Apple's New 'entry-level' MacBook To Be Out In September

Reports suggest that Apple is likely to launch its new 13-inch entry-level MacBook in September.  

The new model will possess Apple's 14nm Kaby Lake processor with a 12.9-inch screen. The affordable MacBook was originally scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2017 but failed to hit the showrooms due to a problem with Intel's 10nm manufacturing process. 

Post the issue as Intel decided to manufacture the 10nm CPU by the second half of 2019, Apple chose to embed the better 14nm Kaby Lake architecture in the upcoming model. Around eight million units are expected to be shipped by the company in 2018. 

Additionally, Apple is also gearing up to unveil three new iPhones at the same time. The tech giant is also likely to announce the schedule for its wireless charger AirPower for its upcoming models that is reported to be priced at $161 to $193. 

In the tablet segment, the Cupertino based company has planned to release two new iPads with a new 18W type-C power adapter. 

The upcoming launch might be in favour of the tech titan who was recently dethroned by Chinese phone manufacturer Huawei in worldwide shipment of smartphones. 

According to data that was released by International Data Corporation (IDC), Canalys and Strategy Analytics, Chinese phone manufacturer Huawei has overtaken Apple and moved into the second position in terms of market share of worldwide shipments of smartphones in the second quarter of 2018. 

According to the data, the company shipped over 54 million handsets in the second quarter compared to the 41.3 million that was recorded by Apple. The list is topped by Samsung which sold over 73 million units in the second quarter. 

As per IDC's figures, Samsung held 20.9% of the market share, while Huawei ranked second with 15.8% trailed by Apply which had 12.1% of the share. 

It could also be concluded that the whopping jump of 41% in Huawei shipments was majorly due to the company's Honor brand. In its press release, IDC stated that 'the Honor brand continues to be a key driver of growth for the Chinese tech giant'. Additionally, Canalys states that the Honor brand "accounted for two-thirds of the near 16-million-jump that Huawei made this quarter". 

Huawei's premium line of smartphones put up a good show too with the P20 and the P20 Pro drawing "strong demand" throughout the quarter. While it is not surprising that China accounted for 27% of the company's shipments, the US mobile market showed little contribution, if any, towards Huawei's success.