Zhixi Dongxi reported on August 13th that Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman predicted some details of the iPhone 16 in his report on August 11th. For example, the iPhone 16 series will add an Action button and a photography button, introduce AI features, and increase the screen size. The rose gold color that was popular a few years ago will make a comeback. However, these are not breakthrough innovations that can attract most users, so Gurman predicts that the iPhone 16 models will not be a big hit.

Next year, Apple is about to release a new iPhone SE equipped with an OLED full-screen and Apple Intelligence features. More attention should be paid to the upcoming iPhone 17 series, which will introduce a "fourth iPhone model" independent of the standard version, Pro version, and Pro Max version. This model will be a lighter and thinner mobile phone. In addition, the size of the Mac mini will also be reduced, and the photo app interface of iOS 18 will be re-arranged. It is worth mentioning that the Apple Watch will use a plastic case for the first time.

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Gurman also pointed out that Apple's intelligent technology still needs to be improved to meet the high expectations of the market.

1. iPhone 16: The design continues, and the focus of the update is on AI and color appearance

Since Apple completely transformed the iPhone series in 2020, although they introduced new designs and 5G features, the devices themselves have not been significantly updated. The iPhone 16 series released by Apple this year is also expected to continue this trend. The four upcoming new models - possibly named iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max - are similar in appearance to the existing versions and are unlikely to add significant new features.

Gurman predicts the main updates of the iPhone 16 series are as follows:

Apple Intelligence: The main selling point of this year is Apple Intelligence, which is a set of new AI features. All iPhone 16 models will be equipped with this feature, and the iPhone 15 Pro will also be compatible. However, whether this feature can attract users to upgrade is still unclear. As Gurman predicted, Apple may not be able to drive large-scale upgrades with these features alone.Action Button: The non-Pro version of the iPhone 16 will add an Action Button, a feature that first appeared in last year's high-end models. However, with the introduction of iOS 18, which brings a more customizable Control Center and changeable lock screen options, the appeal of the Action Button may be somewhat diminished.

Camera Button: Pro models may add a new camera control button, similar to the shutter button on a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. A light press will automatically focus, while a heavy press will take a photo. Users can also adjust the zoom during shooting by sliding the button.

Screen Size: The screen size of Pro models may slightly increase. The standard Pro will increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, and the Pro Max will increase from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches.

Color Updates: In terms of color, it is expected that the Pro version will replace the blue color and may reintroduce the popular rose gold color from a few years ago. In addition, all four models will be equipped with a brand new A18 chip, with memory increased to 8GB, which is the minimum requirement for running Apple Intelligence.

For users of older iPhones, these upgrades are certainly good, but may not be necessary. Gurman predicts that the new models will not trigger a rush to buy. According to recent financial guidance, Apple did not make a forecast for iPhone sales in this quarter. If the company expects a significant increase in sales, the media should receive relevant hints.

Second, the SE model is technically upgraded for the first time, and the iPhone 17 introduces the "fourth type of iPhone model."

Gurman predicts that next year, the iPhone series is expected to usher in significant changes. As early as early 2025, Apple plans to launch a new iPhone SE, which is the first upgrade of the small-screen model since 2022. The new iPhone SE will adopt a design similar to the iPhone 14, equipped with a clearer OLED full-screen display, and equipped with Apple Intelligence features.

If Apple can control the price of this iPhone SE around $500, it is expected to become a hot-selling product in the market.

More important changes will appear in the iPhone 17 series to be released in September next year. At that time, Apple will introduce a new type of smartphone, temporarily called the "fourth type of iPhone model."Currently, the iPhone series is mainly divided into three categories: the standard version, the Pro version, and the Pro Max version. In order to attract more consumers, Apple has been exploring the launch of a fourth type of phone. The iPhone 12 mini released in 2020 was an attempt, but it ultimately failed.

Subsequently, Apple adopted a different strategy and launched the iPhone 14 Plus, which is a larger version of the standard version. However, the market feedback for the Plus is still not ideal. The main issue lies in the price: the iPhone 15 Plus is only $100 cheaper than the more powerful iPhone 15 Pro, so many consumers prefer to choose the Pro version.

Next year, Apple will try this concept again and launch a more lightweight design, similar to the "Air" version of the iPhone. The design concept of this device may be similar to the first-generation MacBook Air more than a decade ago, and its positioning is between the ordinary MacBook and the MacBook Pro.

The sales strategy of this new device may be: if you want to have a more fashionable phone than the standard iPhone, but do not need the performance, screen size, or camera functions of the Pro model, then this device with a more fashionable appearance and specifications similar to the ordinary iPhone will be your best choice.

The combination of the new SE and the lightweight iPhone may drive significant growth for the iPhone in 2025. Gurman believes that this Air-style phone will be more popular than the mini and Plus devices launched in recent years.

However, even this new lightweight model is only a transition to a higher-end product. Apple ultimately hopes to compress the performance of the Pro model into this smaller design, but to achieve this goal, it may take a few more years, and it is expected to be at least 2027. At the same time, Gurman predicts that Apple will launch a foldable iPhone, but according to current internal signs, the priority of the foldable iPad is equally important, so we may see the tablet version first.

III. Mac mini "slimming down", iOS photo app interface improvement, Watch introduces plastic material

Apple plans to launch a series of major updates, including a new generation of M4 series Mac mini, updates to the iOS 18 photo app, and the Apple Watch SE will be the first to adopt plastic material.

1. Mac mini is about to reduce its size

At the same time, Mac mini is about to undergo a major transformation, and its size will be reduced to the size of the Apple TV. In last week's "Power On" column, Gurman mentioned that at least one M4 series Mac will undergo a major change, not just an upgrade to a more powerful chip. On Thursday, Gurman reported that this model will be the Mac mini. The new Mac mini will be much smaller than the existing version, possibly only half its size, and will launch two versions: M4 Pro and the standard M4, which are expected to hit the market later this year. According to Gurman's understanding, the small-screen model will start shipping from suppliers in August, and the M4 Pro version is expected to be ready in October. This will be the first major transformation of the Mac mini since the era of Jobs in 2010.The new Mac minis are just part of the M4 series. Apple also plans to release new MacBook Pros and iMacs, which are expected to be launched as early as this fall. In addition, the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro are also under development. Gurman predicts that these two high-end Mac desktops will be introduced in the second half of next year. Apple is also exploring larger-screen iMacs, but it is currently unclear whether this will belong to the M4 series and whether it will be released in the next few years.

2. The photo app interface of iOS 18 has been reorganized

After the release of the photo app in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Gurman predicted that Apple may need to reconsider its design direction. As an important and widely used application, the planned changes this time may seem too radical and complex. The newly added top carousel interface allows users to fix certain memories, albums, or content types. However, many application interfaces have been reorganized, which undoubtedly has caused dissatisfaction among some users.

As a result, Apple removed the carousel interface in the latest beta version of iOS 18 and adjusted the photo grid to make it more user-friendly. The album location has been promoted, reducing the need for scrolling. The most critical thing is that Apple has moved the saved content back to the main photo grid. These adjustments occurred at a critical moment: Apple currently believes that iOS 18 is close to completion and is preparing to apply it to the upcoming iPhone 16 series. For Apple, this kind of shift is not the first time. Apple has also adjusted its direction in previous iOS design changes, so there is no reason to wait until the release of the iPhone 16 to make improvements.

3. Watch SE adopts plastic material for the first time

Last month, Gurman reported that Apple plans to completely transform the Watch SE. The company will adopt a plastic casing for this model for the first time, which is also the first time since the launch of the Apple Watch in 2014.

Why did Apple choose this change? First, using plastic can significantly reduce production costs. According to reporter Gurman, the cost of an aluminum casing is about $5 per unit, while the cost of a plastic casing may only be half. Although this seems insignificant, for Apple, it is an important step in exploring the reduction of the SE price. Gurman guesses that the company hopes to reduce the price to around $200 to better compete with Samsung's products. Currently, the price of the SE is $249.

Another advantage of plastic is that it can achieve a more diverse range of color options than aluminum, and it is more suitable for children. Apple has recently made adjustments in its marketing strategy for watches, aiming to attract parents. Due to the recent ban on mobile phones in schools, Apple has been emphasizing the advantages of the watch as a low-cost mobile phone alternative, helping parents stay in touch with their children and track their whereabouts.

Conclusion: The difference between Apple's new and old model updates is small, and product innovation still needs time.In the short term, consumers will continue to face a familiar scenario: the new iPhone models will be barely different from last year's models. Even with some updates and adjustments, the real innovation and significant changes from Apple will take a few more years to materialize. In the future, Apple hopes to gradually achieve market growth and technological breakthroughs by launching more attractive new iPhone models and other products.