Source: Glonui.
As of Monday local time, the first and second in command of the US tech giants are once again vying for the top position as the 'global stock king'. In the end, with Apple (3.32 trillion USD) falling in the closing stage, it closed up 1.97%, while Microsoft (3.33 trillion USD) managed to snatch back first place with a slight advantage by rising 1.31%.$Microsoft (MSFT.US)$ and $Apple (AAPL.US)$Overall, Apple's stock price continued its upward trend from last week with the announcement of new AI features. The news before and after the market opening remained constant.
Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple scoop reporter, wrote in his latest article that Apple is developing an ultra-thin phone for the iPhone 17 series in 2025. It will be similar to this year's iPad Pro M4 and much thinner than the standard version. According to previous supply chain news, the phone will be called the iPhone 17 Slim, replacing the poorly selling 'Plus' model. The core configuration will be the same as the standard version and will be equipped with the A19 chip. Gurman also revealed that in addition to the iPhone 17 Slim, Apple is also developing thinner versions of MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, gradually expanding to all its products.
Exposed Apple Ultra-Thin Phone: iPhone 17 Slim
Well-known Apple scoop reporter Mark Gurman wrote in his latest article that Apple is developing an ultra-thin phone for the iPhone 17 series in 2025, similar to this year's iPad Pro M4, with a much thinner body than the standard version.
Last month, Apple launched its thinnest product ever, the 2024 version of the 13-inch iPad Pro M4, with a device thickness of only 5.1 mm.
According to previous supply chain news, the phone will be called the iPhone 17 Slim and will replace the poorly selling 'Plus' model.
The core configuration will be the same as the standard version and will be equipped with the A19 chip.
Gurman also revealed that in addition to the iPhone 17 Slim, Apple is also developing thinner versions of MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, gradually expanding to all its products.
It is worth mentioning that well-known FruitChain analyst Guo Mingji said yesterday that Apple will upgrade the appearance of the Apple Watch Series 10, with the screen size increasing from 45mm x 41mm to 49mm x 45mm, and the watch will become thinner.
In addition, according to a previously published report, the price of the iPhone 17 Slim will be higher than that of the Pro Max, with a starting price of $1200, or about RMB 8707.
Will soon receive the first fine for the 'Digital Markets Act'
According to reports, Apple may face fines of up to $50 million per day for violating the European Union's 'Digital Markets Act' (DMA). The EU's antitrust agency is expected to announce the investigation results before the summer, involving companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta. But if the DMA is violated, companies may be required to pay fines equivalent to 5% of their daily turnover, or $50 million per day.
According to the Financial Times, the EU has concluded that Apple has not fully complied with the law, and three unnamed insiders who are believed to be familiar with the investigation said the EU is about to impose a new fine on Apple. The investigation was carried out specifically under the authority of the 'Digital Markets Act'. This will mean that Apple will become the first company to be fined under the law, as the EU believes that Apple has not allowed developers to promote their alternative products and has not charged fees.
Apple is not only facing fines, but the DMA may also require it to modify the application settings and allow users to delete pre-installed applications. Previously, the EU had imposed a fine of more than 1.8 billion euros on Apple for abusing its dominant market position. Apple has said it will appeal.
Pay Later feature will be discontinued
On the same day, Apple announced that it will discontinue its 'Pay Later' feature, no longer providing loan services to Apple Pay users. This decision marks a retreat in Apple's efforts to provide more financial services. Last year, Apple launched its Pay Later plan in the United States, allowing users to pay for their purchases in four installments of up to $1,000. This is the first time Apple has issued loans to customers through its subsidiary, but the processing still depends on Goldman Sachs Group and Mastercard.
The leaders of US technology giants once again compete for the position of 'Global Stock King'.
Apple announced that it will discontinue its 'Pay Later' feature, no longer providing loan services to Apple Pay users.
Last year, Apple launched its Pay Later plan in the United States, allowing users to pay for their purchases in four installments of up to $1,000. This is the first time Apple has issued loans to customers through its subsidiary, but the processing still depends on Goldman Sachs Group and Mastercard.
Apple announced that it will integrate third-party services such as Affirm Holding and Citigroup into its iOS 18 software later this year to provide installment loans for credit cards, debit cards and lending institutions.
At that time, global users will be able to get installment loans when using Apple Pay for checkout. Apple said that this new global installment loan service will allow the company to collaborate with banks and lending institutions that support Apple Pay to bring flexible payment methods to more users.
Although Pay Later service has been discontinued, Apple said that users with outstanding loans can still manage them in the Wallet app. The company's focus is to provide users with convenient, secure and private payment options, and to expand payment services globally through partnerships with banks and lending institutions.
Editor / jayden