iPhone 17 Air Leaks, Apple Intelligence’s Sneaky Move, iPhone’s Chinese Disappointment

Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 17 Air leaks, iPhone SE design, iPad Air specs, iOS defaults to Apple Intelligence, AirPods Pro hearing test for UK, Chinese iPhone sales, and Nokia’s reaction to the first iPhone.

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.

A Bar For The iPhone 17 Air?

Would Apple move towards Google’s Pixel design and introduce a “camera bar” across the rear of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air? The slimline iPhone will need some accommodation for a larger camera lens. Will Tim Cook and his team stretch it across all of the rear?

“What’s interesting about the image is it shows the rear of the device with an elongated camera module that stretches across almost its entire back surface. There’s a single camera lens on the left, a flash on the right, and a small microphone cutout on the right-hand edge.”

(Techradar).

iPhone SE Design Revealed

While the iPhone SE design rarely matches the current top-line iPhones, they do bring several key features to the table. For the upcoming next-generation iPhone SE. The latest information suggests that one iconic feature will make the jump.

“[latest leaked images show[ the device has a Dynamic Island instead of a notch. So far, the Dynamic Island is available on the iPhone 14 Pro models, all four iPhone 15 models, and all four iPhone 16 mode

(MacRumors).

iPad Air Specs Teased

In a not-unexpected move, Apple’s next iPad Airs have been tacitly confirmed as shipping with the Apple Silicon’s older M3 chipset. Noted Apple leaker Evan Blass has detailed the core specs:

“There had been speculation that Apple might use the iPad Pro’s M4 chip for the next iPad Air models instead, in a move away from chips manufactured with TSMC’s expensive and lower-yield first-generation 3nm process, known as N3B. “

(EvLeaks via MacRumors).

Apple Intelligence Becomes The Default

Apple is switching the default mode of Apple Intelligence to on. The next wave of updates will see the generative AI suite active after setup. The option to switch it off will remain in the settings app, but may nto be highlighted during the inial onboarding proces.

“Beginning with the due-to-be-released macOS Sequoia version 15.3 as well as iOS and iPadOS 18.3, Cupertino’s suite of AI features, which it calls Apple Intelligence, will be turned on by default for compatible devices.”

(The Register).

Apple Prepares UK Hearing Tests

While Apple’s Hearing Test feature is available to AirPods Pro 2 users in the US, the functionality is unavailable worldwide. Given the medical nature of the feature, regulator approval is required before it is turned on. Apple has confirmed that UK owners will be next to receive the utility:

“With the new policy guidance from the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care, we look forward to bringing the hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 in the coming weeks to help improve the daily lives of so many U.K. users,” Apple said. In other words, Apple will release an updated version of software for the U.K., likely in iOS 18 but possibly with new firmware for the AirPods Pro in cahoots.”

(Forbes).

iPhone Sales Fall In China

Counterpoint Research has some disappointing news for Apple in the Chinese market. Last year’s first place with a 19 share has become third place behind the home-grown competition.

“iPhone shipments in China fell by 18.2% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2024. This decline resulted in a 17.1% market share for the company, placing it behind Huawei and Xiaomi, which captured 18.1% and 17.2% of the market, respectively.”

(MacRumors).

And Finally…

The Nokia Design Archive opened last week, and smartphone historians have been looking through records for the stories that started a revolution. Fahad X picks out just one; Nokia’s reaction to the launch of the iPhone:

“Nokia impact minimal in terms of financials, but may impede US penetration or success. Distribution limitations may restrict impact of Apple iPhone, but device continues to have significant disruptive potential. Will pure touch input appeal to more mass market consumers?”

(Fahad X).

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.