The rumor mill is constantly churning out new speculations about Apple’s next flagship -- the iPhone 16 Pro. Now, a new rumor suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro series will come equipped with two new camera sensors. 

Apple has stuck with 12MP ultrawide for its smartphones since it launched the iPhone 11. This could change with the next flagship, according to various rumors, with the latest one offering more details about the module’s specifications.

Leaker baby sauce OvO took to the Chinese social media website Weibo that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will equipped with 48MP ultra-wide cameras. Apple is said to leverage Sony’s IMX903 sensor, which will replace the IMX633 sensor.

Also Read: Apple To Ditch Plus iPhone Models With iPhone 17 Series

Apple To Bring Several Changes To iPhone 16 Series

In 2023, Apple replaced the 12MP 3x telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max with a 12MP periscope telephoto module with 5x optical zoom. That sensor is said to come to the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024.

The module is expected to be the same as the telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which uses a tetraprism design that bends light multiple times to display distant objects closer to a phone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will continue with the same camera, meaning the Pro Max model will continue to support 5x optical zoom and there will be no increase in the optical zoom range.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max already features one of the best cameras on a phone and with a new 48MP ultrawide camera, its successor will likely continue to hold that spot. To position new smartphones as photography-centric devices, Apple is also said to introduce a new Capture button.

The Pro lineup is highly likely to get bigger and brighter screens as well as a new A18 Pro chip based on TSMC's 3nm process. The models could also use new battery tech for better backup. Apple’s new flagship seems on the right track for a September launch, with the company reportedly working on starting display production next month.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max To Offer Even Better Battery Life

Apple To Use TSMC’s 2nm Process For Future iPhones

While Samsung has shifted its focus on mass-producing its 3nm process, which is said to be used for its Exynos 2500 SoC, Apple is planning to take a bigger lead in the area. The Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly working on a deal to secure TSMC’s 2nm production capacity.

According to a report from Economic Daily News, Apple COO Jeff Williams reportedly visited TSMC in Taiwan and had a meeting with TSMC President Wei Zhejia. The meeting is said to have discussed the development of AI chips and a contract to secure TSMC’s first batch of 2nm production capacity.

iPhone 16 series pre-orders kicked off on September 13 but the demand for most models globally has been high, as per a market analyst. Apple’s top performer is said to be the iPhone 16 Plus which has seen the highest growth in pre-orders compared to the previous generation.

On the other hand, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are witnessing lower demand despite shorter delivery times and up to 100 percent more units ready for shipment.

In a blog post, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kup revealed both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have seen more year-on-year (YoY) demand compared to their previous counterparts. The standard model is expected to have 10 percent more first weekend pre-orders, while the Plus variant’s demand is a staggering 48 percent more, dezpite higher average delivery time compared to iPhone 15 Plus.

Also Read: PS5 Pro Launched As Sony’s Most Powerful, Expensive Console

iPhone 16 Series Pre-Orders Drop By 12 Percent

The total first weekend pre-order sales of the iPhone 16 series are said to be around 37 million units - a decrease a about 12.7 percent compared to last year. One of the major contributing factors is said to be a falling demand for the iPhone 16 Pro models. The pre-order volumes for the iPhone 16 series are attributed to the introduction of the new tetraprism lens on the iPhonen16 Pro.

As per Ming-Chi Kuo, the lack of Apple Intelligence features at launch could be one of the reasons behind the low pre-order numbers. Features like writing tools, a smarter Siri, Clean Up tool, and Image Playground were previewed by Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2024 in June.

Although a handful of them are scheduled to make their debut with the iOS 18.1 update next month, some have been delayed till next year. However, the analyst further suggested that there is still hope for the company to increase its iPhone 16 sales following the release of Apple Intelligence as well as during the holiday season.

Also Read: Realme Pad 2 Lite To Launch On September 13 In India

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Gets FDA Nod For Its Hearing Aid Features

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software compatible with Apple AirPods Pro 2 headphones. This new feature, which will be integrated into the AirPods Pro 2 through a software update, will enable the earbuds to function as personalized hearing aids. The feature is aimed at helping users with their perceived mild-to-moderate hearing impairment.

Recently, Apple announced that its AirPods Pro 2 could be “transformed” into hearing aids with the upcoming software update. This new update, which was awaiting the green light from the FDA, will boost specific sounds in real-time, including parts of speech and environmental noises. The feature has now been authorized and is expected to be available to headphones in over 100 countries.

Apple has increased the price of its battery repair service for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Now, the battery swap will set back users by $199 in either phone. This is a $20 jump from the older fee. The price remains the same for the standard and “Plus” models, as do these for last year’s phones, according to MacRumors notes.

Apple doesn’t seem to have started charging more for other battery replacements yet, but it wouldn’t be unexpected. In 2022, Apple drove the cost of iPhone 14 battery service up by $30 to $99. Price hikes for iPad, MacBook, and older iPhone battery repairs came after that, and Apple Watches followed suit afterward.

Defective batteries are covered under Apple’s one-year warranty, and replacements are free under AppleCare Plus plans if a user’s battery has less than 80 percent of its original capacity. If it’s higher than that and you’re still disappointed with its longevity, your options are limited to third-party repair or going the DIY route with official Apple parts, either of which could be cheaper compared to the company’s full-price service.

Also Read: Apple Watch Ultra 3 To Launch In 2025: Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo

iPhone 16 Pro And 16 Pro Max Under The Hood

The iPhone 16 Pro models come with the new Camera Control button and have a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a 6.9-inch screen, the largest ever on an iPhone. Both devices are powered by the advanced A18 Pro chipset. The company claims the new chip runs 20 faster than the A17 Pro.

The triple rear camera also gets an upgrade, with a new 48MP fusion camera with a second-gen quad-pixel sensor. The smartphone gets a new 48MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus has been added. Both Pro models also come with a 12MP sensor featuring a 5x telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length.

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iPhone 16 Pro Price And Availability

The iPhone 16 Pro series brings new audio features such as Spatial Audio capture during video recording. Audio Mix leverages machine learning to separate background sounds from speech, offering a studio-like effect. 

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a starting price tag of Rs 1,19,900 in India. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, will set you back by Rs 1,44900. The pre-order for the iPhone 16 series will begin September 13 and the first sale will take place on September 20.

Apple recently hosted its annual event, where it unveiled its iPhone 16. However, the launches far from over. The company is reportedly working on its next event, this time with a focus on launching a new generation of MacBooks, powered by Apple’s latest and most powerful M4 chips.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is preparing to launch these new MacBooks in an event expected to take place in the coming weeks. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests that the company could launch its new Mac lineup featuring the M4 chipset, which promises faster processing speeds and upgraded machine learning capabilities.

Gurman suggests that Apple’s new in-house chip is up to 1.5 times faster than its predecessor, the M2, in terms of CPU performance and offers up to four times the rendering power for profession workflows like video editing, 3D design, and more.

Also Read: Apple AirPods Pro 2 Headphones To Soon Act As Hearing Aids

What to expect from the new MacBook lineup

While power is just one aspect, similar to the iPhone 16 series, which received the A18 chip to handle artificial intelligence tasks, the new MacBooks are also expected to integrate Apple Intelligence into the M4 chip. This AI integration is likely to play a significant role in boosting the overall user experience.

Gurman’s report suggests several new Mac models are said to launch at the upcoming event:

Model J604: A low-specced 14-inch MacBook Pro packed with M4 chip, made specifically created for users looking for powerful performance in a more affordable package. Model J614 and J616: These will be high-end and 16-inch MacBook Pros with pro-level M4 chip options, offering greater processing power for professionals needing top-tier performance.

Model J623: This will be an updated iMac featuring the M4 chip, targeted at offering upgraded desktop performance. Model J773 will be a revamped Mac mini, available in both standard M4 and M4 Pro configuration. This compact powerhoues is said to attract users who are seeking a high-performance desktop solution in a smaller form factor.

Also Read: OnePlus 13 To Launch In October 2024 With SD 8 Gen 4 SoC

Availability Details Of The New MacBooks

Speaking of the availability, Gurman suggests that while most of the new Mac models are ready to ship, the company could launch them at the same time. Some higher-end MacBook Pros and the M4 Pro-equipped Mac mini are still in production but are said to launch alongside the rest of the lineup.

Meanwhile, although the spotlight is one the new MacBooks and the M4 chip, the analyst suggested that other products are said to be launched at the event. Apple is expected to be launching new, lower-ends iPads, further expanding its tablet offerings.

However, Apple’s roadmap for its Mac lineup extends beyond 2024. In fact, according to the report, M4-powered MacBook Airs are slated to launch for the first quarter of 2025, with a new Mac Studio launching mid-next year. A new Mac Pro is also said to launch before the end of 2025.

Realme has announced the launch of the Realme Pad 2 Lite tablet in the Indian market alongside the new budget-friendly Realme P2 Pro smartphone. The new device comes with 4GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB storage models.

The tablet comes in Nebula Purple and Space Grey color options. However, the company hasn’t announced any official sale date for the Realme Pad 2 Lite tablet in India. Notably, it runs on Realme UI 5.0.

The latest tablet comes at a price of Rs 14,999 for the 4GB+128GB base model. Meanwhile, the 8GB+128GB variant carries a price tag of Rs 16,999. For consumers, the Realme tablet will soon be available via the company’s official website, Flipkart.

Also Read: Sonos Launches Its First Ever Headphones In Indian Market

Realme Pad 2 Lite Tablet Under The Hood

The Realme Pad 2 Lite comes packed with a 10.95-inch screen like the Realme Pad X. It also provides a 2K resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and 450 nits of peak brightness. The display is optimized for eye comfort, featuring modes such as AI Eye Protection, Reading Mode, and Sunlight Mode. Besides, the high resolution makes sure users get smooth visuals whether browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games.

The table comes equipped with the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset. It is powered by an 8300mAh battery, similar to the Realme Pad X, and includes 15W wired charging support.

Speaking of the cameras, the tablet gets an 8MP AI main camera. Besides, there is a 5MP sensor on the front for selfies and video calls. The Realme Pad 2 Lite tablet also comes with quad stereo speakers with OReality Audio, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity, USB Type-C, and more.

Also Read: Tecno Unveils Pova 6 Neo With AI Features In India at Rs 11,999

Realme P2 Pro 5G Confirmed To Launch For Indian Market

Chinese tech giant Realme is all set to launch its highly anticipated Realme P2 Pro 5G smartphone in the Indian market this month. Positioned as the successor to the Realme P1 Pro 5G, this new model is said to come with several enhanced features, including a curved display, which has already been teased by the firm.

Along with the official launch date, Realme has shared some key design aspects of the smartphone as well as the availability details of the device. The Realme P2 Pro 5G is slated to make its debut in India on September 13 at 12 PM IST, as confirmed by the company in an official press release. The smartphone will be up for grabs through Flipkart as well as the company’s official website, as per a microsite on the e-commerce platform.

A promotional image released by Realme showcases the smartphone in green color, paired with a striking golden frame. The rear camera module, centrally located and designed in a squircle shape, is highlighted with a golden border.  

Instagram might roll out a way to share comments on other Instagram posts to Threads, according to Alessandro Paluzzi, who often reverse engineers Meta’s social media apps to find coming features.

Paluzzi shared an image showing that when commenting on an Instagram post, there could be a new dropdown menu that lets users choose to share the comment only to Instagram or “also share on Threads.”

Also Read: Indian Government Warns Android Users Against Vulnerabilities

Meta Bringing New Features To Keep Threads Relevant

Meta has made a few moves to integrate Threads with its other platforms in the past, such as showing Threads posts on Instagram or Facebook. The Twitter-like short-posting social network also comes with DMs of its own, but users can still receive or send messages through Instagram.

The bigger effort, of course, is the parent company’s slow work integrating Threads with the fediverse. Meta’s moves to do so include being able to actually see replies from the fediverse under their posts, and, more recently, others’ posts.

Instagram is bringing a handful of new features to direct messages, including photo editing capabilities and stickers. Users will be able to edit photos by drawing on them or adding stickers before sending them through DM, similar to editing features that already exist for Instagram Stories.

Also Read: Microsoft Lays Off 650 Employees From Its Xbox Division

Instagram Working On Adding New Features For Your DMs

The company also said users will be able to make their own custom stickers from existing photos and use them in DMs. Everything put together, the photo editing tools in chats are expanding to be closer to Stories.

Instagram is also adding new chat themes that change the look and design of DMs, like a fall theme or one promoting a new album by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Users will also be able to add a birthday cake icon to Notes, the away status-like blurb that is visible at the top of users’ DM inboxes. Direct messaging has been an era of growth for the platform, according to company head Adam Mosseri, so it’s not surprising that there’s an emphasis placed on new tools and features.

In fact, messaging is so important that Instagram uses it in part to rank content on the platform: in July, Mosseri stated that a key thing Instagram sees for ranking is how much a post is sent via DMs. “Think about making content that people would want to send to a friend, to someone that they care about, and it will help your reach over time,” he said in a video.