While the Apple iPhone 15 series was announced a couple of months ago, there are already various rumors and reports regarding the iPhone 16 lineup. Now, the latest report claims that the iPhone 16 Pro could feature a notable improvement in the photography department.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro could feature a Tetraprism 120mm camera

The Cupertino based giant is expected to bring a camera lens tech that was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max model to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. According to known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 Pro will also feature Apple’s tetraprism 120mm telephoto shooter. Kuo adds that the improved tetraprism camera is arriving thanks to improvements in yields for Largan, who is the sole supplier of the tetraprism camera lenses.

Initially, the periscope lens faced low production yield, but improvements have boosted yields to more than 70 percent. In other words, this camera lens production is more profitable. Thus, Kuo believes that Apple will feature tetraprism technology in the smaller Pro model as well in 2024. This is in line with our previous report that hinted at upgrades in camera technology thanks to adopted molded glass lenses.

The analyst states that Apple and Huawei are projected to be the two fastest growing brands in the global periscope camera smartphone shipments in 2024. Largan is expected to be the primary supplier of periscope lenses for Apple and Huawei. So we can expect the improved camera technology to make its way to the Huawei P70 series. For those unaware, Huawei’s P series are flagship devices that emphasize photography.

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Over the last couple of weeks, there have been various rumors and leaks regarding Apple refreshing its iPad lineup. Now, a fresh report has revealed more details regarding the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models from the series. So here are all the details.

New OLED Apple iPad Pro and 12.9 iPad Air

The Cupertino based giant is apparently planning on unveiling a new 12.9-inch iPad Air model as well as the iPad Pro with an OLED display. According to known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro will be launching next year. The iPad Air is expected to launch sometime in the beginning of the year, while the higher end Pro version could roll out by the second quarter of this year.

Kuo adds that the iPad Air will arrive in a 12.9-inch model alongside the 10.9-inch version for the first time ever. However, it will skip the mini LED display that comes on this iPad Pro-sized display. Notably, the analyst believes that the brand will add the oxide backplane, which improve performance for the smaller variant. The upcoming iPad Pros will reportedly launch in two M3 chip models.

Although, these will drop the mini LED panels in favor of the OLED screens. Kuo states that the Pro models will use the same LTPO backplane as the iPhone 15 Pros. Apart from this, we can assume that the other iPad versions will likely get upgrades across the board and could release sometime in the second half of 2024.

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Apple‘s recent performance in the Chinese smartphone market presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF Securities has pointed out a significant decline in iPhone shipments, particularly for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, due to supply chain issues at Foxconn. This decline resulted in a reduction of 12 million units in November 2022.

Huawei’s Rise Affects Apple’s Performance in China

Part of this downturn can also be attributed to Huawei‘s resurgence, which is driving structural changes in the Chinese market. Apple expects this trend to continue into 2024, leading to further weakening of shipments.

Despite facing challenges in the fourth quarter of 2023, with flat year-over-year revenue and a 3% drop in share prices following sales forecasts, Apple managed to narrowly exceed revenue estimates, reaching $89.50 billion. The lower-than-expected performance was due to sluggish demand for iPads and wearables, along with a slight decline in revenue in China. However, CEO Tim Cook remains optimistic, highlighting a record-setting sales quarter in September and emphasizing Apple’s commitment to the Chinese market.

This optimism is supported by price reductions for the iPhone 15 series on e-commerce platforms and Apple’s ongoing innovation efforts. Although Apple faces competition from Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro and regulatory challenges, the company’s strategy appears resilient, as evidenced by a recent increase in services revenue and Tim Cook’s visit to China.

On a global scale, Apple maintains a strong market share, leading ahead of Samsung. This strength is also reflected in India, where Apple has reported its highest-ever quarterly growth, with over 2.5 million iPhones shipped, indicating a 34% year-on-year increase.

This surge is attributed to consumers showing interest in premium smartphones, driven by financing options and attractive offers. Apple is expected to expand its market share from 4.5% to 6% in India, thanks to its focus on the market and local production initiatives.

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The Apple AirTag was first unveiled back in 2021 and was the company’s new compact smart tracker. This tiny gadget helped users keep track of precious possessions. A successor dubbed AirTag 2 was recently rumored to launch in 2024, but this release might have been delayed.

Apple AirTag 2 Launch Postponed

The Cupertino based giant was initially planned to announce the AirTag 2 smart tracker next year. But according to the latest report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the release of the upcoming device has been delayed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the iPhone maker’s AirTag 2 mass production plans have been postponed. Kuo has claimed that the mass production will only begin by 2025.

Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo had claimed that the mass production of AirTag 2 would begin by the fourth and final quarter of 2024. The analyst added that Apple wants to build a new spatial computing ecosystem, with the Vision Pro at the center of other devices. This would include the AirTag 2 as well. Unfortunately, it is still unclear just how the smart tracker will function or integrate with the Vision Pro. Although there are speculations that the AirTag 2’s UWB chip could be used to share positional information with the headset.

The AirTag 2 is expected to launch with improvements over its predecessor, which could imply a higher battery life and wider range. However, this is still just a speculation so take this report with a pinch of salt. So stick around for more as we will be providing more updates when additional information is available regarding this device.

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Chipsets based on the 3nm process node have just started to hit the market, with Apple A17 Pro being the first. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the demand for this emerging technology might not be very strong next year, pushing major players to hold back. Apple will apparently cut orders for the 3nm chips next year, forcing chipmaker ASML to reduce EUV equipment shipment for by about 20-30%.

The semiconductor sector might bottom out in 2H23

According to Kuo, demand for Apple’s 3nm chips will be lower than expected next year. The analyst attributes this to a significant decline in MacBook and iPad shipments in 2023, which fell by approximately 30% and 22%, respectively, to 17 million and 48 million units.

“The sharp decline is attributed to the end of work-from-home (WFH) demand and diminishing user appeal for the new specifications (Apple Silicon and Mini-LED). Looking ahead to 2024, Apple’s 3nm demand is negatively impacted by the lack of growth drivers for MacBook and iPad,” he writes in his blog on Medium.

This might result in ASML, a Netherlands-based semiconductor company, lowering EUV equipment shipment for 2024 by about 20-30%, suggests Kuo. In addition, the TF International Securities analyst says Qualcomm’s 3nm demand for 2024 would also be lower than expected due to Huawei’s decision to stop sourcing Qualcomm chips and the higher-than-expected penetration rate of Exynos 2400 in Samsung smartphones.

For those unaware, Huawei has recently achieved significant progress in chip development by equipping its flagship Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro with its own 7nm Kirin 9000S 5G processor. The Chinese company had previously depended on Qualcomm’s 4G flagship processors.

In addition, Samsung, which had been using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips in all the Galaxy S23 models this year, is planning to significantly reduce its orders. The Korean company appears to be reintroducing Exynos chips to its S series, starting with the Exynos 2400.

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Industry expert Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Intel Foundry Services (IFS) is ceasing to produce Qualcomm SoCs using the 20A fabrication process. Qualcomm will most likely go with TSMC and Samsung Foundry instead.

Kuo did not provide much information as to why Qualcomm is making such a decision. But according to recent reports, the reason may be due to high production costs. This decision may have a negative effect on RibbonFet (transistor architecture) and PowerVia (backside power delivery method), as this will put Intel’s upcoming 18A mass production at a high level of risk.

It is also highly anticipated that Qualcomm will go to TSMC Foundry for its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 production, which is set to launch in October. For the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, though, Qualcomm might have to dual source from both TSMC and Samsung. Recently, it was said that Samsung’s custom version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be manufactured using its own 3GAP node. While the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip will be manufactured using TSMC’s node.

Aside from this, rumors suggest that the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC will feature a more modernized architecture. It is expected to have a more powerful prime core with a higher frequency. It will likely be manufactured using the TSMC N4P process. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may include one Cortex-X4 core, Five A720 cores for enhanced performance, two A520 power-efficient cores, and an Adreno 750 GPU.

We can expect more leaks and official news on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC as the launch date grows near.

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The iPhone 15 series is set to launch later this year and Apple has long been rumored to finally adopt the USB Type-C standard. While many would rejoice this change, it appears that there is a big catch as per a known analyst.

In the current smartphone market, the Cupertino based giant is the only brand that does not feature this port format on its handset offering (although some of its other product line does feature this standard). For those unaware, Apple is making this notable change to comply with the European Union’s ruling to set a standard port across the industry. While we already know that the company will be adopting USB-C for its iPhones, known analyst Ming Chi-Kuo believes that it isn’t all good news.

Kuo has just shared some predictions, which claim that the iPhone 15 lineup’s USB-C port will come with certain restrictions. He believes that the company will physically restrict the cables that users will be able to use with the new port. Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first report of Apple possibly “sabotaging” the USB-C port on the iPhone. A previous rumor had also hinted at various limitations on the new USB Type-C ports.

Apparently, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be equipped with the USB 3.2 ports. On the other hand, the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus might rely on the slower and older USB 2.0 standard. Another aspect affected by this is data transfer speeds, with only the higher end models features high data transmission similar to the iPad, which only supports high 40GB/s data transfer on more expensive models. Meanwhile, the low tier iPads support just 480Mbps.

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Apple has been rumored to be working on a foldable iPad model for some time now and another new report has just surfaced regarding this device. Apparently, this model will feature a built in kickstand. So here are all the details.

The news arrives from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared details regarding the upcoming foldable iPad that will reportedly launch sometime in the year 2025. He claims that there is also a slight possibility that the Cupertino based giant might release this device next year as well. Furthermore, Kuo talked about Anjie Technology, which might soon be joining Apple’s supply chain. This firm will supposedly benefit from the new design that the foldable iPad will feature.

Primarily, this is in regard to its built in kickstand. The analyst added that sources close to the matter have also claims that the kickstand may be made from a carbon fiber. In other words, Apple is clearly going for a lightweight addition to the foldable iPad, but without comprising on its durability or sturdiness. Apart from this, Kuo also talked about iPad shipments and believes that it might see a fall in 2023, since there might not be any new iPads within the coming 9 to 12 months.

(2/2)
我的最新調查顯示，折疊iPad將配備碳纖維材質的支撐架，採用碳纖維的可讓支撐架更輕與更耐用。安潔科技為折疊iPad碳纖維支撐架的拋光與貼合供應商，未來可望持續受益於折疊裝置配備支撐架的新趨勢。

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 30, 2023

The analyst believes that the mass production for the new iPad mini refresh will also start sometime within the first quarter of next year. So, he expects iPad shipments to decline by 10 to 15 percent this year. Although, with the launch of the foldable iPad, there will likely be positive changes. Since this would mark a major design overhaul for Apple, while also bringing a unique feature to its popular iPad lineup.

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Apple has a very successful lineup of audio products in the form of AirPods, especially the in-ear true wireless earbuds. The company also regularly releases a new model to ensure it remains at the top of the game compared to its competitors.

While AirPods are still the bestselling true wireless earbuds in the world, they are priced on the higher side and not within everyone’s reach. But that could soon change as the company is reportedly gearing up to launch a low-cost model of AirPods early next year.

A well-known Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo claims that Apple is planning to launch a more affordable standard AirPods, which could cost around $99. Along with that, the company is also working on the second generation of AirPods Max, over-ear headphones.

It is being claimed that the mass shipment of both these products, the cheaper $99 AirPods and the second generation AirPods Max could take place in the first or second quarter of 2024 or in early 2025.

Currently, the cheapest AirPods model available in the market is the second-generation AirPods, costing $129, while the newer third-generation model is priced at $169 and comes with a Lightning charging case, while the one with MagSafe case costs $179.

It remains to be seen what features Apple brings to the cheaper AirPods and how it differentiates from other models, given that the second-gen model is usually available at a discounted price of $99.

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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 has long been rumored to be working on a mixed reality headset that it is expected to announce sometime next year. However, a new report has suggested that the company’s upcoming wearable product might see a delayed launch in the market.

The news arrives from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who claimed that the Cupertino based giant’s AR/VR based headset might be delayed due to unclear “software related issues.” Furthermore, these issues will cause the company to launch the new headset sometime in the second half of next year. Although it is still possible that the brand announces the product earlier in the year, while its actual release will begin in late 2023. For those unaware, Apple usually hosts its WWDC event in June, so we can expect the company to reveal this headset along with an SDK for developers for AR/VR apps for this device during this conference.

The analyst had previously stated that the company will unveil its headset during a media event in January 2023. It will then reportedly begin mass shipments in the second quarter of 2023. But Kuo is unsure whether the delay would lead to the January announcement also being pushed back while also stating that an overly lengthy period between a media event and mass shipments can impact sales. In simpler terms, the longer the delay of shipments after announcements, the sales might be affected. The mixed reality headset is expected to be an expensive product, so Kuo projects that the company will ship around 500,000 headsets in 2023.

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We have already covered a number of reports regarding Apple launching its first ever mixed reality headset. And now, the latest information regarding this product has revealed that the new AR/VR headset might be launching at the start of next year, but it may tear a hole through your wallet.

The news arrives from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a new tweet, Kuo claimed that the Cupertino based giant is planning on releasing its “next revolutionary consumer electronics product after the iPhone” next year. For those unaware, the mixed reality headset will apparently offer both Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality functionality. But unfortunately, it will also be quite expensive as well. It will reportedly launch with a hefty price tag between 2,000 to 2,500 US Dollars.

Furthermore, the analyst added that the mixed reality headset could launch sometime as early as January 2023. The announcement of this headset will also focus on three aspects as per Kuo. This includes its applications, the software/service/development ecosystem, and end with hardware specifications. Interestingly, the mixed reality device isn’t the only headset that the brand is working on, as he claims that Apple will also launch an AR exclusive headset as well.

Apart from this, the company will apparently also launch affordable version of its headset products sometime by early 2025. Unfortunately, this is all the information shared by the analyst on Twitter. Even if this report is true, the announcement for the product is still months away. Although, we can expect additional leaks to surface in the near future, so stick around for more updates.

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Apple is gearing up to launch the iPhone 14 series smartphones later this year and with the launch month nearing, more and more information about the upcoming devices from the company keeps surfacing online.

Now, details about the front-facing camera of the Apple iPhone 14 series models have leaked online as analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed what improvements will be made to the front camera of the devices.

As per the new report, all four models — iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will have an upgraded front-facing camera sensor with f/1.9 aperture and support for autofocus.

In comparison, all the models in the current-generation Apple iPhone 13 series come with a front-facing camera sensor having an f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus.

With a wider aperture, the smartphones will be able to capture more light. It is also said that the camera upgrades will result in an improved depth-of-field effect for the Portrait Mode photos and videos. On the other hand, the autofocus support for the front camera will enhance the focus during FaceTime calls or video calls using third-party apps.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are also expected to come with an upgraded rear camera configuration and possibly feature a 48-megapixel wide lens as the primary sensor with support for 8K video recording. This is expected to result in a thicker camera bump for the smartphones, as revealed in the recently leaked renders.

If the reports are to be believed, then there will be a significant difference between the Pro and non-Pro models this year. The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro are expected to be powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which is said to be a slightly improved version of the A15 Bionic while the Pro models will be powered by the Apple A16 Pro processor.

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Earlier this week, we had reported on Apple possibly working on a new MacBook model that will feature a 15 inch display. While this was initially believed to be a MacBook Air model, a new report has suggested otherwise.

Predictions for Apple's potential 15" notebook in 2023:
1. Mass production in 4Q23 if all goes to plan.
2. Although a larger display generally consumes more power, the design goal is to use the same 30W power adapter as MacBook Air.
3. It might not be called MacBook Air. https://t.co/R3UfxNWZW1

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 24, 2022

According to a tweet from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming 15 inch MacBook model will not be a part of the Cupertino based giant’s MacBook Air series. For those unaware, we had reported on the iPhone maker planning on launching a new MacBook with a larger 15 inch display that would sell alongside the 13 inch MacBook Air. Furthermore, the previous report also stated that this model will be released sometime next year. However, Kuo’s tweet suggests that it might not be a part of the Air lineup.

While the analyst said that its not a MacBook Air, he did not state what the 15 inch model would eventually be called. Although, Apple has used the “MacBook” for its notebooks as a standalone option outside of its Pro and Air models. However, this series was discontinued back in 2019, with the last model being a 12 inch MacBook. So, its entirely possible that this name might return for the new 15 inch version or even another new branding entirely.

Kuo also added that the brand is planning on using the same 30W power adapter for the MacBook Air as a power source, despite it having a larger display. In the tweet, he said that Although a larger display generally consumes more power, the design goal is to use the same 30W power adapter as ‌MacBook Air‌.” From what we know so far, this model is rumored to launch in 2023, and Kuo believes that the mass production will be beginning in the fourth and final quarter of next year, if all goes well.

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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.

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.

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Apple is expected to launch a new Mac Mini model sometime next year. We had reported on a number of rumors regarding its possible design and specifications. But a new report has suggested that it might not feature the anticipated redesign after all.

I think the new Mac mini in 2023 will likely remain the same form factor design.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 12, 2022

According to known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino based giant will likely retain the same design as the current gen model. In other words, the 2021 Mac Mini will also feature the typical aluminum unibody design that the brand has used for every Mac Mini since 2010. Just earlier this week, we had covered another report from Kuo where he stated that the company will not be launching its new high end Mac Mini till next year.

However, recent reports had hinted at the upcoming Mac Mini model arriving with a refreshed design. Known tipsters like Jon Prosser claimed that the iPhone maker will be launching the small PC with a smaller chasis and a new “plexiglass like” top. Apple has been rumored to be working on this Mac Mini model for a while now. So, it won’t be a surprise if it finally planned on offering it with a redesign. This refresh would be in line with its hardware refresh that came in November 2020, when the Mac Mini received the M1 chipset.

Previously, we had also reported on a rumor that hinted at the company launching the next gen Mac Mini with a M1 Pro and M1 Max chipset. But it seems like these plans fell through to make way for the newly unveiled, Mac Studio. At the moment, Apple is believed to be working on two Mac Mini models. One may offer M2 chipset, while the other is a higher end variant with possibly a M2 Pro chipset.

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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 series has been in the news for the past few months, revealing some key details about the upcoming flagship phones. A few key details about the Apple iPhone 14 series are already known and some more details have surfaced online.

In a new report, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that unlike the smartphones from Apple launched so far, the upcoming iPhone 14 models and iPhone 14 Pro models will have drastically different specifications.

Kuo claims that the upcoming Apple A16 Bionic processor will be powering only the Pro models of the iPhone 14 series, i.e. iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max while the regular models, i.e. iPhone 14 and 14 Max will have the Apple A15 Bionic processor.

Further, the upcoming lineup will have 6GB of RAM, which is an improvement when compared to the current-generation iPhones that have 4GB of RAM. However, the Pro models in the iPhone 14 series will have LPDDR5 RAM while the standard models will keep using the LPDDR4X RAM.

Earlier it was reported that the Pro models will come with a dual pill-shaped punch-hole cutout on top of the screen for housing the front-facing camera while the regular models will continue to have a notch.

Usually, the Pro and non-Pro models of the iPhones don’t have these many differences in terms of the core specifications but this year, Apple appears to be experimenting with significantly different core internals for the iPhone models. To know for sure how much of this is true, we will have to wait for the official launch event later this year.

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A known analyst has just revealed new information related to the Apple AR/VR headset. Reportedly, the company’s upcoming headset will use the same 96W USB Type C as the 14 inch MacBook Pro.

The news arrives from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (Via MacRumors) who shared the information in a research note with TF International Securities. The analyst stated that the Cupertino based giant’s headset will use a 96W power adapter, which is indicative of its processing power that rivals a Mac. Notably, we had also covered that the brand’s headset will feature performance that matches M1 Macs. So, this news is in line with our previous report.

Kuo further added that the iPhone maker’s headset will house two processors, one of which is a 5nm based chip while the other is a smaller 4nm based chipset. Both of these processors will be manufactured by the world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC. As per our previous report, the higher end chipset will offer computing power that rivals M1 chips in the new Macs, while the lower end processor would be dedicated towards the various sensors and related components of the headset.

Additionally, it is expected that Apple will launch its new headset with an innovative experience with seamless switching between AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) modes. The analyst further stated that the headset will be two or three years ahead of the company’s rivals and their offerings in terms of computing power. Kuo had previously claimed that the headset will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year and shipments rising in the first quarter of 2023.

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Apple has a very successful lineup of AirPods true wireless earphones and the company keeps on launching successor models at regular intervals with updated features to ensure it remains the market leader for this category.

The company launched the AirPods 3 in October last year and even after multiple reports about the AirPods Pro 2 making rounds for many months, the flagship true wireless earphones from Apple is yet to go, official.

Now, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared some details (via AppleInsider) about the upcoming Apple AirPods Pro 2 and its launch timeline. He said that the AirPods 2 Pro won’t be available for purchase until Q4 2022, which means that they will go on sale for the holiday season this year, somewhere between October and December.

It is also being claimed that the earbuds may support Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) and if that happens, then it would be the first TWS earphones from the Cupertino-based tech giant to support lossless audio.

Lossless audio basically preserves all of the data in the original audio file which results in higher quality sound. All AirPods from the company launched so far use Bluetooth to deliver audio, which limits to using Advanced Audio Codec (AAC), a lossy form of audio delivery.

Another interesting development is that the charging case of the AirPods Pro 2 could have support for emitting sound. This is to help find the charging case if it’s separated from the AirPods or has been misplaced by the user.

Currently, the AirPods themselves make a noise when trying to locate them via the Find My app. Further, Kuo adds that the earphones may undergo a redesign to focus more on fitness which could include a more rounded shape.

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Apple is apparently looking at a 2022 launch period for its highly anticipated AR/VR headset. New information has also revealed that the product will offer Mac levels of processing power and could even work without an iPhone.

The news arrives from known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on his latest investors note (Via 9To5Mac). Kuo added that the Cupertino based giant will launch the headset “with the same computing power level as the Mac,” with its chip design being the major difference between the AR headset from other brands. As per the analyst, the iPhone maker is also looking to replace the iPhone with AR in 10 years, with this headset acting as the first step towards thsi goal.

Notably, the 2022 launch year is in line with Kuo’s previous estimates of a fourth quarter launch next year. He stated that “The higher end processor will have similar computing power as the M1 for Mac, whereas the lower end processor will be in charge of sensor related computing.” Kuo is predicting that the AR headset will be equipped with two Sony 4K micro OLED display panels and will even arrive with support for VR.

Through its capable process power, the product could easily be a standalone gadget that doesn’t need to be paired with another Apple product. Kuo says that “if the headset is positioned only as an accessory for the Mac or iPhone, it will not be conducive to the growth of the product. An AR headset that works independently means that it will have its own ecosystem and provide the most complete and flexible user experience.”

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Apple is apparently planning on adopting its own custom designed 5G modems for its iPhones. These in house 5G baseband chips might be seen in iPhones as early as 2023, as per a known analyst.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo (Via MacRumors), the Cupertino based giant is seeking to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for the suppy of 5G based cellular modems for its future iPhone lineup. The analyst made the announcement in an investors note earlier this month. As per the note, the company is aiming on adopting its own custom designed 5G baseband chips that will debut with the launch of the 2023 iPhones “at the earliest.”

Till then, Apple would need to reply on QUalcomm for its 5G iPhone modems and will continue to depend on the chip maker till its shifts to its own solutions. After the iPhone maker makes the shift, Qualcomm would have to enter new markets to overcome the loss of orders from Apple. Back in March 2021, a Barclays report had stated that the company will launch its 2023 iPhones its own custom designed 5G modems. In other words, this report is also in line with previous rumors.

The new in house developed 5G modems could offer faster speeds, lowered latency, and other improvements over Intel or even Qualcomm modems, although it is still too early to offer any concrete statements. Furthermore, the company has reportedly been working on its self developed modems since early 2020. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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Apple is apparently working on launching an 8 inch foldable iPhone. This device will sport a QHD+ resolution on a flexible OLED panel and will launch in 2023, as per a new report from a known analyst.

According to a new report from Ming-Chi Kuo (Via MacRumors), the Cupertino based expected to likely launch launch a foldable iPhone with an 8 inch QHD+ flexible OLED display in 2023. In a note to investors earlier this week, the known Apple analyst stated that, the company will solely be supplied by SDC for the display and Samsung Foundry would be the exclusive DDI foundry supplier. The analyst said that the brand is expected launch this new device by 2023 based on capacity plans.

The analyst further predicts that the company will ship anywhere between 15 to 20 million units of the upcoming foldable iPhone. Furthermore, it is also being predicted that this new handset will adopt TPK’s silver nanowire touch solution due to its several advantages over SDC’s Y-Octa technology. The use of silver nanowire touch solution would also ensure “long term competitive advantage” for the company in the foldable display market. The report also adds that this display technology will be the norm in the future, especially for devices that support more than a single fold.

Notably, Kuo believes that this move from the iPhone maker would make foldable smartphones a “must have” for all major OEMs as it will boost the next “super replacement cycle” for high end flagship models. The analyst predicts that Apple would be the next “big winner” in the foldable smartphone trend. Kuo further added that the development on a foldable iPhone has “not yet officially kicked off,” but the company might have progressed its plans.

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Apple is apparently planning on adopting new display technology for its 2023 iPhone lineup. As per a new report, the company will be including Under Display Face ID systems starting from its future iPhone lineup.

According to a MacRumors report, known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the upcoming iPhone 2023 lineup will feature the new technology, which will remove the need for the notch on the company’s smartphones. Kuo states that the new under display Face ID systems will debut along with a new periscopic telephoto lens in 2023. The analyst believes that the Cupertino based giant will abandon the notch design for a punch hold design for at least some of its 2022 iPhone lineup.

The Face ID first made an appearance with the iPhone X, with the notch primarily serving its purpose to house the TrueDepth camera system. Notably, we had reported on the company also launching its iPhone 14 with a 48 megapixel camera sensor. Now, Kuo states that the at least one of the high end iPhone model in 2023 will house an under display fingerprint sensor with no notch and a full front screen body. However, the analyst did not mention whether or not both an under display Face ID and Touch ID will be offered in a single device, or if the features will be exclusive to the higher end models.

For those unaware, the company has been rumored to adopt the under display fingerprint scanner for a while now. Although, this might be one of the first mentions of the iPhone maker offering an under display facial recognition system. From a technological standpoint, it would require more advanced systems to make the an under display Face ID, considering TrueDepth camera system must be able to read and recognize faces through pixels on the display without any distortion.

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Apple is expected to announce new products on March 23. Although the company hasn’t shed any light on this yet, reports said that it would launch AirPods 3 along with others like AirTags, iPad Pro, and the long-rumored Apple TV. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that the next-gen AirPods won’t enter mass production until Q3 2021.

In an investor’s note(via 9to5mac), Kuo says that Apple is currently in a state of dilemma whether to stick to the AirPods 3 production or still make AirPods 2 later in the year. Either way, according to his report, the AirPods 3 will go into mass production only by Q3(i.e around July/August).

This means it won’t be ready to ship till the end of the year, to say the least. Whether or not, Apple plans to bring it during the September event, it looks like the product won’t go official this month. This contradicts his own and several other early reports that indicated a launch around Q2.

Coming to the AirPods 3, lot of designs showing earbuds with shorter stems have been leaking on the internet. Here, there is a discrepancy on whether it would get the replaceable ear tips or not. however, we can expect it to feature improved ANC(Active Noise cancellation).

Further, Kuo shares some predictions about the AirPods shipments in 2021. He says that there will be a 25% YoY decline in shipments from Q1 to Q3 and fall to 55 million units. After the launch of the AirPods 3, if the demand is high, the shipments might rise to 78 million units for the whole of 2021.

Some of the prime reasons for this drop is said to be the competition from rivals. Many of the TWS in the market have good overall features and Apple’s USPs like quick pairing and fast switching doesn’t seem to help.

To add fuel to the fire, AirPods Max has had very little impact on the overall AirPods shipments(1 million units). Kuo finally says that if Apple needs to get on the heels of the competition, it should focus more on providing more health-related features on its AirPods.

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The highly anticipated Apple AR headset has been hinted at again, with the latest report arriving from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The upcoming headset will apparently offer a wide range of advanced AR (Augmented Reality) experiences.

As per the note from Kuo (Via AppleInsider), the Cupertino based giant will integrate a total of 15 image sensors in the AR headset, which is also rumored to launch in 2022. At the moment, the current generation of VR headsets typically features anywhere between two and five cameras for interacting with its surrounding environment or performing image pass through operations. Eight of the camera modules will be supplied primarily by Largan.

These sensors will be placed around the headset to facilitate a pass through VR experience. In simpler terms, the technology will allow users to “see through” the enclosed device by feeding exterior images onto the display on the inside of the headset. It is reported that the Apple AR headset will feature high resolution MicroLED display panels. Furthermore, the company is expected to bring “innovative biometrics” that will work through six additional modules.

Unfortunately, it is unknown if this biometric system is similar to the Face ID, capturing facial data, or other forms of authentication related to facial features and their movement. Interestingly, this feature might also have other applications in VR as well. The final camera module will be installed for environmental detection. As per Kuo, the first iteration of the rumored headset will launch sometime next year and will feature a new processor and an onboard storage. This would make it portable and capable of working independently from iPhones or Macs.

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Apple has been rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone for months. Now, a new note known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that the company might be launching such a device by 2023.

According to a 9To5Mac report, the analyst also added that this foldable iPhone from the Cupertino based giant could launch along with the 2023 iPhone lineup and may feature a display size of “7.5 to 8 inches.” Previously, it was rumored that the company might be launching its first foldable handset in 2022, while another report stated that work has already began but the company has yet to decide on an official release schedule.

Furthermore, Kuo also made predictions for Apple iPhones. Apparently, the first truly full screen iPhone with no notch would also appear during this time. Although, this forecast is also heavily tied with whether Apple’s “development goes smoothly.” However, Kuo states that the company could launch its first iPhone without a notch or punch hole by 2023. This could also mean that we may even see an in display fingerprint scanner and periscopic camera lens as well.

Kuo also added that Apple might discontinue the iPhone 11 by the end of 2022, and will be replacing the device for a new model that could launch in the first half of 2023 and will be priced under 600 US Dollars. This device could include Face ID and have a similar 11 inch display along with 5G support. Unfortunately, this is still an unconfirmed report, so take it with a pinch of salt and stay tuned for more as we will be providing updates when additional information is available.

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A well-known and reliable Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released his forecast related to the Apple iPhone lineup from the next couple of years. In the report, the interesting take is on the smaller iPhone SE.

As per the report, Apple won’t be releasing the next-generation model of the new Apple iPhone SE (2020) this year. Instead, the device will be launched next year.

He further goes on to mention that there won’t be much change in terms of design of the smartphone and the display size of 4.7-inch could also remain the same. However, the company will be upgrading the processor and add support for 5G connectivity.

While it is mentioned that the chipset in the device will be upgraded, the report doesn’t reveal which processor will be used. Our speculation is that the device could pack the same chipset used in the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup or the current A14 Bionic.

The delayed launch of iPhone SE 3 doesn’t mean there won’t be a new iPhone SE model this year. As per the reports, the Cupertino-based giant is gearing up to launch iPhone SE Plus later this year.

The upcoming iPhone SE Plus is expected to come with a 6.1-inch display with a cutout on top of the screen. In the camera department, there could be a 12-megapixel dual-camera setup. Under the hood, it will pack A14 processor without 5G support and the device is also said to have support for a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

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Known analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, has just revealed interesting details regarding Apple‘s plans for future iPhones and their camera modules. Apparently, the company will not be offering any major upgrades to its handset camera lenses till the iPhone 15.

According to a PhoneArena report, Kuo noted that the Cupertino based giant doesn’t plan on upgrading its iPhone camera lenses till the launch of the iPhone 15 series. In other words, we would reportedly not see any major upgrade on iPhone lenses till the year 2023. Back in 2020, Apple included a 7P lens with the wide camera on its new iPhone 12 lineup, which was an improvement over the 6P lenses used on the iPhone 11 series from 2019. This enabled the company to bring the aperture on the current models to f/1.6 from f/1.8 on the 2019 phones.

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As per Kuo, Apple suppliers Largan and Genius Electronics are currently competing to acquire a higher share of Apple’s lenses supply chain. This would have both firms likely compete by lowering prices to win over the iPhone maker. Kuo further added that “Our latest survey pointed out that Largan will increase the average capacity utilization rate of 1H21 from 50-55% to more than 70%, and will further bargain the ASP of mid-to-high-end iPhone lenses by about 15-25%. We believe that this price war will have a direct negative impact on Genius’ 1H21 order proportion, capacity utilization rate, and gross profit margin.”

Notably, the report also says that a new supplier is expected to join the lenses supply chain for Apple. This firm is Sunny Optical, which will provide 5P lenses for 2021 iPad and 7P lenses for 2021 iPhone models. At the moment, it is said that Sunny Optical will hold a 10 percent share for iPad lens supply and 15 to 20 percent for the iPhone lenses. This would add further strain on both Largan and Genius.

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For many months, Apple has been rumored to be working on AirTags — a device that can allow users to track any object it is attached to using the company’s Find My system. While it has been leaked a few times, we now have more information.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known and reputable Apple analyst, claims that the Apple AirTags could get launched this year, along with a number of other products, including an unnamed Augmented Reality (AR) device. This was reported by MacRumors.

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The Apple AirTags first reported in April 2019 and since then several reports have claimed different launch schedules. Even Apple itself had confirmed that the company is working on it. However, the product still remains unannounced and there’s no information available about its launch date.

Recently, an alleged Apple AirTag carrying accessory was leaked online, which looks like a small leather sleeve for the device that can allow users to easily place it within the leather cover, which is attached to the stainless steel keyring.

Kuo has revealed that apart from AirTags and AR devices, Apple is also set to launch new AirPods, more Apple Silicon-powered MacBooks, along with the fist Mini-LED display panel featuring iPads and MacBooks.

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Known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has recently released a new report, which talked about the performance of the recently launched Apple products. This included the new iPhone 12 Pro, M1 chip based MacBooks, and even the new iPad Air that are all seeing a higher than expected demands.

Despite initial projections, the iPhone 12 series have seen a robust demand that beat previous estimations. Furthermore, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max demands are higher than anticipated, while the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini demand was rather tame and under performing in comparison. All in all, the 2020 iPhone series is seeing strong sales, with the momentum only seeking to be carried forward due to the holiday season that would continue on to 2021, as per a GSMArena report.

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Similarly, the latest iPad Air is also facing demands that were higher than expected, which is also projected to carry forward into 2021. This also arrived as rumors and reports have pointed towards Apple launching new iPads with miniLED displays, 5G support, and a new lower priced iteration as well sometime in the second half of next year. Even the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE are both seeing healthy sales as well.

Lastly, the newly launched MacBook lineup with the company’s in house ARM based M1 Chip are also seeing demands that surpass expectations. The new MacBooks are the first to feature Apple Silicon, with 2021 expected to have the company launch newer models with new designs as well. These new models will reportedly arrive sometime in the second half of next year.

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Known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has estimated that the newly launched Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have brought in anywhere between 7 to 9 million units in pre orders in total over the weekend. These numbers will rise further when the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Mini begin sales as well.

Earlier today (19th October 2020), the Kuo stated that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro alone has already surpassed the launch performance of the entire iPhone 11 lineup in 2019. The Cupertino based giant is estimated to have sold between 10 to 12 million iPhone 11 series units during the launch weekend, although, the iPhone 12 series have reached an estimated 1.7 to 2 million units in just 24 hours. This is a sizeable increase from 500,000 to 800,000 on the iPhone 11 last year.

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Ming-Chi Kuo stated that “The iPhone 12 Pro pre-order beat our expectation because of Apple core fans’ initial preference for high-end models, the strong demand in the Chinese market, and the coming peak season demand in the U.S. and Europe.” Furthermore, the analyst does not expect the iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPhone 12 Mini to also perform this well, but these launches would also supplement the pre orders for the to “supercycle” heights.

As per an AppleInsider report, Kuo expects both the Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro to account for anywhere between 30 to 35 percent of the total iPhone 12 series shipments in the fourth quarter of this year. Similarly, the iPhone 12 Mini and the high end iPhone 12 Pro Max is estimated to account for 10 to 15 percent and 15 to 20 percent of the iPhone 12 series shipments respectively.

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Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 12 series tomorrow (October 13) at the “Hi, Speed” event. According to multiple leaks and rumors, the Cupertino-based tech giant will launch four iPhones this year. However, only one of them will be more popular among customers compared to the other three models, as per a new report.

The prediction regarding the popularity of the upcoming iPhone 12 series comes from none other than Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities (via AppleInsider). According to the analyst, the standard 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will outsell the remaining three devices in the series.

For the first time in the history of iPhones, Apple will be unveiling four new iPhone models at a single event. The alleged brandings, screen sizes, storage configurations, and prices of these smartphones are as listed below.

• iPhone 12 Mini
  • 64GB – $649
  • 128GB – $699
  • 256GB – $799
• iPhone 12
  • 64GB – $749
  • 128GB – $799
  • 256GB – $899
• iPhone 12 Pro
  • 128GB – $999
  • 256GB – $1,099
  • 512GB – $1,299
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • 128GB – $1,099
  • 256GB – $1,199
  • 512GB – $1,399

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It is worth noting that there’s another leak, which claims the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 to start from $699 and $799, instead of the above-mentioned prices. Therefore, we would advise you to take this piece of information with a pinch of salt.

That said, talking about Kuo’s prediction, he says that the iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max will only account for 20% each in terms of shipments this year. On the other hand, the regular iPhone 12 will acquire 40% of the remaining total shipments.

As per the analyst, although the iPhone 12 Mini will be the cheapest of the lots, it won’t be appealing to more customers because of its size. Whereas, the iPhone 12 with a slightly larger screen and not much expensive price tag will be more attractive to customers.

In the past, the costlier iPhone X outsold iPhone 8 models at the launch. However, in the following years, the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 sold more than the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 Pro series.

Since the world economy is severely affected by the pandemic, the prediction by ever-reliable Ming-Chi Kuo sounds right. He also adds that the inclusion of 5G won’t matter to most customers. Hence, we believe that there’s a possibility that people will continue buying last year’s iPhone 11 or the older iPhone XR if Apple does not discontinue them.

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Huawei‘s consumer Business group is faced with a huge challenge that could crumble the brand’s smartphone business, occasioned by the US ban. Already, the company is already running short of supplies for chipsets that would be used on future models. As a result, the company is reportedly looking for contingency plans. Noted TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a research report that predicted and analyzed the potential impact of Huawei’s countermeasures against the US ban.

Ming-Chi Kuo pointed out in the report that after a comprehensive scenario analysis of Huawei’s potential countermeasures against the US ban, one of the most likely scenarios is that Huawei sells the Honor mobile phone business.

He believes that if Huawei sells the Honor mobile phone business, it will be a win-win situation for Honor brands, suppliers and China’s electronics industry.

The analyst noted that if Honor is independent from Huawei, the procurement of parts will not be restricted by the US ban on Huawei. This he said, will help Honor mobile phone business and suppliers grow.

Under the Huawei system, Honor is currently only positioned in low-end models. If it is independent of Huawei, it can develop high-end models.

Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Honor’s current advantage lies in its brand value. If it can maintain its existing brand value after its independence from the Huawei system and extend its brand value to the mid to high-end market, it will help continue its brand advantage and increase market share.

After the US ban on Huawei, the market expects that OPPO, Vivo and Xiaomi’s market share will increase. However, if the Honor mobile phone business can be independent of Huawei, the ASP of Honor mobile phone is similar to that of Xiaomi (about US$150–$220/1,000 yuan–1,500) yuan, so Xiaomi’s market share increase will most obviously be lower than market expectations. OPPO and Vivo’s market share may also be lower than market expectations if the Honor mobile phone business can maintain the recognition of the Honor brand by Chinese users through proper marketing after it becomes independent of the Huawei brand.

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As the launch for the Apple iPhone 12 nears, more and more details about the upcoming next-generation smartphone series keep surfacing online. In the latest development, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shed light on the display of the phone.

He has claimed that the iPhone 12 won’t come with support for 120Hz refresh rate display and the reason cited for the same is battery life considerations, reports MacRumors. Kuo adds that support for 120Hz could be there in 2021 iPhone models.

Further, he has said that 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models of iPhone 12 will have the same display notch like the iPhone 11 models. However, the 5.4-inch model will have a slightly narrow notch to show more information on the screen at the top edges.

All the smartphones in the iPhone 12 series will come with support for 5G connectivity, notes Kuo. This is in line with the previous related to the product. He adds that there will be two versions of each model. Initially, the sub-6GHz models will be available and later, models with support for sub-6Ghz-plus mmWave will go on sale.

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Apple is hosting a launch event on 15th September, i.e. today but the company is not expected to unveil the new iPhone models. Instead, the event will introduce the new Apple Watch Series 6, new iPad, Apple TV, smaller HomePod, AirTags, and over-ear headphones.

The company has already confirmed that the iPhone 12 models launching this year will be “available a few weeks later.” There are several reports which claim that the new iPhones will go on sale from October.

Previous reports hint that pre-booking will start around mid-October and shipments of the base model beginning a week after that. But not all the models will go on sale together. As per the report, the iPhone 12 will be available for purchase in October itself, while other models in the lineup, including the iPhone 12 Pro, will go on sale in November.

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Ming-Chi Kuo has been a reliable analyst when it comes to Apple but he has now shared his opinion about Huawei, which is currently the world’s leading smartphone brand, overtaking Samsung in Q2 2020.

He claims that the Chinese giant Huawei could exit the smartphone market if the conditions for the company worsens. The sanctions put on the company by the United States has been severely affecting the company’s business.

It all started in May last year when the U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order putting Huawei on “Entity List”, effectively banning the Chinese giant from using American technologies.

This led to Huawei getting banned from using Google’s Android operating system on its Huawei as well as Honor-branded devices. Recently, the U.S. government tightened restrictions on Huawei as well as its subsidiaries.

With the new restrictions, Huawei has been banned from using American companies or technologies for semiconductors. This means that the company can’t manufacture its own Kirin-branded chipsets with the help of American companies or the companies that use American technologies.

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TSMC, the contact manufacturer of Huawei for the HiSilicon Kirin chipsets, stopped taking new orders from the company. Given that Qualcomm is based in the United States, it is also out of the question. MediaTek has already applied for a special license to do business with Huawei, but it’s unlikely to get it.

According to Kuo (via MyFixGuide), even if Huawei somehow manages to source components, the competitiveness and market share of the company is bound to suffer. He adds that in the best-case scenario, its market share declines, and in the worst-case scenarios, the company exits the smartphone market.

It is being reported that if the restrictions are not eased, then Huawei could be losing around 30 percent of the market share. With Huawei’s future on the line, companies like Apple, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi are in a beneficial position in the local market.

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One of the camera lens suppliers for the upcoming Apple iPhone 12 series is apparently facing quality issues. However, this won’t be affecting the company’s launch schedule, which is already delayed, according to known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo’s latest report revealed that Genius Electronic Optical has found issues with cracking coating on the wide angle camera lens, which was designed for the 5.4 inch and 6.1 inch iPhone 12 models. These problems were found in the high-temperature/high-humidity (HTHH) testing and will hamper the Genius’s ability to supply the upcoming 2020 iPhone flagship.

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The report also stated that it “estimates that the low-end 7P wide-angle lens, CCM, and final assembly mass production of the 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch aluminum frame iPhone will be in mid-to-late August, mid-to-late September, and early October, respectively. We believe that in the uncertain timetable for [Genius] to solve the quality problem of film cracking, Apple will give priority to purchasing Largan’s low-end 1/2.6” 7P wide-angle lens at least in the initial supply stage to ensure that the two aluminum-framed ‌iPhone 12‌ can be as scheduled.”

Furthermore, Genius will probably have to slash its prices down by about 30 percent. This would act as an incentive for the issue and still keep it relevant while not have it lose its shares to Largan, who is not facing a similar issue at the moment. Apple has already confirmed that the launch of the iPhone 12 series will be delayed by a few weeks, with a staggered launch which would have the two 6.1-inch models (non-Pro and Pro) arriving first and the 5.4-inch non-Pro and 6.7-inch Pro models launching after.

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Known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that the high end lenses that will be found in the Apple iPhone 12 series will start shipping later this month in July. These high end lenses will be for the rear facing cameras of the upcoming flagship lineup.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s manufacturing partner Largan will reportedly begin shipments of camera lenses for the new iPhones in min-July. Apparently, Largan’s estimated production window has been delayed by four to six weeks for the second half of 2020. In other words, iPhone lens shipments will arrive between September and November over August and October that was common in previous years.

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Although it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic is likely to be the primary cause behind it. Rumors have also claimed that the Cupertino based giant might be forced to push its traditional September launch cycle to October for the 2020 iPhones. Furthermore, it is unknown what type of lens Apple will specifically receive, but previous reports had mentioned an integrated 7P lenses.

Unfortunately, it is also unclear which new iPhone model will sport these new high end lenses. The iPhone 12 Pro and Max variants are likely to receive these lenses, which will make its way to at least one camera module on the rear. That’s all we have to go on, for now, so stay tuned for more updates

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Apple has been in the news for the past couple of weeks, thanks to an array of announcements during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference and leaks related to the upcoming iPhone 12 series.

Now, Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the most reliable analysts when it comes to Apple-related stuff, has revealed the upcoming new iPad models for this year as well as next year.

Kuo has said that Apple will be releasing a new 10.8-inch iPad model in the second half of this year and a new 8.5-inch iPad next year, which we are expecting to be a part of the iPad Mini lineup.

It remains to be seen if the 10.8-inch version is a part of the iPad lineup or the iPad Air lineup. As for the 8.5-inch model, he had previously confirmed it to be a part of the iPad Mini lineup and a successor to the iPad Mini launched in March last year.

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Recently, a new Apple power adapter was leaked online with the ratings of 20W. Kuo says that Apple will be including this new charger in the box for both the upcoming iPad models.

This is interesting given that there are reports hinting that Apple could be removing Earpods as well as power adapter from the in-box contents with the upcoming iPhones. It means that users would need to purchase them separately.

Apple is expected to launch four models in the iPhone 12 lineup — two high-end models with 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch display and two standard and low-end models with 5.7-inch and a 6.1-inch display. Along with the 5G models, the company is also expected to launch two 4G models, with a starting price of $549.

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Apple is apparently planning on launching the third generation of its highly successful TWS earphones in the first half of 2021. According to known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AirPods 3 will be launched in H1 of 2021 and will feature a design similar to the AirPods Pro.

Apple’s AirPods Pro was launched back in November 2019 and featured an in-ear design, which featured soft and flexible silicone tips. This was a notable departure from its traditional earphone designs. Furthermore, the Cupertino based giant also offered a number of improvements and offered great features like active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and water resistance as well.

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Kuo also stated that the upcoming iPhone 12 lineup will not feature EarPods in the box. This move from Apple is reportedly to boost its AirPods sales which seem likely since its hearables offerings are one of the top selling within its category. Unfortunately, the pricing of the next gen AirPods is unknown, but it might be around $199 (similar to the second-generation AirPods) or $249 (similar to the AirPods Pro).

Additionally, the analyst also expects the AirPods shipments will also be backed by a promotional campaign that will arrive in the second half of 2020. What this might entail is currently unknown, but the hearables might be offered at discounted rates alongside the new iPhone lineup. Although that is just speculation, hence, take it with a grain of salt and stay tuned for more updates.

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According to the renowned analyst, Ming Chi Kuo, the global demand for Microsoft Windows laptops has grown significantly in early 2020 and will surge further all through March and later in 2020. This arrives despite the impacts on various economies and industries due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Through this growth in Windows laptop, it seems that Huawei‘s notebooks will see a sizeable growth as well, as per Ming Chi Kuo’s reports.

Ming Chi Kuo reported that the latest survey showed that shipments of key components of the Windows laptops are expected to grow in the Q2 of 2020. This rise will be about 20 to 30 percent and will even affect Huawei’s notebook offerings. Reportedly, Huawei’s MateBook series may see an exponential growth that could see unit shipments rise by nearly 100 percent or 6 million units around this time.

It seems that the recent viral outbreak is making more companies push the ‘work from home’ policy which will have laptops become an increasingly popular option.  Thus, Huawei’s own PC shipments are expected to rise by 30-40 percent in the Q2 of 2020. This is impressive considering Huawei is still relatively new in the PC market. Back in 2019, Huawei had revealed that its Huawei notebooks sales had grown by 249 percent over 2018.

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These numbers reflect notable year on year growth for Huawei’s multiple notebook lineup, including the Matebook, MateBook X/ Pro, MateBook D, E and MateBook 13 and 14 as well. The Chinese tech giants laptop offerings are generally thin and lightweight and offer attractive specs that make them a viable option for a Windows laptop, especially in China due to its lucrative domestic pricing, specs, and features.

Ming Chi Kuo’s report also stated that the new trend of work from home will only help and curb the further spreading of the viral infection and will help normalize things faster. Additionally, the Windows laptop offerings are important productivity took and the shipments in the near future are also likely to prove to be better than the current market expectations.

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