Apple's Big Plans: MacBook Ultra, Vision Pro Shift, and Foldable iPhone Ultra
<p>This week brought a whirlwind of Apple rumors, from a potential 'MacBook Ultra' with a touchscreen to the folding 'iPhone Ultra' that may skip several flagship features. We also learned that Apple is reportedly scaling back the Vision Pro after its M5 refresh failed to reignite interest. Below, we break down the biggest stories into a Q&A format to help you understand what's coming next from Cupertino.</p>
<h2 id="q1">What new features are rumored for the ‘MacBook Ultra’?</h2>
<p>According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the high-end MacBook Pro models are set for a major redesign by early 2027, possibly branded as “MacBook Ultra.” This model would sit above the MacBook Pro line and come with a premium price tag. Up to six rumored features include an <strong>OLED display</strong>, <strong>touch capabilities</strong>, a <strong>Dynamic Island</strong>, <strong>M6 Pro and M6 Max chips</strong> built on TSMC’s 2nm process, a <strong>thinner chassis</strong>, and <strong>built-in cellular connectivity</strong>. These additions would push the MacBook Ultra beyond a simple spec bump, making it a true flagship laptop.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://images.macrumors.com/article-new/2026/05/top-stories-2026-05-02.jpg" alt="Apple's Big Plans: MacBook Ultra, Vision Pro Shift, and Foldable iPhone Ultra" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.macrumors.com</figcaption></figure>
<h2 id="q2">Why has Apple reportedly given up on the Vision Pro?</h2>
<p>MacRumors has learned that Apple is essentially abandoning the Vision Pro after the M5 refresh failed to boost sales. The October 2025 update bumped the chip to <strong>M5</strong> and included a more comfortable headband, but no other hardware changes were made. Consumer interest remained low, and Apple has now stopped active development on the device. The Vision Pro team has been reassigned to other groups within Apple, with several members moving to the Siri team—a shift that aligns with Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell taking over Siri leadership in March 2025.</p>
<h2 id="q3">What key features might the foldable iPhone Ultra lack despite its $2,000 price?</h2>
<p>Dummy models leaked by Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev suggest the foldable “iPhone Ultra” could miss at least five features found on the iPhone 18 Pro, even at its rumored $2,000 price point. Two newly discovered omissions are <strong>MagSafe</strong> and the <strong>Action Button</strong>. Earlier rumors had already indicated the absence of <strong>Face ID</strong> (likely replaced by Touch ID in the power button), a <strong>telephoto camera lens</strong>, and possibly other premium hardware. This means buyers would pay a premium for the foldable form factor while sacrificing several of Apple’s flagship technologies.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://images.macrumors.com/t/wWMfngpiTzEjFAUdW06dUV5kOt8=/1600x/article-new/2026/05/top-stories-2026-05-02.jpg" alt="Apple's Big Plans: MacBook Ultra, Vision Pro Shift, and Foldable iPhone Ultra" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: www.macrumors.com</figcaption></figure>
<h2 id="q4">When is the MacBook Ultra expected to launch, and what branding might it use?</h2>
<p>Mark Gurman states the higher-end MacBook Pro redesign is slated for early 2027. At that point, Apple may introduce the “MacBook Ultra” label to distinguish the top-tier model from the standard MacBook Pro. The Ultra branding would echo the iPad and Apple Watch lines, where “Ultra” denotes a more advanced, higher-priced device. If the rumors hold, the MacBook Ultra would be the most expensive laptop in Apple’s lineup, featuring all the latest innovations ahead of the regular Pros.</p>
<h2 id="q5">How does the reported Vision Pro shift affect the Siri team?</h2>
<p>With Apple halting Vision Pro development, many team members have been redistributed. Several former Vision Pro engineers are now working on <strong>Siri</strong>, a logical move since Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell has been leading the Siri team since March 2025. This infusion of talent could accelerate improvements to Siri’s intelligence and functionality. The decision reflects Apple’s strategic pivot away from niche hardware toward core software services where it believes it can have greater impact.</p>
<h2 id="q6">What is the new App Store subscription option introduced by Apple?</h2>
<p>Apple recently announced a new payment plan for App Store developers: <strong>monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment</strong>. This option allows developers to offer discounted pricing that is typically reserved for annual subscriptions, but lets users pay month-by-month instead of a large upfront sum. The goal is to make premium content more accessible to subscribers while still giving developers predictable revenue. Users can cancel at any time during the commitment period, but early cancellation may forfeit the discount.</p>