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16-Inch MacBook Pro, 31-Inch 6K Display, iPhone Sharing Charges, New AirPods, AirPower, and the iPod Touch on the Way?

Danielle from Leaf and Core
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Ming-Chi Kuo's predictions for 2019Ming-Chi Kuo is a respected analyst. He’s frequently correct about future Apple products. Now he’s saying Apple is preparing a slew of new products for release in the first half of 2019 as well as other products for later in the year.

Kuo has predicted updates for the:

As well as two new products:

All of this is supposed to come within the next year. Let’s break down each prediction.

16-Inch MacBook Pro

This isn’t a far-fetched prediction. It claims that Apple will introduce a new MacBook Pro with smaller bezels. These smaller bezels would allow Apple to increase the size of the display. The screen size could come in between 16″ and 16.5″, without changing the size of the MacBook Pro chassis itself. For those of us who miss the 17″ MacBook Pro, it’ll be a return to this larger screen size without the sacrifice required to carry such a large laptop.

Updated iPhone

Kuo also claims Apple will update the iPhone. That’s no surprise, it’s updated every year. Ming-Chi Kuo claims the iPhone will not get new screen sizes. Instead, the upgrade will involve more memory for each device, enabling better multitasking. They’ll also feature bilateral charging, so they can charge other devices, such as upgraded AirPods. They’ll get larger batteries as well. Apple will improve Face ID slightly by adding a more powerful flood illuminator to the front sensor. Apple will not make the move to USB-C with this generation of devices.

The iPhone will also get a triple camera lens system. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this rumor though. Disappointingly, it will apparently only be for the iPhone 11 Plus model, though Ming-Chi Kuo did not make this claim himself. That comes from others who have leaked the story.

The new iPhones will have a frosted glass casing, similar to that on the Google Pixel. This should give them a unique, matte look, and also improve their grip. It’s also make your iPhone less of a fingerprint magnet, which I’m sure everyone will be happy about. Of course, it’ll still be fragile and require a case.

New iPod Touch

Kuo doesn’t give many details on the upgraded iPod Touch. All he has stated is that it will be updated with a new processor. However, the current design of the iPod Touch has been around for a long time. It could be Apple’s chance to update it.

iPad Upgrades

The iPad mini needs an update. The device is ancient at this point. Kuo claims it’ll get a new processor, but little else.

Apple will apparently ditch the 9.7″ iPad, increasing the minimum screen size to 10.2″, presumably with smaller bezels.

Kuo claims Apple will update the other iPad Pro models later this year, but does not state exactly what this would entail.

New AirPods

Did you get AirPods for Christmas? Well, there’s no good time to tell you that they may be out of date by the end of the year. Kuo believes they’ll come with a new wireless charging and improved connectivity. Other rumors have stated they could have health tracking capabilities or an improved texture to keep them in wearer’s ears. Kuo says these will come out earlier this year.

AirPower?

Apple should have released AirPower by now. AirPower was supposed to enable iOS device users to charge their Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone on the same wireless charging pad. Still, Kuo believes it’s finally time for this accessory. He says it’ll ship in the first half of 2019, along with new AirPods.

Mac Pro

According to Kuo, Apple will make good on their promise to release a Mac Pro in 2019 that appeals to actual pro users. It’ll be modular, with easy to upgrade components. It’ll release with the “6K3K” he described.

“6K3K” Display

Kuo mentioned a “6K3K” display, whatever that means. It’ll be a high end 31.6″ monitor for Macs, presumably with a 6K display. Or perhaps it’ll be a 3K display. Maybe both? We’ll have to wait until the end of the year to see.

13″ MacBook Pro Upgrade

Finally, there’s a chance the 13″ MacBook Pro will get a 32GB memory option. It’ll be the largest amount of memory Apple has ever offered in their smallest Pro laptop. However, Kuo couldn’t promise this one.

Can We Trust This?

Kuo’s predictions are often accurate. He sometimes misses a product feature, or gets a launch date wrong, but it’s rare that he’s entirely wrong about a product. I think we can trust that Apple will update and introduce these products this year. Most are a safe bet. The only stretches might be the “6K3K” display, the 16″ MacBook Pro, and the 13″ MacBook. But we’ll have to wait until fall of this year at the latest to find out.

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