«Apple Glass», «iPhone SE 2» and iPad Pro with 3D camera should be launched in the first half of 2020

"Apple Glass", "iPhone SE 2" and iPad Pro with 3D camera should be launched in the first half of 2020

In the last few months we have shared, here and there, some rumors about possible future Apple products – among them, the infamous «Apple Glass», the long-awaited “IPhone SE 2” and, more distantly, the scissor mechanism MacBooks keyboard and the next generation of iPad Pro with 3D camera.

Many of these rumors were fanned by the referenced analyst at TF International Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, who now decided to take a look at all this and cut some edges; nevertheless, all launches should occur between the first and second quarters of 2020.

«Apple Glass»

After years, we may finally see the faces of AR glasses from Apple soon. According to the analyst, Apple is about to start mass production of its headset, which could reach the market by the end of the second quarter of 2020 (i.e. June).

Apple Glass Mockup

Kuo also believes that Apple will partner with other (unidentified) companies to produce this gadget, with Changying Precision as the company’s primary supplier. He also mentions that the AR glasses will work as an iPhone accessory in the same way as the original Apple Watch, launched in 2015.

This means that the iPhone will still initially be the main engine of the device, which in a way contributes to the headset keep the design thinner and lighter, instead of Apple trying to package all the processing hardware in the glasses (which would weigh a lot).

“IPhone SE 2”

The news that the likely “iPhone SE 2” could land in the first quarter of 2020 comes as no surprise, as Kuo had previously stated. THE Nikkei it had also said that such a device would arrive at the beginning of next year and would include an A13 chip, in addition to a design similar to the iPhone 8 chassis.

IPhone SE 2 mockup

Considering this year’s Apple releases and the iPhone 8 itself, it is possible that the device has some of Apple’s latest technologies, such as wireless charging and second-generation Touch ID. It is not known, however, whether the device’s front and rear cameras will improve; in this regard, specifically, it is very likely that Apple will maintain its previous technologies.

iPad Pro

Speculation about the next generation of the iPad Pro is also on the rise – and the most popular rumor has been that of a 3D rear camera. More precisely, the future tablet should have a camera ToF which, like the TrueDepth technology of the front cameras of recent iPhones (but with much greater power), can provide spatial depth data, which will contribute to the various augmented reality features created by Apple.

IPad Pro concept with three cameras

According to Kuo, such an iPad Pro with a 3D camera would hit the shelves around the world in the first quarter of 2020, presumably at the same time as the “iPhone SE 2”.

In addition, Kuo pointed out that Apple is already starting to prepare the next generation of the tablet (ie the iPad Pro 2021). Initially, the company would be analyzing the effectiveness of the LCP circuit for 5G modems of futures gadgets – therefore, already in 2021 we are able to see the first iPads with support for the new mobile network technology.

MacBooks with new keyboard (scissor mechanism)

The analyst also revealed his predictions for the upgrade of Apple’s notebook line and, interestingly, suggested that a MacBook with scissor mechanism will be launched in the second quarter of 2020. It is not clear whether Kuo referred to the much discussed 16-inch MacBook Pro (which is – or was – expected later this month) or another model of the notebook.

Naturally, once Apple turns the key and glances at the scissor mechanism, the analyst believes that all other models will adopt the design as early as next year, resulting in more durable keyboards that are less prone to failures due to heat, dust, etc. – or so we hope, at least.

· • ·

If Kuo’s predictions are accurate, then we will see a busy year for Apple, which will not only update some of its most popular devices, but will also launch some very interesting news. Anxious?

via MacRumors: 1, 2