Top Stories: iOS 13.2 Beta, AirPods Leak, ‘iPhone SE 2’ in 2020, and More

This week saw quite a few leaks and rumors, including Apple itself leaking an icon of what appears to be next-generation AirPods with ear tips that would presumably assist with rumored noise cancelation capabilities. We also heard rumors about an “iPhone SE 2” that would actually be more like an updated iPhone 8 and future high-end iPad and MacBook models equipped with Mini-LED displays.

Read on for a look at this week’s biggest news, including our thoughts on a potential October media event and what Apple might introduce at one.

iOS 13.2 Beta Released With Deep Fusion for iPhone 11 and 11 Pro

Apple’s wave of software updates continued this week with the release of the first iOS 13.2 beta for developers and public testers. With it brings Apple’s promised Deep Fusion camera feature for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, which takes advantage of machine learning techniques for even better pixel-by-pixel optimization of photos.

Apple also seeded the Golden Master of macOS Catalina to developers, which is equivalent to the final version of the operating system that will be released for all compatible Macs soon, as well as the second beta of watchOS 6.1 and the first beta of tvOS 13.2.

For users who aren’t on the beta track, Apple has released iOS 13.1.2 with several bug fixes and improvements.

iOS 13.2 Beta Includes Icon Depicting New AirPods Design

In the first beta of iOS 13.2, MacRumors has discovered an icon depicting in-ear AirPods, lending credence to rumors that Apple plans to release a new version of the wireless earphones with active noise cancelation and a new design later this year.

We’ve also rounded up everything else that is new in the first iOS 13.2 beta, including the return of “Announce Messages with Siri” for AirPods and select Beats headphones, a new “Transfer to HomePod” feature for media, HomeKit grouping, and more.

‘iPhone SE 2’ With Similar Design as iPhone 8, A13 Chip, and 3GB RAM Expected in Early 2020

Apple plans to release a so-called “iPhone SE 2” with a similar design as the iPhone 8 in early 2020, but with a faster A13 chip and an extra, third GB of RAM, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo is at least the fourth source that expects a new lower-cost iPhone to launch early next year. Earlier reports claimed the device will have a 4.7-inch display like the iPhone 8, so it might not be the 4-inch smartphone that some are hoping for. Touch ID is also expected instead of Face ID.

High-End iPad and MacBook With Mini-LED Displays Said to Launch Between Late 2020 and Mid 2021

A new iPhone SE wasn’t the only prediction to come from Ming-Chi Kuo this week.

The well-known analyst also expects Apple to release high-end iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED-backlit displays between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021.

Kuo believes one of Apple’s suppliers will be Epistar, the largest LED manufacturer in Taiwan. Just this week, without getting specific, Epistar’s president revealed that some…