Apple executives are privately questioning whether the company can win the AI era, even as it prepares to launch updated MacBook Pros and explores a second foldable iPhone design.
According to Mark Gurman's latest reporting, Apple is testing a clamshell-style "iPhone Flip" concept to follow its first foldable device, expected later this year. The move would put Apple in direct competition with Samsung's Z Flip line, which has proven popular in markets where vertical folds appeal to different use cases than book-style folds.
The internal AI concerns are more significant. Despite posting what Gurman describes as a "blockbuster holiday quarter," Apple leadership is debating whether the company has the right ingredients—infrastructure, models, or go-to-market strategy—to compete against OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google in the AI platform race. This matters because Apple Intelligence, the company's AI push, is central to its narrative around the iPhone 16 and upcoming devices.
On the Mac side, inventory is tightening for current MacBook Pro models as Apple prepares M5 Pro and M5 Max updates. The new machines are expected to launch alongside macOS 26.3, continuing Apple's pattern of tying chip upgrades to point releases. Separately, a Studio Display refresh is reportedly in development with three key upgrades, though specifics weren't disclosed.
CarPlay Ultra—Apple's deeper car integration platform—is also set to expand this year, with Hyundai or Kia potentially joining as partners. This follows years of delays in getting automakers to adopt the more invasive system.
The foldable timeline remains uncertain. Apple has been testing foldable prototypes for years but hasn't shipped anything, likely waiting for durability and display technology to mature. A flip-style device would be Apple's second foldable, suggesting the company is planning a portfolio approach rather than a single flagship.
The AI uncertainty is the real story. If Apple's own executives aren't confident in the strategy, that's a signal to enterprise buyers banking on Apple Intelligence features for their device refresh cycles. We'll see whether the concerns translate into strategic shifts or just internal debate.