This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary.Today: Siri’s AI upgrade timing, iPhone Fold updates, AirPods Pro 3 delays, and more.Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
Siri’s AI upgrades officially 2026, likely in iOS 26.4 In last week’s WWDC presentation, Apple addressed its delayed Siri AI upgrades directly—but didn’t share anything new.It used the same timing language that had been previously shared of a release “in the coming year.” This past week, though, Apple confirmed that means a 2026 release.And to get more specific, Mark Gurman reported that iOS 26.4 in the spring is the targeted launch date.
My takeaways Previous reporting from , alongside other signs of Siri optimism, had gotten my hopes up that Apple would have Siri’s big AI features ready before 2025 ends.Unfortunately, that’s clearly not the case.As Craig Federighi has detailed in multiple interviews now following WWDC, Apple decided it must implement a whole new Siri architecture before it can achieve the kind of high quality needed for the delayed AI upgrades.
That sounds like a tall task, but here’s hoping it proves worth the wait.iPhone Fold production update This week Ming-Chi Kuo provided an update on the latest developments with Apple’s upcoming ‘iPhone Fold.’ Per Kuo, Apple has finalized the display components for the new foldable.A 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer display are expected.
Early product assembly is expected to begin later this year.However, Kuo says that key specifications like the device’s hinge have yet to be finalized.My takeaways Apple for years has been rumored to be developing a foldable iPhone, but now it’s looking more likely than ever that a 2026 launch is truly in the cards.
Though things could always change in the next few months, finalizing display specifications is a good sign.Assuming Apple doesn’t hit roadblocks with the final hinge or other components, we may indeed get the first iPhone Fold next year.Another sign of AirPods Pro 3 delay AirPods Pro 3 have long been rumored to launch this fall.
The expected 2025 launch would continue Apple’s pattern from the previous models of leaving three years between updates, as AirPods Pro 2 arrived in 2022.However, analyst Jeff Pu this week reported that AirPods Pro 3 aren’t expected until 2026.This corroborates a previous Ming-Chi Kuo claim that we wouldn’t see major new AirPods hardware arrive this year.
My takeaways Rumors around AirPods Pro 3 timing have been especially challenging to make sense of.On one hand, there are abundant reasons why a launch this fall makes sense.And Mark Gurman last reported 2025 as the expected release date.
However, Gurman’s lack of an update any time recently, and the growing indications of a 2026 launch certainly make it seem like we might have to wait longer than expected for AirPods Pro 3.Hints of new Apple TV 4K with built-in camera Apple’s recent software debuts have offered plenty of hints about future products.But one I wrote about last week involves tvOS 26 and a new Apple TV 4K.
Mark Gurman has reported that new Apple TV 4K hardware is coming later this year, and he previously even mentioned a built-in camera as a possibility.tvOS 26 seems to offer fresh support for the idea of a new Apple TV 4K packing a camera, as several new features—especially FaceTime improvements—seem designed for such an upgrade.My takeaways On several past occasions, WWDC’s software has hinted at new hardware that would arrive later that year.
I believe tvOS 26 is doing the same.It’s always possible Apple might prioritize tvOS 26’s new FaceTime and profile features even without a camera-equipped Apple TV 4K on the way.But with its limited tvOS engineering resources, I’m skeptical.
Adding a camera to the Apple TV 4K makes a ton of sense, and could even be a key part of visual intelligence’s future expansion.What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessories AirPods Pro 2 (now only $169, down from $249) MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone HomeKit smart plug 4-pack 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.
Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
