Report Details Apple’s 2019 Product Plans
- Paul Thurrott
- Feb 18, 2019
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43
A trusted source says that Apple is readying a 16-inch MacBook Pro, a more modular Mac Pro, a three-camera iPhone, and more for 2019.
Depending on the publication, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is described as “reliable,” “noted,” “well-informed,” “spot-on,” or “a favorite.” And when you combine that with the fact that the Apple community is in desperate need for good news given the recent iPhone sales implosion, it’s understandable that they’ve rallied around the notion that things are going to get better this year. Certainly, 2019 does look like a busy year for Apple.
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Ming-Chi told 9to5Mac that the consumer electronics giant will release the following products this year:
iPhone. In the second half of 2019, Apple will ship three new iPhone models that map to today’s iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, with 5.8- (OLED), 6.1- (OLED), and 6.5-inch (LED) displays. All will include a Lightning port and not the USB-C port that was previously rumored, he says, and each will provide the same humongous notch as the previous versions, indicating that Apple is again doing a second “S” year-type upgrade. The big changes include ultra-wideband (UWB) support, frosted glass casings (similar to the Google Pixel 3, presumably), bilateral wireless charging (so you can charge AirPods 2 with your iPhone wirelessly), improved Face ID, larger batteries, and a three-camera design (possibly only on the Max version).
iPad. The “normal” 9.7-inch iPad will be replaced with a 10.2-inch version, presumably one in the same basic size form factor but with smaller bezels. The new iPad mini will come with an upgraded processor, but will not be entirely modern and will utilize the same basic form factor as its aging predecessor. Apple will also release two new iPad Pro models this year with newer A-series processors.
MacBook Pro. Since releasing an all-new MacBook Pro lineup in 2016, Apple has in unprecedented fashion updated it several times, and that continues in 2019. Apple will finally let 13-inch MacBook Pro customers upgrade to 32 GB of RAM, just like a big boy computer. And it will introduce a third 16- or 16.5-inch model too.
Mac Pro. Apple’s embarrassingly non-upgradeable Mac Pro will finally be replaced with a more modular and more easily upgradeable design that it first promised in late 2017. It will also deliver a 31.6-inch “6K3K” display for the new Mac Pro that features a Mini LED-like backlight design with “outstanding picture quality.”
Apple Watch. Nothing major here, but Apple Watch will ship in a new ceramic casing design in 2019 and its pseudo-ECG capabilities will come to more countries. (Series 3 had a ceramic option but the newer Series 4 does not, yet.)
iPod touch. Apple will finally update the iPod touch with a new model featuring a more modern A-series processor.
Accessories. The long-promised AirPower wireless charging pad and eagerly-anticipated AirPods 2 will ship in the first half of 2019. AirPods 2 will support improved Bluetooth capabilities and wireless charging.
Conversation 43 comments
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dontbe evil
<p>apple fans get ready to save at least 2000$ for the cheapest apple fashion device and but it to help your beloved company!!!</p>
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provision l-3
<p>Not much here that is really a revelation. iPhone, watch, iPad have all been a yearly upgrade cycle for awhile. Airpower and Mac Pro were both pre announced, I guess the news is that this is the year? So AirPods 2, display and iPod touch constitute the big revelations?</p>
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provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#405649">In reply to Hoomgar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Sorry bub, I'm not emotionally invested in the company (or any other really) one way or the other so I'm not looking to fan the irrational hate flames. I was just pointing out that anyone that vaguely paid attention over the last decade could have predicted half of these products were going to come out. </p>
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provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#405684">In reply to Michael_Babiuk:</a></em></blockquote><p>When Paul first reported about the Series 4 he was under this mistaken impression that it only had one electrode and therefore couldn't do an ECG. I'm guessing he has not caught up to the fact that there are two (one in the crown and one on the bottom) and that is why he is sticking with the "pseudo ECG" stance. His conclusion would be correct if he wasn't misinformed. </p>