Apple may be bringing Touch ID back to a flagship iPhone for the first time since iPhone X introduced Face ID in 2017. But this isn't the Home button resurrection you might expect.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first foldable iPhone will skip Face ID entirely in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side button – similar to the design found on current iPad Air and iPad mini models. The choice appears driven by space constraints rather than fingerprint sensor nostalgia.
Expected in 2026, the foldable device will reportedly feature a book-style design with a 5.5-inch outer display and a larger 7.8-inch inner screen when unfolded. Apple is targeting a remarkably thin 4.5 to 4.8mm profile when opened, which explains the need to eliminate Face ID's bulky sensor array.
Other rumored features include a titanium chassis with liquid metal hinges, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, and high-density battery cells for improved power efficiency. The device will reportedly be virtually crease-free thanks to a special metal plate that disperses bending stress.
Touch ID side button integration in the iPad Air
Mass production is planned for the second half of 2026, with pricing expected between $1,800 and $2,500 – potentially making it Apple's most expensive iPhone ever.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, released alongside the iPhone X, were the last flagship iPhone models to feature Touch ID, while the third-generation iPhone SE was the last of any iPhone model to include Touch ID, and it was discontinued in February 2025.
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices.
Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of July 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 X through iPhone 14...
Apple's first foldable iPhone will be equipped with a 7.8-inch inner display, and a 5.5-inch outer display, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo already mentioned those same display sizes for the foldable iPhone in March, meaning there are now multiple sources backing those sizes, so long as TrendForce is not simply copying what Kuo said.
...
Apple today announced AppleCare One, a new subscription plan for customers to cover multiple devices with a single plan.
AppleCare One starts at $19.99 per month for up to three products, with the ability to add more for $5.99 per month for each additional device. The plan incudes all of the benefits that come with AppleCare+, such as unlimited repairs for accidents, priority support,...
Thursday July 24, 2025 9:11 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
To unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely...
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 26 today, and the company has continued making changes to the way that Liquid Glass looks. There are also new features, including the return of Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries for news. This beta is of particular interest because it's likely the beta that public beta testers will get in the not too distant future.
Liquid Glass Changes
Liquid...
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is now less than two months away, so we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup.
If you...
While the focus is now on iOS 26, there is still an iOS 18.6 update incoming.
As noted by Aaron Zollo, Apple on Wednesday re-labeled iOS 18.6 Beta 4 as simply iOS 18.6, meaning that it is the Release Candidate version. This change effectively confirms that the update will be released to the public next week.
Alongside the new label, Apple shared release notes for iOS 18.6, which is a...
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device.
Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable
5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2
Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
