Apple could soon be expanding the top-end range for its flagship iPhone, according to a new report.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, known for accurate inside information on Apple, reported that the company has had internal discussions about adding a higher-end iPhone to its list of models.
He said the new device would be called the Ultra, which is the name given to the top-end version of the Apple Watch that was introduced last year.
The rumour comes after Apple chief executive Tim Cook recently said that consumers would be willing to pay more for their smartphone if the opportunity was there.
“I think people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category,” Mr Cook said on a first quarter earnings call last week.
He added that iPhones are integral to people's lives given the many functions they perform, from payments to health data.
Apple sells the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max as its top tier models. They have the new Dynamic Island feature, an always-on display, A16 Bionic chip and the more powerful Pro camera system.
Instead of renaming the Pro Max the Ultra, Apple could add a higher-end iPhone above both the Pro models, Gurman said. The new model could be ready in time for the 2024 release from Apple.
A new top-tier model would probably be differentiated through further camera improvements, a faster chip and maybe a larger display, with also the possibility of dropping the charging port, he said.
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Demand for smartphones and computers has slumped in the past year, with coronavirus restrictions in China creating supply problems for shipments.
Apple generated $65.8 billion in sales from the iPhone in its first fiscal quarter ended December 31, missing an estimate of $68.3 billion. The numbers also represent a decline from the $71.6 billion that the product brought in a year earlier.
The iPhone 14 range was released in September, and the iPhone 15 is expected to be launched in the same month this year.
Some design changes are anticipated, with the device set to resemble both the Apple Watch and Android devices more closely, rumours suggest.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have thinner bezels and curved edges, making it look “more Android than ever”, ShrimpApplePro, known for leaking news on Apple, said on Twitter.
Late last year, ShrimpApplePro had said that Apple was working on a new iPhone with no physical buttons.
This was backed up by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is also known to be a reliable source on Apple updates.
He said the iPhone 15 will have power and volume buttons built into the device, replacing the physical buttons.
There are also suggestions that the iPhone 15 will feature a titanium chassis with curved rear edges, rather than the current squared-off edges. The last model to have curved edges was the iPhone 11.
So far this year, Apple has released new MacBook Pro laptops featuring the new M2 Pro chip, while plans to unveil augmented-reality glasses this year have been postponed due to technical challenges, Bloomberg reported.
However, Apple could release a mixed-reality headset as soon as 2024 or early 2025.
Apple has been contacted for comment on the iPhone Ultra.
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
