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Apple rumors - page 3

iPhone 17 Pro camera could blow away expectations with 8x lens

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iPhone 17 and 17 Air may lack ProMotion display features
8x optical shooter with a moving lens on iPhone 17 Pro — Too good to be true?
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro may pack bigger camera changes than initially rumored. It could sport a higher resolution 8x zoom camera, a new pro camera app with advanced manual controls, and another Camera Control button on the phone’s top edge.

The information comes from a tipster working for a company producing an iPhone 17 Pro commercial.

All the new Apple products coming in the next year

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Apple roadmap 2025-2026
Here’s everything rumors told us to expect from Apple in the next year.
Photo: Google Gemini/Cult of Mac

Apple is gearing up for a blockbuster year, with a packed product roadmap that spans nearly every category in its lineup. From an iPhone redesign to upgrades for the Mac, iPad and Apple Watch families, the next twelve months promise a steady stream of hardware refreshes, software milestones and perhaps a few surprises.

Whether you’re a casual user or a die-hard fan, here’s a look at every major Apple product expected between now and next summer.

You’ll want a folding phone when Apple makes one

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Folding Apple phone
Don’t think you want a folding phone? Wait until you see the one Apple makes.
Image: ChatGPT/Apple

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.

Folding iPhone could favor portability over screen size

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Folding iPhone Rumors
Will you buy the iPhone Fold if it sports a 5.5-inch cover display?
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

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.

M5 iPad Pro might tackle Face ID’s biggest weakness

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M4 iPad Pro deal
Another front camera for portrait Face ID? Yes, please!
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

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.

iOS 27 could have a surprising focus

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iOS 27 rumors
iOS 27 developers could put most of their attention on the folding iPhone.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

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.

iPhone 17 Pro might feature MacBook Pro-style antireflective screen

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iPhone 15 Pro Max with display off
Apple’s next iPhone could feature an anti-reflective display.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

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.

New report confirms all iPhone Series 17 color options

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report confirms all iPhone Series 17 color options
An X.com user displays the colors using Pantone selections. On the left is iPhone 17; top right is iPhone 17 Air and bottom right shows the Pro colors.
Photo: X.com@pyrobinkx

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.

Cutting-edge hinge could prevent screen creases on folding iPhone

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Folding iPhone Rumors
Apple is working hard to prevent the folding iPhone from being marred by a screen crease.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

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.

Actually, base iPhone 17 may not stick with last year’s chip [Updated]

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iPhone 17 rumors
iPhone 17 could pack the same internals as iPhone 16.
Image: Cult of Mac

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.

iPhone 17 Pro may sport 5 colors, including cool new copper-orange

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iPhone 17 Pro colors
The orange and dark blue options look racier than the usual Pro hues.
Photo: X.com@SonnyDickson

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 has big plans for the iPhone’s Dynamic Island

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That pill-shaped hole where the notch used to be? Apple calls it the Dynamic Island.
Rather than hiding the iPhone Dynamic Island, Apple is reportedly going all-in on it.
Photo: Apple

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.

iPhone 17e rumors: Apple’s next budget handset

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iPhone 17e rumors
iPhone 17e rumors point to a change in strategy for Apple’s budget handsets.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

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.

Expect to see these 9 colors in iPhone Series 17 models

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9 colors in iPhone Series 17 models
These camera ring protector rings always match the iPhone colors.
Photo: [email protected]

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.

Next iPad Pro could be Apple’s first device with M5 chip

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M5 iPad Pro rumors
Apple plans to launch a bunch of devices in late 2025 and early 2026.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

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.

M5 MacBook Pro no longer coming in 2025

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M5 MacBook Pro rumors
The latest M5 MacBook Pro rumor says the updated macOS notebook won’t be out until next year.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

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.

Apple could wirelessly update sealed Macs with macOS Tahoe

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Green iMac box sitting on a brown desk.
Your next Mac could come with the latest macOS release pre-installed.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

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 preps Vision Pro 2 with M4 chip and comfort upgrades

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Vision Pro 2 with M4 chip
An update on the original Vision Pro headset will boost processing power and improve comfort.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

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.

iPhone 17 leak teases Pro-exclusive design upgrades

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iPhone 17 Pro rumors
Apple might reserve the bigger design changes to the iPhone 17 Pro.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

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.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to expect

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Rumors
You don’t have to wait until autumn to find out what the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has to offer.
Photo: Apple

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

Apple’s cheapest laptop ever?!? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast episode 706: Cheapest MacBook ever?
Apple wants a low-end MacBook that's colorful and more affordable than ever.
Image: Cult of Mac

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:

  • Apple might lean on Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT to power the long-delayed smarter Siri.
  • A new timeline lays out what to expect from the next three years of Apple Vision headsets and smart glasses.
  • In the how-to segment, we discuss our picks for the best Apple Watch faces. We also talk about why you might want to change things up.
  • In the new listener question segment, we explain what to do when you’re low on iCloud storage.
  • And in an all-new Under Review, Leander describes the benefits of three inexpensive aftermarket CarPlay screens.

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 delays launch of folding iPad

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Folding iPad rumors: Now on hold
Patience is required for those eager to get a folding iPad.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

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 might rely on AI rivals to make Siri smarter

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Apple may rely on rivals to make Siri smarter
Siri might be powered by Anthropic Claude or OpenAI ChatGPT.
Image: Cult of Mac

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.