Throwing back another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the latest iPhone price hike, display issues on the iPhone 14 Pro, the MacBook Pro update finally arrives, M2 Pro benchmarks, Apple’s microLED plans, the future of iPad’s HomePod, and more. Some of the clues point to the Apple Classical.
The Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions about Apple over the past seven days (And you can read our weekly roundup of Android news here on Forbes).
Potential iPhone price could stimulate demand
More details have been revealed about Apple’s potential price increase on its 2023 premium iPhones, with the expected $100 addition to the Pro phones expected. It’s a price hike for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, but the intended target is the vanilla iPhone 15. With a wider gap in the Pro models, will this boost sales of the entry-level smartphone?
“It’s a bold move designed to boost sales of iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, in the wake of weak demand for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models. It’s a classic Apple solution, to counter industry watchers who thought lowering prices to standard models would be the obvious solution.”
(Forbes).
TOPSHOT – The new iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are shown during Apple’s new product launch event … [+]
Quickly view problems with iPhone 14
After last weekend reports of display issues on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max users, Apple rushed to release an updated version of iOS 16. With horizontal lines appearing across the screens of the affected phones, this was a very visible bug that needed a quick fix. Forbes Gordon Kelly followed the bug’s progress over the course of the week:
“iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models have a strange issue that causes horizontal lines to flicker across their screens…the iOS 16.3 release candidate is now available, and testing reveals that it includes a fix for horizontal lines.”
(Forbes).
The updated MacBook Pro is finally here
Apple’s update to the professional MacBook Pro, expected since October last year, has finally arrived. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are now available with M2 Pro or M2 Ultra chipsets, as well as comprehensive updates to the latest components and connectivity options:
“In essence, Apple has taken the MacBook Pro portfolio from 2021, upgraded a number of popular components, and broadened the specs to stay relatively in the same place versus the competition… The new MacBook Pro laptops will provide measurable gains for those with intense needs.” performance in their laptops. It also indicates that these MacBook Pro models, while usable by consumers, are intended for more specialized roles.”
(Forbes).
Mac mini reveals the performance of the M2 Pro
For many, the big question is how well the M2 Pro and M2 Max will perform over the M1-based models. With benchmarks now out (presumably banned review units now), it’s possible to start answering that question with the Mac Mini M2 Pro announced this week:
The M2 Pro-powered Mac Mini performs nearly as well as the M2-powered machine in single-core tests, with a score of 1,952. However, it leapt past the M1 and M2 chips in multi-core tests, scoring 15,013 points, which is 66% faster. Almost as fast as the entry-level Mac Mini of 2023 and 189% faster than the M1-based Mac Mini as of 2020.”
(slush gear).
The bright bright future of bright bright screens
Looking further into the portfolio, Apple’s move to microLED, which will begin with the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra, is planned for the next decade
After debuting the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, Gurman expects Apple’s custom microLED displays to expand to the iPhone, with iPad and Mac likely to follow at a later date. He believes Apple’s long-term plan is to provide microLED displays for all of its major products. , but it may take a decade before it appears on the Mac due to the complexity of the technology at such an early stage.”
(Mac rumors).
An iPad for your home
Apple is preparing to bolster its “home” product lines by planning an iPad-like HomePod. This will allow Apple to take over both Google and Amazon in the smart home stakes, and no doubt close integration with Apple’s exclusive cloud-based services:
It’s said to be “essentially a low-profile iPad” that acts as a hub for controlling thermostats, lights, and security systems, while also allowing for FaceTime chats. It can be mounted to walls with magnetic clips or positioned as a regular iPad-type home hub.”
Finally…
There may not be a separate music entry for the Eurovision Song Contest on Apple’s universal services. However, Apple’s Music app keeps hinting that another classic might still get an “all you can listen” subscription service:
“With iOS 16.3 RC, Apple tweaked and added some strings in the Music app about the now renamed Apple Music Classical (it was only Apple Classical until 16.3 beta 2). Looks like they’re still working on that.”
(iSoftware Updates via Mac rumors).
The Apple Loop brings you seven days of special events every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read hereor This week’s edition of the Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.