Apple on Thursday sent out invitations for a Sept. 9 event that is expected to include the launch of new iPhones and possibly the long-rumored iWatch.
"Please join Apple on September 9 for a special event," the invite says. "Wish we could say more."
As that message suggests, few other details were made available. The event information appears atop the traditional silver Apple logo, a bit of a change from last year's colorful invite, which hinted at Apple's multi-color iPhone 5c lineup. Things kick off at 10 a.m. PT in Cupertino; PCMag will be there, so stay tuned for all the details.
Apple is widely expected to launch its next-gen iPhones next month. Rumor has it that Cupertino will release a 4.7-inch iPhone, as well as a 5.5-inch phablet for the first time. Though Apple chief Tim Cook has expressed doubts about phablets in the past, there's no question that phones with larger screens are all the rage at the moment. In some cases, they have eaten into small tablet market share as consumers look to save money and purchase just one device.
Whether Apple is finally ready to increase its phone sizes from 3.5 and 4 inches to 4.7 and 5.5 inches will be revealed on Sept. 9.
And while Apple's September events have largely focused on the iPhone in recent years, Re/Code this week reported that the Sept. 9 event will also include the launch of a new wearable - likely the iWatch.
The site, which also correctly predicted that Apple would hold its iPhone event on Sept. 9, said that Apple's wearable will tap into its new HealthKit and HomeKit e-health and home automation efforts.
New iPads are not expected to be revealed at the Sept. 9 event. For the past two years, Apple has held separate events in October to announce refreshes to its tablet lineup.
The iPhone 5s is Apple's best ever smartphone, the Nexus 5 a staggeringly good deal. So which should you choose? We think you know the answer, but just to sure you should read Macworld UK's iPhone 5s vs Nexus 5 smartphone comparison review.
...but if money is no object we'd always choose Apple's best ever iPhone
iPhone 5s vs Nexus 5 smartphone comparison review
The iPhone 5s is Apple's best ever smartphone, the Nexus 5 a staggeringly good deal. So which should you choose? We think you know the answer, but just to sure you should read Macworld UK's iPhone 5s vs Nexus 5 smartphone comparison review.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Software
The principal reason to choose the Nexus 5 is always going to be the price. We have a whole section discussing price later in this article. But you are a Macworld reader and an iPhone fan, so we are going to assume that mere trifles such as the cost don't enter your mind when making purchasing decisions.
Android 4.4 KitKat vs iOS 7 is a conundrum. Android isn't like it used to be: if you are new to the smartphone game there's no obvious winner. These are the two most popular and best mobile operating systems around so it's about picking which one is right for you. (For more visit Macworld UK's iPhone and iPad spotlight.
Android 4.4 KitKat brings some great features such as a full screen mode and many improvements across calling, messaging, search, audio playback and more. iOS 7 has the handy Control Center, better multi-tasking and an overhaul in terms of look and feel. It's also more responsive on the same hardware, although whether these two handsets enjoy the same hardware is to be discussed later on!
In essence, if you are a long-term iOS user you will probably best off sticking with what you know. You have after all almost certainly spent a lot of cash on apps that you'll have to spend again in Android. But it is worth considering that your iTunes music files will work in Android, and Android offers the opportunity of shopping around for music, movies, books and TV shows.
It's also worth taking note that both Android and iOS are set to get an update soon. Apple unveiled iOS 8 with many new and exciting features in June, while Google showed off Android L during its Google I/O event later the same month. Find out more about each in our Android L article and our iOS 8 preview.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Display
The Nexus 5 has a much bigger screen than the iPhone 5S display. It's 4.95 in compared to 4 in, and that extra real estate will come in handy for web browsing, gaming and watching video content – especially with Android 4.4 KitKat's new full-screen Immersive Mode.
If you're more interested in resolution then the iPhone 5S sticks to the previous 640 x 1136 Retina quality display while the Nexus 5 is higher res at Full HD 1080 x 1920 – typical for a top-end Android handset. This means the Nexus 5 has a pixel density of 445ppi against the iPhone's 326ppi.
But before you conclude that the Nexus 5 has a 'better' display, there is something to be said for the iPhone's narrow display which works well in landscape mode as a widescreen. And as we find in the next section, a big screen makes a big phone...
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Design and build
The Nexus 5 is a bigger smartphone than the iPhone 5S. Most smartphones are larger than the iPhone these days because, like the Nexus 5, they have bigger screens.
Both the iPhone 5S and the Nexus 5 are slender and light but the iPhone 5S wins on measurements. It's 7.6 mm thick and weighs 112 g which means it's thinner and lighter than the Nexus 5 which is 8.6 mm and 130 g. Of course, some of that extra weight will be due to its bigger screen.
Made from aluminium and glass, the iPhone 5S is more fragile than the Nexus 5 and demands some kind of protective case. But it also infinitely more aesthetically pleasing. It is an iPhone, after all. Google has ditched the glass rear cover which it used on the Nexus 4, making the Nexus 5 a much more robust device. You don't need a case. The Nexus 5 comes in black and white, while the iPhone 5S comes in silver, space grey and gold.
So good looking, thin and light, with a choice of colours, or robust and monochrome. You decide.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Specs and performance
Both of the iPhone 5S and the Nexus 5 smartphones pack in impressive hardware. The iPhone 5S sports Apple's A7 chip which is the first 64-bit processor to be put into a smartphone. It also has the M7 motion coprocessor. This makes for impressive performance, as witnessed by the iPhone's benchmark results. In SunSpider 1.0, the 5S completed the test in just 417ms. In Geekbench 3 the iPhone 5S managing a very healthy score of 2561. Running GLBenchmark 2.7 (Egypt HD), the iPhone 5S managed 53fps. These are great results.
Google and LG have opted for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip, a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor, for the Nexus 5. This is paired with 2GB RAM. These specs take the Nexus 5 to a Geekbench 3 score of 2800, GLBenchmark 2.7 of 24fps, and a SunSpider time of 801ms.
Overall, the iPhone 5s managed to beat the Nexus 5 on all three benchmark tests, but synthetic benchmarks are not to be used in such a specific manner. Each of these phones is noticably fast and more than capable of running the tasks asked of it. If you're trying to choose between these two then you're best off doing it based on things other than the chip, as they're both snappy, fast and smooth running devices despite their processor differences.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Storage
Storage is important if you're going to keep lots of music, apps, games and videos on your smartphone. Neither the iPhone 5S nor the Nexus 5 has a microSD card slot for a memory card so it's paramount you pick the right amount of storage.
Google has double the capacity of the Nexus 5 compared to the Nexus 4 so there is 16 GB and 32 GB options. Apple also has these available on the iPhone 5S but has a larger 64 GB model, too. Picking that 64GB iPhone will mean a price of more than £700, though, as we discuss below.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Cameras
Both the Nexus 5 and iPhone 5S have 8Mp rear-facing cameras, but each has different features.
The iPhone 5S offers a 'True Tone' flash and backside illumination (BSI) sensor while the Nexus 5 provides optical image stabilisation and an HDR+ mode. Both shoot video at 1080p but the iPhone 5S has a Slo-mo mode. You'll need to choose which ones will be more beneficial to you. Find out more about the iPhone's camera features here.
At the front the Nexus 5 has a slight edge with 1080p video from its 1.3 Mp webcam compared to the iPhone 5S' 1.2 Mp camera which is limited to 720p.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Connectivity
The Nexus 5 and iPhone 5S are similar but different when it comes to connectivity. The iPhone 5S has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS combined with Apple's Lightning connector and the new Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
Meanwhile, the Nexus 5 has dual-band Wi-Fi with the latest 11.ac standard, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS and NFC with a microUSB port (SlimPort enabled) and wireless charging.
As you would expect from a recently released smartphone, both support 4G LTE mobile networks.
iPhone 5S vs Nexus 5 comparison: Price
iPhone 5s deals: Best Apple's iPhone 5s contract
Price is by far the biggest difference between the Nexus 5 and iPhone 5S.
The Nexus 5 starts at just £299 while the iPhone 5S costs a comparatively huge £549 – both with 16 GB of storage. That's the kind of value for money which is hard to argue with. The difference is much closer on contract, of course.
It's also worth considering the cost of replacing any iPhone cases, docks and speakers you own.
Finally, know that Google subsidises the Nexus devices to drive adoption of Android, which is in itself a data gathering exercise aimed at increasing advertising revenue. There's nothing wrong with this, but it is a factor to take into consideration.
iPhone 6 rumours and Nexus 6 rumours
Both the iPhone 5S and Nexus 5 were released late last year - the iPhone 5S in September alongside the iPhone 5C, and the Nexus 5 at the end of October. That means they're not too far off being year-old devices, so it's worth considering whether you want to wait it out for the next generation of each device.
The iPhone 6 is expected to have a bigger screen, and there may even be an iPhablet launched alongside it with a 5.5in display. Find out more in our rumour iPhone 6 rumour round-up and iPhablet rumour round-up.
OUR VERDICT
The iPhone 5s is the best phone Apple has ever made, but on price alone it is difficult to suggest that it is a better deal than is the Nexus 5. If money is no object, however, we'd always choose the iPhone.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s smartphone comparison review
The iPhone 5s is Apple's 2013 flagship smartphone, and as we near the launch of the iPhone 6 we thought it would be fun to put last year's Apple iPhone to the test slugging it out against a mid-range Android phone that launched in summer 2014. The Androids may be cheaper, but as the iPhone 6 hoves into view the iPhone 5s still more than holds its own. See also: iPhone 6 preview.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: price
The HTC One mini 2 is available for a middle of the road £359 which we think is a good price for what you get. On the face of it, a much better price than that of the iPhone 5s. Apple's flagship 2013 phone starts from a comparatively huge £549 – with 16 GB of storage. But a good deal is not just about paying the lowest price. So let's consider how these two handsets shape up. (For more visit Macworld UK's iPhone and iPad spotlight, and read our Apple iOS 7 review.)
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: display
The HTC One mini 2 has a smaller screen than the flagship M8 upon which it is based, but it is still noticably bigger than is the iPhone's. It's 4.5in display compared to the Apple phone's 4in. Whether 4.5in is 'mini' enough for you is the heart of the matter here. The trend of bigger screens continues so we're now at a point where mini versions of flagship Androids are the kind of size that flagship devices used to be. If you want a smaller screen then you really need an iPhone. And plenty of people do. Although a big screen offers a better experience watching movies or sport, a smaller display such as that of the iPhone 5s' allows you to operate your phone with one hand.
It's no surprise that the HTC One mini 2's resolution is 720p HD rather than Full HD and although the screen looks good with a 326 ppi pixel density (matching that of the iPhone 5s), you can get this on the best budget phones now, but neither the HTC nor the iPhone is that. They both have fine-looking screens. We prefer the HTC's, but that is because we like a bigger display. Your opinion may differ.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: build and design
The HTC One mini 2 measures 137 x 65 x 10.6mm and weighs in at 137g. This is enough to make it a more manageable phone than the current crop of big-screen Android flagships. Indeed we found it quite easy to use with one hand, and 137 g is a nice weight for a smartphone. However, it is a little thicker than we would like at 10.6 mm, and the HTC One mini is a little taller than other phones with the same screen size with front-facing stereo speakers.
The svelte iPhone 5s is much smaller, and slimmer, of course. It's 7.6 mm thick and weighs 112 g. Made from aluminium and glass, the iPhone 5S is also more fragile than is the HTC One mini 2 and demands some kind of protective case. But it also more aesthetically pleasing. It is an iPhone, after all.
Dimensions aside, the HTC One mini 2 retains the design and style of the stylish-for-an-Android HTC One M8, but in a smaller package. It has a premium brushed metal rear cover which looks and feels great. The cover doesn't run right round to the front of the phone however, instead there is a plastic band running around the edge.
For a relatively low price phone HTC has done a great job of keeping that high-end feel. But it doesn't feel as high end as an iPhone. Both these phones are available in three metallic colours. Neither is dust- nor waterproof. The key differences are that the One mini 2 is less susceptible to bumps and scrapes, and doesn't require a case. The iPhone 5s is much better looking and has a more premium feel, but you'd be bonkers not to put it in a protective cover.
Incidentally, the iPhone 6 is expected to have a bigger screen, and there may even be an iPhablet launched alongside it with a 5.5in display. Find out more in our rumouriPhone 6 rumour round-up and iPhablet rumour round-up. You'll also find Nexus 6 speculation here.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: specs and performance
Under the hood of the HTC One mini 2 is a 1.2GHz dual-core processor – a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 – with 1GB of RAM. The HTC One mini 2 scored 1153 in GeekBench 3 - a very respectable score.
It fell marginally behind in the GFXBench 3 T-Rex and Manhattan tests where it managed only 11- and 4fps respectively. In the web browsing SunSpider test we recorded a fairly average time of 1504 ms.
However, it's no slouch and in everyday use, Android is buttery smooth. Apps are quick to load as are web pages. Scrolling around web pages and maps isn't a chore: it's all nice and responsive. Only on one occasion did we see a hesitation when returning to the home screen.
the HTC One mini 2 is good, then, but the iPhone 5s is better. It sports Apple's A7 chip which is the first 64-bit processor to be put into a smartphone. It also has the M7 motion coprocessor. This makes for impressive performance, as witnessed by the iPhone's benchmark results. In SunSpider 1.0, the 5S completed the test in just 417ms. In Geekbench 3 the iPhone 5S managing a very healthy score of 2561. Running GLBenchmark 2.7 (Egypt HD), the iPhone 5S managed 53fps. These are great results.
In real-world use the iPhone 5s is noticably fast and more than capable of running the tasks asked of it. Pure speed is not a good reason to choose the iPhone over the One mini 2, as both of these phones are plenty fast enough. But the iPhone 5s is categorically better than the HTC One mini 2 in this respect.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: storage
There's only a 16GB model of the HTC One mini 2 so the only difference between models is the colour. It's a standard capacity now but we're pleased to report that the handset has a microSD card slot which wasn't on the first HTC One mini. You can add a whopping 128GB via the card slot so it's happy days here.
The iPhone 5s comes in varied onboard storage capacities, but there is no expansion slot. So if you want 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage, you can get it - but at a price premium.
On the face of it then we'd give this section to the HTC. But there are a couple of things to point out. For one thing that 128GB SD card will cost you, so it is not quite a straight win for HTC. And for another there is a potential loss of performance depending on the quality of the expansion storage. That's why Apple will never allow it.
We think that it is still a win for HTC, on balance.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: software
Android 4.4 KitKat vs iOS 7 is a conundrum. Android isn't like it used to be: if you are new to the smartphone game there's no obvious winner. These are the two most popular and best mobile operating systems around so it's about picking which one is right for you.
Android 4.4 KitKat brings some great features such as a full screen mode and many improvements across calling, messaging, search, audio playback and more. iOS 7 has the handy Control Center, better multi-tasking and an overhaul in terms of look and feel. It's also more responsive on the same hardware - although that is taken into account in our performance section above.
In essence, if you are a long-term iOS user you are probably best off sticking with what you know. You have after all almost certainly spent a lot of cash on apps that you'll have to spend again in Android. But it is worth considering that your iTunes music files will work in Android, and Android offers the opportunity of shopping around for music, movies, books and TV shows.
It's also worth taking note that Android is set to get an update soon. Apple unveiled iOS 8 with many new and exciting features in June, while Google showed off Android L during its Google I/O event later the same month.
HTC One mini 2 vs iPhone 5s comparison: camera
This is a big win for the iPhone. The One mini 2's main camera has a 13Mp sensor and is capable of 1080p video recording. It's all a bit underwhelming when you zoom in and look at the details (or lack thereof), but they're fine for sharing snaps on Facebook.
In good light, photos are good enough, but they simply don't exhibit the sort of sharp detail you'd expect at this high resolution.
Videos are disappointing. Again, there's a noticeable lack of sharp detail. Heavy handed compression means textures tend to turn into smudgy messes – bricks, foliage etc. There's also no stabilisation, so footage is shaky even if you have steady hands.
The iPhone 5S offers a 'True Tone' flash and backside illumination (BSI) sensor. It shoots video at 1080p and even has a Slo-mo mode. It's an 8Mp camera with 1.5µ pixels and an ƒ/2.2 aperture. Around the front is a FaceTime Camera taking 1.2MP photos, with 720p HD video recording. As a camera, the iPhone 5s is simply better than the HTC One mini 2. Find out more about the iPhone's camera features here.
OUR VERDICT
Considering it almost at the end of its year as Apple's number one, the iPhone 5s still stacks up extremely well against a mid-ranged Android handset. Performance is a win for the iPhone, as is the camera. The displays are a choice between big for viewing pleasure, and small for handling ease. The HTC is more robust, the iPhone more beautiful. And storage options favour the HTC, without it being an entirely clear cut choice. If Apple does as some suggest keep the iPhone 5s as a slightly cheaper option, it will not be a bad deal for new smartphone buyers.
The iPhone 5s, Apple's flagship smartphone, has been available to buy since September, so it's not surprising that everyone's now talking about what to expect from the iPhone 6, which is expected to be released next month. Here, we've used the most viable speculation, leaks and rumours from around the web to compare the iPhone 5s's specs, features and design with its potential successor.
iPhone 5s is already an excellent high-end smartphone
iPhone 5s is available to buy now
Cons
iPhone 6 will be even better & bigger when it's released
iPhone 6 is likely to have much better specs
iPhone 6 will be the coolest smartphone to own
iPhone 5s is great but iPhone 6 will be amazing.
The iPhone 5s, Apple's flagship smartphone, has been available to buy since September, so it's not surprising that everyone's now talking about what to expect from the iPhone 6, which is expected to be released next month. Here, we've used the most viable speculation, leaks and rumours from around the web to compare the iPhone 5s's specs, features and design with its potential successor.
Before we get started, we'd like to point out that this comparison is in no way, shape or form designed to be taken as fact. We are simply using the information and evidence we've collected since the launch of the iPhone 5s to predict what theiPhone 6 will be like.
The aim is to give you some perspective about what we can expect from the iPhone 6 launch, and perhaps aide you if you're considering waiting for the iPhone 6 to arrive before buying an iPhone, or you're thinking about upgrading from an older iPhonewhen the iPhone 6 comes out. It should spark your imagination, and get you thinking about what the future holds for Apple, too.
Read on for our thoughts about how the iPhone 6 will compare to its predecessor, the iPhone 5s.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: design
Aside from a new, gold colour and the introduction of the Touch ID home button, the iPhone 5s doesn't look much different to its predecessor, the iPhone 5. This time, however, we expect Apple to bring a new look and feel to the iPhone with the iPhone 6, as it has traditionally done with each release that follows an 's' device.
It's possible that the iPhone 6 will be even thinner and lighter than the iPhone 5s thanks to the use of Liquidmetal, a material that's exclusively licensed to Apple and is said to be extremely durable. According to reports, Liquidmetal could enable the iPhone 6 to be just 6mm thick compared to the iPhone 5s's 7.6mm.
If you're hoping for a bigger smartphone from Apple, you may just be in luck this year. It's possible, and widely rumoured, that the iPhone 6 will have a bigger display than the iPhone 5s, perhaps achieved by the super-durable sapphire glass Apple is believed to be manufacturing in Arizona.
The iPhone 5s has a 4in display but there are rumours of a display of 4.7in for the iPhone 6. Many reports even suggest that there will be two new iPhone models available, one with a 4.7in display and the other with a 5.5in display. That second, even bigger new iPhone is dibbed iPhone Air or iPhone 6L. You can find out more about it in our iPhone Air rumour round-up, but here we're focusing on the rumoured 4.7in iPhone 6 model.
The bigger display might not mean an enormously bigger iPhone overall. Some reports suggest that Apple will make an edge-to-edge display for the iPhone 6, accomodating the bigger display without needing to significantly increase the size of the chassis.
Overall, we love the design of Apple's iPhone 5s, but would expect the iPhone 6 to look even nicer, with an updated design that will help the new iPhone become one of the most sought after gadgets on the planet. It's recently been suggested that the iPhone 6 sales will be 20 per cent greater than the iPhone 5s.
Take a look at the latest iPhone 6 leaked images to get a better idea of what the iPhone 6 will look like.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: processor, performance
It's pretty much a given that Apple will improve the processor and performance of the iPhone with the next version. Currently, the iPhone 5s sports a 64-bit A7 chip, but we expect an A8 chip to feature in the iPhone 6. How that'll actually translate to user experience, though, is another question. The iPhone 5s is already so powerful that a boost won't be obvious to the general iPhone user.
One area that could be significantly improved, though, is RAM. The iPhone 5s only has 1GB of RAM whereas some competitors have up to 3GB, which would make for an even smoother experience, particularly when multitasking.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: storage
There isn't yet a 128GB version of the iPhone available, but there is for the iPad, which suggests it's a possibility for the iPhone 6. 128GB is pretty huge, though, so we don't expect many people to opt for that capacity, particularly because it would push the price of the device sky high.
It's also quite unlikely that Apple will go the opposite way and offer an 8GB model of the iPhone 6. There is an 8GB model of the iPhone 5c available, but only in select countries.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: camera
There's a fair bit of debate about the iPhone's camera. After all, at 8-megapixels, it's far behind many of its rivals on paper. However, as Macworld UK's Karen Haslamexplains here, megapixels aren't everything.
We expect that, while Apple may increase the megapixels somewhat with the iPhone 6, the company is more likely to focus the camera improvements on other areas such as image stabilisation, aperture and software features.
Current rumours suggest that the iPhone 6 could have a 10-megapixel camera with a f/1.8 aperture and improved filters. The iPhone 5s has an 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
Right now, we find the camera in the iPhone 5s to be excellent and able to capture impressive images that satisfy our needs, so a camera improvement isn't the most important thing we're looking for with the iPhone 6, but we certainly wouldn't be complaining if it gets even better with the next version.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: software
The iPhone 5s currently runs iOS 7, but it won't be long before we'll get the option to install iOS 8 on our iOS devices. The iPhone 6 will ship with iOS 8 installed, and its possible that there will be some features in iOS 8 that are exclusive to the newest iPhone.
You can find out more about iOS 8 in our iOS 8 preview.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: battery life
One of the most called for improvements for the iPhone 6 is battery life. We wholeheartedly agree that battery life is an issue that Apple is battling with and needs to be addressed. It's no mean feat, as the slim nature of the iPhone means it's tricky to cram in a super battery that's able to power the device for longer.
Apple could introduce a power saving mode similar to Samsung's and Sony's instead, though. This software feature would shut down any unnecessary applications and features that may be draining battery when the power is dangerously low, and could even go as far as to turn everything black and white and dim the display.
iPhone 5s vs iPhone 6: other features
It's possible that Apple will add new capabilities and improvements to the iPhone 6'sTouch ID fingerprint sensor.
Other possibilities include the addition of wireless charging thanks to a new Broadcom chip, though we're not completely convinced about that one, a curved display (again not convinced), and new quantum dots to improve the accuracy of the iPhone 6's colour reproduction.
Apple could use its September iPhone 6 event to launch an iWatch, the company's rumoured foray into the wearable tech market. You can find out more about the iWatch in our iWatch rumour round-up.
OUR VERDICT
Overall, the iPhone 6 is sure to be a significantly better smartphone than the iPhone 5s, but that's not to say the iPhone 5s isn't already great. It has extremely high build quality, impressive camera, processor, capacity and software, but the iPhone 6 can only improve on that.
There could be a surprise stand-out feature that makes the selling point of the iPhone 6, but we suspect that may be the rumoured bigger screen. If you're not looking for a bigger-screened phone then the iPhone 5s is a perfectly good and extremely impressive smartphone to opt for, but the iPhone 6 is bound to be even better.
In this article, we explore some of the rumours about Apple's MacBook Air, said to be gaining a Retina display. Stay up to date with the latest Retina MacBook Air release date rumours including claims that a new 12-inch model is coming later this year.
In this 2014 MacBook Air with Retina display release date rumours article we aim to bring you everything we know about Apple's Retina MacBook Air release date so you'll know exactly when the new Retina MacBook Air will launch. We'll also be examining the rumours circulating the web - and we'll assess whether they are credible. Finally, we will show you any Retina MacBook Air images that surface online. So check back here regularly for the latest new MacBook Air with Retina display speculation.
Last updated 22 July 2014 with news that Intel is shipping Broadwell chips to its customers, but apparently these are the wrong Broadwell chips, so the new Retina MacBook Air might still be delayed...
New Retina 12in MacBook Air release date
We've been awaiting the launch of a new MacBook Air for some time - while Apple only recently made a few tweeks to the MacBook Air line up, this was mainly to reduce prices, the processor bump was very slight. What people are really waiting for is a new MacBook Air with Intel's Broadwell processor, and a Retina display.
The good news is that despite rumours of major delays, Intel has confirmed that it is finally shipping the Broadwell chips to its customers, like Apple.
In a conference call about Intel's second-quarter results on 15 July, Intel's chief executive Brian Krzanich confirmed Intel’s hardware partners will have Broadwell systems on store shelves in the run up to Christmas. He said: "We said we would have products on shelves for the holiday season and we continue to work with our partners and we’re on schedule to have product on shelf in the holiday."
However, anyone awaiting the new Retina MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac mini should note that there are various Broadwell chips being developed by Intel, and the chips that Intel confirmed are shipping now are the M variety, destined for fanless two-in-ones. The new MacBook Air is likely to use the U Broadwell processor, which may not ship until 2015.
When it does ship, Broadwell, which uses the 14nm manufacturing process, should make the Retina display MacBook Air possible. It is said to consume 30% less power than it's predecessor Haswell, and that should be good news for battery life on the portable Macs, especially those with power hungry screens.
The news will disapoint those who have been waiting for updates to Macs for so long. We are sure that Apple is equally frustrated with Intel.
Shipment of Skylake – the successor to Broadwell which will offer even more power than that chip - is also delayed.
Reports in mid June also suggested that Apple's will begin production of a 12-inch MacBook Air in the third quarter. According to DigiTimes, Quanta Computer is set to begin production of the new 12-inch MacBook Air in July. This may have started, if the Intel chips have arrived.
What evidence is there for a smaller MacBook Air with a Retina display?
Rumours about a Retina MacBook Air with a smaller display have been circulating for some time. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested back in October 2013 that Apple will launch a 12-inch MacBook Air in 2014. Kuo suggested that this new MacBook Air would have an entirely new design.
Then back in January 2014, Evercore Partners analyst Patrick Wang predicted that a 12in MacBook/iPad hybrid would launch in the autumn of 2014. It is possible that the rumoured Retina display MacBook Air could be this Mac.
Canalys analyst Daniel Matte also believes Apple will add a Retina display to the MacBook Air this year.
Didn't Apple already introduce the 2014 MacBook Air?
Apple unveiled the latest update to the MacBook Air on 29 April 2014. Quietly updating its MacBook Air line-up with improved Haswell processors from Intel. You can read our review of the 2014 11in MacBook Air .
Aside from the small processor boost and a tiny battery life tweak, the main change for the new MacBook Air models was the price. Each model is now under £1,000, with prices starting at £749, £100 less than the previous models. This helps keep the MacBook Air an attractive option for customers, as the previous price was not much different to the price of the new MacBook Pro with Retina display.
The range update came as some surprise as the Retina display for the MacBook Air rumour was already in circulation. Prior to the MacBook Air update in April, there were suggestions that the new MacBook Air with Retina display could launch at WWDC, but this was obviously not the case.
Why is the Retina Mac delayed?
Following the launch of the new MacBook Air models in April 2014, it's more likely that Apple will wait until later in the year to show off an all-new model, one that many expect to have a Retina display and possibly a smaller form factor.
Another reason for the delay in introducing the new machine may be that Apple wishes the new MacBook Air to feature Intel's new Broadwell chip (the successor to Haswell). The Broadwell processor has been delayed due to manufacturing problems so the new Retina MacBook Air may be delayed even further. As we mention above, Intel has announced that it is finally shipping these chips to its customers.
Intel revealed in their financial results last October that Broadwell was delayed due to a manufacturing defect in the new 14-nm process being used for the Broadwell chip. Due to this Broadwell won't launch until the second half of 2014 - a quarter later than originally planned. Intel CEO Bryan Krzanich now seems more confident about the Broadwell timescale, telling Reuters in May that he expects to be able to deliver in time for the holidays (e.g. Christmas) but not in time for Back to School (e.g. August).
So it looks like we will start to see Broadwell chips appearing in machines from September to early December. Will the new MacBook Air have a Retina display?
Will the next MacBook Air feature a Retina display? It is possible, although it could equally be the case that there is no Retina display, with Apple opting to instead keep prices down and offer the new MacBook Air at a lower price.
However, according to some reports the MacBook Air is currently let down by its display, which has a lower resolution than the competition.
Canalys analyst Daniel Matte has written a blog claiming that Apple will add a Retina display to the MacBook Air this year. He expects that we will see a 11.88-inch model with a resolution of 2,732x1,536 pixels, the same 264ppi that the iPad Air offers. He explains the significance of Apple using the same display technology for the MacBook Air and iPad Air, stating: "It turns out that an ~11.88” Retina MacBook Air with a 2732 x 1536 resolution happens to have the exact same pixel density as the 9.7” 2048 x 1536 Retina iPads: ~264 PPI. It would make sense for Apple to take advantage of the same display technology it has been utilizing for the 9.7” iPads by cutting their panels to this larger size."
Rumours also claim that the new MacBook Air Retina display could have a resolution of 2,304 x 1,440 for a rumoured 12in display (discussed below). That's 226 pixels per inch, compared to 227 pixels per inch for the 13in MacBook Pro (which offers 2,560-by-1,600 resolution). This adds up to a 16:10 aspect ratio like that found on the 13in MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, rather than the 16:9 aspect ratio currently offered by the 11in MacBook Air.
The current 11.6-inch MacBook Air offers a 1366 x 768 pixel display.
The rumours of a MacBook Air with Retina display have been long running. Back in February 2013, rumours suggested that Apple was planning to launch a revamped MacBook Air with a Retina display in the third-quarter of 2013. A separate report in March 2013 also claimed that Apple would introduce a Retina display to the MacBook Air in 2013. Since this didn't happen in 2013, it is perhaps likely for 2014.
Apple does appear to be moving the whole of its range to Retina display. The company updated the Retina versions of its MacBook Pro in 2013, and also introduced a Retina iPad mini in October 2013.
Wondering what the Retina display fuss is all about?
Apple may use the IGZO display technology for the new display – offering improved power efficiency. The reason for the supposition is that Apple was recruiting for a engineers with experience in LED backlighting and LCD displays, in February,according to CultofMac. In an LCD display the bunches of pixels with wires running behind to connect them. The backlight has to shine though this mesh of wires to light up the pixels. In an IGZO display more light is able to shine though this mesh of wires, so the power requirements are lower, and battery life can be preserved. As a result we could see even longer battery life than the 12 hours currently on offer from the 13in MacBook Air.
New MacBook Air rumours - new smaller 12in model
According to a DigiTimes report in June, sources claim Apple wishes to introduce a smaller MacBook Air to make clearer the distinction between the 11-inch MacBook Air and the iPad Air with its 9.7-inch screen.
However, the same sources claim Quanta Computer will be building a rumoured 12-inch iPad later this year.
Canalys analyst Daniel Matte also believes Apple is working on a new version of the MacBook Air - one with a 11.88in screen. Other rumours place the screen size at 12in (which probably matches Matte's expectations).
In his blog Matte seems to be suggesting that there may only be one MacBook Air - this new 12-inch model, with the 13-inch model being phased out in favour of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested back in October 2013 that Apple will launch a 12-inch MacBook Air in 2014. Kuo suggested that this new MacBook Air would have an entirely new design.
The smaller 12in model could still accommodate a reasonable sized screen and keyboard if it had a smaller bezel.
If true, the 12in rumour also means that Apple would only need one Retina panel for the MacBook Air, rather than two.
New Retina MacBook Air release date - will the MacBook Air be an iPad Pro?
There are also rumours that Apple could launch a 12in iPad, but this might not arrive until 2015, or the rumours could relate to the 12in MacBook.
There are also rumours that the new MacBook Air merge with the iPad to create the iPad Pro. You can read more about the iPad Pro rumours here.
We think that a MacBook Air that offered a dual boot system for iOS 7 and Mac OS X would be very interesting, however, Tim Cook last year ruled out any kind of convergence suggesting that a Toaster Refrigerator wouldn't work.
Here's the second of our videos: 5 reasons to buy a MacBook Air & 5 reasons not to buy a MacBook Air. This is Why not to buy a MacBook Air
New Retina MacBook Air rumours - smaller and lighter, changes to trackpad
According to Chinese site, Weiphone, the new MacBook Air will be thinner and lighter, a feat it will achieve by removing the fan (discussed below) and the clicking mechanism in the trackpad.
The new 12in model will drop the trackpad and introduce "force and optical sensors" and new touch gestures, according to this report from BEN Latest News.
New Retina MacBook Air rumours - broadwell processor, fanless design
One way that Apple could make the MacBook smaller is by removing the fan. Apparently the fan assembly is the reason why the MacBook Air is thicker at one end than the other.
Removing the fan assembly would enable Apple to make the laptop thinner than ever, according to reports.
Presumably there will be some sort of cooling system built in, however that my not be necessary. The Intel Haswell processors are said to be efficient enough to make the removal of the fan feasible – indeed there are already laptops on the market that do not feature a fan.
If Apple uses the new Broadwell processor in the MacBook Air, it should enable a fanless design for the smaller (up to 11.6in) laptop or mobile device, notes Motley Fool, based on what Intel said at its developer forum in 2013. It could also offer thermal scaling and thermal management.
The advantage of a fanless design would also be quiet operation. Another benefit of having no fan is that there would be no moving parts (therefore less likely to break), it could also offer higher battery capacity because a bigger battery could be used.
Other features of the Broadwell chip are that it is low power and offers integration with WiDi, 4G WWAN, and WiGig networks.
Will the old non Retina MacBook Air remain?
If Apple launches a 12in MacBook Air, will it discontinue the existing models? It's possible that if Apple launches a 12in Retina MacBook Air model it will discontinue both, or either of the existing models. Equally, Apple could maintain one of the existing models as an entry-level model. It seems more likely that it would keep the 11in model on at an even lower price, rather than keep on the bigger 13in model.
One reason why Apple may keep a lower-priced MacBook Air on is the fact that Apple has just introduced a new entry-level iMac and already the MacBook Air looks superior to that, despite costing less. If Apple wants a low end option, it would appear unlekely that the Retina MacBook Air would be it.
New Retina MacBook Air price
As mentioned above, in 2013 Apple introduced a new lower entry price for the Retina MacBook Pro. With very little difference in price now between the Retina MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, it looked likely that Apple would soon reduce the price of the MacBook Air.
When it first launched in October 2012, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display started at £1,449. This was reduced to £1,249 a few months later when the range received a processor upgrade. Now, with the April 2014 update to the MacBook Air, the entry-level price of the 13-inch model is a much more compelling £999 which makes the difference between the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display and the 13-inch MacBook Air £250 rather than £150.
The MacBook Air pricing now starts at £749 for the 11-inch model, down £100 from last year's model.
In his predictions last year, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the price of this new 12-inch MacBook Air model could be lower than the current line up of Mac laptops.
The new MacBook Air might not use Intel chips
This rumour has been floating around for some time. It is possible that Apple will ditch the Intel processor in its range of laptop in favour of its own home-made A-series chips, like those found in the iPad and iPhone.
Some have even speculated that the new MacBook Air could mark some sort of crossover between the iPad and the MacBook, perhaps an iPad Pro.
However, rumours that Apple will move from Intel to ARM chips seem unlikely, based on this explaination from Cult of Mac.
The new MacBook Air will be solar powered
Ok, so this is a bit of an out-there rumour, but it really is possible that Apple will one day release a new MacBook Air with a solar powered display.
In January 2013, Apple was granted a patent that described a method for harnessing sunlight to illuminate a MacBook's display. This patent is actually the seventh solar-related patent Apple has gained in the past two years.
New Retina MacBook Air leaked images
At present, there are no new MacBook Air leaked images to share with you, but we will update this story as soon as one surfaces on the web.
So far the only concept images we have seen are these... Perhaps inspired by the Mac Pro, or the Space Grey iPhone 5s, there are calls for a black version of the MacBook Air. TUAW has provided some renders of how such a MacBook Air could look.
