Welcome to Rumor Replay, a weekly feature on DMN that summarizes the latest Apple product speculations, accompanied by analysis and thoughts. This week highlights major updates regarding Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, alongside insights about iOS 19 and Siri. Here are the most current rumors surrounding Apple.
Ming-Chi Kuo on Apple’s inaugural foldable iPhone
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his insights based on supply chain data, has shared his “forecasts” for Apple’s first foldable iPhone expected in 2026.
Here’s a summary of his expectations:
- Form factor resembling a book, rather than the previously speculated top-down fold
- 5.5-inch external display with a 7.8-inch internal display
- Touch ID integrated into the side button, likely eliminating Face ID
- Price point projected “over $2,000 and up to $2,500”
- No visible crease or wrinkles along the fold
- Thickness of 9-9.5mm when folded, and 4.5-4.8mm when opened
- Hinge constructed from stainless steel and titanium, with a titanium casing
Kuo anticipates that only around 3-5 million units of the foldable iPhone will be available in 2026. This isn’t due to lack of interest but rather production challenges that may restrict output.
My insights
It’s crucial to recognize that Kuo is not necessarily presenting these assertions as definitive facts regarding the foldable iPhone. Instead, he’s offering his predictions and expectations based on the information currently available to him.
This matters because while elements like screen dimensions and device thickness are typically part of his supply chain knowledge, his price estimation is merely speculation.
Nevertheless, this overview provides a captivating glimpse into what might be on the horizon for the foldable iPhone.
I’ve found earlier reports about a top-down folding design intriguing, but I didn’t think it would add much value. A book-style fold seems to be a more logical approach. As a longtime admirer of the iPad mini, the idea of a pocketable iPhone that mimics a mini tablet is incredibly appealing.
There’s still plenty of time for changes leading up to the anticipated launch in fall 2026, but these rumors have certainly piqued my curiosity.
iOS 19 and Siri enhancements
Recently, Mark Gurman provided insights on the ongoing development of iOS 19, mentioning potential delays concerning certain Siri enhancements.
Gurman reports that the ‘LLM’ version of Siri is set to be introduced with iOS 19, although it will likely come toward the end of the release cycle in spring 2026. However, a significant portion of Siri’s upcoming functionalities is reportedly behind schedule.
The newer, more conversational features aimed at enhancing Siri’s chatbot-like capabilities will not debut with iOS 19 this June at WWDC. Instead, they are expected to be rolled out as part of iOS 20 next year.
My insights
It’s evident that competitors like OpenAI have gained an advantage over Apple in the race for LLM-based virtual assistants. However, I believe the concerns over reported “delays” in Siri’s enhancements are somewhat exaggerated by the public.
Apple’s strategy for ushering in a “new era for Siri” appears to focus on gradual improvements over time. This approach seems likely to continue not only in iOS 18.5 soon, but also in iOS 19 and 20.
Given Siri’s vast user base, it’s understandable that Apple will not implement drastic changes all at once. While the issue of falling behind the competition is valid, it may also be overstated due to Apple’s advantages in its ecosystem and hardware.
What are your thoughts on this week’s Apple rumors regarding the foldable iPhone and beyond? Share your opinions in the comments.
