As we approach the expected announcement event for Apple"s new iPhones, as well as some other devices, there"s not a lot that hasn"t been talked about or rumored at this point. Nonetheless, a new report from Bloomberg seems to reveal some new information about the upcoming devices, confirming some previous rumors and shedding some more light on others.
For starters, it seems that Apple is going for a new naming scheme for its iPhone models and, falling in line with previous rumors, it seems like the successors to the iPhone Xs and Xs Max will both adopt a Pro branding. The iPhone Xr will also get a successor, naturally.
The report states that the focus for the new Pro devices is the camera, with a third lens being added for wide-angle shots, and all three cameras will be taking photos at the same time, using AI to combine them into the best result. The resolution should also be increased in the new models, "rivaling some traditional cameras", according to the report, and low-light shots are also said to be improved. The phones will do better at video recording too, with new capabilities to apply filters and crop the video while it"s being recorded. The iPhone Xr"s successor, for its part, will get a secondary telephoto camera.
As you"d expect, the new iPhone models will all come with a new A13 chipset, but there will also be an additional processor, known as "matrix", which is meant to handle math-heavy tasks, such as those required for augmented reality. Apple is also reportedly adding reverse wireless charging to its Pro iPhone models, something we"ve seen in other high-end phones this year. A new version of Face ID is also said to be packed into the devices, offering a wider field of view to make it easier to unlock the phone.
In terms of design, the new models will look pretty similar to the existing ones, but will feature enhanced water resistance and stronger glass covers to prevent damage from falls. Some of the models may also come in a matte finish. The phones won"t have the 3D Touch feature we"ve seen for a few years, and replace with long-press interactions, as seen on the iPhone Xr.
Moving on from iPhones, there will also be new iPad Pro models at the event, and they"ll mostly look like last year"s model, but include better cameras and, naturally, a faster chipset. A new regular iPad is also planned, bumping up the screen size to 10.2 inches rather than the typical 9.7. The report also reaffirms that a 16-inch MacBook Pro is coming, though the smaller display bezels will keep the chassis close to that of the previous 15-inch model.
As for accessories, Apple is reportedly working on new AirPods with water resistance and noise cancellation to be released next year, though they"ll cost more than the current model. The new Apple Watch won"t feature major new capabilities, but new finishes, including titanium and ceramic, could be planned. Finally, the Cupertino company is planning a cheaper version of the HomePod speaker, given the poor market performance of the original. Instead of seven speakers, the new model is said to have two.