Plenty of Apple, iPhone, and iPad news gets released every single day – but we know you’re busy, so we’ve got your back. Here, we’ve picked out some of the most important stories from the past week or so and summarized them for easy digestion. You’re welcome.
Let’s take a quickfire look at some of the most interesting recent headlines of late. As ever, click through to read the full stories if you want to know more!
iPhone 15 might not get full benefit of USB-C
Next year’s iPhone 15 line is widely tipped to switch from Apple’s Lightning connection standard to the universal USB-C, but the full benefits may only be seen in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been told by supply chain sources that the iPhone 15 will still be based on the USB 2.0 standard, whilst only the iPhone 15 Pro will get the full USB 3.2 (aka Thunderbolt 3) experience. That means a massive bump up to 40 Gbps data transfer speeds versus 480 Mbps in the older standard.
Apple looking to source chips from US
Apple CEO Tim Cook has told employees in Germany that the company is looking to source more of its chips from the US in future, and to lessen its reliance on the Asian supply chain. According to Bloomberg, Cook said that the switch would begin in 2024, which is when Taiwanese chi partner TSMC is due to open its new chip plant in Arizona. The company is apparently looking to open a second American plant at some point too. Cook also said that Apple was hoping to source chips from Europe in future.
Apple reveals Black Friday gift card offer
Apple has announced a gift card offer that will be active over the Black Friday weekend, from November 25 to 28. Buy an eligible device from the App Store during this four-day period (including select iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and AirPods products) and you’ll be given an Apple Gift Card with a value of up to £250. Head on over to the Apple Store webpage linked above for the full lowdown, and to add the event to your calendar.
Trade-in values cut across the Apple range
Apple has slashed the value of trade-ins right across the range. Some of these a more dramatic than others, with the iMac Pro at $600 rather than it former value of $1,150 the most painful example. (Does that mean there’s a redesign on the horizon?) iPhone values have also dropped between $10 and $70, while iPad prices appear to be a tad more stable. Weirdly, the iPhone XS and the iPhone XR have both gone the other way, and have increased their trade-in value by $10 a piece.