Apple rumors are starting to pick up now that we’re a few weeks into 2026, and this week saw some potential clarity around conflicting iPhone 18 Pro rumors, plus some new word on Apple’s plans for Siri.
This week also saw a report that Apple is working on some sort of AI pin while also making progress toward a major MacBook Pro revamp, so read on below for all the details!
iPhone 18 Pro Design: Dynamic Island Shrinks, Not Disappears
The next iPhone Pro may ditch the top-left camera cutout, but the Dynamic Island isn’t going anywhere—it’s just getting smaller.
- Recent leaks initially suggested a hole-punch camera, but that appears to be a mistranslation.
- The iPhone 18 Pro will likely retain the Dynamic Island, albeit in a reduced size.
- Display analyst Ross Young corroborates reports of a roughly 35% narrower Dynamic Island.
For months, the rumor mill has churned out conflicting reports about the front-panel design of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. Some supply chain whispers pointed to under-display Face ID, while others suggested a top-left hole-punch camera. Now, it seems the Dynamic Island—that pill-shaped cutout housing the front camera and sensors—isn’t going away after all. According to leaker Instant Digital, early reports from Chinese and Korean sources about a possible relocation of an infrared Face ID component were misinterpreted, leading to inaccurate claims of a hole-punch camera.
Instead, the Dynamic Island will remain on the iPhone 18 Pro, but will be roughly 35% narrower. This smaller interpretation has also been confirmed by respected display analyst Ross Young, adding further credibility to the claim.
MacBook Pro Gets Closer to OLED Upgrade
Apple’s push toward OLED displays continues, with Samsung now producing panels for a revamped MacBook Pro.
Rumors have been circulating about a MacBook Pro refresh featuring OLED displays slated for late 2026 or early 2027. This month, reports indicate that Samsung’s production line dedicated to manufacturing displays for the new laptop has begun operations. This marks a significant step forward in bringing OLED technology to Apple’s professional laptop line.
The MacBook Pro is just one of five Apple products expected to gain OLED displays in the coming years, as the company continues to embrace the advanced display technology. Before the OLED MacBook Pro arrives, an update to the current model with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips is expected, with shipping delays suggesting a launch is imminent.
Siri is Getting a Major AI Upgrade
What kind of chatbot is Apple building to replace Siri? Apple is developing a chatbot for Siri that will compete with the likes of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
Apple plans to transform Siri into a chatbot capable of rivaling leading AI models like Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to a recent report. Initially hesitant to enter the chatbot arena, Apple executives reconsidered due to the growing popularity of these AI-powered assistants.
Codenamed Campos, the new Siri chatbot will be integrated into iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, replacing the current Siri. It will offer natural language conversation capabilities similar to ChatGPT and will be accessible via the “Siri” wake word or by holding the side button on iPhones and iPads. The chatbot version of Siri, arriving in iOS 27 later this year, will follow an initial upgrade to a more personalized version of the current Siri expected with iOS 26.4.
Apple’s Affordable iPhone: The 17e is Coming
The iPhone 17e, Apple’s more budget-friendly option, is expected to launch soon with potential improvements over its predecessor.
Apple is preparing to introduce the iPhone 17e, a follow-up to the iPhone 16e released in February 2025. Rumors suggest the new model will include welcome enhancements. More details on the expected features of the iPhone 17e are available here.
Apple Develops AirTag-Sized AI Wearable
Apple is reportedly working on a compact, wearable AI pin with dual cameras, speaker, and microphones.
According to a report from The Information, Apple is developing an AI pin roughly the size of an AirTag. The device, featuring a thin, flat, circular disc shape with an aluminum and glass shell, is equipped with two cameras—a standard lens and a wide-angle lens—for capturing photos and videos. Three microphones are designed for sound pickup, and a built-in speaker will play audio. A physical control button is located along one edge, and the pin will support wireless charging.
iPhone 18 Display: Brighter Than Ever
Apple’s iPhone 18 is expected to boast a significantly brighter display, according to a Chinese leaker.
A Weibo post from leaker Instant Digital claims that Chinese supplier BOE is facing challenges in producing panels for the iPhone 18 due to Apple’s unprecedented brightness requirements. This suggests a substantial leap in display brightness for the next-generation iPhone. While the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to launch in September, the standard iPhone 18 is expected to arrive in early 2027.
