Apple to Launch AirTags, Smaller Wireless Charging Mat, New iPad Pro, Refreshed MacBooks, More in 1H20 [Report]

Apple is planning to launch AirTags, a smaller wireless charging mat, new iPad Pros, new MacBooks, a 4.7-inch LCD iPhone, and high-end Bluetooth headphones in the first half of 2020, according to well respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

"We forecast that Apple's major new hardware products in 1H20 include the 4.7-inch LCD iPhone, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro/Air, smaller wireless charging mat, UWB tag, and a high-end Bluetooth headphone," wrote Kuo in TF International Securities research note seen by MacRumors.

The low cost 4.7-inch iPhone is expected to feature a similar design to the iPhone 8 with an LCD display, Touch ID home button, A13 chip, 3GB of RAM and a starting price of around $399. It could launch by the end of March.


New iPad Pro models are said to feature a triple-lens rear camera with 3D sensing and could also launch in March.

It's rumored that Apple will refresh the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same scissor mechanism keyboard that it debuted in the 16-inch MacBook Pro but Kuo didn't provide any further information on the new 'MacBook Pro/Air'.

Evidence of Apple's upcoming ultra-wideband tags likely called 'AirTags' has leaked numerous times over the past year. The tags are expected to operate much like Tile's trackers but with the ability to pinpoint location more accurately thanks to ultra-wideband support.

Kuo didn't offer any details about the high-end headphones that Apple will supposedly be releasing; however, MacRumors recently found evidence in iOS 13.3.1 that Apple is working on a new pair of Powerbeats4 wireless earphones. Additionally, back in 2018, there were reports that Apple was developing its own branded over-ear headphones.


Finally, Kuo warns that if the coronavirus outbreak doesn't get contained, Apple may have to make changes to keep production on schedule.

"If there are no significant improvements regarding the coronavirus epidemic in the foreseeable future, we predict that Apple may delay new material adoptions or lower test requirements for components to shorten qualification processes and launch new products in 2H20 on schedule, and the lower spec will likely hurt the ASP of materials or components," wrote Kuo.

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[via MacRumors]