Top Stories: iPhone 14 With In-Screen Touch ID, iOS 15 Beta 2, Apple Warns Leakers, and More

[MacRumors]

This week saw an interesting mix of news and rumors, led by a new report from Ming-Chi Kuo outlining some of his expectations for the 2022 iPhone models.

We also saw the second betas of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, a claim that Apple has already stopped production of the iPhone 12 mini amid slow sales, and a report that Apple is clamping down on some prominent leakers, so read on for details on all of these stories and more!

iPhone 14 May Feature Under-Screen Touch ID

Apple may include an under-screen version of Touch ID on some "iPhone 14" models in 2022, according to credible Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, providing users with an alternative to Face ID.

In a wide-ranging research note this week, Kuo added that a new iPhone SE will be released in the first half of 2022 with 5G support and other new features, while remaining a budget-friendly device. Kuo also expects a 48-megapixel camera on some high-end iPhones next year.

As for this year, iPhone 13 dummy models surfaced this week, offering a closer look at rumored design changes.

Apple Developing a Whole New Kind of MacBook Air

Apple is working on a completely new, high-end version of the MacBook Air for release as early as later this year, according to recent reports.

The new MacBook Air would likely feature a faster iteration of Apple's custom M1 chip for ultra-fast performance in a lightweight design. The current base model MacBook Air with the M1 chip already outperforms a maxed-out Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro in benchmarks.

Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS and iPadOS 15 to Developers

Two and a half weeks after releasing the first betas of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 following the WWDC keynote, Apple this week seeded the second beta versions to developers. Parallel beta updates for watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 were also released, but we've yet to see a second beta of macOS Monterey.

The second betas of iOS and iPadOS 15 fix a number of bugs, and also introduce a few new features that weren't in the first betas, including initial support for SharePlay functionality in FaceTime and the ability for apps to request access to additional RAM to improve performance.

Check out our tidbits article for more on the changes in the second beta releases, and if you're not a registered Apple developer but you want to try out the upcoming operating system versions ahead of their official launch in the fall, Apple should be releasing the initial public beta versions shortly.

Apple Warns Leakers to Stop Leaking Information

A credible Apple leaker known as "Kang" and a number of other leakers reportedly received warning letters from lawyers representing Apple this week.

"Kang" has been one of the most reliable Apple leakers over the last few years, with several detailed leaks about Apple's future product and software plans that turned out to be correct, and Apple's letter essentially suggests that continued leaks of this nature may result in legal action.

20 Annoyances Apple Fixed in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey

With iOS 15 and macOS Monterey, Apple is adding several quality of life improvements, which are designed to address some of the complaints that people have had with these operating systems for years now.

On our YouTube channel, we recently shared a video highlighting some of our favorite "fixes" that address long-running problems in iOS and macOS, as well as features that bring significant improvements to usability of the platforms.

iPhone 12 Mini Reaches 'End of Life' Earlier Than Expected Due to Low Sales

Following widespread reports that the iPhone 12 mini has experienced poor sales performance, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce this week claimed that production of the device has already ended.

According to TrendForce, the iPhone 12 mini "reached End-of-Life ahead of time," suggesting that Apple and resellers will focus on selling through existing inventory of the device without manufacturing any further units.

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 14 With In-Screen Touch ID, iOS 15 Beta 2, Apple Warns Leakers, and More

 

[CEmajr]

Well Apple finally tried it for the very vocal minority who demanded a small phone. However as expected the market has spoken. Most people just don't want small phones anymore. We can put that conversation to rest for good now. On the bright side, the fact that they made that phone in the first place shows that they do indeed listen to the rumblings of their fans and customers online.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The '13' isn't even out, and they are already leaking '14' details? Yeah, no...

 

[no_idea]

Well Apple finally tried it for the very vocal minority who demanded a small phone. However as expected the market has spoken. Most people just don't want small phones anymore. We can put that conversation to rest for good now. On the bright side, the fact that they made that phone in the first place shows that they do indeed listen to the rumblings of their fans and customers online.

Your analysis is flawed. The footprint of the SE is slightly larger than the 12 mini…yet it sells like hotcakes and the market on that has spoken 🤔

 

[andrewface]

Who is still asking for finger print ID? That feature is so 2015. Are they bringing back 3g as well?

 

[Apple_Robert]

If Apple was going to bring back Touch ID under the glass, why not bring it to all the phones, instead of just the high tier? I would think doing that would help with more sales.

 

[cmaier]

If Apple was going to bring back Touch ID under the glass, why not bring it to all the phones, instead of just the high tier? I would think doing that would help with more sales.

Because it costs money. So they would have to charge more.

 

[cmaier]

Who is still asking for finger print ID? That feature is so 2015. Are they bringing back 3g as well?

For some situations it’s superior to faceid. I’m happy to have both.

 

[Reed_College_Dropout]

RIP iPhone 12 Mini. Just kidding. Launching this model was idiotic at best. If you honestly thought this phone would sell, I have a number for you to call.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Because it costs money. So they would have to charge more.

I get that it cost money. Put on all the phones and I think people would still buy even with an increase in price. We will find out in 90 days or so how much demand there will be for the feature (if the rumor has merit).

 

[Apple_Robert]

RIP iPhone 12 Mini. Just kidding. Launching this model was idiotic at best. If you honestly thought this phone would sell, I have a number for you to call.

I don't think it was idiotic. If the price had been lower, sales might have been better. Who knows. As is, too many people are addicted to their luggage phones.

 

[Reed_College_Dropout]

I don't think it was idiotic. If the price had been lower, sales might have been better. Who knows. As is, too many people are addicted to their luggage phones.

Let's just say that the people who pushed this model aren't going to be getting raises anytime soon. If they are still employed, that is.

 

[SMercutio]

Your analysis is flawed. The footprint of the SE is slightly larger than the 12 mini…yet it sells like hotcakes and the market on that has spoken 🤔

Actually, the SE is a different mode in comparison to the 12 mini. The 12 mini was for those small but VERY LOUD folks that were unwilling to let go of their iPhone 5’s . This was for them as they wouldn’t even go to the 6,7 or 8

the new SE is now in the 6,7,8 style and the 12 mini for the 5 but with the guts of the 12.

it just shows that the small phone crew weren’t REALLY about a small phone….they just couldn’t afford a new phone.
The cheapest phone now is the SE ……and it’s selling….go figure 😂🤣

 

[seek3r]

Who is still asking for finger print ID? That feature is so 2015. Are they bringing back 3g as well?

I am, I vastly prefer an active needed physical action to a face scan from a device I'm already looking at. It's been a large part of my decision to continue to use my iphone 8, and a more minor reason for why I preferred my iPad Air to the Pro. And that's not even getting into the problem of masks, COV19 isnt gone, we're going to need facemasks at least situationally for a while to come, and really we should be using them for things like the flu too. I also often wear masks for some volunteering I do, a lot of folks in the medical industry, chemical industry, etc etc who have to wear masks even when their hands are clean and not covered in a glove I'm not the only one.

 

[anthogag]

Finger ID, good for times the iPhone is laying on a table; the user can unlock it without face ID

Before Apple removes iPhone mini they could actually make it mini. Maybe 5 cm x 10 cm (2" x 4") or smaller with a mini price around $200-$250. Looks like the larger iPhones but fits in the small pocket (coin pocket?) in typical jeans.

 

[AmazeSE]

If Apple was going to bring back Touch ID under the glass, why not bring it to all the phones, instead of just the high tier? I would think doing that would help with more sales.

Apple doesn't want to cannibalize the sales of the Pro Model iPhones. For Apple having both Face ID and Touch ID is a "Pro" feature. If the regular iPhone 13 has that then it would make it one less of an important feature to upgrade to the 13 Pro. The sales of the 13 Pro will be affected since the addition of Touch ID is a deal breaker to many of the people.

 

[Bawstun]

Well Apple finally tried it for the very vocal minority who demanded a small phone. However as expected the market has spoken. Most people just don't want small phones anymore. We can put that conversation to rest for good now. On the bright side, the fact that they made that phone in the first place shows that they do indeed listen to the rumblings of their fans and customers online.

The iPhone SE outsold every iPhone 12 model last year, selling over 24.2 million units.

The iPhone SE was the #2 best-selling smartphone of the year - of all brands and makers. Only the iPhone 11 sold more units.

 

[coolbreeze2]

Leakers need to be plugged-up cause they haven't got anything right this year.

 

[AmazeSE]

Before Apple removes iPhone mini they could actually make it mini. Maybe 5 cm x 10 cm (2" x 4") or smaller

Really 5 cm x 10 cm (2" x 4")? Even the 1st gen SE is larger than that. You can say good bye to battery life. As the iPhone 12 Mini proved that the current trend is that people love phones with a bigger screen.

with a mini price around $200-$250

I can guarantee you that Apple will never sell a brand new iPhone for $200-$250.

 

[iHorseHead]

Omg, Apple is the first one to implement Touch ID into the screen 🥰🥰
Amazing and revolutionary!
Probably others will copy them

 

[Bawstun]

Actually, the SE is a different mode in comparison to the 12 mini. The 12 mini was for those small but VERY LOUD folks that were unwilling to let go of their iPhone 5’s . This was for them as they wouldn’t even go to the 6,7 or 8

the new SE is now in the 6,7,8 style and the 12 mini for the 5 but with the guts of the 12.

it just shows that the small phone crew weren’t REALLY about a small phone….they just couldn’t afford a new phone.
The cheapest phone now is the SE ……and it’s selling….go figure 😂🤣

$100 off of the standard iPhone 12 is a no-brainer “pass.” It wasn’t priced correctly. Anton buying a $699 phone can likely afford another $100 to get the “full” (not: mini) version of the iPhone 12. It just wasn’t priced correctly. Wasn’t named correctly either IMO.

 

[Bawstun]

Really 5 cm x 10 cm (2" x 4")? Even the 1st gen SE is larger than that. You can say good bye to battery life. As the iPhone 12 Mini proved that the current trend is that people love phones with a bigger screen.



I can guarantee you that Apple will never sell a brand new iPhone for $200-$250.

They already do. The iPhone SE 2020 is $149-199 on all prepaid networks. I have several and have never paid more than $199 for them. And now they are unlocked.

 

[TVreporter]

If Apple was going to bring back Touch ID under the glass, why not bring it to all the phones, instead of just the high tier? I would think doing that would help with more sales.

Gotta have something to promote for iPhone 15!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Gotta have something to promote for iPhone 15!

I thought it was 17?

 

[anthogag]

Really 5 cm x 10 cm (2" x 4")? Even the 1st gen SE is larger than that. You can say good bye to battery life. As the iPhone 12 Mini proved that the current trend is that people love phones with a bigger screen.



I can guarantee you that Apple will never sell a brand new iPhone for $200-$250.

Buying a tiny mini would not be about screen size or battery life. It would be about 'how small can you make an iPhone'. My Apple Pencil charges from 0% to 100% in around 20 minutes. If a tiny "mini" charges really fast it's okay if it has 6-8 hours battery life.