Category: Apple

48MP for all

• The long-rumored iPhone SE 4 could launch soon, according to new rumors
• LG Innotek has reportedly began production of camera modules for the new phone, which normally occurs three months before launch
• The new SE is also tipped to borrow the display from the iPhone 13

The long-rumorediPhone SE 4may be right around the corner and pack a previously unexpected camera upgrade, if a new crop of rumors are to be believed.

According to Korean news outletETNEWS(viaGoogleTranslate),LGInnotek will supply both the rear single-lens camera module and front-facing selfie camera for the upcoming phone, and make use of previously used components to keep costs down.

The new SE having just one rear camera would be nothing new, but the report also suggests that this rear snapper will be a 48MP lens, in line with the main camera on theiPhone 14 Promodels and the entireiPhone 15andiPhone 16lineups. Should the report prove correct about the use of previously used components, this would likely be the exact same camera as found on these earlier phones.

We had previously expected the rumored new iPhone SE to ship with a 12MP single-lens rear camera, in line with the current third-generation model. However, the ETNEWS report suggests the new iPhone SE will feature the same 12MP selfie camera as the current model.

AsBGRnotes, a prior report from Korean news outletAju Newssuggests that LG typically supplies camera modules for phones around three months before release.

This would suggest a release date of March 2025 for the iPhone SE 4, which fits with the previous releases in the series, all of which were unveiled in March or April of their respective years.

The report also corroborates prior rumors concerning the display the iPhone SE 4 could ship with by suggesting the new phone will borrow the 6.1-inch LTPSOLEDpanel from the iPhone 13. This probably means a resolution of 1170 x 2532 and a refresh rate of 60Hz – pleasantly sharp, though most budget phones come with a 90Hz or even 120Hz refresh rate these days.

Applehas reportedly divided its orders for the new display between LG Innotek and Chinese manufacturer BOE, and the use of a previously-developed panel tracks with the component cost-cutting strategy suggested by ETNEWS.

Incidentally, the use of this display would almost definitely result in an iPhone 14-style form factor for the new phone, as has been previously suggested.

Apple has yet to reveal any official information about the iPhone SE 4, and likely won’t until the phone is ready for release.

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My analysis

Hype for the iPhone SE 4 is heating up, and for good reason – if these types of rumors continue, we could be looking at one of thebest cheap phones(and more importantly best-value phones) Apple has ever produced.

Apple’s mobile camera systems are famous for their quality and point-and-shoot reliability, so fitting the cheapest phone in the lineup with a modernized 48MP camera would be a pro-consumer move by any measure.

For most people, this would offer more than enough photography capability – I mean,how many people really use their phone’s ultra-wide camera anyway?

And even I, as a notedlover of ridiculously large phone camera systems, reckon I’d be happy with a single 48MP snapper in most situations.

As well as the iPhone 13’s display, we expect to see the iPhone SE 4 ship with essentially identical specs to the iPhone 16, in order to supportApple Intelligence.

Think about it – a compact AI phone with a great camera looped into the Apple ecosystem, likely for less than $500? This coming year could see the iPhone SE become a real competitor, rather than just a blast of nostalgia.

Apple and Qualcomm have been partners for a long time, but the former appears intent on gradually moving away from Qualcomm as a chip supplier for Apple’s iPhones and iPads over the next few years, as Bloomberg reveals in detail. Three Apple modem generations will be gradually implemented from the iPhone SE 2025 onwards and ultimately also in the Pro iPhones.

Soon a Qualcomm-free zone: Apple plans to slowly replace all Qualcomm modems in iPhones and iPads starting with the iPhone SE 4. (Image source: Wekihome)

Apple has had no luck with its modem plans so far, as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman describes in arecent report. The original plan was to replace Qualcomm modems with in-house developments as early as 2021, but despite a high financial investment of several billion dollars, including the purchase of Intel’s modem division, there has been one setback after another.

The tests with the Apple modem prototypes were anything but positive, with efficiency and overheating problems in particular forcing Apple to extend the contracts with Qualcomm again and again. But the outlook for 2025 is positive, after recent changes to development processes and experts acquired from Qualcomm have slowly turned the tide for the better, explains Gurman.

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First move in 2025: Mid-range 5G modem

In 2025, the first guaranteed Qualcomm-free iPhones will be launched on the market, based on a modem developed by Apple itself and manufactured by TSCM in Taiwan, codenamed “Sinope”. Next year, only theiPhone SE 4(expected in the spring) and the thinneriPhone 17 Air(following in the fall) will benefit from Apple’s in-house development, and the new entry-level iPads are also expected to be launched on the market without a Qualcomm modem in 2025.

The reason why the iPhone 17 Pro models are not yet included is that Apple’s first modem will be a mid-range 5G modem without mmWave functionality and channel bundling limited to 4 carriers, which barely delivers more than 4 gigabits per second in tests. Nevertheless, the new “Sinope” based iPhones are said to offer advantages such as greater efficiency thanks to improved integration with Apple’s A-series chips, which will also be important for satellite connectivity. The Apple modem should also make the iPhones less prone to radiation. 

Second move in 2026: Catching up with Qualcomm

According to current plans, the next step will follow in 2026 in the form of “Ganymede”, which is expected to be on par with the latest Qualcomm modems and will include mmWave support, 6 Gbps download speeds and six-carrier aggregation. It will be installed for the first time in the iPhone 18 generation and the high-end iPads of 2027. 

Third move in 2027: Surpassing Qualcomm

Last but not least, Apple intends to surpass Qualcomm’s solutions in 2027 with a third modem called “Prometheus” and also offer AI features and next-gen satellite features. The current plan is for Qualcomm modems to disappear from all Apple products by the iPhone 19 generation at the latest. There are also currently efforts to integrate the modems directly into the A-series chips.

Source(s)

Bloomberg

Image:Wekihome YouTube

Another in-house phone part

For the last few years, Apple has been on a quest to end its reliance on iPhone components from other companies. The latest bit to get the ax looks to be the cellular modem chip, and a switch to an Apple-made part looks imminent.

Currently,Qualcommmakes the modems in your iPhone, but a new report fromBloomberg’s Mark Gurmanclaims that Apple’s in-house modem will debut in 2025.

The first iPhone to feature this new modem will reportedly be theiPhone SE 4, which is expected tolaunch in the springof next year. However, Gurman claims that the first version of Apple’s modem will be much weaker than the currently available Qualcomm chip.

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Simply, the modem on your smartphone enables the handset to connect to cell towers so it can make calls and connect to the internet over cellular.

Apple wants to surpass Qualcomm by 2027 with increasingly “more advanced” chips, according to the Bloomberg story.

Gurman gets more in-depth in the history of Apple’s modem development but briefly, Apple has been working on this project since at least 2021, having spent billions including acquiringIntel’s modem group and hundreds of engineers.

Interestingly, the first version of the modem, codenamed Sinope, won’t be in the flagshipiPhone 17models next year. Instead, it will launch with the iPhone SE 4. The new modem also may feature in the much-rumorediPhone 17 Airand lower-end iPads. It appears the SE 4 will be a real test for Apple’s in-house modem.

Sinope won’t support mmWave, a 5G technology that can handle large download speeds. Instead, it’s supposed to feature a Sub-6Ghz standard that’s featured on the currentiPhone SE, which debuted in 2022.

Allegedly, because this new modem will be more integrated with Apple’s iPhone systems, it will be more efficient, use less power and better support network connections, despite its downgraded connectivity.

Like much of Apple’s chip components, Sinope is going to be produced by TSM, who also make the Apple-designed A-series of processors.

According to the report, Apple-built modems will feature in more products in 2026, including the iPhone 18. iPad Pros are slated to feature a third-generation modem by 2027. By then, Apple’s modem should support mmWave and bigger download speeds.

Gurman briefly noted that Apple is considering merging the modem and main processor as one component.

With advancing processors and capabilities the iPhone is a powerful device, it will be interesting to see what effect the modem switch will have on Apple’s devices.

Cook opines on legacy, Vision Pro, and Apple Intelligence

• Tim Cook sat down with Wired for a wide-ranging interview
• He confirmed that Apple hasn’t considered charging for AI features as of yet
• Cook shedded some light on Vision Pro performance, albeit indirectly

I likeTim Cook. The now long-timeAppleCEO is gracious, smart, and as close to a human sphinx as you can imagine. He rarely drops major news, either casually or when the media are grilling him.

Cook did not disappoint inhis latest wide-ranging interview with Wired’s Steven Levy. One of the best in the business, Levy peppered Cook with questions about everything from theiPhone’s 16’snew Camera Control button toApple Intelligence, the company, and his own legacy. Cook didn’t exactly break news, but there were areas where he revealed a bit more about himself and some of Apple’s strategic decisions relating to AI, mixed reality, and what comes next for Cook himself.

Apple Intelligence, Apple’s brand of AI that Cook insists is not a pun, has been slowly rolling out to supported iPhones, iPads, and Macs, with each iteration getting a bit closer to what Apple promised during its JuneWWDC 2024keynote. Cook didn’t walk through any new features, though he does have a point of view on the fine line between utility and taking over. Cook tends to believe that AI is an assistant (like a copilot, I guess) and is not straight-up doing things for you.

However, Cook’s perspective on charging for additional and maybe more powerful AI Apple Intelligence features was more interesting. It’s not a discussion they’ve been having on the Apple Campus.

“We never talked about charging for it,” Cook told Levy. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s off the table, but since Apple and Cook view Apple Intelligence as similar to multitouch on the iPhone, AI is likely a feature that adds value to all the other products and services Apple charges for. Apple could simply raise the prices on them to cover the cost of building and supporting Apple intelligence features.

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Vision Pro realities

Apple has been mum onVision Prosales. The powerful VR and mixed-reality headset is undoubtedly the apex of Apple’s consumer electronics capabilities and the company makes you pay dearly for it – $3,500 – which may account for consumer apathy.

Cook didn’t speak directly about sales performance, but he’s still bullish about the headset. I think, though, he may have acknowledged that the pricey wearable is not for everyone. Here’s how Cook characterized it to Levy:

“It’s an early adopter product, for people who want tomorrow’s technology today.”

Cook insisted that the ecosystem is flourishing, which may be a sign of product category health, but then he added one encouraging bit of almost news about what might come next.

Levy asked aboutMeta OrionandSnap AR glasses. These lighter and more glasses-like wearables focus on AR experiences, and I wondered if Vision Pro’s next iteration could be headed in that direction.

“Yes,” Cook told Levy, “It’s a progression over time in terms of what happens with form factors.”

I think the market cannot wait to try out those next form factors.

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After Cook

Some believe that Apple Hardware lead John Ternus is thenext likely Apple CEO, but for Ternus to step in, Cook would have to step away. The current Apple CEO, however, did not paint a picture of someone running out ofsteamor one who is becoming less engaged with the brand.

The Apple-Tim Cook love affair is still very much alive. Cook is not planning his exit and told Levy that he would not “do it until the voice in my head says, ‘It’s time.”

Cook said he loves the job and can’t imagine his life without it. Put another way, Tim Cook will be steering the Apple ship and building upon his legacy, which Cook wants to be health. “We have research going on. We’re pouring all of ourselves in here, and we work on things that are years in the making,” Cook told Levy.

I think it will likely be Apple Silicon for many years to come, though.

Support is ending for your old-school iPhone

WhatsApp logo displayed on iPhone 14 screen

• Users on old iPhones have been sent a new alert in WhatsApp
• It says that WhatsApp will stop working unless they update iOS
• WhatsApp will end support for software older than iOS 15.1 in May 2025

Thebest iPhonesare known to last a long time, so it’s no surprise if you’re still happily rocking an older iPhone that’s several versions out of date. Despite that, you might find it’s not compatible withWhatsAppfor much longer, as the developer of the popular messaging app has warned users that they’ll soon need to upgrade their iPhone or stop using the service.

As detailed byWABetaInfo,WhatsApphas begun sending notifications warning users that they need to “update to the latest version of iOS to continue using WhatsApp.” These alerts are being sent out to users who are running anything older than iOS 15.1 on their iPhones.

If that sounds like you, you’ve got around five months until WhatsApp stops working on your iPhone, as the app notification says WhatsApp will end support for older versions of iOS on May 5, 2025. WhatsApp recommends you open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update to update your iPhone.

Yet it might not be so simple to do that. If you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus – or any earlier iPhone – your device will not be compatible with iOS 18. That means you won’t be able to update your iPhone, and consequently WhatsApp will stop working on your device next May.

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That’s not all.WhatsApp doesn’t have an iPad app yet (beyond a beta app that’s only available to people using Apple’s TestFlight service). That means that next year’s WhatsApp update will also end support for the first-generation iPad Air, the iPad mini 2, and the iPad mini 3, as they too only support iOS versions earlier than iOS 15.1

Time to upgrade?

WhatsApp has been steadily introducing new features to its iOS and Android apps over the past year, including the ability to send photos in ‘original quality’ (above).(Image credit: Future)

WABetaInfo states that WhatsApp could be ending support for older iPhones so that it can make use of newer features and technologies introduced in iOS 15. WhatsApp can go ahead and add these features if it doesn’t have to worry about being held back by outdated iPhones that can’t run them.

As well as that, it’s likely that there aren’t too many WhatsApp users currently on versions of iOS predating iOS 15.1, considering the iPhones in question were released years ago. WhatsApp could redirect its efforts to optimizing the app further for the larger number of users who have more modern iPhones.

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Ultra-why bother?

The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future)
Pick up any modern phone – be it one of the best iPhones or best Android phones – and you’re likely to find a rear panel adorned with two, three, or even four cameras. In most cases, at least one of these cameras will be an ultra-wide lens – commonly referred to as a 0.5x or 0.6x zoom, compared to the main snapper.

Apple, for example, markets the base-model iPhone 16 as having a 4x optical zoom range thanks to an inner crop on its main camera and the 0.5x “magnification” offered by the ultra-wide camera.

But beyond neat figures for marketing and pseudo-zoom trickery, can any of us actually remember if we even wanted an ultra-wide camera to begin with?

The first phone to really make an impact by having two cameras was the iPhone 7 Plus, which pushed the idea of the dual camera setup into the mainstream. It came equipped with a wide-angle main camera and a 2x telephoto camera, at a time when even decent digital zoom wasn’t a given on smartphones.

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The iPhone 7 Plus launched in 2016 with a dual camera setup
The revolutionary iPhone X, and its follow-up the iPhone XS, kept this momentum going, and the rivals of the day followed suit, with the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus also sporting a telephoto camera.

Ever since the iPhone 11, though, it’s been seen as normal to fit premium, flagship handsets with ultra-wide secondary cameras, and the more useful telephoto lens has increasingly become a tertiary luxury. And in the budget world, telephoto lenses are a real rarity compared to the common – and presumably cheaper – ultra-wide option.

Ultra-wide cameras have their uses. The lesser focal distance of an ultra-wide camera means you can get up close to subjects, enabling macro photography. And sometimes you just need to fit more stuff in the frame.

However, for day-to-day photography – which is the majority of photography done with a smartphone – even a 2x telephoto zoom is so much more useful; it virtually extends the photographer’s reach to help them capture a wider variety of day-to-day happenings – not to mention better-looking portraits and detailed close-ups.

The ultra-wide cameras affixed to smartphones are also rarely meaningfully corrected by the phone’s image processing pipeline, meaning people and objects at the fringes of the image appear unnaturally stretched out.

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The Xiaomi Mix Flip doesn’t have an ultra-wide camera (Image credit: Xiaomi)
Luckily, there does seem to be a course correction in motion. Xiaomi affixes telephoto cameras to several of its mid-range models, and even the new Xiaomi Mix Flip foldable has a 2x zoom as its sole backup. The Samsung Galaxy S24 family all carry an optical zoom camera of some description.

And I’m even glad of the rumors that suggest the next-generation iPhone SE will continue the single-camera tradition, as this means more investment and design resources can be allocated to things like performance and battery life instead of a camera with very limited use cases.

Hopefully, these choices begin to trickle down towards the best cheap phones over the coming years, but until then, it seems I’ll have to keep chasing the highest-performing phones for a secondary camera that I actually want to use.

Will Apple ever ask for a subscription?

The feature in action on an iPhone 14(Image credit: Future)

• Satellite features were originally only free for two years
• Another 12 free months were added last November
• Questions remain about long-term access to these features

We’ve just hit the two-year anniversary of the debut ofEmergency SOS via Satelliteon theiPhone 14– and althoughAppleoriginally said the service would only be free for two years, it remains free to access, with a year’s extensionadded last November.

The milestone was noted byMacRumorsand others, and it’s worth highlighting because it raises the question of what Apple plans to do with this in the long term. The officialsupport pagefor the feature still states that “Emergency SOS via Satellite is free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later”.

Although Apple has apparently always planned to get users to cover the cost of satellite connectivity, the problem with starting to charge money to access it is that it can quite literally save someone’s life – so it’s not quite the same as forgetting to renew your Netflix or Spotify subscription.

With the Google Pixel 9 series now offering a similar feature and Samsung expected to follow suit next year, it’s something all the major phone makers are having to weigh up. Either they absorb the cost themselves, or charge users money for it.

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Extra features

The Pixel 9 phones offer satellite connectivity too (Image credit: Future)
The satellite connectivity launched alongside the iPhone 14 in 2022 have been expanded upon since then. The feature has rolled out in more countries, and now includes the option to get roadside assistance via satellite (in addition to contacting the emergency services).

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With the introduction of iOS 18, Apple added the ability to message anyone you like via a satellite connection, if you don’t have a cell or Wi-Fi signal. Again, the feature was advertised for being free for two years, though Apple has never given any indication of the pricing structure that might eventually be introduced.

It’s possible that some of those extra features, such as roadside assistance and satellite messaging, will eventually need a subscription – while the emergency SOS capabilities, which might just save your life one day, remain free. For now though, Apple hasn’t gone on the record about what might happen.

In November 2025, the free period for both iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners will be coming to an end, so we’ll see what happens then – and whether or not satellite options get bundled together with an Apple One subscription.

Image Credits:Apple

Apple’s latest iOS 18.1 software update introduced a series of Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and notification summaries. However, some features were missing from the lineup, like Genmoji, which allows users to create emojis from written prompts.

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Now, with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 public betas officially available, the highly anticipated AI-generated Bitmoji feature is finally here for some users to try.

Here’s what you need to know about the Apple Intelligence feature that many people are excited about, whether you’re in Apple’s beta software program and want to take it for a test drive, or if you’re just curious about what to expect when Genmoji launches for all users.

What is a Genmoji?
Genmoji initially debuted at WWDC 2024 back in June. Built into the iPhone’s emoji keyboard, the feature lets people generate original emojis with prompts. For example, “A sloth wearing a suit and tie.” It can also generate emojis of people using photos. Genmojis can be used not only in Messages but also in Stickers and Tapbacks. It’s also possible to react to a message with a Genmoji or with Apple’s message effects.

How to create a customized emoji with Apple Intelligence

To use Genmoji, first make sure Apple Intelligence is enabled. Then launch the Messages app, start a new message (or go to an existing chat), and click on the emoji keyboard located in the bottom left corner. Next, type the prompt into the search bar and choose “Create New Emoji” just below it. 

After a few seconds, Apple Intelligence creates multiple versions of the AI-generated emoji based on that custom description. To save a favorite Genmoji, tap “Add” in the top-right corner to permanently include that new emoji to the keyboard.

To save a Genmoji that someone else sends, long press on it and select “Emoji Details,” which will display the prompt that was used to generate it. There’s also an option to download it.

Image Credits:Apple

When is the official launch of Genmoji?

Currently, Genmoji is only available to users with Apple’s iOS 18.2 public beta. Note that there may be a waitlist, so users might have to wait a few days or even weeks until they gain access. 

It’s expected that the feature will officially launch in early December.

What Apple devices support Genmoji?  

• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Max
• iPad mini with A17 Pro chip
• All iPads with an Apple silicon chip
• macOS Sequoia support coming soon

Is Apple Intelligence supported in my country?

The only regions where Apple Intelligence is not supported are China and the EU because of certain regulations.  

Regarding language support, it’s currently only available in U.S. English. In late 2024, it’ll roll out localized English support for Australia, as well as language support for users in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. By 2025, Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese will also become available.

It’s reported to be a six-inch square screen that can be wall-mounted

• Apple’s long-rumored smart home display might arrive as soon as March 2025
• It could have a six-inch screen and run a new operating system
• Apple Intelligence could be front and center

There is seldom a shortage ofApplerumors, but one that has been constant – and heating up in recent months – is that the technology giant isplanning to release a smart home display. And it makes a lot of sense as Apple continues to push into the smart home – there are already two smart speakers, theHomePodandHomePod mini, major updates to the Home app, and we can’t forget that Apple is part of the smart home standard Matter.

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Now, though, it seems Apple is working at a record pace to ready a smart home display.Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reportsthat “a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing, and use AI to navigate apps” could launch as early as March 2025. That’s just five months away, and it sounds like a direct competitor toAmazon’s Echo Show 15. It might also be my dream Apple smart home display and a bit better than just a HomePod with a screen.

Gurman shares a bit more about the smart display, which is codenamed J490. As expected, it’ll be a showcase for Apple Intelligence and likely the smarter features of the forthcoming Siri. From a design and hardware standpoint, it’ll come in silver or black and stand as a 6-inch square screen that resembles an iPad with thicker bezels. The report states it’s “about the size of two iPhones side by side” with a built-in camera seemingly for FaceTime calls or home monitoring, speakers, and a rechargeable battery.

(Image credit: Apple)

There is no mention of the processor, but we’d expect it to be Apple Silicon as it will need to power some other sensors, including one that can detect how many people are near the display. This is likely similar toGoogle’s Soli technology that is used on the Nest Thermostat to adjust what’s on screen based on whether you’re closer to it or farther away.

Bloomberg’s report notes that theoperating systemis a cross between watchOS and the iPhone’s StandBy mode. This means you’ll likely get dedicated apps and peek into them like widgets. It’s reported that it will run FaceTime,Safari, Music, and Calendar, among others. Of course, it will also be an ideal way to control the smart home, and it is being pegged as a “Command Center.”

As far as interactions go, it will either be touch or hands-free voice through Siri, much like a HomePod or HomePod Mini. The report notes that the smart display was “designed around App Intents, a system that lets AI precisely control applications and tasks” – a feature originally shown off atWWDC 2024when Apple Intelligence was launched.

Just asAmazonoffers several designs for Echos or how Google’s Pixel Tablet can be affixed to a stand, Apple has reportedly made different attachments or bases for the smart display. The report notes that beyond hanging on a wall, there will be bases for placing it on a desk, nightstand, or even counter, and these will offer better sound through additional speakers. It remains to be seen if the wall attachment will be done magnetically to a mount, allowing you to move it around quickly.

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Like other smart displays, Apple’s will likely be a standalone device that you set up with an iPhone and sign in to with your Apple Account (formerly an Apple ID) to enable easy data syncing and the ability to hand off things like music or a call.

While this is a stationary, non-moving smart display from Apple, there are also many rumors of an intelligent display attached to a roboticarmthat the company is said to be working on. Bloomberg’s latest report notes that it is in the pipeline but farther out and will be much more costly at $1,000. That makes sense, considering it’s a robot. This smart display, which could launch next year, is said to be “far-less” expensive and closer in line with competitors like Amazon’s Echo Show.

(Image credit: Future)

All in all, it feels like it’s about time for Apple to really enter the smart home, and it seems like the company really wants to take a piece of the smart display market from the mainstays. If it’s anything like the HomePod, iPad, or iPhone, we can expect it to offer a premium build with strong audio and a good interface. It would also likely check off the box for a lot of folks who have been waiting for a proper smart home control panel.

Further, it would reinforce Apple’s commitment to the smart home and show that it’s a category that the company sees on its roadmap for the long haul and one that it’ll likely continue to invest in. We also saw rumors this week that Apple is considering developing smart home accessories like cameras, and this report does mention that the development of those could be sped up if the smart display succeeds.

Of course, until Apple announces it’s all but a rumor, so take this with a grain of salt.