Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 23, 2026, 2:43 PM ET

iMac & iPhone Roadmap

An updated iMac is reportedly on track to ship with the M6 chip before the end of 2026, though insiders caution it won't be a major design overhaul. The refresh comes after a two-year hiatus, and per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is also preparing updated color options for the desktop lineup. Meanwhile, pricing pressure is mounting across the ecosystem — Apple has already raised prices on Macs and iPads to absorb rising RAM costs, and an iPhone price hike of roughly $100 is widely expected as the company weighs competitive positioning against rival flagships.

Foldable iPhone Ultra

We're just a few weeks away from the rumored launch of the foldable iPhone Ultra, and early impressions from people who have handled pre-release units suggest the device may justify its hyper-premium price point. Sources who have tested the model indicate it will live up to the hype, with reviewers praising the hinge mechanism and display quality as standout features. The device is expected to carry a significant premium over the standard iPhone lineup, positioning it as Apple's most ambitious hardware play in years. Those who have used it report that the folding mechanism feels notably more refined than competing foldables and the software experience has been optimized to take advantage of the larger unfolded display.

Retail & Smart Home Push

Apple's retail strategy is shifting ahead of a major smart home revamp, with stores preparing for significant changes tied to new product launches. Visitors this fall will see more smart home products on display, including a new Home Pod mini and related accessories, as Apple pushes deeper into home automation. The retail overhaul is expected to include dedicated demonstration zones where customers can interact with connected devices in a simulated living environment, a departure from the current product-on-table format. Store employees are reportedly receiving specialized training on the new home ecosystem, signaling that Apple views this as a strategic priority rather than a minor merchandising tweak.

Leaks & Betas

A single mistake in macOS Tahoe's beta code inadvertently confirmed numerous rumored products, with the error revealing internal references to unreleased hardware and even a video file. The leak has forced Apple to accelerate internal security reviews of its beta release process. In other news, the AirTag 2 4-pack has hit a record low price of $85 on Amazon, down from its typical $99 MSRP. On the legal front, bail was revoked in the Hingham Apple Store crash case, while stolen iPhones from San Francisco surfaced in Los Angeles and police arrested a man for allegedly using an Air Tag to track a victim.

Competition & Apps

Google's Pixel 11 lineup, unveiled earlier this month, includes a camera feature that many believe Apple should replicate — the ability to refocus photos after capture using multi-lens depth data. The feature leverages the phone's array of cameras to capture depth information simultaneously, enabling post-shot focus adjustments that rival dedicated camera systems. Meanwhile, indie developer Cloud Gear has launched a tvOS app that unifies all major cloud gaming platforms into a single interface, allowing Apple TV users to access Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, and other services without switching apps.