Yeah, Apple’s annual September reveal event is a mere two days away at this point. But why wait for the certainty of facts when you can ponder the possibilities early?
The good news is these details come straight from Ming-Chi Kuo (h/t 9to5Mac), a top Apple analyst who is known for tipping details on the company’s upcoming products before they’re revealed. So while none of this is confirmed, it’s probably a reliable expectation-setter.
On the iPhone front, Kuo predicts three storage options for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini: 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. That means the 64 GB option — which is too small at this point for most uses, let’s be real — is gone.
The larger iPhone model is also said to be getting a storage tweak, but in the opposite direction. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Max will reportedly be available with four storage options; the same three mentioned above, plus a new 1 TB model that’s a first for iPhones.
Kuo sounded a note of caution for those hoping to score one of the new iPhones right away, however. Ongoing component shortages around the world could come for Apple as well. But the investor report suggests that this could also be more of a risk for older models only, presumably because Apple knows its latest devices are the most sought-after and therefore devoted more manufacturing to the new stuff.
There’s also some news supposedly coming on the AirPods front, with Kuo suggesting that Tuesday will bring our first look at the AirPods 3. These apparently won’t replace the AirPods 2. Instead, they’ll either arrive at a higher price than the earlier model, which retails for $159, or they’ll prompt a price drop for the AirPods 2. But either way, it sounds like both models will continue to exist for now.
The AirPods 3 are expected to feature a redesign that puts them closer in form to the AirPods Pro, released in 2019. The new model reportedly won’t offer active noise cancellation but it will feature head-tracking Spatial Audio. That’s apparently it for the AirPods, though; Kuo doesn’t expect an update for the Pro until 2022.
Add all of this to the pile of rumors and expectations that have already amassed ahead of Apple’s Sept. 14 reveal event. Answers are coming soon, just sit tight and stay tuned for the gauntlet of reveals on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
