That is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac providing a fast rundown of the latest Apple product rumors, with evaluation and commentary. In the present day: rumors of a less expensive ‘MacBook’ coming quickly, Imaginative and prescient merchandise roadmap, iPad Professional redesign, and extra. Listed here are this week’s Apple rumors.
New ‘MacBook’ rumor with A18 Professional chip
Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is making ready to ship a 13-inch MacBook that includes an iPhone processor.
The product will possible simply be known as ‘MacBook,’ and embody an A18 Professional chip, accessible as a low-cost various to the MacBook Air with enjoyable colours together with blue, pink, yellow, and silver.
This new MacBook is anticipated to ship in late 2025 or early 2026, with pricing estimates within the $699-799 vary.
My takeaways
The brand new MacBook was simply one of many standout rumors of the week. It’s a serious new product that’s anticipated to ship pretty quickly, however that had scarcely been leaked any time beforehand.
As I’ve written already, it appears like Apple is following its iPad playbook with this new MacBook. Including a low-cost entry mannequin ought to result in wider Mac adoption, particularly amongst present iPhone customers. The variety of iPhone customers who additionally personal an iPad is critical, and Apple clearly hopes the Mac can comply with the identical development within the years forward.
Roadmap for brand spanking new Imaginative and prescient merchandise, Apple Glasses, extra
Ming-Chi Kuo was additionally the supply this week of a brand new roadmap outlining Apple’s plans for head-mounted gadgets within the years forward. New merchandise talked about embody:
- M5 Imaginative and prescient Professional later this 12 months
- Imaginative and prescient Air in 2027
- Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 in 2028
- Apple Glasses in 2027
- XR Glasses in 2028
- and extra
The M5 Imaginative and prescient Professional is anticipated to supply no vital modifications, only a spec bump. However each the Imaginative and prescient Air and Imaginative and prescient Professional 2 ought to include substantial weight reductions, per Kuo.
My takeaways
I had two fast reactions to this leaked roadmap:
- Apple is clearly very critical about Imaginative and prescient-style merchandise
- Nevertheless it might be a protracted whereas but earlier than Imaginative and prescient goes mainstream
The previous is not any shock, since that is an space Tim Prepare dinner is reportedly very captivated with.
I undoubtedly have blended emotions concerning the latter, although.
Imaginative and prescient Professional is just too heavy and costly at the moment, and it appears like we’ll have to attend at the least two extra years earlier than that modifications. Within the grand scheme of issues, I’m certain that point will fly by. However I’m prepared for the Imaginative and prescient platform to start out realizing its full potential, and I don’t assume that may occur till the Imaginative and prescient Air arrives.
Future iPad Professional and iPad Fold updates
Apple is anticipated to launch an M5 iPad Professional this fall, however this week’s newest rumors contain two completely different iPad fashions.
A future iPad Professional, possible one with an M6 chip, will reportedly include a lot slimmer bezels than ever earlier than. The bezels might be related in measurement to these of the Samsung Tab Extremely, however with no notch.
iPad Fold, in the meantime, has reportedly had its growth placed on pause. The anticipated 18.8-inch foldable iPad was as soon as regarded as launching in late 2026, however newer rumors prompt 2028—which remains to be very attainable regardless of Apple’s new holding sample.
My takeaways
I’m all for slimming down the bezels on the iPad Professional. It’s a pure subsequent step for the system following its final massive redesign with the M4 mannequin.
It’s disappointing, although, that the iPad Fold possible received’t arrive any time quickly. Earlier than final month, I’m undecided how a lot I might have minded. My 13-inch M4 iPad Professional is nice. However iPadOS 26 has made me need a bigger iPad like by no means earlier than, and now that sounds prefer it’s not within the playing cards for some time.
iPhone 17 brand and display screen measurement modifications
This week introduced a pair updates relating to the upcoming iPhone 17 line.
Majin Bu reported that the Apple brand on iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max might be barely relocated. It’s transferring additional down the again of the system, more likely to alter for modifications in magnet layouts.
Individually, Digital Chat Station corroborated a previous report on the bottom mannequin iPhone 17. He mentioned the iPhone 17 is getting a bigger display screen this 12 months than prior base fashions, transferring from a 6.1-inch show as much as 6.3 inches. It will make it the identical measurement because the iPhone 17 Professional.
My takeaways
I don’t assume both of those strikes is especially vital. The relocation of the Apple brand will, I’m certain, look fully high-quality and trouble hardly anybody.
The iPhone 17 getting bigger is actually extra vital, however as somebody who’s used the iPhone 16 Professional for nearly a 12 months with the identical display screen measurement, I don’t assume the additional display screen actual property makes a lot distinction.
I think Apple’s making this transfer partly to streamline its show lineup. Nevertheless it additionally, importantly, differentiates iPhone 17 from the anticipated iPhone 17e subsequent 12 months. I’m certain the finances mannequin will hold the smaller 6.1-inch measurement.
What are your takeaways from this week’s rumors concerning the MacBook, Imaginative and prescient line, and extra? Tell us within the feedback.
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