Apple will launch a series of gadgets, including AirTags, a small charging mat, new iPads, Mac PCs, and high-end headphones in the first half of 2020, famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed. Not to forget that the Cupertino-based giant is also mass-producing an affordable iPhone, which is likely to be called iPhone SE 2. Reportedly, this handset will be launched sometime in the next two months, and Apple will make about 6 million units of this iPhone.
‘We forecast that Apple's major new hardware products in 1H20 include the 4.7-inch LCD iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro/Air, a smaller wireless charging mat, a UWB tag, and a high-end Bluetooth headphone,’ MacRumors cited a research note by Kuo.
4.7-inch iPhone: Media reports suggest that Apple will release a new low-cost iPhone that will sport an iPhone 8-like design and the latest internals. This particular handset is said to feature a 4.7-inch LCD display, a Touch ID home button, A13 chip, and 3GB of RAM. It is rumoured to retail at $399 (approx. Rs 28,500) in the US. When it comes to the iPad Pro refresh, Kuo says that the new models will come with a triple-lens rear camera system that supports 3D sensing for augmented reality. These are expected to be launched alongside the iPhone SE 2.
Kuo also hints that people will be treated with the new MacBook Pro/Air models. Previously, rumour mill suggested that Apple may debut a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a scissor switch-based Magic Keyboard in the first half of 2020. Apple refreshed the MacBook Air in July last year with a True Tone display.
Ultra-Wideband tags: We have already seen item tracking tags, and Apple is likely to enter into this space with ‘AirTags’. MacRumors found evidence of Apple working on Tile-like device in iOS 13 code. Tim Cook-led company also wants its users to treat with high-end headphones. While the details about this are scarce, Kuo did say that these will support Bluetooth. These headphones may be called the Powerbeats4.
Just like in the case of headphones, details about this small wireless charging mat are not available. Apple’s original AirPower charging mat was shelved, owing to quality concerns. The AirPower was said to have the capability of charging an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and an AirPods case simultaneously.
Additionally, Kuo claimed that due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Apple may postpone the mass production schedules for new products in the second half of the year. ‘If there are no significant improvements regarding the coronavirus epidemic in the foreseeable future, we predict that Apple may delay new material adoptions or lower test requirements for components to shorten qualification processes and launch new products in 2H20 on schedule, and the lower-spec will likely hurt the ASP of materials or components,’ Kuo added.
