Rumor Replay: iPhone Air 2 still coming, iPhone 18 Pro rumors, 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: the iPhone Air 2 lives, iPhone 18 Pro rumors, and the latest updates on 2026 Macs. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
iPhone Air 2 isn’t dead, it just needs more time
A pair of iPhone Air-related reports arrived from The Information this week, just hours apart.
First, the publication reported that the iPhone Air 2 had been delayed indefinitely due to weak sales of Apple’s debut model. It was originally expected to launch next fall.
But a follow-up report just hours later brought a welcome clarification.
iPhone Air 2 is still actively in development, and a spring 2027 launch is being targeted. The reason for the delay is that Apple plans to add a second rear camera to the model, addressing a key complaint with the original iPhone Air.
My takeaways
As an iPhone Air user who loves the ultra-thin model, I was relieved to see The Information’s follow-up report, since the first article made it sound like the Air line was done for.
Taking extra time to address what’s probably the biggest user complaint about the original iPhone Air makes a lot of sense. However, the timeline shift does leave a big gap in Apple’s flagship fall lineup, since prior reporting indicated the base iPhone 18 wouldn’t ship until later either.
New iPhone 18 Pro rumors
It was a big week for iPhone 18 Pro-related rumors at 9to5Mac.
Kicking things off, we got corroboration that the new model will use a hole-punch design for its front camera, have a variable aperture camera feature, and also a curious mention of a “steel-cased battery” being used.
Then, reporting indicated that the polarizing two-tone rear design of iPhone 17 Pro will change next year.
Per a translation of leaker Instant Digital, iPhone 18 Pro will offer “redesigned back glass that minimizes color difference between the glass and the aluminum back panel. A seamless, unified look.”
Finally, Instant Digital also says iPhone 18 Pro Max will be the heaviest iPhone ever, exceeding 240g. It is also getting even thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
My takeaways
iPhone 17 Pro was a big bet for Apple that, based on strong sales numbers, seems to be paying off. The company leaned hard into a unique new design and prioritizing battery life above thinness and lightness.
It sounds like next year’s iPhone 18 Pro will continue that trend, while also addressing user feedback from this year. I love that with such a diverse iPhone lineup, Apple can push models further in specific ways rather than needing to offer a one-size-fits-all model.
M5 Mac mini and Mac Studio timing, and M6 MacBook Pro
This week at Bloomberg, Mark Gurman reported that the M5 Mac mini and Mac Studio are expected to ship in “the middle of the year.” As mentioned last week, the Mac Studio will offer an M5 Ultra version.
Gurman also said the M6 MacBook Pro should arrive late in the year, and clarified that the anticipated major redesign might not come to the base 14-inch model. Instead, it could be exclusive to higher end 14-inch and 16-inch M6 Pro and M6 Max options.
My takeaways
This year in the lead-up to the M4 Mac Studio, Gurman was expecting the release in the middle of the year too. Apple ended up surprising us by debuting the Mac Studio alongside the M4 MacBook Air in March.
I wonder if the same thing might happen in 2026.
Gurman has said there are two new Mac displays launching early in the year. There are no better Macs to launch the new displays alongside than the Mac mini and Mac Studio.
So it would be strange to get the new displays and wait several months longer for new Mac desktops. It might happen, but I’m hopeful Apple will be able to ship all of these updates together.
What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.