Rumor Replay: iPhone Fold, AirPods Pro 3 features, and more – 9to5Mac

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: iPhone Fold rumors, iPhone 17 Pro thermals and case curiosity, AirPods Pro 3 features, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

iPhone Fold could boast all-screen display, Apple raises expectations

This week brought a trio of updates for next fall’s highly anticipated iPhone Fold.

Ming-Chi Kuo addressed speculation that the device would feature under-display Face ID support. He believes that’s entirely false, reiterating his prior claim that Touch ID would be integrated with the side button.

A very interesting report from JPMorgan mentioned a different kind of under-display technology, however. Per an analyst note seen by 9to5Mac, the iPhone Fold is expected to have an under-display front camera. This change, combined with the lack of Face ID, might give Apple’s foldable an all-screen, cutout-free design.

Lastly, Apple has reportedly raised shipment estimates for the iPhone Fold with key suppliers. It’s now forecasting 8-10 million units next year, up from prior 6-8 million estimates, and 2027 numbers are now 20-25 million, basically double the previous 10-15 million units projected.

My takeaways

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is shaping up to be perhaps the most exciting model since the iPhone X.

While Touch ID might feel like a setback after years with Face ID, I imagine it won’t take long to adjust to the change. And it makes sense that Apple wouldn’t want to dedicate so much internal space of an ultra-thin device to including not just one, but two Face ID systems.

The prospect of a truly all-screen iPhone, free from cutouts, is very exciting. So too is the report of Apple raising shipment targets substantially. Now that the first foldable iPhone looks like it’s truly happening, my anticipation is growing fast.

iPhone 17 Pro thermals and Apple’s not-so-clear case

According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will include thermal upgrades and battery efficiency and capacity improvements.

These changes should result in better sustained display brightness in outdoor use, improved performance for demanding games, more responsive camera features, and the best iPhone battery life yet.

Also for the iPhone 17 Pro, leaked mockups arrived for Apple’s new “clear” case—and it’s not nearly as see-through as usual. Practically the entire back of the case features a new white overlay.

My takeaways

Instant Digital’s post seems largely to reiterate what we’ve previously heard about the iPhone 17 Pro offering improved thermal management. In fact, some rumors have said the whole iPhone 17 lineup will make gains in that area. But I could see the upgrade proving especially useful to Pro models, particularly if the rumor of a new anti-reflective display technology ends up being true.

I’m not sure what to think of Apple’s new clear case other than saying that the company must have a good reason for the change. Perhaps something to do with MagSafe or reverse wireless charging is behind the update.

New AirPods Pro 3 feature rumors

An anonymous tipster informed 9to5Mac this week about several AirPods Pro 3-related features.

The source says that AirPods Pro 3’s expected heart rate monitoring feature will be joined by a second health-related capability: temperature sensing.

Additionally, AirPods’ rumored Live Translation feature will reportedly not be ready at launch, but instead will arrive in a future software update—likely iOS 26.1.

My takeaways

Mark Gurman reported last year that heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing were both in development for future AirPods Pro. He was unclear whether the features would end up shipping with Apple’s next model. Though it’s always best to be highly skeptical of anonymous tipsters, this latest report may yet prove right.

Live Translation being pushed into iOS 26.1 makes a lot of sense. This would follow the pattern Apple followed last year of announcing a new AirPods feature at its iPhone event, then shipping about a month later. No doubt the new Live Translation capability would benefit from additional testing in a beta release before launch, which is exactly what I suspect we’ll see.

Vision Air weight and price expectations

Apple is about to launch a new Vision Pro, but major hardware changes aren’t coming until 2027’s new ‘Vision Air’ product.

This week, Ming-Chi Kuo shared that the Vision Air is expected to be “over 40% lighter and more than 50% cheaper” than Vision Pro.

My takeaways

I remain hopeful that Apple’s rumored new Vision Pro strap could help alleviate some of the weight issues of the Pro model. But there’s no doubt in my mind that any true mainstream success for the Vision line will have to wait until Vision Air launches.

Both the reduced weight and price point should help make the device more accessible, and by then hopefully an upgraded Siri will make hands-free computing a far better experience too.

What are your takeaways from this week’s rumors on iPhone Fold, AirPods Pro 3, and more? Let us know in the comments.

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