Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly series from DMN designed to give you a quick overview of the latest Apple product rumors, complemented by insights and commentary. In this edition: a leaked memo concerning Apple Intelligence, alongside updates on the iPhone 17 Pro Max and SE 4. Here is this week’s roundup of Apple rumors.
Leaked Apple Memo Uncovers AI Changes
Last week, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported on a leaked internal memo authored by John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of AI. The memo specified that Apple veteran Kim Vorrath would assume a senior role within the AI team, tasked with “getting artificial intelligence and Siri back on track.”
The memo also captured two primary objectives for Apple Intelligence this year, as laid out by Giannandrea:
- Revamping the core technology behind Siri, and
- Enhancing existing AI models
My Insights
Bringing an experienced leader like Vorrath into the AI division is both a positive sign and a cause for concern.
While her presence suggests a brighter future for the company’s AI aspirations, it also hints at past mismanagement issues within Giannandrea’s team.
The stated priorities for this year are sensible but come off as somewhat expected. I shouldn’t read too deeply into the memo, given its non-confidential nature. However, it does lead me to believe that competitors like OpenAI likely have more innovative internal focuses. Transitioning LLM Siri could be a risky venture, while these moves generally appear to align with Apple’s history of making incremental improvements.
Nonetheless, I suspect Apple has many more exciting AI initiatives underway than what this memo reveals.
Less Distinction for iPhone 17 Pro Max
This year’s largest iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, has been the subject of speculation regarding a ‘significantly reduced’ Dynamic Island.
This alteration was anticipated, as previous iterations saw the notch decrease in size with the introduction of Dynamic Island, leading many to believe that the center cutout would ultimately follow suit.
However, Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the Pro Max may not see this exclusive feature roll out this year. He commented: “I expect the Dynamic Island size to remain mostly unchanged across the 2H25 iPhone 17 series.”
‘Mostly unchanged’ does imply a sliver of potential modifications; however, Kuo seems to be directly contradicting earlier claims.
My Insights
In some years, Apple’s Pro Max models receive distinct advantages, while in others, they mirror the smaller Pro counterparts. As a frequent buyer of the smaller Pro, I find solace in not feeling any desire for the Pro Max this time around.
The current Dynamic Island size does not concern me at all, but this rumor raises questions about Apple’s decision to maintain the existing design for an extended period.
Clarity on iPhone SE 4’s Notch Situation
There has been considerable debate among different sources regarding the upcoming iPhone SE 4, specifically about whether it will feature a notch or a Dynamic Island.
This week, display analyst Ross Young confirmed that the new iPhone SE will indeed sport a notch, similar to the iPhone 14.
My Insights
Young is well-regarded for his accuracy with supply chain rumors, particularly regarding displays, so I view his statement as a reliable indication of what to expect from Apple’s new iPhone SE.
The Dynamic Island always seemed like an advanced feature too far for Apple’s budget model. Given that the new SE is set to incorporate a number of iPhone 16-class capabilities, it’s reasonable for Apple to reserve some incentives for customers to opt for the flagship version. Adopting a notch on the new SE is a justifiable compromise.
What are your thoughts on this week’s Apple rumors? Share your opinions in the comments.
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