This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: an iPhone-centric roundup of iPhone 17, 18, and Fold rumors, plus the latest M5 iPad Pro update. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
All the latest iPhone 17 updates
This week brought a trio of updates regarding the soon-to-be-revealed iPhone 17 lineup:
- iPhone 17: Majin Bu said Apple is testing purple and green as new color options for the base iPhone 17.
- iPhone 17 Air: My colleague Jeff reported that code in iOS 26 beta 2 seems to confirm the 1260 x 2736 display resolution of the upcoming 17 Air model.
- iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Majin Bu shared a “pre-production image” of the vapor chamber system being added to boost cooling of the Pro hardware.
My takeaways
None of the iPhone 17 rumors this week are particularly surprising, but that’s normal for this time of year.
With Apple expected to unveil its iPhone 17 lineup in less than three months, there’s very little about the new models that hasn’t previously been reported. Now, most of the new rumors will simply offer corroboration and more in-depth knowledge of what’s already been leaked. That’s what we got this week.
iPhone 18 Pro, Fold, and beyond
Continuing the trend of an iPhone-centric rumor week, several reports outlined what to expect from next year’s iPhone 18 Pro, Fold, and even future models beyond 2026.
Digital Chat Station reiterated a claim we’ve heard before, that the iPhone 18 Pro would move Face ID components under the display—thus leaving only a small camera cutout remaining.
Interestingly though, just days later display analyst Ross Young outlined his conflicting expectations for the next several years of iPhone display evolutions. He anticipates:
- 2026: Smaller Dynamic Island, but not eliminated
- 2028: No Dynamic Island, just a camera cutout
- 2030: All-screen design with no cutouts
Finally, Digital Chat Station shared new details on next year’s iPhone Fold, with a slightly smaller inner display than previously expected, two 48MP rear lenses, and more.
My takeaways
Ross Young seems to be at odds with not only Digital Chat Station, but also Wayne Ma and more.
Multiple sources have indicated Face ID components would be moved under the display for the iPhone 18 Pro—including Young himself very recently.
And we’ve also been expecting an all-glass 20th anniversary model in 2027, though that’s not as heavily supported by reporting.
Young’s new roadmap for display changes pushes both of these milestones back significantly. Perhaps Apple has encountered obstacles that changed its plans? In any case, I’ll be curious to see if other analysts corroborate Young’s latest.
M5 iPad Pro production update
We’re expecting a fall launch for the next iPad Pro, which will boast Apple’s new M5 chip. And a supply chain update this week brought further confirmation of that timeline.
ZDNet Korea reported that Samsung and LG have kicked off mass production of the OLED panels coming to the new M5 iPad Pro. Production began earlier this month.
My takeaways
This is great news that should all but guarantee a fall launch for the M5 iPad Pro, like we were expecting.
The timing of new hardware will align perfectly with iPadOS 26’s wide release, and serve as the best demonstration yet of how powerful the iPad’s getting this year.
What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- HomeKit smart plug 4-pack
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging
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