Ming-Chi Kuo

By MacRumors Staff
Ming-Chi Kuo is an analyst at TF International Securities, a financial services group in the Asia-Pacific region. He gathers intelligence from his contacts in Apple's Asian supply chain, translating the information he gleans into research notes for clients.

His research notes often provide a solid look at Apple's future plans and while he is not always correct, his predictions on future Apple products are accurate enough to make him one of the most reliable sources for Apple rumors. Kuo previously worked for KGI Securities, Concord Securities, and DigiTimes.

Ming-Chi Kuo Articles

Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone Under-Screen Touch ID Rumor Dismissed by Analyst

Monday September 1, 2025 3:49 am PDT by
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is standing by his prediction that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than an under-display fingerprint sensor. In a post on X (Twitter) today, Kuo referenced his March forecast for the rumored 2026 device: "Six months ago, I predicted the foldable iPhone would use side-button Touch ID." Kuo goes on: "There...
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A20 Chips in iPhone 18 Models Again Rumored to Feature New Design

Tuesday August 12, 2025 9:08 am PDT by
Apple's A20 chip in the iPhone 18 will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This change has been rumored by multiple other sources previously. Apple would be moving away from TSMC's InFO (Integrated Fan-Out) packaging it uses currently. It is unclear if this change will be limited to higher-end...
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MacBook Pro Models With M5 Chips Might Not Launch Until Next Year

Tuesday August 12, 2025 8:21 am PDT by
In a research note today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips might not launch until 2026. Kuo discussed how the A20 chips in iPhone 18 models will be packaged with WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) technology, which integrates the so-called "underfill and molding processes" for more efficient manufacturing and increased yield, a term...
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Foldable iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Both Expected to Have 'Crease-Free' Screen

Thursday July 17, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
It looks like Apple's foldable iPhone will have some "crease-free" competition. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Samsung's next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 8 will use the same laser-drilled metal display plate as the foldable iPhone, with the component to be supplied by South Korean company Fine M-Tec. Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 still has a visible crease in the middle...
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Foldable iPhone Said to Feature 'Crease-Free' Display — Here's How

Tuesday July 15, 2025 7:00 am PDT by
Samsung Display will supply Apple with "crease-free" displays for its long-rumored foldable iPhone, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. To achieve a crease-free inner display, Kuo said the foldable iPhone will utilize a metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display. The metal plates will be primarily supplied by a company named Fine...
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Report Reveals Apple's Secretive Vision Products Roadmap

Monday June 30, 2025 4:04 am PDT by
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared a detailed roadmap of the company's Vision and smart glasses plans until the end of the decade. Apple apparently has at least seven projects in development, including three "Vision" devices and four smart glasses products. Kuo says that five of these products have "confirmed" development timelines, while two remain to be confirmed. Here's what to expect: ...
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Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an ‌iPhone‌ chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last...
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Could Apple Ditch Siri Name in Major AI Rebrand at WWDC?

Monday June 9, 2025 3:12 am PDT by
Apple will highlight its AI strategy at Monday's WWDC 2025 keynote, with its much-talked-about "Liquid Glass" software redesign playing a secondary role in announcements, claims industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Reports leading up to WWDC have indicated that iOS 26 will feature a major design overhaul inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. The redesign has...
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Kuo: Apple Better Off Taking 25% Tariff Hit Than Move iPhone Production to US

Friday May 23, 2025 9:06 am PDT by
It would be more financially viable for Apple to absorb a 25% import tariff on iPhones sold in the United States than to relocate its assembly operations to the U.S., Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said. Kuo, a respected analyst with a long track record of accurate forecasts about Apple's supply chain, made the statement on X (formerly Twitter) in response to renewed pressure from former...
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Kuo: Jony Ive's Futuristic OpenAI Device Like a Neck-Worn iPod Shuffle

Thursday May 22, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The big news in the technology world this week is that ChatGPT maker OpenAI is working more closely with Apple's former design chief Jony Ive on a futuristic AI device. The company is remaining tight lipped about the device, but Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared some alleged details about its design. In a social media post today, Kuo said the device will be "slightly larger" ...
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AirPods Pro 3 Unlikely to Feature Built-In Cameras

Thursday May 22, 2025 3:58 am PDT by
Ming-Chi Kuo dropped a bit of a bombshell this week by suggesting that AirPods won't see major updates until 2026 when infrared camera-equipped models enter production. But before you panic about waiting two more years for new earbuds, there's reason for optimism. Kuo's timeline likely refers to regular AirPods, not the AirPods Pro line. Well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has...
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Apple's Large-Sized Foldable Device Could Have an Amazon Rival

Tuesday May 20, 2025 4:27 am PDT by
Amazon is developing a large-sized foldable device similar to the one Huawei unveiled on Monday, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Huawei MateBook Fold "My research indicates that Amazon is also internally developing a similar product, which has not yet officially kicked off," said Kuo in a post on X (Twitter). Kuo added that the device is projected to enter mass production in late...
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Kuo: Lighter Version of AirPods Max to Enter Mass Production in 2027

Monday May 19, 2025 1:40 am PDT by
Apple is working on a lighter version of AirPods Max that will enter mass production in 2027, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo shared the prediction on X (Twitter). He provided no additional details on the weight reduction that Apple plans to make to its over-ear noise-canceling headphones. Apple updated the AirPods Max in September, receiving a USB-C charging port instead ...
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Base iPhone 18 Shifting to Spring 2027 Launch, Six Months After 18 Pro

Monday May 5, 2025 2:52 am PDT by
Apple will launch the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027, marking a major shift in the company's release strategy beginning in 2026. According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to split its flagship iPhone lineup between two launch windows annually. The iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in the second half of 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and an updated ...
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Apple's Second Foldable iPhone Set for 2027 Launch, Claims Kuo

Monday May 5, 2025 2:37 am PDT by
Apple will launch its second foldable iPhone in the second half of 2027, as part of a major shake-up of its iPhone launch strategy, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo's latest report outlining Apple's new staggered iPhone roadmap through 2027, Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in the second half of next year, followed by a second-generation model a year...
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Kuo: Apple to Launch iPhone 19 Air With Larger Display in Late 2027

Monday May 5, 2025 2:24 am PDT by
Apple plans to launch an iPhone 19 Air with a larger display in the second half of 2027, as part of the company's evolving product strategy, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo's latest report outlining Apple's roadmap through 2027, the iPhone 19 Air will feature a larger display compared to the iPhone 18 Air model that's expected to debut a year earlier. While...
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Kuo: iPhone 17e Still on Apple's 2026 Roadmap

Monday May 5, 2025 2:13 am PDT by
Apple will launch an iPhone 17e in the first half of next year, according to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Corroborating a recent report that Apple will switch to a split iPhone launch strategy, Kuo on Monday offered his own interpretation of Apple's roadmap for the next two years: 2H25: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 1H26: iPhone 17e 2H26: ...
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iPhone 17 Air Now Rumored to Feature 12GB of RAM Like the Pro Models

Thursday April 24, 2025 7:41 am PDT by
The rumored ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air" model will be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to the latest word from Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, the well-known Apple supply chain analyst said that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all be equipped with 12GB of RAM. He previously only expected the iPhone 17 Pro Max to have 12GB of RAM, so this is good news for...
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Kuo: Apple Can Reduce Impact of Trump's Massive Tariffs in Five Ways

Thursday April 3, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that massive tariffs will be applied to imports from many countries, starting April 9. The tariffs will significantly impact Apple's supply chain, with iPhones and other products imported to the U.S. from China, India, and Vietnam set to face 54%, 26%, and 46% tariffs, respectively. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said that if...
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Kuo: iPhone 18 Models Will Feature 2nm Chips

Saturday March 22, 2025 9:01 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today reiterated that the A20 chip in iPhone 18 models will be manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process. Kuo said TSMC's trial production of 2nm chips has now reached yields well above the 60-70% range. The yield refers to the percentage of functional chips that can be obtained per silicon wafer, which is essentially a large, circular disc of chips....