The Pro iPhone models are unlikely to return to titanium in the near future due to the heat dissipation demands of local AI, according to a known Weibo leaker. The claim comes from the leaker known as " Fixed Focus Digital ," and pushes back on an earlier report from " Instant Digital ," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames. Fixed Focus Digital argues that aluminum's thermal properties make it the only practical choice for now, given the processing requirements of AI features. The leaker adds that this is not an Apple-specific issue, noting that Android and Huawei HarmonyOS devices also prioritize aluminum for the same reason. Instant Digital's earlier report argued that Apple's switch from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro was a compromise solution while it continued to develop longer-term alternatives. The leaker claimed Apple was exploring both liquid metal and revised titanium alloys for future Pro models, with both materials reportedly already earmarked for the upcoming foldable iPhone. Apple switched away from titanium following overheating complaints on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, although the iPhone Air continues to use it. Fixed Focus Digital's assessment suggests aluminum is more deeply entrenched in Apple's plans than Instant Digital's framing implied, at least for the foreseeable future. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum unibody design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, meaning any material change is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest. Tag: Fixed Focus Digital This article, " Leaker Pushes Back on Rumors of Pro iPhone's Return to Titanium " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Bank of America just gave Apple one of Wall Street's most aggressive price targets yet after betting that AI could become the company's next major growth engine, rather than just another iPhone feature. Apple Intelligence The firm raised its Apple price target to $380 from $330 on Tuesday, arguing that "agentic AI" could become a major long-term revenue driver for the company. Bank of America believes Wall Street continues to underestimate Apple's AI revenue potential across its ecosystem. Bank of America had previously trimmed its Apple target to $320 in March 2026 over concerns tied to staggered iPhone launch timing and shifting revenue seasonality. The firm maintained a Buy rating at the time and continued to argue AI would remain a major long-term growth driver for Apple. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan kept a Buy rating on Apple stock and laid out a bullish case for the company's AI strategy. The note argued Apple could generate far more revenue from AI services than investors currently expect. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Manufacturing problems are apparently continuing for the iPhone Fold , with the latest claims citing issues circuit boards assembly for the foldable. The iPhone Fold is a hard engineering task to complete As a flexible device with a hinge, the iPhone Fold was always going to be a challenging design for Apple. There have been r epeated stories worrying about its construction and potential slips, with circuitry being blamed this time around. According to a Tuesday post by serial Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital and citing supply chain sources, Apple apparently doesn't have manufacturing difficulties for the iPhone Fold. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen . However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island . Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of May 2026: Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry , alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued. Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices. LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models , including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology , which should contribute to longer battery life. Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture , which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be. A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design , the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains. C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models. 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade. Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity. Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year. Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro This article, " iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
