Leaked Case Design Suggests iPod Nano May Gain Smaller Square Form Factor
Claimed next-generation iPod nano (top) and iPod touch (bottom) cases to a
Chinese site showing cases purportedly for Apple's next-generation iPod nano and iPod touch models. The cases come from Chinese case manufacturer X-Doria.
Most interestingly, the iPod nano cases appear to be designed for a device roughly square in shape, suggesting that Apple's redesigned iPod nano could transition away from the widescreen display used in the current generation to a square touch-enabled display. The move would seem to be an odd choice, however, given that Apple specifically widened the device's display in the last revision to allow for true widescreen aspect ratios to go along with the device's integrated video camera.
The nano 6G case features an open strip on the rear - perhaps for a camera or built-in clip - as well as what appear to be volume buttons and a larger button on the top side while a Dock Connector and headphone port are along the bottom.
The redesign would also bring the iPod nano much closer in size to the iPod shuffle, and it is unclear what that device's future might be within that context.
Earlier today, analyst Shaw Wu claimed that Apple has been sourcing parts for a smaller iPod nano that would lack a traditional click wheel, and these case designs obviously seem to match that assertion.
The claimed next-generation iPod touch cases suggest little beyond that revealed in another purported case leaked earlier this month. Based on the cases in circulation, the new iPod touch is expected to gain a video camera with flash in the upper left corner of the rear of the device, as in the iPhone. The cases also suggest that the new iPod touch will retain the tapered back shell of the current design rather than moving to the flat back seen in the iPhone 4.
Neither of the claimed iPod touch cases include a cover for the front of the device, so there is no evidence regarding a front-facing camera. Several part leaks have, however, shown a small hole centered on the front panel of the device, presumably for just such a camera.
Popular Stories
iOS 26 was released last month, but the software train never stops, and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across the Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, Clock, and Safari apps.
More features and changes will follow in future ...
With the fourth betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS 26.1, Apple has introduced a new setting that's designed to allow users to customize the look of Liquid Glass.
The toggle lets users select from a clear look for Liquid Glass, or a tinted look. Clear is the current Liquid Glass design, which is more transparent and shows the background underneath buttons, bars, and menus, while tinted ...
Apple plans to cut production of the iPhone Air amid underwhelming sales performance, Japan's Mizuho Securities believes (via The Elec).
The Japanese investment banking and securities firm claims that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are seeing higher sales than their predecessors during the same period last year, while the standard iPhone 17 is a major success, performing...
Apple's software engineers continue to internally test iOS 26.0.2, according to MacRumors logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.
iOS 26.0.2 will be a minor update that addresses bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, but we do not know any specific details yet.
The update will likely be released by the end of next week.
Last month, Apple released iOS 26.0.1,...
While the new iPad Pro's headline feature is the M5 chip, the device has some other changes, including N1 and C1X chips, faster storage speeds, and more.
With the M5 chip, the new iPad Pro has up to a 20% faster CPU and up to a 40% faster GPU compared to the previous model with the M4 chip, according to Geekbench 6 results. Keep in mind that 256GB and 512GB configurations have a 9-core CPU,...
iOS 26.4 is expected to introduce a revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, but not everyone is satisfied with how well it works.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said some of Apple's software engineers have "concerns" about the overhauled Siri's performance. However, he did not provide any specific details about the shortcomings.
iOS 26.4 will...
Apple on Wednesday updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro with its next-generation M5 chip, but previous rumors have indicated that the company still plans to announce at least a few additional products before the end of the year.
The following Apple products have at one point been rumored to be updated in 2025, although it is unclear if the timeframe for any of them has...
With the fourth beta of iOS 26.1, Apple added a toggle that makes Liquid Glass more opaque and reduces transparency. We tested the beta to see where the toggle works and what it looks like.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
If you have the latest iOS 26.1 beta, you can go to Settings > Display and Brightness to get to the new option. Tap on Liquid Glass, then...
Apple plans to launch MacBook Air models equipped with the new M5 chip in spring 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is also working on M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models that will come early in the year.
Neither the MacBook Pro models nor the MacBook Air models are expected to get design changes, with Apple focusing on simple chip upgrades. In the case of the MacBook Pro, a m...
