The iPhone 17e with a new design, the iPhone 18 Pro with an LTPO+ screen, under-display Face ID, 12GB of storage, and a brighter display, along with a leaked interface design, and OpenAI's first AI device that could rival AirPods, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple's deal with Google Gemini could be worth up to $5 billion
The new partnership with Google to use Gemini models in developing Siri and Apple's AI features could reach $5 billion, according to analysts. The deal takes the form of a cloud computing contract and is similar to a previous agreement that made Google the default search engine on Apple devices two decades ago. Although Apple has confirmed that the collaboration with Google does not preclude the integration of ChatGPT, some experts believe that having two large models may not be practical in the long run, especially with OpenAI focusing on developing its own AI hardware. This move reflects Apple's cautious approach to AI investments compared to competitors like Microsoft and Amazon. The new version of Siri is expected to launch with iOS 26.4 this spring.
The iPhone 18 may come with a brighter screen.
Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 will feature a significantly brighter screen than previous models, with the company aiming for unprecedented brightness levels. While the iPhone 13 and 14 reached 800 nits, gradually increasing to 3,000 nits in outdoor use with the iPhone 15, 16, and 17, the iPhone 18 is expected to represent an even greater leap. These high demands have led some suppliers, such as BOE, to struggle to meet Apple's standards, prompting the company to rely more heavily on Samsung for display production. The device is expected to launch in early 2027 with an A20 processor, a C2 modem, and simpler camera controls.
OpenAI's first AI-powered device could rival AirPods
OpenAI is preparing to unveil its first AI-powered device in the second half of 2026, according to recent reports. The device is being developed in collaboration with the team of renowned designer Jony Ive, Apple's former chief product designer, following his company's merger with OpenAI last year. Leaks suggest the device will be small, screenless, and worn behind the ear as two metal units codenamed "Sweetpea." It will reportedly feature a sophisticated 2-nanometer chip capable of executing commands similar to those performed by Siri on iPhones, making it a potential competitor to AirPods. The device is expected to include sensors for interacting with its surroundings and will be housed in an oval-shaped casing. While the company has not yet confirmed an official launch date, some sources anticipate a September release, with future plans to introduce other devices such as a smart pen or a smart home system.
Apple is transferring iPhone screen orders to Samsung due to BOE issues.
Chinese company BOE is facing new difficulties in producing OLED displays for iPhones, prompting Apple to divert millions of orders to Samsung. These problems emerged in late 2025 and led to production halts for some models, particularly the iPhone 15, 16, and 17, even though BOE had previously supplied the displays reliably. Interestingly, the issues even affected older models that don't require complex technologies like the iPhone 17's displays. Currently, BOE is focused on ensuring a stable supply for the iPhone 17e, expected to launch this spring, while Samsung is benefiting from the order diversion. These developments follow a legal dispute between the two companies last year, in which Samsung accused BOE of stealing trade secrets and infringing on AMOLED patents, before a settlement was reached that included BOE paying Samsung fees.
Apple is preparing to launch a premium version of the AirPods Pro 3 this year.
Apple is planning to release a new, premium version of its AirPods Pro 3 in 2026, which will be offered alongside the current model rather than as an entirely new generation. According to leaks, this premium version will feature a small infrared camera, enabling hand gesture recognition and a more interactive audio experience, especially when paired with Vision Pro glasses. Apple is expected to replace traditional pressure sensors with full gesture control, potentially adding a new H3 audio chip. This version will be priced higher than the current AirPods Pro 3 ($249), filling the gap between these earbuds and the AirPods Max ($549), a move aimed at competing with premium brands like Bang & Olufsen and Bose. While a release date hasn't been announced yet, Apple typically unveils its new earbuds at its annual iPhone event in September.
A new leak confirms the design of the iPhone 18 Pro's interface.
Veteran display analyst Ross Young has corroborated the latest leak regarding the iPhone 18 Pro's design. According to the leak, the "dynamic island" feature will persist but in a smaller form factor. Part of the Face ID system will be moved under the screen, while the front-facing camera and other components will remain in the smaller island in the center of the display. This aligns with previous predictions from Young and Bloomberg reports, and contradicts another report suggesting Apple would move the front camera to the corner of the screen and replace the island with a circular cutout. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro this September.
Apple regains the lead in the Chinese smartphone market
Apple successfully reclaimed its position as the top smartphone vendor in China during the final quarter of 2025, thanks to strong demand for the iPhone 17 series despite a general market downturn and a shortage of memory chips. According to Counterpoint data, Apple's shipments in China surged 28% year-over-year, capturing 22% of the market during the holiday season, while overall market shipments declined by 1.6%. This improvement came after Apple lagged behind its domestic competitors earlier in the year, with the "Pro" models in particular helping to boost sales. In contrast, the iPhone Air failed to achieve significant success due to its late launch and its ultra-thin design, which some considered less balanced in terms of features. For the year as a whole, Huawei led the market with 16.4%, while Apple and Vivo were close behind, and Xiaomi and Oppo each held around 15%. Globally, Apple maintained its position as the largest smartphone vendor in 2025, shipping 247.8 million devices and capturing a 19.7% market share, ahead of Samsung and Xiaomi.
The iPhone Air may receive a minor update this year.
New leaks suggest that Apple may launch the second generation of the iPhone Air in the fall of 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and possibly a foldable version, despite previous reports indicating a delay until 2027 due to weak sales. According to the leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the update will be very limited and considered a routine upgrade. Other reports, however, suggest that Apple might use the delay to redesign the device by adding a second rear camera, a lighter weight, an improved cooling system, and a larger battery. Analyst Mark Gurman believes that Apple never planned to release the device in 2026 and that it might debut in the spring of 2027 alongside the iPhone 18 and 18e, focusing on a new 2-nanometer chip to improve battery life. As of now, the possibility of an iPhone Air 2 launching this year remains, but it is not yet certain.
The iPhone 18 Pro will come with 12GB of memory.
The latest leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature 12GB of RAM, the same capacity as the iPhone 17 Pro, but with faster LPDDR5 technology. Even the standard iPhone 18 is expected to see its RAM increase from 8GB to 12GB, bringing all new models on par in this regard, including the upcoming iPhone Fold. Interestingly, the A20 Pro chip will integrate the RAM directly with the CPU, graphics, and AI within the same architecture, boosting performance and efficiency, especially in Apple's "Intelligence" tasks. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, while the standard version will debut in spring 2027 as part of a new two-phase launch strategy.
The iPhone 18 Pro may get an LTPO+ display with under-display Face ID.
The latest leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature Face ID technology integrated under the screen, a long-awaited development. While this feature is generally accepted, opinions remain divided on the design of the "dynamic island." Some believe it will be smaller, with only the front-facing camera and infrared sensor visible, while other reports suggest the camera will be moved to the corner of the screen, eliminating the traditional notch. Additionally, the devices are expected to utilize a new, more energy-efficient LTPO+ display compared to the previous generation, which should improve battery life. Apple is likely to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in September, providing further details on these changes.
Miscellaneous news
Apple updated its homepage to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, showcasing a collection of his most prominent quotes and images from his life, and inviting users to learn more about his legacy through Apple Books and Apple Podcasts. This is a tradition Apple has maintained for over a decade, and the company affirmed that it draws inspiration from his life and messages. CEO Tim Cook also participated in the tribute. The celebration coincided with a public holiday, which typically resulted in a quieter Apple news release on that day.
OpenAI has announced a new low-cost subscription plan called ChatGPT Go, priced at $8 per month. This plan offers more features than the free version, such as a larger message limit, file upload capabilities, image creation, and more storage space. The company confirmed that higher-end plans like ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro will remain ad-free. However, it will soon begin testing ads in the free version and ChatGPT Go, which will appear clearly below replies without affecting their content. The goal of this move is to keep the service affordable for everyone, while maintaining OpenAI's commitment to user privacy and not selling user data to advertisers.
Recent reports indicate that Apple is no longer the preferred supplier of advanced chips from Taiwanese manufacturer TSMC, following a surge in global demand for AI processors from companies like Nvidia and AMD. These processors require significantly more production capacity than smartphone chips, causing Apple to lose its position as TSMC's largest customer and forcing it to compete directly for available market share. While Apple will continue shipping its products, the increased manufacturing costs could impact device prices and profit margins in the coming years.
Apple is expected to unveil a foldable iPhone and an iPhone 18 Pro in September, both powered by the new A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2-nanometer process to deliver faster performance and greater power efficiency. This chip will integrate memory directly with the processor, graphics, and artificial intelligence, boosting task speed, extending battery life, and improving power stability. The devices will also feature 12GB of RAM, 48MP rear cameras, and a C2 modem. The foldable iPhone will boast a book-like design with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display, without any creases when folded.
The iPhone 17e is expected to feature a new design, including a dynamic bezel instead of the traditional notch, but it will retain a 60Hz OLED display to keep costs down, unlike the rest of the iPhone 17 series which supports 120Hz. The device will have a slightly faster A19 processor than its predecessor, support MagSafe charging, and retain the 12MP front camera and 48MP rear camera. The price is expected to remain at $599, and it is anticipated to launch in February or next spring.
Sources:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10| 11| 12| 13
6 comment