Apple appears to be on the cusp of launching its first major products of the new year, namely, the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro devices, as two tantalizing signs beef up our confidence in this upbeat projection. Sign #1: The macOS 26.3 RC update and the connection to the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro devices Apple has just launched the 26.3 release candidate (RC) build for Xcode, allowing users to leverage OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's Claude Agent natively for coding-related tasks. So, why is this development a harbinger of sorts? Well, this suggests that the rest […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-might-be-days-or-even-hours-away-from-launching-the-m5-pro-and-m5-max-macbook-pro-devices-as-two-tantalizing-signs-lead-the-way/

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still some distance away, but new leaks suggest battery life could be one of its main selling points. According to a new leak, Apple may be planning its largest battery ever for the foldable model.

Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital claims Apple’s foldable iPhone could ship with a battery exceeding 5,500mAh, which would already put it ahead of every iPhone currently on the market. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max tops out at 5,088mAh, making this a meaningful jump rather than a minor increase.

This isn’t the first time similar numbers have surfaced. Earlier leaks from yeux1122 suggested Apple was testing battery capacities in the 5,400–5,800mAh range, alongside efforts to slim down internal components and improve power efficiency. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also pointed to Apple using higher-density battery cells, likely to balance size, weight, and longevity.

If the numbers are accurate, Apple’s foldable would be competitive even by foldable standards. Recent devices like the Huawei Mate X7, Oppo Find N5, and Honor Magic V series all sit in roughly the same battery range, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup continues to lag behind in capacity.

iPhone Fold: 5,500mAh (rumored)
Huawei Mate X7: 5,600 mAh (or 5,525 mAh in some variants)
Honor Magic V5: 5,820 mAh (international) or 6,100 mAh (China model)
Xiaomi Mix Fold 4: 5,100 mAh
Oppo Find N5: 5,600 mAh
Vivo X Fold5: 6,000 mAh

While the leak focuses on battery capacity rather than real-world battery life, Apple’s track record suggests the numbers could translate well in practice. iPhones often deliver longer endurance than Android devices with significantly larger batteries, largely due to Apple’s tight hardware-software integration. If Apple’s foldable launches with a battery similar in size to Chinese rivals — and notably larger than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup — it could realistically offer stronger battery life than many competing foldables.

The foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer screen, Touch ID integrated into the side button, a dual-camera setup, and Apple’s upcoming A20 chip with a custom modem. A launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in 2026 is currently expected.

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Apple’s future iPhone 18 models may not use the most powerful version of next-generation 2-nanometer chip technology, according to recent reports. Instead, Apple is expected to rely on a more basic and stable version of TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process for its upcoming iPhone processor.

Apple designs its own chips, but they are made by TSMC, the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer. TSMC is preparing several versions of its new 2nm technology. The first version, N2, focuses on efficiency and reliable production. A later version, N2P, is designed for higher performance but costs more and is harder to produce.

For the iPhone 18, Apple is expected to use the N2 process, not the faster N2P version. The speed difference between the two is small, around 5 percent. Most users will not notice this difference in daily use.

The reason for this choice is timing. The faster N2P process will be ready later, and Apple needs its chips ready on time for iPhone launches. Using N2 helps Apple avoid delays.

Cost is another reason. The high-performance N2P process is more expensive, and Apple often prefers balanced performance, long battery life, and stability over small speed gains.

Even without the high-performance 2nm technology, the iPhone 18 is expected to be fast, power-efficient, and reliable. For everyday users, the phone should feel smooth and responsive. Stay tuned for more information.

The post iPhone 18 SoC may miss high performance 2nm technology appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Xcode 26.3 offers agentic coding capabilities with Anthropic's Claude Agent and OpenAI's Codex.

Apple might have adopted a Google Gemini crutch to compensate for its own AI-related shortcomings, but that has not stopped the researchers at the Cupertino giant from trying to explore novel ways to make Siri noticeably better. Now, a new research paper from Apple researchers aims to unlock faster, more natural-sounding responses from Siri. Apple researchers figure out a viable path to elicit faster responses from Siri AI models typically generate speech based on tokens or short snippets of phonetic sounds, often spanning just milliseconds. The model then selects which phonetic sound (speech token) to use in its responses by […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-researchers-figure-out-a-way-to-unlock-faster-more-natural-sounding-conversations-with-siri/

The historic Q1 2026 earnings, where Apple registered a whopping $143.756 billion in revenue, were thanks to iPhone sales, which accounted for more than 50 percent of the aforementioned figure. With this massive growth, the company has extended its hold in the U.S. smartphone market for Q4 2025, with the iPhone 17 launch ensuring that no other competitor, including Samsung, can generate momentum to derail Apple’s success in the region. U.S. smartphone market saw sales increase 1% year-over-year, with Apple’s share percentage increasing to an unrivaled 69% Part of why Apple has dominated this region, according to Counterpoint Research, is […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-us-smartphone-market-share-q4-2025-company-is-unbeatable/

PGYTECH is taking a slightly unusual approach to mobile photography with its new RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit, a Kickstarter project that turns recent iPhones into something that feels closer to a compact mirrorless camera than a phone with accessories bolted on.

The idea isn’t entirely new. Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo have already experimented with external camera modules and add-on optics, but RetroVa is one of the first attempts to bring that concept properly to iPhones.

The kit is designed for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, with hints that future models could also be supported. It’s clearly aimed at users who are happy with their phone but frustrated by the limits of smartphone zoom.

There are two main versions of the kit. The entry-level option is a grip and case combo that adds a proper camera-style handle to the iPhone. It includes a two-stage shutter button, a zoom rocker, a control dial, and extra buttons that can be mapped to settings like ISO or exposure. The goal here isn’t just convenience, it’s to make shooting feel more deliberate and controlled, closer to using a dedicated camera.

The more expensive bundle adds a screw-on 2.35x telephoto extender. When paired with the iPhone 17 Pro’s 4x telephoto camera, this pushes the effective focal length to around 235mm equivalent, or 10x optical zoom. On the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x lens, it goes up to 12x. The promise is cleaner results than digital zoom can offer, especially for wildlife, sports, or events.

One of the more interesting touches is the built-in microSD card slot for creators, which reportedly allows direct recording of ProRes video. There’s also a companion app with manual controls and a retro-inspired interface, though the grip itself has only a small battery meant to power its controls.

The Kickstarter campaign launched in late January 2026 and has already passed its funding goal comfortably. Shipping is planned for March and April, depending on the kit.

It’s still a crowdfunded product, so there’s the usual risk involved. But for iPhone users who want better zoom and more hands-on control — without buying a new phone or a separate camera — RetroVa is an interesting experiment.

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Apple is widely believed to have adopted TSMC's SoIC packaging for its upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, bringing with it an unprecedented level of silicon-related flexibility and granularity. Now, Apple's new Mac configurator is giving tantalizing confirmatory signals as to this eventuality. The new Apple Mac configurator brings flexibility and granularity to the front We noted recently that, as per leaked anecdotes, Apple appears to be opting for TSMC's SoIC-MH packaging technology for its upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. For the benefit of those who might not be aware, the SoIC is a 3D packaging solution that […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apples-new-packaging-tech-for-m5-pro-and-m5-max-chips-hinted-within-the-revamped-mac-configurator/

The M6 chipset for the redesigned OLED MacBook Pro has been reported to arrive sooner than expected, suggesting that Apple may not treat it to TSMC’s best manufacturing process yet, the 2nm N2P node. Instead, a new report states that the company will stick with the N2 variant that’s expected to be utilized for the A20 and A20 Pro, with the technological gap likely being filled with Apple’s vast knowledge of chipset design. There are small differences between TSMC’s N2 and N2P nodes, and it is possible that the M6 will not transition to the newer process to save on wafer […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-m6-to-stay-on-tsmc-2nm-n2-process/

Apple is working on its first foldable phone, and it could launch later this year. Fans are already aware of some of its specs, but a new leak makes a hefty claim for the Apple iPhone Fold, which even Samsung fans didn’t expect.

Weibo leaker FixedFocusDigital (via MacRumors) revealed that the Apple iPhone Fold could be equipped with a 5500mAh battery; if true, it’s going to be a massive headache for Samsung as it prepares its next foldable phone.

Apple last year introduced its iPhone 17 Pro Max with a 5088mAh battery. It’s the largest capacity available yet on iPhone. Meanwhile, the first foldable product would bring a massive leap when it comes to battery capacity.

For years, Samsung stayed in a safe haven in terms of battery size. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs a 4400mAh battery, the same as its predecessors. The next model is rumored to bring a battery capacity of up to 5000mAh.

With Apple’s foldable apparently bringing a 5500mAh battery, it would surpass the Galaxy Z Fold model. iPhone could have double advantages, pushing its power efficiency to a significant level for user convenience.

If the leak is accurate, Galaxy Z Fold 8 is already in massive trouble. Samsung already faces competition in battery life. Larger battery and an in-house chip/modem would further help the iPhone Fold last longer than its rivals.

Under the hood, the device is expected to be powered by Apple’s A20 chip paired with a C2 modem. Other rumored specifications include a 5.5-inch cover screen, a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display, TouchID, and a dual rear camera setup.

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Samsung might launch a square Flip phone influenced by an Apple idea. The new design may be adopted in the future, and Samsung could beat Apple.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is exploring a square Flip phone concept, which could eventually force Samsung to bring such a product. It’s the same playbook as the first foldable iPhone and Samsung’s rumored Wide Fold.

The upcoming iPhone Fold offers a tablet-like experience on a large canvas. Meanwhile, the clamshell would be just different. It could be positioned as main iPhone models as it would unlock a similar size and shape unfolded.

Apple could launch its first iPhone Fold this year with a wide design. To counter, Samsung is keeping the legacy Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models in its pipeline, but is also working on another model with Apple-like aesthetics.

Similarly, Apple’s square Flip phone idea would influence Samsung. The Galaxy maker would also consider bringing such a product before Apple. If you love clamshell foldable phones, it’s worth knowing the news for you.

Samsung’s proportion of selling Flip phones always remained higher than the Fold models. 2025 wasn’t the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 surpassed its Flip counterpart in terms of sales, thanks to its slim and lightweight profile.

Well, Samsung is working on some serious upgrades for its next Flip phone and bringing it back to the momentum. Increased sales of the Fold model should not come at the cost of reduced sales of Flip, and that’s the point.

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The iPhone Fold could introduce a new clamshell form factor from Apple, as the company is said to expand its product portfolio in this category and take on its biggest rival, Samsung, in the process. The device in question is the iPhone Flip, and though this isn’t its official name, the technology giant is exploring a release in the near future. However, its materialization strongly depends on how successful its first foldable flagship is when it arrives later this year alongside the top-end iPhone 18 models. The iPhone Flip will deliver significantly less utility than the iPhone Fold, but the latter’s launch can […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-exploring-iphone-flip-with-a-clamshell-design/

Apple has uncharacteristically delayed the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Its predecessor — M4 Pro and M4 Max — launched in November 2024, which means Apple is already past its typical window for announcing the successors. Now, a new rumor suggests the M5 Pro and M5 Max could finally arrive in March.

According to Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital, Apple could finally unveil the M5 Pro and M5 Max about a month from now. The rumor doesn’t offer a clear explanation for why these chips are running late, especially when chatter suggests the M6 lineup could arrive earlier than previously expected. 

One likely reason, however, could be supply-side limitations. TSMC, Apple’s chip manufacturing partner, has reportedly been dealing with constraints that may have slowed down production.

Apple M5 Pro and Max will use TSMC’s advanced SoIC packaging 

There are also signs that Apple’s SoIC (System-on-a-Chip) packaging may have encountered production challenges. That said, the same leak claims the M5 Pro and M5 Max could end up being slightly cheaper to manufacture, though not by a dramatic margin. 

Any cost reduction would still matter, especially as the industry continues to deal with ongoing DRAM supply pressures.

SoIC could also help Apple address thermal concerns. Previous reports suggest that the standard M5 chip can reach temperatures as high as 99 degrees Celsius under sustained load. Improved packaging might help manage heat more effectively in the Pro and Max variants.

More interestingly, SoIC may allow Apple to separate CPU and GPU blocks on the die. This could open the door to more flexible configurations tailored to different workloads, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

As always, it’s worth treating this information cautiously. Apple has a habit of adjusting plans without warning. Still, if the M5 Pro and M5 Max do arrive in March, they’ll likely debut alongside new hardware — possibly refreshed MacBooks or even an M5 Max-powered Mac Studio.

For now, all that’s left is to wait.

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There is no concrete launch information surrounding the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models other than an announcement happening in the first half of 2026. Even now, a new report doesn’t mention which month customers should prepare their wallets, but a useful tidbit added is that new chipsets and portable Macs are expected to launch alongside Apple’s latest software update, macOS 26.3. Based on an earlier rumor, macOS 26.3 could launch in March, as that’s the month when Apple could officially unveil its new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models Despite Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras commenting […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/m5-pro-and-m5-max-macbook-pro-models-to-launch-alongside-macos-26-3/

Intel has attracted quite a bit of chatter over the past few weeks amid tantalizing prospects of Apple returning to the chipmaker's embrace for some M-series processors and non-Pro iPhone chips. However, a new perspective from industry insiders has largely precluded the possibility of Apple iPhone chips leveraging Intel's bleeding-edge nodes. Chips made on Intel's advanced nodes will sport a degraded heat dissipation ability, precluding Apple's iPhone chips from leveraging the said nodes In recent weeks, both GF Securities and DigiTimes have disclosed that Apple might opt for Intel's 18A-P process for its lowest-end M-series chips that are expected to […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/there-is-zero-chance-that-apple-iphone-chips-will-leverage-intels-advanced-nodes-claim-industry-insiders/

Apple has never been in favor of adding exceptionally large batteries to its iPhones, but the wave of competitors shipping their devices with silicon-carbon cells likely forced the company’s hand to incorporate a 5,088mAh unit in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The same approach is expected to be applied to the iPhone Fold, with a tipster claiming that the latter will ship with a 5,500+mAh battery, making it the largest that Apple has ever added to its smartphone family. The iPhone Fold has been reported to resemble two iPhone Air units placed next to each other, with the design approach […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-fold-battery-capacity-the-largest-ever-that-apple-has-used/

Caviar has introduced a new line of custom iPhone 17 Pro Max models under its Black Edition collection. The launch comes in response to Apple’s decision to remove the classic black color option from the iPhone 17 Pro series. While Apple focused on new shades like Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue, Caviar chose to reintroduce black with a luxury approach aimed at collectors and enthusiasts.

Design and Model Breakdown

The Black Edition includes four distinct models: Black is Back, Shadow, Spark, and Obsidian Black Edition. All four feature a matte black chassis constructed from aerospace-grade titanium. Each model also includes a crocodile leather panel on the lower portion of the phone. Caviar used anodizing and PVD coating to create a deep black finish that matches Apple’s previous Black Titanium aesthetic in both appearance and durability.

The Black is Back model features a simple black titanium frame and crocodile leather finish. It focuses on a clean, understated look for those who want a modern version of the classic black iPhone design.

The Shadow edition adds a more refined touch. It uses the same titanium and leather combination but keeps everything monochrome, including the decorative screws. The result is a minimalist look with subtle texture and contrast.

The Spark variant introduces decorative accents in 24K gold. Caviar used gold-plated screws and inserts to contrast against the black frame. This model targets buyers who prefer a bold and expressive aesthetic while retaining the black base.

The Obsidian Black Edition sits at the top of the lineup. It features the same materials and coatings as the other models but uses a richer black tone throughout the body. Caviar describes it as a design that reflects strength and luxury.

Availability and Pricing

Caviar limited the production of the Black is Back, Shadow, and Spark models to just 19 units each. The Obsidian Black Edition is available in 99 units. All models are built on the iPhone 17 Pro Max and include luxury-grade packaging along with a collector’s coin and a gold-plated Caviar key.

Pricing for the Black Edition lineup starts at $9,130 for the Black is Back model, with the Spark version starting at $9,840. The Shadow and Obsidian Black Edition variants both start at $10,410. Reservations for all four models opened on January 28 via Caviar’s official website.

In related news, Caviar has recently unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first luxury humanoid robot, finished in gold.

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In what is nothing short of a huge shocker, SpaceX has just filed a new request with the FCC, asking for authorization to launch and operate up to 1 million new satellites to power AI-geared computing, constituting the first tangible step towards a "Kardashev II-level civilization." SpaceX: "Launching a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers is a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization" SpaceX filed a new request with the FCC late on Friday, asking for the authorization to launch and operate a "constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers." The filing […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/spacex-takes-first-step-towards-a-type-ii-civilization-on-the-kardashev-scale-with-plans-to-launch-1-million-new-satellites/

The month of January is at its end, and those eagerly waiting for the M5 Pro and M5 Max launches have so far been disappointed that Apple hasn’t announced any high-end chipset for the latest generation. Even though a previous report mentioned that we should expect the new SoCs in the first half of 2026, the latest rumor claims that we won’t have to wait too long, as the M5 Pro and M5 Max could arrive in the month of March. Additionally, Apple is said to switch the packaging of its new silicon to Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SoIC), which, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/m5-pro-and-m5-max-launch-rumored-to-happen-in-march-new-packaging-to-reduce-costs/

Apple's AI-related talent bleed continues unabated, judging from the most recent spate of hard-hitting departures. Mark Gurman: Apple has lost a key Siri exec and 4 AI researchers in recent weeks In a new report out today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has disclosed that Apple has lost Stuart Bowers to Google's DeepMind. Bowers was one of the most senior Apple executives working on Siri, and reported directly to Siri head Mike Rockwell. Additionally, Apple has lost four AI researchers: Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang, and Zirui Wang. This comes as Apple lost four key executives back in December 2025 as […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-loses-a-senior-exec-working-on-siri-and-4-ai-researchers-as-talent-bleed-resumes/

Growth in regions like China and India are credited with pushing Apple's phone sales higher than ever.