O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Processors

  • Rumor: iPhone 17e could be about to enter mass production, see a February launch

    Rumor: iPhone 17e could be about to enter mass production, see a February launch

    Apple’s next specialty/budget phone may be about to enter mass production.

    Per 9to5 Mac and Weibo, leaker “Smart Pikachu” stated that the handset is expected to enter mass production in the next week or two.

    For a model like iPhone 17e, which isn’t among Apple’s best sellers, it’s unclear exactly how long mass production might take. But for flagship models that launch each fall, that process usually spans around 4-6 weeks.

    Should the iPhone 17e follow a similar timeline to the iPhone 16e, it could kick off production in mid-January, which would indicate a late February launch. This would echo a similar timeline as to the iPhone 16e’s launch in 2025, when it shipped on February 28 following an unveiling earlier in the month.

    Smart Pikachu noted that the iPhone 17e will reportedly feature:

    • 6.1-inch display with a Dynamic Island
    • A19 chip
    • no ProMotion support

    Additional rumors for the new model suggest it will gain MagSafe support, the iPhone 17’s new Center Stage front camera, and have thinner bezels than iPhone 16e.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and Weibo

  • Apple doubles 5GHz Wi-Fi 6E bandwidth for some devices via iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2 updates

    Apple doubles 5GHz Wi-Fi 6E bandwidth for some devices via iPadOS 26.2, macOS Tahoe 26.2 updates

    This is pretty nifty.

    Apple apparently snuck a useful upgrade through with its iPadOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 updates, the new operating systems offering improved Wi-Fi speeds for select Macs and iPads that support Wi-Fi 6E.

    The M4 iPad Pro models, M3 iPad Air models, A17 Pro iPad mini, M2 to M5 MacBook Pro models, ‌M2‌, M3, and M4 MacBook Air models, and other Wi-Fi 6E Macs and iPads now support 160MHz maximum channel bandwidth when connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks, the same theoretical maximum throughput supported by 6GHz networks. Previously, these devices were limited to 80MHz.

    Under ideal conditions, the devices should see faster file transfers, quicker uploads, and smoother streaming. Wi-Fi 6E devices can take advantage of 6GHz networks, although 5GHz networks remain far more common. 6GHz networks require new router hardware, along with a machine that can take advantage of a 6GHz network.

    Through the upgrade, the devices can connect to 5GHz networks with a throughput approaching peak 6GHz speeds without having to connect to a 6GHz network. Users with a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E network that supports 160MHz on 5GHz networks will be able to take advantage of the bandwidth improvement. Devices that have the updated 160MHz bandwidth limit will not see improvements when connected to 5GHz routers limited to 80MHz.

    While 5GHz bandwidth has improved on select Macs and iPads, 6GHz networks still offer less congestion and more spectrum to work with.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and support.apple.com

  • Rumor: Budget MacBook to ship in March or April of this year

    Rumor: Budget MacBook to ship in March or April of this year

    The rumor mill is swirling about Apple’s budget MacBook and the cool cats at Taiwanese research firm TrendForce have added their two cents.

    In a press release issued last week, the firm said that the MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with “competitive pricing.” TrendForce also predicted a spring 2026 release window for the notebook.

    While TrendForce didn’t offer any further details about the MacBook, the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more affordable MacBook, which is expected to be equipped with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip. It’s thought that the notebook will be released by March or April of this year and be offered at a starting price between $599 and $899, with $699 or $799 being most likely. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which starts at $999.

    The A18 Pro specs currently include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip’s performance is similar to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip. It’s thought that the MacBook might only feature 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks ship with at least 16GB of RAM. The chip also lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports, with slower data transfer speeds and external display limitations.

    The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and TrendForce

  • Apple adds final Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Air, Apple Watch Series 5, and other devices to its vintage products list

    Apple adds final Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Air, Apple Watch Series 5, and other devices to its vintage products list

    You may love a certain Apple product or model, but there comes a time when Apple classifies it as vintage or obsolete and you have to let it go.

    Apple on Thursday added the final Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Air, the Apple Watch Series 5, and additional products to its vintage products list. The iPhone 11 Pro was also added to the list after the iPhone 11 Pro Max was added back in September.

    The full list of products added to Apple’s vintage and obsolete list today:

    • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
    • iPhone 8 Plus 128GB – other capacities were already vintage
    • iPhone 11 Pro
    • iPad Air 3, Wi-Fi + Cellular – Wi-Fi-only models not yet vintage
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Aluminum, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Aluminum, 44mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Ceramic, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Ceramic, 44mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5 Hermes, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5 Hermes, 44mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5 Nike, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5 Nike, 44mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Stainless Steel, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Stainless Steel, 44mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Titanium, 40mm
    • Apple Watch Series 5, Titanium, 44mm

    Apple classifies a product as vintage after more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers may offer repairs for vintage devices, but only if parts remain available. Apple, like every other company, is only required to manufacture replacement parts for the product for five to seven years after the product is last sold.

    The company considers a product to be obsolete once more than seven years have passed since it was last available for sale, and hardware service is generally unavailable for those devices. Mac notebooks, however, remain eligible for an extended battery-only repair period of up to 10 years from the date of discontinuation. This, in turn, is subject to the availability of replacement parts.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and support.apple.com

  • Some iPad models receive hefty end-of-year discount

    Some iPad models receive hefty end-of-year discount

    It may be the very end of the calendar year, but there are still some good deals to be had.

    Over at Amazon, some iPad model prices have dropped to as low as $299, with discounts of up to $200 off. The deals include a return of the $299 iPad 11-inch, reflecting a $50 discount off retail on the 128GB Wi-Fi model.

    The iPad is available in blue, silver, and pink colors as of this writing, and the 256GB model is $50 off as well.

    The current deals are as follows:

    • iPad A16 2025 (128GB, Wi-Fi): $299 ($50 off)
    • M3 iPad Air 11-inch (128GB, Wi-Fi): $499 ($100 off)
    • M3 iPad Air 13-inch (128GB, Wi-Fi): $699 ($100 off)
    • M5 iPad Pro 11-inch (256GB, Wi-Fi, Standard Glass): $949 ($50 off)
    • M5 iPad Pro 11-inch (2TB, Wi-Fi, Nano-texture Glass): $1,999 ($100 off)
    • M5 iPad Pro 13-inch (256GB, Wi-Fi, Standard Glass): $1,199 ($100 off)
    • M4 iPad Pro 13-inch (2TB, Wi-Fi, Standard Glass): $2,099 ($200 off)

    Apple Pencil models are also up to 26 percent off, as follows:

    • Apple Pencil USB-C: $68.95 ($10 off)
    • Apple Pencil Pro: $94.97 ($35 off)

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and Amazon