I Analyzed Every Apple Leak for 2026 and Realized My iPhone 17 Is Already Obsolete.
Foldable iPhones, Face ID under displays, and M5 everything - but none of it fixes what's actually broken.
I just watched my tech news app and realized something insane: 2026 could change everything we know about Apple. Not in that boring “incremental update” way they’ve been doing lately, but like actually revolutionary stuff.
And honestly? After spending €1,300 on my iPhone 17 Pro, I’m both excited and pissed off that I might need to upgrade again.
Let me break down everything that leaked about Apple’s 2026 lineup, because some of this is genuinely wild.
iPads: Apple’s Finally Admitting the Pro Doesn’t Make Sense
Apple doesn’t update iPads frequently, which can be maddening when you’re stuck with aging hardware. But 2026 looks different. Almost the entire iPad lineup could get refreshed, except the iPad Pro, which already jumped to M5.
The iPad Air situation is confusing as hell. The M3 model, which is the latest, came out in March 2025. It’s barely a year old. Yet multiple reports claim Apple’s already prepping a successor with M4 for early 2026.
Why? Apple’s trying to blur the line between Air and Pro even more, which tells me something obvious: the iPad Pro is struggling to justify its existence. The hardware is phenomenal. We all know that, but the software? It’s still searching for a purpose. You’re paying Pro prices for features you’ll never actually use.
The base iPad has a distinct problem. The A16 chip can’t run Apple Intelligence, and Apple knows that’s unacceptable. So 2026 should bring a base iPad with the A18 chip from iPhone 16. Some code references suggest this could arrive sooner than expected, which makes sense if Apple wants every device in its ecosystem to support its AI features.
But here’s the iPad I actually care about: the Mini.
The current iPad Mini has the A17 Pro chip and came out in October 2024. For many years and update cycles, Apple hasn’t given much attention to this. The next real evolution shouldn’t be available until mid or late 2026 at the earliest, maybe even 2027.
The rumors are fascinating, though. First, there’s talk of switching to OLED for better battery life, display quality, and potentially lower manufacturing costs. The screen would grow slightly from 8.3 to 8.7 inches. Internal code leaks suggest either the A19 Pro in a best-case scenario or the A18 Pro performance-wise. That’s a massive performance jump for such a small device.
But there’s a darker question lurking here: what if Apple’s planning to kill the iPad Mini entirely? Some analysts think the foldable iPhone could eventually replace it. We’ll get to that nightmare scenario in a minute.
Macs: The M5 Invasion Nobody Asked For (But We’ll Buy Anyway)
Early 2026 will bring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. After the base M5 MacBook Pro launched late 2025, the Pro and Max versions should arrive by spring 2026. The usual incremental improvements include more cores, more memory spare capacity, and superior AI and GPU performance.
One interesting rumor mentions a more modular CPU/GPU architecture, letting Apple offer highly targeted configurations based on specific use cases. That could actually be useful instead of just marketing speak.
MacBook Airs will also get M5 in spring 2026. No redesign expected, just internal updates. There’s also talk of a new iMac with M5, and obviously, the Mac Studio would get the full M5 lineup. I’m genuinely excited about Mac Studio updates.
But the Mac Pro? Apple’s basically given up on it.
It’s still stuck with M2 chips, making it less robust than the Mac Studio. According to Mark Gurman, Apple has largely abandoned the Mac Pro because the Mac Studio serves most of the market just fine. So if you’ve been waiting for a Mac Pro update, you’re probably waiting forever.
iPhone 17: The Year Apple Gets Weird
Okay, this is where things get spicy.
First, the iPhone 17 SE is replacing the 16 SE as the entry model, expected in spring 2026. Surprisingly, there’s no iPhone 18 that would launch in 2027 instead.
But the two Pro models coming in September 2026? Those could be legitimately interesting.
First iPhones with Apple’s in-house modem. The C2 modem, since the C1 and C1X appeared in iPhone 16, and the rumored slim model. They’ll pack 12GB RAM to support on-device AI, and here’s the big one: a complete redesign.
Rumors say that Face ID is under the display with just a small punch-hole for the selfie camera. If true, this would be the principal aesthetic change since iPhone X. Yes, Android phones have been doing this since 2018–2019, but having Face ID under the screen? That’s genuinely impressive engineering, even if it’s late.
Variable aperture camera is finally coming to the iPhone. At least one rear sensor, probably the main one, would have a variable aperture. This lets you control how much light enters the lens: wide open at night to capture maximum light, slightly closed during the day to avoid being blown out in photos.
I actually used this tech years ago on the Galaxy S9. It was interesting, but Samsung eventually abandoned it. Today’s sensors are much larger, though, so maybe this technology will have a more significant impact now.
The A20 Pro chip will feature a new assembly method that physically brings components closer together for speed and efficiency gains. These performance improvements would primarily strengthen on-device AI capabilities. Even though current AI features aren’t amazing, you have to think about the future and processing directly on the device without cloud dependency.
The Foldable iPhone: Apple’s $2,500 Gamble
Here’s the big one everyone’s been waiting for: Apple’s finally doing a foldable iPhone in 2026.
The format they’ve chosen is critical. Apple’s going with a book-style foldable similar to Huawei’s Mate X. When closed, you’ll have a wide device that’s distinctly different from a regular smartphone, about 9mm thick. When opened, you get a 7.8-inch display close to iPad Mini size with only 4.5mm thickness.
For reference, that’s roughly as thin as the Honor Magic V3 or Galaxy Z Fold 6. That’s absurdly thin for a foldable device.
Four cameras total: wide and ultra-wide on the back, plus one sensor for the external screen and another for the internal screen. But Apple’s making a bold choice for biometrics: no Face ID. Touch ID returns, integrated into the power button. It’s a logical compromise for a device this thin and complex.
Where Apple’s really trying to differentiate is solving the biggest flaw of current foldables: the crease. To deliver a foldable iPhone without any visible crease, there would be an internal metal plate applying precise pressure to the most flexible zone, making the fold visually disappear or at least barely perceptible.
Battery-wise, Apple’s betting on very high capacity cells. We don’t know if it’s silicon-carbon technology yet, but if there’s ever a time for Apple to integrate it, it’s with this type of product.
And the price? It’s Apple, so brace yourself.
We’re looking at €2,000 minimum, possibly €2,500 or more. That will probably be produced in small volumes to create a scarcity effect, aimed at early adopters, definitely not for immediate mass market appeal.
I genuinely hope this shakes up consumer interest in foldable smartphones, like what happened with the Apple Watch. Apple’s entering a category late, but doing it right has historically pushed the entire industry forward.
The Stuff Apple Might Forget About
Apple Watch rumors are pretty thin. The Ultra 4 could integrate a fingerprint sensor, maybe on the lock button, and new health sensors without too many details.
AirPods Max have barely developed since launch. Apple could release a real second-generation model that’s lighter with better noise cancellation, an H3 chip, and improved adaptive audio. But analysts are leaning toward 2027 for that, not 2026. I’m listing it here in case we get surprised.
AirTags are apparently getting a second-generation version with actual improvements. It should finally provide a precise battery status instead of last-minute low battery warnings. Accurate location tracking would improve thanks to the likely integration of a new ultra-wideband chip. There’s also crowded location management, functionality specifically dedicated to refining tracking in saturated environments. Code also references a feature for spotting an object even when it’s moving, a scenario where AirTags are currently limited.
Smart Home: Apple’s Finally Taking It Seriously
Apple’s preparing a major smart home offensive starting March/April 2026. At the heart of this strategy, there’s a completely reimagined Siri based on a new language model.
Products benefiting from this would include a central smart hub, an intelligent iPad-style screen running Home OS, a HomePod with a screen (that could actually be interesting), a new HomePod Mini, and an Apple TV compatible with Apple Intelligence.
Whether all these products actually ship remains to be seen. Apple has a habit of canceling ambitious projects right before launch.
Why 2026 Terrifies Me More Than It Excites Me
Look, I won’t pretend this isn’t impressive. The foldable iPhone alone could be a genuinely significant change if Apple executes it properly. The M5 chips will be faster, the iPhone 18 Pro will have better cameras, and the iPads will be more powerful.
But here’s what bothers me: none of this solves the fundamental problem that Apple’s software has been stagnant for years. iPadOS still feels like a trapped operating system that could do so much more. Apple Intelligence is underwhelming at best. The App Store is a walled garden that’s becoming increasingly restrictive.
I spent €1,300 on my current iPhone, and it already feels outdated, looking at these leaks. That’s exactly what Apple wants. That isn’t about innovation anymore, it’s about making you feel like your perfectly functional device needs replacing.
2026 might be Apple’s biggest hardware year since iPhone X, but I’m skeptical that’s a good thing. We’re getting thinner devices, faster chips, and more features we won’t use. Meanwhile, the stuff that actually needs fixing, the software experience, the ecosystem lock-in, and the repairability — all stay broken.
So yeah, 2026 looks exciting on paper. But I’m keeping my wallet closed until I see if Apple’s actually solving problems or creating new ones to sell us solutions for.
Your thoughts in the comments are welcome, and subscribe to stay updated whenever I publish. Take care, stay skeptical of early renders, and I’ll share more updates as credible leaks and official news arrive.