Expectations for the iPhone 16 Pro, details about the iPhone Air, leaks about the Apple Watch SE

A look back at this week's news and headlines from Apple, including what to expect from the new iPhone 16 Pro, a possible iPhone Air, Apple's AI venture, new payment options for iOS, the big change of the Apple Watch SE, and the arrival of Epic's iOS App Store.

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.

What you can expect from the new iPhones

Apple's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16s smartphones will be unveiled in early September (in a few countries, probably late September), and more details on the final form of the latest iOS devices will be announced soon. Forbes' David Phelan takes a look at all the changes, including the all-important display:

“…The current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays will be replaced by 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, the largest on the iPhone yet. That means bigger phones, of course, but not that much bigger, maybe 3mm taller and 1mm wider on the 16 Pro compared to last year's phone, and about 7 grams heavier. The larger Pro Max will be about 3mm taller and less than 1mm wider, and weigh a full 4 grams more than the current version. Both phones are expected to be the same thickness as now.

(Forbes).

The air you call

Looking further into the future, Apple will try another dimension of the iPhone in an attempt to find an elusive fourth model. The larger display failed, the smaller size failed, so what's next? How about a thin phone? And if there is a thin iPhone, it will surely be called the iPhone Air. This cosmetic change might be enough:

“Look at the number of color options a modern smartphone offers, look at how many 'web exclusives' revolve around access to a specific color, and consider how much attention is given to new colors in launch videos. If you can find the right aesthetic design and adapt it to current fashion, you don't need to boost the specs to be successful.”

(Forbes).

The AI ​​gambling on the iPhone 16

Apple's foray into generative AI with Apple Intelligence software will be a key part of the iPhone 16 family's sales strategy. However, these tools won't be available at launch. Instead, a subset will be released in October, with Apple expected to test the software for the first time in late Q1 2025. In the meantime, the competition will be gaining a foothold with its second-generation AI:

“Apple Intelligence will not come with the iPhone 16 either. It is scheduled to be included in an iOS update in October 2024. When it does, its capabilities will be limited. Apple will not make the full set of tools available to consumers until the first quarter of 2025 at the earliest. Not only will Google have a head start thanks to the Pixel 9's nearly six-month head start, but Samsung's Galaxy AI will also get its own annual upgrade alongside the Galaxy S25 family.”

(Forbes).

iOS opens up new payment options

Apple has announced that iOS 18.1, which is yet to launch or reach developer beta, will allow developers to use alternative payment systems to Apple Pay. Previously, all revenue from apps on a user's personal smartphone had to go through Apple. That will no longer be the case, although Apple will still be involved in the financial transaction:

“For example, users can set the app as their default contactless payment app, or open the app and pay from there. Apple says developers will only be allowed to do this if they “meet certain industry and regulatory requirements and commit to Apple's ongoing security and privacy standards.”

(Forbes).

New materials for a new watch SE

Will Apple introduce a third Apple Watch SE in September? It looks like the budget brand will appear alongside the iPhone 16 family. Not only is a new design planned, but the use of aluminum in the frame is also to be discontinued:

“There has never been a plastic-looking Apple Watch; since the watch's launch in spring 2015, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic and gold have been the preferred materials… If Apple could lower the starting price to $200, the watch could appeal to many more people and compete more easily with rival devices like those from Samsung.”

(Forbes).

And finally …

Epic Games launched its own App Store for iPhone this Friday. It is only available in the EU, where Apple has been reprimanded for violating the Digital Markets Act in relation to the forced distribution of third-party apps through its proprietary App Store:

“The launch is the most dramatic result of a series of new EU technology rules passed last year, bringing the long-standing rivalry between Epic and Apple to European soil. Epic says its App Store will take a maximum 12 percent commission on sales, undercutting Apple's App Store, where fees can be as high as 30 percent.”

(Wired).

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.