If 2025 was the year of “AI Hype”—where every toaster and toothbrush tried to chat with you—tech in 2026 is shaping up to be the year of AI Utility.
As we stand at the end of December 2025, the roadmap for the next 12 months is becoming clear. The “Wow” factor is fading, replaced by technology that just works. From the long-rumored Apple foldable to the internet revolution finally hitting Pakistani homes, here is what we are looking forward to in 2026.
1. The “iPhone Fold” is Finally Coming? Tech in 2026
We have written about the rumors for five years, but the supply chain leaks are now undeniable. 2026 is the year Apple finally enters the foldable game.
- The Device: Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will be joined by a new “Ultra” or “Fold” model in September 2026. Unlike the bulky Galaxy Z Folds of the past, this is rumored to use a new “hybrid OLED” that eliminates the crease entirely.
- The “Split” Launch: Leaks indicate a major strategy shift. We might see the high-end iPhone 18 Pro/Fold in the fall, while the standard iPhone 18 gets pushed to Spring 2027. If you are saving up for a new phone, start putting aside money now—the Fold won’t be cheap.
2. Wi-Fi 7: The “Fiber” Killer for Pakistani Homes
This is the most practical update for us. In September 2025, the PTA officially approved the 6GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi 7 in Pakistan.
- Why it matters: In 2026, we will see the mass rollout of Wi-Fi 7 routers from ISPs like PTCL and StormFiber.
- The Benefit: Wi-Fi 7 isn’t just about speed; it’s about congestion. In a typical joint family house in Lahore or Karachi, you have 15 phones, 3 TVs, and a gaming PC fighting for signal. Wi-Fi 7 handles this traffic like a multi-lane highway. Expect “buffer-free” 4K streaming to finally become a reality in shared households.
3. “Invisible” AI (The Death of the Chatbot)
Gartner and Deloitte have both predicted that 2026 will be the year of “Agentic AI.”
- What is it? Instead of opening an app to talk to a bot, the AI will disappear into the OS.
- The Shift: In 2026, you won’t ask ChatGPT to “write an email.” Your laptop (powered by the new Snapdragon X Elite or Apple M5 chips) will simply notice you are struggling with a reply and draft it in the background. It will organize your files, cancel your unused subscriptions, and book your Careem rides without you opening a single app. Tech is getting boring again, and that is a massive upgrade.
4. The Wildcard: The Apple Ring
With Samsung’s Galaxy Ring already on its second generation, the pressure is on Tim Cook. Rumors suggest 2026 might be the year Apple launches the Apple Ring—a health tracker for people who hate wearing watches. If it integrates with the Vision Pro for gesture controls (like “Minority Report”), it could be the sleeper hit of the year.
The Verdict
2026 won’t be about flashy new inventions we don’t understand. It will be about refining the mess of 2025 into products we actually want to use.
Are you buying a foldable iPhone if it drops? Or are you sticking to the slab? Let me know below!