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Apple To Potentially Discontinue iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro After iPhone 12 Release

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The iPhone 12 is currently projected to be released in October of this year. As the Keynote event gets closer and closer, many tech experts and blogs are placing their final bets for what’s to come with Apple’s newest smartphone upgrade. One of the most circulated rumors currently is reporting that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone XR model once the 12 is finally released. 

The initial reports come from Twitter user @iAppleTimes, who’s been one of the most credible sources of information on all things Apple in the past. Recently, the user tweeted that the two iPhone models would be discontinued with iPhone 12’s launch and iPhone 11 deals would get a $150 price reduction.

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Price reduction on older generation iPhone models occurs annually with the drop of every new iPhone, typically followed by the discontinuing of whatever the oldest model is that year; last year it was the iPhone 7 Plus and everything before. So the discontinuing of two of Apple’s most recent models is quite surprising. 

It’s important to remember that even when this information comes from the most credible blog sources, we must take them with a grain of salt. While dropping these models may be surprising, it’s a newer trend that Apple’s seemed to follow. Every year they drop multiple versions of the same upgraded device, and ween out which models are most successful to continue selling. 

Last year when the iPhone 11 was launched, Apple also silently discontinued selling the iPhone XS and XS Max; this is also a part of the company’s efforts to only have a few smartphone options available at once. Since Apple also launched the iPhone SE earlier in 2020, it makes sense that they would want to discontinue newer models to keep up with the upgrades. 

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So the real question is what you should do if you’re currently in the market for a new iPhone, but don’t know if you should wait for the 12, the price-reduced 11 deals, or just go for it and pay for a new one now. If you were specifically looking to get the iPhone 11 Pro of iPhone XR, remember, this discontinuation is still simply a rumor based on Apple’s trends in the last few years, however, you may want to think about picking one up soon, just in case. 

If Apple does decide to discontinue both models, however, they won’t just pull them from the shelves without warning, and you’ll still be able to buy them online from third-party sellers. Establishments like Best Buy, or cell-service retail locations will likely have an overstock in the discontinued models that they’ll sell at a reduced price. 

Once Apple does finally launch the iPhone 12, it’s likely that all previous generation models will reduce in price as well. Third-party retailers typically also follow in these footsteps, so if you’re serious about getting a new phone as quickly as possible, try to hold out until the fall. 

Covid-19 has made it difficult for Apple to follow their usual launch schedule, hence the fall keynote presentation being delayed a month; it typically takes place in the beginning of September with the launch of the new iPhone models two weeks later. 

iPhone 3

Early Reviews of New iPhones are Very Positive

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When Apple unveiled its newest generation of iPhones last week, which include the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Max, immediate reactions were mixed, as many rightfully observed that Apple seemed to be playing it safe, offering minor improvements to features that already existed in previous generations of iPhones while reducing prices instead of introducing any groundbreaking new technology. In fact, these new iPhones removed some features present on previous devices which were considered unimportant, such as 3D Touch. This year, Apple seems to be focusing on improvements to the core iPhone experience rather than expanding into new territories, and early reviews suggest that this strategy has paid off, as journalists many describe the new iPhones as offering the best smartphone experience for most people right now.

Nilay Patel from The Verge, for instance, describes the iPhone 11 quite simply as “the phone most people should buy,” adding that “it’s great where it counts, and totally fine everywhere else.” While admitting that the iPhone 11 is basically just an incremental upgrade over last year’s iPhone XR, Patel suggests that the improvements to the phone’s overall design, including sturdier glass and better water resistance, result in a very polished user experience. Although the only major improvements Patel observes are the “cameras, the slightly better battery life, and the processor,” he notes that these and other features were already so good on the previous generation that these improvements, albeit slight, still result in a stellar device. 

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Though Patel complained about Apple’s continued reliance on a large, bulky, outdated 5W wall charger, he praised the battery’s performance, noting that you’d have to really go out of your way to fully drain the battery in less than a day. He also describes the new cameras as “a massive step forward,” and praised the quality of the images the phone is able to capture, noting that, in most respects, the camera experience is identical to the pricier iPhone 11 Pro. In particular, the new phone performs particularly well in low-light environments due to advancements in camera and image processing technology. As battery life and camera quality are two of the top concerns for people buying a new smartphone, it makes sense that Apple chose to focus in these areas, and according to reviewers the results of doing so have paid off.

The consensus seems to be that Apple hit the ball out of the park with all of their iPhone offerings this year, introducing a product which will be difficult for competitors to beat.

The iPhone 11 Pro, which Patel also reviewed, represents an even greater improvement in these key areas, with an even better battery life and an additional camera with a telephoto lens, as well as a higher-resolution display and a faster, more efficient chipset. The Pro models additionally include a fast-charging feature, unlike the base model, and improved LTE performance (though support for 5G isn’t included.)

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The major complaint reviewers had with the new phones was the operating system, iOS 13, which presents users with bugs and other annoyances. They’re quick to note, however, that Apple has a good track record of improving user experience on its phones with software updates, though it is not certain as of yet when Apple will release an update to address issues of performance and stability. Like the rest of the phone, iOS 13 represents only an iterative improvement over last year’s software, but the experience remains snappy, streamlined and simultaneously intuitive and densely packed with features. Still, Patel recommends waiting until Apple irons out these issues before purchasing a new iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro.

Overall, reviewers felt that the cheaper iPhone 11 was the best option for most people, as the improvements in the Pro model, while substantial, don’t justify the additional several hundred dollars in cost. Instead, the Pro models are recommended for those who demand battery life, image quality, and speed that far exceeds the competition and are willing to pay roughly a thousand dollars for that privilege. Still, the consensus seems to be that Apple hit the ball out of the park with all of their iPhone offerings this year, introducing a product which will be difficult for competitors to beat.

iPhone 3

Apple Unveils New iPhone During Yearly Press Event

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Today, Apple made a number of announcements at its yearly press event, including a new gaming service called Apple Arcade, the launch date and price of its Apple tv+ streaming service, upgrades to its iPad and Apple watch devices, as well as the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The event began with the announcement of Apple’s new Arcade service, a subscription-based service for the App Store, which allows users to download unlimited games of a variety of genres for a monthly fee. The service launches with a number of games from partners such as Konami and Capcom, including an updated version of the classic game Frogger called Frogger in Toy Town, a side-scrolling action-adventure game about navigating underwater caves called Into the Depths, and Sayonara Wild Hearts, a rhythm-based racing game described as a “playable music video.” The service launches on September 19th in over 150 countries, and will cost $4.99 per month for a family subscription, including a 1-month free trial.

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Next, Apple discussed Apple tv+, a streaming video service meant to compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime video. The service will feature exclusive television programs such as For All Mankind, Dickinson, and the Morning Show, and a drama film starring Jason Mamoa about a distant future in which human beings have lost the ability of vision, called “See.” Apple tv+ will launch on November 1st, and like Apple Arcade, will cost $4.99 per month, and any purchase of a new iMac, Apple TV, or iPhone will include a year of the service for free.

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Apple transitioned into focusing on their hardware releases, starting with the new 7th generation iPad. This upgrade includes a larger and higher-resolution 10.2” display and an upgraded chipset. Additionally, the new iPad is compatible with an optional case accessory that includes a full-sized keyboard, introducing much of the functionality of a laptop. The new iPad also supports software improvements, including improvements to multitasking, a floating keyboard, and compatibility with accessories like SD cards and thumbdrives. The Apple Pencil also sees added functionality, such as a streamlined ability to annotate screenshots. Apple touted accomplishments in more environmentally-friendly manufacturing, and announced the base model iPad would cost $329.

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Next, Apple discussed the Apple watch. The company shared a video featuring stories of the Apple Watch’s lifesaving EKG capabilities, which alerts users to health emergencies and can automatically call emergency services in the event of a fall. Additionally, the company discussed the ways in which collecting data about users’ health contributes to research in fields such as cardiovascular fitness, hearing damage, and women’s health. Apple watch users can opt-in to share their health data with these research programs if they’d like to help improve the field of medical science.

The company then introduced the next generation of the Apple Watch, the series 5. The new version of the product features an always-on display, leveraging advancements in power-saving technology to maintain an 18-hour battery life. Additionally, the new watch includes a built-in compass and improvements to its safety features, such as international emergency calling. The new watch cases are made of 100% recycled aluminum, and other options for materials include stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium, and a variety of watch straps. The company again touted its environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes, and announced the base series 5 model will cost $399, whereas the price of the series 3 watch was dropped to $199.

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Then, Apple discussed the newest addition to its flagship line of products, the iPhone. The newest iPhone, the iPhone 11, features an improved camera and comes in a variety of colors. Apple claims that the all-glass construction is the strongest glass in the industry. The phone’s two-camera design features a main lens and an ultra-wide lens, and leverages software improvements for enhanced image processing, including more accurate depth-of-field simulation and better pictures in low-light environments. Additionally, users can take advantage of 4K video capabilities at 60 frames per second, image stabilization, and high dynamic range. The phone also includes an improved front-facing camera, with a wider depth of field and higher resolution.

Afterwards, the company discussed the improvements to its processor, called the A13 chip, which it claims is the fastest CPU ever in a smartphone. The company also showcased its new GPU, offering console-quality graphics, with an adventure game developed by a third-party called Pascal’s Wager. Apple also announced improvements to the new iPhone’s battery life and touted the device’s durability and water-resistance. The iPhone 11 will be offered at a base price of $699, following a trend of reduced prices for their products throughout the presentation.

The company also announced the iPhone 11 Pro, which it described as a product for power users and professionals. The device is constructed from durable stainless steel, and features an additional third camera on the rear. The iPhone 11 Pro comes in two sizes, and features a high-resolution OLED panel, which it calls the Super Retina XDR display. The phone’s chipset is called the A13 Bionic, is capable of 1 trillion operations per second, and features hardware specifically designed for machine learning and power efficiency.

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The iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max features a battery life 4 and 5 hours longer than the previous model devices, respectively. The device’s third camera, with a telephoto lens. enables what Apple calls professional-grade photography by introducing 4x optical zoom, and showcased photographs taken by professional photographers on the iPhone 11 Pro. The new phone includes a technology which Apple calls Deep Fusion, which combines nine pictures taken in quick succession using a neural engine to produce a higher-quality result. Additionally, Apple showcased video taken by a professional cinematographer with the device to emphasize its 4k, 60 frames per second video recording capability, and showcased the wide selection of photography and videography apps available for the device.

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The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will cost $999 and $1099, respectively, and will be available starting on September 20th. Apple concluded by discussing changes to its Apple retail locations, including a greater number of customization options for the Apple watch, the Apple Trade In option for device upgrades, and a redesign of the company’s 5th avenue location in New York City. 

Overall, the presentation represented a renewed effort by the company to present more affordable devices while responding to some of the criticisms of the previous generation of products. Throughout the event, Apple emphasized their commitment to environmentally-friendly business practices, and focused mainly on improvements to camera quality, battery life, and durability. While all of Apple’s announcements today represent a clear improvement of their device line up, the program offered few surprises, and no major launches of new product categories, with no mention whatsoever of the company’s desktop and laptop offerings. However, consumers are likely to respond positively to the products announced today, as the improved performance and reduced price of the overall lineup will be hard for competitors to beat.