Top Stories: iPhone 17 Designs, Foldable iPad or MacBook, and More

2024 is rapidly drawing to a close, but the Apple news and rumor mill remains busy. On the software side, users are still exploring the new features in iOS 18.2 such as expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, while Apple is moving ahead with beta testing of iOS 18.3 and related updates.

top stories 21dec2024
On the hardware side, we're hearing lots of rumors about what's coming in 2025 and beyond, including a new design for the iPhone 17 Pro, an all-new "iPhone 17 Air," a second-generation AirTag, a redesigned Magic Mouse, and even a foldable iPad or MacBook, so read on below for all the details!

'iPhone 17 Air' With 'Major' Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report

We've been hearing quite a few rumors about a super-thin "iPhone 17 Air" coming next year and a potential foldable iPad or MacBook for further down the road, and The Wall Street Journal this week published a new report outlining information from its own sources on both devices.

iPhone 17 Slim Feature
The report comes as analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants shared their expected roadmap for new Apple products based on OLED displays, including an OLED iPad mini in 2026 plus OLED iPad Air models and an 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro in 2027.

iOS 18.2: Everything You Can Do With ChatGPT Integration

Following last week's release of iOS 18.2 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, we've shared some how-tos and guides taking deeper looks at what's new.

iOS 18
ChatGPT integration is one of the big new features, so be sure to check out our overview of everything you can do with it. Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models is another one, while the custom emoji characters known as Genmoji open up new possibilities for expression, although they come with some limitations.

Other iOS 18.2 additions worth checking out include the new Mail Categories feature and the ability to bring back the volume slider on the Lock Screen.

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3

With iOS 18.2 out the door, Apple has turned its attention to the next set of operating system updates likely scheduled for a late January release to the general public. Ahead of that release, Apple this week provided the first developer and public betas of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS 15.3, and more.

Generic iOS 18
The updates appear to be relatively light on new features so far, although macOS Sequoia 15.3 brings Genmoji to the Mac while tvOS 18.3 is preparing to support robot vacuums in the Home app.

Apple 'Working' on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited 'Fix'

Apple's Magic Mouse has been the butt of jokes for years over the location of its charging port, which prevents the mouse from being used while it's charging.

Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard
That issue wasn't fixed with the recent update to shift the Magic Mouse and other Mac accessories from Lightning ports to USB-C, but it appears Apple is indeed going to remedy it at some point. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple is working on a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse to address some of the "longstanding complaints" about it, but don't expect the new mouse to debut before 2026.

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

Rumors have been pointing to a second-generation AirTag arriving some time in 2025, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week provided a few new details about what we can expect with the update.

AirTag 2 Mock Feature
The biggest improvement will reportedly be improved Ultra Wideband capabilities that will deliver triple the range of the current AirTag, making it much easier to track down items with associated AirTags.

Meanwhile, for owners of current AirTags who want to get much more battery life out of them, Elevation Lab has a new TimeCapsule enclosure that will power your AirTag for up to ten years from a pair of AA batteries.

iPhone 17 Pro Rumored to Stick With 'Triangular' Camera Design

There's been a confusing mess of rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro design, including the use of multiple materials on the rear housing and a redesigned camera bump, with some sources claiming the new bump will be "rectangular," leading to suggestions that the three camera lenses could be arranged in a horizontal layout.

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1
A new rumor claims, however, that the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to feature a triangular layout for the lenses, although the overall appearance of the back of the device will indeed change.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iphone 17 dummies sonny dickson

iPhone 17 Air Almost as Thin as Its Buttons, New Images Show

Thursday April 24, 2025 2:14 am PDT by
If you missed the video showing dummy models of Apple's all-new super thin iPhone 17 Air that's expected later this year, Sonny Dickson this morning shared some further images of the device in close alignment with the other dummy models in the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating just how thin it is likely to be in comparison. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be around 5.5mm thick – with a thicker ...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iphone 17 air dummy unbox therapy

iPhone 17 Air's Extreme Thinness Demoed in New Video

Tuesday April 22, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an all-new super thin iPhone this year, debuting it alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We've seen pictures of dummy models, cases, and renders with the design, but Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy today showed off newer dummy models that give us a better idea of just how thin the "iPhone 17 Air" will be. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ...
Global Close Your Rings Day Pin

Apple Stores Giving Away a Limited-Edition Pin For Free Today

Thursday April 24, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Starting today, April 24, Apple Stores around the world are giving away a special pin for free to customers who request one, while supplies last. Photo Credit: Filip Chudzinski The enamel pin's design is inspired by the Global Close Your Rings Day award in the Activity app, which Apple Watch users can receive by closing all three Activity rings today. The limited-edition pin is the physical...
Apple Logo Spotlight Blue

White House Hits Back at Apple's Massive EU Fine

Thursday April 24, 2025 5:57 am PDT by
Apple's $570 million fine from the EU has triggered a sharp rebuke from the White House, which called the fine a form of economic extortion, Reuters reports. The fine was announced on Wednesday by the European Commission, following a formal investigation into Apple's compliance with the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at curbing the market dominance of ...
ipad air magic keyboard feature

iPadOS 19 Rumored to Show Mac-Like Menu Bar When Connected to Magic Keyboard

Thursday April 24, 2025 12:09 pm PDT by
When an iPad running iPadOS 19 is connected to a Magic Keyboard, a macOS-like menu bar will appear on the screen, according to the leaker Majin Bu. This change would further blur the lines between the iPad and the Mac. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously claimed that iPadOS 19 will be "more like macOS," with unspecified improvements to productivity, multitasking, and app window management,...

Top Rated Comments

rubberfish Avatar
18 weeks ago
using a mouse while it's charging is horrible with my Logitech. It's for that reason I charge my mouse when I'm not using it. It really is a non issue.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacPrince Avatar
18 weeks ago
Foldable MacBook?

Like every MacBook that Apple has ever made?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
switz Avatar
18 weeks ago
The foldable phone is deep in my cargo pants pocket and it rings. Now there is an extra step or two to get access before it stops ringing - orientating the phone so you can open it and then turn it to hit the accept button. Older folks may lack the dexterity to complete this extra step in timely fashion before it stops ringing.

Great! Another step backwards. At least the Apple Watch has not been selected for a retro idea YET.

I gave up on the Apple mouse when it was the hockey puck. Logitech has had an ergonomic mouse for many years and the current one has (drum roll) the charging port in the front. So one can charge and use it at the same time like the tethered mice of yesteryear. What a novel idea!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Flight Plan Avatar
18 weeks ago

using a mouse while it's charging is horrible with my Logitech. It's for that reason I charge my mouse when I'm not using it. It really is a non issue.
Yep, I can literally make dinner in the time it takes for my Apple Mouse to charge to full.

I'd like for the mouse to have its charging port on the edge closest to the computer screen, but that won't stop me from buying one with USB-C on the bottom.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Game 161 Avatar
18 weeks ago
So foldable iPhone in 2026 and foldable iPad/mac in 2028
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
usmaak Avatar
18 weeks ago
Remember a couple of years ago when everyone was making fun of Samsung because of their foldable and saying that nobody needs a foldable phone? ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)