Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly column on DMN bringing you a concise overview of the newest Apple product hypothesis, paired with insights and commentary. On this version: Apple is ready to unveil its foldable iPad and iPhone, together with a revamped Magic Mouse and AirTag 2. Listed here are the rumors circulating this week.
iPhone 18 Fold and budget-friendly iPhone 17 Air
This week, The Wall Avenue Journal shared insights into Apple’s upcoming iPhone developments over the following two years:
- iPhone 18 Fold
- iPhone 17 Air
Whereas these units haven’t been formally named, reviews counsel that the foldable iPhone in 2026 will function a show bigger than the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Moreover, the iPhone 17 Air is geared toward being a extra inexpensive various to the Professional variants.
My ideas
Each time we hear information in regards to the foldable iPhone, it feels extra tangible—particularly with 2026 on the horizon. I’m curious to see what distinctive options Apple will deliver to foldables, however I’m undecided a display bigger than the Professional Max is what I’m after. One-handed usability is essential for me, which is why I favor the iPhone 16 Professional over the Professional Max. That stated, shopper desire for bigger telephones signifies Apple is probably going headed in the appropriate route.
The projected pricing for the iPhone 17 Air can be promising information, portray a clearer image of its anticipated specs. Earlier speculations prompt it will be ultra-premium however with options that didn’t completely justify the worth. The anticipated A18 chip, single rear digital camera, and slim design appear to align completely with a extra reasonable value level.
19-inch foldable iPad Professional
There have been earlier mentions of a hybrid machine combining iPad and Mac options, roughly round 19 inches, and this week Mark Gurman offered extra perception into the venture.
Whereas some features of Gurman’s report stay unclear, it seems he believes this can be an iPad reasonably than a Mac. Nonetheless, it’s believable that the machine might incorporate functionalities from each classes.
My insights
There’s nonetheless a lot to be taught, however this foldable iPad has the potential to be the last word all-in-one machine for me. Apple’s two sizes of iPad Professional every provide distinct benefits and drawbacks, and a foldable possibility might consolidate the most effective options of each. Notably, Gurman mentions that we could have to attend till 2028 for this foldable, so I’m tempering my expectations for now.
Fully redesigned Magic Mouse on the horizon
For fairly a while, Apple’s Magic Mouse has taken a backseat to the Magic Trackpad. Nonetheless, Mark Gurman has indicated that the corporate plans to revitalize this accent.
Apple is reportedly engaged on a wholly new design for the Magic Mouse that will considerably change its performance. This represents a ‘full overhaul’ meant to modernize the Magic Mouse.
My reflections
Whereas Gurman doesn’t explicitly point out it, I speculate that Apple’s objective would possibly contain growing a Magic Mouse optimized for the Imaginative and prescient Professional and spatial computing environments. Present Mac equipment fall quick in offering a super expertise in spatial contexts, though they technically operate. It could possibly be attainable for Apple to create a mouse that caters not solely to modern platforms like Imaginative and prescient Professional but additionally retains compatibility with conventional Macs.
AirTag 2
AirTag 2 is on monitor for a 2025 launch, with Gurman reporting that it’s set to function a extra superior Extremely Wideband chip.
This chip enhancement is predicted to considerably increase Precision Discovering capabilities, permitting customers to obtain correct monitoring steering from their iPhones when finding a misplaced AirTag, doubtlessly from as much as 90 meters away.
My ideas
Considered one of my essential issues with the AirTag has been its battery life (although a brand new accent not too long ago addressed this problem), so I hope that AirTag 2 will deliver enhancements on this space as properly. In addition to that, the enhancement of Precision Discovering help appears like a pure development.
Which Apple rumors from this week are you most enthusiastic about? Share your ideas within the feedback!
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