This week, Apple fans have a lot to talk about. From the anticipated specifications of the iPhone 16 Pro to significant updates in the iPhone 16's battery technology, the tech giant has set the stage for its next generation of smartphones.
TOPSHOT - Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in Cupertino, California on June 10, 2024. (Photo : NIC COURY/AFP via Getty Images)
AI Integration, Battery Innovations of Next Apple iPhone
Apple's upcoming plans include integrating AI capabilities into its iPhone 16 lineup and requiring every device to feature an AI-capable processor. A recent Forbes report delves into these developments, focusing on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro and their anticipated use of the new A18 chipset.
This marks a strategic shift for Apple, which previously aimed to keep basic iPhone models a generation behind the Pro models to incentivize sales of the higher-end handsets.
The presence of chips labeled iPhone17,1 and iPhone17,2 strongly indicates that all models in the upcoming fall lineup will share the same processor. This uniformity is expected to improve battery life by prioritizing efficiency and power in the new chipset designs.
Around the globe, updated regulations emphasize improved repairability and sustainability for consumer electronics, particularly smartphones. Apple must adhere to these new standards, which require replacing old glued-in batteries with designs that facilitate easier battery swaps.
Apple is reportedly prepared with advanced technology to meet these requirements. Currently, removing an iPhone's battery involves navigating adhesive strips that secure it to the chassis, a task requiring some expertise beyond the average user's ability.
Apple aims to simplify this process by introducing bonding technology that uses a small electrical charge to detach the battery. This innovation is expected to debut in at least one iPhone 16 model this year and be expanded to the entire iPhone 17 series by 2025.
The developer beta of iOS 18 has not yet been made available to the public, but it's already gaining attention as a significant addition. Apple is finally incorporating the RCS messaging protocol into its Messages app.
This move allows for more robust communication features such as client interoperability, group chat support, and the seamless sharing of rich media. Early users of the iOS 18 developer beta released on June 24 are experiencing these advancements firsthand, marking a departure from Apple's longstanding preference for its proprietary iMessage system over RCS.
Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset provides a high-priced entry point into its mixed-reality lineup, but rumors have long hinted at a more affordable version. Recent insights from supply chain analysts point towards the potential use of larger OLEDoS panels with lower resolution for a presumed non-Pro Vision headset.
This move suggests Apple's strategy to offer a less expensive mixed reality option, possibly tethered to an iPhone or Mac, to bypass the need for a costly onboard processor. If these speculations hold, the budget-friendly Apple Vision headset could debut by the end of next year, broadening access to Apple's mixed reality experience.
