Bloomberg: 5G iPhones to Feature Flat Edges and Slimmer Notch, Smaller HomePod and AirTags Also Coming This Year

[UK-MacAddict]

If the design is similar to the iPhone 4/5 it will be nice. I'm hoping for a brushed stainless steel back and sides.

Hopefully the iMac will see a redesign at WWDC. The "hello" writing may be clue that points to an Mac refresh. 32-inch screen please!

 

[AngstyKylo]

Timeless beauty.

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So much - my nephew has waterdamaged one of these as a toy, it's just so perfect to hold and look at. The iPhone 3, 6-8 ages badly whereas this still feels and so premium/solid.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I hope they make the where the back glass can easily be replaced, as was the case with the iPhone 4/4S. It’s absurd to have a repair cost of over $500 for just a broken back panel.

 

[amaze1499]

There should definitely be a smaller version for rooms like the bedroom, bathroom, etc but I would also like a HomePod Max for rooms like the living room.

Current HomePod will become a HomePod Pro. True stereo / surround sound: HomePod Pro system comes as pair. Plus introduction of the new the HomePod with a lower price entry point, less specs. Or how about a HomePod Air perhaps?

 

[V_Man]

The HomePod has crap sound, it might be better than some of the competitors in the smart speaker category but sounds exactly like what it is, some very small drivers that have to push through a plastic casing, neither of those those are conducive to good sound.

If they made one with less but bigger drivers and made them open it would sound miles better.

While the HomePod can’t compete with a true stereo setup. It doesn’t sound like crap.

I own one and am waiting for them to go on sale for $199 to buy another. They are great for casual listening. Which is what most people do with music. I have a really nice music set to rock the house when I want too.

 

[aleni]

Flat edges on big sized phones, ouch, your hands must be hurt holding it for too long.

 

[fonzy91]

Having hard time with face (respirator) masks + FaceID. Apple, please bring a iPhone 8 Plus sequel with latest internals, SoC, 5G and TouchID.

Would have the same problem with touchID at the store if you were wearing gloves.

 

[Rychiar]

Does anyone really carry a phone without a case? I want it all flat again. flat edges. flat glass. it was easier to put screen protectors on and more durable

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Having hard time with face (respirator) masks + FaceID. Apple, please bring a iPhone 8 Plus sequel with latest internals, SoC, 5G and TouchID.

Umm...that's what the Alternate Appearance setting is for in Settings<FaceID ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Does anyone really carry a phone without a case? I want it all flat again. flat edges. flat glass. it was easier to put screen protectors on and more durable

I do. Completely naked here. Otherwise, why would I have ordered the Midnight Green??

 

[farewelwilliams]

those complaining about the notch are in the minority. get it over with

 

[Jedimindtrick]

Being a MacBook Pro and iPad Pro owner, my only wish is that the new iPhone is usb c.

 

[HandITOVER]

SMH.

 

[I7guy]

It's untrustworthy report from bloomberg. Apple does not know people hated the notch screen design and iPhone 12 needs to be done with it.

IMO, Apple does it's homework and understands the minutiae underlying it's business. How could Apple not have any customer feedback on the notch, has me scratching my head.

 

[RebelScum]

The HomePod already has excellent sound.

It needs to be smaller and cheaper to appeal to more people.

It also needs to be more than an expensive Apple Music stere you can't take outside.

 

[BootsWalking]

So is Apple going to sue someone for copying their 'flat' edges too?

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

So is Apple going to sue someone for copying their 'flat' edges too?

No. That's not patentable and people are not spending extra $ for iPhone 12 without having back the orthodox screen design.

 

[I7guy]

No. That's not patentable and people are not spending extra $ for iPhone 12 without having back the orthodox screen design.

What is extra $? Extra above what? This is hyperbole as you cannot know what "people" will or won't do.

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

The HomePod already has excellent sound.

It needs to be smaller and cheaper to appeal to more people.

Disagreed, it does not make sense since the homepod is not really big and it can switch to USB-C as a power cord replacement.

 

[I7guy]

Disagreed, it does not make sense since the homepod is not really big and it can switch to USB-C as a power cord replacement.

How (or why) do you think HomePod can switch to USB-C, without affecting any functionality?

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

The HomePod needs bigger sound, not smaller footprint. It’s already diminutive. Why not a bigger HomePod, with bigger drivers, maybe some medium range too, for same price as now?

Exactly, Apple is moving backward rather trying to improve the product and it needs to replace the power cord with ubiquity of USB-C in the next iteration.

 

[newyorksole]

Flat edges on big sized phones, ouch, your hands must be hurt holding it for too long.

I don’t have exact numbers, but based on what I have seen in public... The VAST majority of people wear a case on their phone. They won’t see OR feel the flat edges.

And the people that don’t wear a case? They’ll get used to it. You don’t have to SQUEEZE the phone super hard when you’re grabbing/using it. It won’t be bad at all.

 

[rocketman80]

Wonder how they plan to price the HomePod mini...

$189

 

[robertts]

I think rounded edges make sense on larger phones where you have to grip it more tightly and this makes the phone fit better in your hand.

I think you get a better grip on flat edges. With the rounded edges, especially if the phone is more slippery, it's easier to slip out of the hands. Rounded edges seems like more of an aesthetic appeal, where flat edges is more boxy and chunky.

Although it might not be as comfortable to hold for larger phones or smaller hands, I think flat edges gives better grip.

I recently switched back to an iPhone from Android (mainly out of boredom and wanting something different). Face ID is pretty awesome.... but that notch is far more annoying to me than how awesome Face ID is. The in screen finger print sensors are pretty flawless now. Even a smaller notch is still going to be bulbous compared to Android phones that have pretty much gotten it down to a small, nearly non-obtrusive punch hole.

The whole look at your screen and swipe up is not as intuitive as put your finger on the screen and voila the device just opens. And it really is a screen real estate vampire. Alas, I doubt Apple will do this after pushing Face ID so heavily, but will throw it on my wish list.

The only issue I have with current fingerprint solutions is that there is no real tactile way of locating the fingerprint reader, like how TouchID worked. I thought in-screen fingerprint readers would be far superior to face unlock, but after switching back and forth between OnePlus and Pixel phones, I actually prefer face unlock. You have to wake the phone anyway and you're already looking down at it so you can place your finger in the right place.

 

[macfan90]

much better iPhone design, hope this turns out to be true. it would also be nice if apple plans ahead and has enough supply to meet demand so you don't wait 3-4 weeks for the item. every flippin year. That's why I never order when it launches, due to the wait. I like to get products the within 2 days or less. Just make more upfront...

 

[currentinterest]

I will be purchasing two phones this year for our family, a 6.1 inch Pro for me and a 5.4 inch for my wife. She is excited about a smaller footprint phone. I am very impressed with the way Face ID on my iPhone X learned my masked face using the half-covered procedure. One smart device.