Rumor Replay: New iPhone Fold specs, Mac launch and more – 9to5Mac

This is it Repetition of rumoursa weekly column in 9 to 5 Mac providing a quick summary of the latest Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: new iPhone Fold specs, rumored Mac releases and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

New iPhone Fold specs, including design, battery, cameras

A pair of iPhone Fold reports this week provided some key details about Apple’s unique new model.

Leaker Instant Digital common some new details, including:

• there are no buttons on the left side of the iPhone Fold
• the volume buttons will be moved to the top right and the location of the Action button is currently unknown
• single hole design for front camera
• The dual rear cameras are arranged horizontally
• the camera plate is black and may not color match the rest of the device
• white is currently the only confirmed color, but a second option is expected

Meanwhile, Fix Focus Digital reported The iPhone Fold will have a battery capacity of 5500 mAh or higher. This will make it the largest iPhone battery yet.

My relationships

I would love to lose the Action button, as I use it all the time on my iPhone Air. While I doubt Apple plans to do away with it entirely, unexpected changes are always possible with a new form factor like this.

For example, I wouldn’t have thought that Apple would ship a high-end 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 M5 MacBook Pro seems inevitable

It continues to look like the high-end M5 MacBook Pro models could be Apple’s next product launches.

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg said they are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle. But more importantly, he pointed out the low-end M4 MacBook Pro stock at the Apple Store.

My relationships

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 be getting new MacBook Pros along with the Studio Display and possibly the M5 Mac Studio in the coming weeks. Then, perhaps in late February or early March, we’ll see the iPhone 17e, M5 MacBook Air, and other budget devices.

However, personally my most anticipated products are Apple’s new Home offerings. March or April seems like the best time for those to come, right around the public launch of iOS 26.4.

Apple is exploring a ‘Flip iPhone’

When rumors of the first foldable iPhone started circulating a few years ago, an early report indicated that Apple had settled on a rotary phone-style design.

All signs point to the company opting for a book-style folding design instead. But Mark Gurman said this week a scroll style pattern could follow. He writes:

Now there’s another foldable device under review inside Apple’s labs: a square, clamshell-style foldable phone.

The product is by no means guaranteed to reach the market. However, Apple is betting that the first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand for the category, and that customers will want additional shapes and sizes, just as they have with traditional slab-style iPhones.

My relationships

I’ve spoken to several people who want Apple to ship 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 to the iPad mini-like design we’re getting.

I believe previous reports have also indicated that Apple intends to offer a larger version of the book-style iPhone Fold in the coming years. And if foldable devices are indeed the future, then it makes sense for Apple to explore ways to diversify its lineup accordingly.

New Rumors of Studio Display

Mark Gurman hinted this week that the new Apple Studio Display launch may be imminent. He pointed to the low stock of the existing model at the Apple Store, which often signals that a new device is coming soon.

Additionally, while previous rumors indicated that the new display was gaining support for ProMotion 120 Hz, an anonymous tipster said MacRumors that it will actually be limited to 90 Hz instead.

My relationships

I’ve been in the market for a new display for over a year now, so I’m very interested in the new Apple Studio display. Whether it’s 90Hz or 120Hz, it’s an improvement over what’s available now.

I am also confident that Apple will make the right decision about the product. Since Apple’s displays are updated so infrequently, and are such premium products, I suspect the company is fudging its display technology. More than likely, if 90Hz is the answer, it’s for a good reason.

What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Tell us in the comments.

The best iPhone accessories