Juicy details surrounding iPhone 9, this year’s iPad Pro refresh, and more have been spilled by leaked iOS 14 code.
The information corroborates earlier rumors regarding Apple’s hardware lineup for 2020. It also reveals some new information about a brand-new Apple TV remote.
iOS 14 leaks are coming in thick and fast this week. We’ve already learned what the update could mean for mouse support and a brand-new Home screen on iPhone and iPad. There’s new information about watchOS 7, too. But it won’t stop there; the latest spill tells us more about Apple’s upcoming products.
What iOS 14 tells us about new hardware
According to leaked iOS 14 code, which has been obtained by 9to5Mac, the so-called iPhone 9 (or “iPhone SE 2“) will come with Touch ID, as expected. It will also offer Express Transit capabilities, giving current owners of iPhone 6 a big reason to upgrade. The device is expected to launch this spring with iOS 13.4 pre-installed.
Earlier rumors had suggested that the low-cost iPhone would arrive in March, but that now looks unlikely as the COVID-19 outbreak continues continues to cause production problems for Apple manufacturers in China. We’re still anticipating a spring release, but it might come a little later, and it’s unlikely there will be an iPhone 9 event.
What about iPad Pro?
With regards to the 2020 iPad Pro refresh, iOS 14 indicates the device will indeed feature a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor for capturing 3D data. This will allow for more advanced and more accurate augmented reality experiences. It will work alongside the new augmented reality viewing app leaked earlier.
Alongside that ToF sensor, the new iPad Pro will pack a wide angle camera, an ultra-wide angle camera, and a telephoto lens, the code reveals. It sounds like the same kind of camera setup you get with iPhone 11 Pro.
And Apple TV?
Earlier leaks from tvOS 13 suggested Apple was developing a new Apple TV box. Now, iOS 14 is hinting at a brand-new Apple TV remote — though “more specific information is unclear,” 9to5 reports.
The existing Apple TV remote has long frustrated users due to its simplistic design and lack of features. It’s also expensive, which makes it harder for Apple TV to compete with more affordable rivals from the likes of Amazon and Roku.
These leaks supposedly come from actual iOS 14 code, rather than just rumors, so there may be some strength to them. It’s worth remembering, however, that iOS 14 is still in development, and Apple’s plans for it could change before it makes its expected debut this fall.
