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iOS 17.5 Potentially References New Apple Pencil and 'Squeeze' Gesture

The first beta of iOS 17.5 potentially references a new fourth-generation Apple Pencil, amid rumors that the accessory will be updated soon.

The beta includes a hidden code reference to a "V4" version of the Apple Pencil, according to MacRumors contributor Steve Moser:

NumberOfApplePencilV1ConnectionsCount

NumberOfApplePencilV2ConnectionsCount

NumberOfApplePencilV3ConnectionsCount

A new Apple Pencil is rumored to launch alongside updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models in May. Apple refers to the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil released last year as the third-generation Apple Pencil in iOS code, so the fourth-generation model would be a new version that would likely succeed the second-generation Apple Pencil.

MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris suggests that the Apple Pencil could gain a "squeeze" gesture for certain actions, but details are slim. The gesture may provide users with a quicker way to add a sticker, text box, signature, or shape in image editing apps, the code suggests.

MacRumors exclusively reported that Apple has tested a new Apple Pencil with visionOS support, but it is unclear if this feature will be released to the public.

Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Tag: Apple Pencil

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17, iPad Accessories

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The iPad Launched 14 Years Ago Today as Longest-Ever Wait for New Models Continues

Apple launched the original iPad 14 years ago today, starting a product line that has gone on to define the tablet space and entry-level computing, spur a shift in how media is consumed, and have immense cultural impact.

The original ‌iPad‌ launched on April 3, 2010. Designed to bridge the gap between the laptop and the smartphone, the ‌iPad‌ offered a unique combination of portability, ease of use, and versatility that appealed to a wide range of consumers and professionals.

At the heart of the ‌iPad‌'s success was its sleek design and simple iOS user interface. The 9.7-inch touchscreen provided users with an immersive experience that was unmatched at the time. Its initial release boasted 16 to 64 gigabytes of storage, a 30-pin connector, Wi-Fi connectivity, and, on some models, 3G connectivity. This combination of features and the quality of its build set it apart from competitors, establishing the ‌iPad‌ as a premium option in the emerging tablet market.

The ‌iPad‌ catalyzed a shift in the software industry, leading to the development of apps designed specifically for its larger screen, which increasingly differed from the smartphone applications of the time. This app ecosystem rapidly expanded, with developers creating a wide range of applications from productivity tools and games to educational software. The ‌iPad‌ went on to be vital to the education market and many mobile workflows.

iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The introduction of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard further transformed the ‌iPad‌ from a simple media consumption device to a tool designed for creativity and productivity. visionOS, the operating system behind the Apple Vision Pro headset, is also based on iPadOS to a large extent.

almost 18 months since any new iPads have launched – the longest-ever wait for new models. 2023 was the only year since the ‌iPad‌'s introduction with no new iPad models. Apple is now expected to release refreshed ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ models in May, with updates to the entry-level ‌iPad‌ and the ‌iPad mini‌ tabled for later in the year.

Related Roundup: iPad

Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)

Related Forum: iPad

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Get the M1 iPad Air for Record Low Price of $449.00 on Amazon

Amazon today has Apple's fifth generation 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $449.00, down from $599.00. This is a match of the record low price on the tablet, and it's available in all colors except Starlight, with delivery as soon as this Friday, April 5.

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

$100 markdowns on other fifth generation M1 iPad Air models, but none are matching all-time low prices like the 64GB Wi-Fi model.

$150 OFF

iPad Air (64GB Wi-Fi) for $449.00

Like other iPads, the M1 iPad Air is getting up there in age, having launched back in March 2022. Because of the imminent launch of new models, we're starting to see more consistent discounts on the 2022 tablets, which are still solid options for anyone who doesn't care about waiting for the new sixth generation devices.

Apple Deals roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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iOS 17.5 Might Expand 'Found Moving With You' Alerts to Third-Party Item Trackers

Apple and Google last year jointly announced a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-like "Found Moving With You" alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which may be iOS 17.5.

MacRumors contributor Steve Moser uncovered several new references to alerts for third-party item trackers in the first beta of iOS 17.5, released this week. For example: "You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item."

Apple's announcement last year.

Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Apple Card Savings Account's Interest Rate Lowered to 4.4% Today

Following the Apple Card savings account's rate cut to a 4.4% APY, we have updated our high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) comparison chart for U.S. residents.

4.4% is still a competitive APY compared to many other popular high-yield savings accounts, which typically offer rates between 4.25% and 5.25%.

Provider

Maximum APY*

Ally

4.25%

Discover

4.25%

American Express

4.35%

Barclays

4.35%

Capital One

4.35%

Apple (Goldman Sachs)

4.4%

Marcus (Goldman Sachs)

4.4%

Citizens Bank

4.5%

SoFi

4.6%

PNC Bank

4.65%

Synchrony

4.75%

Betterment

5%

Wealthfront

5%

CIT Bank

5.05%

UFB Direct

5.25%

* Advertised APYs as of April 3, 2024, excluding promotional and affiliate rates. APYs are subject to change at any time. This list is not comprehensive.

in April 2023, in partnership with Goldman Sachs. The account can be opened and managed in the Wallet app on the iPhone, and it has no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. You must have an Apple Card, be a U.S. resident, and be at least 18 years old to open an account.

is now $1,000,000, up from a previous limit of $250,000.

When the account first became available, Apple and Goldman Sachs offered an APY of 4.15%. The rate then increased three times, first to 4.25%, then to 4.35%, and finally to 4.5%. The drop to 4.4% is the first time the rate has gone down.

To open a savings account in the Wallet app, tap on your Apple Card, tap on the circle with three dots at the top of the screen, tap Daily Cash, and select Set Up Savings.

end its consumer lending partnership with Apple, but it is unclear if this will have any impact on Apple Card holders.

Tag: Apple Card

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Major Earthquake in Taiwan Halts Some Apple Chip Production Lines

A major earthquake in Taiwan has halted some TSMC chip production lines, potentially impacting the manufacture of Apple devices (via Bloomberg).

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan in the early hours of the morning, causing significant damage to infrastructure and disrupting operations at several TSMC key manufacturing sites. Sources familiar with TSMC's operations said that the company's N3 fab in Tainan suffered structural damage, with beams and columns broken, leading to an outright halt in production. EUV machines, essential for manufacturing processes below 7nm, have stopped, and research and development labs have been subject to significant damage, such as cracked walls. Another fab in Hsinchu reported broken pipelines and extensive damage to wafers, necessitating a halt in production.

3nm A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max, require round-the-clock operations and a stable vacuum environment for several weeks. As a result, some high-end chips already in production are likely to have been spoiled even if they were not damaged directly.

All of the custom silicon processors in Apple's devices are supplied by TSMC. As such, the earthquake's immediate effects on TSMC's facilities have raised concerns about potential delays in Apple's product supply chain. The chipmaker has taken immediate action to assess the damage and initiate recovery procedures, with some production lines expected to resume operation today, but the full extent of the impact on Apple's supply chain remains uncertain.

TSMC has historically placed a strong emphasis on disaster preparedness, especially following a major earthquake in 1999. The company has since implemented rigorous seismic management measures designed to mitigate the risks posed by earthquakes, including post-earthquake inspections, the installation of dampers and shock absorbers, and the integration of equipment vibration reduction technologies.

Tags: TSMC, Taiwan

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New Beats Solo 4 to Feature Improved Sound, USB-C

Apple is planning to release a new version of the Beats Solo 4 headphones, and hints of the refresh have been seen in both iOS updates and FCC filings in recent weeks. We've already seen the design and some of the features, with rumors pointing to support for Spatial Audio, but the headphones' full specs were today shared by 9to5Mac ahead of launch.

The Beats Solo 4 will feature longer battery life, USB-C, and better audio, with the full range of expected updates listed below.

Custom-built 40mm transducers with better clarity and range.

USB-C port for charging and high-resolution lossless audio.

3.5mm port will still be available for lossless audio.

50 hours of playback time, up 10 hours from the Beats Solo 3.

Fast Fuel charging for five hours of playback with a 10 minute charge.

Find My support for iOS devices.

One-touch pairing with Android devices.

UltraPlush ear cushions for improved comfort.

Bluetooth 5.3 support.

Beamforming mics with new voice algorithms for improved clarity.

come on May 2.

Tag: Beats

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New Beats Solo 4 to Feature Improved Sound, USB-C

Apple is planning to release a new version of the Beats Solo 4 headphones, and hints of the refresh have been seen in both iOS updates and FCC filings in recent weeks. We've already seen the design and some of the features, with rumors pointing to support for Spatial Audio, but the headphones' full specs were today shared by 9to5Mac ahead of launch.

The Beats Solo 4 will feature longer battery life, USB-C, and better audio, with the full range of expected updates listed below.

Custom-built 40mm transducers with better clarity and range.

USB-C port for charging and high-resolution lossless audio.

3.5mm port will still be available for lossless audio.

50 hours of playback time, up 10 hours from the Beats Solo 3.

Fast Fuel charging for five hours of playback with a 10 minute charge.

Find My support for iOS devices.

One-touch pairing with Android devices.

UltraPlush ear cushions for improved comfort.

Bluetooth 5.3 support.

Beamforming mics with new voice algorithms for improved clarity.

come on May 2.

Tag: Beats

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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max

Apple today introduced a new firmware update for AirPods Max. The new firmware is 6A325, up from the 6A324 firmware released in January.

Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware, so it is unclear what's new, and the notes often only list generic bug fixes.

Apple also does not offer instructions on how to upgrade the software on the AirPods, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are powered on and connected to an iOS device or a Mac.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ Max‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods to your iOS device.

Open the Settings app.

Tap General.

Tap About.

Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.

Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

Related Roundup: AirPods Max

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Caution)

Related Forum: AirPods

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iOS 17.5 Lets EU iPhone Users Download Apps From Websites

Apple today released the first beta of iOS 17.5 to developers, and as expected, the update introduces support for downloading apps from developer websites in the European Union.

In iOS 17.4, Apple began allowing developers to offer their apps through alternative app marketplaces in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple initially intended for apps to only be available through these marketplaces, but in March, Apple said that it would in fact be adding support for downloading apps directly from websites.

To offer an app for download from a website in the European Union, developers need to meet specific criteria. Developers need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and must have an app with more than one million first installs on iOS in the European Union in the prior year. Other requirements include submitting to Apple's notarization process and publishing transparent data collection policies.

Apple will provide authorized developers with an API that allows them to offer their apps for download via the web. Apps downloaded this way will be able to be backed up, restored, updated, and more.

This is the first time that Apple has sanctioned downloading an app directly from a website. Support for this feature will allow apps like Spotify, Fortnite, and others to be downloaded directly on iPhones should the developers behind those apps opt in to Apple's terms.

Apps offered through the web do not have to pay any commission to Apple, but they are subject to the 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee.

iPhone as the changes do not apply to the iPad.

Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Sonoma 14.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to developers, with the software coming nearly a month after Apple released macOS Sonoma 14.4.

Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.

Related Roundup: macOS Sonoma

Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

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New Beats Solo 4 Headphones Show Up in FCC Database as Launch Approaches

Apple is working on a new version of the popular Beats Solo on-ear headphones, and it looks like we are getting closer to a potential launch date. FCC documents for the Beats Solo 4 headphones were found today, and that typically happens in the weeks ahead of a debut.

Signs of the Beats Solo 4 were first spotted in late February, with images found in the iOS 17.4 beta. The headphones look similar to the Solo 3 headphones, but with some minor design tweaks that bring them in line with the Beats Studio Pro that came out last year.

We are expecting the Beats Solo 4 to come in three colors, including black, pink, and blue. While we don't know the full feature set, we found code that suggests they will support Spatial Audio.

Siri.

Tag: Beats

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Apple Updates iWork Apps With New Features on Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Apple today updated its trio of iWork apps Keynote, Numbers, and Pages for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone with several new features and changes.

The release notes for version 14.0 of the Mac apps follow, and the release notes for version 14.0 of the iPad and iPhone apps are nearly identical.

Keynote

• Add a new look to your slides with the Dynamic Color, Minimalist Light, and Minimalist Dark themes

• Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative presentation for the first time

• Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad

• Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs

• Improved compatibility for slide transitions when importing and exporting Microsoft PowerPoint files

App Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone.

Numbers

• Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative spreadsheet for the first time

• Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad

• Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs

App Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone.

Pages

• Press and hold the Command key to select noncontiguous words, sentences, or paragraphs

• Streamlined in-app notifications inform you when a person joins a collaborative document for the first time

• Preserve file format and full quality when adding HEIC photos taken on iPhone or iPad

App Store links: Mac and iPad/iPhone.

Tags: iWork, Pages, Keynote, Numbers

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Alleged iOS 18 Design Resource Reveals visionOS-Like Redesign

A first look at iOS 18's rumored visionOS-style redesign may have been revealed by a new image of the Camera app.

Alleged iOS 18 design resource.

MacRumors received the above iPhone frame template from an anonymous source who claims they obtained it from an iOS engineer. It will allegedly be included as part of the Apple Design Resources for iOS 18, which helps developers visually design apps using software like Sketch and Photoshop. We cannot attest to the authenticity of the image, but believe it is worth sharing because it is consistent with previous rumors.

The Verifier claimed that iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will feature visionOS-inspired design elements. The Vision Pro headset's OS features a high level of depth translucency with glass-like buttons that have reflective edges.

visionOS design elements.

introduced in the tvOS 17.2 version of the app last year. The design of this menu has clear similarities to visionOS. Apple also plans to redesign various other system menus and built-in apps on iOS 18, including Safari, according to the report.

The Verifier has a mixed track record with Apple rumors over the years, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman subsequently said that Apple is working to update the design of iOS as "early as this year." He agreed that iOS could take some design cues from visionOS going forward, but Gurman does not expect a "total overhaul that mirrors visionOS." The extent of the potential redesign is therefore still unknown.

November edition of his newsletter, when he said Apple's senior management had described iOS 18 as "ambitious and compelling," with "major new features and designs."

iOS 18 roundup.

Related Roundup: iOS 18

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Apple's AirPods 2 Drop to Low Price of $89 on Amazon

Apple's entry-level AirPods 2 have hit $89.00 today on Amazon, down from $129.00. This is one of the few times in 2024 the AirPods 2 have dropped below their typical $99.00 deal price, so if you've been waiting to purchase now is a good time.

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

The AirPods 2 feature Apple's H1 chip, providing seamless setup for iPhone and other Apple devices. They lack some of the more advanced features of the newer AirPods 3 and updated AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, but for anyone who just needs a reliable pair of wireless earbuds, they're perfect at this low price.

$40 OFF

AirPods 2 for $89.00

Apple Deals roundup. We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Spatial Personas Coming to Apple Vision Pro in Beta Today

Apple today announced that Spatial Personas are now available for all Vision Pro users in a public beta.

Apple previewed Spatial Personas at WWDC last year. Unlike the existing Personas feature, which is confined to a tile and facial expressions only, Spatial Personas allow Vision Pro users to "break out of the familiar FaceTime tile and feel more present, like they are gathered in the same physical space." They feature a transparent background and are able to show body language and additional movement such as hand gestures for a more lifelike experience.

I tried Spatial Persona on Apple Vision Pro yesterday. I watched a movie trailer with several other Personas in Apple TV, examined a 3D jet turbine in JigSpace, collaborated on a whiteboard in Freemform, and played Hearts in Game Room.

It was pretty cool! Apple Vision Pro… pic.twitter.com/toFY5IVQuz

— Ray Wong (@raywongy) April 2, 2024

visionOS software update or beta, but require ‌visionOS‌ 1.1 or later. The feature is available during ‌FaceTime‌ calls and supports up to five participants at once. Inverse and Road to VR today shared first impressions of the new feature.

Related Roundup: visionOS

Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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watchOS 11 Rumored to Drop Support for Apple Watch Series 4

Apple's upcoming watchOS 11 update will drop support for 2018's Apple Watch Series 4, according to iPhoneSoft.

After five years of receiving the latest software updates, Apple Watch Series 3 lost support upon the release of watchOS 9 in 2022. Last year's watchOS 10 update was compatible with all of the same Apple Watch models as watchOS 9, but a new rumor claims that watchOS 11 will drop support for the oldest currently supported Apple smartwatch: the Apple Watch Series 4. The full device compatibility list for watchOS 11 is said to be as follows:

Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)

Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)

Apple Watch SE (first generation, 2020)

Apple Watch SE (second generation, 2022)

Apple Watch Ultra (first generation, 2022)

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

The Apple Watch Series 4 debuted alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in 2018, introducing the device's first ever redesign, a larger display, double the amount of storage, Fall Detection, and the ability to take an ECG.

support all of the same models as its predecessor. Apple is expected to preview watchOS 11, iOS 18, and its other next-generation software updates at WWDC on June 10. The updates will likely release to the public in the fall.

Related Roundup: watchOS 10

Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Spatial Personas Available on Vision Pro Today With visionOS 1.2 Beta

Spatial Personas will be available on Apple's Vision Pro headset starting today with the upcoming visionOS 1.2 beta, according to Road to VR.

Inverse's Raymond Wong shared his first impressions of Spatial Personas.

Related Roundups: Apple Vision Pro, visionOS

Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Apple Researchers Reveal New AI System That Can Beat GPT-4

Apple researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system named ReALM (Reference Resolution as Language Modeling) that aims to radically enhance how voice assistants understand and respond to commands.

In a research paper (via VentureBeat), Apple outlines a new system for how large language models tackle reference resolution, which involves deciphering ambiguous references to on-screen entities, as well as understanding conversational and background context. As a result, ReALM could lead to more intuitive and natural interactions with devices.

Reference resolution is an important part of natural language understanding, enabling users to use pronouns and other indirect references in conversation without confusion. For digital assistants, this capability has historically been a significant challenge, limited by the need to interpret a wide range of verbal cues and visual information. Apple's ReALM system seeks to address this by converting the complex process of reference resolution into a pure language modeling problem. In doing so, it can comprehend references to visual elements displayed on a screen and integrate this understanding into the conversational flow.

ReALM reconstructs the visual layout of a screen using textual representations. This involves parsing on-screen entities and their locations to generate a textual format that captures the screen's content and structure. Apple researchers found that this strategy, combined with specific fine-tuning of language models for reference resolution tasks, significantly outperforms traditional methods, including the capabilities of OpenAI's GPT-4.

ReALM could enable users to interact with digital assistants much more efficiently with reference to what is currently displayed on their screen without the need for precise, detailed instructions. This has the potential to make voice assistants much more useful in a variety of settings, such as helping drivers navigate infotainment systems while driving or assisting users with disabilities by providing an easier and more accurate means of indirect interaction.

revealed a new method for training large language models that seamlessly integrates both text and visual information. Apple is widely expected to unveil an array of AI features at WWDC in June.

Tag: Artificial Intelligence

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iPhone SE 4 Case Corroborates iPhone 14-Like Design Rumors

Cases purportedly designed for the fourth-generation iPhone SE have emerged online, further corroborating rumors that the device will feature a complete redesign to bring it in line with 2022's iPhone 14.

Screenshots of a video shared on X by the leaker known as "Majin Bu" validate reports that the fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ will feature an iPhone 14-like all-screen design with a notch housing a TrueDepth camera array for Face ID, but with a single rear camera module like the current model. The images show a soft gel case around an aluminum mold engraved with the text "‌iPhone‌ SE4." The current ‌iPhone SE‌ has an ‌iPhone‌ 8-like design with large top and bottom bezels, and a Touch ID Home button.

MacRumors revealed that the next-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ would largely re-use the design of the ‌iPhone 14‌, including ‌Face ID‌ authentication and a 6.1-inch OLED display, but with a single rear camera, an Action button, and a USB-C port. The new ‌iPhone SE‌ is not expected to launch until 2025, but there have been an unusually large number of reports about its specific features and design elements in recent months.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE

Tags: Majin Bu, iPhone SE 4

Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Caution)

Related Forum: iPhone

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