KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo is one of a cluster of analysts frequently in the midst of Apple’s big product launches, and with the Cupertino company having already sent out invitations for a special keynote next week on Tuesday, he has once again delivered some interesting info regarding the day’s events. As well as suggesting that both configurations of the iPhone 6 will offer a 128GB model, he has also indicated that the second-gen iPad Air will be announced on September 9th, which hints that an iPad mini refresh – if any – will be as part of a quieter roll-out.
Apple ordinarily launches its newest iPhone in September before taking to the stage one month later to deliver the iPad as well as some Mac updates. But with the Retina MacBook Air unlikely to arrive until next year as Intel readies its fleet of Broadwell processors, it may be that Tim Cook’s company is looking to squeeze everything into the Flint Center event in five days’ time, in which case, Kuo’s suggestions are definitely plausible.
It has long since been reckoned that at least one model of iPhone 6 would bump the storage up to 128GB, with many rumors and reports having suggested that the 5.5-inch variant would offer this additional real estate. However, Kuo’s supposition is that both the larger and smaller, 4.7-inch edition of the iPhone 6 will offer this increase in capacity, yet how this affects the remainder of the line-up is currently unknown.
Along with the talk of a 128GB tier, it has also been offered that either the 16GB or 32GB options will make way, but it is also possible that Apple will keep the current storage choices while simply adding another for power users.
The iPad Air 2, meanwhile, is expected to be treated to the same Apple A8 processor that will grace the iPhone 6, while also being treated to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The second-gen iPad Air, or iPad 6 if we’re counting properly, may also be a tad thinner, and could ship with 2GB of RAM in preparation for some ‘pro’ features with iOS 8.1.
It’s no secret that Apple wants its flagship slate to compete with the likes of Microsoft and Samsung in offering notebook-esque features, and although we’ve heard gossip pertaining to split-screen and multi-user functionality, it seems that the Mac maker is simply laying the foundations by increasing the power within the iPad Air.
Thoughts?
(via: 9to5Mac)
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