As we approach Apple’s September iPhone event, Bloomberg has posted its breakdown of Apple’s current product pipeline. This includes a few new iPhone 11 details, information on forthcoming iPad Pro updates, and a look to 2020 for new AirPods and a cheaper HomePod.
iPhone Pro
For the iPhone, Bloomberg affirms the rumors about the Pro naming scheme for the OLED models. As expected, the publication says the main focus of the Pro models is the new triple-camera system which combines wide angle, telephoto, and ultra-wide lenses.
Video Upgrades
Bloomberg also says that the video quality of the iPhone 11 Pro will be “significantly upgraded”. For iOS 13, Apple includes a whole host of video editing features inside the Photos app. Bloomberg says the iPhone 11 Pro will be able to apply these adjustments live, in real-time, as the video is being recorded.
Regarding the matte back rumors, Bloomberg says that “some colors” will use the matte finish. They are also being developed to be more durable and protect against shattering. Water-resistance is also said to be improved, and the report also features corroboration of the bilateral wireless charging feature for AirPods.
New Face ID
There also appears to be a significant update to Face ID on the way. Bloomberg describes the new sensor hardware as ‘multi angle’:
Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the iPhone 11 would offer an upgraded Face ID experience, featuring a more powerful flood illuminator to limit interference from environmental infrared sources.
For the iPhone XR successor, Apple is said to be developing a new green color option. It will be upgraded from a single to a dual-lens camera system.
Of course, the new phones will come with Apple’s next-gen silicon, the A13. Bloomberg claims that the chip will include a new ‘matrix’ coprocessor to optimize certain tasks.
New iPads
Bloomberg says new iPads are also on the way, including spec bump updates to the iPad Pro line. Bloomberg corroborates recent reports that the new iPad Pros will feature the same camera systems as the new iPhone line. Bloomberg also concurs that Apple is about to launch a new 10.2-inch iPad, which will likely replace the 9.7-inch iPad in the lineup.
Bloomberg downplays the Apple Watch refresh, indicating that the company will focus on the new titanium and ceramic case finishes. New AirPods are in development with water resistance and noise cancellation, something that Bloomberg has been reporting for a while now.
Cheaper HomePod
The report also says that a cheaper HomePod will launch “as early as next year”, perhaps featuring two tweeters inside the unit. The current HomePod features seven tweeters. Apple permanently dropped the price of the HomePod from $349 to $299 in April, presumably due to weak demand for the product.
The publication also reiterates the 16-inch MacBook Pro claims, but it does not specify a release timeframe. It’s still unclear if the new MacBook Pro line will debut with the iPhone in September or as part of a later October/November Apple event. Read the full breakdown of what to expect over at Bloomberg.
Last year, Apple sent out invites to press for the iPhone XS and iPhone XR on Thursday, August 30. Assuming Apple follows the same pattern this year, invites should be sent out sometime next week. Due to iOS asset leaks, we expect the event to take place on September 10.
