There’s lots of rumors/speculation making the rounds today about future iPhones, iPads, and the release of the AirPods. Here’s a summary:
In a note to clients — as noted by AppleInsider and MacRumors — Barclays Research says next year’s “iPhone 8” (or perhaps it will be the “iPhone 10” since it’s the 10th anniversary of the smartphone’s debut) “didn’t sound 100% locked down” but will shift to “a bezel-less design with screen sizes getting larger and curved edges in the original envelope.”
Based on information gleaned from the trip by the analysts, and discussions with component suppliers, the 5.8-inch iPhone is said to feature OLED technology, with the 5-inch model having a LCD display. Barclays doesn’t think the discrete home button will be removed on the next version of the iPhone, though some have speculated that it will.
The research group also predicts three new iPad Pro models in March, including refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions and an all-new bezel-free 10.9-inch model. Barclays says the 10.9-inch model will sport a borderless design that allow for it to be the same physical size as the current-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro. That means the display itself will need to have an edge-to-edge design, possibly signaling the removal of the Home button.
All three new iPad Pro models will reportedly gain quad microphones and retain 3.5mm headphone jacks. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro will also likely gain the 9.7-inch model’s same 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera, True Tone flash, and True Tone display.
Finally, Barclays says AirPods should enter production in December and possibly ship before Christmas. However, that’s cutting it close, so a January 2017 launch may be more likely.
