Introduction
Talking about Apple leaks is like walking on thin ice: secrecy, noise, and a constant fog of speculation. Yet, amid that noise, one name has earned quiet credibility: UNKNOWNZ21.
His track record — from early talk around the iPhone 16e lineup to an accurate call on USB-C for iPhone 15 — has been cited by outlets such as MacRumors and AppleInsider. What stands out isn’t volume but precision and restraint.
In this exclusive AppleX4 conversation, we skip the hype and focus on context: what matters, why it matters, and where Apple might be heading next.
How It All Began: The Origin of UNKNOWNZ21
Let’s start from the beginning. What was the first moment that made you decide to start leaking Apple-related information? Was there a turning point where you thought: “Okay, this is getting serious”?
“One of the most influential things I ever did was when I posted images of the iPhone 15 Pro. I did it on a whim, mostly as a joke, and partly out of spite. More often than not, individuals who publish sensitive information tend to come from affluent backgrounds. They’ve had every opportunity handed to them on a silver platter, yet they receive praise as though this fact had no bearing on their success. It’s hardly an accomplishment when you have a near-endless amount of resources at your disposal.
I’ve published high-def images of unreleased iPhones, detailed Apple’s hardware and software-related projects, including Apple Intelligence and its associated test utilities, development processes, and much more. I did this solely through connections I’ve made, and I had virtually no resources at the time. I wasn’t some rich kid in California, and yet I effectively did the impossible, with a laptop that was more than a decade old. That’s the point I wanted to make.
People get denied opportunities through no fault of their own, just because of who they are. That’s the problem with modern-day society. In my opinion, people who had everything handed to them are unworthy of the praise and attention they receive.
With enough willpower, you can do just about anything. I also wanted to be an authority figure of sorts, someone whose opinion matters. As a journalist, I now get to write about all sorts of things and provide context, analysis, or an opinion. When I wrote about Apple Intelligence, or Apple’s Calendar-Reminders integration, for instance, I compared it to existing products, what was on the market at the time. There’s more to it than just blindly leaking information, if you ask me.”
Context: How anonymity, sourcing, and discipline shaped his current approach to sharing information.
iPhone 16e → 17e: A New Strategic Lane for Apple?
Looking back, your leak about the iPhone 16e was one of the first solid hints about this new lineup. Now that the device is official, how do you see its role within Apple’s catalog? Do you think the iPhone 17e will reinforce this strategy?
“The iPhone 16e introduced a change in philosophy, in terms of how Apple markets its entry-level iPhone. I knew from the get-go that it would replace the budget-oriented iPhone SE, but Apple did it with a twist this time around.
If you look at the iPhone SE, which was replaced by the iPhone 16e, that product line received updates every few years, and it was obvious. The third-generation iPhone SE is virtually indistinguishable from the iPhone 8, despite the relatively capable hardware.
The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, mirrors a relatively recent iPhone design, echoing the base model iPhone 14. More importantly, however, the 16e marked the debut of Apple’s in-house modem technology, via the C1 chip. Throughout its existence, the SE never got any game-changing technology. Apple typically doesn’t introduce hardware features with its budget-oriented products.
Johny Srouji called it «a platform for generations,» and there are already rumors of a successor modem. We may see an iPhone 17e down the line, possibly equipped with the C2 chip.
The «16e» branding is also indicative of Apple’s strategy. Though it’s based on the iPhone 14, the company likes to emphasize that the iPhone 16e is part of the «iPhone 16 family.» Apple also went through the effort of designing a custom backplate for the device, and the company tested at least five different designs.
Johny Srouji called the C1 «a platform for generations,» and there are already rumors of a successor modem. If and when this debuts, we might see it in something like the iPhone 17e..”
Context: Pricing, modem strategy, and how “e” reframes the entry point without diluting the brand.
Apple Intelligence: Big Vision, Careful Rollout
Apple has introduced its AI approach under the name “Apple Intelligence” — a long-awaited move. Do you think Apple has found its own pace in the AI race, or are they still lagging behind?
“Apple is way behind in the AI race, especially if you look at the things Google has demonstrated at its last two I/O conferences. This has always been obvious, and I even said so in my original reporting on the Greymatter project. In 2024, Google showed off how, for example, Gemini can process video input and offer troubleshooting instructions. During the demonstration, they recorded a broken record player and asked Gemini how to fix it.
Apple Intelligence, which was still pre-release software at the time, really didn’t focus on video-processing tools. Siri’s personal context features and in-app actions are still nowhere to be found, either, even though Apple made entire video ads about the two enhancements.
Supposedly, Apple has made some progress in that regard, but they’re already behind OpenAI and Google. Image Playground, known as Generative Playground during development, is one genuinely impressive feature, but even that isn’t what it could have been. The company seemingly abandoned the fourth «Line Art» image style, and the software’s guardrails prevent it from creating anything beyond goofy-looking, and outright cartoon-ish images.”
Note: As of publication, several WWDC-announced features are rolling out in phases; the fully revamped Siri is currently aimed for 2026
Siri 2026: Reinvention or Another Iteration?
Regarding Siri, there’s been talk of a deep redesign coming in 2026. Based on your experience analyzing Apple’s roadmap, do you expect a real revolution in how users interact with the assistant?
“Apple will have to unveil the personal context and in-app awareness features for Siri at some point. This will entail back-end changes, but I doubt that people will magically start using Siri for anything and everything. It’s certainly not something I would ever use.
Apple Intelligence is not perfect, and it’s generally not a good idea to trust AI with anything important. If you look at Apple’s notification summarization feature, known internally as Greymatter catch-up, it generated an incorrect synopsis of article headlines. It took Apple a while to fix this, but it takes even less time to read articles for yourself..”
Context: Privacy budgets, on-device models, and how Apple may balance latency with reliability.
Vision Pro & Spatial Computing: Long Game or Expensive Detour?
Apple is investing heavily in head-mounted devices like the Vision Pro, and many theories have emerged about future generations and more affordable models. Based on your knowledge of Apple’s development, do you think this category has long-term potential? Or will it remain a niche, more experimental line?
“Apple has been working on a successor product for the Apple Vision Pro, this is not much of a secret. The current device itself is somewhat of a flop, though, largely due to its $3500 price tag.
The problem with the Apple Vision Pro is its target demographic. I got to learn a lot about the Apple Vision Pro ahead of launch, including its design details. One thing that always came up, however, was the issue of its users. Who is this product really for?
Internally, Apple had this vague blurb about «VR headsets being the future,» though this was well before AI was the trending technology. The product was supposed to appeal to industry professionals, among others, with potential applications in production lines, vehicle repair, and the medical field. There was very little about the average end-consumer, though. It’s hard to justify such a high price tag for what’s effectively a product with a limited assortment of apps and real-world use cases..”
Context: Cost curves, developer momentum, and what “mainstream” might realistically mean for spatial computing.
iOS 26 “Liquid Glass”: Aesthetic Shift or Deeper UI Pivot?
One of the most discussed aspects on social media has been the new “Liquid Glass” aesthetic in iOS 26. What’s your take on this design shift? Do you think it marks the beginning of a new phase in Apple’s user interface evolution?
“I find the new «Liquid Glass» design language derivative. It builds upon the color palette of iOS 7, and it’s not nearly as big a change as Apple’s operating systems went through back in 2013. It was not worth the hype. That being said, though, I don’t think Apple will backpedal with this, given the time and effort that was put into the redesign. Whether we like it or not, we’re stuck with the Liquid Glass UI for the foreseeable future..”
Context: Visual language, legibility, and consistency across iPhone, iPad, and macOS.
USB-C on iPhone 15: From Early Signal to Mainstream Reality
In September 2023, you commented on Twitter that USB-C would be coming to the iPhone 15 — a prediction that came true. How did you experience that particular leak? Do you think Apple will stick with this standard for the long haul, or are more changes coming?
“I posted images of the iPhone 15 Pro itself in February 2023, highlighting the USB-C port. In that sense, my September 2023 comments weren’t a prediction. As for why Apple went with it, it’s because of EU regulations. The European Union requires that all mobile phones sold within the region use a common charging connector, USB-C. Apple didn’t have much of a choice. Seeing it on a prototype was an amazing experience, though, I can tell you that..”
Context: Accessory ecosystems, data/charging standards, and regulatory pressure shaping hardware timelines
Apple & Gaming: Beyond Marketing?
You’ve shared insights about the evolution of Apple Silicon hardware and the graphical leap seen in games like Resident Evil and Death Stranding. Do you think Apple is ready to position itself in the gaming world beyond just marketing?
“Apple has made efforts to improve its position and perception among gamers, but the Mac has never really been the platform of choice for that type of activity. The M3 and M4 chip lines, for instance, support hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, but even these sorts of upgrades aren’t enough to entice people to switch to the Mac.”
There’s a limited assortment of triple-A titles, and Apple Silicon Macs have no upgradability whatsoever. If you look at a PC, you can choose your CPU, GPU, RAM, and display, and you can upgrade the same computer later on. There’s also an endless amount of games you can run on Windows, most of which work without emulators.
I’m particularly impressed with Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise, though. It runs great, even on more affordable devices, like the M2 MacBook Air. Palworld is another great game, which I reviewed for AppleInsider. Can’t recommend it enough. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, though, is not worth the money. It tries too hard to be something it’s not. Its roughly 120GB filesize makes it the living embodiment of that «Western game dev was here» meme.
Apple makes quality hardware, but without more triple-A titles, the Mac will never take off as a gaming platform. The issue of upgradability is just as important, in my opinion.
Context: Metal features, developer incentives, and whether Apple will court day-one releases.
AI × Health: From Tracking to Prediction
You’ve mentioned the potential of AI applied to health, especially in devices like the Apple Watch. Do you see a future where Apple could offer predictive diagnostics or more advanced health solutions thanks to this synergy?
“Apple routinely publishes research papers on its Machine Learning blog, and they give you an idea of what the company might one day implement. If you look at products like the Apple Watch or the AirPods Pro 2, they already offer some impressive health-related features. AI models, in conjunction with Apple’s existing hardware sensors, may be able to offer improved or more nuanced information relevant to the end user’s health.
I believe we’ll see this roll out with future AirPods and Apple Watch models at some point.onjunction with Apple’s existing hardware sensors, may be able to offer improved or more nuanced information relevant to the end user’s health.
I believe we’ll see this roll out with future AirPods and Apple Watch models at some point.”
Context: Sensor roadmaps, risk tolerance, and regulatory pathways for consumer diagnostics.
Life as a Leaker: Pressure, Balance, Purpose
Beyond data, the world of leaks comes with pressure, media attention, and responsibility. Have you ever thought about stepping away from it? How do you manage that stress?
“It’s a double-edged sword in that you get media attention, along with a ton of stress. My work has been cited by mainstream publications and websites, including Business Insider, CNBC, The Financial Times, Forbes, and you’ve likely seen it covered by various tech-related blogs. If you’ve seen or heard enough about Apple’s development processes, the way I have, people care about what you have to say.
One thing that I always tried to do, though, is to publish information in coordination with news websites, even before I began writing professionally. It lets people know that your goal in this is to share news, not to make money by leaking confidential information. That iPhone 15 Pro image, for instance, never made me a single cent. I’ve never paid people for information, either.
I have thought about stepping away from it all, but if you want to do something meaningful, it takes resolve. Per aspera ad astra, no giving up. As a journalist, I also have rapport with various companies’ PR departments, and I’ve received no complaints so far, so I’m not worried..”
Context: Verification discipline, timing, and the ethics of what to publish — and what to leave unsaid.
Media & Leaks: Signal vs. Noise
Lastly, what’s your opinion on how the media handles tech rumors today? Do you think the focus has been lost, or is there a shift toward more professional reporting?
“This ultimately varies by publication. Some websites will regurgitate the most outlandish of rumors, with no context whatsoever, or will present inaccurate information as an «exclusive.» Zero standards whatsoever.
Others, meanwhile, will analyze the claim itself, explain how it compares to existing tech trends or prior decisions by Apple and other tech companies. They’ll also take into account the person behind the claim, if applicable. This is what we should all do.
My advice would be to judge a story by the source, the leaker. Use common sense, though, and check who wrote the article. Not all stories are created equal.
As for quasi-leakers and two-bit YouTubers, I wouldn’t bother with those types of people. You’re better off just reading coverage from an established publication. Doing so will let you skip through the insufferable thumbnails, clickbait titles with weird facial expressions, and low-effort jokes typical of mass-market garbage.
If you prefer content in video form, look for someone who takes the time and effort to explain things without resorting to cheap tricks. Calm and collected. Some tech YouTubers have been around for ages, and a lot of them cover tech rumors in that manner..”
Context: Incentives, speed vs. accuracy, and the value of receipts
Final Thoughts: Knowing When to Speak
This interview with UNKNOWNZ21 offers a clear snapshot of Apple’s present and where it may be heading next. We’ve discussed how the iPhone 16e signals a shift in Apple’s product strategy, the steady evolution of Apple Intelligence, and the challenges facing Siri as it moves toward its 2026 redesign. We also touched on the trajectory of the Vision Pro, Apple’s push for its own modem technology, and the role AI could play in future health features.
What we’ve uncovered here goes beyond leaks — it’s about understanding the reasoning, the timing, and the bigger picture behind Apple’s decisions. At AppleX4, we share that same approach: providing context and analysis to the Apple community so readers can connect the dots themselves. In a market flooded with rumors, the real difference lies in knowing what to share… and choosing the right moment to do it.
© AppleX4 — Interview by AppleX4 Editorial Team.
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