Wired
Now, there are still 6 days before Apple’s autumn conference!
Just after 12 o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, Apple sent a “California call”, which successfully delayed the editor’s sleep time a little bit later.
Every year, Apple spoils some new product features from the invitation letter, so as soon as the invitation letter came out, the “fruit fans” turned into detectives, trying to extract more details from the clues.
For example, the large pink in the sky in the invitation letter is likely to indicate that the iPhone 13 will add a pink color scheme; the astrophotography function may become the main feature of the new iPhone, and you can directly shoot the starry sky with your mobile phone; maybe Apple will move out another one. “Big Killer” AR glasses.
Apple also played a new trick this year. If you are an iPhone user, you can download an AR installation package by opening Apple’s official event page, and you can “customize” your own AR invitation letter.
In this autumn product feast of Apple, there are not only the “main course” of iPhone 13, but also the “appetizers” such as iPad 9, MacBook, and “snack” such as AirPods 3 and Apple Watch Series 7. What is worth looking forward to is that Apple is very likely to use “hidden menus” such as Apple Glass and Apple Car this time.
After a comprehensive investigation, Zhishi has carefully sorted out the most complete preview of Apple’s autumn “Technology Spring Festival Gala” in history. Welcome to check it.
01. iPhone article: bangs become smaller and support astrophotography mode
Just as the last song of the Spring Festival Gala every year is “Unforgettable Tonight”, the most indispensable product in Apple’s autumn press conference, known as the “Technology Spring Festival Gala,” is the new iPhone series.
After some “real and fake names”, Apple plans to launch iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max this year.
1. Screen: zoom out the bangs, 120Hz high refresh rate
The biggest difference between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 in body design is that the ancestral “bangs” have finally become smaller!
According to Japanese media Mac Otakarac, the height of the bangs of the iPhone 13 Pro will be 5.35 mm, an increase of 0.05 mm compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, and the width will be reduced from 34.83 mm to 26.80 mm.
Not only that, the earpiece is also removed from the “bangs” and “topped” to the top of the phone. Barclays Bank analyst Andrew Gardner revealed that Apple’s “little bangs” are mainly formed by tighter integration of 3D structured light instruments.
In addition, the whistleblower Jon Proser said that Apple is testing the new Face ID hardware. When you wear a mask, the new hardware will be able to realize face recognition, which means that Face ID will be upgraded to “version 2.0”.
In terms of screen size, the smallest iPhone 13 Mini is 5.4 inches, the largest iPhone 13 Pro Max is 6.7 inches, and both iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are 6.1 inches.
The four new iPhone products all use OLED screens. Among them, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are also equipped with 120Hz LTPO screens, which can support screen display.
2. Chip: Switch to integrated 5G baseband, GPU upgrade to 5 cores
The iPhone 13 will use the A15 chip for the entire series, and the A15 chip will use TSMC’s second-generation 5nm process, integrating 2 large cores and 4 small core CPU design architectures, and performance will increase by 20%. In terms of GPU, A15 uses a 5-core architecture, and the overall performance is expected to increase by 35%.
▲ Comparison of A14 chip and A15 chip according to the information transmitted on the Internet (Intelligent Watchmaking)
Industry insiders analyzed that the performance of the A15 chip has improved without changing the chip architecture. The reason may be that the A15 chip will use SVE2 (Scalable Vector Extension Technology Second Generation) technology for the first time. This technology can speed up data processing and protect data security.
The A15 chip will use an integrated 5G baseband. Compared with the external Qualcomm 5G baseband of the A14 chip, the power consumption of the A15 chip will be further reduced, which can provide users with a better 5G network experience.
Not only that, the A15 chip may also increase the ambient light processor (Ambient light sensor, ALS) processing block. This means that functions such as adjusting the brightness and color temperature of the iPhone 13 screen will be optimized in the chip link.
3. Photography: Focus on astrophotography, incarnate as a “camera”
The iPhone 13 has not only increased the thickness of the bangs, but the overall thickness of the body has also increased by 0.26 mm. According to industry sources, Apple added a new sapphire glass to the overall camera module to protect the lens from damage, which also caused the body to become thicker.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s report said that the iPhone 13’s main camera may be upgraded to 48 megapixels. In addition, the design of the lens has also changed from a straight line to a diagonal design, allowing everyone to clearly see the special features of the iPhone 13 (otherwise no one will see that you have changed to a new phone).
The new camera module will provide better shooting functions for the iPhone 13, and the iPhone 13 will provide an astrophotography mode, which can support shooting the stars and shooting the moon. This is almost a “real hammer” in the invitation letter of the autumn conference.
In addition, iPhone 13 can also use portrait mode to shoot videos, which can make the background moderately blurred. Not only that, iPhone 13 also prepares ProRes professional video format for professional photographers. Combined with Apple’s previous 4K video recording function, Apple properly wants to turn its mobile phone into a “camera”.
4. Battery: 25W fast charge, battery life continues to “squeeze toothpaste”
Apple has also upgraded its own battery capacity. The battery capacity of iPhone 13 mini is 2406 mAh, the battery capacity of iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro is 3095 mAh, and the battery capacity of iPhone 13 Pro Max is 4352 mAh.
This time Apple will also support the 25W fast charge mode, which is a slight improvement over the iPhone 12’s 20W.
5. Capacity: iPhone 13 Pro Max can support 1TB
Apple’s memory capacity has also increased at the same time. iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will support 1TB capacity memory, and there are rumors that Apple will cancel the 256G capacity option of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 may no longer have a 64GB memory option, and the minimum memory is 128GB.
6. Color: eight colors, including sunset gold and pink
The iPhone 13 is taking the colorful route this time, and there will be eight colors. Among them, netizens have higher expectations for sunset gold and pink.
7. Price: Although affected by the lack of core, it may remain unchanged
Although the cost of semiconductors and chip foundry are rising this year, according to current news, Apple may still maintain the price of iPhone 12.
The price of iPhone 13 mini is around 4500 yuan, the price of iPhone 13 is around 5100 yuan, the price of iPhone 13 Pro is around 6,400 yuan, and the price of iPhone 13 Pro Max is around 7,100 yuan.
02. iPad article: Entry-level hardware update, mini version removes the Home button
According to Bloomberg, Apple will also launch iPad 9 at the new product launch conference, which is designed for students. And foreign media Macrumors also believes that this time Apple will also bring the latest iPad mini 6.
1. iPad 9: Equipped with A13 chip, the overall design remains unchanged
According to foreign media 9to5Mac report, iPad 9 will be an entry-level iPad, its internal code is J181, built-in A13 chip, compared with the current entry-level iPad 8 using A12 bionic chip, iPad 9 has a significant improvement in performance . But it seems that this seems to be another “clearance” product of Apple.
The technology media DigiTimes also confirmed the news and said that although this cheaper iPad 9 may not have major design changes, they still predict that the overall shipment of Apple’s iPad this year is still expected to reach 60 million units.
DigiTimes also mentioned that the new iPad will also be equipped with an aluminum alloy chassis processed by PVD technology, and “sources also revealed that Apple is also considering a titanium chassis for the iPad, but the cost of doing so is currently too high.”
2. iPad mini 6: Lens pixels are greatly improved
This year’s tablet products may be more than iPad 9, and the iPad mini series that has been “stopped” for one and a half years may launch iPad mini 6. It is reported that the iPad mini 6 may cancel the Home ID, and the corresponding Touch ID may be moved to the power button.
The screen size of the iPad mini 6 may be between 8.5 inches and 9 inches and will support the second-generation Apple Pencil.
At the same time, the rear camera of the iPad mini 6 will be upgraded from 8 million pixels to 12 million pixels, and the front camera will be upgraded from 1.2 million pixels to 7 million pixels.
03. MacBook Chapter: Upgraded M1 chip, launched two new models
In 2020, Apple announced that it will take two years for the entire Mac product line to be equipped with Apple’s self-developed chips. Half of the time has passed. This year, Apple may launch M1 and M2 chips in its Mac core-making plan.
1. MacBook Pro: equipped with an upgraded M1 chip
This year’s new MacBook Pro products will be equipped with an upgraded version of the M1 chip M1X, and there will be 16-inch or 14-inch new product models.
According to reports, Apple will carry two different chips code-named “Jade C-Chop” and “Jade C-Die” for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The two chips are the same on the CPU, and both have eight high-performance cores and two low-power cores. But one of them has 16 graphics cores, and the other has 32 graphics cores.
MacBook Pro will be equipped with a new body design, will have MagSafe charger port, HDMI and SD card.
2. MacBook Air: equipped with M2 chip, coming out next year
MacBook Air may be equipped with an M2 chip, but it may not appear at this fall conference. The CPU of the M2 chip may have 8 cores, and the GPU will have 9 to 10 cores.
The source Dylan believes that MacBook Air is expected to be released in the first half of next year, and it is expected that there will be different colors to choose from. The new version of MacBook Air may be equipped with a lighter body, a MagSafe charging port and several USB ports.
04. Apple Watch: Change to a square design, which can track sleep and measure blood sugar
Apple Watch Series 7 will use the latest S7 chip to support 5G and ultra-wideband, and extend battery life.
Apple Watch Series 7 may have major changes in design, and the new series may use a square design to use additional space to provide users with more information.
Bloomberg said that Apple may add sleep tracking, blood sugar monitoring and glucose monitoring to Apple Watch Series 7, but it is reported that it will not have blood pressure monitoring this year.
Nikkei Asia has revealed that the new generation of Apple Watch has been postponed due to production process problems.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that despite the limited production capacity, Apple Watch Series 7 stocks are not many, and may even be a “limited edition” for a long time, but the watch will still appear at the press conference as scheduled.
05. AirPods: The standard rod is shorter and there is no active noise reduction
AirPods 3 may not be far from AirPods Pro, but it may reduce the length of the headset and extend battery life.
AirPods 3 may not have a big gap with AirPods Pro in design. AirPods 3 will use Apple H1 earphone chip and use more advanced packaging technology to provide longer battery life and better performance.
AirPods Pro may have a pressure relief system with vents to balance the pressure inside the ears to alleviate users’ discomfort when using AirPods for a long time.
06. Easter eggs: One More Thing, the ultimate big guess
According to Apple CEO Cook’s previous speech at the VivaTech Technology Conference in Paris, this year’s fall conference is likely to have a One More Thing session.
Cook believes that the intersection of AR and health and technology is a very promising area. He believes that AR is a technology that can improve life extensively. He also hinted at Apple’s layout plan for future AR hardware, “We first develop AR with mobile phones and iPads, and then let’s take a look at the situation (where are the applications)”.
Therefore, Apple’s AR project and car building project are undoubtedly the most likely to appear as “Easter Eggs” in the One More Thing link.
1. Apple Glass: Coming soon, maybe this time
Related patents indicate that Apple has been involved in the AR and VR fields for more than ten years. According to various sources, Apple is developing two AR/VR projects, including an MR headset and an AR glasses.
However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple’s MR headset will be released in 2022, and Apple’s AR glasses will come out in 2025.
According to The Information report, the headset will have two high-resolution 8K displays and eye-tracking cameras, allowing users to “read small fonts” and “see other people standing in front of and behind virtual objects.”
2. Apple Car: It’s time to show the results
Since the beginning of this year, there has been constant news about Apple making cars. Especially this year, Apple may also send an Apple Car team to South Korea to meet with LG, SK Group, etc. to discuss the possibility of commercialization with Apple Car. This will mean that Apple already has a complete car-making program.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in April this year that Apple will announce the progress of Apple’s car-building plan “Project Titan” sometime in the next 3 to 6 months.
07. Conclusion: Can iPhone 13 help Apple stabilize the 5G mobile phone market?
This year Apple has encountered many challenges, not only Xiaomi has surpassed Apple to become the second competitive pressure in the global market, but also TSMC’s foundry price increase and chip production difficulties. Nevertheless, Apple’s total market value has exceeded 2.5 trillion US dollars.
As Apple’s second-generation 5G product, iPhone 13 is very important for Apple to gain a foothold in today’s 5G mobile phone market and regain its market advantage. Apple is full of confidence in this, and there are rumors in the supply chain that Apple has increased its stock of iPhone 13 to 90 million units. The mobile phones are already ready. How to get users to buy it depends on Cook’s skills. At present, the stage of Apple’s “Technology Spring Festival Gala” is ready for him.
After reading this complete “program list”, are you satisfied with the arrangement of Apple’s “program” this time? Will you stay up late this year to “chase more” Apple’s autumn conference? We will “connect” California at 1:00 am next Wednesday, bringing first-hand reports full of dry goods.