Apple iPhone 16 Pro details, MacBook Pro glass design, iPhone SE leaks

A look back at this week's news and headlines from Apple, including details on the iPhone 16 Pro launch, an iPhone 16 design surprise, an iPhone SE specs leak, iPad Mini hints, a smaller Apple Watch 10, a glass MacBook Pro, and a farewell to a style icon.

Apple Loop reminds you of some of the many discussions surrounding Apple over the past seven days. You can also read my weekly roundup of Android news here on Forbes.

When should you buy the new iPhone?

This Monday is Apple's Glowtime event, which will see the launch of the new iPhone, iPad Mini and Apple Watch, along with a splash of generative AI on top of it all. The big question for many, however, will be: “When can I buy my new iPhone?”

“I'm sure this will happen on Friday September 13th and will probably be at 5am Pacific time (8am Eastern time, 1pm UK time). Note that it's worth checking apple.com to see if, like last year, the company allows you to add the iPhone model you want with the right colour and storage option to your online shopping basket the night before, so you can click on the pre-order as soon as it goes live. This will also apply to other products that go on sale on the same day.”

(Forbes).

Covering up the iPhone’s new performance

A new addition to the iPhone 16 family is the new Capture button. It complements the physical Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro last year. However, this camera-focused button is capacitive rather than physical, although every third-party casing seen so far leaves a gap for the user to reach the surface of the likely force-sensitive control. Interestingly, the button is not seen in one place on Apple's new iPhone casing:

“While these unofficial cases have a cutout for the recording button, a machine-translated comment on DuanRui's image states: “The official protective case for Apple's iPhone 16 series will not have this opening and will feature an integrated design that will not affect the normal use of this capacitive button.”

(MacRumors).

The iPhone SE becomes part of the family

While the iPhone 16 is seen by many as the entry-level iPhone for the oddly backronymed Apple Intelligence AI software, Apple is expected to launch an iPhone SE early next year. The new mid-range iPhone will join the rest of the family in standardizing on vibrant OLED screen technology:

“The fourth-generation iPhone SE is rumored to feature an iPhone 14-like design, Face ID instead of Touch ID, a USB-C port, an action button, an Apple-designed 5G modem, an A18 processor, and a full-screen design that eliminates the home button. The size of the device's display is expected to grow from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches, and internal RAM will likely be 8GB, up from 4GB on the 2022 model, based on Apple Intelligence's hardware requirements.”

(MacRumors).

Before Glowtime, the iPad Mini stock ran out

Apple is reducing stocks of the current iPad Mini tablets in its stores. With rumors of a new iPad Mini circulating, it's likely that the new tablet won't launch in October, but will join the iPhone 16 family next week at Glowtime:

“What helps in the case of a possible upgrade are reports that Apple stores are running low on iPad Minis in various configurations. The same report added that the iPad Mini is considered “limited” internally. Since Apple tends to reduce inventory of products before an update arrives, this certainly helps rumors about the 2024 update.”

(Apple Insiders).

10 On X on your wrist

Bigger things are expected from the Apple Watch 10 at Glowtime. A larger display, a thinner case and new materials are all planned. But will it be a Watch 10 or a Watch X:

“The 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch could bring something new to users, and a design overhaul has been reported for some time. A source on X shared details about the Apple Watch Series 10 based on what he was told by his sources. Recently, it was reported that the upcoming model could come with a slightly larger display, which could be due to the slimmed down bezels. According to the source's information, the Apple Watch X will come in two new sizes – 42mm and 46mm, but the display will remain curved, unlike the Apple Watch Ultra.”

(WCCFtech).

Laptop with performance, glass keyboard

We're used to our smartphones having glass on the front and back, and to tapping on the glass above our screens. How about tapping on a sheet of glass that replaces your MacBook's keyboard? A sealed glass surface on a laptop, but with bendable keys? The latest patent from Apple's R&D team suggests:

“Due to the thinness and flexibility of the glass, when a typical typing force is applied to the thin glass pane (e.g. with a finger), the glass may be deformed primarily in the area directly beneath the force (e.g. beneath the finger), while other areas of the glass pane remain substantially undeformed or are deformed to a lesser extent.

“The local deformation of the thin glass can provide a more satisfying typing experience than thicker or less flexible glass, as the user can actually feel a deformation or depression that resembles or is reminiscent of a traditional keyboard with movable keys.”

(Obviously Apple).

And finally …

Last year, Apple replaced its leather cases with its own FineWoven material. It proved controversial in terms of both feel and durability. Apple discontinued several product lines in April, and now the rest of the portfolio is being sold off:

“Back in April, Apple leaker and prototype collector Kosutami claimed that Apple had decided to stop producing FiveWoven accessories due to durability concerns, although the leaker did not rule out the possibility of another round of FineWoven products, possibly in a season with new colors. However, FineWoven accessories in new color options were missing from Apple's spring refresh.”

(MacRumors).

Apple Loop brings you the highlights every weekend for seven days here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any future coverage. You can read last week's Apple Loop here, or this week's edition of Loop's sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.