That is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac providing a fast rundown of the newest Apple product rumors, with evaluation and commentary. As we speak: Apple’s foldable iPhone breakthrough, the AirTag 2 launch window narrows, iPhone 17 Professional and 17e studies, and extra. Listed below are this week’s Apple rumors.
AirTag 2 launch window narrows
This week leaker Kosutami posted on X about when to count on the AirTag 2 to launch. We had beforehand heard it ought to arrive by mid-year, however that was a pretty big window.
In keeping with the brand new report, AirTag 2 will launch in both Might or June.
My takeaways
It’s good to get a greater concept of when to count on Apple’s AirTag successor. Amazon retains operating massive reductions on the present AirTag, so I had questioned if AirTag 2 would possibly arrive sooner slightly than later. Nevertheless it appears Apple nonetheless must clear present stock earlier than launching the brand new AirTag.
Foldable iPhone breakthrough and one other new design
This week introduced two studies on Apple’s foldable iPhone. One reiterated that 2026 stays the deliberate launch date, whereas the opposite talked about a massive breakthrough for Apple: it has reportedly made the foldable’s crease just about invisible.
On a associated be aware, Mark Gurman teased that 2026’s foldable gained’t have the one new iPhone design coming. He wrote, “There’s additionally one other new iPhone design within the works for that yr, I’m informed.”
My takeaways
There’s nonetheless loads of time for Apple’s plans to alter, however the nearer we get to 2026, the extra probably plainly a foldable iPhone is certainly coming quickly. I’m particularly excited to listen to—although not stunned—that the gadget’s crease is basically invisible. Between this and the iPhone 17 Air will probably be a pair very thrilling years for Apple’s flagship product.
Gurman’s remark about “one other new iPhone design” raises plenty of questions. It might be so simple as the bottom iPhone 18 getting a refreshed design, since adjustments on this yr’s iPhone 17 gained’t be very drastic. However the way in which he phrased it, Gurman appears like he’s saying we should always count on one other new iPhone type issue—alongside the strains of the foldable. I can’t think about what that is likely to be, however I’m fascinated to be taught extra.
iPhone 17 Professional upgrades, plus early trace of 17e mannequin
In keeping with Mark Gurman, Apple is investing closely within the iPhone 17 Professional’s digital camera system with the intention of upgrading its video capabilities. The objective, per Gurman, is to “get the vlogging neighborhood and different video creators to maneuver away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for much more of their work.” Maybe on a associated be aware, iPhone 17 Professional fashions are once more stated to function 12GB of RAM, a 50% enhance from the present 8GB. This little question is tied to AI, however digital camera upgrades could also be a part of the explanation too.
Shifting from the iPhone 17 high-end right down to the low, Weibo leaker Fastened Focus Digital shared that there’s a brand new undertaking code within the iPhone provide chain that’s suspected to be for an iPhone 17e mannequin.
My takeaways
Apple at all times prioritizes making its iPhone digital camera system higher, so Gurman’s report on video upgrades is smart. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how most of the enhancements come to the iPhone 17 Air too, or in the event that they’re Professional exclusives.
As for the rumored iPhone 17e, such a mannequin will surely assist clarify Apple abandoning the iPhone SE naming construction. I’d assumed the change was merely associated to the 16e being much less of an ‘SE’ than it’s a 16. However I wouldn’t be stunned to see a brand new 17e mannequin debut subsequent yr round this time both—relying on how the 16e performs.
C-class modems constructed into principal chip
The iPhone 16e’s new C1 gives two key benefits over Qualcomm, however it’s simply the beginning of Apple’s modem plans. Per Mark Gurman, the corporate goals to combine its 5G modems into the primary M- and A-class chips sooner or later. This variation—not anticipated earlier than 2028—“ought to make the electronics extra energy-efficient and scale back the price.”
My takeaways
I really like the considered Apple’s modem getting built-in into the primary gadget processor. As my colleague notes, this transfer may doubtlessly result in a future the place all iPad fashions (and hopefully Macs?) robotically embrace the choice for 5G connectivity. Eliminating the necessity for a paid {hardware} improve to have a mobile modem could be an amazing change.
What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Tell us within the feedback.
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