Friday December 19th, 2025

This week, we're talking all about upcoming new Apple products.

The All-Screen iPhone Might Finally Be Coming

Rumours surfaced this week that Apple is actively testing under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro, and if the reports are accurate, this could be the first step towards something much bigger: a truly all-screen iPhone for the device's 20th anniversary in 2027.

The latest information comes from a Chinese leaker called Smart Pikachu, who claims Apple is testing a special "spliced micro-transparent glass" window built into the display. This would allow the TrueDepth camera's infrared sensors to pass through the panel without interference, letting Face ID work seamlessly while hidden beneath the screen. The leaker also suggests that suppliers have been told to accelerate preparations for production, which implies this isn't just a research project anymore.

If Apple pulls this off, the iPhone 18 Pro would no longer need the current Dynamic Island cutout for Face ID. Instead, the front-facing camera would move to a small pinhole cutout in the top-left corner of the display, similar to what we've seen on some Android devices. The Dynamic Island itself might shrink significantly, or potentially become a purely software feature that appears when needed, rather than being tied to a physical cutout.

This is a significant technical challenge. Face ID relies on precise infrared projection and depth sensing, and the OLED panel can't interfere with that transmission. Apple has been working on this for years, and the fact that they're now testing it suggests they've finally cracked the problem. Under-display Face ID is likely seen as a lower-risk first stepcompared to moving the selfie camera under the screen, because biometric sensors are more tolerant of display interference than cameras, where even minor image degradation would be immediately noticeable.

But here's where it gets really interesting. According to reports from The Information, Apple has also developed an industry-first 24-megapixel under-screen camera for the inner display of the rumoured iPhone Fold. That's a substantial leap from the low-quality under-display cameras we've seen on Android devices, and it suggests Apple has made a genuine breakthrough in light transmittance and image quality.

If you connect the dots, Apple's roadmap starts to make sense. The iPhone 18 Pro gets under-display Face ID in 2026. The iPhone Fold debuts with an under-display selfie camera. And then, in 2027, for the iPhone's 20th anniversary, the two technologies converge in a single device: a completely bezel-free iPhone with no notch, no Dynamic Island, and no visible cutouts at all.

The 2027 iPhone is rumoured to feature a curved display that wraps around all four edges of the device, bringing it closer to what former Apple design chief Jony Ive always envisioned: a phone that looks like a single slab of glass. Ten years after the iPhone X introduced the notch and Face ID, Apple could finally deliver the all-screen design that's been the goal all along.

Now, it's worth keeping expectations in check. We've heard rumours about under-display Face ID for years, and they haven't materialised yet. The technology is difficult, and there's no guarantee Apple will be ready to ship it in 2026. But the fact that multiple sources are now reporting active testing, combined with claims that the supply chain is preparing for production, suggests this is more than just speculation.

If Apple does pull this off, it would be one of the biggest design changes to the iPhone in years. The Dynamic Island has been a clever piece of software design, but most people would agree that no cutout is better than a smaller cutout. An all-screen iPhone would look stunning, and for the 20th anniversary of the device that changed everything, it would be a fitting tribute to how far the iPhone has come.

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The iMac Pro Could Be Making a Comeback

Leaked internal code has revealed that Apple is testing an iMac Pro powered by the M5 Max chip, and if the rumours are accurate, we could see it launch sometime in 2026. The information comes from kernel debug kit files used by Apple engineers, spotted by MacRumors earlier this week.

For anyone who remembers the original iMac Pro from 2017, this is genuinely exciting news. That machine was adored by creative professionals. It packed a powerful Intel Xeon processor, a stunning 27-inch 5K display, and gave people an all-in-one desktop that could handle serious work. The problem was that Apple barely updated it, and by 2021, it was discontinued. The regular iMac had caught up in performance, and Apple moved on.

But the M5 Max iMac Pro could be different. Apple silicon has completely changed what's possible in an all-in-one, and the M5 Max is expected to deliver exceptional performance for video editing, 3D rendering, and music production. If Apple pairs that with a larger display (rumours suggest 27 or even 32 inches), this becomes a genuinely compelling option for professionals.

Here's why this could be a big deal. Right now, if you want a high-performance Mac desktop, you're looking at the Mac Studio or Mac Pro. The Mac Studio is brilliant, but it requires a separate display, keyboard, and mouse. That adds up quickly. With the Studio Display at £1,499, you're looking at well over £3,000 before you start working.

An iMac Pro with the M5 Max would bundle everything into one package. You'd get the power, the display, the speakers, the camera, all in a single unit that takes up minimal desk space and looks gorgeous. For creative professionals who value simplicity and integration, that's huge.

Apple has left a noticeable gap in its desktop lineup. The 24-inch iMac is aimed at consumers. The Mac Studio is for people who need maximum power and don't mind the complexity. But what about the professionals in the middle? The people who want a serious machine but don't want cables, separate components, and desk clutter? The iMac Pro would fill that gap perfectly.

It's worth remembering this is still internal testing. Apple tests hardware that never ships, and the fact that the iMac Pro was buried in leaked code doesn't guarantee a launch. But given that the M5 Max chip is expected next year, and rumours of a high-end iMac have circulated for years, this feels like more than wishful thinking. If Apple launches an iMac Pro in 2026, it could be one of the most interesting Mac releases in quite some time.

The iPad mini Is Getting a Serious Upgrade

Leaked code has revealed that Apple's next iPad mini will be powered by the A20 Pro chip, the same processor expected to debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models. The information comes from internal Apple codenames found in a macOS kernel debug kit, reported by MacRumors earlier this week.

This is a significant step up from earlier rumours, which suggested the iPad mini 8 would use the A19 Pro chip. The A20 Pro will be Apple's first 2nm processor, offering up to 15% more performance and 30% better efficiency compared to current 3nm chips. For a device as compact as the iPad mini, that's a big deal. You're looking at a tablet that can handle demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and Apple Intelligence features, all while fitting in one hand.

But the chip isn't the only upgrade. The iPad mini 8 is also rumoured to be getting an 8.5-inch OLED display, a massive leap from the current LCD panel. OLED means deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colours. It would bring the iPad mini much closer to the iPad Pro in terms of display quality, and for a device many people use for reading and watching video, that's genuinely exciting.

There are also whispers of a redesigned speaker system using vibration technology, which would eliminate traditional speaker holes and allow for a water-resistant design. If Apple is serious about positioning the iPad mini as a more pro-level device, these features make a lot of sense. The current iPad mini already appeals to pilots, photographers, medical professionals, and people who prefer a smaller form factor, but adding pro-level specs would make it even more compelling.

The iPad mini has always occupied a slightly odd position in Apple's lineup. It's too small to replace an iPad Air or Pro for most people, but far more capable than the entry-level iPad. Apple has historically treated it as a bit of an afterthought. The current model, launched in October 2024 with the A17 Pro chip, was solid but felt like Apple was just doing enough to keep the line alive.

This rumoured upgrade feels different. Giving the iPad mini the same chip as the iPhone 18 Pro, adding OLED, and potentially water resistance? That's not just a spec bump. That's Apple treating the iPad mini like a serious product again, and for people who love that compact form factor, that's brilliant news.

We're looking at a late 2026 launch, likely around September or October. But if the rumours hold true, the iPad mini 8 could be one of the most significant updates the product line has seen in years.

Tip of the week

Did you know, you can change the amount of time it takes for your iPhone to automatically lock, when not in use. Go to Settings, then Display & Brightness, and tap into Auto-Lock. Choose from 30 seconds, up to 5 minutes, or even Never (be careful with this option, it can seriously drain your battery!)