This week’s Apple news roundup covers a range of topics, starting with the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro’s improved camera featuring x5 optical zoom. The tetraprism lens, previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, will now be available on both Pro models. Apple’s lens supplier, Largan, hinted at flagship specifications being extended to other models in the second half of 2024, which is likely a reference to the new iPhone Pro models.
In terms of charging capabilities, the next iPhone models are expected to support faster charging speeds with 40W wired charging. While this is an improvement, it still falls short of the charging speeds offered by many high-end Android smartphones. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are also rumored to support 20W MagSafe wireless charging.
Apple has set ambitious sales targets for the upcoming iPhone 16 family, aiming for a ten percent growth in shipments compared to their predecessors. This target includes the addition of AI features, which are expected to boost demand when the models are released later this year. The launch of Apple Intelligence has been delayed until the first quarter of 2025.
Research data from CIRP reveals that consumers are holding onto their Macs for longer periods, with 56% now keeping their devices for three years or more. This trend is impacting sales, as longer lifecycles delay consumer upgrades and reduce the size of the market in the short- and medium-term.
IDC reports that sales of Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset have been underwhelming, with the headset failing to reach 100,000 units sold in a quarter since its launch in February. Domestic sales are expected to drop by 75% in the current quarter, highlighting the challenges faced by Apple in the competitive VR market.
In Europe, Apple is opening up NFC-based payments to third-party services, allowing them to use iOS without being limited to Apple Pay. This move addresses potential anti-competition concerns raised by the European Commission and gives consumers more options for making payments on their devices.
Finally, users can now transfer photos between Google Photos and iCloud Photos, making it easier to move data between cloud services. This expansion of direct data transfer offerings between Apple and Google aligns with the core principles of the Data Transfer Initiative. Stay tuned for more Apple news and updates in the coming weeks.
