O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: analyst

  • Rumor: Apple could offer upgraded front camera for all four iPhone 14 models expected this year

    Rumor: Apple could offer upgraded front camera for all four iPhone 14 models expected this year

    Per noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, all four iPhone 14 models that are expected to launch later this year will likely feature an upgraded front camera with both autofocus and a wider ƒ/1.9 aperture.

    The wider aperture would allow more light to pass through the lens and reach the front camera’s sensor on iPhone 14 models. Kuo stated that these upgrades could offer an improved depth-of-field effect for Portrait modes and videos, while the autofocus could improve image quality and focus during FaceTime and Zoom video calls. By comparison, the front camera on all iPhone 13 models has fixed focus and an ƒ/2.2 aperture.

    Kuo has previously stated that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max handsets could offer an upgraded rear camera system with up to a 48-megapixel Wide lens that your enable 8K recording, up from the current 4K video recording found on Apple’s higher-end iPhone 13 handsets.

    Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max around September as usual.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and @mingchikuo

  • Foxconn claims primary iPhone production plant operating “normally” following recent COVID-19 lockdown

    Foxconn claims primary iPhone production plant operating “normally” following recent COVID-19 lockdown

    Following China’s announcement of a recent COVID-19 lockdown a few days ago that impacted three main factories that produce Apple products, Foxconn has now stated that it’s starting to operate its Zhengzhou factory “normally.” That said, ten of thousands of workers will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing, which could present “a potential risk to a global supply of Apple’s signature device.”

    Bloomberg has stated that the primary iPhone production complex has ordered compulsory testing for areas including the plant and adjacent parts of the city by local authorities:

    The mass-testing exercise represents a risk because Chinese officials have been quick to lock down areas in the event of positive tests. This week, more than 30 Taiwanese companies including iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp. and Apple laptop maker Quanta Computer Inc. have now halted production in the electronics hubs of eastern China to comply with local Covid-related restrictions, spelling more trouble for an already fragile global tech supply chain.

    Although Foxconn is working to catch up with iPhone productions, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has warned that “the potential supply disruption has become a structural risk that Apple and investors can’t ignore in the foreseeable future.”

    China has used a zero-tolerance approach to the COVID-19 pandemic including rapid lockdowns, even if only a small number of people test positive. The company offered the following statement:

    Foxconn is complying with the local government’s Covid-combating measures. Operations in Zhengzhou are normal right now.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and Bloomberg

  • Analyst cites larger iPhone 14 Pro camera housing shown in leaked schematics as possible home for 48MP rear camera

    Analyst cites larger iPhone 14 Pro camera housing shown in leaked schematics as possible home for 48MP rear camera

    A set of leaked schematics of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro shows a rear camera house with five percent larger dimensions. This according to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, could serve to accommodate a new 48 megapixel camera.

    Where the iPhone 13 Pro’s camera protrusion measures 3.6 mm, it appears Apple is increasing the camera’s width from 35.01 mm to 36.73 mm. Similarly, Apple increased the component’s height from 36.24 mm to 38.12 mm.

    If true, Apple is finally catching up with other smartphone brands that’ve released devices with the more powerful cameras.

    Kuo tweeted, “The main reason for the larger and more prominent rear-camera bump” is the new 48MP camera system.

    This would mark a huge update from the current 12 megapixel rear camera found on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max handsets. Kuo stated the diagonal length of the contact image sensor of the new iPhone will increase by 20 percent to 35 percent. Its height will also increase by 5 percent to 10 percent.

    With those alleged improvements on the handset’s camera and the pill and hole-punch TrueDepth camera array design, it looks like the new models will be a good choice for users who have waiting for the iPhone 14.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer, MacRumors, and @mingchikuo

  • Industry report hints at potential 15-inch MacBook Air to be released in 2023

    Industry report hints at potential 15-inch MacBook Air to be released in 2023

    If you’ve been hoping for a 15-inch MacBook Air, it might be along next year alongside an entry-level iPad with a slightly larger display.

    Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSSC) has released its in-depth Quarterly Advanced IT Display Shipment and Technology report, wherein it offered some tidbit as to expect from Apple over the coming years. The report is only available to members of the display industry, but DSCC analyst Ross Young shared some of the Apple tidbits with the media. 

    According to the report, Apple is planning a new variant of the MacBook Air for release in 2023 that will offer a 15-inch screen. The company is also reportedly planning to increase the display of the current 13.3-inch MacBook Air to something that is “slightly larger” but still between 13-inches and 14-inches. 

    The report also indicated that Apple is planning a “slightly larger” screen for the entry-level iPad. The current entry-level iPad features a 10.2-inch display, which has been the form factor for several years now.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and digitalsupplychain.com

  • “realityOS” code references hint at Apple AR/VR programming language currently in development

    “realityOS” code references hint at Apple AR/VR programming language currently in development

    Apple’s rumored augmented reality/virtual reality has a programming language developed for it.

    Per @IAmMatthewDavis, a series of references to “realityOS” have been found in App Store upload logs as well as Apple’s open source code on Wednesday.

    The discovery helps solidify rumors that Apple is working on at least two AR projects that include an augmented reality headset set to be released in late 2022 or 2023, followed by a sleeker pair of augmented reality glasses coming at a later date. 

    According to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the headset is thought to feature two M1-style Apple Silicon chips that could provide Mac-level computer power, and allow users to seamlessly switch between AR and VR modes.

    Apple is rumor to be creating an App Store‌ for the headset, with a focus on gaming, streaming video content, and video conferencing.

    Unfortunately, it’s thought that the headset could be delayed until 2023 given a number of issues that have beset the development process. Rumors initially suggested that Apple’s AR/VR headset would come out at some point in 2022, perhaps at WWDC in June, but there are still development issues that Apple needs to overcome.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and @IAmMatthewDavis