Well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple has big plans for 2020 and is expected to release a number of new and refreshed products.
“We forecast that Apple’s major new hardware products in 1H20 include the 4.7-inch LCD iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro/Air, smaller wireless charging mat, UWB tag, and a high-end Bluetooth headphone,” wrote Kuo in a TF International Securities research note, a copy of which was shared by MacRumors.
Kuo says he believes Apple will debut the much-anticipated “AirTags” which Kuo believes the tags will support Ultra Wideband (also supported by the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro handsets), which would likely make it possible to locate the tags with much greater accuracy than offered by either Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.
Kuo also mentions a 4.7-inch iPhone. Apple is widely believed to be planning a release of a new lower-cost iPhone sporting a similar design to the iPhone 8, which will boast a 4.7-inch LCD display, Touch ID, and an A13 chip and 3GB of RAM. The new device is expected to debut by the end of March and is expected to be priced starting at around $399.
New iPad Pro models sporting a triple-lens rear camera system supporting 3D sensing for augmented reality. They are expected to hit shelves in March.
Kuo refers to a MacBook refresh, although it isn’t clear if he’s referring to a new MacBook Pro a new MacBook Air, or both. Previous rumors have suggested a new 13-inch MacBook Pro boasting a scissor switch-based keyboard will launch sometime in the first half of 2020. The MacBook Air last received a refresh back in July 2019, so it’s possible it could also receive a refresh.
Kuo also mentions high-end headphones but provided no details. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported Apple is developing self-branded over-ear headphones, but it isn’t clear if they were canceled or evolved into a Beats-branded product.
Finally, Kuo says Apple will also release a small wireless charging mat. Apple canceled its previously announced AirPower charging mat last year over quality concerns.
Kup also sees the possibility that the new coronavirus outbreak could postpone the mass production of new products in the second half of the year.