Rumor Replay: New iPhone Fold specs, Mac launches, and more

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: new iPhone Fold specs, rumored Mac launches, 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 for Apple’s unique new model.

Leaker Instant Digital shared several fresh details, including:

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

Meanwhile, Fixed Focus Digital reported the iPhone Fold will have a battery capacity of 5500 mAh or higher. That will make it by far the biggest iPhone battery yet.

My takeaways

I’d hate to lose the Action button, as I use it all the time on my iPhone Air. While I’m doubtful Apple plans to remove it altogether, unexpected changes are always possible with a brand new form factor like this.

For example, I wouldn’t have thought Apple would ship a high-end flagship iPhone without Face ID. But it seems like that’s exactly the plan, since Touch ID will be integrated into the iPhone’s power button.

High-end M5 MacBook Pro launch appears imminent

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

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg said they’re planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle. But more significantly, he pointed to dwindling stock of high-end M4 MacBook Pros at the Apple Store.

My takeaways

Now that AirTag 2 has broken the ice as the first Apple product of 2026, it seems like we’ll start seeing a lot more launches in the weeks ahead.

My guess is that we’ll get new MacBook Pros alongside the Studio Display and possibly M5 Mac Studio in the weeks ahead. Then, perhaps in late February or early March we’ll see the iPhone 17e, M5 MacBook Air, and other budget-friendly devices.

Personally though, my most anticipated products are Apple’s new Home offerings. March or April seem like the best time for those to arrive, right around iOS 26.4’s public launch.

Apple exploring an ‘iPhone Flip’

When rumors about the first foldable iPhone started picking up a couple years ago, one early report indicated Apple was set on a flip phone-style design.

All signs indicate the company has instead opted for a book-style folding design. But Mark Gurman this week said a flip-style model could follow. He writes:

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

The product is far from guaranteed to 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 additional shapes and sizes, much as they have with traditional slab-style iPhones.

My takeaways

I’ve spoken to several people who want Apple to ship a flip phone-style iPhone instead of the planned book-fold design. I can see the appeal, though it would be a very different device from the iPad mini-like design we’re getting.

I believe prior reporting has also indicated that Apple intends to offer a larger version of its book-style iPhone Fold in the years ahead. And if foldables truly are the future, then it makes sense for Apple to be exploring ways to diversify its lineup accordingly.

New Studio Display rumors

Mark Gurman hinted this week that the new Apple Studio Display launch could be imminent. He highlighted low stock of the existing model at the Apple Store, which often signals new hardware coming soon.

Additionally, while prior rumors pointed to the new display gaining 120Hz ProMotion support, an anonymous tipster told MacRumors that it will actually be limited to 90Hz instead.

My takeaways

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 upgrade from what’s available now.

I’m also confident Apple will make the right decision for the product. Since Apple displays get updated so rarely, and are such premium products, I doubt the company is penny-pinching over its display tech. More likely, if 90Hz is the answer, 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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