation since it was introduced at the turn of the millennium. The current models are the iPhone 14 series with the top pick being the iPhone 14 Ultra.

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Apple To Start Transitioning Away From Qualcomm Modem Chips Next Year

Jeet — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 05:44:09 +0000

Apple has been trying to replace the Qualcomm modems from its devices with the company’s own modems and for this, the company also acquired a division of Broadcomm.

The transition was pushed back due to some reasons, but now the Cupertino-based tech giant is back on track and is gearing up to use its in-house developed modem and chips.

A new report coming from Bloomberg claims that Apple plans to start replacing Qualcomm modem chips on its iPhones as soon as 2024, for which the company has been working for years.

Apple had initially planned to use its own modem chips on iPhones this year, i.e. 2023, but its development efforts didn’t produce the results it wanted and, thus, pushed back the transition and decided to keep using Qualcomm until its own solution is developed.

Modem chip development has seen delays, and Apple will use a slow rollout to end its reliance on Qualcomm. Apple will start by using its modem in a single device before expanding the rollout to other devices. The transition away from Qualcomm could take up to three years.

Apart from this, the company also wants to stop using wireless components from Broadcom in 2025. For this, Apple is working on a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that would replace the components that it is currently sourcing from Broadcom. A couple of years ago, Apple signed a three and a half-year deal with Broadcom for wireless components and modules, which is set to expire midway this year.

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Apple iPhone SE 4 Likely To Get Cancelled Due To Lower-Than-Expected Demand

Jeet — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 05:03:44 +0000

Apple has several different models of iPhones, but the most popular models have been the Pro and Pro Plus versions for the past few years, and the multiple experiments with the mid- to low-end versions haven’t worked out well for the brand.

Now, as per the latest report from Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is expected to cancel the upcoming Apple iPhone SE 4 smartphone or postpone the mass production of the device for 2024 due to lower-than-expected demand.

Another reason for the cancellation of the device is said to be the increased cost of materials because of the full-screen design, which will also lead to higher selling prices for the smartphone. This can also help the company reduce expenses of new product development, especially at a time when there’s a looming global recession, and anything that Apple saves could help the brand.

It isn’t just the iPhone SE models that are not meeting the company’s expectations when it comes to sales. The Apple iPhone 13 Mini, as well as its replacement for the new lineup, the iPhone 14 Plus, had very low demand in the market compared to what the company expected. The Cupertino-based technology giant had to lower the production for the 14 Plus model and boost the Pro models due to demand.

The development comes at a time when reports and leaks have painted a pretty good picture of what can be expected of the iPhone SE 4 smartphone. The phone, which is said to be a “flagship killer” smartphone, features a 6.1-inch 720p LCD display of iPhone XR and could be rated IP67 and be powered by a 3,000mAh battery with support for 20W fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging.

Internally, the device is expected to be powered by the latest Apple A16 Bionic processor, which is powering the newly launched Apple iPhone 14 Pro series but it could end up using the A15 SoC found on the iPhone 14 lineup. In the camera department, there could be a single 12-megapixel sensor on the back and a 7-megapixel selfie shooter up front.

It is not yet confirmed if the iPhone SE 4 has been canceled or postponed, but whatever the case, we expect to know more about it in the coming days from different sources. Till then, we advise you to take this with a pinch of salt until we get confirmation about this from other sources as well.

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Apple To Reportedly Allow Third-Party App Stores On iPhones And iPads

Jeet — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:44:48 +0000

Apple has been pretty restrictive when it comes to allowing users to install applications on their smartphones or tablets. The apps on the iPhones and iPads need to be installed only through the company’s App Store, and for every transaction through those apps, the tech giant charges a commission.

Now, it appears that users will have more choices when it comes to installing applications. As per the report from Bloomberg, Apple is preparing to add support for third-party app stores for the iPhones and iPads in the European Union.

The development comes as the Cupertino-based technology giant works to comply with new competition law in the European Union. The Digital Markets Act has a set of rules designed to create fair and open competition in the digital world, and large companies that fail to comply with the rules could face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue.

Apple is now working to comply with the relies and would allow users to install third-party apps without going through the company’s own App Store, essentially bypassing the tech giant’s restrictions and up to 30% commission that Apple charges on App Store purchases.

Google and Samsung already have their own app stores, but they already allow sideloading of applications, which means that users can download applications from anywhere and are not restricted to their own app stores. On the other hand, Apple has been restrictive, allowing users to only download apps from its App Store, citing security reasons, but it’s most likely to keep the 30% commission.

Apple has been in the hot waters for a couple of years now because of its restrictive policies when it comes to downloading and installing applications on iPhones. While app makers like Epic Games and Spotify have filed lawsuits against Apple because of the App Store restrictions, other giants like Facebook, Twitter, and others have publicly criticized the company.

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Apple’s Find My App Misleads Police To Raid an Old Lady’s Apartment

Jed John Ikoba — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 21:22:15 +0000

A Denver, Colorado SWAT team has swooped on an old lady’s apartment after being notified that a stolen iPhone was tracked to the apartment. The incident reportedly saw the Police using maximum force to gain entry into the apartment, with damage to doors and other household items. The detective that led that raid is now facing charges for the damage.

It has been a mixed bag of fortunes for Apple’s AirTags and its Find My app. While it has led to the recovery of many stolen and missing items, the use of the devices for stalking has also been well-reported. The present incident is just another perspective on how law enforcement officers should be more circumspect in dealing with such information.

The case relates to a stolen truck with guns, drones, cash, and an iPhone inside. The truck was stolen earlier this year from a Denver Hyatt hotel. In investigating the case, Detective Gary Staab was informed by the victim that Apple’s Find My app pinpointed the apartment as the location of the smartphone. The detective, acting on that information, secured a warrant to raid the place.

Unfortunately, the location was a false negative, as Staab executed the warrant with some force and he left destruction in his trail. The person found inside the apartment was a 77-year-old lady and none of the missing items were found in the house. The SWAT team allegedly destroyed several valuables in the house. They reportedly used a battering ram to destroy two doors in the apartment. The detective has been reportedly sued for failure to verify the location independently. The grave error of judgment by the Denver Police Department was further exacerbated because of its inability to apologize for the incident.

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Shipments In Trouble Due To Foxconn Factory Protests

Jeet — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:21:01 +0000

Apple launched the latest iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro series of flagship smartphones a couple of months back. For the first time, the devices come with a significant difference between both lineups.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro series has good demand in the market compared to the standard iPhone 14 lineup but it appears that the company will soon be facing shipment issues for the popular iPhone models because of its contract manufacturer Foxconn.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

According to a new report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, shipments of Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models in the fourth quarter of this year will be significantly lower than the market consensus due to protests at Foxconn’s main factory in China.

The Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, China, has been significantly affected by the protests by the workers over unfavorable working conditions, which he believes will adversely impact the Q4 2022 shipments forecast by around 20 percent or about 70-75 million units.

He adds that the average capacity utilization rate at the factory in the month of November was only 20 percent, but that is expected to increase to about 30 percent to 40 percent in December. He believes that the production issues could result in iPhone revenue being “significantly lower than the market consensus by 20–30% or more” this quarter.

Ming-Chi Kuo further notes that Pegatron and Luxshare, two other contract manufacturers for Apple, have each received about 10 percent of iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max orders from Foxconn. However, those orders aren’t expected to start shipping until late December or early January of the next year.

Currently, the delay time for the Apple iPhone 14 Pro models is at least four weeks when the device is ordered through the company’s official online store in the United States as the Cupertino-based tech giant is struggling to maintain supply.

Brazil seizes iPhones from retail stores as Apple fails to comply with charger requirement

Jeet — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 03:57:11 +0000

A couple of months ago, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice ordered the suspension of iPhone sales in the country after it concluded that Apple harms consumers by not offering the power adapter when they purchase the device. Even after the company was slapped with a million-dollar fine, it is still not complying with the order.

Now, the regulator for Federal District-based consumer protection has seized Apple iPhones from retailers or retail stores as the technology giant failed to comply with the requirements.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

A report by Technoblog reveals that Procon-DF has seized hundreds of Apple iPhones from different retail stores in Brasilia, Brazil. It added that as a part of “Operation Discharge,” the regulator plans to force Apple to comply with the local law that requires smartphones to be shipped with a charger in the box.

It further adds that the regulator is seizing devices from the carrier stores and authorized Apple retailers. It is only seizing the devices that come without a charger in the box, followed by a decision from the Ministry of Justice to block Apple from selling iPhones in Brazil without chargers included.

For those who are unaware, Apple stopped including a charger in the box with the iPhone 12 series, but the company also updated iPhone 11 series retail box to come without a charger.

After the devices were seized, Apple Brazil requested the government to allow sales of smartphones in the country until the final decision is pending as the company has filed an appeal. Although the company says it is confident of winning the legal battle, its action suggests otherwise. The newly launched Apple TV 4K comes with a USB-C charger in the box, but the company doesn’t reveal a reason behind this.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Series to Feature Solid-State Touch Buttons Instead of Mechanical Buttons

Jeet — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 05:55:02 +0000

It’s been a few months since Apple launched the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro series smartphones in the market. Its successor, the iPhone 15 lineup is almost a year away from getting announced, but rumors about the upcoming series have already started surfacing online.

In the latest development, according to research firm Barclays, Apple supplier Cirrus Logic may have hinted at the Cupertino-based technology giant adopting solid-state touch-based buttons on iPhones next year.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The report adds that Cirrus Logic has a sent a letter to shareholders this month in which the company said that it continues to engage with a “strategic customer” and expects to bring a new HPMS component to the smartphones market next year.

HPMS stands for Cirrus Logic’s high-performance mixed-signal chips, which include haptic drivers for the Taptic Engine used in Apple iPhones. Earlier, the company’s CEO John Forsyth had said that the timeframe for this new component coming to the market will be the “back half of next year,” which means the second half.

The launch of this new component in the later half of 2023 falls within the timeframe for the launch of iPhone 15 Pro models from Apple, which should happen in September next year.

This new development regarding touch-based buttons for the iPhones comes just a month after well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone 15 Pro models will feature solid-state volume and power buttons. He added that the phones will be equipped with two additional Taptic Engines to provide haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of pressing the buttons.

Apple expected to release iOS 16.2 in a few weeks with new features

Jeet — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 02:04:13 +0000

Apple recently rolled out the new iOS 16.1 version for the iPhones just weeks after the company had released the iOS 16, bringing several new features and functionalities to the operating system. Now, the company is working on the next version of the update.

According to the latest report from Mark Gurman’s PowerOn newsletter, the next major update for the iPhone’s software, iOS 16.2, is expected to be officially released sometime around mid-December along with the iPadOS 16.2.

The Cupertino-based technology giant has already released the first beta of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 for developers and public beta testers. While the full list of the features and changes for the upcoming update remains unknown, some of the features and improvements that can be expected have been released through the beta release.

iOS 16.2 will come with support for Live Activities for select sports games for the built-in TV application, allowing users to track games in real-time on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. It will also allow users to add a new Sleep widget option on the Lock Screen.

Freeform, a new application from Apple which allows users to collaborate with friends and co-workers, was announced at WWDC. The app is currently available for developers and beta testers, and now it is expected to be rolled out to everyone with the new iOS 16.2 as well as to the users of iPadOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1.

As the update is expected to be rolled out in December, there’s still time for the company to add new features and make other noticeable changes to the operating system. After iOS 16.2, the company is expected to release iOS 16.3 sometime around February or March next year, coinciding with the new Mac devices launch.

Apple iPhone required to use USB Type-C by 2024 by the EU

Sean — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:40:54 +0000

The European Union (EU) has been working on standardizing the charging port for consumer electronic products for sometime now. But with the latest law being passed, Apple will be required to launch its future iPhones with a USB Type C port.

According to an official press release, the USB Type C port will become the standard for new smartphones, with the law coming into effect by the “end of 2024.” Furthermore, this law is not limited to just handsets and also includes tablets and cameras. However, the change will most notably affect future iPhones. As of right now, Apple’s iPhones is the only phone that still sticks to its proprietary Lightning Port.

Even its latest iPhone 14 series features this port. But in just a couple of years, this might have to change due to the new mandate. Although, it would only be more beneficial for the consumers since they won’t have to be limited to the Lightning Port chargers that Apple and some select partners sell. Furthermore, the Cupertino based giant will also be capable of offering higher charging rates as well on future iPhone models.

We can expect the company to adopt the USB Type C standard sometime around the iPhone 16 series. Although, going by Apple’s unwillingness to change, it might even be delayed to the iPhone 17 lineup. This is implied by the press release, which states that “the new rules would not apply to products placed on the market before the date of application [of the rules].”

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iPhone 14 Pro & Pro Max Rumor Roundup: Specs, Pricing and More

Leo Wong De Quan — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 09:28:59 +0000

We are less than a week away from the annual Apple iPhone 14 series launch event happening on September 7 at 10 am P.T. (GMT -7), and this year Apple is expected to release 4 devices in the iPhone 14 lineup: the standard iPhone 14, the iPhone 14 Plus (or Max), the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

iPhone 14 series renders

Like clockwork, the annual cycle of an iPhone release includes the leaks and rumours before the official launch in autumn, and Apple is no stranger in the smartphone industry. In this article, we shall be rounding up what we have known about the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max so far from the leaks and rumours ahead of launch.

iPhone 14 Pro Series Design and Colour Options

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are said to feature very similar dimensions to the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, whereby the Pro model is the smaller sibling, whilst the Pro Max has the bigger body, battery and screen to boot.

The construction of the iPhone 14 Pro devices is also said to be unchanged as well with a display protected by the brand’s trademarked Ceramic Shield glass for screen protection, alongside a matte fingerprint-resistant rear glass panel strengthened with a flat and glossy stainless steel frame for the most peace of mind to its utmost professional Apple users.

However, the biggest design change for this year’s iPhone 14 Pro series is most undoubtedly the removal of the notch on the front display. Leaks and rumours point to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max sporting a new front display whereby the notch is replaced with a punch hole and pill-shaped cutout for a higher screen-to-body aspect ratio and more screen real estate for users to experience on their smartphone.

Leaked iPhone 14 Pro Series Colour Options

The pill-shaped cutout will be housing the sensors module that Apple uses for its Face ID biometric authentication, while the punch hole will house the front-facing camera used for selfies. The rear of the iPhone 14 Pro series will still have the Apple logo in the centre, and the camera island that houses the triple rear camera and LiDAR sensor setup will be located on the top left of the back.

Colour options for the iPhone 14 Pro series were recently leaked online last week, and the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are shown to be available in 5 colour options, whereby the 3 standard colours are Silver, Graphite Black and Gold colourways, and the 2 new exclusive colourways for the iPhone 14 Pro series will be a never-before-seen Dark Purple colour by Apple, and a familiar Pacific Blue colour option first introduced by Apple on the iPhone 12 Pro series back in 2020.

iPhone 14 Pro Series Specs and Pricing

Powering the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will be Apple’s latest A16 Bionic SoC, based on a 4nm process manufactured by Apple’s industry-leading partner TSMC. The processor inside the iPhone 14 Pro is said to be Apple’s greatest processor yet with better performance, better power efficiency and better AI capabilities with an improved Neural Engine onboard.

Another improvement to the iPhone 14 Pro series is the battery. The battery onboard the iPhone 14 Pro series devices are said to be 10 to 20% larger than the iPhone 13 Pro series of smartphones, meaning that the range-topping iPhone 14 Pro Max could extend its lead in the smartphone space as the battery champion flagship once more in 2022.

iPhone 14 Pro Illustration

The charging times for the iPhone 14 Pro series are expected to improve as well. Rumours pointed to the iPhone 14 Pro series featuring 30W wired charging, up from 20W charging on last year’s iPhone 13 series, which could improve charging times by at most 50% compared to the last generation. And if you fancy wireless charging, you should have no worries with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max as both are still expected to feature Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging which is faster on iPhones compared to Qi Wireless Charging.

Last but not least, are the cameras. The main sensor on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are said to feature Apple’s latest 48 MP main lens, replacing the company’s traditional 12 MP lens that it has been using for almost a decade. The new 48 MP main wide camera will include features such as Focus Pixels and pixel binning technology to produce better shots whether it be daylight or nighttime. The new 48 MP sensor is also capable of bringing 8K video recording to the iPhone 14 Pro series, further bringing professional videography on iPhone to the next level.

iPhone 14 Pro Concept Render

As for the rest of the camera sensors, the iPhone 14 Pro series will be seeing a new 7-element telephoto lens replacing the 6-element lens on the iPhone 13 Pro series, an improved ultra-wide-angle camera with larger 1.4µm pixels to let more light in during low-light, as well as a front-facing camera with a better ƒ/1.9 aperture and autofocus.

iPhone 14 Pro Series Software, Storage Options and Pricing

As for software customisations, Apple fans will be glad to hear that the iPhone 14 Pro series launches with iOS 16 out of the box with Apple’s new enhanced home screen and lock screen customisation features which add a bit more uniquely sophisticated look for your device.

iOS 16 Lockscreens

Another software feature rumoured on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro series is the Always On Display (AOD) functionality, which shows the time and notifications even when the device is sleeping. The feature will not use much of the battery due that in an AMOLED, each individual AMOLED only lights up when there is a non-black output, thus that is why most AODs are black by nature. The AOD feature has been present in the Android space for a long time and is today found on devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, and the Redmi K50 series of smartphones.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will be available in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB storage configurations. Prices for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are said to be increased due to the ongoing inflation crisis, and the base storage iPhone 14 Pro will start from US$ 1049 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max will start from US$ 1149.

For more news on the Apple iPhone 14 series launch, you can head on over to our iPhone 14 series launch roundup over here, or you can stay tuned to our coverage of the iPhone 14 series launch event on September 7 here on Gizmochina!

Apple’s first ever iPhone sold for over $35,000 in the US

Sean — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:42:02 +0000

An auction has just sold one unopened first generation Apple iPhone model in the US for a whopping price tag of over 35,000 US Dollars. Alongside the smartphone, the auction also sold a first ever iPod model as well for an eye watering price tag too.

The unopened first ever iPhone was sold for a price tag of 35,414 US Dollars, while the first generation iPod was sold for 25,000 US Dollars in the auction. For those unaware, the first gen iPod was released back in 2001 and the first iPhone was announced back in 2007. The iPhone was sold by RR Auction and marks a new milestone for rare gadgets being auctioned around the world.

Price for antique technology have already gone up to millions of dollars. The latest auction of the unopened iPhone was actually unique since it included an original circuit board of the Apple I computer, which was also hand soldered by Apple co founder, Stephen Wozniak and was sold for 677,196 US Dollars. For its time, the iPhone was quite an advanced mobile phone that came with a 2 megapixel camera, voice mail support, and much more.

As stated above, the sale of this iPhone also marks a major milestone for the history of personal technology. Apart from its premium price tag, the original iPhone was also a game changer back when it first launched since it came with an all touchscreen functionality, which all smartphone brands followed soon after.

Apple releases fifth iOS 16 public beta ahead of stable version rollout

Jeet — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 01:48:40 +0000

Apple announced the latest iOS 16 operating system for the Apple iPhone models at its Worldwide Developers’ Conference a couple of months back. Since then, the company has released several developer builds and public beta versions of the software.

Now, in the latest development, the Cupertino-based tech giant has rolled out the fifth public beta version of the iOS 16 operating system, which is most likely the final public beta before the official rollout of the stable version.

The fifth public beta of the iOS 16, along with the iPadOS 16, comes just a week after the company released the fourth public beta, corresponding with the seventh developer beta version of the operating system.

The new iOS 16 from Apple comes with several new features, including a revamped Lock Screen with support for customizations of wallpapers, time, and widgets. It also allows multiple lock screens, which can also be linked to Focus modes.

Apart from the major changes to the design of the OS and new features, the first-party apps have also received several new features and improved functionalities, including Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and more.

If you haven’t enrolled in the public beta testing program, then you can sign up through Apple’s website. The operating system is still under development, so the beta builds may have stability issues. But, the company is expected to roll out the stable version of iOS 16 in the coming weeks.

Apple is increasing its list of suppliers

Divyansh Mehta — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 05:45:40 +0000

Apple has been preparing to begin mass production of the iPhone 14 series in the coming weeks, ahead of the new smartphone’s official announcement this fall. However, as the company struggles with supplies, Apple is increasing its list of suppliers for the future iPhone 14 models.

(4/8)
Company Update: SG Micro (300661)

1. SG Micro had passed the quality certification of the higher-end iPhone 14 and will likely ship the PMICs (battery and level shifter) for the iPhone 14 in 2H22.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) July 22, 2022

Recently, SG Micro’s components have passed the quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Twitter. As a result, the Chinese integrated circuit manufacturer has been added to Apple’s list of suppliers for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The integrated circuitry from SG Micro that controls the battery and level shifter will be used by Apple in the iPhones this year. According to Kuo, this will be the first time that SG Micro supplies parts for Apple’s high-end devices, which will boost sales for the Chinese firm and enable the iPhone 14 to ship faster.

The transaction with SG Micro, according to the analyst, suggests that the technical prowess of its chips “have reached the tier-1 level,” which is necessary for parts used in more expensive, high-end electronic gadgets. Apple also collaborated with fresh vendors earlier this year to purchase camera parts for the iPhone 14 Pro.

Back in May, the COVID-19 lockdowns in China caused a three-week delay in the manufacture of the iPhone 14. Significantly, it was the new iPhone 14 Max (a new 6.7-inch mid-range model that is anticipated to replace the iPhone small) has been most negatively impacted by the delays.

More recently, Kuo added that the mass production of the iPhone 14 would cause Apple to have supply problems. But according to the expert, these problems will only have a “limited impact” on the shipments of the new phones. This is so that Apple has enough time to build a significant number of units before the official debut of the new goods. Apple orders millions of components months in advance.

However, due to the ongoing chip scarcity, the iPhone 14’s initial supply may not be that large. More recently, shortly after the new laptop hits shelves last week, shipping expectations for the new M2 MacBook Air were revised downward to late August. There have been supply-chain problems with other devices as well, like the iPad.

Four new iPhone 14 versions are anticipated from Apple in September, while significant improvements like a new screen design should only apply to the new Pro models.

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Apple to fulfill Q3 revenue expectations in view of solid iPhone demand

Divyansh Mehta — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:41:13 +0000

Apple recently announced that it will start mass production of the iPhone 14 series soon. Since this update, there are new reports in the financial market that Apple’s iPhone is the primary reason for its incredible revenue generation due to a magnanimous number of sales.

Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives claims in a note to investors reviewed by AppleInsider that despite supply problems hitting the tech sector, he expects iPhone demand to hold up slightly better than anticipated. He thinks Apple’s Q3 2022 financial results will meet expectations.

Wedbush predicts that Apple will likely surpass Wall Street estimates when it reports its June quarter profits.

In the June quarter, analysts anticipate Apple to post revenue of about $82 billion and earnings-per-share of $1.16.

Wall Street still anticipates Apple to experience difficulties in the June quarter, though. Ives claims that “all eyes” are on the cycle of supply and demand for the iPhone 14. A new mixed-reality headset might be part of Apple’s aggressive product pipeline that the company is focusing on for 2023.

The “peak worry” for Apple’s supply chain issues will be the June quarter. Although Ives anticipates any Covid or supply delays to abate in the September and December quarters, Apple warned of a $4 billion to $8 billion revenue blow. Recently, we reported that the iPhone 14 Max variant was facing display supply chain issues.

Apple’s installed base is the key to surviving the macroeconomic storms, as is customary. Since almost 240 million of Apple’s 1 billion iPhone owners have not yet upgraded their devices, Ives continues to hold on to the notion that the iPhone upgrade cycle is stubborn.

Services appear to be in good shape going into the second part of 2022 and 2023. Ives estimates that the value of Apple’s services alone is greater than $1 trillion. He considers the risk/reward to be “extremely appealing at current levels” when taken into account its hardware.

Ives said that “While the nervous market backdrop is creating a fearful environment for tech stocks, we believe Apple’s growth story remains well intact despite the shaky macro.”

Ives continues to rate Apple as Outperform and has a $200 price target for the next year. His objective is predicated on a sum-of-the-parts valuation of his 2022 projections, which translates to an 18x multiple on services at $1.5 trillion and a 7x multiple on Apple’s hardware division at $2.1 trillion.

Apple iPhone 14 Max reportedly facing supply chain issues

Divyansh Mehta — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 07:40:27 +0000

Apple recently began trial production of the upcoming iPhone 14 series, with plans to start mass production next month. However, some analysts believe the outlook is bleak. With manufacturing for the reported but unsubstantiated iPhone 14 Max model now said to be behind schedule, the upcoming iPhone might not even escape the material shortage due to increasing global inflation.

According to rumors, the iPhone 14 will have four different variants, much like the iPhone 13 did. However, it appears that there will be two large-sized models instead of just one, namely the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max, making component security more difficult than in previous years. According to renowned display supply expert Ross Young, this requirement is why production is running behind schedule.

Young recently reported through a tweet (only available for super followers) that supplies of the iPhone 14 Max’s display panel are “still way behind through August,” while the Pro versions are unaffected. Young reports that supply levels are more than three times more than on the normal Max phones, and those displays appear to be in good condition.

Notably, the standard iPhone 14 Max is slowing things down because it has a different display than the Pro model. Apple’s ProMotion, the company’s adjustable refresh rate technology, is used in the Pro models. This indicates that the iPhone 14 Pro Max will have a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, whilst the normal Max will remain at 60Hz. However, there isn’t an official delay for the iPhone 14 Max.

Apple has certainly seen several ups and downs throughout this journey of creating the next-gen iPhone. Henceforth, it appears that the tech giant had to make some adjustments in order to meet the deadline. Back in May, when Apple decided to use a more expensive front-facing camera than on previous smartphones, it was reported that the company was experiencing supply chain issues.

iPhone 14 Series prototypes

Apple’s rationale for producing two large-format variants (Max and Pro Max) is reportedly to boost its international sales in nations like China, where bigger-screen smartphones tend to dominate the market.

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Apple reportedly fails making its own in-house 5G modem chips for iPhone

Jeet — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 03:42:33 +0000

Apple has been trying to reduce dependency on third-party suppliers for core components of its devices. In line with that, the technology giant has been trying to make its own 5G modem for a few years now.

There were reports indicating that the Apple iPhone series smartphones launching next year could feature the company’s in-house developed 5G modem. Now, it appears that is not happening anytime soon.

As per the latest report coming from well-known Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo, Apple has failed to make its own in-house 5G modem. He also adds that Qualcomm will remain the exclusive supplier of 5G modem chips for the iPhones.

Qualcomm was expected to ship 20 percent of the 5G modem chips for the 2023 iPhone models but now the semiconductor company is expected to supply 100 percent of chips.

While Apple will keep working on making its own 5G modem, it will take more time to reach the goal and have a satisfactory outcome for the company to be able to use the chips on iPhones as well as other devices from Apple.

Apple acquired the modem chip business of Intel in the year 2019 and has been working on making its own chips to move away from Qualcomm. Apple and Qualcomm also had a major legal battle over licensing fees, which was ultimately settled.

Here’s why the first Apple iPhone didn’t have copy and paste function

Sean — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:03:35 +0000

Apple had launched its first ever iPhone model back in 2007. However, despite the device being one of the most innovative products of its time, it did not feature a common function which is copy and paste. And now, a former company engineer has finally revealed why this was the case back then.

The original iPhone didn’t have cut/copy/paste. Infamous! The quickest explanation is that I didn’t have time to do it right. I had too much keyboard, autocorrection, and text system work to do. The design team didn’t have time either. So we passed on the feature for 1.0. https://t.co/SLncIxohkk

— Ken Kocienda (@kocienda) June 19, 2022

Ken Kocienda shared a tweet recently explaining why the copy and paste function was missing on the first iPhone model. Ken had joined the Cupertino based giant back in 2001 and had been one of the key engineers that worked on the first iPhone project. He recently took to Twitter to explain why the brand’s first iPhone did not feature this basic feature. Apparently, the answer to this is quite simple, Apple just didn’t “do it right.”

To elaborate, the team behind the first iPhone did not have the time to do it right before the device started shipping. The former Apple engineer stated that he was busy working on the device’s keyboard, autocorrect, and text functionality. He further added that the after the iPhone launched, the team began to work on a copy and paste function. Notably, Ken Kocienda claimed that the “magnifying text loupe,” which zoomed in on the highlighted text was also his idea.

Apart from this, Kocienda also shared that the text system was entirely powered by WebKit. He said that “About the text system, all editable styled text on the original iPhone was backed by WebKit. he system had itty bitty web pages sprinkled here and there. Every multiline UITextView was its own web page.”

Apple iPhones are most vulnerable to hacking when powered off

Sean — Tue, 24 May 2022 10:43:33 +0000

While iPhones are typically seen as one of the more secure smartphones in the market by many consumers, it appears that the Apple device is still quite prone to hacking. This is apparently true especially when they are turned off.

According to a research report from Technical University of Darmstadt, the iPhones are the most vulnerable to hackers when they are switched off. The primary reason for this is due to how it handles its various wireless networking technologies. When an iPhone is switched off, most wireless chips, like Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communications), and UWB (Ultra Wideband) are still running up to 24 hours. Although, this is not some bug and does serve a crucial purpose as well.

The Cupertino based giant offers the Find My network function on their products, which helps in locating Apple owners’ products when they are lost or possibly even stolen. This also lets you still have access to items like credit cards, student passes, and digital keys as well. But unfortunately, this feature is a double edged sword since these wireless chips have direct access to the secure elements. In other words, it could be potentially exploited by hackers to install malware on the iPhones even when the iOS system is not running.

These wireless chips remain active in a Low Power Mode (LPM). However, this LPM support is implemented on a hardware level. So, this can not be simply fixed via an OTA software update. The researchers conducted a security analysis of LPM features introduced with iOS 15 and found that Bluetooth LPM firmware can be modified to run malware on the iPhone. This enables hackers to have system level access to track someone’s location or run new features on their phone. Fortunately for many, this mostly affects jailbroken iPhones. Although, the security hole might still be used as spyware to target people.

Apple iPhones with eSIM face bug that deactivates FaceTime & iMessage

Sudhanshu — Sat, 21 May 2022 12:08:45 +0000

Some Apple iPhones are currently facing a nasty issue that is resulting in the deactivation of FaceTime and iMessage on the device.

According to numerous reports surfacing on Twitter, a nasty bug has been going around on Apple smartphones, deactivating FaceTime, iMessage, and, in some cases, the entire SIM service. This issue is currently exclusive to iPhones with e-SIM cards.

For those unaware, an eSIM is a digital SIM that is connected to the phone’s motherboard and is activated by the carrier. The iPhone XR and iPhone XS were the first models to debut with this feature.

Even Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has fallen victim to this bug as he took to Twitter to voice his complaint about this bug to Apple and T-mobile.

There is a very nasty iPhone and @TMobile bug where iMessage and FaceTime for a device’s phone number will randomly deactivate and there is no way to reactivate it. The only solution that worked for me is getting a new physical SIM card. An extremely disappointing issue.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 19, 2022

This issue, however, is not just limited to T-mobile users as customers with other cellular providers are also facing this issue. Gurman tweeted that, currently, there are two workarounds to this issue. The first one is getting a new physical SIM card from your cellular provider and inserting it into your iPhone. The second option is to remove your eSIM account from the device and set it up again.

T-Mobile has confirmed the issue and has told Gurman that they are working closely with Apple on fixing the issue. T-Mobile has also said that the issue is related to iCloud/Apple and, according to Gurman, it is currently running rampant on devices with iOS 15.4, iOS 15.5, and iOS 15.6 beta 1 operating systems.

Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

Apple iPhone shipments rises by almost 20% in Q1 2022 in North America

Sean — Fri, 20 May 2022 08:58:50 +0000

The shipments of Apple iPhones have apparently risen by a notable amount in the first quarter of this year. This growth was observed in the company’s most important region, which is North America.

According to a Canalys report, the Cupertino based giant’s shipments for iPhones were up by nearly 20 percent. In other words, the brand shipped a total of 20 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 17 million units during the same period last year. Furthermore, the company’s market share also hit a whopping 51 percent in the North American market, up from 45 percent in 2021. For those unaware, the North American region has always been a major market for Apple.

The iPhone maker was the number one smartphone brand in NA, followed by Samsung Electronics, which came in second after shipping 10.5 million handsets in Q1 2022. Meanwhile, Lenovo arrived third with 4 million smartphone shipped, while TCL and Google rounded up the top five list with ever fewer shipments. Out of the five companies, Apple, Google, and Lenovo saw a rise in market share during this quarter, while Samsung and various other smaller brands did not see a similar trend.

The report adds that Apple’s growth was thanks to the popularity of the iPhone 13 series, which had launched back in September 2022. Interestingly, the new 5G enabled iPhone SE had also helped boost the sales for the company during this quarter. In total, the North American region saw a total of 39 million smartphone shipments in Q1 2022, which was up by 3.7 percent over Q1 2021. Canalys believes that the region will “maintain healthy supply levels” despite ongoing supply constraints and shortages.

MediaTek Overtakes Qualcomm & Apple as the Most Popular Smartphone Chipset Brand in China for Q1 2022

Leo Wong De Quan — Sun, 08 May 2022 17:09:14 +0000

As one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, China with its population of over 1 billion reflects several of the future trends that we may see in the smartphone industry, with one of them being the brand of the SoC (System on a Chip) used in our smartphones.

As we are almost halfway into 2022, data analytics firm, CINNO Research, has recently published a report on the Top 5 Smartphone SoC Vendors in the China market for Q1 2022, and it seems that MediaTek is the popular SoC brand used in smartphones for the quarter.

According to the report (via ITHome), smartphone SoC shipments in Q1 2022 were 74.39 million units, down 14.4% year-on-year, and down 0.7% quarter-on-quarter. And the top 5 vendors for the smartphone SoC vendors are MediaTek in the first place, Qualcomm in second, Apple in third, with Huawei’s HiSilicon and UNISOC in fourth and fifth respectively.

Source: CINNO Research

Let’s start from top to bottom, MediaTek saw 30.7 million smartphone chipsets shipped out in Q1 2022, which was higher than its 25 million shipments from last quarter, and 30.1 million shipments from Q1 2022. The rise in smartphone SoC shipments MediaTek can be mainly attributed to the semiconductor firm’s strategy and chipset catalogue that it had offered in the last 6 months, which included the brand’s popular Dimensity 920 5G chipset found on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Realme 9 Pro+ and Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge.

For Qualcomm, the brand remained relatively stable at second with 26.7 million smartphone SoC shipments in Q1 2022, higher than the 23.6 million figure from last quarter, but lower than the 27.9 million shipments from Q1 of last year. Coupled with the ongoing chip shortage, Qualcomm had earlier announced that it will gradually shift its focus to flagship chipsets instead of entry-level and mid-range chipsets due to flagship chipsets providing higher profit margins. However, the one caveat of this strategy is losing market share in mid-range and entry-level markets, which leads to lower shipments overall but higher revenues for the company.

Apple on the other hand, had only shipped 12 million smartphone SoCs in Q1 2022, down 15.8% from its 18.4 million figure from Q4 2021. As the iPhone nears the end of its release cycle, shipments are also expected to go down as well, because consumers are already expecting a new iPhone release soon, and therefore would hold off buying the current model and wait for the next iteration instead.

Huawei’s HiSilicon continues its gradual exit from the China smartphone SoC market as the firm had only shipped out 2.5 million units this quarter, down from 13.8 million in Q1 2021. As stocks for HiSilicon Kirin are not replenished due to the still ongoing supply sanctions against the company, the brand is expected to drop out of the top 5 as late as next year or as soon as the next quarter.

Squeezing just into the Top 5 is the rapidly growing UNISOC semiconductor company. UNISOC saw shipments of 1.9 million smartphones SoCs in Q1 2022, up 1760% from 0.1 million in Q1 2021. The main cause for the exponential growth behind UNISOC is the entry-level smartphone market. As the bigger players like Qualcomm and Apple’s main focus area is in the high-end, UNISOC aims to tackle the low end with its relatively much more affordable chipsets sold off to Realme, Motorola and Samsung to sell in their sub 100 dollar device market.

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(Via)

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Apple to reportedly use self-developed 5G modem chip for iPhone from next year

Jeet — Tue, 03 May 2022 05:37:29 +0000

Apple is set to launch the next-generation iPhone 14 series later this year but reports about the iPhone models set to launch next year have also surfaced online. Now, we have got some more information about the iPhone 15 lineup.

As per the report, the Cupertino-based technology giant is set to ditch Qualcomm for the cellular modem and instead, the company will use its own self-developed 5G modem from next year, i.e. 2023.

This has been in the making for the past few years, since 2019 when the company acquired the majority of Intel‘s smartphone-modem business as well as a team of 2,200 employees.

Apple is also advertising around 140 open positions for the development and integration of cellular modem chips. The company is running these advertisements in San Diego, which is the hometown of Qualcomm.

While Qualcomm is currently supplying 100 percent of the cellular modems used in the iPhone lineup, the company’s CEO had said last year that it expects to supply 20 percent of the 5G models for the Apple iPhone from 2023.

The usage of a self-developed or proprietary 5G modem has several advantages for Apple. It will reduce the brand’s reliance on a third-party vendor. It will also help the company save costs on the components.

As the company makes its own chipset that powers iPhones, it can also integrate the modem in the A-series chips and tweak the configuration as Apple sees fit, including making it faster, more efficient, etc.

It’s noteworthy that analysts believe that Apple may struggle with designing, manufacturing, and testing the new cellular modem as it is a time-consuming process.

Apple iPhone hardware subscription could cost around $35 per month

Jeet — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:50:36 +0000

Apple has been focusing more on the services side of the business and selling more subscriptions. The company has introduced several subscription services in recent years and now the tech giant could be coming up with a hardware subscription offer.

If the recent reports are anything to go by, then Apple is planning to offer its iPhone as a subscription service where the users will need to pay a monthly fee instead of buying the smartphone by paying the full price upfront.

Now, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says that the subscription fee for the iPhone 13 could be $35 per month while the 13 Pro could cost $45 per month. The top-end model, iPhone 13 Pro Max, is expected to cost $50 per month.

There’s a possibility that the program may include some other services from the company such as the Apple One or Apple Care.

The company has an Apple Upgrade program where the user pays a monthly amount for the Apple iPhone and at the end of the term of 24 months, the user owns the device. Unlike that, in the hardware subscription, the user won’t own the iPhone as it will just be like monthly rent for the iPhone.

It’s pretty clear that the Cupertino-based technology giant is looking to earn more revenue and the subscription service fits that model as it would enable the brand to generate recurring revenue from the users.

Apple has not yet officially announced this subscription program for the iPhone but the reports indicate that the company could announce it by the end of this year or next year.

Apple iPhone isn’t getting under-display Touch ID support anytime soon

Jeet — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 04:50:32 +0000

Apple is gearing up to launch the next-generation iPhone 14 series and with that, the company is set to introduce some major changes in the design of the smartphone as well as the phone’s features.

While the Apple iPhone 14 series is yet to go official, reports about the upcoming lineup from the company have surfaced online, revealing that the rumored Touch ID support for the iPhone isn’t coming anytime soon.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Render

Last month, Apple was granted a patent for an under-display fingerprint reader, leading to speculation about the iPhone models to soon get the support for under-display Touch ID.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst, had reported earlier this year that the company could introduce iPhone with an under-display Touch ID in 2023 but now he doesn’t think that is happing any longer.

He believes that the next couple of iterations for smartphones, i.e. iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 launching in 2023 and 2024 won’t have under-display fingerprint sensor support and Face ID will be the only biometric option to unlock the device.

As for the major changes this year, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are getting rid of the notch on top of the screen for a pill-shaped cutout. The camera sensor is also expected to get bumped up from 12MP to 48MP.

It is also being said that the company is trying to make the non-Pro and Pro models of the Apple iPhone 14 series significantly different in terms of specifications. As per the reports, there will be four models getting launched this year — iPhone 14, 14 Max, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. To know for sure what the devices offer, we will have to wait for the official launch set to take place later this year.

Apple iPhone 15 to reportedly have a true punch-hole display with hidden Face ID sensors

Jeet — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 02:42:43 +0000

Apple is gearing up to launch the next-generation iPhone 14 series smartphone later this year in the market. Ahead of the launch, some key details about the upcoming iPhone models have leaked online.

Now, a new report coming from South Korea-based The Elec reveals details about the design of the Apple iPhone 15 which will get launched next year.

It is being claimed that the next year’s iPhone 15 will have an OLED display and the Face ID sensors won’t be visible as they will be tucked inside the screen. This means that it will be a true punch-hole display smartphone from Apple.

The report adds that the Cupertino-based technology giant will rely on Samsung’s under-panel camera (UPC) technology that made an appearance with the internal screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3.

However, there are reports that the South Korean company is developing a new under-display camera technology along with OTI Lumionics which should debut with the Galaxy Z Fold5 smartphone as the Galaxy Z Fold4 will use the current technology.

The Apple iPhone 15 will only have the front-facing camera visible which will result in the smartphone looking at what the majority of the Android smartphones have been design-wise from the past few years. Also, it is being speculated that this major design change could be only for the iPhone 15 Pro models and not the regular ones.

The upcoming Apple iPhone 14 series is expected to have four models — iPhone 14, 14 Max, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. The Pro models are expected to come with a dual pill-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors but the non-Pro models will continue to have a notch on top of the screen.

Further, there are reports which claim that only the iPhone 14 Pro models will come with an Apple A16 Bionic processor while the regular models will continue using the A15 processor while there will also be differences in terms of the memory technology.

Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Max to be powered by the A15 processor: Ming-Chi Kuo

Jeet — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 02:31:32 +0000

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 series has been in the news lately, revealing details about what we should expect from the next-generation smartphone lineup from the company.

Recently, there were reports about the non-Pro iPhone 14 models and the iPhone 14 Pro models to have a significantly different design as well as specifications. Now, another report has surfaced online that is in line with the previous reports.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Render

Last week, it was reported that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will continue to be powered by the Apple A15 Bionic processor while the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max models will pack the yet unannounced Apple A16 Bionic SoC.

Now, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed more details regarding the usage of different chips. He says that the difference of chips between non-Pro and Pro models of the iPhone is likely a marketing or a finance-based decision.

The supply of chips from TSMC isn’t an issue, claims Ming-Chi Kuo. This leads to the speculation that the Cupertino-based technology giant is trying to create more differentiation between the non-Pro and Pro models of the iPhone or that it is trying to keep the cost low by using older generation chips in the non-Pro models.

It has also been reported that while all the models of the iPhone 14 series will pack 6GB of RAM, the non-Pro models will have LPDDR4X RAM. On the other hand, the Pro models will have LPDDR5 RAM, creating a technical difference and impacting the operational speed.

For those who are unaware, Apple is expected to launch four iPhone models this year, which includes Apple iPhone 14, 14 Max, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max. While the 14 and 14 Pro will feature a 6.1-inch display, the 14 Max and 14 Pro Max will have a 6.7-inch screen.

New iPhone 14 Pro renders in Gold emerge online

Pranav Sawant — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 15:19:32 +0000

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 lineup is in talks lately. This time around, the iPhone 14 Pro is expected to bring the dual-punch-hole design and improved internals. A few days back, we saw the CAD renders of the Pro model that gave us an idea about its front and rear design. Now, folks at Pigtou have shared the concept renders of the smartphone.

The renders show all the profiles of the smartphone. The iPhone 14 Pro has a rumored dual-punch-hole design with thin bezels on all sides. It has the same iPhone 13-like camera module at the back sporting multiple lenses. It also has the Apple logo positioned at the center.

Moving to the sides, the device has a volume rocker, alert slider, and the SIM-card tray on the left spine, while having the power button on the right side. At the bottom, the smartphone has a speaker grille, lightning port, and a microphone.

Apart from this, some of the specs of the iPhone 14 Pro were tipped earlier. A leak revealed that the smartphone could with a 48MP main primary camera. Furthermore, it is said to have 8GB of RAM. The device may also come with the rumored advanced satellite features. However, there are very slim chances of it.

If we speak of the entire lineup, the iPhone 14 series is expected to have the two vanilla iPhone 14s and two Pro models. As per an Apple analyst, only the Pro models will have the dual-punch-hole display, while the vanilla variants will have the notch panel.

Regarding the launch, we should see Apple hold the launch event for the iPhone 14 lineup sometime in September or October this year.

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Apple contract manufacturer Foxconn temporarily shuts down Shenzhen factory

Jeet — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 00:54:05 +0000

Foxconn, the contract manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone models, has been forced to shut down its production facility in Shenzhen as the government has ordered lockdown because of new cases of COVID-19.

Because of this new lockdown and shutdown of the factory, there could be some delay in shipments of some Apple devices for which Foxconn is responsible for production, which also includes some iPhone models.

The whole city of Shenzhen in China has been placed under lockdown for one week and everything is closed for the 17.5 million residents of the city, including bus and subway system of transportation.

Everything that is not considered essential has been shut down for a week, including the Foxconn factory. The company said that its Shenzhen operations would be suspended until further notice and added that it will now depend on backup plans to prevent disruptions.

Multiple Chinese provinces and cities have tightened restrictions, a move which is in line with Beijing’s zero-tolerance goal of suppressing contagion as quickly as possible.

If the new COVID-19 cases keep rising in China, then the lockdown period could be increased, disrupting production and supply chains, leading to a shortage of chips and components needed to make devices. Some reports indicate that the total number of COVID cases in China this year has already topped the numbers seen throughout 2021.

Apple’s foldable iPhone delayed until 2025 as the company shifts focus towards foldable MacBook

Jeet — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 07:14:25 +0000

Most of the leading smartphone manufacturers already have at least one foldable smartphone in the market while companies like Samsung have already launched three generations of such devices.

On the other hand, Apple is yet to launch a foldable iPhone but there were reports about such a device getting launched soon. However, a new report indicates that the foldable iPhone has been delayed.

According to a new report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young, Apple’s foldable iPhone is delayed until 2025. The reason given for this is that the company is exploring all-screen foldable MacBooks.

The delay for the launch of a foldable iPhone is quite long if it is not getting official until 2025. Earlier, the device was rumored to get launched sometime in 2023 or 2024 to catch up with the competition in the market. But the delay in the launch indicates that the tech giant is not in a hurry to enter the foldable smartphones market.

Interestingly, the company is now focusing on MacBooks and is allegedly exploring possibilities of offering an all-screen foldable notebook. The company is currently in discussion with suppliers for around 20-inch foldable screen.

However, the launch timeline for the foldable MacBook is likely later than 2025 and the launch is most likely to take place in 2026 or 2027. This could turn out be a new product category for the company with two different use cases in folded and full opened forms.

Meanwhile, the company is set to launch several new products this year, including the Apple iPhone 14 series, M2 chipset, MacBooks powered by the M2 chipset, a 27-inch iMac Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max processor, and a new Mac Mini, among others.

BOE facing iPhone display production issues due to chip shortages

Jeet — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 01:21:54 +0000

BOE is one of the leading display panel manufacturers and the company has been trying to increase its shipments to Apple for the iPhones. But it appears that the company is facing issues to reach the target.

As per the report coming from The Elec, BOE is facing issues for producing OLED panels used in the iPhones because of the ongoing global chip shortage. It further adds that the products will be impacted this month and the next month.

LG Semicon, which is providing display driver ICs to BOE for the Apple iPhone screens are falling short of the target goal and because of the lack of production capacity from foundries, the company is supplying the display driver ICs to LG Display before BOE.

This means that BOE will be decreasing the OLED panel production capacity from three million units to two million units next month. Apple has reportedly ordered up to 10 million OLED panel units from BOE for the first half of 2022.

At this time, it is not known if the display production issues will impact the production or supply for the Apple iPhones but that seems to be quite unlikely given that Apple isn’t dependent on one supplier.

BOE is ramping up its production for flexible smartphone OLED panels and is converting three of its existing factories into OLED suppliers for Apple. With this move, the company is likely to overtake LG Display by 2023 and become the second-biggest supplier in the list of companies providing OLED panels for iPhones.

iPhone 14 Pro tipped to come with 8GB RAM: Report

Sudhanshu — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:37:52 +0000

Apple‘s upcoming iPhone 14 series will likely launch in about 7 months, however, the device has already been subject to multiple rumors regarding its design, screen, and cameras. And now, a fresh new leak has arrived hinting at its RAM capacity.

According to a recent MacRumors report, a Korean blogger “yeux1122” has stated that the iPhone 14 will contain 8GB RAM. The tipster has made this claim citing the domestic supply chain. He adds the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌’s memory components have now been confirmed and the schedule for mass production appears to be accelerating.

Recently, supply chain analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities who previously claimed that the iPhone 14 Pro will come with 6GB RAM has also corroborated this new information. The analyst had previously reported that the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Max will come with 6GB memory and 120Hz LTPO display, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. So it makes sense that Apple would give the Pro model extra ram to make the differentiation clear between the models.

So far, the rumors regarding the iPhone 14 Pro have stated state that the smartphone will feature a 48MP camera, which will be the highest pixel count sensor released featured on an iPhone yet. It is also rumored that the iPhone 14 series will be making a switch to eSIM only models, effectively eliminating another port from the smartphone and making it even more waterproof.

A potential design change coming to the iPhone 14 series can be the front camera notch which has till now been bulky due to it housing all the necessary hardware for Apple’s Face ID unlocking feature. The device is said to come with two smaller cutouts, one in a traditional punch-hole shape and the other in a pill shape.

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