Rumor Replay: Foldable iPhone, new M5 iPad Pro, HomePod confusion

3 weeks ago 5

This is Rumor Replay, a new weekly column at 9to5Mac that provides a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with my analysis and commentary. Today: the foldable iPhone is still on track, M5 iPad Pro release window, and HomePod confusion. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

Foldable iPhone still set for 2026

This summer, multiple reports claimed Apple’s first foldable iPhone was set for a 2026 release. Unlike most of its competitors, the device will feature a top-down fold design rather than folding out horizontally.

While this week didn’t bring any new details, we did get confirmation that the foldable iPhone is still expected in 2026.

For a device that’s been in the works for so long, and seen several expected release windows pass by, the 2026 date holding steady is noteworthy. With 2025 right around the corner, any big delays or cancellations for Apple’s foldable iPhone project are looking less likely as time passes.

M5 iPad Pro coming fall 2025

This year Apple surprised everyone by debuting the M4 chip in its new iPad Pro. The new iPad Pro was a big upgrade, not just for the M4 but also its tandem OLED display, ultra-thin design, and other enhancements.

Now, Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the next iPad Pro is coming in fall 2025 with an M5 chip.

The release window follows Apple’s typical 18-month cycle for iPad Pro upgrades, and the M5 inclusion won’t be a surprise this time. I wouldn’t expect to see many noteworthy changes to the M5 model since this year’s M4 was such a big update. Still, it’s nice to see Apple continue investing in its high-end iPad line.

HomePad delay, or new HomePod on the way?

Ming-Chi Kuo also reported this week that a forthcoming ‘HomePod with display’ has been delayed from the first half of 2025 into the second half.

It’s a confusing rumor for a few reasons:

it’s unclear whether the device he’s referring to is the same as the ‘HomePad’ smart display Mark Gurman has reported extensively on
if it is the HomePad, this delay is arriving close to Gurman’s big HomePad report and claim of a March release, which seems odd
if this is a separate device from the HomePad, could the new HomePod’s delay have an impact on the HomePad’s own release?

Ultimately there are more questions here than answers, but I’ll be curious to see if Gurman’s Power On newsletter this weekend provides further clarity.

Do you think the foldable iPhone will really ship in 2026? What do you make of the HomePod rumor? Let us know in the comments.