Apple Reduces iPhone Costs In China By More Than US$300
May 21, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
On its official Tmall website in China, Apple has started a vigorous pricing campaign, giving savings on some iPhone models of up to 2,300 yuan ($318).
The U.S. tech giant is trying to maintain its lead in the high-end smartphone market, where it is facing growing competition from regional competitors like Huawei, which is why it is offering discounts.
It is more significant than the one Apple gave in February and runs from May 20 to May 28.
This time, reductions are up to 2,300 yuan, whereas the maximum discount in the February promotion was 1,150 yuan. The 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max model is the one with the biggest discount, but there are also large price reductions for the other variants.
For example, Reuters’ investigations on Monday revealed that the 128 GB version of the base iPhone 15 model is discounted by 1,400 yuan.
Following the release of the Mate 60 in August of last year, Huawei unveiled the Pura 70, a new line of high-end smartphones, last month, putting further pressure on Apple to compete.
It seems that Apple’s February pricing campaign helped the corporation offset a decline in Chinese sales.
Based on statistics from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), Reuters calculated that Apple’s exports to China rose by 12% in March. Compared to the first two months of 2024, when the firm saw a 37% decline in revenue, this is a tremendous turnaround.
According To A Rumor, Apple Is Developing At Least Two Flip-Style Foldable iPhone Prototypes
February 9, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
Two foldable iPhone prototypes are reportedly being built by Apple right now, citing a recent story attributed to “a person with direct knowledge of the situation”.
These aren’t bigger smartphones like the OnePlus Open or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, but rather flip-style devices like the Oppo Find N3 Flip and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5.
That being said, Apple appears to be experimenting with the form factor rather than announcing that it will produce foldables of its own.
If the initiative is successful, the earliest time we may see one of these phones would be in the fall of 2026. They are not scheduled for mass production by Apple for either this year or 2025. In order to obtain parts for the foldable iPhone, Apple has been in talks with at least one Asian manufacturer.
Of course, the project might still be shelved at any point if it doesn’t meet Apple’s exacting requirements.
In 2018, Apple intended to create a foldable device that, when closed, would be just as thin as the existing iPhone models.
However, the technology for the battery and display is still lacking. It’s interesting to note that the business reportedly intended for the phone’s display to be on the outside when it is folded, similar to a flip-style Huawei Mate X. This makes no sense to us and unsurprisingly led to design challenges because the phone is so fragile.
Apple Foldable iPhone News Rumors Expectations
Apple then put the foldable iPhone on hold in 2020 in order to concentrate on the much-discussed foldable iPad, which isn’t anticipated to arrive on the market until 2026. They now appear to be being worked on simultaneously.
In order to prevent the Apple Pencil from being severely impacted when in use, Apple developers are now working to eliminate the display crease and create a hinge that allows the screen to rest completely flat.
It’s unknown who businesses would be producing the panels for the foldable iPhone, but LG and Samsung Display have both been recruited for the foldable iPad.
Apple Releases Music, TV, And Devices Apps On Windows Platform
February 9, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
The latest iterations of Apple’s TV, Music, and Devices apps now available for Windows users. These applications may now be downloaded on x86 Windows 10 and 11 devices.
Apple had already made Music, TV, and Devices available on Windows in a “preview” version. Additionally, these programs were exclusive to Windows 11 and not Windows 10.
The applications are no longer in their preview phase and may be downloaded on both operating system versions as of the most recent release.
Apple TV
iTunes will eventually be replaced by devices, TV, and music. iTunes is still in operation. Even though iTunes was phased out by Apple on the Mac with macOS Catalina, it has managed to survive on Windows and get regular upgrades.
But in addition to being clumsy and obviously outdated, the software lacks several contemporary functions. The new applications fill that need.
Apple Devices
For example, the Music app offers all the capabilities found on Apple’s own platforms, including high-resolution and lossless music—something iTunes does not provide.
With the TV app, you can watch video via Apple TV+ in up to 4K HDR and view your iTunes purchases. Your iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices are updated, backed up, and synchronized using the Devices app.
It’s unclear how long Apple plans to keep iTunes for Windows updated. At this point, it’s probably not long for this world, though it could persist for Windows versions older than 10.
Apple’s New iPhone 16 Pro Max Will Include A Periscope Camera With A Custom 48MP IMX903 Sensor
January 27, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max rumors point to ground-breaking advancements in camera technology as well as creative design elements.
The flagship smartphone could use a 48MP 1/1.14-inch Sony IMX903 main sensor that has been modified and built using a double-layer transistor architecture, according to information provided by @digitalchatstation.
This camera seeks to provide better image quality than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, its predecessor, with support for 14-bit ADC and DCG. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will also include a periscope telephoto lens to improve photography.
Additionally, as the screen’s edge curvature rises, the new Pro Max feature introduces a tiny yet visible design change that results in a somewhat more comfortable grip. It is expected that the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen, and the bigger Pro Max model would have a 6.9-inch screen.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo adds his own speculative thoughts, speculating that the 1MG+7P molded glass-plastic camera sensors in the iPhone 16 Pro series may be used.
With two 48MP sensors and a 12MP telephoto lens, the most recent flagship model of the iPhone is anticipated to include significant image improvements.
Apple iPhone
Like its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could include a 120mm tetra-prism telephoto lens. Ignoring the current year, the 24MP sensor and 6P lens on the front cameras of all iPhone 17 series phones are overdue for an upgrade.
Along with its new goods, Apple also intends to improve video recording with the introduction of a unique camera button code-named Nova. Five titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) chassis will be used in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max to maintain the high-end design of the iPhone 15 Pro.
In terms of performance, the A18 Pro CPU, compatibility for Wi-Fi 7, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem may be included in the iPhone 16 Pro series, guaranteeing 5G download rates of up to 7.5Gbps. There are rumors about a 3355mAh graphene-based battery that can accept up to 40W of power.
Apple Overtakes Samsung After 12 Years As The World’s Best Smartphone Sales
January 17, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
After competitor Samsung’s 12-year reign as the top smartphone, evidence indicated that Apple’s iPhone has finally overtaken it as the best-selling smartphone globally.
Data from the International Data Corporation, which was made public on Monday, indicates that while Samsung sold 226.6 million handsets in 2023, the iPhone sold 234.6 million, taking the lead from the South Korean company.
According to IDC, Samsung has a 19.4% market share, while the US tech giant held a 20.1 percent share.
According to analysts from the widely followed market tracker, Apple’s growth may be attributed to the popularity of high-end products like the iPhone.
They also mentioned low-end Samsung competitors like Transsion and Xiaomi in addition to Honor and Google, pointing to an increasingly fragmented market for Android-powered devices.
The IDC stated that Samsung’s decline in sales was also impacted by the popularity of Huawei’s well-received products in China.
The sales information was released ahead of Wednesday’s anticipated unveiling of the newest Samsung models at an event in California.
IDC reports that worldwide smartphone shipments fell 3.2% to 1.17 billion units in 2023, but the company also notes that the market was rebounding after a down spell. The IDC stated in a statement that “growth in the second half of the year has cemented the expected recovery for 2024.”
The $3,499 Vision Pro from Apple Has A Release Date At Last
January 10, 2024 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
According to Apple, the much-anticipated Vision Pro headset will be available for purchase in the US on February 2.
Although a debut date for the UK has not been announced, US buyers may pre-order the $3,499 (£2,749) mixed-reality device starting in mid-January.
It is the company’s first significant new product introduction since the 2015 debut of the Apple Watch.
In June 2023, the headgear was unveiled by the corporation following years of speculation throughout development.
However, problems have arisen since then. The Financial Times reports that Apple has cut its manufacturing estimates in half, from an expected one million devices in 2024 to only 400,000 units.
In addition to the release date, Apple said that the gadget would have 256GB of storage and made it clear that, in the case of an individual who is not able to utilize both eyes equally, the eye-tracking technology in the headset will be able to monitor one dominant eye.
Interestingly, though, the company is attempting to distinguish the headset from competing products by instructing developers to refer to their applications as “spatial computing” rather than “headgear.”
It stated in a blog post aimed at developers, “Don’t label your app experience as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), or mixed reality (MR).
Additionally, Apple has posted an online clip that appears to be an effort to replicate the excitement around the 2007 arrival of the iPhone and has characters from movies wearing helmets and goggles.
If it is effective, Apple may be able to generate new multibillion-dollar revenue streams. However, given that so many people worldwide struggle to pay for necessities, the expensive cost will probably confine this to the status of a toy for the wealthy.
The “mixed-reality” experience consists of digital stuff that is projected into your environment.
A single button on the upper right section of the headset has to be physically pressed in order for you to see the familiar app icons for iMessage, Photos, and Apple TV (more will appear as developers create them).
From that point on, everything revolves around gesture control. The headset detects your gaze, so when you look at an app, pinching your thumb and fingers together causes it to open.
A physical dial allows you to adjust the degree of immersion by increasing or decreasing the size of the object you’re viewing. It might take up the whole space or have the appearance of a TV screen pressed up against your wall.
However, regardless of your level of immersion, you may see someone walking in front of you in real life.
Nevertheless, if there was a problem during the demo, a representative from Apple would always warn us that it was still in its early stages and that any footage captured during the session could not be uploaded to the internet.
The president, who has the authority to veto the decision, has sixty days to examine the USITC order after it was made. Christmas Day marked the end of the evaluation session.
Following “careful consultations,” the office of US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai said on Wednesday that it has made the decision not to overturn the USITC’s ruling.
In October, the USITC determined that Apple had violated two US-based patents held by Masimo Corporation and Cercacor Laboratories, Inc.
The California-based business claimed that Apple had stolen their technology to assess blood oxygen levels and was also stealing important employees.
The contentious blood oxygen function has been a part of the majority of Apple Watch models since 2020. The SE model, which costs less, doesn’t. The prohibition will not apply to timepieces that have already been sold.
Apple claims to have also submitted an urgent application to have the prohibition lifted by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
“We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
In order for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine whether the modified watches—which do not have the disputed technology—violate Masimo’s patents, Apple had requested a temporary restraining order. The CBP is expected to decide on January 12th, an Apple representative informed me.
According to Masimo, the White House’s choice is a momentous occasion.
“This is a win for the integrity of the US patent system, and ultimately American consumers, who will benefit from an ecosystem that rewards true innovation,” a spokeswoman for the firm said.
According To A Source, Apple Is Set To Start Shipping Vision Pro In Bulk
December 26, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
Often dependable supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in a note on Monday that Apple will start shipping large quantities of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset “in the first week of January” before introducing it at Apple Stores in late January or early February.
According to Kuo, Apple intends to supply “approximately 500,000” Vision Pro units in an effort to ensure the greatest possible start to the company’s most significant product launch in years.
According to the current mass shipment schedule, Kuo predicted that the Vision Pro would likely hit store shelves in late January or early February. These remarks aligned with a recent report from reputable Apple analyst Mark Gurman, who stated last week that Apple was getting ready to launch the headset “by February.” Since revealing the Vision Pro in June, Apple has not provided a firm launch date, just stating that it would be available in shops “early 2024.” Following that, rumors began to circulate that Apple will probably launch the mixed-reality headset in March 2024.
However, given that these two prominent tipsters are essentially stating the same thing, it is more probable than not that Apple will release the Vision Pro for sale in around one month—a bit sooner than anticipated.
German reported last week that Apple is now “ramping up production” of the Vision Pro at its factories in China, “setting the stage for a launch by February,” citing sources with knowledge of the situation. He continued by saying that for the past three weeks, the Vision Pro has been manufactured “at full speed at facilities in China.”
The tech behemoth is allegedly urging software developers to test their apps and submit them to Apple for evaluation in order to prepare for the upcoming mixed-reality headset as the launch date draws closer.
Additionally, Apple intends to teach employees of Apple Stores on the proper ways to introduce and display the Vision Pro to prospective clients.
Is the Vision Pro going to be successful? It’s hard to tell for sure, but the steep $3,499 price tag is one thing that could turn off a lot of potential buyers. There are also rumors that Apple is working on a less expensive model, although it could take some time before it is released.
Apple Complies With EU Laws With A New iPhone And charger
September 5, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
When Apple’s newest iPhone is announced on September 12th, it will almost surely have a USB-C charging port.
Unlike competitors like Samsung, the company now uses its own Lightning adapter on its phones.
To save customers money and reduce waste, a European Union legislation mandates that phone makers use a standard charging connector by December 2024.
The majority of new Apple devices, including the most recent iPads, now utilize USB-C, although the company had advocated against the EU regulation.
An Apple spokeswoman told BBC News when it was first announced in September 2021: “Strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.”
There are already Lightning to USB-C adapters available from other electronics retailers like Amazon, and since the 2017 release of the iPhone 8, wireless charging is enabled on all iPhone models.
The Lightning cord, which costs £19 at the Apple store, may soon become obsolete as the current iPhone 14 appears to be the company’s final product to exclusively utilize it.
Although the tech giant is less likely to produce a new version of the handset for the European market only, it is unclear whether this will be a global alteration to the device.
The new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro smartphones, which are scheduled to be presented next week at the company’s annual autumn event, are expected to have the upgrades.
In accordance with a report by Bloomberg News, consumers will profit from the transition by having better internet speeds and the ability to charge their iPads, Macs, and iPhones with a single charger.
According to the EU, a variety of “small and medium-sized portable electronics” are covered by the common-charger regulation, including:
mobile phones
tablets
e-readers
mice and keyboards
GPS (global positioning system) devices
headphones, headsets and earphones
digital cameras
handheld videogame consoles
portable speakers
No matter who produces the devices, any of these that are charged by a wired cable will need to have a USB Type-C connector.
Although manufacturers have more time to make the improvements, laptops will also need to adhere by the requirements.
It would reportedly save customers “up to €250m [£213m] a year on unnecessary charger purchases” and save trash by 11,000 tons annually, according to the EU.
Advanced Sensor Technology Features For The Apple iPhone 15 And 15 Pro Were Leaked
August 1, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Tech News
The highly anticipated Apple iPhone 15 has been the subject of leaked rumor’s, which has generated a great deal of excitement.
The next iPhone 15 series, which comprises the basic Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, is anticipated to include an astounding 48-megapixel camera, according to internet disclosures.
Unveiling Advanced Innovation Stacked CMOS Image Sensor, 1/1.5″ The non-Pro iPhone 15 versions, which come with a little smaller but very sophisticated 1/1.5-inch stacked CMOS image sensor (CIS), demonstrate Apple’s dedication to innovation.
The painstakingly built sensor was created to collect more light, guaranteeing outstanding performance even in difficult low-light situations.
Realistic Portraits with Creative 2X Mode The clever 2X mode is one of the most eagerly awaited features on the non-Pro iPhone 15 devices. With the goal of improving the entire photographic experience, this ground-breaking innovation seeks to produce portrait photos that are true to life, with less distortion and a realistic field of depth.
Incredible Growth in Sensor Size The 1/1.5-inch CIS sensor size is a remarkable 27% increase in sensor size from the prestigious iPhone 14 models, despite the fact that the basic iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models may feature a little smaller sensor compared to their Pro equivalents.
The most recent Apple iPhone model is appealing to a wide variety of consumers thanks to this improvement, which guarantees increased image quality.
Revolutionary hybrid lens configuration Recent RGcloudS Twitter leaks have offered a tantalizing peek at Apple’s ground-breaking approach to camera design. The main cameras on the iPhone 15 models are said to include a ground-breaking hybrid lens setup. Notably, the telephoto and LiDAR functions won’t be available on non-Pro versions.
The Best Low-Light Photography The iPhone 15’s extraordinary f/1.7 aperture and combination of one glass element and six plastic components promise to revolutionize low-light photography.
This state-of-the-art optical technology is reported to be 20% more light-absorbing than the iPhone 14 Pro, producing images of unmatched clarity.
Enhancing Imaging Performance with the A16 Bionic Chip The new A16 Bionic chip is anticipated to play a significant role in improving the photography capabilities of the iPhone 15 in addition to the improved optics. The iPhone 15’s photography skills will definitely reach new heights thanks to the marriage of cutting-edge optics and potent computing power.
Tech aficionados are buzzing over the rumours about the impending Apple iPhone 15 that have surfaced. A promising improvement in iPhone photography skills is indicated by the likely inclusion of a 48-megapixel camera, cutting-edge sensor technology, a portrait mode that accurately captures the subject, and a ground-breaking hybrid lens arrangement.
Apple has demonstrated its commitment to pushing the limits of mobile photography and providing an outstanding user experience with the iPhone 15.