Rumor Replay: Main new iPhone leaks for 2026 and past

That is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac providing a fast rundown of the newest Apple product rumors, with evaluation and commentary. Right now: main leaks for iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 18 Professional, a brand new Air ‘Max’ measurement, and extra spanning 2026 and past. Listed below are this week’s Apple rumors.

iPhone 18 launch schedule and Professional design change

This was an enormous week for brand new iPhone leaks, with particulars for launches spanning 2026 and 2027.

Subsequent 12 months’s iPhone 18 lineup will reportedly have at the least two large adjustments:

1. The bottom iPhone 18 received’t launch subsequent fall, however as an alternative shall be saved for spring 2027 alongside a brand new iPhone 18e
2. iPhone 18 Professional fashions may have a small digicam gap within the top-left nook and drop the Dynamic Island cutout

The brand new Professional design is reportedly a precursor to a cutout-free design debuting the next 12 months.

My takeaways

Apple is setting itself up for a really large 12 months forward of the iPhone’s twentieth anniversary.

With redesigned Professional fashions launching subsequent 12 months, alongside the primary iPhone Fold, and a brand new Air, the autumn lineup sounds particularly sturdy.

However then launching two new iPhones—the 18 and 18e—the next spring is spectacular too. This launch schedule change is a significant shift, however it might be a fantastic one for iPhone gross sales.

iPhone 17 Air battery case coming

Although prior reporting on iPhone 17 Air indicated battery life wouldn’t undergo an excessive amount of from the ultra-thin design, The Data this week indicated in any other case.

Per their report, inside Apple checks estimate 60-70% of iPhone 17 Air customers will be capable of go an entire day with out charging. This compares to 80-90% for different fashions.

Apple is reportedly, consequently, getting ready a brand new battery case solely for the Air mannequin. Will probably be offered as an elective accent.

My takeaways

I’m a bit torn on this report, particularly concerning the share ranges within the battery comparability.

For those who examine the low finish of the Air estimate to the excessive finish for different fashions, that hole from 60% to 90% is big. But when a extra lifelike comparability is 70% to 80%, I may see the Air being completely advantageous for many customers.

My guess? The Air may have respectable battery life, nothing particularly poor. However the battery case shall be a stable choice for customers who persistently want extra juice.

iPhone Air ‘Max’ within the works

Per Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is already engaged on a bigger model of its upcoming iPhone Air mannequin.

Kuo says this 12 months’s iPhone 17 Air shall be adopted by an 18 Air subsequent 12 months that’s the identical measurement.

However then in 2027, the Air’s 6.6-inch show is predicted to extend for the iPhone 19 Air. It’s unknown precisely what measurement Apple is concentrating on, however someplace close to the Professional Max’s 6.9-inch display screen appears doubtless.

My takeaways

We had heard beforehand that iPhone 17 Air was initially prototyped with a bigger show. Evidently bigger display screen is returning in a pair years.

I’m not a fan of big iPhones personally, since I at all times desire having the choice of one-handed use. However the market has persistently proven that most individuals love large telephones, so this transfer is a pure evolution for the Air.

WWDC’s three main themes

Anticipation is rising for WWDC subsequent month and Apple’s large unveiling of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, and extra.

This week, Mark Gurman mentioned the convention would have three main themes:

1. Redesigned and extra cohesive working methods
2. New Apple Intelligence capabilities
3. Main enhancements to the iPad’s OS

My takeaways

We’ve identified for some time that redesigned OS variations could be an enormous spotlight of WWDC.

I’m happy to listen to, although, that Gurman believes AI upgrades and iPadOS productiveness options shall be main tentpoles too.

I’ve at all times seen final 12 months’s Apple Intelligence rollouts as laying a basis. They weren’t meant to be Apple’s closing say within the space of AI. Because of this, I’m hoping for some sturdy year-over-year enhancements as the corporate seeks to determine its footing in a extremely aggressive market.

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

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