Today, Ming-Chi Kuo released a report on MacBook and iPhone. The report predicts that Apple will launch two new MacBook Pro models in the third quarter of 2021, and the high-end iPhone could adopt a VC cooling system as early as 2022.
MacBook
Benefiting from strong replacement demand, total MacBook shipments are expected to grow significantly by 25-30% (Year over Year) to 20 million units in 2021. The newly designed MacBook Pro is estimated to account for 60–70% of total MacBook shipments in 2021.
The report also stated that Apple has not updated the MacBook Pro design for 5 years. It is believed that the two newly designed models launched in the third quarter of 2021 will attract consumer attention and significantly boost the demand for device upgrades.
The following are the relevant predictions from the report:
- The two new models will feature 14-inch and 16-inch displays, respectively.
- Regarding case design, the new model’s top cover and bottom cover replace the existing curved design with a flat design (similar to the iPhone 12).
- The MagSafe charging connector design will be restored.
- The OLED Touch Bar will be removed, and the physical function buttons will be restored.
- The new model will no longer offer Intel processor options.
- The new model will have more ports, so most users may not need to purchase additional adapters.
Since the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the highest-spec cooling system accounted for less than 10% of shipments in 2020, while the MacBook Air reached a relatively high shipment proportion, the latter did not adopt new cooling technology.
iPhone
The latest industry survey indicates that Apple is still actively testing the VC (vapor chamber) cooling system for the iPhone. It is believed that at least the high-end iPhone models are very likely to adopt the VC cooling system.
If the reliability of the VC cooling system can be successfully improved, high-end iPhones may adopt it as early as 2022.
The report indicates that due to the anticipated improvements in computing power and faster 5G connectivity, high-end iPhones will need to be equipped with VC (vapor chamber) cooling systems to meet higher thermal management requirements. Currently, iPhones have not adopted VC technology. The key issue is that VC reliability testing has not yet met Apple’s high standards. However, we look forward to progress in VC reliability, and it is expected that high-end iPhones will feature VC cooling systems in the near future.