Search the Community

HMD is breaking into new territory by launching its first smartphone line under an original name. It’ll no longer be known as just a manufacturer of Nokia phones. In total, there are three mid-range devices in the series: the HMD Pulse, Pulse Plus, and Pulse Pro. The third model is meant to be the leader of the pack, although if you look at their respective specifications, you’ll notice they are all very similar to one another with a few differences. The HMD Pulse Pro houses a Unisoc T606 processor running on a 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting up to 59 hours on a single charge. Buyers can equip the phone with up to 8GB of RAM. Storage capacity peaks at 128Gb although you can expand it up to 256GB with an SD card. On the front, you have a 6.65-inch HD Plus touchscreen with an image resolution of 1,612 x 720 pixels. Up top is a 50 MP selfie camera supported by multiple features. Gesture Navigation, for example, lets you use hand gestures like a finger heart or a thumbs up to instruct the selfie lens to take a photo. And pictures taken at night are, the company claims, "clear as day” thanks to AI Super Portrait boosting the luminosity. (Image credit: HMD) Around the back is a two-camera setup consisting of another 50MP lens and a 2MP depth option. They too have their own set of supporting features. Skin tone optimization ensures people of different skin complexions look good in photographs no matter what. You also have Flash Shot for taking multiple pictures in quick succession. Performance gap When it comes to the other two models, they have nearly identical configurations. The same chipset, the same battery, the same display, and so on. Differences among the trio are centered around their camera system. HMD states the Pulse Plus has a 50MP rear camera (even though you see two lenses) and an 8MP selfie. The standard Pulse phone bumps the rear lens down to just 13MP. Some of the Pulse Pro’s image-enhancing software is found on the pair, like the skin tone optimization, but the hand gestures aren’t. (Image credit: HMD) It’s also important to mention that all three are repairable. HMD is partnering up with iFixit in providing spare parts. Users will be able to replace cracked screens, bent charging ports, or a completely dead battery. No word on when the repair kits and parts will launch. They’re not available on iFixit’s website at the time of this writing. Availability The standard Pulse phone is available for purchase in the UK for £99.99 on HMD’s website in Meteor Black. The Dreamy Pink variant is out of stock at the moment. Both the Pulse Plus and Pulse Pro will roll out in the United Kingdom soon, however an exact date was not given. (Image credit: HMD) There are plans to launch an independent phone in the United States known as the HMD Vibe. It'll be similar to the others in that it'll have a two-day battery life, 4GB of memory, and a dual camera setup. However, the Vibe will house a Snapdragon chipset rather than the Unisoc processor. There are also plans to release the trio in the EU. But if you try to buy any of them on the international page, you’ll just run into an error message. We reached out to the brand for more information. Check out TechRadar's roundup of the best cheap phones for 2024 if you want recommendations. You might also like HMD just partnered with Heineken on the world’s most boring phone (literally)Google Pixel 8a: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far3 Android 15 features that could make your mobile life much easier View the full article

The Google Pixel 9 is expected to show up around October time, and newly leaked photos have arrived to show off the flagship handset from all angles – and at the same time we've also got a predicted price for the Google Pixel 8a. First up the pictures, from Russian site Rozetked (via Android Police) – and you can see how the rear camera bar has become a rear camera island. The corners are more rounded, and the sides are flatter, compared to what we saw with the Google Pixel 8. As always with leaks, we need to be cautious when assessing the authenticity of these images, but the device on show here does match up with unofficial renders that have previously made their way on to the web. While the tweaked look may not be to everyone's tastes, this is still recognizable as a Pixel phone, thanks to that wide camera island. We can also see the USB-C port, the usual power and volume buttons, and a SIM tray slot at the bottom of the device. A pricier mid-range handset The Google Pixel 7a launched in May 2023 (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Next up there's the price leak for the Pixel 8a, which comes via PassionateGeekz (and Notebookcheck). This isn't a source we've heard a lot from in the past, so again take this as an unconfirmed rumor for the time being. Apparently, retail listings in Canada put the price of the 128GB version of the Pixel 8a at CA$708.99, while the 256GB edition comes in at CA$792.99 – backing up previous rumors that the mid-range handset is going to go up in price this year. Now Google won't use standard currency conversions for its global pricing of course, but for reference that works out as $515 / £415 / AU$805 for the cheaper variant and $575 / £465 / AU$900 for the more expensive one. The Google Pixel 7a originally went on sale for $499 / £449 / AU$749, and CA$599 in Canada, so a pretty substantial price hike could be in the offing. We'll most likely see the Pixel 8a unveiled at the Google I/O 2024 event on May 14. You might also like The Google Pixel 9 could get enhanced on-device AIThese Google Pixel 8a renders tease new colors but an older designGoogle's next foldable could be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold View the full article

Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch that activates Ring and Silent on Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models, while the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models retain the traditional Ring/Silent switch. By default, the Action button still activates these two functions via a long press, but users can also make it activate a range of other functions, including quickly opening the camera app or enabling the flashlight, activating Voice Memos, Focus modes, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier. Of around 7,000 MacRumors readers who responded to our poll on social media, just over half (50.6%) said they often forgot the Action button is even there, while over a quarter of respondents (26.8%) said they use the Action button "occasionally." Based on readers who commented, most occasional users assigned the camera or flashlight to the Action button – functions that are also easily accessible via the Lock screen. A subsection of users in the same category said they have the Action button set to activate/deactivate Mute, to mimic the physical Mute switch it replaced. iPhone 15 Pro: How to Customize the Action Button Some respondents (12.6%) agreed with the description that the Action button is a "game changer." Most users in this category used it to activate custom Shortcuts, which allowed for novel uses like skipping forward in podcasts, adding to-dos, prompting ChatGPT, activating smart lights, or opening a folder. Some in this category simply appreciated the fact that it saved them time accessing more standard functions that would otherwise involve navigating through onscreen menus. The rest of our poll respondents (10%) agreed that the Action button was something of a "volume decoy," implying that they often pressed it by accident when they intended to adjust audio levels via the volume buttons, usually when their iPhone was in a pocket or purse. With the Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro set to expand to all models later this year, we want to hear from current users: Does it make your iPhone life easier? — MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) April 15, 2024 Our social media poll represents a small, self-selecting cohort of iPhone 15 Pro users. It is also an example of convenience sampling, and by no means statistically sound. Even so, it seems the case could be made that many people have had trouble finding a dedicated use case for the Action button. Assigning the button to the camera appears to be the most popular way to increase the likelihood that it gets used. Launching the camera app like this avoids having to press or swipe the Lock Screen or select the Camera app from the Home screen. However, Apple is rumored to be adding a "Capture button" to the iPhone 16 for video recording, so the Action button might get less useful for those who use it for this purpose. Meanwhile, anecdotal evidence suggests there is a fair amount of frustration among "power users" that Apple has not added more flexibility to the way the Action button works. Currently the button only responds to a long press, but more sophisticated iPhone users want a built-in ability to set different customizations for short presses, double-presses, and triple presses. How to Assign Two Functions to the Action Button So what do you think of the Action button? Is it a hit or miss for Apple? Let us know your thoughts and any favorite use cases in the comments.Related Roundups: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 ProTag: Action ButtonBuyer's Guide: iPhone 15 Pro (Neutral) This article, "All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple will allegedly offer both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with a minimum 256GB of storage, doing away with the 128GB starting option on its smaller Pro model for the first time. Currently, Apple's 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 and comes with the minimum 128GB of storage, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with a minimum 256GB of storage. However, according to The Mac Observer, Apple will bump up the base storage of the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro to 256GB to match the minimum capacity of the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the starting price of Apple's smaller Pro model will remain at $999. The source of the alleged "leak" has no recent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so we are filing this one under sketchy. Having said that, the claim is not outside the realm of possibility. If Apple drops 128GB as the base on the iPhone 16 Pro, that will leave three Pro storage options across the board: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Is 128GB Enough iPhone Storage? In 2018, Apple's iPhone X came with 64GB, an entry-level storage tier that persisted in successive premium device generations until the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020, when Apple adopted 128GB as the new baseline. The next year saw all iPhone 13 models offered with a minimum 128GB. If Apple makes 256GB the new minimum across its premium devices this year, we could well see it reach all models in 2025. At the other end of the scale, a rumor in January out of Korea claimed that both iPhone 16 Pro models will be available with double the maximum storage capacity as the iPhone 15 Pro devices, increasing from 1TB to 2TB. The maximum storage increase is said to be a result of Apple's switch to higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash for higher storage models. Apple's use of QLC NAND could allow Apple to fit more storage into a smaller space and it is less expensive than Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND, which current iPhones use. Every iPhone 16 Rumor We've Covered So Far This year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be getting bigger display sizes, increasing to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The new display sizes will be the largest ever for the iPhone, and should also increase the physical space for internal components and parts. Article corrected to reflect iPhone 12 Pro jump to 128GB base storage. Apologies for the original error.Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro This article, "Both iPhone 16 Pro Models to Feature 256GB Base Storage, Claims Sketchy Rumor" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

After over a year of rumors, there are now 30 changes and improvements expected to be offered by the iPhone 16 Pro models later this year. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. All of the changes the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature compared to their direct forerunners are listed below, using information from reliable sources that we have previously covered. We will update this article as more rumors emerge in the coming months. Displays Both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to feature larger displays than their predecessors, pushing the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max to be the biggest iPhone ever offered. There are also reportedly improvements to the underlying OLED technology in store. iPhone 15 Pro ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ 6.1- or 6.7-inch display 6.3- or 6.9-inch display Thinner borders around the display More efficient OLED display with brighter micro-lens technology Chip, Thermals, and Connectivity Under the hood, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are rumored to bring notable improvements in processing power, thermal management, and connectivity. From a more powerful "A18 Pro" chip to advanced thermal designs and enhanced connectivity options including the latest Wi-Fi standards, these changes promise to further update the ‌iPhone‌'s basic specifications. ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ A17 Pro chip (TSMC's "N3B" 3nm process) A18 Pro chip (TSMC's "N3E" enhanced ‌3nm‌ process) 16-core Neural Engine Enhanced neural Engine with "significantly" more cores to support new AI features Thermal design with copper heatsink and black foil battery casing New thermal design with graphene heatsink and metal battery casing Snapdragon X70 5G modem Snapdragon X75 5G modem Wi-Fi 6E connectivity Wi-Fi 7 connectivity Cameras The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are slated to receive a range of substantial camera enhancements, such as a larger main camera sensor, a 48-megapixel sensor on the ultra wide camera, and a dedicated hardware button for photography and videography on the side of the device. ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ "Capture Button" to trigger photography and videography features 1/1.28-inch main camera sensor iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max: 1/1.14-inch main camera sensor (12% larger) Sony IMX-803 main camera sensor iPhone 16 Pro Max: Sony IMX-903 main camera sensor with stacked design for better performance, a 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for high-quality image data conversion, and Digital Gain Control (DCG) for better dynamic range and noise control 7P main camera lens 8P main camera lens iPhone 15 Pro: Telephoto camera with second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization iPhone 15 Pro Max: Telephoto camera with larger sensor, folded tetraprism design, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module Telephoto camera with larger sensor, folded tetraprism design, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module iPhone 15 Pro: 77mm maximum focal length iPhone 15 Pro Max: 120mm maximum focal length iPhone 16 Pro: 120mm maximum focal length iPhone 16 Pro Max: "Super" telephoto camera with focal length above 300mm iPhone 15 Pro: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x optical zoom iPhone 15 Pro Max: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 5x optical zoom (5x on Pro Max only) 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom 4P telephoto camera lens 5P telephoto camera lens 12-megapixel ultra wide camera 48-megapixel ultra wide camera 5P ultra wide camera lens 6P ultra wide camera lens Batteries and Charging The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models could receive some major improvements in battery technology and charging, sporting bigger, denser batteries and faster charging capabilities. ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Single-layer battery technology Stacked battery technology for increased energy density and prolonged lifespan iPhone 15 Pro: 3,274 mAh battery iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,422 mAh battery iPhone 16 Pro: 3,355 mAh mAh battery (+2.5%) iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,676 mAh battery (+5%) Up to 27W wired charging Up to 40W wired charging 15W charging via MagSafe 20W charging via ‌MagSafe‌ Other Features and Changes While many of Apple's devices are rumored to receive a series of new AI-based features via software updates later this year, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are expected to take these further with exclusive capabilities and an upgraded microphone. ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Support for new AI features in iOS 18 Support for new AI features in ‌iOS 18‌, plus a suite of device-exclusive AI features Microphone Upgraded microphone with improved signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance, designed to support new AI features Up to 1TB of storage Up to 2TB of storage Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium color options Black Titanium/Space Black, White Titanium, Desert Titanium, Titanium Gray, and potentially Rose Gold color options Brushed titanium frame Glossy titanium frame Dimensions To accommodate the devices' larger displays, both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models are rumored to grow in height and width, but no changes to the depth are anticipated. ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ iPhone 15 Pro: 146.6mm height iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9mm height iPhone 16 Pro: 149.6mm height iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163.0mm height iPhone 15 Pro: 70.60mm width iPhone 15 Pro Max: 76.70mm width iPhone 16 Pro: 71.45mm width iPhone 16 Pro Max: 77.58mm width iPhone 15 Pro: 187g weight iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221g weight iPhone 16 Pro: 194g weight iPhone 16 Pro Max: 225g weight Release Date The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are expected to launch in the fall. Apple usually hosts an event every September to unveil new ‌iPhone‌ models, with launch following just over a week later. For more information about the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models, see our comprehensive roundup. Will It Be Worth Upgrading? The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ was a fairly significant upgrade over the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023, introducing a new design with a titanium frame, slimmer bezels, the Action button, a USB-C port, and more. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌'s upgrades will likely not be as substantial as those offered by its predecessor. As a result, most ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ users will have little reason to upgrade, but some who would appreciate a larger display, better cameras, and a dedicated button for photography and videography features may find it worthwhile.Related Roundups: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 ProBuyer's Guide: iPhone 15 Pro (Neutral) This article, "iPhone 15 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: 30 Rumored Upgrades Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Despite being Samsung’s most expensive phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 isn’t available in very many colors, so once you’ve decided you want to spend big on a flagship foldable, you’re quite limited in your shade selection. So far, it looks like the same might be true of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. While none of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 colors have been confirmed just yet, we have seen some leaks about the possible options, including one source who specifically claims there will be just three Galaxy Z Fold 6 shades. This would largely be in line with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, except on top of that there are two Samsung.com exclusive colors, bringing the total to five. So we’re hopeful that will happen again this year. For now though, we’ve heard of four possible colors, all of which you’ll find below. Dark Blue The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in blue (Image credit: Samsung) Our main source of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 color information so far is Ross Young (a leaker with a decent track record), who listed three shades the phone will apparently be sold in, one of which is Dark Blue. We don’t have any images of this, but it might look similar to the blue Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, pictured above, though given the name it might be a bit darker. This is likely to be a smart shade, but one that will stand out a little more than other smart shades like black might. No word yet on whether a color-matched frame will feature, either. Light Pink The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 in Pink (Image credit: Samsung) Ross Young also mentioned a Light Pink shade, which once again we don’t have a picture of, and hasn't – to date – featured as a color choice across existing Galaxy Z Fold devices, meaning this could be a truly new option. That said, we have seen Samsung use pink on other phones, including the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which you can see in a pink shade above. So it’s possible the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s rumored Light Pink shade will be similar. Silver The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Phantom Silver (Image credit: Samsung) The final color rumored by Ross Young is Silver, which is a classy, conventional, and enduringly popular shade, yet it’s one that Samsung hasn’t offered with the Z Fold line since the Phantom Silver Galaxy Z Fold 3, pictured above. It’s possible then that if the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is offered in Silver it will look similar, but either way we’d expect this will be one of the most popular colors. Phantom Black A leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: @OnLeaks / SmartPrix) The final rumored shade comes from a different source, as leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 from SmartPrix and @OnLeaks (a leaker with a great track record) show the phone in a Phantom Black shade, as you can see above. It’s not clear whether this color is just for illustration or might actually be offered, but since the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available in five colors, we’d expect more than three for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, so it’s certainly possible. Black is also an obvious choice, as it’s such a popular smartphone shade, and it’s one that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is also available in. However, if this shade is offered on Fold 6, then it might be exclusive to Samsung.com, since it’s not among the three shades leaked elsewhere. Other possible colors Given that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available in five colors, there’s a good chance the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be too, yet only four have leaked so far. So what could the other one be? Well, it’s possible this phone will inherit some of the Z Fold 5’s colors, which for reference include Icy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, and Blue. Now, Phantom Black is already rumored, as is a Dark Blue, so we wouldn’t expect a standard Blue to be offered in addition. Arguably Gray might also be a bit too close to the rumored Silver shade. So that leaves Icy Blue and Cream as options, and we’d say Cream is more likely, since although Samsung offered two blues last year, we’re not sure that’s a habit it would get into, and Cream is almost white, which itself is a popular smartphone color. Of course, there’s every chance we’ll see a different fifth color altogether, or that there won’t be five colors this year. We’ll likely find out for sure in late July, as that’s when the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is rumored to launch. You might also like Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so farBest Samsung phones: top Galaxy handsets rankedBest foldable phones: the top folding smartphones right now View the full article

Apple's iPhone shipments decreased by nearly 10% globally in the first quarter of 2024, hit by rapid growth in shipments by rival Chinese vendors, based on data provided by the International Data Corporation (IDC). According to the IDC report, Apple's shipments fell 9.6% to 50.1 million units in the first quarter, down from 55.4 million units in the same quarter the previous year. Apple experienced the most significant annual decline among the top five smartphone brands covered in the report. Samsung reclaimed its position as the market leader, which it had lost to Apple the previous year, by capturing a 20.8% market share with shipments of about 60.1 million units, roughly the same as last year. In 2023, its market share was 22.5% during the same period. In contrast, after having last year overtaken Samsung to become the top smartphone manufacturer for the first time, Apple experienced a decline in market share from 20.7% to 17.3%. "While IDC expects these two companies to maintain their hold on the high end of the market, the resurgence of Huawei in China, as well as notable gains from Xiaomi, Transsion, OPPO/OnePlus, and vivo will likely have both OEMs looking for areas to expand and diversify," said Ryan Reith, group vice president at IDC Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.Apple has struggled to sustain interest in its flagship smartphone lineup in China since the company released its iPhone 15 series in September, which came just weeks after Huawei debuted its highly popular Mate 60 series. Interest in iPhones has also been impacted by a Beijing-backed ban from the offices of a huge number of state-owned enterprises in power generation, seaport construction, mining, manufacturing, education, and investment markets. Apple's drop in shipments came during a time when global first-quarter smartphone shipments actually rose 7.8% year-on-year to 289.4 million units. It was the third consecutive quarter of shipment growth across the worldwide market, according to IDC.Tags: IDC, China This article, "Samsung Regains Top Spot as Apple's iPhone Shipments Fall in Q1 2024" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple is testing a new anti-reflective optical coating technology for future iPhone cameras that could improve the quality of photos by reducing artifacts like lens flare and ghosting, claims a rumor out of Korea. According to the news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, citing a company source within Apple's supply chain, Apple is looking at introducing new atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment into the iPhone camera lens manufacturing process. ALD involves depositing materials one atomic layer at a time onto a substrate, allowing for extremely precise control over thickness and composition. Its use allows manufacturers to apply very thin layers of materials onto semiconductor devices, including camera components. In terms of camera lenses, ALD can be used to apply anti-reflective coatings, which can help to reduce photographic artifacts like streaks of light and halos that can occur in the final image when a bright light source such as the sun shines directly into the lens. iPhone 16 Pro Expected Later This Year With These 12 New Features ALD can also reduce ghosting, a type of image distortion where faint, secondary images appear in the photo, typically opposite a bright light source. This happens when light reflects back and forth between the surfaces of the lens elements and the camera sensor. In addition, ALD-applied materials can protect against environmental damage to the camera lens system without affecting the sensor's ability to capture light effectively. The Naver blog claims that the manufacturing process will be applied to a "Pro model" in Apple's "next-generation" iPhone lineup, which sounds like a reference to one or both premium models in the iPhone 16 series, although given the timing of the rumor, the possibility that this method is being tested for next year's iPhone 17 Pro models should not be discounted. Seven Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17 Both upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to include a tetraprism lens with up to 5x optical zoom – a feature that is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Apple's smartphone lineup. Apple usually launches its new-generation iPhones around mid-September.Related Roundup: iPhone 16 ProTag: Naver This article, "iPhone 16 Pro Camera May Be Less Prone to Lens Flare and Ghosting" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro could be in line for two major upgrades that would help them better compete with the best phones, including the best iPhones. Both of these improvements would be enabled by a new modem, which might not sound that exciting, but bear with us. According to a ‘Google insider’ speaking to Android Authority, the Pixel 9 line will have a new Samsung Modem 5400, and this will apparently add support for satellite connectivity. This would supposedly allow you to text (but not call) when there’s otherwise no signal, and there's also said to be a ‘Satellite Gateway’ app that will allow for quick and easy communication with emergency services. Rather than having to type long messages, you’ll be able to answer a set of basic questions, some of which have multiple-choice answers, so the system can quickly narrow down what your emergency is. Possible questions apparently include things like ‘What happened?’ and ‘What is on fire?’ Android Authority reports that system would be supported through T-Mobile, which likely means that non-T-Mobile customers won’t be able to access it, but other networks might be supported in future. This could be a potentially life-saving feature, and it’s something the likes of the iPhone 15 series already offers, so the addition of emergency satellite communications could help Google compete with Apple. This new modem could also improve general connectivity on the Pixel 9 line, which is notable because Pixel users have reported numerous network issues over the years, so any improvement in stability and reliability would be desirable. Coming to several upcoming devices This new modem – along with its satellite communications capabilities – apparently won’t be exclusive to the Pixel 9 line. The source claims it will be coming to all cellular-enabled devices that have a Tensor G4 chipset, and specifically mentions the next-generation Pixel Fold and a future 5G tablet, which is apparently codenamed ‘Clementine’. That ‘next-generation Pixel Fold’ is presumably the Pixel Fold 2, but apparently the Pixel 9 series will be the first devices to get the Tensor G4, meaning that whatever foldable gets it would have to launch either later than the Pixel 9 or at the same time. That’s notable because the original Google Pixel Fold shipped back in June, and if the Fold 2 lands a year later then it would land before the Pixel 9 (which is expected in October). But we've previously heard that the Pixel Fold 2 might land alongside the Pixel 9, so this leak adds credence to that claim. Either that, or we might be waiting until the Pixel Fold 3 for satellite communications. As for the unnamed tablet, that might be the Pixel Tablet 2, though again it could arrive too early to benefit from the modem upgrade, so we might be waiting until the Pixel Tablet 3. You might also like Best Pixel phones: we've ranked all the Google Pixel handsets worth buyingGoogle Pixel 8 Pro review: making more out of your phoneGoogle Pixel 9: latest news, rumors and everything we know so far View the full article

Nothing is official yet, but if we had to make an educated guess, we'd say the Google Pixel 8a is going to be unveiled on the first day of Google I/O 2024, which is May 14. Now two new leaks have given us more of an idea about what to expect from the handset. To begin with we've got leaked renders of the Pixel 8a courtesy of Android Headlines. There are four colors on show here, apparently called Mint, Porcelain, Obsidian, and Bay (or light green, pale gray, dark gray, and light blue, as they're otherwise known). These colors are similar to the ones we saw for the Google Pixel 7a, though Mint appears to have replaced Coral (orange). Mint is an option on the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, though here it looks a lot more garish – which might just be due to the way the image is edited. As Android Headlines points out, we also got a paler Mint color with the Google Pixel 6a in 2022, so this wouldn't be a first for the mid-range series. We noticed that the Pixel 6a was recently removed from sale on the Google Store, leaving space for the Pixel 8a. A design for life This could be the Pixel 8a (Image credit: Android Headlines) The renders we can see here back up previous leaks: the design is similar to the Pixel 8 and indeed the Pixel 7a. It's possible that the corners are going to be slightly more curved, but there's not a lot in it, and this is a phone that still looks very much like a Pixel. Google may have already revealed the Pixel 8a design in an advert for Google Fi Wireless, and the picture in that ad does match the renders from Android Headlines. The colors seem plausible too – provided that green gets toned down a bit. Elsewhere in Pixel 8a leak news, serial tipster Evan Blass has spotted some Pixel 8a tutorials have gone live on the website of a US carrier – not ideal from Google's perspective. How long they remain up remains to be seen. Another potential upgrade we've heard about is a bump to a 120Hz screen, though the Tensor G3 chip may be underclocked to keep the phone below the Pixel 8 in terms of performance. In around a month's time, all should be revealed. You might also like The Pixel 8a may not be all that affordablePick the best Pixel phone for youGoogle may have accidentally revealed the Pixel 8a View the full article

My iPhone is one of the best cameras I've ever owned, but it's also incredibly boring compared to a Leica M11 – and that feeling has been rammed home by the arrival of Leica's new Leitz Phone 3, its third and most interesting smartphone so far. The Leitz Phone 3's allure has, I admit, been enhanced by its Leica red dot and the fact that it's also only available in Japan. This has naturally made me want it more, but even from a distance, I can see it's packed with little touches that make me wish smartphones weren't all functional, grey rectangles that take technically 'perfect' photos. (Image credit: Leica) For a start, there's its design. The Leitz Phone 3 is probably a rebranded Sharp Aquos R8 Pro (another Japan-only phone), but it's also the closest thing to a cross between a phone and a Leica M-series camera. Leica's given the phone a lovely textured finish and, yes, a lens cap. It's ridiculous, and I'd lose it in ten minutes – but it's also a lot of fun. On a more practical level, the Leitz Phone 3 also has a lot of new software touches. You get an exclusive Golden Hour widget, to tell you when to dash out and get that landscape shot. As much as I love Photopills and its iPhone widget, Leica's one looks particularly classy and it's great that it's built-in. The feature I really like the sound of, though, is the lens simulations. Glass master The Leitz Phone 3's best, and most interesting, new feature is the virtual camera lenses in its Leitz Looks camera mode. These simulate the various aperture stops of three of Leica's most popular lenses; the Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2, the Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4, and Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4. The combined cost of those three lenses is $21,085 / £18,220 / AU$35,070. The Leitz Phone 3 doesn't have a hope of getting anywhere close to the image quality they can produce – its lenses are likely mostly made from plastic. But I find the concept of software-simulated lenses fascinating, and it'd be great to have the character of Leica-tuned bokeh and vignetting, plus color simulation, in my phone by default. Image 1 of 4 A sample photo shot taken with a Leica Leitz Phone 3 (Image credit: Leica)Image 2 of 4 A sample photo shot taken with a Leica Leitz Phone 3 (Image credit: Leica)Image 3 of 4 A sample photo shot taken with a Leica Leitz Phone 3 (Image credit: Leica)Image 4 of 4 A sample photo shot taken with a Leica Leitz Phone 3 (Image credit: Leica) It wasn't long ago that smartphone portrait modes were artifact-ridden nightmares, but according to Leica, the Leitz Phone 3 can simulate the look of those three classic lenses at each aperture stop, from f/1.2 to f/8. Film simulations, like those on Fujifilm cameras, are now pretty common (in this phone they're called Leica Tones), but software that can simulate the character of specific lenses is something else. That doesn't mean the Leitz Phone 3 is a replacement for an M11, but it does make it way more interesting than my iPhone's Camera app. What about the actual cameras? As you'd hope from a Leica-branded camera, the camera hardware itself is pretty strong too – on paper. Like the Leitz Phone 2, which landed in 2022, you get a main camera with a 47.2MP 1-inch sensor that's combined with a 19mm f/1.9 lens. Hardware-wise, that's comparable to the iPhone 15's 48MP 1/1.28-inch sensor. You also get a fairly standard front-facing 12.6MP camera with an f/2.3 aperture, which isn't much to write home about. But like a 'proper' camera, you do get a microSD card slot to help boost the 512GB of onboard memory, and there's also the rare inclusion of a headphone/microphone jack. (Image credit: Leica) This is all backed up by some other interesting software features, too. For the first time on a phone, the Leitz Phone 3 has a feature called 'Leica Perspective Control' which comes from its cameras. This is particularly handy for architectural photography and helps you make sure buildings are standing up straight. While it's possible to do this in post-production in apps like Lightroom (or by using tilt-shift lenses, if you have them) the benefit of Leica's software is that it shows you where in the photo it'll need to crop to correct the vertical lines. It does this by combining gyroscopic measurements and algorithms, making it another handy feature that I don't have on my iPhone (without third-party apps, at least). These kinds of touches, combined with the LFU widget which cycles through images from the Leica Fotografie International Gallery, make the Leitz Phone 3 look like a proper photography tool with a distinct character. But this also comes with big downsides. Reality check Just as with the Leica M11, I'm likely romanticizing the Leitz Phone 3 and overlooking the practical annoyances that, outside of photography, probably don't make it a fun phone to live with. It runs on Android 14 and it isn't clear how many years of software updates it's likely to get. More importantly, it's only on sale in Japan and seems unlikely to launch outside of that region, given that neither the Leitz Phone 1 or 2 ever got an international release. (Image credit: Leica) I've also never really seriously entertained getting a Sony Xperia 1 V (which new leaks suggest will get a Sony Xperia 1 VI successor soon), even though it also offers some very interesting camera features and software touches. The reality is that the iPhone 16 Pro, which I'll probably upgrade to this year, will almost certainly be the Canon EOS R5 or Sony A7 IV of the phone world when it comes to smartphone photography. In other words, the solid, sensible choice – but I'm still glad that phones like the Leitz Phone 3 exist and hope to see more of its kind arrive outside of the Japan. You might also like The new Leica SL3 is like the MacBook Pro of full-frame mirrorless camerasAre Leica cameras worth their price tags?My favorite camera of 2023 wasn't a Sony or Canon, it was this pricey compact View the full article

In our OnePlus 12 review we called the flagship "the coolest phone you can buy", and with that in mind we're very interested to see what the OnePlus 13 brings with it – and it is, apparently, bringing with it a new, curved display. This is according to reliable tipster Yogesh Brar (via Android Authority), who says that both OnePlus and sister company Oppo are planning to use a micro-quad curved panel on their upcoming phones. The new technology is apparently on the way for both flagship and mid-range devices. As the "quad" in there suggests, this means a display that's curved at the edges along all four sides. Plenty of phones have had curves on both their longer edges, but this would extend that idea to create a more seamless transition from screen to frame. The OnePlus 12 display features curves on the longer sides, but not the top and bottom, so this would be quite a noticeable redesign if it happens. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is one phone that's already tried the quad-curve approach, and it's called an "All Around Liquid Display" on that particular handset. What we know so far Both OnePlus & OPPO are using micro quad curved panel(On flagships + mid-range)April 4, 2024 See more It's still very early days for OnePlus 13 rumors, bearing in mind the OnePlus 12 only launched globally in January. With that in mind, It's likely that the upcoming handset will launch near the start of 2025, though we may get an announcement in China earlier than that – perhaps in December of this year. One leak we have come across suggests a pretty significant camera upgrade is in the offing, though the distinctive style of the rear camera on the OnePlus 12 may not stick around for the OnePlus 13, the same tipster also says. The same leak claims the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor is going to be used to power the OnePlus 13, which is to be expected. The next-gen chipset hasn't been announced yet, but Qualcomm launches new silicon every year like clockwork, and it should be making an appearance around October time. Other snippets from the rumor mill point to a 2K screen (matching the 1440 x 3168 pixels of the current flagship model), and a more secure ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. As we work our way through the year, expect to hear more OnePlus 13 leaks and rumors. You might also like The Pixel 8a just leaked in a lot of placesThese are the best Android phones you can buyExpect the iPhone 16 to be packed with AI View the full article

We're patiently waiting for successors to the Motorola Edge 40 phones, and it looks as though there will be three handsets released this time around – with the Ultra model making a return after being left out in 2023. This comes from Android Headlines, and there are leaked images of the phone as well as some key specs. The Edge 50 Ultra would potentially sit alongside the Edge 50 Fusion and the Edge 50 Pro, and be the most powerful and expensive of the trio – the newly announced Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is reportedly on processor duties. As per the leak, there has been some confusion over whether the Edge 50 Pro and Edge 50 Ultra are actually the same phone. What adds to the confusion is that Motorola often releases different phones in different regions, and sometimes gives the same phone several different names depending on where you buy it. We've previously seen a couple of big Motorola Edge 50 Pro leaks, giving us a look at a slightly tweaked design and revealing that the phone is supposedly going to come with a 6.7-inch screen offering a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. Cameras and colors The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra might look a little like this (Image credit: Android Headlines) The leaked images show a triple-lens rear camera setup on the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, which apparently includes a periscope zoom lens offering 5x of optical zoom. The sensors in these lenses are said to offer 50 megapixels of resolution. Three colors are mentioned: a standard Black color, a Sisai color that's supposed to be light beige, and a Peach Fuzz color (which is the Pantone Color of the Year no less, and a shade we've seen on some previous Motorola handsets). Head to our Motorola Edge 30 Ultra review to refresh your memory about the flagship phone Motorola launched back in 2022. It looks as though the design is going to be tweaked this time around, but the same principles will be in place – high-level specs at a price that undercuts most of the other flagships on the market. Motorola has confirmed it's launching something on April 3, so we shouldn't have long to wait to see these phones. As for global availability and naming (the Edge 30 Ultra was also known as the Edge X in some markets), that might take a while to figure out. You might also like These are the best Android phones right nowThe full TechRadar review of the Motorola Edge 40 ProOur picks for the best Motorola smartphones View the full article

I've been a long-time fan of Pixel phones, but Google made a major change to the camera experience on the latest Pixel 8 Pro that effectively broke one of its most convenient features; and while I've patiently waited for a fix, it looks like Google has committed to leaving users in the lurch, rather than undoing its mistake. I've reviewed at least one entry of every generation of the best Pixel phones since Google debuted the series back in 2016, and the camera is what keeps me coming back; so much so that I've mainlined one of Google's smartphones since the Pixel 4 XL. My experience with the Pixel 8 Pro, however, is soured every time a simple camera UI tweak that Google has made stops me from getting the shot I want. The Pixel 7 Pro has proven to be one of the company's most capable phones yet, and while the jump to the Pixel 8 Pro brought better performance, an aesthetic refinement, more AI functionality and more impressive imaging hardware, I wasn't enamored with the camera experience compared to that of its predecessor right out the gate. If it ain't broke… break it? This is partly down to the revised image processing pipeline, which produces distinctly different images compared to the Pixel 7 Pro. This may be a result of the Pixel imaging team having to adjust to the 8 Pro's new sensor hardware – but that doesn't absolve them of the newest model's added 'Pro Controls', which consolidate management over ISO, shutter speed, focus, white balance, shadows, and brightness. The Pixel 7 Pro's manual control layout (left) and the Pixel 8 Pro's Pro Controls (right) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) While bringing this functionality under a single menu might seem like a refinement between generations, the move actually results in more steps being required when it comes to the critical moment of capture. With the Pixel 7 Pro, a tap on your subject while framing up was all it took to bring up sliders for white balance, shadows, and brightness; you could then adjust each value on the fly from within the viewfinder, instantly. By incorporating these adjustments into the Pro Controls along the bottom of the Pixel 8 Pro's camera UI, the new layout requires more taps and swipes, not to mention the need to switch in and out of each slider individually. If all you're trying to shoot is a static landscape this change doesn't really matter all that much, but for those occasions when you have only a few fleeting moments to grab your shot – most likely of a moving subject – forget it. Google bills the Pixel 8 Pro's Pro Controls as a premium upgrade, but those who were familiar with the Pixel 7 Pro's interface will likely consider the change anything but that. To add to the sting, in the pursuit of consistency across generations the subsequent Android 14 update to the Pixel 7 Pro's camera app has hidden those white balance, shadows, and brightness sliders under a similar UI change (ISO, focus and shutter speed controls aren't available on the 7 Pro), meaning that now nobody can enjoy what was one of the best features of the recent Pixel camera experience. More unhappy customers While it might seem like I'm blowing this seemingly small change out of proportion, a quick scout around online brings up numerous testimonies that echo my sentiment; change for change's sake is the wrong way to implement an upgrade, especially if it's at the user's expense. Android Authority's Rita El Khoury appears to have similar feelings, while numerous users on the r/GooglePixel subreddit have also noted Google's bad call here. Original poster andrewhahalee said, "now you need 4 taps to turn on manual mode, scroll the bottom, tap the option and then adjust," while user 465468 said, "Major step in the wrong direction...I think it's a damn shame and really can't understand how they would come up with that change." As such, while both the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro remain among some of the best camera phones available right now, it would appear that it's not competitors Pixel photography fans need to be aware of – it's Google. You might also like Google Pixel 8 Pro review: making more out of your phoneGoogle Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: 12 key differences you need to knowThe best Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro deals right now View the full article

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss CES 2024, Samsung's S24 lineup, and the latest news surrounding Apple's Vision Pro headset. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a look at some of the latest advancements in TV technology, including transparent models from LG, and AI assistants like Rabbit R1. We also look at some of the tentpole features of Samsung's new Galaxy S24 lineup, such as a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a wave of AI tools designed for enhancing photography and videography, editing text, and more. Following Apple's announcement of the impending launch of the Vision Pro headset on February 2, we discuss the device's potential to redefine the AR/VR space, especially in the context of productivity workflows. We also address potential concerns regarding comfort and design, storage configurations, and our sense of anticipation about the device's launch. The MacRumors Show is now exclusively on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward: Subscribe to The MacRumors Show's new YouTube channel! You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our look forward at all of Apple's biggest rumored announcements for 2024. Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests like Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. ‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Tag: The MacRumors Show This article, "The MacRumors Show: Apple Vision Pro Pre-Orders, CES 2024, and Samsung's New AI Phones" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

2024 is going to start off strong with the launch of the Vision Pro, Apple's first major new product since the 2015 Apple Watch, and new iPads, Macs, AirPods, and iPhones are set to follow. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. There are some exciting products in the works, including a larger version of the iPad Air, the first OLED iPad Pro, updated iPhones, an Apple Watch with new health features, and more. In this guide, we've outlined everything that we know about the new products that are coming from Apple in 2024, based on current rumors. Apple Vision Pro (February 2024) Apple announced the Vision Pro headset at WWDC in June 2023, but it's finally almost ready to launch. Apple introduced the Vision Pro early to give developers time to create apps for the device, and since then, Apple has been working on finalizing the hardware and the visionOS operating system. The most recent rumors have suggested Apple will debut the Vision Pro in February. At launch, the Vision Pro is only going to be available in the United States, and it sounds like Apple may require customers to purchase in store or pick up online orders in a store in order for Apple employees to provide the right Light Seal and knitted headband for a good fit, plus Zeiss prescription lens inserts for those who need them. The headset is similar to other virtual reality headsets like the Oculus, though it is made from glass and aluminum for a premium feel. Some early testers have said that the headset can be heavy on the head, but Apple may introduce an extra strap to mitigate some of the weight. The Vision Pro is using two 4K micro-OLED displays, and the technology is both more advanced and more expensive than the displays used by Apple's competitors. Apple is not expecting to sell many Vision Pro headsets, and rumors suggest it'll manufacture around 400,000 units. At a $3,500 price point, it's not too surprising that interest may be limited. The Vision Pro headset is a mixed reality device that transitions between virtual and augmented reality using a Digital Crown on the side. Content can be displayed in a full virtual environment, or in the real world around you using the augmented reality capabilities. There are more than a dozen cameras in the Vision Pro headset, and it's controlled using subtle hand gestures and eye movements. Audio Straps provide spatial audio, and there's a somewhat weird external display that projects an image of your eyes so people can tell whether you're using the headset in VR or AR mode. While the headset isn't particularly affordable for most people, it's an exciting launch because it's using cutting-edge technology and it is an entirely new device that's going to evolve and become sleeker and more affordable over the next decade. The Vision Pro has been likened to the Apple Watch, which was also expensive and clunky when it launched, but Apple made updates at a rapid pace and by the third generation, it was much improved. Much more information about the Vision Pro can be found in our Vision Pro roundup, and we also have details on visionOS in that roundup. OLED iPad Pro (March 2024) Apple didn't update the iPad lineup in 2023, but 2024 will be the year of the ‌iPad‌. The iPad Pro models are set to get upgraded OLED displays for the first time, so ‌iPad Pro‌ screens will be as impressive as iPhone screens. This will be the first time that Apple has used OLED for such a large display, and OLED technology will bring deeper blacks, faster refresh rates, better contrast, and improved efficiency for less battery drain. OLED displays are thinner, so Apple may be planning to cut down on the thickness of the ‌iPad Pro‌. A design update is expected to accompany the OLED transition, and the new iPads will come in 11.1-inch and 13-inch sizes, up from the current 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The size increase may come from a change in bezel width, so physical size could remain roughly the same. The ‌iPad Pro‌ models will adopt the faster M3 chip that was first introduced in the MacBook Pro and iMac. Built on a 3-nanometer process, the M3 offers up to 21 percent faster CPU speeds compared to the M2, and 15 percent faster GPU speeds. The GPU is also using a new architecture that optimizes memory allocation and utilization for improved performance and efficiency, plus it includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. GPU improvements will result in better gaming graphics and capabilities, plus the ‌iPad Pro‌ will be more efficient at tasks like video editing. Other possible features include up to 4TB of storage, MagSafe charging capabilities, and a higher price tag due to the OLED display technology. More on what we are expecting from the ‌iPad Pro‌ can be found in our dedicated OLED iPad Pro guide. Two iPad Air Models (March 2024) To offer consumers more choice at a variety of price points, Apple is expanding the ‌iPad Air‌ lineup in 2024. For the first time, there will be two ‌iPad Air‌ models, just like there are two ‌iPad Pro‌ models. Sizes will be similar to the ‌iPad Pro‌, coming in at 10.9 inches and 12.9 inches. The ‌iPad Air‌ models won't have OLED displays, ProMotion, or other high-end ‌iPad‌ features, but they will be cheaper than the ‌iPad Pro‌ models. Since Apple updated the design of the ‌iPad Air‌ in 2021, we're not expecting a major overhaul to the look of the device, but it's possible there will be some refinements to accommodate the new screen size. iOS 18 (June 2024) Apple introduces new software updates on an annual basis at its Worldwide Developers Conference, and this year, we're expecting iOS 18. ‌iOS 18‌ should be one of the most interesting updates we've had in years because rumors so far suggest that we're going to see Apple getting into generative AI in a big way. AI and machine learning will be used in multiple ways in ‌iOS 18‌, with a range of new AI integrations in apps. In Apple Music, for example, we might see auto-generated playlists, and in apps like Pages and Keynote, we may see AI-assisted writing and slide deck creation. Siri is expected to get features powered by large language models (LLMs), which are the driving force behind chatbots like chatGPT. ‌Siri‌ will include deeper integration with the Shortcuts app for automating complex tasks, and there will be improved interactions between ‌Siri‌ and the Messages app. Speaking of Messages, ‌iOS 18‌ will see Apple adopting Rich Communication Services (RCS) as an alternative to SMS/MMS. ‌RCS‌ will be used for conversations between ‌iPhone‌ users and Android users, and it will improve cross-platform messaging. Higher-resolution photos and videos will be supported, as will audio messages, cross-platform emoji reactions, read receipts, real-time typing indicators, and more. Basically, texting with someone on Android will feel a lot more like chatting with another ‌iPhone‌ user. Blue and green bubbles aren't going away, though. iMessage to iMessage chats will be blue, and Android to iMessage chats will still be green. More information on what to expect from the ‌iOS 18‌ update can be found in our iOS 18 roundup. macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18 Along with ‌iOS 18‌, we'll also get new versions of macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. We haven't heard much about these updates, but we can expect some of the same AI improvements. visionOS 2 Alongside the Vision Pro headset, Apple will introduce ‌visionOS‌, the operating system that's designed to run on the device. It has a Home Screen, a dedicated App Store, virtual reality environments, and Apple apps tailored to the Vision Pro Display. While the first iteration of ‌visionOS‌ will come out alongside the headset, ‌visionOS‌ 2 will likely be previewed in June. Apple TV (First Half of 2024) Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV 4K, but it is not yet clear when it's going to launch. Rumored features include a faster A16 processor and support for Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. More on the next-generation ‌Apple TV‌ can be found in our Apple TV guide. iPhone 16 (September 2024) The standard iPhone 16 models are expected to look similar to the iPhone 15 models with no size or design changes, but there will be some notable improvements. Apple is planning for a vertical camera arrangement to support spatial video capture, doing away with the diagonal lens setup. Right now, the iPhone 15 Pro models are the only devices able to record spatial video that can be viewed on the Vision Pro, but that is expected to change in 2024. There's also going to be a new Capture Button on all four ‌iPhone 16‌ models, with the button situated on the right side of the device under the power button. It'll be in roughly the same spot as the mmWave antenna on U.S. ‌iPhone‌ models, with the mmWave antenna set to move to the left side. As the name suggests, the Capture Button will provide users with a quick way to take videos. The Capture Button will be capacitive, offering haptic feedback when pressed, plus rumors suggest it supports multiple pressure levels. The Action Button introduced with the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ is expected to expand to the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ models, so it will be available across the 2024 lineup. The Action Button can be assigned to do things like mute/unmute, activate translate, turn on the flashlight, set a Focus mode, activate a custom Shortcut, and more. The Action Button on the ‌iPhone 16‌ models could be upgraded to use capacitive technology, which would provide haptic feedback when pressed. With the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, Apple limited the 3-nanometer A17 Pro to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max, but in 2024, all four ‌iPhone‌ models will get 3-nanometer A-series chips. A new thermal design to combat overheating is a possibility as well. We have more on all of the features rumored for the ‌iPhone 16‌ in our iPhone 16 roundup. iPhone 16 Pro (September 2024) Apple's flagship lineup consists of four phones, two standard models and two Pro models. This year, the iPhone 16 Pro models are going to get a size update. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is expected to have a 6.3-inch display, up from 6.1 inches, while the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max is expected to have a 6.9-inch display, up from 6.7 inches. To accommodate the larger displays, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and Pro Max will be slightly taller and wider than the equivalent ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models. All of the features coming to the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup are expected for the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models, including the capacitive Capture Button on the right side and an updated capacitive Action Button, both of which will feature haptic feedback. A faster A-series chip is rumored, likely the A18 Pro, and there are some pretty major camera updates planned. Apple may add a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, which will join the 48-megapixel Wide lens. The Ultra Wide camera will offer better low-light performance, and it will facilitate better spatial videos for the Vision Pro headset too. Both the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will get the 5x tetraprism lens that was limited to the 15 Pro Max in 2023, and there's one rumor about an even better periscope camera with "super zoom" capabilities. Faster 5G modem chips from Qualcomm are expected, and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models may also get the next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology that offers up to 2.4x faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6. Apple Watch X (September 2024) Apple is planning a major update for the Apple Watch this year, perhaps in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the device. The Apple Watch was announced in 2014, but didn't come out until 2015, so technically it's not clear whether the anniversary will fall in 2024 or 2025. 2024 will, however, be the year that we're expected to get the "Apple Watch 10" or "Apple Watch X" as rumors have called it. Rumors suggest there will be a new design and new health features for the 2024 Apple Watch. The next Apple Watch could be slimmer, and Apple may implement a magnetic band attachment system, changing how bands connect to the Apple Watch for the first time. The new band system would mean that current bands would not likely be compatible with the new version of the Apple Watch, but swapping over to a magnetic system would free up space in the Apple Watch either to make the casing slimmer or to add bigger batteries or other new internal components. Apple hasn't added new health features to the watch for some time, but in 2024, we could see sleep apnea detection and blood pressure monitoring. Rumors suggest the Apple Watch will be able to detect hypertension, monitoring whether a user's blood pressure is trending upward. The first iteration of blood pressure monitoring won't give specific systolic and diastolic readings, but a future version might. Sleep apnea detection will be done through sleep measurements and the tracking of breathing patterns. The Apple Watch will be able to inform users if the condition might be present, allowing them to contact their doctor for more information. More on changes expected for the 2024 Apple Watch can be found in our Apple Watch X guide. AirPods 4 (September 2024) Fourth-generation AirPods are coming in 2024, and as with the MacBook Air and ‌iPad Air‌, Apple is going for a two-model launch. Two versions of the AirPods will be available at different price points, with the higher-end version to gain Active Noise Cancellation, a feature that has previously been limited to the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. The AirPods 4 will have an updated design that's a cross between the current AirPods 3 and the ‌AirPods Pro‌, with shorter stems. Fit is expected to be improved, as is sound quality, but it is unclear if Apple will add silicone tips. A redesigned case is set to feature speakers for Find My alerts and a USB-C charging port, and with a software update coming later in 2024, Apple will add hearing aid functionality that will let the AirPods serve as an over-the-counter alternative to traditional hearing aids. New ‌AirPods Pro‌ are in the works too, but a refresh isn't expected until 2025. USB-C AirPods Max (September 2024) Apple hasn't updated the ‌AirPods Max‌ since launch, and in 2024, they'll get a minor refresh. Apple is expected to add a USB-C port for charging and new color options, but nothing else will change. iPad Mini 7 (October 2024) There's a new version of the iPad mini coming, but no design changes are planned. We can expect an upgraded A-series chip, likely the A16, along with upgraded front and rear cameras. The display assembly may be installed in a different way in order to minimize "jelly scrolling" or screen tearing, which can cause images and text on one side of the display to be tilted downward due to mismatched refresh rates. New colors are likely, and Apple will probably add Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, improvements it has been making to all of its ‌iPad‌ models. Refreshed Low-Cost iPad (October 2024) Alongside the new ‌iPad mini‌ 7, we could see a refreshed low-cost ‌iPad‌. Apple typically updates the ‌iPad‌ on an annual basis, but the company skipped 2023, so we're due for a refresh. No design changes are coming, but the ‌iPad‌ will get a faster chip (likely the A16), and it could be updated with support for Wi-Fi 6E. Mac mini (Late 2024) The Mac mini is due for an update, as it was last refreshed with M2 chips in January 2023. A 2024 version of the desktop machine will include Apple's M3 and M3 Pro chips. Accessories Magic Keyboard Alongside the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, Apple is expected to debut an updated version of the Magic Keyboard. The new Magic Keyboard will feature a sturdier frame made from aluminum, giving it a more Mac-like look. The keyboard will be made of aluminum as well, and Apple is planning to add a larger trackpad that more closely resembles the trackpad of the MacBook. Apple Pencil 3 A refreshed version of the Apple Pencil is in the works, with the new device set to be a followup to the Apple Pencil 2. It will be a higher-end ‌Apple Pencil‌ able to work with Apple's next-generation ‌iPad Pro‌ and ‌iPad Air‌. We don't yet know a lot about what we can expect from a new ‌Apple Pencil‌. Other Possibilities MacBook Pro - The MacBook Pro was updated with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips in late 2023. Apple sometimes refreshes the MacBook Pro annually, but so far there's no word of M4 chips or whether we'll see a MacBook Pro update in 2024. Mac Studio - The Mac Studio was updated with ‌M2‌ Max and ‌M2‌ Ultra chips in June 2023, so it could get an update with M3 chips at some point in 2024. Apple has not yet unveiled an M3 Ultra chip. Mac Pro - Like the ‌Mac Studio‌, the Mac Pro was refreshed in June 2023 with the ‌M2‌ Ultra. There's no word on when we'll see it updated again as of yet. Home Hub Device - Rumors suggest Apple is working on a smart home display that would serve as a central hub for controlling smart home products, and it could launch as soon as 2024. New Display - There have been multiple rumors of a Pro Display XDR successor, but there's no word on when an update might come. It could be 2024, or it could be later. Wrap Up Based on what we're hearing so far, 2024 is going to be a monumental year for Apple. Along with the Vision Pro, the ‌iPad‌ lineup is set to get an overhaul, and the new ‌iPhone‌ models have some exciting features. We're also counting on a suite of new AI features in the software updates that are coming this year. Make sure to follow MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups and guides over the course of 2024 to keep up with all of the rumors we're hearing. Bookmark our What to Expect Guide and our Events Guide to see a continually updated overview of what's on the horizon. This article, "What to Expect From Apple in 2024: Vision Pro, iPhone 16 Models, Revamped iPad Pro and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article