This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary.Today: updates on the M5 and M6 iPad Pro models, an Apple Health+ service, iPhone Fold, and more.Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
M5 iPad Pro coming this fall (and M6 timing too) Mark Gurman reported this weekend on not one, but two upcoming iPad Pro models.The M5 iPad Pro, as Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said, looks set to launch this fall as “one of the first devices” with M5.It’s reportedly in advanced testing, with production on track for later this year.
Additionally, Gurman says that an M6 iPad Pro update is being targeted for 2027 and would feature an in-house cellular modem—likely the C2.My takeaways Despite Kuo’s prior reporting on a likely 2025 debut for the M5 iPad Pro, Gurman was always less committal in the past.It’s good to see that change now.
However, I am a little surprised we won’t get a C-class modem in the high-end iPad until 2027 at the soonest.It could have been a nice addition to the M5 model that otherwise seems like it could be a spec bump release.Perhaps Apple is keeping its new cellular modems iPhone-only until the C2 is ready to launch.
New ‘Health+’ service in active development Gurman has reported previously on an AI-powered health/coaching service Apple has in the works.Now, he’s back with a big update.Originally thought to be a standalone app, Gurman now says the code-named ‘Project Mullberry’ will be integrated with the Health app, likely as a new ‘Health+’ service.
The service will specialize in food tracking, but also offer tailored recommendations to users on how to improve their health overall.Health+ is expected to debut next spring as part of iOS 19.4, but there’s a chance we could get an advance look either at WWDC in June or this fall when new Apple Watch models debut.My takeaways Despite Apple steadily growing its services revenue over the years, I’ve long been waiting for the company to debut a new service that could be bundled into Apple One.
Health+ sounds like it will be it.Confidence in Apple’s AI prowess is especially low right now, so the ‘AI’ angle of Health+ doesn’t sound very compelling.But generally speaking, the idea of making the Health app not just informative, but also assistive at making key life changes sounds like a fantastic upgrade.
I’m all for it.iPhone 17 Pro telephoto zoom change Many prior rumors have indicated the iPhone 17 Pro line is getting an upgraded 48MP telephoto lens.But this week, Majin Bu indicated this will come with a curious change to zoom options.
Currently, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max offer a 5x optical zoom, but Bu says with the new lens Apple will scale that back to 3.5x instead.Even though the zoom will be reduced, the image quality should improve.My takeaways For as long as the 5x optical zoom has existed, I’ve largely heard users praise it.
Occasionally some will say that 5x is too much, but for the most part I think it’s been a hit.As a result, I’m not sure I buy the idea that Apple plans to scale back the iPhone’s zoom standard.There could very well be a new 3.5x option, but I expect the iPhone 17 Pro line will at minimum offer a 5x option still that looks just as good as before—if not better.
iPhone Fold giving iPad vibes Leaker Digital Chat Station this week shared details on next year’s iPhone Fold display.They mentioned that the device’s inner display would have a very iPad-like aspect ratio—“almost 4:3”—so as to offer strong consistency between the foldable and an iPad.My takeaways As I’ve written elsewhere, the iPhone Fold being optimized to replicate an iPad mini-like experience is the exact right move in my mind.
I’m especially curious if such a design means we’ll see more iPadOS-style features come to iOS in the year ahead—perhaps with iOS 20.For example, proper Split View and Slide Over multitasking would be especially valuable on the large iPhone Fold display.What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.
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