Top Stories: iPhone 17 Designs, Foldable iPad or MacBook, and More

[MacRumors]

2024 is rapidly drawing to a close, but the Apple news and rumor mill remains busy. On the software side, users are still exploring the new features in iOS 18.2 such as expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, while Apple is moving ahead with beta testing of iOS 18.3 and related updates.

On the hardware side, we're hearing lots of rumors about what's coming in 2025 and beyond, including a new design for the iPhone 17 Pro, an all-new "iPhone 17 Air," a second-generation AirTag, a redesigned Magic Mouse, and even a foldable iPad or MacBook, so read on below for all the details!

'iPhone 17 Air' With 'Major' Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report

We've been hearing quite a few rumors about a super-thin "iPhone 17 Air" coming next year and a potential foldable iPad or MacBook for further down the road, and The Wall Street Journal this week published a new report outlining information from its own sources on both devices.

The report comes as analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants shared their expected roadmap for new Apple products based on OLED displays, including an OLED iPad mini in 2026 plus OLED iPad Air models and an 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro in 2027.

iOS 18.2: Everything You Can Do With ChatGPT Integration

Following last week's release of iOS 18.2 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, we've shared some how-tos and guides taking deeper looks at what's new.

ChatGPT integration is one of the big new features, so be sure to check out our overview of everything you can do with it. Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models is another one, while the custom emoji characters known as Genmoji open up new possibilities for expression, although they come with some limitations.

Other iOS 18.2 additions worth checking out include the new Mail Categories feature and the ability to bring back the volume slider on the Lock Screen.

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3

With iOS 18.2 out the door, Apple has turned its attention to the next set of operating system updates likely scheduled for a late January release to the general public. Ahead of that release, Apple this week provided the first developer and public betas of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS 15.3, and more.

The updates appear to be relatively light on new features so far, although macOS Sequoia 15.3 brings Genmoji to the Mac while tvOS 18.3 is preparing to support robot vacuums in the Home app.

Apple 'Working' on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited 'Fix'

Apple's Magic Mouse has been the butt of jokes for years over the location of its charging port, which prevents the mouse from being used while it's charging.

That issue wasn't fixed with the recent update to shift the Magic Mouse and other Mac accessories from Lightning ports to USB-C, but it appears Apple is indeed going to remedy it at some point. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple is working on a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse to address some of the "longstanding complaints" about it, but don't expect the new mouse to debut before 2026.

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

Rumors have been pointing to a second-generation AirTag arriving some time in 2025, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week provided a few new details about what we can expect with the update.

The biggest improvement will reportedly be improved Ultra Wideband capabilities that will deliver triple the range of the current AirTag, making it much easier to track down items with associated AirTags.

Meanwhile, for owners of current AirTags who want to get much more battery life out of them, Elevation Lab has a new TimeCapsule enclosure that will power your AirTag for up to ten years from a pair of AA batteries.

iPhone 17 Pro Rumored to Stick With 'Triangular' Camera Design

There's been a confusing mess of rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro design, including the use of multiple materials on the rear housing and a redesigned camera bump, with some sources claiming the new bump will be "rectangular," leading to suggestions that the three camera lenses could be arranged in a horizontal layout.

A new rumor claims, however, that the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to feature a triangular layout for the lenses, although the overall appearance of the back of the device will indeed change.

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Article Link: Top Stories: iPhone 17 Designs, Foldable iPad or MacBook, and More

 

[iGüey]

These are really great wonderful news! Finally Apple is walking the path to the foldable devices and these news (rumors or whatever you want to name them) just prove it! So people, get ready to have a foldable iPhone in your pocket in one or two years from now. Congratulations Apple!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

 

[iGüey]

People, just imagine this scene for a while:

Cupertino CA, September 9th, 2025. Tim Cook is in the middle of the screen, he’s being spotted at somewhere in the Apple Park… Suddenly, he holds his hands together to say:

“I’m proud to be here to announce the thinnest iPhone we’ve ever made…. Our new iPhone is light, fine, elegant, and is foldable!… We all at Apple know that everybody will be delightful and you are going to love it !”

And that way is how Apple will change the paradigm of the slab phones around the world. Then foldables mobiles will become worldwide accepted and a new trend will take power. Meanwhile all the detractors that were against the idea of a foldable iPhone (at Macrumors) will accept from one moment to another the new concept unveiled by Tim, just to debate which color they will pick.

As you may imagine, that sole year Apple will sell more iPhones than any year before, and months later every other phone brands will be launching foldable phones too, which means that foldable phones market will increase from 2% to 40% in a year basis, being this just the first year of the foldable iPhone.

The rest will be history as always has been. Just remember StarTac - Nokia - Sony Ericsson - Razr - Blackberry - nowadays iPhone - and please get ready for the new foldable iPhone.

Obviously the iPhone as we know it, has to change or die (as the whole concept has changed in the last 30 years) there’s no option.

 

[BigBellyBelcher]

Kinda like not having to flip open my phone anymore but I guess apple wants me to be flipping open my phone again like the olden days.

 

[switz]

The foldable phone is deep in my cargo pants pocket and it rings. Now there is an extra step or two to get access before it stops ringing - orientating the phone so you can open it and then turn it to hit the accept button. Older folks may lack the dexterity to complete this extra step in timely fashion before it stops ringing.

Great! Another step backwards. At least the Apple Watch has not been selected for a retro idea YET.

I gave up on the Apple mouse when it was the hockey puck. Logitech has had an ergonomic mouse for many years and the current one has (drum roll) the charging port in the front. So one can charge and use it at the same time like the tethered mice of yesteryear. What a novel idea!

 

[MacPrince]

Foldable MacBook?

Like every MacBook that Apple has ever made?

 

[9081094]

Foldable MacBook?

Like every MacBook that Apple has ever made?

Maybe you can fold it as origami to personalize it. Is it a bird or a tree 🤭, no it’s the new MacBook origami.

 

[rubberfish]

using a mouse while it's charging is horrible with my Logitech. It's for that reason I charge my mouse when I'm not using it. It really is a non issue.

 

[Flight Plan]

using a mouse while it's charging is horrible with my Logitech. It's for that reason I charge my mouse when I'm not using it. It really is a non issue.

Yep, I can literally make dinner in the time it takes for my Apple Mouse to charge to full.

I'd like for the mouse to have its charging port on the edge closest to the computer screen, but that won't stop me from buying one with USB-C on the bottom.

 

[The Game 161]

So foldable iPhone in 2026 and foldable iPad/mac in 2028

 

[The Game 161]

Foldable MacBook?

Like every MacBook that Apple has ever made?

More like iPad with macOS option.

 

[usmaak]

Remember a couple of years ago when everyone was making fun of Samsung because of their foldable and saying that nobody needs a foldable phone? 😂

 

[dampfnudel]

People, just imagine this scene for a while:

Cupertino CA, September 9th, 2025. Tim Cook is in the middle of the screen, he’s being spotted at somewhere in the Apple Park… Suddenly, he holds his hands together to say:

“I’m proud to be here to announce the thinnest iPhone we’ve ever made…. Our new iPhone is light, fine, elegant, and is foldable!… We all at Apple know that everybody will be delightful and you are going to love it !”

And that way is how Apple will change the paradigm of the slab phones around the world. Then foldables mobiles will become worldwide accepted and a new trend will take power. Meanwhile all the detractors that were against the idea of a foldable iPhone (at Macrumors) will accept from one moment to another the new concept unveiled by Tim, just to debate which color they will pick.

As you may imagine, that sole year Apple will sell more iPhones than any year before, and months later every other phone brands will be launching foldable phones too, which means that foldable phones market will increase from 2% to 40% in a year basis, being this just the first year of the foldable iPhone.

The rest will be history as always has been. Just remember StarTac - Nokia - Sony Ericsson - Razr - Blackberry - nowadays iPhone - and please get ready for the new foldable iPhone.

Obviously the iPhone as we know it, has to change or die (as the whole concept has changed in the last 30 years) there’s no option.

Well, the rumored downgrades (less capable camera and less battery life) of the supposed iPhone 17 Air in exchange for a slightly thinner body doesn’t make much sense unless there’s more to it than that. However, a foldable iPhone coming next year would be a huge surprise and in my opinion highly unlikely to happen so soon.

 

[HotDuckZ]

Older Magic Mouse, when used for a long time, the sides will change color then I never buy Magic Mouse again. In fact, the part that your hand touches should be made of glass.

 

[davidhands]

Apple plans to release a foldable MacBook?
The sheer innovation!

 

[SactoGuy18]

I still think Apple could stay with the triangular sensor configuration because they figured out a way to incorporate the periscope telescope lens unit without needing a new rear sensor configuration.