Rumors: Apple To Debut An iPad Pro With Face ID, A Cheaper HomePod Speaker, A $800-$900 MacBook Air, And More This Year

It seems that Apple is expected to launch a handful of new hardware this year, including an iPad Pro to debut at WWDC that featured with Fa...

It seems that Apple is expected to launch a handful of new hardware this year, including an iPad Pro to debut at WWDC that featured with Face ID, upcoming 2018 iPhone models, MacBook Air, and HomePod, as reported by Rosenblatt Securities analyst Jun Zhang along with Taiwan's Economic Daily News.

Image Credit B&H

First of all, the Chinese report says that there will be a speaker made by Apple forecasted to launch in the second half of 2018 for between $150 and $200 in the United States. As of now, the company's first speaker called HomePod, retail for the price of $349, although is more expensive than the Amazon Echo and Google Home for $99 and $129, but it ships the better sound quality.

Another prediction made by the Taiwan media, is that Apple will launch a more affordable MacBook Air in the second quarter of 2018 for $799 - $899, and the price range came from WitsView researcher Yubin Qiu. The current MacBook Air starts at $999.

Image Credit Cult of Mac

Speaking to the iPads, both reports claimed the Cupertino company likely to debut at least one iPad model in second quarter of this year. With EDN saying that Apple is considering to release a cheaper 9.7-inch iPad for $259 in the second quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, Zhang believes revamped iPad Pro to have slimmer bezels and no home button, similar to iPhone X, but to keep 10.5 and 12.9-inch sizes.

Today's report also confirmed a prediction from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, which he expects Apple to launch a mid-range ($700-$800) 6.1-inch iPhone, as it will be continue to use 3GB of RAM but featured with a 3D sensing for Face ID and Animoji, and lacking 3D Touch. 

Apple is rumored to unveil new devices later this month, like the AirPower, a new AirPods charging case, or even a second-generation of iPhone SE. We think the date is clocked on March 21st, a days Spring season kicks off. What products are you expecting to see in this year?