A check signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak sells for $2.4 million; Apple has 2.5 billion active devices; 2nm manufacturing technology is being used in the upcoming A20 and M6 processors; Apple explains how Siri, powered by Gemini intelligence, works; two new versions of Siri are being launched; Apple is considering an iPhone Flip; and other exciting news on the sidelines…
The iPhone 16 tops the list of best-selling phones in 2025.
A new report reveals that the iPhone 16 was the best-selling smartphone globally in 2025, with Apple and Samsung dominating the top ten spots for the fourth consecutive year. Apple claimed seven of the positions, while Samsung secured the other three. The iPhone 17 series, launched in September, saw sales increase by 16% compared to its predecessor, driven by strong demand in the US, China, and Western Europe. The base model experienced the most significant growth, thanks to improvements such as a 120Hz refresh rate and a larger 256GB base storage capacity, up from 128GB.
The more affordable iPhone 16e, priced at $599, also contributed to the sales boost. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G ranked fifth among the best-selling Android phones, while the S25 Ultra came in ninth, experiencing significant growth in Japan. Experts predict that flagship phones will become even more dominant in 2026 as memory costs rise, while Apple continues to offer the iPhone 16 starting at $699, featuring the A18 processor, Apple's AI capabilities, a dual-lens camera, a dedicated camera control button, and a customizable action button.
Apple begins selling refurbished iPhone 16 devices at lower prices.
Apple has announced the availability of refurbished and certified iPhone 16 models through its online store in the US and several other countries, at prices 12% to 22% lower than the original prices. These devices come with a new battery and a new outer casing, and are sold in a box with a USB-C cable. They are unlocked for all networks and include a one-year warranty with the option to add AppleCare+. Refurbished models start at $619 for the iPhone 16 and go up to $929 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, making them a suitable option for those looking for a modern device at a more affordable price.
Leaks: No major changes to the iPhone 18 design
A leaker known as “Fixed Focus Digital” has revealed that the iPhone 18 series will not see major changes to its external design, following the success of the iPhone 17. Instead of focusing on design, Apple will highlight the power of its new A20 and A20 Pro processors, expected to be the company's first 2nm chips. The Pro and Pro Max versions will be released later this year with improvements such as a smaller Dynamic Aperture display, a C2 modem, a simplified camera button, a 24MP front-facing camera, and a variable aperture main camera. The base model of the iPhone 18 is expected to arrive in early 2027 with almost the same features, meaning the updates will focus more on performance and technical specifications than aesthetics.
MacBook Pro with OLED screen to be launched this year
Apple is expected to release its first MacBook Pro with OLED displays in the fourth quarter of 2026, between October and December. Samsung will begin producing these displays in May, with approximately two million units expected to ship to Apple before the end of the year. These units will then be sent to Foxconn for assembly. Some components are still under development, as Apple is working on refining the design to reduce manufacturing costs. While Chinese company BOE is also vying to supply Apple with OLED displays, the models available this year will rely solely on Samsung screens. The device will come in 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes and will be powered by M6-series processors, marking the first complete redesign since 2021 and representing a significant step forward for the MacBook Pro.
Design details of the first foldable iPhone
New leaks reveal that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature significant design changes, such as moving the volume buttons to the top edge, a completely black rear camera setup with two horizontal lenses, and a smaller dynamic camera bump thanks to the single-aperture front camera. The device will be available in white with only one additional color option and boasts an innovative internal architecture focused on the screen and battery, which is rumored to be the largest in iPhone history. It will also feature a 7.8-inch crease-free internal display, a 5.5-inch external display, an A20 processor, a C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. This device is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year, marking a new step in Apple's future smartphone strategy.
The foldable iPhone may come with the most powerful battery on the market.
The latest leaks suggest that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a battery with a capacity exceeding 5500 mAh, the largest in iPhone history to date, surpassing the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 5088 mAh battery. This capacity puts the device ahead of competitors like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold (5015 mAh) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (4400 mAh). Previous reports indicated that Apple was testing batteries between 5400 and 5800 mAh, with a strong focus on improving power efficiency and reducing the size of internal components. The anticipated device will come with a 7.8-inch crease-free internal display, a 5.5-inch external display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, dual rear cameras, and an A20 processor with a C2 modem. It is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year.
Apple is considering the idea of an “iPhone flip”
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is exploring a new clamshell design for its foldable phone, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the recent Motorola Razr. This device, tentatively codenamed the "iPhone Flip" (though this is unlikely to be its official name), will follow the expected September launch of Apple's first foldable iPhone, which will open like a book to reveal a large 7.7-inch internal screen supporting video playback, gaming, and multitasking. The "Flip" version will prioritize portability and pocketability. The report suggests that Apple is banking on the success of the first foldable iPhone to generate genuine demand for this category, but the release of the "Flip" version remains uncertain.
A check signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak sells for $2.4 million
RR Auction announced that an old Apple check, signed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, sold this week for $2.4 million, 4800 times its original value of $500. The check, dated March 16, 1976, and marked “1,” was made payable to printed circuit board designer Howard Cantin, who helped transform the blueprint for the Apple-1 into a manufacturable product, the company’s first commercially viable device. Issued just weeks before Apple was officially founded on April 1, 1976, the check is considered by auction experts to be the most important financial document in Apple’s history, representing the first real business transaction between Jobs and Wozniak, which explains its immense historical value to collectors.
Apple is preparing to launch two new versions of Siri despite the departure of some employees.
A recent report indicates that Apple is still developing two new versions of its Siri voice assistant, despite losing several AI researchers and a key Siri team member who left for Google's DeepMind lab. The first version, expected to be released this year with iOS 26.4, will be more personalized thanks to the integration of Gemini technology, offering improvements in contextual understanding and in-app control. The second version, anticipated with iOS 27, will transform Siri into a fully-fledged conversational bot capable of continuous dialogue, making it a direct competitor to technologies like ChatGPT and Gemini, but integrated directly into Apple devices without requiring a separate application. These moves reflect Apple's ambition to make Siri more intelligent and interactive, despite the challenges it faces in retaining its talent.
Apple explains how Siri, powered by Gemini, works.
During Apple's Q1 2026 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook confirmed details of Apple's partnership with Google to use Gemini models in developing the next version of Siri. Cook explained that Google's technology will form the strongest foundation for Apple's own AFM (Accelerated Mobile Device) models, while ensuring that the features run on the same devices or via the Private Cloud Compute service to guarantee the highest privacy standards. He also emphasized that the collaboration with Google does not negate Apple's ongoing efforts to build its own technologies, but rather represents a complementary partnership. Regarding revenue, Cook described Apple Intelligence as an integrated feature of Apple's systems, not a separate revenue stream, stating that it adds significant value to users and opens new opportunities across the company's products and services. Apple did not disclose details of the deal with Google or the number of users who will have access to these features, but indicated that availability depends on devices with sufficient memory and processing power, which currently limits its widespread adoption.
Apple was surprised by the high demand for AirPods Pro 3
Reports indicate that demand for the AirPods Pro 3 after their September launch was so strong that it surprised Apple, with the company experiencing supply shortages in the last quarter of 2025. CEO Tim Cook explained that this shortage impacted revenue from the Wearables and Accessories division, which declined by 2% year-over-year. He noted that if Apple had anticipated such high demand, it could have built up its inventory and achieved revenue growth. Currently, there are no longer any delivery delays through the Apple online store, meaning the company has been able to meet demand. The AirPods Pro 3 came with significant improvements such as enhanced noise cancellation, improved sound quality, longer battery life, heart rate monitoring during workouts, an improved fit, greater water resistance, and a new size for the ear tips (XXS), making them an attractive option for millions of users.
Miscellaneous news
Apple has announced a new learning center in Bengaluru to train supply chain workers in India in essential skills such as programming and robotics. Similar courses will also be offered at dozens of factories to help employees develop their skills and improve their career prospects. The initiative also includes support for people with disabilities and aims to create a more inclusive and safer workplace.
Apple is expected to use TSMC's core 2nm manufacturing technology in its upcoming A20 and M6 processors, rather than the newer, higher-performance version, due to the higher cost and limited timeframe for adoption. The performance difference between the two technologies is minimal, and the newer version offers only a slight improvement that doesn't justify the additional cost for Apple this year. Furthermore, the earlier availability of N2 technology makes it a practical option for ensuring the timely release of the new devices.
Mozilla has announced that Firefox will receive new settings allowing users to completely disable AI features or choose which ones they want to disable, such as translation, link preview, and smart tab grouping. The goal is to give users complete freedom to browse without AI, while still providing these features for those who want them. These options will arrive with the Firefox 148 update, which begins rolling out to users on February 24.
Apple, through its CEO Tim Cook, confirmed that the significant increase in memory and storage chip prices has had a limited impact on the company's profits so far, with a slightly larger impact expected in the current quarter. He explained that Apple is closely monitoring the situation and considering several options to address this increase in the long term. Despite this, the company continues to achieve strong financial results and record revenues, demonstrating its ability to overcome these challenges.
Apple announced that the number of its active devices worldwide has surpassed 2.5 billion, a milestone reflecting user trust and satisfaction with its products. CEO Tim Cook stated that this growth underscores the strength and expanding reach of the Apple ecosystem. This figure provides the company with greater opportunities to expand its digital services, such as music, cloud storage, and professional applications.
Apple announced record revenues of $143.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by exceptionally strong iPhone sales. CEO Tim Cook stated that iPhone demand was “absolutely phenomenal” and exceeded the company’s expectations in all markets worldwide. The iPhone 17 series was a major contributor to this success, particularly during the holiday shopping season.
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