Apple Inc is preparing a redesign of its top-tier iPhones, borrowing cues from the latest iPads, as part of a major fall refresh that would see 5G added to as many as four new handset models and the release of two key new accessories, people familiar with the plans said.
This year’s successors to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are to be joined by two lower-end models to replace the iPhone 11.
At least the two high-end devices would have flat stainless steel edges instead of the current curved design, as well as more sharply rounded corners like the iPad Pro introduced in 2018, said the people, who asked asking not to be identified because the plans are not public.
Reminiscent of the iPhone 5 design, the new handsets would have flat screens rather than the sloping edges on current models, the people said.
Because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, at least some of the new iPhones could be released multiple weeks later than normal, although still within the typical fall window, people familiar with the launch plans said.
Apple has not informed suppliers of any significant delays, other people said, and its engineers are expected to travel to China and finalize product designs next month.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
The upcoming iPhone Pro models would include three cameras on the back, while the lower-end phones would continue to have two cameras, as with the current lineup, the people said.
Apple would add the 3D LiDAR system that debuted with the iPad Pro last month to its top-tier devices, setting the stage for advances in augmented reality applications, they said.
The highest-end new iPhone would have a screen slightly larger than the 6.5-inch panel on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple is investigating removing the cutout at the top of the display for the selfie camera and Face ID sensors in future designs, and it is likely to reduce the size of that notch for this year’s models, they said.
All the phones are planned to include a significant upgrade to the processor with an emphasis on speeding up artificial intelligence and augmented reality tasks, the people said.
Since 2012, Apple has released major new iPhones each September, except for the release of the iPhone X in 2017, which came in November due to supply constraints.
TECH PARTNERSHIP: The deal with Arizona-based Amkor would provide TSMC with advanced packing and test capacities, a requirement to serve US customers Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is collaborating with Amkor Technology Inc to provide local advanced packaging and test capacities in Arizona to address customer requirements for geographical flexibility in chip manufacturing. As part of the agreement, TSMC, the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, would contract turnkey advanced packaging and test services from Amkor at their planned facility in Peoria, Arizona, a joint statement released yesterday said. TSMC would leverage these services to support its customers, particularly those using TSMC’s advanced wafer fabrication facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, it said. The companies would jointly define the specific packaging technologies, such as TSMC’s Integrated
China’s economic planning agency yesterday outlined details of measures aimed at boosting the economy, but refrained from major spending initiatives. The piecemeal nature of the plans announced yesterday appeared to disappoint investors who were hoping for bolder moves, and the Shanghai Composite Index gave up a 10 percent initial gain as markets reopened after a weeklong holiday to end 4.59 percent higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dived 9.41 percent. Chinese National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie (鄭珊潔) said the government would frontload 100 billion yuan (US$14.2 billion) in spending from the government’s budget for next year in addition
Sales RecORD: Hon Hai’s consolidated sales rose by about 20 percent last quarter, while Largan, another Apple supplier, saw quarterly sales increase by 17 percent IPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) on Saturday reported its highest-ever quarterly sales for the third quarter on the back of solid global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) servers. Hon Hai, also known as Foxconn Technology Group (富士康科技集團) globally, said it posted NT$1.85 trillion (US$57.93 billion) in consolidated sales in the July-to-September quarter, up 19.46 percent from the previous quarter and up 20.15 percent from a year earlier. The figure beat the previous third-quarter high of NT$1.74 trillion recorded in 2022, company data showed. Due to rising demand for AI, Hon Hai said its cloud and networking division enjoyed strong sales
Protectionism: US trade chief Katherine Tai said the hikes would help to counter unfair trade practices from China, while boosting domestic clean energy investments US Trade Representative Katherine Tai (戴琪) defended stiff tariff hikes against countries such as China, saying that paired with investment, they were a “legitimate and constructive” tool for reinvigorating domestic industries. Tai’s comments come a week after sharp tariff increases on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), EV batteries and solar cells took effect — with levies down the line on other products also recently finalized. The latest moves targeting US$18 billion in Chinese goods come weeks before next month’s US presidential election, with Democrats and Republicans pushing a hard line on China as competition between Washington and Beijing intensifies. In an interview on Thursday
RSS