Tag: Guo Mingji

Market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that the display panel for the iPhone with a foldable screen design will be supplied by Samsung, with LG expected to follow suit. However, aside from the display panel, Kuo states that other major components for this iPhone are yet to be confirmed. Kuo also predicts that Foxconn will begin manufacturing related to the foldable screen iPhone in the third or fourth quarter of this year, and further speculates that Apple will launch this product in the second half of 2026. Previous reports indicated that Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable screen iPhone in the fall of 2026, followed by the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Slim, and iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, ensuring a new iPhone lineup to attract different user groups in both the second half and the first half of each year. According to Kuo's information, the display panel supplied by Samsung will have a production capacity of 700 to 800 million units per year. Previous rumors suggested that the iPhone with a foldable screen design would feature a 7.8-inch inner screen and a 5.5-inch outer screen, and would use new materials to reduce screen creases. Apple Foldable iPhone Updates: 1. Assembly supplier Foxconn is expected to officially kick off the project in late...

Hong Kong-based TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple is working on an "upgraded version" of its in-house 5G connectivity chip, the Apple C1, which will further improve power consumption and transmission speed, and may even add support for millimeter-wave connectivity. Currently, the Apple C1's baseband is manufactured using TSMC's 4nm process, essentially the same process used in Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75, while the RF transceiver front-end is manufactured using TSMC's 7nm process. Although overall power consumption is already relatively low, Apple clearly hopes to further reduce the power consumption of its in-house 5G connectivity chip. Furthermore, the Apple C1 currently does not support millimeter-wave bands, so the upcoming upgrade will add support for millimeter-wave connectivity to support higher data transmission speeds. This upgrade is expected to launch next year and will be used in iPhone models. However, based on Kuo's view, the current production of the Apple C1 using different process technologies, coupled with the current design progress, suggests that Apple is unlikely to manufacture its 5G connectivity chip using a 3nm or more advanced process. While Apple is expected to consider integrating 5G connectivity chips with processors, it seems this will take some time. Reports indicate that Apple may launch a millimeter-wave 5G connectivity chip as early as 2026, possibly named Apple C2, and it will be used in next year's iPhone models, and possibly also in next year's updated iPad models. Although Apple has already used the Apple C1 in the iPhone 16e, the newly released iPad Air with the M3 processor did not follow suit. Apple's C1 modem process technology: - Baseband: 4/5nm (both technologies are similar) - Low-frequency/Sub-6 TRx (Transceivers): ...

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will collaborate with BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) to provide aperture blade assembly equipment for the camera modules of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, potentially introducing a variable aperture design into the new phones' camera modules. Previously, Kuo also indicated that Largan Precision and Sunny Optical would be suppliers of variable aperture modules for the iPhone 18 Pro's wide-angle lens. This latest revelation suggests a high probability that Apple will incorporate a variable aperture design into the camera modules of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The Information website previously reported that at least one model in the expected iPhone 17 series next year would feature a mechanically designed variable aperture camera lens, but there seem to be some changes. Currently, manufacturers including Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO have all introduced variable aperture camera features in their mobile phones to achieve better image quality and more natural depth-of-field variations. The recent rumors suggest that Apple may incorporate a variable aperture design into the camera of its new iPhone, implying a significant change in camera design for the upcoming models.

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently pointed out that Apple's rumored new MacBook with a foldable screen design will be delayed until 2027, or even 2028. This product, originally rumored to launch in 2026, uses a foldable screen supplied by LG Display, while the hinge mechanism is exclusively supplied by Amphenol, a connector component supplier founded in 1932. However, the current design still cannot meet Apple's requirement of no noticeable crease, thus leading to a possible further delay in the product's release schedule, expected to be in 2027 or 2028. Furthermore, Apple will replace the original 20.25-inch design with a smaller 18.8-inch screen, so the first MacBook with a foldable screen may fold to between 13 and 14 inches. Foldable MacBook survey update - mass production delayed significantly 1. Final display size spec confirmed at 18.8 inches. Apple has canceled the 20.25-inch design. 2. Due to ...

Hong Kong-based TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo points out that Apple's first foldable screen product will be based on the MacBook, using a 20.25-inch or 18.8-inch foldable screen, allowing it to maintain a 14-15 inch, or between 13-14 inches, when folded. The foldable screen for this product will be exclusively supplied by LG Display, with mass production expected in the fourth quarter of 2025 and product assembly in the first quarter of 2026. The product will be equipped with an M5 processor. Apple's specifications require the display panel to be as crease-free as possible, thus placing higher demands on the screen panel and hinge design, potentially increasing costs and impacting the product's actual selling price. Kuo estimates the display panel cost will be between $600 and $650, while the hinge cost will be between $200 and $250. If Apple cannot significantly improve yield rates and reduce costs before mass production of this product, it means that the manufacturing cost of this product may be close to that of the Vision Pro, resulting in a higher price. On the other hand, Ross Young, CEO of display supply chain consulting firm DSCC, believes that Apple is expected to consider actual costs and equip its first foldable screen product with an 18.8-inch screen instead of a 20.25-inch design.

Renowned market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple will begin selling its Vision Pro virtual reality headset as early as late January to early February 2024, with shipments reaching 500,000 units by the end of the year. Kuo further anticipates that if user feedback on the Vision Pro exceeds expectations, it will strengthen the market consensus that "Vision Pro will become the next star product in consumer electronics." This year, more and more mobile processor manufacturers are emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create demand for AI applications on devices. This not only enhances the reach of AI smartphones and AI PCs but also makes these products a key focus of communication at numerous major exhibitions in 2024, including CES 2024, MWC 2024, WWDC 2024, Comoutex 2024, Google I/O 2024, IFA 2024, and even product launches by major tech brands like Apple and Microsoft, all emphasizing the application of AI technology. In addition, Ming-Chi Kuo also emphasized that by 2024, mainstream AI devices will be able to support computing model parameters of 7 billion to 10 billion sets, computing power of 40-50 TOPS and inference power of 10-20 tokens per second, and memory specifications of 8-16GB or more.

While previous market rumors suggested Apple was preparing to launch new MacBook models equipped with M3 processors this fall, renowned market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has recently stated that Apple will not release such products before the end of this year. Previous market reports indicated that Apple would follow its usual update schedule, updating the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M3 processors in October, and possibly also unveiling an iMac model with the same M3 processor. However, Kuo's earlier opinion suggests that Apple will not release any MacBook models with M3 processors before the end of this year. However, Kuo's statement does not include the iMac, so an iMac version with an M3 processor may still be released; it's just that the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro will not be updated this year. It seems that Apple will not launch new MacBook models (equipped with M3 series processors) before the end of this year.

Rumors suggest that Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro Max, expected to launch this year, will feature an upgraded telephoto lens, increasing its optical zoom from 3x to 6x. Previously, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed in an analysis report that Apple's new phone might include a 5-6x optical zoom in its telephoto lens. If this update is confirmed to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it means that Apple will again differentiate its user base with more significant specification variations across different iPhone 15 models. While Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and Huawei have already incorporated 5-10x high-magnification optical zoom lenses into their phones, allowing users to easily capture distant images and even achieve higher optical and digital hybrid zoom effects with AI and image clarity technologies, it remains uncertain whether Apple will add additional shooting features to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's telephoto lens. Besides the different camera design, previous rumors also revealed that the new iPhone 15 Pro and higher models will have significant differences in specifications compared to the iPhone 15 series, including the body frame and screen size, to cater to the needs of different user groups. If all goes as expected, Apple will announce the new iPhone 15 series this fall, launching the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Previous rumors suggested Apple would launch a smart speaker with a 7-inch display, and now reports indicate this product, categorized as part of the HomePod series, will be released in 2024. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 7-inch display panel used in this product will be supplied by Tianma Microelectronics in China, with an expected release in the first half of 2024. Kuo also points out that this product will fundamentally change Apple's smart home market strategy. Previous views primarily considered it a combination of an iPad and a speaker, but current understanding suggests Apple is adding a screen to a smart speaker, allowing for greater user interaction. Having already announced the second-generation HomePod earlier this year, a HomePod with a touchscreen display would further enhance human-computer interaction through screen and touch functionality, thereby driving more IoT-enabled lifestyle applications.

Renowned market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who frequently leaks information about Apple's new iPhone designs, recently stated on his personal Twitter account that the high-end iPhone 15, expected to launch next year, will feature pressure-sensitive buttons for the power and volume buttons, abandoning the traditional mechanical pressing method. This design will be similar to the Home button design used in the iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and later iPhone SE, employing a built-in linear motor to simulate the tactile feel of a press. The advantage of this is improved water resistance and a reduction in the proportion of traditional mechanical structural designs. According to Kuo, the new iPhone may increase the number of linear motors from a single one to three, perhaps utilizing the increased internal space gained from the simplified mechanical design to accommodate the additional motors. Recent rumors suggest that the new iPhone 15 will maintain the standard, Plus, and Ultra versions, targeting the flagship user experience, and may cancel the Pro model. However, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 series launching next year will likely retain two high-end models, thus potentially maintaining four models next year until the year after, when it will be adjusted to three. However, the iPhone 15 series launching next year may switch to USB-C ports to comply with EU regulations, but whether this adjustment is only for the EU market or will be uniformly applied to global markets is currently unconfirmed. (1/6) My latest survey indicates that the volume button and power button of two high-end iPhone 15/2H23 new iPhone ...