Consumers stay away from foldable handsets in droves, and a new survey found that a majority of Americans are not interested in one. So it might seem surprising that Apple reportedly plans a folding iPhone for 2026. But it’s typical of Apple.
Apple doesn’t make what you think you want. It never has. It makes what you don’t yet realize you want, and it’s been fantastically successful at it for decades.
Apple’s first folding iPhone may sport a display smaller than Samsung’s recently unveiled Galaxy Z Fold 7. It will supposedly pack a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch internal screen — both smaller than the Z Fold 7.
Other book-style foldables from Chinese companies also pack larger outer and inner displays.
Apple’s 2025 iPad Pro will reportedly sport dual front-facing cameras and Face ID scanners to address a major limitation in the previous version of the tablet: its struggles to work in portrait mode.
Last year, the company repositioned the front camera on the M4 iPad Pro to a landscape orientation, which solved some problems but caused others. Apple allegedly has a solution, though.
With a foldable iPhone widely rumored for 2026, the next version of iOS will concentrate on a user interface revamp needed for the new type of device, according to a noted tipster. iOS 27 will apparently need to handle two screens with different resolutions, for example.
Contrary to previous rumors, a new report says Apple will equip the iPhone 17 Pro with a new antireflective display. The coating will help cut down on glare and unwanted reflections, making the device easier to use — especially outside on sunny days.
Apple suppliers seemingly improved their yields enough to allow mass production of the antireflective displays for use in the upcoming iPhones.
Apple’s complete — and surprisingly broad — iPhone 17 color palette got confirmation through internal Apple documents, according to a new report. Expanding on recent leaks, the new information reveals the most diverse selection in years across all four models expected to launch in September.
The confirmation comes as Apple prepares to refresh its entire smartphone lineup with new features including the A19 chip, 12GB of RAM for Pro models, and the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air to replace the iPhone 16 Plus.
Apple might exclusively use a titanium frame on the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Other members of the iPhone 17 family will seemingly feature an aluminum chassis.
The prediction comes from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu.
Part of the innovative technology going into the upcoming folding iPhone is supposedly an internal hinge that will play an important role in ensuring that the flexible display won’t be marred by an unsightly crease.
An analyst who’s a respected source of Apple information reported Tuesday that the component will begin shipping to Apple at the beginning of 2026.
An analyst said back in May that Apple may reuse the iPhone 16‘s A18 chip on the base iPhone 17 model this year and could ship both it and iPhone 17 Air with 8GB of RAM. But now he’s changed his tune.
All other members of the iPhone 17 family will reportedly use a newer A19 chip and sport 50% more RAM.
Update: As noted in the post below, GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu predicted in May that the base iPhone 17 would stick with iPhone 16’s A18 chip. But now he cites in a note seen by outlets like 9to5Mac that supply chain reporting indicates the base model will use the A19 chip expected in the Pro models. And only the base iPhone 17 may offer just 8GB of RAM, while the Air and Pro models will start at 12GB.
After last week’s iPhone 17 color revelations, fresh component leaks suggest Apple might introduce its boldest iPhone Pro color yet, come September. This time, camera lens covers reveal a potential brand-new copper-orange finish that would mark a significant departure from the company’s traditional Pro palette. The other possible colors are black, gray, silver and a dark blue that harkens back to iPhone 15 Pro’s most striking hue.
Apple came up with a “significant evolution” for the Dynamic Island that’s part of the display in most iPhone models, according to a noted tipster. Rather than phasing out the dynamic interface, rumors indicate Apple will lean into the feature.
It’s something to look forward to in the iPhone 17 and beyond.
Apple may hold the upcoming iPhone 17 launch event in the week beginning September 8. If not on Monday, the company could opt for September 9 (Tuesday) or 10 (Wednesday).
Apple typically unveils new iPhones in the second week of September.
Apple already has the iPhone 17e on its drawing board, according to rumors. Surveys indicate the company has a new strategy that’ll bring much more frequent updates to its most affordable iOS handsets.
Here’s when to expect the replacement for the iPhone 16e, and what hardware changes are coming.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 should offer a fresh take on color options, with new leaks suggesting five colors for the base iPhone 17 and four for the iPhone 17 Air model. The latest information comes from leaked images of third-party camera lens protector rings. They’re designed to match Apple’s official iPhone color offerings.
Instead of new Macs, Apple will reportedly use the next iPad Pro refresh as the debut device for its M5 chip. The new tablet could launch “as early as October.”
It’s also working on an M4 iPad Air refresh and iPhone 17e for a possible early 2026 launch.
Apple might not get the next-generation MacBook Pro with the upcoming M5 processor out this autumn, as had been expected. The notebook will instead launch early next year, according to a respected source of insider information.
If true, it means that Apple’s new Mac processor will once again launch in an iPad.
With ‘Presto,’ Apple devised a way to wirelessly update iPhones without right through their retail packaging. With macOS Tahoe, the company could bring the same technology to Macs.
This change will ensure your new Mac runs the latest available macOS version, no matter how long it’s been sitting in inventory.
Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.
A new leak provides more details about the upcoming iPhone 17 family’s design changes, including possibly UI changes based on the Dynamic Island. While the base model will feature slight design tweaks, the Pro models will adopt a new “horizontal large matrix design.”
The entire lineup will also supposedly use narrow-bezel LIPO flat screens, a technology that enables even thinner bezels than current solutions.
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple reportedly plans to release its cheapest MacBook ever next year. This low-cost laptop might run on an iPhone chip and help Apple convince more people to switch from Windows machines.
Could playful colors — and possibly a plastic case — make this low-end Apple laptop a hit?
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video, embedded below.
Apple just hit the pause button on the large folding iPad supposedly on the drawing board in Cupertino, according to a published report from Wednesday. Development work had allegedly been going on for years.
At the same time, the company is reportedly moving ahead with a folding iPhone.
Apple’s struggle to develop artificial intelligence might reach the point where the iPhone-maker will need to outsource one of its core technologies: Siri. A promised AI upgrade for the voice assistant may be powered by large language models created by Anthropic or OpenAI, not Apple itself, according to an unconfirmed report published Monday.
But this is only a possibility — no decision has been made.
Apple could launch a MacBook next year that’s even more affordable than the current $999 13-inch MacBook Air. The new budget laptop supposedly will use an A18 Pro chip and come in several colors.
The company hopes to boost MacBook shipments to return to the COVID-19 peak of around 25 million next year with this move.
The most significant design change to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might force a secondary modification. The large camera bar reportedly coming to the two premier models could push down the location of the Apple logo, according to a noted tipster.
If true, the new location might cause problems for case makers and irritate MagSafe users.