Apple’s spaceship headquarters in Cupertino, California, always has several UFOs circling around it, though it’s rare to see them land. If you read the most-cited reports from the most-prominent Apple rumormonger, Mark Gurman, the company’s most-interesting inventions and gadgets are often two years away from full release. These reports may be enough to keep the public excited about Apple’s next move, but the hype won’t last forever if the goalposts keep moving.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in his latest Power On newsletter Sunday that Apple has a big 2027 in store to mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. The tech reporter suggested we’d finally see a folding iPhone. Apple may also follow through on that long-sought ultra-thin smartphone-like device that’s a curved sheet of glass without any cutouts. What’s more, Gurman suggested Apple will finally reveal new smart glasses that year. There could be that promised robotic arm attached to an iPad-like display.
The tech media tends to follow Gurman’s pronouncements as closely as they do Apple’s official releases, but if you do, you’ll start to notice there’s a trend about what he writes. Bloomberg last suggested the smart home robot arm could be here as soon as 2026. Last year, Gurman proposed the folding iPhone would also arrive in 2026 as well. That’s not to suggest that Gurman has some say over Apple’s project timelines, but Gurman’s crystal ball consultations shouldn’t be taken without a grain of salt.
On Monday, Gurman posted on X defending his original timeline for the folding iPhone arriving by the end of 2026. Responding to a MacRumors post, Gurman wrote: “This idea I’ve changed timelines is nonsense but otherwise it adds some nice tension and inspiration for comments. It’s always been 2026.” He also commented in a separate post that he “should have been clearer” regarding the accurate timeline for the folding iPhone.
This idea I’ve changed timelines is nonsense but understand it adds some nice tension and inspiration for comments. It’s always been 2026. My column yesterday is talking about items that will either launch or be in market for 2027. It’ll launch end of 26 and sell mostly in 27.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 12, 2025
Recent reporting from The Information and an updated timeline from regular Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo both suggest a 2026 release date for the first folding iPhone. A second-gen version could be on its way in 2027, according to the analyst. These dates may change, and Apple can always push or pull projects based on its own metrics.
Gurman got his start at 9to5Mac, but he’s been a Bloomberg reporter since 2016. Bloomberg hires reporters who have inside information who can regularly get scoops, which in turn helps the company sell its $32,000-a-year subscription to Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg’s reporting shouldn’t be discounted, but it’s important to understand Gurman’s audience. Consumers—at least those who don’t have stock in Apple—don’t care a lick about the Cupertino company’s year-end projections.
Apple normally takes its time with new products, but lately its timelines have resulted in a staggered, often derivative lineup of products that—despite being relatively high quality—are far too stale. Ignoring the relaunch of the slightly cheaper iPhone with the $600 iPhone 16e, the last big new thing from Apple was the Vision Pro, a $3,500 mixed reality headset that sports some of the best displays in this form factor with an interesting new take on an operating system, but is still too uncomfortable considering its enormous cost. VisionOS 3 could arrive this year with all-new capabilities, according to Gurman’s latest reports.
The next big thing is always on the horizon, which makes it hard to stay excited about the iPhone maker. This year should bring us a thin iPhone to compete against Samsung’s ultra-thin S25 Galaxy Edge. Maybe the next MacBook may finally look a little different than the same, derivative design from 2021. Any interesting projects, like the Pixar-like robotic lamps with a personality, will remain at least two years out.
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