KGI Securities

Cheaper HomePod might be in the works

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refurbished HomePod
Apple might be planning cheaper HomePod to boost sales
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

HomePod sales have fallen well below expectations, according to one of the best Apple analysts in the game.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors today that Apple is considering making a low-cost version of the HomePod in order to give disappointing sales a boost.

Next Apple Watch might be plus-size

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2018 Apple Watch
Raise to wake might finally be coming to an end.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch isn’t just growing in sales — it’s about to grow in size, too. At least, that’s the prediction of an analyst with long track record for accuracy.

A larger display would make room for a bigger battery. Apple likely will build new health features into its updated wearable as well.

Apple planning a more affordable MacBook Air for 2018

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Get a MacBook Air for $200 off
It’s about time we saw that new MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Apple will deliver a “more affordable” MacBook Air this year, according to one reliable analyst.

The existing MacBook Air lineup remains pricey, despite being incredibly outdated. Apple asks customers to cough up at least $999 for fifth-generation Intel processors and a low-resolution display.

2018’s entry-level iPhone might lack key features

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iPhone X
Ready to ditch your iPhone X already? There's still time to get a great price!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple will cut key features from its upcoming 6.1-inch iPhone to reach a more affordable price tag, according to one reliable analyst.

The device, which is expected to look a lot like iPhone X, could cost as little as $700. But buyers will lose luxuries like a stainless steal frame, dual rear-facing cameras, and even 3D Touch.

2018 iPhone may get complex metal frame for better reception

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iPhone X
The iPhone X design is coming to more devices in 2018.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is planning to make big improvements to the next iPhone’s cellular reception, according to a new rumor out of Asia.

Now that the iPhone X is on sale, the Apple rumor mill is starting to turn its attention to next year’s model, and one of the most reliable analysts in the game is already starting to chime in with new clues on the 2018 lineup.

Apple, Foxconn execs to discuss iPhone X production woes

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iPhone X on its box
iPhone X finally hits Apple's refurbished section.
Photo: Apple

Apple and Foxconn executives will meet later this month to discuss ongoing iPhone X production woes, according to a new report.

Apple operating chief Jeff Williams is planning to sit down with Foxconn chairman Terry Gou, sources say. It’s likely the subject of that meeting will be to solve manufacturing issues that are causing severe iPhone X supply constraints.

iPhone X’s biggest feature may come to iPad Pro in 2018

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iPhone cameras
The True Depth Camera keeps an eye on you.
Photo: Apple

Apple will include Face ID and the TrueDepth Camera in 2018 iPad Pro models, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors Monday morning.

Kuo, who has a highly respectable track record on Apple predictions, also said the technology that is part of the soon-to-be-released iPhone X, will be standard issue in future iPhones.

iPhone X supply won’t balance with demand until next year

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iPhone X
That's nowhere near enough to meet early demand.
Photo: Apple

Getting your fingers all over the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge super Retina display won’t be easy during 2017.

According to one of the most accurate Apple analysts in the game, the new tech inside the iPhone X will cause the supply of units to be severely constrained. Even though the new device doesn’t go on sale until November, Apple’s going to be facing production shortages for quite some time.

Crazy Apple fans are already lining up to buy the iPhone X

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Tim Cook
Getting your hands on the iPhone X at launch may be nearly impossible.
Photo: Apple

The wait in line for the great iPhone X has already begun.

Apple hasn’t even unveiled its new premium $1,000 iPhone yet, or announced when it will be available, but that’s not stopping some hardcore fanboys from lining up at stores with cash in hand.

iPhone X supply has no hope of meeting demand

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iphone 8 UI
Good luck getting your hands on one of these.
Photo: Ben Miller

iPhone X might be insanely expensive, but that won’t prevent it from becoming the best-selling Apple smartphone to date. What might scupper sales is incredibly short supply.

According to one reliable analyst, iPhone X production, as it currently stands, has no hope of keeping up with early demand.

Analyst: Blame Samsung for iPhone 8’s high price tag

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iPhone 7
Switching to OLED won't be cheap.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming premium iPhone is likely to be its most expensive model ever — and Samsung is partly to blame, according to a reliable Apple analyst.

In his latest research note, KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo explains to investors that Samsung currently holds a practical monopoly on the supply of OLED displays. The company is likely charging Apple a huge amount of money to make the switch from LCD modules to OLED. Apple fans probably won’t be happy with the final price tag.

Apple Watch with LTE might not make phone calls on its own

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Apple Watch goal
Apple Watch Series 3 might add LTE (in addition to other cool features).
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The rumored Apple Watch with LTE may not work for phone calls, according to new research from a reliable Apple analyst. Instead, Apple will focus on improving the user experience with the untethered wearable.

That’s the main takeaway from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, his Wednesday research note offers other predictions about the upcoming hardware update.

Apple Watch Series 3 will bring LTE but no design changes

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Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 3 will look exactly the same as its predecessors.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch Series 3 will be a significant upgrade thanks to LTE connectivity, which will allow you to use apps and receive notifications without being tethered to your iPhone over Bluetooth.

But one reliable analyst warns that the new model will look exactly the same as its predecessors.

Apple suppliers confirm two of iPhone 8’s biggest features

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iPhone 8 facial recognition
We could be waiting a long time for iPhone 8.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple supplier Largan says it will ship its new 3D sensors in time for iPhone 8, while another supply chain vendor confirms waterproof wireless charging technology.

Largan’s sensors are capable of carrying out facial and iris recognition and provide an alternative to fingerprint scanning. They could be the solution Apple turns to if it is unable to embed a Touch ID scanner beneath the iPhone 8’s display.

2017 iPhones probably won’t ditch Lightning for USB-C after all

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iPhone 7 lightning
Apple's not giving up on Lightning quite yet.
Photo: Apple

The rumor that Apple plans to switch to USB-C on all 2017 iPhones has been shot down by one of the most reliable Apple analysts in the game.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sent a note to investors today claiming that all three new iPhone models supposedly set for release this fall will come with a Lightning port, not USB-C.

All three 2017 iPhones may get wireless charging

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iPhone8
Is this what the new iPhone 8 will look like?
Photo: Imran Taylor

According to a reliable Apple analyst, the company will release three new iPhones this year — including a redesigned iPhone 8 (or iPhone X) and two iterative iPhone 7 updates.

All three models will reportedly boast new Apple wireless charging tech, rather than the feature being limited to a high-end OLED handset.

Apple could keep us waiting for 3 new iPads

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iPad Pro 3
Put away your wallets for now.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is expected to launch three new iPad models in various sizes in 2017, but we may have to wait until the second half of the year to get our hands on them.

Sources in Apple’s supply chain have confirmed earlier reports that three new models are coming — but they’re unlikely to arrive this spring as previously anticipated.

2017 MacBook Pro to bring Intel Kaby Lake, 32GB of RAM

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MacBook
The next MacBook Pro will bring the power pro users require.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple will launch a new 15-inch MacBook Pro later this year powered by Intel’s next-generation Kaby Lake processors and 32GB of desktop-class RAM, according to a reliable analyst.

The latest models feature Skylake chips and up to 16GB of RAM, but many professionals have complained this just isn’t enough for a high-end notebook.