The rumor mill is churning today with reports of a 23-inch iMac, delays of some iPhone 5G models, and new AirPods. Let’s look at the rumors, and see what the Sellers Research Group (that’s me) thinks about each one.
Apple plans to introduce a 23-inch iMac in the second half of 2020, according to a China Times report. This makes sense. The all-in-one is overdue for an update. Apple could release a 23-inch iMac by reducing the screen bezels while keeping the price the same as the current 21.5-inch model. Hopefully, Apple will add a couple of inches to the 27-inch iMac, as well.
Some of Apple’s upcoming 5G iPhones could see a delay in production, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a note shared with investors. mmWave models, which will feature the fastest 5G functionality, have a “potential delay risk” and may launch outside of the normal timeline, he says. Why? It’s due to “the design of the antenna in package (AiP) changes in early April.”
Kuo has one of the best track records around when it comes to predicting Apple’s moves, so I suspect he’s on target with this report. mmWave (millimeter wave spectrum) is the band of spectrum between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. Wedged between microwave and infrared waves, this spectrum can be used for high-speed wireless communications.
However, I do disagree with Kuo on one of his predictions. He says Apple will release a larger version (an iPhone SE Plus) of the recently introduced, second generation iPhone SE in the second half of 2020. I think a bigger version of the company’s “budget smartphone” would only muddle the line-up.
Another part of the spectrum that’s being used in 5G is sub-6 GHz, which includes the portion of spectrum lower than 6 GHz. These bands are effective at providing coverage and have capacity for a wide range of uses.
Taiwanese publication DigiTimes Apple plans to release new AirPods with the same design as the existing AirPods Pro but without active noise cancellation. I’m dubious about this because, as I’ve said many times, Apple can’t make enough AirPods and AirPods Pro to meet demand, so why introduce a less expensive model?
