Report: Apple Working on Cheaper HomePod, iPad, iPhone, and MacBook Air

2018 seems to be a pretty busy year for Apple as it is reportedly planning to unveil a number of lower-priced devices.  According to several sources, Apple’s lineup of

products for 2018 includes a HomePod, iPad, iPhone, and a MacBook Air.

HomePod

Apple is reportedly working on a new HomePod model, one that will have a price between $150 and $200. The reports show that this smart speaker will be released in the second half of the year as a competitor to Amazon’s Echo.

iPad

On a separate report, WitsView Research Vice President Qiu Yubin stated that the 9.7-inch iPad from last year helped the company to stop a problem it was facing with the decline of iPad sales. Since that iPad model had a lower price compared to its previous iterations, it was able to curb Apple’s declining iPad sales. Following the same idea, the manufacturer is reportedly working on releasing a 9.7-inch iPad this year, which will cost around $259.

Reports show that the new iPad model will have smaller bezels, no home button and Face ID. Apple is estimated to be working on releasing around 16-18 million new iPad models for a release in late Q2 this year.

iPhone

As for the latest iPhone model, there are reports pointing to Apple releasing a 6.1-inch LCD iPhone model, which would have a price lower than the $1000 price tag on the iPhone X.

ETNews reported that Apple was planning to ditch the notched display design that they included in the iPhone X. In its place, Apple will be implementing a full-screen display that aims to improve obstacles such as a camera module and 3D sensor. Since Apple has been planning to create an iPhone with a full-screen display, this could largely be the case for this year’s iPhone model. However, this smartphone is not expected to be released until fall.

There were reports of a new iPhone SE model but these rumors were already disputed.

MacBook Air

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported about a new 13-inch MacBook Air that will reportedly cost from $799 and $899.  This will be $100 cheaper compared to the current base MacBook Air model.