Rumor Replay: MacBook Pro redesign, Apple’s Vision roadmap, and more

2 weeks ago 5

Welcome to 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: two future MacBook Pro models and a big redesign, the Vision roadmap at Apple, 90Hz displays, and more.

Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

Redesign coming for MacBook Pro

The M4 MacBook Pro has barely been unveiled, but already we’re getting rumors about not one, but two future models—including a big redesign.

Mark Gurman reports that next year’s MacBook Pro refresh is expected to be a lot like the M4 update: largely a spec bump release, with the new M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max. There will certainly be some other niceties, but the bigger change is happening later.

In 2026, Apple’s M6 model is expected to boast a ‘total redesign,’ the likes of which we haven’t seen since the 2021 models. Gurman says this new MacBook Pro should feature a ‘thinner design and a move to crisper OLED screens.’

It’s unfortunate that a full five years will pass between MacBook Pro redesigns, but honestly, after the butterfly keyboard debacle of the last redesign, I’m guessing most pro users won’t mind.

The M-chip era has meant Apple can make products that are both thinner and faster. But the last MacBook Pro had a lot of apologies to make for its predecessor’s flaws, so it turned out pretty hefty. With a stronger foundation to build on, this upcoming M6 remodel could be especially compelling.

Apple’s Vision roadmap

There was a lot happening with Apple’s Vision platform in this week’s rumors. Ming-Chi Kuo said the cheaper, non-Pro Vision device has been delayed ‘beyond 2027,’ while the M5 Vision Pro is still on track for 2025.

Meanwhile, Mark Gurman said Apple is seriously weighing making a pair of smart glasses, and even kicked off an internal survey to gather company-wide input.

Overall, it seems like there’s a lot of uncertainty within Apple about where the Vision Pro goes from here. Spec-bumping the existing device makes a lot of sense, but what then?

I understand why a $2,000 headset may not sell much better than a $3,500 model. But if that’s the case, how does Apple keep growing the platform?

Perhaps smart glasses are the way forward, but if so, the nascency of the project means we’re looking at several years with nothing but a Vision Pro to build Vision momentum. And that could spell trouble.

90Hz displays for iPad Air, iMac, Studio Display

A source at the Upgrade podcast shared this week that Apple is working on 90Hz displays for upcoming models of iPad Air, iMac, and a new Studio Display.

This one came out of left field, surprising even display analyst Ross Young. Details are few, including on the timeline for these apparent updates.

I could see 90Hz panning out as a nice mid-tier option for products that Apple wants to upgrade from 60Hz without providing the full 120Hz ProMotion advantage.

What makes me skeptical is that we’re expecting even the base model iPhone 17 to get 120Hz ProMotion. I would think that if Apple had 90Hz displays in the works, sticking one in the base iPhone while saving 120Hz for the Pro models would be the way to go.

iOS 18.2 release date fast approaching

Mark Gurman reported this week that Apple is targeting the week of December 2 for iOS 18.2’s public launch. This would be a week earlier than Apple’s norm.

Gurman also expected iOS 18.1 to launch sooner than usual, and that didn’t pan out. iOS 18.2 is a huge release, and its public beta only just began. Take into account Thanksgiving coming up, and early December feels like an extremely ambitious timeline for Apple.

I think the week of December 9 remains most likely, following previous years’ pattern.

iOS recharge estimates for iPhone

Our own Filipe Espósito reported that the iOS 18.2 beta contains references to a new feature that provides an estimate of how long your iPhone will take to charge.

This feature seems like a no-brainer. It may or may not arrive in iOS 18.2, but whenever it does land, it should prove a great addition—especially as part of an upgraded Batteries widget for Lock Screens.

M4 powering new Apple Intelligence servers

Finally, Apple is reportedly in talks with Foxconn about building new AI servers that would use M4-class chips. Currently Apple uses M2 Ultra chips to power its servers for Apple Intelligence’s Private Cloud Compute. Upgrading to the M4 (likely Ultra) is a natural next step for new servers.

Which rumors are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.