Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 4:37 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable Ultra

Rumors are intensifying that Apple’s September event will focus on a flagship-only lineup, with the iPhone 18 Pro and a foldable iPhone Ultra taking center stage. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a 2nm A20 chip, C2 modem, and under-display Face ID, while pricing could jump by $250 to $300 over the current generation. Apple’s event is widely anticipated for September 9, 2026, and a new poll asks readers whether they plan to buy the Pro or the foldable Ultra. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air 2 is under discussion on the Mac Rumors Show, analyzing changes after a difficult first year.

Apple’s Legal and Supply Chain Drama

Apple has flagged discovery delays in its trade secret lawsuit against leaker Jon Prosser, telling a federal court it hasn’t heard from his legal team in a month. On the supply side, SK hynix is making a $38B bet on AI chip demand lasting until 2029, but that won’t lower iPhone prices. The Apple Insider Podcast also covers paying for AI, freezing iPhones, and avoiding scams, including the evolving OpenAI lawsuit.

Upcoming Products and Software Updates

Apple is rumored to launch three new “Ultra” products by early next year, potentially including an iPhone Ultra, a MacBook Ultra, and an Apple Watch Ultra. New Air Pods with built-in cameras could launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, adding spatial awareness features. MacBook Pro users will soon have two compelling new upgrade options this fall, including M6 and Ultra models. Apple is also testing iOS 26.6.1 internally, and the Apple Account Card is expanding to four new countries.

Market Dominance and Industry Trends

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the premium segment’s share of overall sales hit a record 29%. However, iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline, mirroring Apple’s reported 5% drop in iPad revenue. The original iPhone lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile killed its 2G GSM network, ending support for the 2007 device.

Software and Ecosystem Updates

watchOS 27 could upgrade Apple Watch’s hypertension alerts with more granular data, building on the life-saving feature introduced in watch OS. iOS 27 introduces a compact clock option that lets your wallpaper breathe, and physical pass import to Apple Wallet — a feature long requested by users. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade, offering a full Madden experience without ads or in-app purchases.

Refurbished Deals and Nostalgia

Apple’s refurbished store has added rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and more, offering savings on certified refurbished devices. The Mac Pro turns 20 years old today — five months after Apple discontinued the tower — and is still celebrated as the best Mac ever made. Meanwhile, BBEdit is a 34-year-old Mac text editor that remains a legend for its simplicity and power.

Car Play Resistance and Cinematic Mode

Three major automakers — Tesla, Rivian, and GM — still don’t support CarPlay, despite a majority of car buyers demanding it. On the software side, Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, and that’s a mistake, argues one analyst, given the feature’s potential for video storytelling.

AI and Developer Tools

Claude Code will enable auto mode as the default starting August 14 for Pro, Max, and Team users, meaning sessions will run automatically unless pinned otherwise. OpenAI’s first device is reportedly a doughnut-shaped speaker priced around $200, while a new ChatGPT version adds a “Think” button to find more reliable facts.

Health and Security

Apple Health is more powerful than you think, with tips to maximize data from your Apple Watch and doctor imports. The Security Bite Podcast explains why scammers love Face Time now, highlighting the rise of spoofed calls.