MacRumors

Leaker Sonny Dickson has shared another image of a third-party band-and-casing accessory allegedly moulded for the forthcoming Apple Watch Pro that suggests the Garmin-style rugged device could feature additional physical buttons on the left-hand side of the screen.

Aimed at athletes and hikers, the new Apple Watch Pro is expected to feature a new hard titanium chassis design with a larger screen, but until now rumors did not mention the inclusion of new buttons on the device, where the speaker vents usually reside. The case suggests at least one new button on the left, possibly beside a smaller round hole for a new speaker vent design.

Athletes and running watch wearers are generally known to prefer physical buttons over touchscreen controls since they are more responsive in rainy and inclement weather conditions, so the inclusion of new physical controls would make sense, should the cases prove accurate.

The Digital Crown and Side button cutouts on the right side of the screen also suggest these buttons will be more protruding than on other Apple Watch models.

The moulding of the accessory case and earlier images of similar cases also suggest that the screen will be flatter than previous Apple Watch designs and will sit flush with the flat edges of the main chassis, which tapers off into a more rounded body.

The Apple Watch Pro is likely to cost significantly more than the Apple Watch Series 8, which is expected to retain the same chassis design as the current Series 7. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman suggests the new "Pro" watch could be priced in the range of $900 or $1,000.

Notably, Gurman believes the Apple Watch Pro will remain compatible with older Apple Watch bands. Both devices are expected to be announced on Wednesday at Apple's "Far Out" media event alongside a new Apple Watch SE, the iPhone 14 series, and AirPods Pro 2.

This year, Apple is rumored to be preparing to launch three new Apple Watch models, including the ‌Apple Watch Series 8‌, second-generation Apple Watch SE, and a new Apple Watch "Pro" with enhanced durability aimed at heavy-duty athletes.

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch Pro will debut with an all-new design that's a reworking of the form factor Apple first introduced with the Series 4 in 2018. Today, new leaks out of China allegedly give us a better idea of the rugged new Pro model ahead of time.

Two images, one tweeted by leaker Sonny Dickson (above), the other posted to Weibo by user UnclePan (below), both of whom have shared accurate information in the past, purport to show accessory cases for the forthcoming Apple Watch Pro.

UnclePan notes in his post that the "Pro is not square in the traditional sense, but a new form factor," and the casings do indeed hint that the main body of the watch will be rounded, while the upper rim of the chassis that meets the display will be flat and potentially sit flush with a flatter screen than the Series 7 model, possibly to provide better all-round protection against impacts.

There are also several cutouts suggesting larger, more protruding Digital Crown and Side buttons on the right, paired on the left with what appear to be larger-than-usual individual openings – one round, one pill-shaped – where the device's thin speaker slats are usually located. Whether these are to accommodate a new speaker design or additional physical buttons is unclear.

Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, multiple rumors suggested Apple was working on a refreshed design with flat edges similar to the flat edges of the iPhone 13 and iPad Pro, but that didn't end up happening. Rumors now suggest that the Apple Watch Pro could feature a similar sort of design with a flat display, but the device is not expected to get flat edges.

The new Apple Watch Pro is said to have a noticeably larger display on which users will be able to view more fitness and health-tracking data at the same time. The Pro model will also feature redesigned watch faces and a new low-power mode, according to Gurman.

The display is said to measure in at almost two inches diagonally, which is larger than the 1.9-inch diagonal screen size of the current Apple Watch Series 7 and the planned Apple Watch Series 8. It is also expected to include a more shatter-resistant screen and have a larger battery to accommodate longer workout times.

The standard Apple Watch Series 8 models are expected to feature the same design as the ‌Apple Watch Series 7‌ with no updates to the chassis.

Apple is expected to announce the ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday. Alongside the new iPhones and Apple Watch models, Apple is also said to be unveiling new AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple Watch Series 3 models are finally selling out on Apple's online store around the world, just days before the line is expected to be discontinued.

Three out of four Series 3 configurations listed on Apple's website are currently out of stock in the U.K. and Australia, for example, while one Series 3 model is unavailable on the U.S. store. Availability varies in other countries.

The upcoming watchOS 9 software update is incompatible with the Apple Watch Series 3, and it is expected that Apple will stop selling the device following the introduction of new Apple Watch models at its special event on Wednesday.

New models rumored to be announced at the event include the Apple Watch Series 8, a higher-end Series 8 model that may be named the Apple Watch Pro, and a second-generation Apple Watch SE. The original Apple Watch SE would likely replace the Series 3 as the new lowest-priced model.

Introduced in 2017, the Apple Watch Series 3 is very outdated and on its final days as watchOS 9 nears release for the Series 4 and newer later this month.

Apple has internally discussed the idea of launching some iPhone models without a SIM card slot by next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the move would be part of Apple's push towards eSIMs.

Gurman said the SIM card slot could be removed on some iPhone 14 models, which Apple is expected to announce in just three days from now, although he said there is a possibility that the change will not happen until the iPhone 15 next year. The eventual removal of the SIM card slot has been rumored a few times previously.

"Apple will give eSIM a bigger push this time around, with carriers preparing to steer users toward the digital, embedded SIM cards rather than physical ones," Gurman wrote in his newsletter. "In fact, Apple has considered removing the physical SIM card slot altogether beginning either this year or next for some models."

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. eSIM availability is rapidly expanding, but the technology is still not available in all countries, so some iPhone models with a SIM card slot may remain available for at least a few years amid the transition.

iPhone 13 models sold at Apple Stores and on Apple.com already lack a nano-SIM card in the box, with users typically able to activate a cellular plan via eSIM by turning on the iPhone, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and following the on-screen instructions. iPhone 13 models also support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing users to subscribe to several cellular plans digitally and switch between them, which is useful for travel.

The removal of the SIM card slot could help to further improve the iPhone's water resistance, and perhaps free up a tiny amount of space inside the device.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 lineup during a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday. Other products expected to be announced include Apple Watch Series 8 models, a new Apple Watch SE, an Apple Watch Pro, and new AirPods Pro.

The iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max will feature physically larger batteries, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, likely to compensate for the increased power consumption of an always-on display.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says he expects the new ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max to feature larger batteries and the devices will, as a result, appear "slightly larger overall." While longer battery life is always a top wish for customers, the inclusion of a larger battery on this year's high-end iPhones is likely a direct result of the inclusion of an always-on display.

Like the Apple Watch Series 5 and later, the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models are widely expected to feature an always-on display that will always showcase essential information and visual elements from the redesigned iOS 16 lock screen. The always-on display will display information such as the time, date, and widgets and include tinted and darkened versions of some wallpapers customized by the user, MacRumors reported this week.

Apple will be able to offer an always-on display on the upcoming iPhones thanks to new OLED display technology that features a lower refresh rate. While the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max support a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the 2021 iPhones can only go as low as 10Hz.

On the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, the OLED panels are expected to go as low as 1Hz, saving battery life when static information is always on display. Due to the newer OLED display, the always-on display functionality is expected to remain an ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro exclusive and not extend to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro models through a potential software update, as some may have hoped.

In addition to the energy savings provided by the lower refresh rate, the larger batteries on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro will likely compensate for any potential loss of battery life for users when using the always-on display feature. These two changes come alongside power efficiency improvements in the upcoming A16 Bionic chip expected to power the new "Pro" iPhones.

Apple is expected to announce the new ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup during an event on Wednesday, September 7. The lineup will include a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14, a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max. The new lineup will mark the end of the road for the 5.4-inch "mini" form factor, first introduced with the ‌iPhone‌ 12 series and improved upon with the ‌iPhone‌ 13 last year.

• iPhone Mini Fans: What to Look Out for When the iPhone 14 Models Launch

Apple is also expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 8, an updated Apple Watch SE with faster performance, and an all-new rugged Apple Watch "Pro." The second-generation AirPods Pro are also expected to be announced during the event, according to Gurman. For a full rundown of everything we expect from Apple next week, see our guide.

Apple is working on at least three augmented-reality and virtual-reality headset devices, the first of which will likely launch with the name "Apple Reality Pro," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that there are a minimum of three Apple headsets actively in development that he is aware of, under the codes "N301," "N602," and "N421."

The first of these devices, N301, is what Gurman believes will be called "Apple Reality Pro." Apple Reality Pro is said to be the company's "high-end rival" to Meta's upcoming Quest Pro headset. N602 is reportedly the successor to the first Apple Reality Pro headset and could come in at a lower price point. N421 is Apple's long-rumored augmented reality glasses device, though Gurman cautioned that it may not launch for some time.

Gurman's latest report is the first concrete indication of what Apple's first headset product could be called. It is worth noting that the "Reality Pro" name lines up with Apple's recent trademark filings. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple has trademarked several terms believed to be associated with its upcoming headset devices, including "Reality Processor," "Reality Pro," and "Reality One."

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to announce its first headset as soon as January next year, with potential features including two 4K micro-OLED displays, 15 optical modules, two main processors, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, eye tracking, object tracking, and hand gesture controls. The device's approximate price point is as yet unclear, but some reports indicate that it could cost around $3,000.

Apple will be hosting a special event at Steve Jobs Theater on Wednesday to unveil the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, and more. Ahead of time, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined his final expectations for the event in today's edition of his Power On newsletter.

Notably, alongside new iPhone and Apple Watch models, Gurman expects Apple to announce second-generation AirPods Pro at the event. Gurman did not indicate when the new AirPods Pro would become available to order or share any pricing information.

"I reported last year that new AirPods Pro would arrive in 2022, and now I'm told that Wednesday will be their big unveiling," said Gurman.

Several new features are rumored for the new AirPods Pro, including an upgraded H2 chip for improved audio quality, longer battery life, a new charging case with Find My support, improved in-ear detection, fitness tracking capabilities, and more. The new AirPods Pro also might support Bluetooth's LE Audio specification, which would provide several benefits, including the ability for the AirPods to connect to multiple devices like an iPhone and Mac simultaneously.

Back in 2020, Gurman and Debby Wu reported that Apple had tested a more compact design for the new AirPods Pro that would eliminate the stems below the earbuds, similar to the company's Beats Studio Buds. However, more recent rumors suggest that the second-generation AirPods Pro will not have any significant outward-facing design changes.

Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to announce a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, along with new Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Pro models. He also said that Apple "won't be discussing" its AR/VR headset plans at this week's event.

In 2020, Bluetooth 5.2 was introduced with support for a new LE Audio specification. At least two Apple employees are listed as participants in the development of LE Audio, and Apple is likely to adopt the specification for use in future devices.

According to a newly published filing in the Bluetooth SIG database, Apple recently had an unknown component with Bluetooth 5.3 support tested. The filing does not reveal any other notable details, but along with a similar filing last month, it suggests that Apple is preparing for future devices with Bluetooth versions that support LE Audio.

LE Audio would be particularly beneficial for AirPods, such as the second-generation AirPods Pro rumored to launch later this year. Below, we've outlined five benefits that LE Audio would have for future AirPods Pro, assuming that source devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac are also upgraded with support for the specification in the future.

• Improved audio quality: LE Audio includes a new low-power audio codec called LC3 that provides improved audio quality compared to the classic SBC codec, even at a 50% lower bit rate, according to the Bluetooth SIG.
• Longer battery life: With the low-power LC3 audio codec, future AirPods Pro would have longer battery life for audio playback.
• Multi-stream audio: LE Audio would enable the transmission of multiple synchronized audio streams between a source device like an iPhone or Mac and the AirPods Pro. This would allow for an individual left and right AirPod to each have its own Bluetooth audio connection with a device supporting LE Audio for improved reliability.
• Connect many pairs of AirPods to an iPhone at once: LE Audio would allow for many pairs of AirPods to directly connect to a future iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device and play audio simultaneously. Apple already has a feature that allows an iPhone or iPad user with AirPods to share audio with another person with AirPods, but the feature does not work with more than two pairs of AirPods.
• No switching between iPhone and Mac required: LE Audio would allow AirPods to connect to multiple source devices like an iPhone and Mac simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch the AirPods between devices.

In July, the Bluetooth SIG said it anticipates availability of products with support for LE Audio to ramp up by the end of 2022.

For the first time in several weeks, Apple has repopulated its Refurbished and Clearance store with a range of iPhone 12 mini models, just days before the smaller form factor is expected to be dropped from Apple's flagship smartphone lineup.

For the upcoming iPhone 14 series, Apple is believed to be removing the 5.4-inch iPhone "mini" size in favor of larger device dimensions. Available options are expected to include a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Max, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max.

The 5.4-inch iPhone "mini" size was originally introduced in 2020 with the debut of the iPhone 12 mini, which was greeted with much fanfare for its compact size. The device was followed by last year's iPhone 13 mini, a largely incremental update. Apple still sells both models on its main store page, but despite the smaller devices' clear popularity among enthusiasts, Apple has deemed the form factor to be not popular enough to make a new iteration for the third year running.

• iPhone Mini Fans: What to Look Out for When the iPhone 14 Models Launch

It remains to be seen whether Apple will decide to continue offering brand new iPhone mini models after it launches its next-generation flagship iPhone 14 series, and given its successor model has yet to be listed in Apple's refurb store, the returning availability of refurbished iPhone 12 mini units is likely to be noteworthy for consumers who favor the smaller size.

Apple began selling certified refurbished ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ devices in July of this year – a full 21 months after they were originally launched – but demand has made them hard to get hold of for the last several weeks after news of their imminent demise in Apple's upcoming new flagship range.

The iPhone 12 mini provides the same feature set as the ‌iPhone 12‌, just with a more compact design, 5.4-inch display, and 15 hours of battery life during video playback, while the ‌iPhone 13‌ mini's upgrades over the ‌iPhone 12‌ mini are mostly iterative, offering refinements in terms of a brighter display, a smaller notch, performance improvements, and new camera software features.

The more significant upgrades include camera hardware and longer battery life, but at face value there is likely not enough to justify getting the new model over the ‌iPhone 12‌ for most customers.

In Apple's Refurb store, iPhone 12 mini models are now available for as little as $529 for a 64GB version (a saving of $100), and as much as $659 for a 256GB version (saving $120).

• iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 13 Buyer's Guide

Refurbished iPhones come unlocked and SIM-free. All refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new white box that includes all manuals and a USB-C to Lightning cable. All refurbished iPhones are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple says its refurbished iPhones are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in our view, they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPhones. One of the only notable differences with a certified refurbished ‌iPhone‌ is that it comes in a plainer box.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 series at its "Far Out" media event on Wednesday, September 7. Check out our guide for everything we're expected to see at Apple's upcoming event and be sure to visit MacRumors over the coming week for comprehensive minute-by-minute coverage of all the breaking developments.

(Thanks, Jason!)

A new charging case for the upcoming second-generation AirPods Pro could feature speaker holes, a microphone, and an opening for a lanyard attachment, according to alleged CAD renders of the case shared by AppleInsider's Andrew O'Hara on Twitter.

O'Hara said he could not verify the accuracy of the renders, but they do line up with previous rumors about the next AirPods Pro charging case.

The new charging case is expected to gain Find My support, allowing users to track the location of the case in the Find My app in the event it is lost or misplaced, even when the AirPods Pro are not placed in the case. Earlier this year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the case will be able to emit a sound when lost, which would explain the addition of speaker holes.

The renders also show a single hole for what could be a microphone, although it is unclear what it would be used for. One possibility is that the microphone could be used for Apple's accessibility feature Live Listen, which can help someone to hear a conversation in a noisy area or across a room. The case's microphone could take in sound and send it to the AirPods Pro that someone is wearing, making the sound easier to hear.

Last, the renders show a cutout in the right side of the case that is likely intended for a lanyard attachment seen in a previous leak. This feature would make it easier to attach an AirPods Pro case to a keychain without the need for an extra accessory.

It's not obvious from the CADs whether the case has a Lightning connector like the current version or a USB-C port, but rumors suggest the case will stick with Lightning this year and switch to USB-C along with the iPhone 15 next year. The case has also supported MagSafe wireless charging since receiving a minor revision in October 2021.

It's also likely the new AirPods Pro charging case will have IPX4-rated water and sweat resistance like the charging case for the third-generation AirPods. Currently, only the AirPods Pro earbuds have water resistance and not the case.

While the second-generation AirPods Pro are expected to have longer battery life thanks to a more power efficient H2 chip and potentially support for Bluetooth 5.2's low-power LE Audio standard, it's not clear if the battery in the new charging case will be any larger. The current AirPods Pro case is equipped with a 519 mAh battery.

Apple is expected to announce the new AirPods Pro by the end of 2022, but it's not clear exactly when they will be unveiled. Other features rumored for the new AirPods Pro include improved in-ear detection, fitness tracking capabilities, and more.

A viral video on Twitter claims that on the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro, Apple will let users choose between a single large pill-shape cutout or one pill-shape and one hole-punch design at the top of the display to replace the notch. The video, although possibly convincing, is unlikely to be true.

The ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max are expected to include two physical holes at the top of the display to replace the notch: a pill-shaped hole for the TrueDepth camera system and a smaller hole-punch for the selfie camera. More recent leaks have suggested that Apple will digitally merge the two holes into one by turning off the pixels between them to create one larger pill-shaped cutout. Apple is reportedly planning to use the pixels between the holes to display information such as the iOS privacy indicators.

A video that initially originated from Weibo suggests that ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro users will actually be able to customize the look of the pill shape on the upcoming high-end iPhones. The video showcases an individual toggling a setting that turns on and off the pixels in-between the two physical holes, allowing the user to choose how they wish the top of their ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro to look.

The legitimacy of the video itself is highly questionable and unlikely to be authentic. The video claims to show an early hands-on look at an actual ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro device, but multiple aspects of the device shown in the video are clearly out of the realm of what we're expecting, including the actual placements of the pill shape, the thickness of the bezels, and more.

Regardless of the video's legitimacy, the possibility that Apple will give users a choice between the two possible appearances of the pill shape is unlikely. Like the notch on every ‌iPhone‌ since the ‌iPhone‌ X, the pill shape will become an unmistakable aspect of the ‌iPhone‌'s silhouette. Apple is unlikely to let users customize what it considers a visual characteristic of the latest ‌iPhone‌.

Additionally, a seemingly credible source on the MacRumors forums, who has shared lengthy information on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro in the last several days, has said an option to disable the black pixels between the pill-shape and hole-punch cutouts is not expected to happen. That source initially broke the news on Apple using the pixels between the holes for iOS privacy indicators and is the source behind MacRumors' report earlier today on the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro always-on display.

Apple is expected to announce the ‌iPhone‌ 14, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, and the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max during an event on Wednesday, September 7, with the tagline "Far out." Alongside new iPhones, we expect an entirely new Apple Watch lineup, including an all-new Apple Watch "Pro." Check out our guide for everything we're expected to see at Apple's upcoming event.

September is here, and you know what that means: new iPhones and Apple Watches! Apple's upcoming media event was naturally the focus of attention this week, with last-minute rumors shaking up some of our expectations.

In addition to iPhone and Apple Watch rumors, we also saw signs that Apple is moving toward launching updated iPad Pro models (though next week's event might be a bit soon for that) while Samsung attempted to troll Apple with a new ad for its latest devices, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

What to Expect From the September 7 Apple Event: iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 and More

We're just days away from Apple's annual iPhone media event, and we've rounded up everything we expect to see or might see at Wednesday's "Far Out" event. From the iPhone 14 lineup and multiple new Apple Watch models to other possibilities, Apple will surely have a lot to show off.

Also make sure to check out the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, with guest Sam Kohl where we similarly discuss expectations for next week's event.

As always, MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of Apple's event across our website, YouTube channel, @MacRumorsLive account on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms, so be sure to follow us next week for a closer look at all of Apple's announcements.

iPhone 14 Pro Display Cutouts Said to Appear as Single Pill

iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature new pill-shaped and circular cutouts instead of a notch, but last-minute rumors this week have claimed that iOS 16 will make the cutouts appear as one wider pill-shaped cutout by displaying black pixels between them.

According to an anonymous tipster in the MacRumors forums, the black space between the pill-shaped and circular cutouts on iPhone 14 Pro models will be used to display privacy indicators — the orange and green dots that indicate when an app is actively using the iPhone's camera and/or microphone.

While this tip has yet to be confirmed, it certainly would be a practical design choice and would closely mirror the bright green light that appears next to a Mac's webcam when it is being used.

Apple and Globalstar Rumored to Announce Satellite Connectivity Feature for iPhone 14

Apple may announce its long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 in partnership with Globalstar next month, according to Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant.

In a series of tweets, Farrar said T-Mobile's and SpaceX's satellite connectivity announcement last week was likely intended to pre-empt Apple's announcement of its own satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone at its September 7 event, which features the tagline "Far Out" with starry sky artwork.

Apple has indeed completed testing of satellite connectivity on iPhone 14 models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Samsung Throws Shade at Apple Ahead of iPhone 14 Launch

In a new ad ahead of the iPhone 14, Samsung mocked the lack of "innovation" on the iPhone while promoting features such as a 108-megapixel camera and 100x "Space Zoom" on its latest devices.

"This innovation is not coming soon to an ‌iPhone‌ near you," the ad quips, in reference to features already available on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone and foldable Z Flip4.

'Apple Watch Pro' Rumored to Feature Larger 47mm Case Size With Flat Display

The so-called "Apple Watch Pro" will feature a larger 47mm case size with a flat display, according to a recent report from Japanese website Mac Otakara. By comparison, all Apple Watch Series 7 models are available in 41mm and 45mm case sizes.

Other features expected for the "Apple Watch Pro" include a rugged design with a titanium case, longer battery life, an expanded Low Power Mode, an S8 chip, and more.

Major Retailer Preparing for Launch of 2022 iPad Pro Models

While the iPhone and Apple Watch are expected to be the focus of Apple's September event, rumors suggest the company will hold another event in October revolving around the iPad and Mac.

Ahead of time, at least one major retailer appears to be preparing for the launch of new iPad Pro models, which are rumored to feature Apple's latest M2 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, and more.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Apple plans to bring the classic iOS battery indicator back to the status bar directly on the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, taking full advantage of the added screen space at the top of the display thanks to a new pill-shaped notch replacement.

According to information shared with MacRumors and images posted on the MacRumors forums, Apple will bring back the classic iOS battery indicator to the status bar of the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, which will include the battery percentage and battery icon separate from each other.

While Apple brought the battery percentage back to the status bar in an iOS 16 beta, the battery percentage is placed inside the battery icon and is not separated from it due to limited space at the top of the display.

Alongside the classic battery indicator, Apple will rearrange other elements of the iOS status bar on the Lock Screen and notification center for the upcoming iPhones, including moving the cellular signal indicator to the left, according to the latest information.

It's unknown whether the classic battery indicator will be present in the status bar when the device is unlocked and in use, given the need to display the time on the left, reducing the overall amount of available width.

The latest tidbit is one of several new aspects of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro iOS 16 experience we're learning about just days before Apple's "Far out" event. Earlier today, MacRumors reported new details on the always-on display experience for the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, including the behavior of the always-on display and different design elements.

Body temperature sensing technology is believed to be the headline upgrade offered by the Apple Watch Series 8 when it debuts at Apple's "Far out" event next week. Thanks to a variety of reports from reliable sources, we have a fairly good idea of how the body temperature health features are expected to work.

Body temperature monitoring for the Apple Watch has long been rumored by sources like Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, but over the past year rumors have crystalized around the feature finally debuting on the Apple Watch Series 8 later this year. Contrary to the hopes of some observers hoping to be able to check their body temperature or get notifications if they have a fever, it looks like the feature may be significantly more limited at launch.

Reports from the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman state that the body temperature sensor is primarily designed to aid fertility planning, giving women insights into their ovulation cycle, and could be used to improve the detection of patterns when tracking sleep. Apple significantly bolstered the Apple Watch's sleep tracking capabilities in watchOS 9, so further improvements in this area aided by hardware this year seem plausible.

Apple is also said to have plans to enable the body temperature sensor to detect when a user has a fever, but it seems unlikely that this feature will be available upon the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8. Gurman believes that further in the future, Apple Watch models could determine if a user has a higher than normal body temperature, but it is still unlikely to show an exact measurement. All in all, this suggests that the body temperature sensor that comes with the Apple Watch Series 8 may not be quite what some users have come to expect.

According to Kuo, Apple originally intended to offer a body temperature measurement feature with the ‌Apple Watch Series 7‌ models, but the company shelved the plans when the body temperature algorithm it had developed failed to meet requirements before the device entered the engineering validation testing (EVT) phase last year.

The problems Apple has experienced relating to body temperature measurement purportedly relate to the fact that skin temperature quickly varies based on the environment, and since a smartwatch cannot monitor core body temperature using hardware, the feature is heavily dependent on an algorithm that produces accurate results. This likely explains why the body temperature sensing capabilities of the Apple Watch may be limited when the Series 8 launches later this year.

Last month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent for a temperature sensing system conspicuously related to the Apple Watch, including a "high-precision and high-accuracy absolute temperature sensor." Apple's patent protects an electronic device housing that encloses a temperature sensing system comprising a temperature sensor and a differential temperature probe.

The system works by calculating the difference between two ends of a probe. One end touches the surface to be measured, while the other is connected to a temperature sensor. The voltage delta across the different ends of the probe can then be correlated to a differential temperature measurement.

It is not clear if the exact technology outlined in the patent is related to the body temperature sensor that is expected to be used in the Apple Watch Series 8. It is also possible that Apple plans to use a proprietary system from Rockley Photonics, a British health technology startup that has created a sensor system designed for wearable devices that includes a core body temperature sensor.

Last year, it was revealed that Apple is the largest customer of Rockley Photonics. Rockley's financial filings said that Apple accounted for the majority of its revenue over the last two years and that it has an ongoing "supply and development agreement" with the company, under which it expects to continue to heavily rely on Apple for most of its revenue. Rockley previously said that it expects its technology to be used in consumer smartwatches in 2022, which could align to the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8.

Beyond a body temperature sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to feature the S8 chip and a Low Power Mode to prolong battery life. The device is highly likely to be unveiled at Apple's event on Wednesday, September 7.

The iPhone 14 Pro will feature unique behavior on the Lock Screen and significant changes to the status bar thanks to its always-on display, according to a source that spoke to MacRumors.

The source behind the latest wave of information was responsible for the bombshell leak earlier this week that claimed the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's display cutouts will appear to have a single, unified "pill" at the top of the display, rather than two distinct cutouts.

According to new information from the source shared exclusively with MacRumors, iOS 16's Lock Screen will directly interact with the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's always-on display, featuring integration with notifications and the depth effect and colors of wallpapers.

The ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's status bar will also purportedly see changes as a result of the increased amount of usable space at the top of the display, moving the cellular signal indictor to the left and re-implementing the full-width battery status bar on the Lock Screen and notification center when the device is locked.

The source shared several graphics allegedly based on information from Apple that illustrate some of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's software changes on the MacRumors forums and has since provided further information. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro will apparently feature the following features and specific changes:

• The background of Lock Screen wallpapers with a depth effect will be removed and fully darkened when the display is in its always-on mode, while the foreground will be dimmed. In addition, the foreground will be tinted with color and feature edge highlights depending on user customization.
• Widgets will be visible on the always-on display but will fade in and out at set intervals, unnoticeable to the user, to prevent OLED burn-in.
• Content shown on the always-on Lock Screen and the full-illuminated Lock Screen must be configured in the same way and cannot be separated, meaning that they have to share the same wallpaper, color choices, fonts, and widgets. The core visual elements of the always-on display itself can be independently customized.
• Notifications will be part of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's always-on display experience, and like on the normal Lock Screen, notifications will roll in from the bottom one at a time and remain subtly visible for 10 seconds. Once the display is woken up, the notifications will animate from the bottom and proceed to the user-defined setting of how notifications are presented on the Lock Screen (such as count, stack, or list).
• Apple may also allow users to enable a notification counter at the bottom of the always-on display.

Apple is also said to be planning to release an update, such as iOS 16.0.1 or 16.1, soon after the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro that will include fixes for issues with the device’s always-on display and wallpapers. While the company is now in the feature’s final stages of development, it is reportedly still encountering bugs and is scrambling software engineers from different teams, including the Apple Watch, to finish the always-on display experience before launch.

The ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro lineup is expected to be revealed at the Apple's "Far out" event on Wednesday, September 7. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro are likely to be available for pre-order on Friday, September 9, and start arriving to customers on Friday, September 16.

Verizon plans to become the first U.S. carrier to include Apple One as a free perk with an eligible plan alongside the launch of iPhone 14 models later this month, according to information obtained by MacRumors from a carrier source.

Apple One will likely be included with Verizon's most expensive "5G Get More" unlimited data plan, which costs $90 per month for one person. The fully-loaded plan already includes Apple Music, the option of Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, 600GB of Verizon Cloud storage, and more as free perks. It's unclear if existing subscribers will receive Apple One or if the offer will be for new customers only.

Following in the footsteps of British carrier EE, Verizon will likely offer Apple One's individual tier, which normally costs $14.95 per month and includes Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage.

It's unclear exactly when Verizon plans to share this news, but the carrier will likely make an announcement at some point in September alongside Apple's introduction of iPhone 14 models. Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, and more during an event at Steve Jobs Theater on September 7, and the devices should go on sale by September 16 in the U.S. and many other countries.

Verizon offering Apple One with an eligible plan could help to attract customers to the carrier heading into the holiday shopping season. The deal could also further bolster Apple's services business, which set a June quarter record with $19.6 billion revenue and was the company's second largest revenue source behind iPhone sales.

The iPhone 14 Pro is expected to mark the beginning of the end for the notch on the ‌iPhone‌, as it's expected to feature a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display. While we may be only days away from the launch of the new ‌‌iPhone‌‌, some users might be interested to get an early feel for what the new cutout will look like in person, and now you can do just that.

Despite plenty of concepts and leaks about the pill-shape notch replacement on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, there is nothing like seeing and feeling what it looks like right in your hand. Thanks to images created by concept designer Ian Zelbo, ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max users can get a sense of how the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro with the new display cutout will look and feel in the hand.

Shared on Twitter, images include a rough estimate of what rumors suggest will be the size of the pill-shape on the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, respectively. The images are sized to allow ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max users to view their respective images full-sized, flip their phone, and get an early hands-on ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro experience.

An image for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max can be found below, and an ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro image here (note that the image has a slightly wider aspect ratio based on leaked ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro schematics).

While it may look like a single large pill-shaped cutout in the display, there are actually two cutouts in the physical display. Credible rumor suggests that Apple will digitally merge the pill-shape and hole-punch cutouts to create one larger pill shape at the top of the display. Apple is reportedly planning to use the space between the two physical holes to add useful information such as iOS privacy indicators, while a rumored redesign of the Camera app will wrap controls around the new cutout.

Every flagship ‌iPhone‌ since the ‌iPhone‌ X has featured a notch, with the ‌iPhone‌ XS, ‌iPhone‌ 11, and ‌iPhone‌ 12 all featuring the same sized notch. Apple made the notch smaller with the ‌iPhone‌ 13, and it's expected to move on completely from the notch design in just a few days. Other than the pill-shaped notch replacement, Apple is planning other significant new features for the high-end ‌iPhone‌ 14 models, including an always-on display, a 48MP camera, better battery life, and more.

Apple is widely expected to announce the ‌iPhone‌ 14, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, and an entirely new Apple Watch lineup during an event planned for Wednesday, September 7, with the tagline "Far Out." For a full rundown of everything we expect from Apple's fall event, check out our guide.

Labor Day deals kicked off this week, and remain ongoing as we head into the long weekend. Alongside these discounts, we've got a few all-time low sales on Apple products like AirPods Max, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air to highlight in this week's best deals.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Labor Day Sales

• What's the deal? Save on Apple accessories this weekend.
• Where can I get it? Nomad, Pad & Quill, Twelve South, more.
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Labor Day is coming up on September 5, and many retailers have kicked off sales that you can shop over the long weekend. You can find the full list of the sales in our original article, but we've collected a few of the best sales below as well.

• Nomad - 15% off with code LABORDAY15
• Pad & Quill - Up to 35% off sitewide
• Aukey - 35% off sitewide
• Casely - BOGO free sale
• Twelve South - 12% off sitewide

AirPods Max

• What's the deal? Take $120 off AirPods Max
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The AirPods Max hit their Amazon all-time low price of $429.00 this week, down from $549.00. You can get this sale in four colors: Green, Pink, Silver, and Sky Blue.

Apple TV 4K

• What's the deal? Take $59 off Apple TV 4K
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The popular Apple TV 4K summer discount has continued into September, with Amazon offering the 32GB model for $119.99, down from $179.00. You can also get the 64GB version for $139.99, down from $199.00.

MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take $400 off MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Massive $400 discounts arrived for most of the 2021 MacBook Pro models this week, including both 14-inch and 16-inch notebooks. You can get the 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro for $2,099.00, the 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,099.00, and the 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro for $2,299.00. All of these sales represent $400 markdowns and lowest-ever prices.

MacBook Air

• What's the deal? Take $100 off MacBook Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon and B&H Photo
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Similar to MacBook Pro, this week we also saw a match of the record low price on the M2 MacBook Air. The 256GB model is on sale for $1,099.00, down from $1,199.00 on Amazon. B&H Photo is matching this price in both Space Gray and Midnight colors.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.