November 5, 2024

Apple's Product Release Roadmap for 2013? [Chart]

Posted January 16, 2013 at 5:04pm by iClarified · 17414 views
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a good track record in predicting Apple's plans, has released his 2013 Apple product and shipments roadmap.

iPhone:
Kuo believes that Apple will release both an iPhone 5S and a revamped iPhone around June or July. The iPhone 5S will look similar to the current iPhone but feature an A7 chip, a fingerprint sensor, and a better camera with a f2.0 aperture and smart LED flash.

The revamped iPhone 5 is said to feature a plastic enclosure that is slightly thicker (8.2mm compared to 7.6mm), be available in six colors, and cost less.


Apple TV:
A minor update to the Apple TV is expected late this quarter. No major television offerings are expected until 2014.

MacBook Air:
Kuo thinks that Retina Displays for the MacBook Air will be too challenging for release in 2013; however, the notebook will likely receive an update to the Intel Haswell platform late in Q2.

MacBook Pro:
Kuo believes that Apple will drop its non-Retina lineup of MacBook Pro computers and lower the price point of the Retina Display models. He also believes that the design of the notebook will be tweaked.

iPod Touch:
Apple will reportedly drop the fourth generation iPod touch in favor of a new scaled-back fifth generation model with 8GB of storage and no back camera for $199.

iPad and iPad Mini:
Kuo says that Apple will update both iPad models in the third quarter with the iPad mini getting a Retina Display. The iPad is said to become slimmer, lighter, and feature thinner side bezels similar to the iPad mini.

Desktops:
Kuo believes that Apple will not be able to bring its Retina Display to the iMac lineup in 2013. He sees a shift to the Intel Haswell platform for both the iMac and Mac mini in Q4; however, he does not make any predictions for the Mac Pro.

[via MacRumors]