Thursday, March 5, 2020

DigiTimes: New 'Entry-Level' AirPods Pro to Enter Production by Early Second Quarter

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Apple's suppliers will kick off production of a new entry-level version of AirPods Pro between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, suggesting that assembly of the earphones will begin around early to mid April.


A paywalled preview of the report, which should be published in full by tomorrow:
Chip and component suppliers gearing up for new AirPods production
Production of an entry-level version of Apple's AirPods Pro, dubbed tentatively AirPods Pro Lite, is expected to kick off between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to sources at chip and component suppliers engaged in the supply chain for the TWS device.
DigiTimes continues to refer to the earphones as "AirPods Pro Lite," but it is unlikely that Apple will actually use that name.

Details surrounding the alleged entry-level AirPods Pro remain slim. It has been speculated that the earphones could end up being third-generation regular AirPods with the same design and sound quality as AirPods Pro, but without active noise cancelation. Apple announced the second-generation AirPods on March 20, 2019.

The second-generation AirPods start at $159, while AirPods Pro are priced at $249.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)

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Deals: Amazon Discounts Wide Selection of Smart Battery Cases, Including iPhone XS Version for $69 (Lowest Ever)

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There are a few new discounts on Apple's Smart Battery Case line today, including those for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11. Many of the sales include best-ever prices for these cases, and you'll find discounts below from Amazon and Best Buy.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

To start, you can get the iPhone XS Smart Battery Case in White for $69.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($60 off). At nearly half off, this is definitely a solid deal and the best price we've ever tracked on this particular accessory among the major Apple resellers online.

If you own an iPhone XS Max, your best option for a Smart Battery Case is at Best Buy today, which has the accessory for $79.99 in White and Black, down from $129.00 ($49 off).

The iPhone XR Smart Battery Case in White is available for $80.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($48 off). The Black color option is priced at $89.99 at the time of writing, which is still a solid deal on the charging accessory.

Lastly, if you have a newer iPhone you can get the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case in Black for $99.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($30 off). This is the best price on the device that we've tracked, and as of now there aren't any notable discounts on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max versions of the Smart Battery Case.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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DigiTimes: Apple to Launch 12.9-Inch iPad Pro and MacBooks With Mini-LED Displays by End of 2020

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Apple plans to launch a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and multiple notebook models with Mini-LED backlit displays by the end of 2020, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.


This lines up with information shared earlier this week by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said Apple is developing six products with Mini-LED displays for release by the end of 2021, including new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 10.2-inch iPad, 7.9-inch iPad mini, 27-inch iMac Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

Kuo expects the new iMac Pro in particular to launch during the fourth quarter of 2020. Apple has not refreshed the iMac Pro since it was originally released in December 2017, so it is well overdue for an update.

DigiTimes claims that Apple will also adopt Mini-LED backlighting for "a few models of LCD monitors," but it is unclear if that refers to the iMac/iMac Pro or standalone displays. Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR uses 576 LEDs, but it is not a Mini-LED display. By comparison, the first iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED backlighting are expected to have over 10,000 LEDs.

Kuo has previously said that Mini-LED backlit displays will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, while offering many of the same benefits of OLED displays used on the latest iPhones, including good wide color gamut performance, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks.

Kuo has also said that Taiwan's largest LED manufacturer Epistar will be one of Apple's suppliers for those iPad and MacBook models.

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, iPad Pro

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Deals: Get a Certified Refurbished Pair of AirPods Pro from Best Buy for $208.99 Today Only ($41 Off)

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We've been tracking deals on the AirPods Pro for a few months now, and as of yet the best offer on a brand new pair runs for around $235 on Amazon, or about $14 off the accessory's regular $249 price tag. Today, Best Buy is offering the AirPods Pro for $208.99, if you're okay with owning a refurbished product.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Best Buy's sale is $41 off the AirPods Pro, and definitely a solid discount for the wireless and noise-cancelling earphones. The AirPods Pro have been certified refurbished by the Geek Squad, and the retailer ensures that they have been repaired and restored to a like-new state, and will work as intended.

The AirPods Pro includes all essential parts and accessories, including a Lightning to USB-C cable, extra silicone ear tips, and wireless charging case. If you're unsatisfied with the earphones, refurbished products on Best Buy can be returned or exchanged. Visit Best Buy soon if you're interested, because the AirPods Pro deal will expire later tonight after the Deal of the Day page refreshes.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Samsung Galaxy M31 with 6000mAh Battery, 64MP Quad Cameras Goes on Sale in India Via Amazon


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Realme Band with IP68 Water Resistance Rating, Color Display Launched in India: Price, Features


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Android on iPhone? Amazing but pointless

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A security startup has found a way to run Android on an iPhone. Which is simultaneously very impressive indeed and an incredibly bad idea

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