Top Stories: Hands-On With MagSafe Battery Pack, iPhone 13 Always-On Display?

[MacRumors]

Apple's new MagSafe Battery Pack is now available, and we went hands-on this week for some early impressions of the new accessory to get more battery life out of Apple's iPhone 12 lineup.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

This week also saw a number of rumors about the upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro models, the iPhone 13 lineup, the next-generation iPad mini, a new iPhone SE, and the third-generation AirPods. Read on below and check out our video above for details of these stories and more!

Hands-On With Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack

Apple recently released a new MagSafe Battery Pack that magnetically attaches to the back of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, providing additional hours of battery life on the go. In one of our latest YouTube videos, we went hands on with the MagSafe Battery Pack to see if it's worth its $99 price tag.

The MagSafe Battery Pack can be ordered from Apple's online store and is currently estimated for late July delivery, and it is also available for same-day Apple Store pickup at select locations.

Redesigned MacBook Pros Expected to Launch Between September and November

We've been hearing for a while now that Apple is working on redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a faster version of the M1 chip, and this week it was reported that the notebooks will be released at some point between September and November.

Apple apparently planned to launch the new MacBook Pro models earlier this year, but continued complications with mini-LED display production delayed their launch.

iPhone 13 May Feature Apple Watch-Like Always-On Display

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that iPhone 13 models will potentially have an Apple Watch-like always-on display mode where the clock and other status indicators are persistently visible.

An always-on display would be the result of iPhone 13 models adopting low-power LTPO display technology, and a higher 120Hz refresh rate is also expected on the Pro models.

iPad Mini 6 Rumored to Feature A15 Chip, Smart Connector, and More

More details emerged about what we can expect from the next iPad mini this week, including that it will apparently be powered by the same A15 chip as expected for the iPhone 13. The device may also gain a Smart Connector for connecting compatible keyboards.

While one recent rumor claimed that the next iPad mini will be equipped with a mini-LED display like on the iPad Pro for higher brightness and improved contrast, display analyst Ross Young says this will not be the case.

2022 iPhone SE Said to Feature A15 Chip, 5G, and 4.7-Inch Display

Rumors are ramping up about the next iPhone SE, which is rumored to look similar to the current model but feature some notable improvements, including a faster A15 chip and 5G support. The device is expected to launch during the first half of 2022.

The iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone that Apple sells, starting at $399 with 64GB of storage.

AirPods 3 Mass Production Said to Kick Off in August

If the latest supply chain indications are accurate, new AirPods could finally be on the horizon, with mass production of the wireless earphones reportedly set to begin in August and a launch potentially coming alongside the iPhone 13 lineup in September.

The third-generation ‌AirPods‌ are rumored to adopt a similar design to the current AirPods Pro, with shorter stems and silicone ear tips. However, they would likely lack some of the more advanced AirPods Pro features.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: Hands-On With MagSafe Battery Pack, iPhone 13 Always-On Display?

 

[bluespider]

Gotta be honest, there are a lot of other things I like see other than always on display. That was one of the first things I disabled when it can to Apple Watch.

 

[Rychiar]

Gotta be honest, there are a lot of other things I like see other than always on display. That was one of the first things I disabled when it can to Apple Watch.

and that was the only feature I truly wanted on the Apple Watch?‍♂️

 

[fourthtunz]

and that was the only feature I truly wanted on the Apple Watch?‍♂️

I can kinda see it on a watch but they both have accelerometers so when you move them
they light up, so I don't see the point, but that's just me.

 

[Sasparilla]

That will be a nice feature for the folks that want it (not having to touch or move the phone to see the basics) - hopefully they give us charge %.

I'll definitely enjoy it if this rumor is real.

 

[brunoirvs]

I can kinda see it on a watch but they both have accelerometers so when you move them
they light up, so I don't see the point, but that's just me.

Yes!!! I think the same, I can see this technology only on their watch but... let´s see what apple is preparing for us.

 

[Cyprusian]

For some people I guess the point of an always on display is to replicate both the function and appearance of a regular watch, which could be worn as a functional fashion item that both looks good on the wrist as well as tell the time, date, etc. The empty black face of an occasionally-on Apple Watch would therefore fail on the fashion/cosmetic requirement for some users.

 

[Daum]

iPhone users:
We don't need AMOLED
We don't need 120Hz
We don't need wireless charging
We don't need widgets
We don't need always on display
We don't need foldables

Until Apple makes it 5yrs later ???

 

[Mrjetsondc]

I look forward to 13. But is it time to go Pro? Hmmm. First world problems. I mean, my hot showers are only 20 mins long. It’s a tough life.

 

[ColdShadow]

I can kinda see it on a watch but they both have accelerometers so when you move them
they light up, so I don't see the point, but that's just me.

You can quickly check time or if there was a miss call or sms while the phone is on the table without having to pick it up and touch it..
That’s actually very useful and Samsung had it since years ago..

 

[visualseed]

Gotta be honest, there are a lot of other things I like see other than always on display. That was one of the first things I disabled when it can to Apple Watch.

I honestly have not even noticed it much at all on the watch. Maybe one time in 100 I will turn my wrist to look at the watch and it won't activate the display and I notice it looks a little dim. Then I realize that's the always on display. I realize there are some minimal application for it, but It's not on my list of "must have" features.

 

[visualseed]

You can quickly check time or if there was a miss call or sms while the phone is on the table without having to pick it up and touch it..
That’s actually very useful and Samsung had it since years ago..

For me I would still have to wait for FaceID to notice my glance at it to unhide the details of the notifications.

 

[visualseed]

iPhone users:
We don't need AMOLED
We don't need 120Hz
We don't need wireless charging
We don't need widgets
We don't need always on display
We don't need foldables

Until Apple makes it 5yrs later ???

I never thought we didn't "need" those features, I just didn't think there were significant benefits in them to offset the benefits of the platform if I were to abandon it and move to the phones that did have them. Just because I like the cruise control selector switch and speedometer on a specific model car doesn't mean I want to drive it all the time. Especially if the seats feel like they are made of barbed-wire wrapped in tortillas.

 

[MrGimper]

I can kinda see it on a watch but they both have accelerometers so when you move them
they light up, so I don't see the point, but that's just me.

TBH I agree.... I wear my Apple Watch for me to see info, not for everyone else, therefore I'm happy the display only comes on when I raise my wrist.

 

[MareLuce]

I never thought we didn't "need" those features, I just didn't think there were significant benefits in them to offset the benefits of the platform if I were to abandon it and move to the phones that did have them. Just because I like the the cruise control selector switch and speedometer on a specific model car doesn't mean I want to drive it all the time. Especially if the seats feel like they are made of barbed-wire wrapped in tortillas.

Perf. (are you a writer?)

 

[citysnaps]

iPhone users:
We don't need AMOLED
We don't need 120Hz
We don't need wireless charging
We don't need widgets
We don't need always on display
We don't need foldables

Until Apple makes it 5yrs later ???

No interest in any of those. Especially "wireless" charging.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I switch back and forth from iPhones to Android phones. I currently have an always on display on my Note 20 Ultra, and if I switched to a phone that did not have it I would not miss it at all. You can turn it off if you want to, mine is on, but it is mostly an irrelevant feature on a phone.

 

[Premium1]

And all those die hard "apple doesn't need AOD on the iphone" will come and proclaim how it is the best thing since sliced bread and how apple invented it as well.

 

[dannyyankou]

And all those die hard "apple doesn't need AOD on the iphone" will come and proclaim how it is the best thing since sliced bread and how apple invented it as well.

Well you haven’t seen some of the comments here about AOD on the Apple Watch then. It’ll be one of the first things I turn off, after I turn off True Tone.

 

[dominiongamma]

No interest in any of those. Especially "wireless" charging.

Then you shouldn't even bother having a smartphone if you want nothing new or that improves the phone experience

 

[popdan]

rather want a side or UD fingerprint ID than 120hz

 

[citysnaps]

Then you shouldn't even bother having a smartphone if you want nothing new or that improves the phone experience

Seriously? I shouldn't bother having a smartphone? Oh, ok...I'll put it up for sale right now.

Apparently you're not aware that smartphones have functions and features that are not on your list. With many improving over time. Again, none on your list interest me.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

No interest in any of those. Especially "wireless" charging.

Yeah...wireless charging, except the pad you're using to charge your iPhone has a wire connected to it (and a power brick). Sort of dumb.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Then you shouldn't even bother having a smartphone if you want nothing new or that improves the phone experience

One can't be happy with the features and performance of their current phone without always wanting the next best thing? TBH, the iPhone 12 and 13 really don't have any show-stopping features that makes me want to give up my perfectly performing, very fast iPhone 11 PRO Max.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

It's pretty embarrassing that AOD is a new feature/big thing with iPhone considering it's been on Android phone for such a long time.