I can't believe it — the end of July is fast approaching, and we're about to enter August in a few days. Crazy how fast time flies by, isn't it? Anyways, we're inching ever closer to fall, and you know what that means…Apple's fall event with new iPhone, better Apple Watches, and more. So let's get right down to the rumor mill this week (and boy, it was packed!)
First off, if you're worried that Apple may push back the release date for the next iPhone because of the rising cases in COVID-19 again, fret not. It appears that the 2020 schedule was a one-off, and we're on track for iPhones in September once again. I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm fairly excited for the iPhone 13, especially if the rumor of an always-on display is true. This feature can be found on many Android phones, and I especially love it on my Apple Watch Series 5.
When I'm working at my desk every day, I pretty much put my iPhone 12 Pro on a stand near my computer, so I can quickly see any notifications that pop up or whatever else. Having an always-on display means my iPhone can turn into my desk clock, and I'll be able to see incoming notifications without ever having to wake the screen. For me, it's a feature that I've wanted for quite some time, so if it is coming in the iPhone 13, I'm all for it. And if battery life is a concern, well, my Apple Watch with AOD still gets me through the entire day, so I'm not too concerned about that. I'm also never far from a charger or battery pack either, so I think it'll be fine.
One thing about the rumored iPhone 13 lineup that is sad, though, is the fact that this may be the last mini flagship iPhone. That's right — those who value the ease of use that a small 5.4-inch iPhone offers will want to make sure to snatch up the iPhone 13 mini because that size may no longer be around next year. Honestly, I wish I could get the mini because I much prefer the size, but I hate to miss out on the extra camera features offered in the Pro lineup. I highly doubt that Apple will make my dream phone of mini size with pro camera features, so I suppose I'll just never experience a small iPhone ever again — sad face.
I'm just a bit confused by the fact that the report says a second 6.7-inch "Max" device will replace the mini. This would mean a large 6.7-inch device but with fewer premium features, making it more cost-effective. Is that really necessary, though? Honestly, how many gigantic phones do we need? Perhaps I'm just in the minority, but I'm just not a big fan of huge phones in general because I have small hands. I still miss the size of the iPhone XS, which I thought was perfect, all things considered at the time.
Speaking of iPhones, it seems that the next iteration of AirPods 3 could be announced during the fall iPhone event. If you haven't heard, the AirPods 3 are supposedly going to have a look that is more in-line with the AirPods Pro, without the premium features like ANC that set the Pros apart. The regular AirPods haven't been refreshed since 2019, so it would make sense for this year to get an update. However, I'm probably going to pass on the AirPods 3 because I much prefer the fit and ANC on the AirPods Pro. I just hope I get to see some of the things on my wishlist for the next version of AirPods Pro — here's hoping!
Within the past week, Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack hit store shelves, and I wrote up some thoughts on it in my MagSafe Battery Pack review. It's definitely one of the more expensive options, but if you've wanted direct iOS integration and more efficient charging features, then it could be worth the price tag. And if you have one of the Apple Lightning docks laying around, you could combine it with the MagSafe Battery Pack to create a magnetic iPhone charging stand. Nifty, right? I wish I had one of those Lightning docks around, but such is not the case.
And while we're on the topic of MagSafe, it's interesting that Apple has updated the MagSafe support page for the first time in five years. I worked on a 2013 15-inch MacBook Pro until the end of 2020, and one of my favorite features was definitely the MagSafe adapter. It never actually happened, but knowing that it would prevent my laptop from being dragged to the ground if someone tripped over the cable always gave me peace of mind. I would gladly welcome the return of the MagSafe adapter to future MacBooks, and it definitely beats the USB-C method that replaced it in the past few years. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a MacBook Pro with MagSafe coming this fall.
Anyways, that does it for this week. Until next time.
- Christine Romero-Chan
