This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column on 9 to 5 Mac offers a quick overview of the latest Apple product rumors with analysis and commentary. Today: new iPhone Fold specs, rumored Mac launch, and more. Here’s this week’s Apple rumors.
New iPhone Fold specs, including design, battery, cameras
A couple of iPhone Fold reports this week have provided some key details about Apple’s unique new model.
Leaker Instant Digital shared several new details, including:
- there are no buttons on the left side of the iPhone Fold
- the volume buttons will be moved to the upper right corner and the location of the Action button is currently unknown
- single hole design for front camera
- the rear dual cameras are arranged horizontally
- the camera socket is black and may not be color coordinated with the rest of the device
- currently the only confirmed color is white, but a second option is expected
Meanwhile, Fixed Focus Digital has announced that the iPhone Fold will have a battery capacity of 5500mAh or higher. This will make it the largest iPhone battery to date.
My things with me
I would hate to lose the Action button because I use it all the time on my iPhone Air. While I doubt Apple plans to do away with it completely, unexpected changes are always possible with a completely new form factor like this.
For example, I wouldn’t think Apple would ship a high-end flagship iPhone without Face ID. But it looks like that’s exactly the plan, as Touch ID will be integrated into the iPhone’s power button.
The launch of the high-end MacBook Pro M5 seems imminent
It still looks like the high-end M5 MacBook Pro models could be Apple’s next product on the market.
Mark Gurman v Bloomberg they said they are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle. But more importantly, he pointed to the dwindling inventory of the high-end MacBook Pro M4 at the Apple Store.
My things with me
Now that the AirTag 2 has broken the ice as Apple’s first product of 2026, it looks like we’ll start seeing a lot more launches in the coming weeks.
My guess is that we’ll get new MacBook Pros in the coming weeks, along with the Studio Display and possibly the M5 Mac Studio. Then maybe in late February or early March we’ll see the iPhone 17e, M5 MacBook Air and other affordable devices.
However, personally, my most anticipated products are the new Apple Home offerings. March or April seems like the best time for those to arrive, right around the public release of iOS 26.4.
Apple Explores ‘iPhone Flip’
When rumors of the first foldable iPhone began circulating a few years ago, one of the first reports suggested that Apple was set on a flip phone-style design.
All signs point to the company opting for a book-style folding design instead. But Mark Gurman said this week that a flip-style model could follow. He writes:
Now, another foldable device is being considered in Apple’s labs: a square clamshell-style folding phone.
There is no guarantee that the product will reach the market. Still, Apple is betting that its first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand for the category, and that customers will want more shapes and sizes, similar to traditional slab-style iPhones.
My things with me
I’ve spoken to a few people who want Apple to deliver a flip-phone style iPhone instead of the planned book-folding design. I can see the appeal, although it would be a very different device from the iPad mini-like design we’re getting.
I believe previous reports have also indicated that Apple intends to offer a larger, book-style version of its iPhone Fold in the coming years. And if foldable devices really are the future, then it makes sense for Apple to explore ways to diversify its lineup accordingly.
New rumors Studio Display
Mark Gurman hinted this week that the introduction of the new Apple Studio Display could be imminent. He highlighted the low inventory of the current model at the Apple Store, which often signals the imminent arrival of new hardware.
Additionally, while previous rumors pointed to the new display getting 120Hz ProMotion support, an anonymous tipster said MacRumors that it will actually be limited to 90 Hz instead.
My things with me
I’ve been looking for a new display for over a year, so I’m very interested in the new Apple Studio Display. Whether it’s 90Hz or 120Hz, it’s an upgrade over what’s available now.
I am also confident that Apple will make the right decision for the product. Since Apple’s displays are updated so infrequently and are such premium products, I doubt the company is pushing its display technology. More than likely, if the answer is 90 Hz, it’s for a good reason.
What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.
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