While Apple is preparing to launch its successor to the iPhone SE shortly, work on Apple’s high-end iPhones are still ongoing. Rumors point to a redesign of some models, having design cues that resemble the iPad or the iPhone 5s. Along with this, Apple’s HomePod is also said to get a design refresh and price cut to compete in the home speaker market.
It has been three years since the iPhone got any major design changes. For 2020, at least 2 modes of the high-end iPhones will feature flat stainless steel edges, similar to the industrial design language found on the iPad and the much older iPhone 5s. The screen, instead of sloping edges, will have a flatter display on top and the highest end iPhone will have a screen size that’s slightly larger than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The HomePod is getting a design refresh too apparently. Slated to be released sometime this year. The details that are rumoured so far include a smaller overall footprint, nearly half in size and a much lower price. The price cut will help the HomePod to compete with market competitors and dominators, Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Nest Home smart speakers.
Information on Apple’s new Airtags have been steadily leaking over the past few months. Providing similar functionality to Tile trackers, the AirTags will use Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology and apparently will come with Apple-designed leather sleeve and a keychain to attach it to objects. This product has been in development for over a year and will likely be released early this year.
Apple is continuing to face supply chain and product development issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic in China and other parts of the world. Since work is starting to ramp up slowly, the launch of many products in Apple’s 2020 lineup have already been delayed by weeks or months. Products in this upcoming lineup may include new MacBook refreshes, Apple TVs, new budget iPads and a new iMac.