The Apple iPhone XR is not yet available on sale, lacks certain features compared to the other two and is still proving to be the most popular out of the three iPhones launched recently. The device is the cheapest of the bunch and does lack some features when compared to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. However, industry sources report that Apple is ramping up production for the same.
The device will go on sale on 26th October. Apple has reportedly pushed the production up to 20 million units. iPhone XR orders have been revised upward to over 50 % and the demand will continue to rise, according to experts. Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo had earlier stated that the sales of the iPhone XS will be lower than expected and that the iPhone XR will account for 50-60 % of shipments of the new iPhones.
It is no surprise that the device has become a hit, compared to the other two. Starting off, it is the most affordable out of the three phones. The iPhone XR has a price tag which starts at Rs 76,900 in India while the iPhone XS starts at Rs 99,000 and the iPhone XS Max starts at Rs 1,09,900.
Apart from this, the device has a 6.1 inch screen which is bigger than the iPhone XS, reportedly preferred by most users. The device also resonates as a more reasonable choice with consumers who want to upgrade from their iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 series.
Specifications:
The iPhone XR has a 6.1 inch LCD Liquid Retina display. the device has a native resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels and a pixel density of 326 ppi. It runs on the latest A12 Bionic chip from Apple and has 3 GB of RAM. The device has a single rear camera with a 12 MP wide angle lens. It has an aperture of f/1.8. The front camera has a 7 MP sensor with true depth technology. The iPhone XR has a 2942 mAh battery and runs iOS 12.
Apple announced iOS 12 at its recent launch event held on 12th September. The update will be rolled out on Monday, September 17th and will be available to many. An exciting feature that iOS 12 will bring is the addition of Google Maps and Waze to CarPlay.
Screenshots which show Google Maps integrated with Apple CarPlay have emerged and they have got everyone excited. As seen in the pictures, the Google Maps icon takes the navigation slot in the sidebar, which was earlier only occupied by Apple Maps. More images show the familiar arrowhead and map tiles, which are rendered by Google. The map is also available in both cartography and satellite modes. A microphone icon present on the screen also points out that voice search will be available.
CarPlay was announced in 2014 and works as an alternative to poor navigation software generally available in cars. By connecting your iPhone to your car, CarPlay will mimic its interface on to your dashboard. This is a much safer alternative to looking at your phone while driving or using a car mount.
However, the biggest complaint that CarPlay users had is the fact that they could not use Google Maps and were stuck with Apple Maps when it came to navigation. This is no longer an issue as with the new iOS update, users will be able to access not only Google Maps, but many other apps as well.
The access to Google Maps on Apple CarPlay is relatively restricted. It will only be available to iOS Beta Testers. For now, users will have to upgrade to iOS 12 when it rolls out on Monday and wait. Once Google Maps and other compatible apps are updated to be integrated with Apple CarPlay, users can utilise the full experience.
During the highly anticipated launch event of the new Apple iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, apple laid a lot of emphasis on the new A12 Bionic chip. What it did not mention was the RAM and clock speeds of the devices. However, GeekBench is here to our rescue and the scores of the devices are out.
The A12 Bionic chip powering all the three devices has a clock speed of 2.49 GHz. This is a slight increment, compared to the A11’s 2.39 GHz. The device listed has 4 GB of RAM. Comparing the A12’s scores to the A11, the A12’s performance is a bit poorer in multi-core testing. However, in real- world operations, it is estimated that the A12 will perform much better thanks to its new Neural Engine and machine learning capability.
The iPhone XR has a lower 3 GB RAM compared to the other two devices. It does score lesser than the other two on benchmark scores as expected, but it is not very far behind. The devices are running the iOS 12.
Specifications:
The iPhone XS and XS Max have a Super Retina OLED display. While the display on the iPhone XS measures 5.8 inches, the iPhone XS Max has a, 6.5 inch display. The iPhone XR has a 6.1 inch, LCD display with Apple’s new Liquid Retina display. All the three devices run on the new A12 Bionic chipset from Apple.
The iPhone XS and XS Max have 4 GB of RAM while the iPhone XR has 3 GB of RAM. In terms of storage, the iPhone XR is available in 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB variants. The iPhone XS and XS Max are available in 64 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB variants. The iPhone XS and XS Max have a 12 Mp dual rear camera setup while the iPhone XR has a 12 MP single rear camera.
In India, the iPhone XS will start at Rs. 99,900, the iPhone XS Max will start at Rs. 109,900 and the iPhone XR will start at Rs. 76900.
After months of excitement, speculation and rumours, Apple revealed its new lineup of iPhones. The iPhone XS is the successor to the iPhone X. However, what has Apple really changed with the new iPhone?
The biggest difference and Apple’s only selling point is the A12 bionic chipset. The iPhone X has the A11 bionic, which was the pinnacle of speed when it launched, according to Apple. Apple has made an obvious upgrade to the chipset, with an improved manufacturing process. This makes the A12 faster, smoother and more energy efficient than the A11. The A12 also has advanced AI integration which improves battery and camera performance as well.
iPhone Xs
Differences other than the chipset, cannot be defining factors for a new phone. The iPhone XS is water resistant up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes, compared to the 1 metre for up to 30 minutes in the iPhone X. The iPhone XS has a 512 GB model as well, opposed to the 256 GB of the iPhone X. Additionally, the iPhone XS claims a battery life which is 30 minutes more than the iPhone X.
Specifications
iPhone X
iPhone XS
RAM
3 GB
4 GB
Processor
A11 Bionic
A12 Bionic
Camera
12 MP Sensor
12 MP sensor + Bokeh Mode
Storage
256 GB
512 GB
Battery
2716 mAh
Lasts 30 Minutes more than iPhone X
Connectivity
Single SIM
Dual SIM
Protection
IP67
IP68
Something which is a change however, is the fact that the new iPhone XS has dual SIM support. Other than this, the devices have the same design, the same camera setup and the same display.
With the iPhone XS starting in India at a price of Rs 99,999, this begs the question as to whether it is worth the upgrade. Apple, which has defined itself through constant, groundbreaking innovations seems to be limping forward on former glory and its belief that customers will purchase whatever is thrown at them. With rising competition in the global smartphone market, taking consumers for granted could prove risky for the tech giant.
Although the highlight of the Apple Special event last night was the lineup of new iPhones, Apple did manage to slip in a little bit extra. The Apple HomePod is going to be receiving a few new features. These will probably bring it up to speed with its competition in the smart speaker segment.
The update involves increasing the capability of Siri with respect to the HomePod. Other than these features, Apple has also added support for a few languages in the HomePod. The device now supports Spanish in the US, Spain and Mexico and expands support in Canada with Canadian French.
With Siri on HomePod, you can also access these new features:
Search by lyrics: Until now, users could ask Siri to play a specific song. Now, you can ask Siri to play any song. Even if you can’t remember the name. Just say “play the song that goes like this…” and Siri will do the needful.
Set multiple timers: This is a big boon for those who are working on a project with multiple steps or someone setting up for a big dinner party. With multiple timers, you can ask Siri to keep you on track for getting that cake out of the oven, making sure you switch on those new lights and much more.
Make and receive phone calls: Now, HomePod lets you make and receive calls directly. You can also ask Siri to know who called incase you missed a call. To make a call, you can speak out a number or the name of the person you want to call.
Find my iPhone: This feature lets you ping for your iPhone in case you cannot figure out where you left it. This is already available in the Apple Watch.
Siri Shortcuts: HomePod users will now be able to set multiple actions into play with just one command. This is pretty similar to Alexa and Google Routines. What this means is you can program Siri to perform multiple actions using a single command. For example, “Hey Siri, good morning” is a single command. With this Siri could order your morning coffee, turn on your kitchen lights and share your calendar appointments for the day.
The launch date for this update is not known. It is expected around the time the iOS 12 is rolled out. That is on 17th September. Apple has not announced the update for India.
The much awaited successor to the iPhone X is here. Apple has launched the brand new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, shedding the ‘Plus’ tag for its smartphone.
Design:
The devices are made of surgical grade stainless steel and have a gold finish on the front and glass back. The devices also have rounded corners. Apple claims to have used the most durable glass ever in a smartphone for the display. The devices also have a silver and space grey finish other than the gold finish. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have IP68 dust and water protection.
Display:
The iPhone XS has a Super Retina OLED, 5.8 inch display. This is a bigger display than the iPhone 8 Plus but an overall smaller device in size. The device has a native resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels and a pixel density of 458 ppi.
The iPhone XS Max has a massive 6.5 inch with a Super Retina OLED display. The display has a resolution of 2688 x 1242 and a pixel density of 458 ppi. The massive size of the iPhone XS Max allows for a ‘split view’ in some apps while the device is in the horizontal position. This allows for more utility in one app.
The screen on both the devices have a 60 % greater dynamic range, offering better experiences than before.The devices also continue to support 3D touching and have True Tone display.
Processor:
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max use the highly anticipated A12 Bionic chip. This is the first 7 nanometer production chip in a smartphone and houses 6.9 billion transistors. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have a 6 core CPU. This consists of 2 high performance cores and 4 high efficiency cores. This makes the new iPhone 15 % faster while using 40 % lower power.
The GPU has 4 cores and is 50 % faster than A11 bionic. This gives a huge jump in graphics, according to Apple. The Neural engine has an 8 core design compared to 2 cores on the A11. It also has Dedicated Machine Learning.
The new A12 bionic can process 5 trillion operations per second. The devices will be available in storage options of upto 512 GB internal storage.The A12 bionic also improves the daily use of the device. It helps apps launch upto 30% faster. Providing a smoother every day experience.
Camera:
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have a dual rear camera setup. Apple has improved this setup and it features a 12 MP wide lens and a 12 Mp telephoto lens. This is supported by an improved true tone flash.The devices use larger sensors and the lenses have an aperture of f/1.8.The smartphones also have Optical Image Stabilisation
The front camera setup hosts a 7 MP sensor. The front true depth system contains the sensor along with an IR camera and dot projector. This also provides depth in selfie portraits.
The new A12 bionic has an Image signal processor (ISP). This works to automatically adjust exposure, white balance, focus, noise reduction, and many more features whenever an image is taken.The chip also connects the ISP to the neural engine to make images better. It features Face and body detection, scene recognition, feature mapping and reduces red eye instantly. It can also perform 1 trillion operations per photo.
The camera also features Smart HDR. This ensures zero shutter lag. What this does is, it captures secondary inter frames and long exposure shots to bring out more details, finding all the best parts and merging them into one image.The devices also feature advanced portrait mode and bokeh mode. This allows you to adjust the depth of field even after taking the picture. The new sensor is 2x faster and records stereo sound while shooting video.
Battery:
Apple claims that the devices run on the best batteries any iPhone has featured. The iPhone XS has a battery which lasts 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X. The iPhone XS Max has the biggest battery featured in an iPhone and lasts an hour and a half longer than the iPhone X.
Other Features:
The new devices are Dual SIM with Dual Standby. They also use the eSIM technology. This uses a single physical SIM and one eSIM. Apple will also launch a special Chinese model, with two physical SIMs.
The Face ID is faster with better algorithms and a faster secure enclave. It is the most secure facial authentication ever in a smartphone, according to Apple.
The technology also helps to provide the use of Animoji over a live video call. It also helps in a better selfie scene option. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max also feature Siri Shortcuts on iOs 12 . The devices feature the core ML, which is 9x faster and runs on 1/10th of the energy.
There are huge jumps in Augmented Reality. The ARkit 2 , provides enhanced surface and object detection. AR quick look, can bring out an object you were looking at in your browser. This basically superimposes any object on to your surroundings to get you a better look at any object you might be wanting.
Price:
The iPhone XS is available in three storage options of 64 GB , 256 GB and 512 GB and starts at $ 999. In India the phone will start at Rs. 99,900.
The iPhone XS Max will be available in the same three variants and starts at $ 1099. In India the iPhone XS Max will start at Rs. 109,900.
Pre orders for the devices starts on 14th September and shipping begins on 28th September. The devices will go on sale in India a week after the global sale begins.
In a turn of events, before the official launch of the new 2018 iPhones, a new leaks from Apple’s own website shows off three new iPhone models.
iPhone Xs
iPhone Xs Max
iPhone Xr
The information was found in the project sitemap file which shows off the new iPhone names. The names were leaked in shopping links for cases for the upcoming iPhones. The cases and colours include Black, White, Midnight Blue, Productured, Stone, Taupe, Saddle Brown and many more color options.
The sitemap leak also shows that the 6.1-inch iPhone will indeed be called iPhone Xr, and it will be offered in six colors: black, white, red, yellow, coral and blue. The iPhone Xr will have a 6.1-inch display and offered in three storage options; 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. The sitemap also shows that the iPhone XS, the smallest of the three will be available with three storage options: 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
One of the most anticipated events of 2018 is right around the corner. Apple’s September 12th event is what is on everyone’s mind and the new iPhone range is due to take centre stage. Apart from this, Apple is also rumoured to unveil the AirPods 2 and the Apple Watch 4 and possibly some more devices.
Launch Event:
The Apple Launch event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theatre on 12th September at 10:00 AM PDT. This converts to 10:30 PM Indian Standard time. This is 6:00 PM in the United Kingdom, 9:00 PM in UAE and 3:00 AM in Australia. The event can also be live streamed using various methods.
Those owning any apple device such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iPod can view it on the Apple TV app. The event can also be live-streamed on Safari and Microsoft Edge for Windows users.
iPhone:
The iPhone lineup for this year is arguably the most exciting thing about the event. Apple is bound to take a few steps to ensure the growth of its smartphone sales. Which have started to see a slight decline after the initial buzz of the iPhone X. The only solution which will help Apple out of that situation is to expand its customer base.
Via Spigen
For years, Apple stuck to manufacturing devices and delivering it to consumers. Unlike other manufacturers, Apple doesn’t focus much on market trends and what the consumers exactly want. They focused on bringing the best experience for users, but users never got much of a say in it. This might have started pinching them a little but as Apple is now looking to change their approach and cater to consumers.
We expect to see 3 variants of the iPhone which will cover a wide range of features, sizes and price. The devices will be called the iPhone Xs, the iPhone Xs Plus and the iPhone XC, according to reports. The iPhone Xs and Xs Plus will feature the same design as the iPhone X and will have OLED screens. The iPhone XC on the other hand, will feature an LCD display.
The sole reason for Apple to go in for the iPhone XC is to try to expand their market by offering a cheaper version of the iPhone. So lets find out all the rumours about these devices:
Design:
The iPhone Xs will sport a 5.8 inch screen while the iPhone Xs Plus has a 6.5 inch display. Both the devices sport a notch and design elements drawn majorly from the iPhone X. They will sport OLED displays and with glass bodies and stainless steel casing.
The cheaper, 6.1 inch iPhone XC on the other hand sports an LCD display. The display design is also based on the iPhone X. The device will sporting a glass body with an aluminium casing. The major design difference with the iPhone XC and the other two variants is the presence of only a single camera on the back.
All three of the devices will reportedly not have a Touch ID button and will fully depend on Face ID for its security. It is also rumoured that Apple will discontinue the 3D touch feature on the devices.
Processor:
The highlight of the new series of iPhones is the A12 bionic chipset from Apple. This is supposed to be a step up from the existing A11 bionic chip, which is already one of the fastest and most efficient chipsets out there. This is due to the manufacturing process behind the A12 chipset. The A12 chip uses the 7nm process as compared to the A11’s 10 nm process. This reduces the size of the transistors in the chip, allowing more transistors to fit into the same space. Therefore allowing for a better, smoother performance.
The A12 reportedly offers an increase in multi-core usability, supposed to bring up multi-core performance by 25-30%. The GPU performance is reported to have an even higher increment at 40%. This might not directly translate to gaming performance, according to experts. Analysts predict a real time number of around 25%. The A12 chip also gives a big boost to AI and machine learning. This will incorporate with the operating system to give better battery performance and camera results, according to reports.
Camera:
Alleged iPhone XC spotted
It is highly improbable that we will see a triple camera setup on the new iPhone. Reports indicate an improved sensor on the dual camera setup on the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Plus. Renders and leaks also reveal that the iPhone XC will however, only have a single rear camera. The camera sensors will be an improvement over last year’s devices in all senses. There will be better low light performance and enhanced AI integration to offer support in the portrait mode of the devices.
Battery:
All the three variants might have improved battery performance, more importantly they should. A flagship device in 2018 should meet numerous requirements to live up to tis name. One of the most important ones is a better battery life. It is obvious that the 6.5 inch iPhone Xs Plus will house a high battery, given its size and the demand from its display unit. Apart from this, the A12 bionic chipset will ensure better optimisation and longer battery life. Reports also suggest that Apple has worked on improving the idle battery life of the iPhones.
Price & Other Features:
Recent leaks also show that the devices will have dual SIM capabilities. The pricing of the devices is expected to cover a larger area so as to cater to a bigger consumer base. The iPhone XC is reported to be priced at CNY 5,888 which is around Rs 62,000. The iPhone XS is listed at CNY 7,388 and the iPhone XS Plus is at CNY 8,388 which are around Rs 77,980 and Rs 88,535 respectively.
iPad Pro:
The iPad Pro is expected to launch in a 12.9 inch and 10.5 inch variant. Numerous leaks and renders based on the said leaks have given us a fair idea about what the device may look like. The new iPad Pro will reportedly sport a sharper, bezel less design. We can also see the absence of a home button which could mean that the device is getting Face ID and that we won’t see touch ID anymore. However, the device will have to be vertical whenever you use Face ID as it doesn’t work horizontally.
It is also reported that the devices will sport an LCD display and not an OLED panel which is a bit disappointing. The iPad Pro will use the new A12X chipset and have 4 GB of RAM, according to reports. Storage will be variable, with options going up to 512 GB.
The iPad Pro will reportedly continue to offer Apple Pencil support and the smaller bezels will mean we will see a smaller device, despite the same screen size. The device is also rumoured to be dumping the lightning port to make way for a USB Type-C port.
The iPad Pro is expected to launch at Rs 54,999 for the 10.2 inch variant and Rs 64,999 for the 12.9 inch variant.
Apple Watch 4:
Latest reports suggest that Apple will be launching six brand new Apple Watch 4 models at the upcoming event. It is also reported that the devices will all sport ceramic backs and could possibly support LTE.
The device is also said to sport thinner bezels and will reportedly support electrocardiography (ECG) for advanced health tracking. The thinner bezels mean that we will get to see a larger display on a device the same size. The larger display can house more information and better optimisation of apps.
AirPods 2 & AirPower:
According to multiple reports, Apple is coming up with a successor to the already successful AirPods. The devices are said to sport a series of new features which will enhance the experience further. It is said that we will be able to summon Siri through the “Hey Siri” command rather than tapping the sides of the AirPods. Another widely expected feature is that of the launch of Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat. This is highly relevant to the AirPods as it is rumoured that the AirPods 2 will support wireless charging.
And that’s not it, the new AirPods 2 are reported to support noise cancellation as well. Adding to this list is a report that they will be splash proof but not entirely waterproof.
MacBook:
We may be witness to the launch of an upgraded version of the MacBook. However, it is not clear whether this would replace the current 12 inch MacBook or whether it will be a totally different lineup. The new MacBook is reported to have a Touch ID sensor. The MacBook will also lack a TouchBar which we had seen in the MacBook Pro.
Certain speculations about an upgraded version of the MacBook Air is also doing the rounds, but this doesn’t seem too probable in the near future. Following the release of thinner, bezel less laptops at the IFA 2018, Apple might be looking as the new MacBook as an answer to the same.
With a wide range of products expected to be launched at this event, the level of excitement is higher than ever. With the power to change the course of the smartphone market, its time for Apple’s next big move.
After a series of leaks regarding the upcoming Apple iPhone, we finally have something promising, on the very day of the launch. A series of images which showcase the alleged iPhone Xs and iPhone XC, has emerged. Supplementing the images is a listing of Spigen Cases for the iPhone Xs.
iPhone Xs:
From the images we can see that the iPhone Xs is similar to the existing iPhone X in terms of design. The changes we can expect, will all be under the hood. The iPhone Xs is expected to sport a 5.8 inch OLED display and a dual camera setup on the rear. The device is rumoured to have the new A12 bionic chipset. This will provide a boost to the performance, battery life and a camera of the device, according to reports.
One of the most anticipated iPhone models of this year, because of the fact that it will be comparatively cheaper. The 6.1 inch iPhone XC will have a LCD display and a single rear camera setup. This has been done to cut costs and provide it at a lower rate, according to reports. The possibility that the above picture is an existing iPhone 8 is very low. The device seen here sports a way larger camera sensor than the iPhone 8.
Apart from these two devices, Apple will launch a third, ‘Plus’ variant of the iPhone Xs. The device will have a large 6.5 inch OLED display, while all other design elements will be based on the iPhone X.
The launch event will also have Apple revealing a new MacBook, the Apple Watch 4, AirPods 2, and the AirPower wireless charger, making it an exciting lineup.
With the Apple Launch Event right around the corner, anticipations and leaks are on the rise. The latest leak gives us the names and some new features about the upcoming iPhones. The leaks are based on images from Weibo and give us some interesting insights.
Via Slashleaks
First off, we have the names. The iPhones are going to be called the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Plus and the iPhone XC. This report comes from an alleged slide from an internal China Mobile presentation. The image can be seen having listed the 5.8 inch iPhone as the XS and the 6.5 inch device as the XS Plus. The LCD 6.1 inch device is listed as the iPhone XC. Earlier reports suggested that Apple will be dropping the “plus’ tag and going with the name iPhone XS Max. However, if these images are to be trusted, that doesn’t seem to be true.
The same slide also reveals plenty of other details. The new Apple iPhone XS will have a dual sim option, as can be seen in an ‘advertisement’ for China Mobile. Reports say that the dual sim version of the iPhone XS will be available only after 21st September.
Via Slashsleaks
Price:
The prices for the three models are also listed, in the alleged leak. The slide lists the iPhone XC at CNY 5,888 which is around Rs 62,000. The iPhone XS is listed at CNY 7,388 and the iPhone XS Plus is at CNY 8,388 which are around Rs 77,980 and Rs 88,535 respectively.
It is expected that the cheaper, 6.1 inch LCD iPhone XC will be launched exclusively in India and China. Experts say so as these markets have maximum potential in these price ranges and consumers will also be looking forward to them. Apple is also expected to launch a new series of MacBooks and a new Apple Watch. The launch event is on 12th September.
In the latest of a series of leaks about the upcoming Apple iPhone, the prices of the 3 upcoming iPhones has been leaked. Earlier, we saw renders of the upcoming devices. This was followed by a detailed video showcasing the largest version of the upcoming iPhone.
Another leak, suggested that the larger OLED version of the upcoming iPhone will be called the iPhone Xs Max. Suggesting that the smaller version will be called the iPhone Xs. This also hints at the idea that the two devices will be very similar in terms of design and specs as earlier leaks have already shown us.
Adding to these two, Apple will also launch a third, much cheaper variant, the iPhone 9. The device will have a 6.1 inch LCD display according to reports. It will also use an aluminium frame along with the LCD display to keep prices down.
Prices:
According to reports, the 6.1 inch LCD iPhone 9 will cost close to what the iPhone 8 costed during the time of tis release. The iPhone Xs pitted to be priced the same as the iPhone 8 Plus was during its launch. The iPhone Xs Max will fall in the same bracket as the iPhone X.
Converting this to figures, the alleged costs of the 3 upcoming iPhones are as follows. The LCD iPhone 9 will be the cheapest, at $ 699 which is around Rs 50,000. The iPhone Xs will take the middle spot with a price of $ 800 which is around Rs 64,000. The premium iPhone Xs Max will cost you $ 999 which is around Rs 71,000.
Ananlysts also predict that the cheaper LCD iPhone 9 will be more aggressively marketed in countries like India and China where there is a bigger market for this price range. Another input is also that Apple will be dropping the ‘Plus’ suffix with its phones. The bigger devices will be followed by a ‘Max’ now, according to experts.
The upcoming Apple iPad Pro 2018 has been leaked with full specifications and detailed renders. The iPad Pro is expected to launch in a 12.9 inch and a smaller 10.5 inch variant at the upcoming Apple Launch Event.
Design:
From the very first glance we can see that the iPad Pro 2018 is starkly different form its earlier variants. We can see the lack of a home button, a sharper design and thin, uniform bezels around the device.
The absence of a home button could hint at the fact that the device is getting a true depth camera and Face ID. Other than this, the lack of a headphone jack is also noted on these renders. The charging port is at the bottom middle of the device. However, this is right below the Smart Connector, which is placed on the back.
The Smart Connector is used to pair the iPad Pro with a keyboard to increase usability. The move to shift the Smart Connector to the bottom could be because of the fact that Face ID does not work horizontally. Therefore, the new iPad Pro might be used vertically, even for typing.
Specifications:
Two variants, the 12.9 inch and 10.5 inch iPad Pro are expected this year. However, it is reported that neither of them will have an OLED, rather they will have an LCD panel.
The iPad Pro 2018 is also reported to run on the new A12X chipset. According to rumours, the A12X is going to be made using the 7nm technology which boosts performance and increased battery life. However, the devices are expected to have 4 GB of RAM, with varying storage variants going up to 512 GB.
Additional Features:
The new iPad Pro will continue to offer Apple Pencil support, according to reports. The slimmer bezels will mean that the iPad Pro 2018 will be smaller in size, despite the same screen size as its predecessor.
Launch and Price
The iPad Pro 12.9 2018 is expected to be launched at Apple’s annual Keynote event. The event will be held on 12th September. Reports place the 10.5 inch variant to start at Rs 54,999 and the 12.9 inch variant to start at Rs 64,999.
Apple seems to be battling with hardware problems in some of its devices. The iPhone 8’s logic board has been affected because of which multiple problems plauging the device. Apple has launched a new logic board repair program for the iPhone 8 to tackle the same.
The logic board in some iPhone 8 models are causing major problems. It is therefore causing the device to restart, freeze and even be unresponsive for periods of time. Apple says that a ‘very small percentage’ of devices have logic boards with manufacturing defects which is causing the problem. Apple says that the units sold between September 2017 and March 2018 in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, and the U.S are affected.
If your device is amongst those which has been affected, you can apply for a fix. The repair will be done free of cost, according to Apple. You can check whether your iPhone 8 is covered by this program. To do so enter the serial number of your device on this website. The problem does not affect iPhone 8 plus or any other iPhone models. If you have an eligible device, you can make an appointment at an Apple retail store, contact an Apple Authorised Service Provider or even arrange for mail-in service through Apple support.
Apple also recommends affected customers to back up their iPhone to iTunes or iCloud before giving it for repair. Any iPhone 8 device with damage that can affect the ability to complete a logic board, such as a cracked screen, needs to be repaired prior as it won’t be covered in this program. The program also covers affected iPhone 8 devices for three years after the first retail sale of the unit.
Apple has confirmed the acquisition of a startup that ‘focuses’ on making lenses for Augmented Reality glasses. Reports of the deal had been around for a while, however a Senior Apple Executive confirmed it on Wednesday. The move strengthens recent rumours about an upcoming ‘Apple Glass’ similar to the Google Glass.
Apple acquired Longmont and Colorado-based Akonia Holographics. “The technology allows for thin, transparent smart glasses that display vibrant, full- colour, wide field-of-view images.”, according to Akonia. The news entirely hints at the fact that the tech giant is planning to enter the domain of wearable AR devices which enhance daily experiences. The company Akonia, also has more than 200 patents related to holographic systems, according to its website.
Augmented Reality superimposes images on real-world scenarios, making it more interactive and informative. This was seen in the immensely popular game Pokemon GO which used AR extensively. Similarly, Apple might be planning to use Akonia’s holographic technology to project information on to the lenses of wearable glasses.
Apple’s Big Move :
This isn’t the first time it has acquired a smaller company. Back in 2013, it bought a small Israeli company which specialised in making 3D sensors. The Face ID feature in the iPhone X launched last year, used similar technology and 3D sensors. Apple does pick up smaller firms which showcase promising technology and takes that technology to the testing grounds. Many of the features available in various Apple products could have been at on point of time, the prime focus of a small company.
However, the purchase of the company doesn’t really confirm the development of a new device. According to a senior executive at Apple, “Apple buys smaller companies from time to time, and we generally don’t discuss our purpose or plans”. Regardless, most analysts point out the fact that an ‘Apple Glass’ is actually in development and we could see it for ourselves by the year 2020.
Numerous leaks over the past few weeks have given a fair idea as to what we can expect from the upcoming iPhone 9. However, one of the most latest leaks talks extensively about what could be serious issues with the upcoming phone.
In what seems to be a very detailed report, famous apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo talks about the iPhone 9’s daunting issues. According to him, the ‘affordable’ version of the iPhone 9 will be cutting quite a few corners. This could mean that while the device could be cheaper, it might not live up to the expectations placed by consumers.
Here are all the problems that the report talks about:
Display:
It was reported that the cheaper variant would carry an LCD display. Apparently, a decrease in quality is also to be expected. According to the report, the device will carry a comparitively low resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. This is very low compared to the iPhone X’s display of 2436 x 1125 pixels. While it can be called a downgrade from the more expensive models, it is also not offering any competition to the Android devices around the same price bracket. The device is also rumoured to be having a 6+ inch display. This would make for a poor display with the given resolution. Most of the devices in this price and size range offer an average of over 2200 x 1200 pixels
Performance:
Kuo also says that the cheaper variant of the iPhone 9 will be restricted to just 3 GB of RAM and a maximum of 256 GB of internal storage. This is lower than what the other two variants will have to offer, according to reports.
Battery:
The higher variants could have batteries ranging up to 3400 mAh, leaks suggest. It is said that the lower variant of the iPhone 9 might be restricted to just a 2700 mAh one. Battery performance has always been an issue for Apple. However, it was expected to have improved with the new iPhone 9 according to leaks. The reportedly large size of the phone coupled with the less efficient LCD display might stand to be an issue. This would offer a decreased battery life to the users.
Camera:
Via Hans India
While leaks about a single camera for the lower variant of the iPhone 9 are already doing rounds, the report adds strength to this claim. A single camera would mean a lesser experience for users who might miss out on the depth offered by a dual camera setup.
Wi-Fi:
According to leaks, the lower variant of the iPhone 9 will have a 2×2 MIMO setup for Wi-Fi. It’s known to have many drawbacks and leads to deadspots in your connection at various places. However, the other two variants are said to be upgraded to the 4×4 MIMO 802.11ac setup, offering better connectivity.
Kuo also goes on to say that due to manufacturing issues, the launch of the cheaper variant of the iPhone 9 will be delayed. This means that the device might not be available along with the other two, higher variants. For those who were looking to go in for the cheaper alternative on the new iPhone 9 might have to wait a little longer.
Via cnet
What’s More:
The new iPhone 9 is rumoured to be available in three variants, possibly around $699, $ 999 and $ 1199. The alleged downgrade of various features could lead to a disappointing performance and a backlash in sales.
