Apple Prepares New iPhone 5G With Flat Stainless Steel Edges, Smaller HomePod, AirTags [Report]

Apple is working on a new iPhone 5G with flat stainless steel edges, a smaller and cheaper HomePod, and AirTags for release this fall, reports Bloomberg.

The company is preparing four new iPhones models which could all get 5G support. At least two of the models will feature a new design similar to the iPad Pro's.

This year’s successors to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be joined by two lower-end models to replace the iPhone 11. At least the two high-end devices will have flat stainless steel edges instead of the current curved design as well as more sharply rounded corners like the iPad Pro introduced in 2018. Reminiscent of the iPhone 5 design, the new handsets will have flat screens rather than the sloping edges on current models, said the people asking not to be identified because the plans aren’t public.


Delays caused by the coronavirus outbreak could push back the release of Apple's new iPhones by a few weeks, though they should still arrive within the typical fall window. Apple engineers are expected to travel to China in May to finalize product designs.

Similar to the new iPad Pro, the top tier iPhones will have a triple-lens camera system and gain a LiDAR scanner, while the two lower-end models will stick with a dual-lens camera system. The large 6.5-inch iPhone is expected to get a slightly larger display and all models will likely have a smaller notch.

Also under development is a new HomePod speaker that is about half the size of the original with a similar design. Apple is targeting the second half of 2020 for release. The speaker will have a lower price to help Apple compete with Amazon's Echo and Google's Assistant. Apple has also been working to improve smart speaker with plans to add additional music services and acquisitions to improve Siri.

Additionally, the report says Apple's leaked AirTags tracking accessory will be bundled with a leather sleeve and keychain to attach it to objects. The tags are planned for release this year.


Other products under development include a new MacBook Pro, Apple TV, budget iPads and iMac. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for updates.

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