APPLE is anticipated to axe five gadgets in its upcoming launch of the iPhone 16, as stock runs low at retailers.
The company will unveil the iPhone 16 on September 9, and is forecast to launch two other products alongside.
As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a dwindling inventory is often a precursor to what’s to come.
Though he adds that that’s not always the case.
Judging by Apple’s inventory, the company is running out of the FineWoven iPhone cases and Apple Watch wrist bands that failed to win the heart of fans.
The Silicon Valley giant had decided to phase out traditional leather products in it’s iPhone 15 launch to reduce methane emissions.
It introduced a “luxurious and durable microtwill” alternative, called FineWoven, instead.
But customers and several reviews branded the material “terrible” for the price, and that it scratches very easily.
Current stock levels could be a sign that the fabric option is about to be phased out, and perhaps replaced with a hardier material.
And that’s not all.
Stock of the Apple Watch 9 and AirPods 3 are also being sapped and not replenished.
Apple is reportedly introducing the Apple Watch Series 10 and new AirPods during the September 9 event, which would explain the low inventory.
According to a separate report from Bloomberg, Apple will discontinue AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 this year to replace them with two AirPods 4 variants.
The iPhone SE model also appears to be running low on the ground, likewise all the iPhone models that are soon to be declared “obsolete”.
In February last year, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, claimed that Apple had restarted the iPhone SE 4 project as an economic downturn was squashing the consumer desire the buy new electronics.
It is typically the cheapest device in each series.
But reports have suggested that the iPhone SE 4 will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 17 next year.
Another product that’s flying off the shelves is the iPad mini.
While rumours suggest a new model is on the way, it’s not clear whether it will be revealed this month or later in the year.
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The Apple Watch 10 is forecast to come with some significant upgrades.
It’s alleged to be thinner than its predecessors, and boast larger screen sizes, according to Ming-Chi.
Apple has reportedly been mulling a magnetic attachment for the wrist bands, too.
This would remove the band cutouts and provide more space for other internal components – which in turn could help slim the gadget.
There’s also hope for an updated OLED display that would bring a nice boost to the battery life.
In terms of new health features, blood pressure monitoring could be included, as well as sleep apnea detection.
Although there is some question in whether the device will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 16, or hit shelves later in the year.
There were no major changes to the AirPods lineup in 2023, so Apple is expected to be introducing its fourth iteration of the earphones.
The higher-end AirPods 4 are expected to offer noise cancellation, while the lower-end model will not.
Apple has typically released new AirPods around the same time as new iPhones in September.
Like the Apple Watch 10, Bloomberg suggested the new models may be released later in 2024.
Onlookers have their eyes pinned to September 2025 for the new iPhone SE 4, after hopes of a release this year were squashed by rumours.
The device is generally aimed at consumers who don’t care so much about glitzy features, but want a high-powered device that actually fits in their pocket.
Apple introduced an iPhone SE 3 into its iPhone 14 line up in 2022.
The iPhone SE 3 ranged between $429/£449 and $579/£609. While the iPhone SE 2 ranged from $399/£419 and $549/£569.
This is far more affordable than the iPhone 14 Pro, which retailed at £1,099.
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