Yahoo News Apple to unveil four new iPhones, a new Watch and new iPad Air this autumn
Apple will embrace the new, faster 5G network this autumn, with four new 5G iPhones, plus a new iPad Air and new models of Apple Watch, according to Bloomberg News.
The company has asked its suppliers to make 75 million 5G iPhones later this year, Bloomberg said, citing unnamed sources.
Apple will launch four new iPhone models next month with 5G wireless speeds, and the devices will also have a new design, the report said.
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The cheaper devices in the line-up are expected to ship first, the report said.
Apple is also preparing a new iPad Air with an edge-to-edge iPad Pro-like screen, along with two new Apple Watch versions (one rumoured to be an “affordable” model).
The company could also unveil its first over-ear headphones outside the Beats brand.
The company has also been developing a new Apple TV box with a faster processor for improved gaming and an upgraded remote control, but this is not expected to ship until next year.
Earlier this year, Apple’s chief financial officer Luca Maestri suggested during an earnings call last week that some of this year’s handsets might be delayed.
Maestri said: “As you know, the last year we started selling new iPhones in late September. This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later.”
A report from Digitimes, based on data from Taiwanese circuit-board suppliers, suggests that different units may release at different times.
Data from suppliers said that shipments of components for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Max have already started.
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Shipments of components for the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will begin later, Digitimes reported.
This hints that there could be two launch dates, an earlier one for the two 6.1-inch devices, and a later one for the smaller and larger iPhones, TechRadar suggested.
In an earnings call, Apple’s Maestri said that new trends such as working from home had been kind to Apple.
“It’s clear to us our products are very relevant to our customers lives and the pandemic has them more relevant than ever before. Working from home, online learning — both trends are helpful.”
“What went better than expected for us was iPhones and wearables. In both cases April was a tough month for us, very much impacted by COVID-19.”
