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iPhone rumors are heating up, with noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week releasing a wide-ranging report outlining his expectations for the iPhone lineup over the next three years.

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This week also saw rumors about OLED displays potentially coming to iPad and Mac starting next year, increasing signs of AirTags functionality in iOS 14.5 betas, and more, so check out all of the details below!

iPhone 13 Rumors: Smaller Notch and Larger Batteries, 120Hz Display for Pro Models, and More

Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week shared a lengthy list of expectations for future iPhones over the next few years.

iPhone-13-Notch-Feature2.jpg

Kuo said this year's iPhone 13 lineup will consist of the same four models as the iPhone 12 lineup, all with a smaller notch, larger batteries, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X60 modem with 5G enhancements, upgraded cameras, a Lightning connector, and more. Exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro models will be a long-awaited 120Hz display and Ultra Wide lens improvements with a wider aperture and autofocus, he added.

After shrinking the notch this year, Apple may remove it entirely next year, with Kuo predicting that at least some 2022 iPhone models will switch to a hole-punch display design like many of Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphones, but he did not explain how this will work given that the notch currently houses the front camera and Face ID components. Some under-screen camera and facial recognition solutions do exist now.

Apple also plans to release a new iPhone SE with a similar design as the existing 4.7-inch model in the first half of 2022, with key new features to include a faster chip and 5G support, according to Kuo. And in 2023, a 7.5-8 inch foldable iPhone may become a reality.

iPhone Sticking With Lightning Port Over USB-C for 'Foreseeable Future'

As part of his wide-ranging research note about future iPhones this week, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo downplayed the possibility of a portless iPhone launching this year, noting that Apple will continue to use its proprietary Lightning connector for the "foreseeable future."

Apple-Prefer-Lightning-Over-USB-C-Feature.jpg

"We believe that USB-C is detrimental to the MFi [Made for iPhone] business's profitability, and its waterproof specification is lower than Lightning and MagSafe," wrote Kuo. "Therefore, if the iPhone abandons Lightning in the future, it may directly adopt the portless design with MagSafe support instead of using a USB-C port. At present, the MagSafe ecosystem is not mature enough, so the iPhone will continue to use the Lightning port in the foreseeable future."

It was Kuo himself who originally predicted that Apple would launch a high-end iPhone without a Lightning connector in 2021. He also expected a lower-end iPhone with a Touch ID power button to launch this year, but he now said timing is unclear for introduction of such a feature.

OLED 10.9-Inch iPad Rumored for Early 2022, 12.9-Inch iPad Pro and 16-Inch MacBook Pro Could Follow

Apple is rumored to be transitioning to mini-LED displays on some of its upcoming iPad and Mac models, but it looks like there may be another display technology coming to these devices: OLED.

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According to DigTimes, the first of Apple's larger portables to adopt an OLED display is likely to be a 10.9-inch ‌iPad‌, presumably an updated version of the iPad Air. The updated ‌iPad‌ is said to be planned to go into production in the fourth quarter of this year with a launch coming in early 2022. In addition to the 10.9-inch ‌iPad‌, Apple is also said to be considering using OLED displays for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

iOS 14.5 Beta 3 Introduces 'Item Safety Feature' Ahead of AirTags Launch

Apple's long-awaited AirTags item trackers have been rumored for nearly two years now, and there are signs that an announcement may finally be nearing.

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In the third beta of iOS 14.5 seeded this week, a new "Items" tab has been enabled by default in the Find My app. This section will allow users to keep track of select non-Apple-branded products like Beats headphones and upcoming Belkin wireless earbuds, and it is expected that AirTags-equipped items like a backpack or luggage will also be managed from this tab.

There's also a new "Item Safety" toggle in the Find My app. When this feature is enabled, iPhone users will receive a notification when an unknown item is found moving with them, likely to help prevent a person from being stalked by another person with AirTags or similar.

March is a common month for Apple product announcements, so there is hope that AirTags will finally be unveiled this month, but a release date is still unclear. Apple previously said iOS 14.5 will be released in the "early spring," suggesting the update will be released the week of Monday, March 22 or later, and perhaps AirTags will be released around the same time.

HomeKit Essentials Worth Checking Out

HomeKit was slow to take off after its 2014 launch, but now that it's been around for seven years, there are hundreds of ‌HomeKit‌ products available, ranging from doorbells and speakers to TVs, lights, and cameras. In one of our latest YouTube videos, we rounded up some of our favorite ‌HomeKit‌ products that we find most useful.

homekit-showdown.jpg

One example:
  • Logitech Circle View Doorbell ($199) - The Circle View replaces your existing doorbell with a version that offers video, so you can see who is at your door and keep an eye on package deliveries. It features HomeKit Secure Video, so the only plan you need is a 200GB or 1TB iCloud Storage plan to record video. It offers HD video, color night vision, and an unobtrusive design.

NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Uses Same PowerPC Chipset Found in 1998 iMac G3

NASA's Perseverance rover that landed on Mars last month is equipped with a more durable variant of the PowerPC 750 processor, the same chip used in the colorful iMac G3 in 1998.

rover-and-imac-feature.jpg

Designed by Jony Ive, the iMac G3 is widely considered to be the computer that saved Apple, which had flirted with bankruptcy in the late 1990s until Steve Jobs returned to the company. Following the iMac G3, Apple went on to introduce iconic products like the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, and the iPad in 2010, which helped it become the world's most valuable company.

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: iPhone 13 Leaks, OLED iPads and Macs, New AirTags Evidence
 

AngerDanger

Graphics
Staff member
Dec 9, 2008
5,452
29,003
Funny lighting is more waterproof and better in every way than usb-c, but odd people still call for usb-c, make no sense,
It’s a standard. So you buy one cable and can charge multiple devices from different brands.

Buy a Lightning cable and you can only charge Apple devices—unless you want to charge some iPads or some Macs in which case you’ll need USB-C anyway.
 

FightTheFuture

macrumors 68000
Oct 19, 2003
1,877
3,029
that town east of ann arbor
It’s a standard. So you buy one cable and can charge multiple devices from different brands.

Buy a Lightning cable and you can only charge Apple devices—unless you want to charge some iPads or some Macs in which case you’ll need USB-C anyway.
Qi is also a standard. I think people want to charge their mobile devices differently than their desktop devices. If you could incorporate Qi charging into an iPad or MacBook it might click all the boxes.
 
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macsareveryinteresting

macrumors 6502a
Dec 7, 2020
959
646
Colorado Springs
The 120HZ Display on the iPhone 12 is the feature I mostly want. The larger batteries are also another thing. But still I don’t understand why it’s rumored that a QLED iPad is rumored to be released. Like I said before, they are going to take away the iPad Mini and the iPad. And then replace the iPad Air with a smaller version.
 

billk711

Suspended
Oct 11, 2011
153
64
It’s a standard. So you buy one cable and can charge multiple devices from different brands.

Buy a Lightning cable and you can only charge Apple devices—unless you want to charge some iPads or some Macs in which case you’ll need USB-C anyway.
All those products u mentioned come with cables. USB c isn't as good as lighting, impossible to plug in dark, scratches area around ports,
I like it on iPad Pro, stupid on iPhone.
Lighting is the best for phones.
I enjoy the comedy, when people say they can't handle carrying 2 cables around, is it confusing to them or too heavy? I would like for these people elaborate on why they can't carry 2 cables, instead of just saying they have to carry 2 cables, if any of these people are men they should be embarrassed
 

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
Funny lighting is more waterproof and better in every way than usb-c, but odd people still call for usb-c, make no sense,
Please explain how Android phones on the market with USB-C have been equally resistant to an iPhone?
 

billk711

Suspended
Oct 11, 2011
153
64
Please explain how Android phones on the market with USB-C have been equally waterproof to an iPhone?
They are not, USB-c people are they tiny minority, lighting is better in every way,
Some people are extremely lazy and the idea of needing 2 cables makes their head spin.
 
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code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
Qi is also a standard. I think people want to charge their mobile devices differently than their desktop devices. If you could incorporate Qi charging into an iPad or MacBook it might click all the boxes.
Do you have any evidence that "people want to charge they mobile devices differently than their desktop devices"?

Question what is wrong with being able to purchase a single cable USB-C for all your devices to be charged, it cuts on materials, environmental waste, packaging, a variety of vendors, options, prices, user confusion, etc.

It would be great to have USB-C on even the MagicKB, Mouse and Trackpad along with AirPod/Pro, etc. I though Apple was all about being for the environment except when it has to gain financially. Sure people have Power Adapters from prior iPhones and maybe even from Android phones, now take that a step further and apply that to cables, with a USB-C cable you can use an Android one as a spare.

Just like the removal of the PowerAdapter, USB-C is all about the money. Apoligising for a corporation's greed is nonsensical as it should be about open standards and user convenience. Lightening is not it no matter how one spins it.
 

luvbug

macrumors 6502a
Aug 11, 2017
566
1,538
Getting closer every day!
Tbh, after loving the 5k display on my '17 iMac, I can't see paying a premium price for an OLED display on a Mac, especially when you consider even miniLED is going to improve on my current screen. If Apple does offer Macs with OLED, I hope it's an add-on option, not built-in to the base price. I can see some content creation folks - vid/photo - preferring it, though.
 

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
Love my iPhone but going portless would have me looking elsewhere. Already stopped buying MacBooks for ThinkPads after their questionable usability choices, so it would be a shame to drop another Apple product.

Going port-less sounds like some Apple fantasy to be completely "wireless" yet MagSafe MFi requires a cable.
 
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code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
All those products u mentioned come with cables. USB c isn't as good as lighting, impossible to plug in dark, scratches area around ports,
I like it on iPad Pro, stupid on iPhone.
Lighting is the best for phones.
I enjoy the comedy, when people say they can't handle carrying 2 cables around, is it confusing to them or too heavy? I would like for these people elaborate on why they can't carry 2 cables, instead of just saying they have to carry 2 cables, if any of these people are men they should be embarrassed
Or maybe it has to do with its capability as a connector and standard. I feel Lightening Connector was great for what it offered when it was introduced, however now we have a standard and its time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Okasian

tazdevl

macrumors regular
Jul 6, 2010
226
142
I don’t buy apple going from micro-led to oled in a year. Makes no sense given what theyve reportedly invested in micro-led tech, unless there’s some kind of disruptive oled tech coming out next year.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: dariolloshi02

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
Tbh, after loving the 5k display on my '17 iMac, I can't see paying a premium price for an OLED display on a Mac, especially when you consider even miniLED is going to improve on my current screen. If Apple does offer Macs with OLED, I hope it's an add-on option, not built-in to the base price. I can see some content creation folks - vid/photo - preferring it, though.
Some monitor options with OLED already exist or going to be shipping soon.
 

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
I don’t buy apple going from micro-led to oled in a year. Makes no sense given what theyve reportedly invested in micro-led tech, unless there’s some kind of disruptive oled tech coming out next year.

OLED has been around for awhile now, in large formats such as TV's to the small such as watches and everything in-between.

Pro models should get OLED while the standard product line should migrate to mini-LED.
 

billk711

Suspended
Oct 11, 2011
153
64
Please explain how Android phones on the market with USB-C have been equally resistant to an iPhone?
Or maybe it has to do with its capability as a connector and standard. I feel Lightening Connector was great for what it offered when it was introduced, however now we have a standard and its time.
Standard is the billion iPhones with lighting silly
 

billk711

Suspended
Oct 11, 2011
153
64
Do you have any evidence that "people want to charge they mobile devices differently than their desktop devices"?

Question what is wrong with being able to purchase a single cable USB-C for all your devices to be charged, it cuts on materials, environmental waste, packaging, a variety of vendors, options, prices, user confusion, etc.

It would be great to have USB-C on even the MagicKB, Mouse and Trackpad along with AirPod/Pro, etc. I though Apple was all about being for the environment except when it has to gain financially. Sure people have Power Adapters from prior iPhones and maybe even from Android phones, now take that a step further and apply that to cables, with a USB-C cable you can use an Android one as a spare.

Just like the removal of the PowerAdapter, USB-C is all about the money. Apoligising for a corporation's greed is nonsensical as it should be about open standards and user convenience. Lightening is not it no matter how one spins it.
Billion iPhones ? Come on dude,
 

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
They are not, USB-c people are they tiny minority, lighting is better in every way,
Some people are extremely lazy and the idea of needing 2 cables makes their head spin.
So the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, OnePlus 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21, Google Pixel 5, etc with USB-C is not IP68...hmm.

USB-C is a tiny minority, I think you are thinking it wrong. USB-C is on many Android phones, on many Chromebooks, Windows products, Apple MacBook/Air/Pro, Apple iPad Pro/Air, etc. Care to measure how many products Lightening is on.

It has nothing to do with lazy, if I travel for example with one USB-C and one Lightening cable and for whatever reason one cable gets lost, damaged or does not work that means I will have to purchase another USB-C or Lightening cable. Now if I had two of the same cable such as USB-C, the chances of this happening is very remote. Plus there are options of length, vendors, etc for USB-C vice Lightening.

Do you get your oil changed at the dealership with their special oil or do you shop around in a free market?
 

code-m

macrumors 68040
Apr 13, 2006
3,638
3,398
Billion iPhones ? Come on dude,
So if I sell million or billion of anything it automatically makes it a standard or just forced acceptance. Let me know how a Lightening connector is "standard" on Android phones for example. If it is so good, maybe Apple should offer it up to other vendors licensing free. It should have paid for itself by now with MFi royalties right.
 
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