Apple will reportedly introduce a new mobile payments system with its iPhone 6 on Sept. 9 and has already signed deals with major credit card companies.
This is not the first time that rumors of a new Apple mobile wallet surface, but a new report now bolsters such claims. Apple has apparently inked deals with American Express, Visa, and MasterCard for its iPhone 6 mobile payments.
"Apple plans to turn its next iPhone into a mobile wallet through a partnership with major payment networks, banks and retailers, according to a person familiar with the situation," Bloomberg reports.
"The agreement includes Visa Inc., MasterCard Inc. and American Express Co. and will be unveiled on Sept. 9 along with the next iPhone, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private."
The report also bolsters previous claims that Apple will finally include NFC technology in its next-generation iPhone. While NFC has gained solid ground in recent years, Apple has so far stuck to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but that's expected to change very soon.
"The new iPhone will make mobile payment easier by including a near-field communication chip for the first time, the person said," Bloomberg further notes. "That advancement along with Touch ID, a fingerprint recognition reader that debuted on the most recent iPhone, will allow consumers to securely pay for items in a store with the touch of a finger."
Apple is widely expected to introduce two new iPhone 6 models this year, one with a 4.7-inch screen and the other with a larger 5.5-inch display, but rumors indicate that only the 4.7-inch variant may debut on Sept. 9. The 5.5-inch model is reportedly facing some delays and will debut at a later date, although it remains unconfirmed at this point.
Other than a larger screen, the next-generation iPhone 6 is expected to boast notable improvements over its predecessor, including a faster 64-bit Apple A8 processor, more RAM, more internal storage capacity, wireless charging, enhanced 4G LTE radios, NFC, and more.
It's all in the rumor state for now, however, so it is advisable to take everything with a grain of salt until Apple makes an official announcement.
