Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including the first iPhone 16e reviews, five key features of the 16e, leaked iPhone designs, new Airpods Pro features, AirTags upgrade, cheaper iMac M4, and Jony Ive on a desert island.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.
Reviewing The iPhone 16e
With the iPhone 16e now on sale in key territories, the reviews of Apple’s latest smartphone are coming in. It’s pricier than expected, and it has more features than the mythical iPhone SE 2025 could have had, yet it still has to be below the vanilla iPhone 16. This is a phone borne out of a lack of competition:
“On Android, you can buy a $500 phone with a fast refresh-rate screen, two rear cameras, seven years of software support, and wireless charging. On iOS, you can buy this $599 phone with one rear camera, a standard 60Hz screen, wireless charging (but no MagSafe), and an ample but unstated amount of software support. Apple has no competition when it comes to phones running iOS. The company can gatekeep these conveniences behind a higher price tag, and that’s simply the way things will be. “
(The Verge).
Behind The iPhone 16e Headlines
While the digerati is closely examining the key elements of the iPhone 16e, there are several additions to the 16e package that are worth highlighting. Forbes’ senior contributor David Phelan dives into the hardware and the software to find them:
“Visual Intelligence is the part of Apple Intelligence that lets you point the iPhone’s camera at something and receive information such as opening hours, for instance. One of the updates in the iPhone 16e is the ability to launch Visual Intelligence through the Control Center or the Action Button. This is something neither the iPhone 16 nor the iPhone 15 Pro can do.”
(Forbes).
The New Bar In The iPhone 17 Design
Will Apple’s design language be edited to change the current squared-off camera island to a full-blown across-the-device bar? It would undoubtedly accommodate the larger lenses rumoured to feature in the iPhone 17 family. Yet, it creates an awkward look far removed from the svelte luxury the Apple brand has become known for:
“Again, these stretch the width of the phone, with the lower panel picked out in a different color. The color doesn’t indicate that there will be a different hue on the final unit. Rather it may fit with a previous rumor that the top panel wouldn’t be glass. In Majin Bu’s images, it could be the red areas indicate the glass, which allows for wireless charging, while the surrounding areas on the Pro models are made of metal.”
(Forbes).
New AirPods Pro Feature For The United Kingdom
UK AirPods Pro users have been able to use the Hearing Test feature of the wireless earbuds; now they have access to the full hearing air functionality, turning the AirPods into medical assistive devices:
“Regular hearing aids are designed to work for longer periods, but AirPods Pro 2 will need recharging after a matter of hours, which may not be ideal. However, a quick charge by placing the earbuds in the AirPods case for five minutes gives another hour of usage. The new feature is available right now—it doesn’t need a new iOS update to be delivered, Apple makes it happen server-side.”
(Forbes).
Find Your New AirTags In The Spring
Apple is preparing to release the next generation of AirTags in late-May early-June. The new geo-location tiles could appear at Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference, which is historically set for early June. The new features build on the current successful design:
“With a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the AirTag 2 is expected to have up to 3× longer range compared to the current AirTag. The chip debuted in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. On the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, there is a Precision Finding for People feature that can help you to find your friends in crowded places, and it offers a range of up to 200 feet/60 meters.”
(Kosutami via MacRumors).
A New Option For Your Next iMac
The ever-present, albeit with variable stock, Refurbished section of the Apple Store has a new arrival. The M4-powered iMac, launched in Oct. 2024, is now available. Not only does Apple put them through a complete series of checks and parts replacement, but it also offers a full warranty and the option for Apple Care+.
“Apple’s base model starts at $1,299 new, but you can find it for just $1,099 refurbished. All color-matched accessories are included too. Since all M4 Macs now start at 16GB of RAM, the base model is a better option than it used to be. However, perhaps most buyers’ top upgrade option is storage, and Apple offers various expanded SSD configurations too. Be sure to pay attention to discounts though, as they may vary based on the storage tier you choose.”
(9to5Mac).
And Finally…
The long-running Desert Island Discs radio show in the UK has invited former Apple design Guru Sir Jony Ive to pick the eight records, a book and a luxury he would take to the titular island. Along with chatting about his life, it will be no surprise that there’s a U2 track in the mix. As for the rest, those of you who look like they’re in the UK can listen to the BBC Radio broadcast online:
(BBC Radio).
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
