Tag Archives: Rumors

The Future of Apple design language: iPhone 17 Slim and the Shift Towards Ultra-Thin Devices

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Rumors are swirling that Apple might be dropping its “Plus” iPhone models, starting with the iPhone 17, potentially replacing them with a more premium offering. Over the years, the appeal of the “Plus” models has waned as standard, and Pro models have become more capable. The latest leaks suggest Apple is set to introduce a new “Slim” iPhone to fill this gap, a move that could revolutionize the future of Apple’s products and excite tech enthusiasts.

Designer: Apple

Remember that iconic moment when Steve Jobs wowed the world by pulling the MacBook Air out of a manila envelope? Could Apple be gearing up for another “MacBook Air moment” with the iPhone 17 Slim? If the rumors are true, we might witness a similarly groundbreaking reveal that redefines expectations for smartphone design and performance.

On July 20, details emerged on Weibo indicating that the iPhone 17 line-up will not include a Plus model. Instead, Apple is reportedly planning to launch an “iPhone 17 Slim,” set to become the most premium model in the line-up, much like the Apple Watch Ultra. This new model will take design cues from the ultra-thin iPad Pro M4, launched in May.

iPhone Concept

The iPhone 17 Slim is rumored to be significantly thinner than its predecessors and other models in the line-up. It is also said to feature an LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a feature currently exclusive to Pro models. This shift means every iPhone 17, from the base model to the Pro Max, will offer ProMotion technology.

Speculation also suggests that the iPhone 17 series will be powered by Apple’s A19 and A19 Pro processors. The iPhone 17 Slim will likely include the A19 Pro, making it the most advanced and expensive model in the range. Rumors suggest a starting price of $1,299, making it pricier than the current iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the potential of the iPhone 17 Slim to meet and exceed consumer expectations in terms of performance and design is reassuring.

Here’s a look at the potential iPhone 17 line-up:

  • iPhone 17: $799, A19 processor, 6.27-inch LTPO (ProMotion) display, 8GB of RAM
  • iPhone 17 Pro: $1,099, A19 Pro processor, 6.27-inch LTPO (ProMotion) display, 12GB of RAM
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199, A19 Pro processor, 6.86-inch LTPO (ProMotion) display, 12GB of RAM
  • iPhone 17 Slim: $1,299, A19 Pro processor, 6.65-inch LTPO (ProMotion) display, 12GB of RAM

Apple’s push towards thinner designs extends beyond the iPhone. The company is rumored to work on slimmer versions of all its main products, including MacBooks and Apple Watches. This ambition presents significant challenges, particularly regarding battery life and durability. A thinner design often means a smaller battery, which could compromise battery life. Ensuring the iPhone 17 Slim has comparable or superior battery performance to existing Pro Max models will be crucial.

Interestingly, with the development of the M4 and potentially M5 chips, these processors are expected to be much more efficient by the time the iPhone 17 is released. This efficiency could allow Apple to use a smaller battery while retaining the same battery life as current models. While battery capacity is a significant factor, I would much rather have a faster wired and wireless charging rate to top off as needed quickly.

The design elements of the iPad Pro M4 are noteworthy, with its skinny profile and raw processing power setting a new standard for Apple’s devices. Imagine the iPhone 17 Slim adopting this same level of thinness combined with the A19 Pro processor. This would not only deliver a powerhouse device with exceptional performance and a gorgeous display but also set a new benchmark for smartphone design in the tech industry. Additionally, thinner devices can be more susceptible to bending and other durability issues, making robust design and engineering essential. However, Apple seems to have resolved this issue with the iPad Pro M4, giving confidence that the iPhone 17 Slim will be both durable and sleek—hallelujah!

Interestingly, recent leaks about the Pixel 9 Pro and the newly released Galaxy Fold6 and Flip6 show a trend towards flat edges, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro and Max. This design trend across brands highlights the industry’s move towards sleek, flat-edged devices. The Pixel 9 Pro will feature a refined design focusing on high-end performance. At the same time, the Galaxy Fold6 and Flip6 continue to innovate in the foldable phone market, combining cutting-edge technology with stylish designs.

Samsung Galaxy Fold6

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The iPhone 17 Slim’s anticipated ultra-thin design would fit right into this trend, offering a visually stunning and powerful device that appeals to users looking for the best form and function. The ultra-thin design not only enhances the device’s aesthetics but also makes it more portable and comfortable to use, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

Apple’s ultra-thin tech game plan doesn’t stop at the iPhone. The upcoming MacBooks and Apple Watches are also expected to feature thinner designs, making them more portable and stylish while maintaining high performance. The challenge will be to balance this thinness with functionality, ensuring that battery life and durability are not compromised.

MacBook Concept

With the iPhone 16 around the corner, are these early iPhone 17 leaks compelling enough to keep you holding on to your current device for another cycle? The promise of the iPhone 17 Slim, with its ultra-thin design, powerful A19 Pro processor, and stunning LTPO display, could be worth the wait. As Apple continues to innovate, we can expect these design principles to set new industry technology and design standards, inspiring the tech industry and consumers alike.

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Cheaper Apple Vision Pro might be coming in 2025, second-gen Pro put on hold

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When Apple finally launched its mixed reality device, the name it chose naturally raised a few eyebrows. The Vision Pro definitely had all the bells and whistles needed to support the company’s spatial computing vision, pardon the pun, but the “Pro” suggested there might also be some other version in the works or at least planned. It didn’t help that Apple’s headset, like many Apple products, has a rather steep price tag, so it’s only expected that there would be requests for a more affordable non-Pro model. If insider rumors are to be believed, that wish might finally come true next year, though at the expense of a proper successor to the Apple Vision Pro.

Designer: Apple (via The Information)

The Apple Vision Pro is definitely on the more premium end of the spectrum, both in terms of its stylish design as well as its more luxurious materials. While that made for a good first impression, it also made the headset rather hefty, both in actual weight as well as its price. There’s definitely room for improvement, including iterating over the design of the Vision Pro to address flaws and complaints. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen next year.

According to industry sources, Apple has suspended what would become the Vision Pro 2 by reducing the number of people working on that device and issuing a notice to its suppliers. But rather than being a cause for alarm that the company is scrapping its spatial computing device completely, the reason offers a bit of comfort, figuratively and literally. Apparently, Apple has decided to divert its resources and efforts to develop a more accessible Apple Vision headset that might launch in late 2025.

What would a cheaper Apple Vision device entail, however? It still needs to keep the high-quality optics found in the Vision Pro if Apple wants to deliver an even basic visionOS experience, not to mention all the sensors needed to make the system work. It will have to find other ways to cut down on build costs, like using less premium materials, a simpler design, and less featured hardware. That said, Apple is a stickler for detail and doesn’t do things half-heartedly, so it’s no surprise to hear that it’s actually finding that a bit difficult to pull off.

Apple’s target price is allegedly around the $1,500 mark, more than half that of the Vision Pro. It will definitely need some serious cutting around corners, though carefully at that. As for the Vision Pro 2, that’s still on the table, and might still happen next year as well, provided Apple has resources to spare after prioritizing the Apple Vision.

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Is the HMD Skyline the Nokia Lumia Revival We’ve Been Waiting For?

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The rumor mill is churning for HMD, the company behind the Nokia brand of smartphones. Their upcoming phone, codenamed Tomcat and now seemingly confirmed as the HMD Skyline, is generating excitement with its feature set and targeted price range. Slated for a July release, the Skyline is shaping up to be a mid-range contender with high-end features. Leaks suggest a €520 ($565 USD) price tag, positioning it above HMD’s recent offerings. It will boast 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but most notably, leaks show a design language that’s highly reminiscent of Nokia’s Lumia range. The phones boast sharp corners and colorful bodies that hark back to Nokia’s Windows Phone days.

Designer: HMD Skyline

The display is rumored to be a highlight, with a FHD+ OLED touchscreen featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the device will likely be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, a capable chip for everyday tasks and even some gaming. Camera enthusiasts will have a triple-lens setup on the back to play with, rumored to consist of a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor (likely), and a 2MP macro or depth sensor. Selfies will be handled by a 32MP front-facing camera.

Keeping the phone juiced is expected to be a 4,900mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. Durability is also addressed with IP67 certification for dust and water resistance. The Skyline is also said to run the latest Android 14 operating system out of the box and will have an under-display fingerprint sensor for added security. Stereo speakers round out the package for an immersive entertainment experience.

Although HMD hasn’t officially released any images, these blurry leaks are proof that the Nokia brand language is alive and well. The company’s Lumia series captured many hearts back in Nokia’s heyday, and even though Satya Nadella (who shut Nokia’s mobile division down) said that the Windows Phone was a mistake, their catchy design language clearly wasn’t. The Skyline will allegedly be available in four gorgeous colors – pink, blue, green, and yellow. A sub-600 price tag and fairly impressive specs make it a great snag for anyone bitten by the nostalgia bug.

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Apple Pencil 3 might come with important usability improvements

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The late Steve Jobs might have ridiculed the stylus of old, but it’s arguable that we would have approved of the Apple Pencil, or at least its second generation. It’s minimalist to a fault and, as of the current models, finally has a reasonable and not unattractive charging method. That simplicity, however, may have come at the cost of some features that many people have come to expect from digital pens in this industry, especially when it comes to buttons that can trigger different functions. The 2nd-gen Apple Pencil remedied that with a double tap gesture and rumors claim that the 3rd-gen model will expand that with a new gesture, among the other expected upgrades that will help give Apple’s creativity and productivity tool an even bigger edge.

Designer: Apple (via 9to5Mac)

The original Apple Pencil arrived with a smooth and completely circular barrel and a cap that hid its awkward Lightning charging connector. The 2nd iteration added a flat edge for a better grip and switched to wireless magnetic charging for a unibody design. Neither model, however, had the traditional buttons you’d see on styluses like those from Wacom and Samsung, which meant you couldn’t execute some special action instantly without having to dig through an app’s menus and options.

The Apple Pencil 2 does have a touch-sensitive area that you can double tap to the same effect. For many people who use iPads for creative work, however, that single gesture is hardly enough. According to the latest unofficial information, however, the next Apple Pencil will add another action to that list, allowing you to squeeze a section of the barrel to trigger a different action. Depending on how it’s implemented and how sensitive the pressure sensor might be, the feature could turn out to be very useful or very annoying.

Image courtesy of Majin Bu

Another major change expected for the Apple Pencil 3 is an interchangeable nib system using magnets. According to the information, users will be able to switch between different nibs with different shapes for points, and they will be able to do so using simple yet strong magnets instead of the screw mechanism available today. It’s still unknown what practical benefits this new system might bring, but it could make the Apple Pencil feel a little bit more natural for different digital brushes that might require broader or finer tips.

The Apple Pencil 3 is also expected or at least hoped to finally support Apple’s Find My network, a long overdue feature that would have saved many Pencils from being lost permanently. Most of Apple’s wireless devices already support this feature, so it’s unthinkable if the Apple Pencil 3, which is probably going to cost more than the current $129, would still be left out of this tracking capability. The new Apple Pencil is expected to be revealed next month alongside a new iPad Air and iPad Pro.

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Galaxy Fit 3 leaked fitness tracker boasts an ultra-long battery life and advanced features

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The recent leaks surrounding Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 3, especially those shared by Evan Blass and Ahmed Qwaider on social platforms, have shed light on the device’s design, features, and potential launch timeline. While speculation was rife about its introduction alongside the Galaxy S24, the consistent appearance of leaked images and specifications over the past months suggests an imminent unveiling.

Designer: Samsung

According to rumors, the Galaxy Fit 3 is expected to have a 1.61-inch display, which is 46% larger. It’s speculated to feature a bright OLED screen with a resolution of 256 x 402 and a pixel density of 302ppi. This marks a notable visual clarity and detail improvement, enhancing the user experience. The device’s build quality is also upgraded with an aluminum case, ensuring durability, an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and a lightweight silicon wristband at just 21.39g, combining comfort and resilience.

Battery life stands out as a key feature, with rumors pointing to an ultra-long battery life of up to 21 days on a single charge, surpassing the Galaxy Fit 2’s 15-day battery life and offering a significant advantage over the typical battery life of Samsung’s Wear OS-based Galaxy Watches. While the Galaxy Fit 3 may forego wireless charging, the extended battery life presents a compelling trade-off for users prioritizing longevity over convenience. A new and potentially significant feature being introduced on a Samsung fitness band for the first time is a blood oxygen level or SpO2 sensor.

The device is anticipated to come in three colors: Grey, Pink, Gold, and Silver, catering to diverse personal styles. It’s expected to be equipped with an array of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, and heart rate monitor, alongside sleep-tracking capabilities. The inclusion of GPS remains uncertain, leaving room for speculation about the device’s navigational features.

Pricing rumors suggest an attractive $80 price point, positioning the Galaxy Fit 3 as an accessible option for fitness enthusiasts seeking a blend of style, functionality, and endurance in their wearable devices. This combination of features and the device’s focus on health and fitness tracking solidifies the Galaxy Fit 3’s place within Samsung’s wearable lineup, offering a fresh alternative to the more comprehensive Galaxy Watch series and promising several advancements in design, display, and battery life.

Samsung fans and tech enthusiasts appear to be super hyped about the upcoming Galaxy Fit 3. It’s going to be the perfect fitness companion, packed with all the latest tech from Samsung and designed with fitness enthusiasts in mind. So stay tuned for more details!

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All-screen iPhone with Under-Display Camera is coming but not too soon

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Although notches and cutouts, including Apple’s Dynamic Island ‘pill,” have become the industry standard for cramming front-facing cameras and sensors on smartphones, they are hardly the ideal solution. Because of the blemish they put on the phone’s display, not to mention the area of unusable space they incur, they’re both unattractive and wasteful. The ideal solution and Holy Grail that designers and manufacturers have been chasing after is having no cutout at all, with the camera invisibly hidden beneath the screen. As many smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold series, demonstrate, that’s easier said than done. That said, everyone seems to be moving in that direction, including Apple, which might already be preparing for an iPhone that’s all-screen, coming in 3 or 4 years.

Designer: Apple (via The Elec)

Image courtesy of Samsung

Hiding a camera lens or other sensors beneath the screen is no easy task. A camera will need to capture light from the outside in order to actually form a picture, but a screen is mostly opaque so no light will reach it normally. This is why Under-Display Cameras (UDC) or Under-Panel Cameras (UPC) actually have a lower resolution in the area directly above the camera compared to the rest of the screen. A lower resolution means fewer pixels, which means some light will be able to pass through to the sensor beneath. At the same time, however, the resolution shouldn’t be too low that you can make out the individual pixels with the naked eye, destroying the illusion.

There are other technical considerations with UDCs, including how the display’s own illumination could bleed into the camera, a flaw that Samsung is probably too familiar with. With so many parts of the puzzle, it’s no wonder that Apple isn’t in a rush to adopt this rather young technology, even if other brands like Samsung and ZTE have already jumped on the bandwagon. It won’t hold off forever, of course, and it seems that the ball has started rolling for an iPhone with that design in 2027 at the earliest.

Image courtesy of MacRumors

According to industry sources, LG has started work on a solution to the deterioration of image quality due to the loss of light in under-display cameras. It’s designing a special lens that is composed of multiple lenses to be able to gather more light despite the screen’s pixels blocking most of the area. Of course, the technology is still under heavy development, so even if Apple were to use it, won’t be happening even in the next two years.

In fact, Apple is expected to first adopt a familiar circular punch-hole cutout for either the iPhone 16 Pro next year or the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is also speculated to be the first to use an “Under Panel Face ID” technology before Apple finally jumps to an all-screen iPhone design after 2026, possibly with the iPhone 20 Pro, if that will be its name.

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OnePlus 12 wood texture leak fires off Internet debates on bold design choice

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Although it seems to have become a bit quieter and more business-minded of late, OnePlus was a brand that boasted bucking trends both in the way it designed phones and how it conducted its business. The first OnePlus phone, for example, sported a removable back cover and cover designs that included uncommon materials like sandstone and wood. More recent OnePlus designs have become less daring and more conventional, though the company does offer unique variations or accessories from time to time. Such a time might be coming later this year with the new OnePlus 12, which might don a wooden back yet again, whether as an integrated rear panel or an aftermarket accessory.

Designer: OnePlus (via Digital Chat Station)

The OnePlus One was quite the rebellious teen when it launched back in 2014. It carried flagship specs but dangled a price tag that sounded too good to be true. It brought back removable batteries and back covers that you could swap to your heart’s delight. The latter was an important detail that appealed to a style-conscious market, a market that tends to make things go viral on the Internet, which is probably what helped make OnePlus an overnight sensation. Those days are long gone, but the company might be making a throwback soon, depending on how you interpret this latest leak.

According to a reliable tipster, the OnePlus 12 will feature a “classic wood grain shell,” a phrase taken from an auto-translation of the original text. The image below shows proof of that, complete with all the unevenness and imperfections that give wood its natural beauty. Naturally, with only one part of the phone’s back shown, the revelation sparks plenty of discussions and speculations on what that “shell” really means.

On the one hand, it could be a completely new variant that uses wood or “faux wood” as the material for the OnePlus 12’s back panel. This is a possibility if you consider that OnePlus no longer makes its back covers removable, just like every other smartphone in the market today. On the other hand, it could simply be a special edition of protective cases, though it would seem to be extra slim if that were the case (no pun intended).

What makes the guessing game a bit more complicated is that OnePlus has actually done all of those over the course of its history. The OnePlus One, for example, was notable for its SwitchStyle covers that included bamboo, walnut, and sandstone textures. More recently, it launched a limited “Marble Odyssey” edition of the OnePlus 11 5G that employed 3D microcrystalline rocks to achieve the unique look and feel of marble. Suffice it to say, OnePlus is at least still keen on pushing the boundaries of materials, textures, and designs that give its smartphones more personality than your average handset.

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iPhone 16 Pro punch-hole camera cutout is still possible but 2025 is more likely

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Ever since the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has stayed faithful to the notch despite numerous criticisms. Last year, however, it finally changed direction for the first time while still staying away from the dominant “punch-hole camera” design of most smartphones today. The Dynamic Island, which is unsurprisingly now being copied by other brands, presented a unique and interesting way to hide the presence of front sensors like the Face ID camera while still making that area usable and, well, dynamic. There are, however, whispers that Apple will soon go all-in on the prevalent design trend and will implement its first punch-hole design on the iPhone 16 Pro next year, though chances of that happening in 2025 might be a bit more realistic.

Designer: Apple (via Majin Bu)

Although the smartphone industry seems to have settled on what is described as punch-hole or hole-punch cutouts, the debates have never really stopped on what is the better design. The old iPhone notch, in addition to being seen as stale, also took up too much precious screen real estate that could otherwise be used to display things. The smaller circle does minimize the footprint but still leaves a lot of room for improvement in terms of elegance and functionality. The Dynamic Island introduced last year is Apple’s creative and ingenious solution to combine the best of both worlds, but it seems that even design-conscious isn’t done changing things.

According to rumors, Apple is already testing a punch-hole design that could make its way as early as next year’s iPhone 16 Pro. The insider tip even shows a render with a rather large hole at the top of an iPhone’s display. The cutout is noticeably larger than most punch-holes on Android phones that have been trying to make that design less conspicuous. There’s a good reason for that, which is the same reason Apple couldn’t completely abandon the notch and why it created the Dynamic Island design. Face ID hardware is more than just a simple front-facing camera, and Apple will need to make room for those sensors in such a constrained space.

Even if Apple does change to a punch-hole camera design, expect it to be unlike what you see on Android phones so far. We could see a redesigned Dynamic Island implemented for this kind of cutout that takes advantage of the smaller space. Or we could see Apple completely revise iOS 18 to have a different interface now that there’s more room for icons and whatnot up there.

That said, even the tipster admits that there is a bigger chance that this design change will happen with the iPhone 17 series in 2025 instead. All that depends on what the company decides in March next year when it finally decides on the iPhone 16 design. Truth be told, there is very little reason for Apple to make another change so soon, with Dynamic Island still in its infancy. After all, Apple isn’t one to simply jump on trends, so it might be a while before we see it changing its direction again.

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New iPhone 15 Pro high-quality renders show the biggest camera bump on an iPhone, plus USB-C

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Big changes are coming to the iPhone 15, including what looks like solid-state buttons, a potential titanium frame, and the world’s first Apple-certified USB-C port on an iPhone. Speaking of big changes, that camera bump is probably the thickest I’ve ever seen on an iPhone too. Gone are the days when Apple would try photoshop tricks to conceal the camera bump, and provide the phone’s thickness without the bump just to entice buyers. Given that the camera has now become perhaps the most important component on the iPhone, it’s getting its own real estate in a way that makes the camera really look like a separate entity.

These exclusive renders were made available to 9to5Mac based on what they claim is a credible CAD model from one of the iPhone’s makers. Materials seem speculative at this point, although 9to5Mac claims with a certain degree of surety that we may be looking at a titanium frame for the 15 Pro series (goodbye Bendgate). Other more visible details include the absence of the iconic mute switch over a button that sits flush against the iPhone’s frame, and that sweet, sweet USB-C port.

Designer: 9to5Mac

Inspecting the CAD model has revealed that the camera lens protrusion has more than doubled from the iPhone 14 Pro’s enormous cameras. At this point you could probably snap a MagSafe wallet to the back of your phone and it still wouldn’t protrude as much as the lenses on the 15 Pro’s camera module. The folks at 9to5Mac speculate that the camera will feature an all-new sensor technology that will “capture more light and reduce overexposure or underexposure in certain settings.”

Notably enough, however, the CAD file for the 15 Pro Max actually has a SMALLER camera bump than the 15 Pro. 9to5Mac attributes this to the probability of a new periscope lens system that will only be coming to the higher-end model in the Pro series. I can’t wait to see how Apple justifies this, and what it means for the iPhone 15’s sales. Will people actually spend a couple of hundred bucks more for a sleeker design? My gut definitely thinks so.

The Dynamic Island on the new iPhone 15 series is also rumored to be marginally smaller than the one seen on the 14 Pro from last year. Apple condensed the notch with newer iterations too, so this is no surprise… although rumor also has it that the Dynamic Island will now make its way to all iPhone 15 variants and not just the Pro models.

A deep-dive into the 15 Pro’s camera architecture. You can even see the image stabilizer inside the phone

The biggest change on the iPhone, however, is undoubtedly Apple’s (forced) migration to USB-C. Following EU legislation brought about by the rise in e-waste by Apple not following a set standard, the company is now shifting its iPhone to USB-C, although other Apple products like the AirPods, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad will still retain the Lightning charging connector… for now.

A lot of people are also speculating that this shift to USB-C is going to be met with some form of Apple-style resistance. The iPhone won’t directly be compatible with all USB-C cables, dongles, and accessories. Like with the iPad Pro, only MFi-certified accessories will work as intended with the phone, and even fast-charging cables, adapters, and power bricks will be limited by the phone itself unless they comply with the MFi standards. This effectively means your Android fast charger or GaN fast charger could effectively be rendered useless with the iPhone, which would still charge at the same slow speed.

Although we’re quite a few months away from the iPhone’s release, these renders and rumors help consumers be mentally prepared for what’s to come. After all, a $1200 purchase shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment decision, right?

The iPhone 15 is rumored to drop in September, when Apple hosts its iPhone and Apple Watch event. Prior to that, we’re expecting a taste of Apple’s mixed-reality headset (rumored to be called Apple Reality Pro) in June during Apple’s WWDC event.

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Is Apple relaunching the iPod on its 20th Anniversary this year? Here’s why it could be a smart idea…

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Four words – Lossless Audio, and Apple Arcade. These four words could just as easily the new iPod’s design brief. The Twitter rumor-mill’s working on overdrive after a few sources claimed that Apple could announce a new iPod this fall. A few designers even went so far as to create renders based on hearsay and leaks, and I’m absolutely here for it. A new iPod could be a pretty nifty product for a variety of reasons. Here are my thoughts.

Only last week Apple announced that lossless audio was coming to Apple Music. With a new iPod, it’ll be like Apple going into the music-streaming war guns-a-blazing. Spotify’s slowly but surely dominated this space, and the new iPod could almost be Apple signaling that it’s taking the music domain pretty seriously. The iPod could drum up major interest the same way the Moto RAZR did – nostalgia is a powerful force. Moreover, the hardware would be no different from the iPhone 5 or the iPhone SE, given that the renders look pretty much exactly like those devices.

Secondly, the new iPod has the ability to become Apple’s gateway device for a variety of iOS features (and probably even MagSafe, who knows). Kids could use it for listening to music, but could also potentially use the iMessage service on it. The iPod could leverage the power of Apple Arcade too, becoming a very affordable device that parents would buy for their kids in a heartbeat, tying them into the Apple ecosystem at an early age. The iPod has always been an impulse purchase (as opposed to the iPhone)… reissuing the gadget on its 20th anniversary absolutely makes a world of sense!!

Image Credits: Steve Moser, AppleLe257, and Apple_Tomorrow