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Apple’s iPhone Event May Lack Spark, but Rumored Slim ‘iPhone Air’ Could Drive Upgrades

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Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on Tuesday, but analysts warn the launch could feel underwhelming compared with rivals’ rapid AI integration. The highlight may be the rumored “iPhone Air”, a slimmer model designed to echo the sleekness of Apple’s MacBook Air.

The thinner device would require Apple to solve battery and camera design challenges while fitting into a price band between the base iPhone 17 and Pro models. Analysts say this new form factor could entice iPhone 14–16 users to upgrade, offering Apple its first meaningful design shift in years.

Some see the “Air” as a stepping stone toward foldable iPhones and a more advanced Siri, though foldables are not expected until next year. Competitors like Samsung and Google already have folding models, but they remain a niche category at less than 2% of global sales. Apple faces added pressure in China, where foldables are popular and its market share has slipped.

Pricing remains a sensitive issue amid Trump’s tariff policies. Apple may quietly push margins higher through storage-based price increases, avoiding direct price hikes that could trigger political backlash, analysts say.

On the AI front, Apple has lagged rivals. Plans to revamp Siri were delayed by engineering hurdles, forcing the company to lean on OpenAI’s ChatGPT integration. Apple is also in early talks to use Google’s Gemini AI to strengthen Siri. Analysts expect the company to tout the AI processing power of its next-gen Apple Silicon chips, paving the way for an “agentic Siri” that can handle tasks in the background without draining device batteries.

While Apple’s customer base remains loyal, experts warn the company now has months, not years, to prove it can match competitors in AI and form-factor innovation. “By this time next year, if Siri still disappoints and the foldable isn’t out, Apple’s content base could erode,” said Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research.

Databricks Hits $100 Billion Valuation with $1 Billion Raise, Projects $4 Billion Revenue

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Databricks, the San Francisco-based data analytics and AI firm, announced on Monday that it has closed a $1 billion Series K funding round at a $100 billion valuation, cementing its position as one of the world’s most valuable private companies.

The round was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz, Insight Partners, MGX, Thrive Capital, and WCM Investment Management. The fresh capital will fuel Databricks’ AI strategy, supporting new product launches, acquisitions, and advanced research.

The company revealed it is now on track to hit $4 billion in annualized revenue, with AI-related products contributing $1 billion. Its customer base has grown to around 15,000 clients, including Shell and Rivian, while its Lakebase data warehouse has already reached tens of millions in annualized revenue just months after launch.

CEO Ali Ghodsi said Databricks will remain cash-flow positive, keeping the option of an IPO open but without a fixed timeline. The company is also investing in Agent Bricks, its new AI platform for building autonomous systems, and recently acquired Tecton, a machine learning startup.

With net revenue retention above 140%, over 650 customers spending more than $1 million annually, and positive free cash flow, Databricks is positioning itself as a leader in the AI and big data race—and a likely candidate for one of the most anticipated IPOs in the sector.

ElevenLabs Staff to Sell Shares at $6.6 Billion Valuation

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ElevenLabs, the fast-growing voice cloning AI startup, is allowing employees to sell shares at a $6.6 billion valuation, double its January 2024 value of $3.3 billion, according to Bloomberg News. The move highlights the ongoing competition among AI firms to retain top talent by offering stock liquidity.

The tender offer will enable staff who have worked at the company for at least a year to sell up to $100 million worth of shares, giving them an opportunity to cash out while allowing investors to boost stakes. Sequoia Capital and Iconiq are leading the deal, joined by Andreessen Horowitz and other backers.

Founded by Piotr Dabkowski (ex-Google) and Mati Staniszewski (ex-Palantir), ElevenLabs has seen explosive growth. Its headcount jumped from 77 employees to 331 in a year, while annualized recurring revenue surged from $100 million in October 2024 to $200 million in mid-2025. The company aims to hit $300 million by year-end.

The valuation leap puts ElevenLabs among the most valuable AI startups in the world. It comes as OpenAI also explores an employee stock sale that could value it at $500 billion, underscoring how AI’s growth is reshaping private markets.