The Rickies 2026: Grading 2025 Predictions & Making New Ones

Grading 2025 Predictions

• 🎯 Federico correctly predicted the introduction of a cheaper iPhone with a new design (iPhone 16), earning one point.
• ❌ Mike incorrectly predicted Apple would introduce its own large language model for Siri, losing a point.
• ✅ Stephen correctly predicted the Apple Watch Ultra 3 release, earning one point.
• ❌ Federico's prediction of a new AirTag with better tracking capabilities was incorrect.
• ✅ Mike correctly predicted Apple would introduce its thinnest iPhone ever.
• ❌ Stephen's prediction that the M1 MacBook Air would be discontinued was incorrect, as it remains available at a low price.
• ✅ Mike received a bonus point for his prediction that the Mac Studio would be updated with a new chip (M3 Ultra).

Risky Picks for 2025

• ❌ Federico lost a point for his risky pick about a new standalone Siri app with advanced features, as none of the details materialized.
• ❌ Stephen lost a point for his risky pick about a new Apple smart home product with a screen, eye/hand tracking, and third-party app support, which did not launch in 2025.
• ⚠️ Mike broke even on his risky pick, correctly predicting an all-new iPhone model (iPhone Air) made of titanium but incorrectly predicting the absence of a camera control/action button and always-on display.

2026 Predictions: Round One

• ✅ Stephen predicts Tim Cook's job title will change in 2026.
• ✅ Mike predicts Apple will ship a folding iPhone.
• ✅ Federico predicts Apple will update the MacBook Air with the M5 chip.

2026 Predictions: Round Two & Risky Picks

• ✅ Stephen predicts the iPhone 17e will ship in 2026.
• ✅ Mike predicts a Google LLM will power some Siri features by default.
• ✅ Federico predicts Apple will ship some of the AI features shown at WWDC 2024.
• ✅ Federico received a bonus pick for his 2022 prediction about AirPods supporting lossless audio playback, which is now possible with USB-C AirPods Pro.
• ✅ Mike received a bonus pick for predicting the MacBook Pro would be refreshed with a new chip.
• ⚠️ Federico's risky pick about a touchscreen Mac notebook (iPhone Duo) with dual OS support and simultaneous screen features is detailed, with the name "Duo" being a key element.
• ⚠️ Mike's risky pick suggests that by the end of 2026, not all Apple Intelligence features from WWDC 2024 will have shipped, citing potential issues with app intents and MCP integration.

Flexi Game Results

• Mike achieved 50% accuracy in his 2025 Flexi picks, with three correct predictions out of six.
• Stephen achieved 40% accuracy in his 2025 Flexi picks, with two correct predictions out of five.
• Federico won the 2025 Flexi game with 60% accuracy, correctly predicting four out of six items.
• Stephen owes Federico $75 for his incorrect Flexi picks, to be donated to an animal protection organization in Italy.

2026 Flexi Picks

• Federico's 2026 Flexi picks include John Ternus becoming Apple CEO, no multi-device pairing for Magic Keyboard, iPad Mini getting OLED, another London event, MCP integration for iOS apps, and an iPhone case with a kickstand.
• Mike's 2026 Flexi picks include no base model iPhone 18 by year-end, a cheaper laptop than MacBook Air, Tim Cook becoming chairman, more alternate app marketplaces, a Studio Display update, a MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen, and the Mac Pro not being updated.
• Stephen's 2026 Flexi picks include an iMac with an optional Pro chip, an iPad Mini update, Apple canceling the Mac Pro, Liquid Glass persisting in iOS 27, a new service or iCloud feature, and the foldable being called iPhone Ultra.