Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reportedly has a number of products lined up for release this year. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note that the company will start unveiling new products in Q2, most likely at the Worldwide Developers Conference that begins on June 2. Kuo has a solid track record of providing reliable information on Apple’s upcoming products.
KGI Securities believes the company will first launch a low-cost iMac in June. That will be followed by revamped versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini in Q3. Soon after, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will launch the much-anticipated iWatch in two different sizes, and then the all-new iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch display. The company will also unveil an upgraded Apple TV, a 12-inch ultra slim MacBook Air. The 5.5-inch version of the iPhone 6 is likely to get delayed because of issues with in-cell display technology.
Ming-Chi Kuo says the third quarter will be very important for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and how people perceive its future. Market response to the iWatch is going to be very important because it will reveal whether the tech giant still has the ability to create game-changing products. Meanwhile, Kuo also prognosticated specific information about the upcoming products.
Apple iWatch
KGI Securities believes the iWatch will start shipping by the end of the third quarter. It will have a fashionable appearance, biometric functionality, and integration with the Mac, iPad and iPhone. Kuo says the wearable device will come in two sizes: 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch flexible AMOLED display. The iWatch will boast a 200 to 250 mAh battery, wireless charging, an NFC chip, slim design and a sapphire cover lens.
iPhone 6
Supporting recent rumors around the upcoming iPhone, Kuo said that the iPhone 6 will come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch sizes with 1334×750 (326ppi) and 1920 x 1080 (401 ppi) resolutions, respectively. Both versions will have LTPS display, 1GB RAM, A8 processor, metal casing, TouchID, NFC integration, optical image stabilization, and a 6.5–7.0mm thickness. While shipments for the 4.7-inch model will start in September, the bigger phablet model will ship later.
iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini with Retina display
The next-gen iPad Air is expected to have an A8 processor, TouchID, and an improved camera with 8MP resolution. Kuo says the iPad Air 2 will arrive earlier this year compared to its predecessor, which was launched in October. Meanwhile, the iPad Mini with Retina display is likely to retain the same form factor, but will adopt the TouchID and A8 processor. Kuo believes the price of older iPad Mini with Retina display could be slashed after the new one arrives.
12-inch MacBook Air
The new MacBook Air has been rumored for several months. It will have a minimalist design with Retina display. The 12-inch MacBook Air will have fewer ports for peripherals and expansion. Its weight could be as low as the current 11-inch MacBook Air. It will offer a physical keyboard besides a modified trackpad, and will feel more productive.
Low-cost iMac
Kuo forecasts that Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) will launch a cheaper iMac this quarter, that will have a polycarbonate rather than metal chassis. The cheaper iMac will allow Apple to better compete with rivals in growing markets like China.
Apple TV
The Cupertino-based technology company is unlikely to launch a full-fledged TV this year. But Kuo expects the company to unveil an upgraded set top box. The new Apple TV is likely to have an App Store, plus motion control technology. Other sources suggest that it could also have a built-in WiFi router to enhance the performance of Airplay.
