Last updated: August 7, 2026, 3:56 PM ET
iPhone 18 Pro & Foldable iPhone Ultra
Apple is less than a month away from unveiling its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with rumors pointing to at least 12 new features including an upgraded camera system, the A20 Pro chip, and a C2 modem. The iPhone 18 Pro could launch at a starting price of around $1,399 to $1,499, representing a $250–300 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro, driven by rising component costs and the new 2nm A20 chip. According to Apple Insider, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will get even more “Pro” this year in three key ways: a periscope camera with up to 10x optical zoom, a significantly larger battery, and a higher price tag that could approach $1,500 for the base model. Meanwhile, Apple is also preparing its first foldable device, the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and could “sell out fast” due to a global memory shortage affecting assembly. The foldable iPhone Ultra is a major reason why global foldable smartphone sales are forecast to rise 20% this year, and it will compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy foldables. Apple has reportedly expanded its reach ahead of the iPhone 18 launch by launching new trade-in and financing programs, while simultaneously sweetening trade-in values for iPhones, Macs, and iPads to encourage upgrades. The RAM shortage holding up iPhone 18 Pro assembly is a significant concern, as Apple’s supplier SK hynix has invested $38B in AI memory production, but that won’t lower iPhone prices. In fact, the global RAM supply crisis is expected to worsen before it gets better, with memory prices soaring due to high demand from AI servers and limited production capacity. Apple’s bid to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage against Samsung and SK hynix backfired, leaving the Korean suppliers with stronger pricing power. Despite these challenges, Foxconn reported record monthly profits ahead of iPhone 18 Pro mass production, driven by AI infrastructure demand. A poll asking readers whether they plan to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or the foldable iPhone Ultra shows strong interest in both, with many citing the Ultra’s larger display as a deciding factor. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro event date is likely to be announced within the next two weeks, based on a consistent six-year pattern of September event invitations. However, the event won’t be live — it will be a prerecorded presentation, though it might be “livelier” this year with more interactive elements.
Software Updates: iOS, mac OS, and watch OS
Apple is testing a forthcoming iOS 26.6.1 update for iPhone, likely to include bug fixes and security improvements, coming just two weeks after the iOS 26.6 release. The update is being internally tested and could launch within days, according to Mac Rumors visitor logs. On the Mac side, Apple has already released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes, addressing a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability that could allow attackers to view a user’s screen without authorization. The macOS updates also cover older versions like Sequoia and Sonoma, underscoring Apple’s commitment to patching critical flaws across its ecosystem. to the next major release, iOS 27 adds four new ways to customize the Lock Screen, including new font styles, widget placements, and a compact clock that gives wallpaper more breathing room. The compact clock in iOS 27 is a reversal of iOS 26’s oversized clock trend, offering a minimalist look that many users will appreciate. Another standout addition is GymKit coming to iPhone and AirPods, turning them into fitness trackers that pair with compatible gym equipment, a feature previously exclusive to Apple Watch. The Messages app in iOS 27 gains one-tap suggestions that predict what you want to say based on context, saving users significant time during conversations. CarPlay in iOS 27 adds a mini player and scrubbing controls for popular Apple apps like Apple Music and Podcasts, improving the in-car experience. iPadOS 27 introduces two user-friendly features: a floating calculator that stays on top of other apps and improved Stage Manager multitasking. The Apple Wallet in iOS 27 finally adds the ability to import physical passes via NFC scanning, a feature that has been on users’ wish lists for years. watchOS 27 could make the Apple Watch’s hypertension alerts even better by providing more detailed trend data and suggestions for managing blood pressure. Siri AI will be a major upgrade in iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, but it will only be available on newer Apple devices with the A17 chip or later, limiting compatibility with older hardware. iOS 27 also hints at an all-new Home product, likely a security camera or a new Home Pod, expected to launch later this year.
Apple Watch, Health & Fitness
Apple Watch continues to be a major focus, with Series 11 and Ultra 3 deals offering savings of up to $172 on Amazon and Walmart. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is currently $99 off at Amazon, making it an attractive option for adventurers. the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to launch next month with three exciting new features: a blood glucose monitoring sensor, a larger always-on display, and improved satellite connectivity for emergency SOS. The Apple Watch’s hypertension feature in watch OS 27 could receive enhancements that make the alerts more actionable, including recommendations for lifestyle changes. On the fitness side, iOS 27’s GymKit integration means you can leave your Apple Watch at home and still get accurate workout data from your iPhone and Air Pods. The Apple Health app is more powerful than most users realize, offering deep integration with medical records, medication tracking, and sleep analysis — tips for maximizing its potential are widely shared.
Macs, Deals & Accessories
Apple’s M5 MacBook Air is heavily discounted this week, with B&H offering the 24GB RAM model for $1,349, a $150 savings that ends this weekend. Amazon has up to $190 off the M5 MacBook Air in multiple configurations, representing the best prices since Apple’s price hike earlier this year. The loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro with 40-core GPU is $500 off at Amazon, the largest discount currently available on the 16-inch lineup. For those seeking more portable options, the MacBook Neo is up to $120 off in Apple’s Certified Refurbished Store, alongside $500 off MacBook Pro models. Apple’s official refurb store also added rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and Studio Display XDR this week. Looking to the future, MacBook Pro users will soon have two new upgrade options: the M6 Pro and a new “MacBook Ultra” model with a higher-performance chip and redesigned chassis. The Mac Pro turned 20 years old yesterday, with many celebrating it as the best Mac ever made, even though Apple discontinued the tower five months ago. In software for Mac, BBEdit remains a legend at 34 years old — a powerful text editor that still thrives in the modern mac OS ecosystem. MacPaw is building an on-device AI layer for Mac apps in partnership with Liquid AI, starting with Eney, an AI assistant that runs entirely locally.
Air Pods, Audio & Accessories
Air Pods Pro 3 continue to see price drops, now 25% off at $189.99, making them one of the best deals of the summer. The AirPods Pro 3 keep getting better with iOS 27, which adds adaptive transparency mode, conversation awareness, and a new hearing test feature exclusive to the third-generation Pros. AirPods Pro 3 are also getting new features that make them more like the Apple Watch at the gym, thanks to iOS 27’s Gym Kit integration. Deals roundups show the Air Pods Pro 3 at all-time lows, alongside Apple Watch bands and MacBook Neo discounts. The AirPods Pro 3 dropped again to 25% off in a separate deal, and Best Buy’s Back to School sale includes significant markdowns on MacBook Pro, Air Pods, and Apple TV.
Apple TV, Content & Streaming
Apple TV+ has a packed fall lineup, with Ted Lasso season 4 now streaming after a three-year hiatus, and the first episode is available to watch today. Alongside Ted Lasso, two more hit Apple shows are coming soon: Slow Horses season 5 and the series adaptation of Dark Matter. Apple TV’s surprise hit series “Widows’ Bay” is making the jump to theaters for one night only, a rare move for an Apple TV+ series. Meanwhile, the high-profile series adaptation of “The Bonfire of the Vanities” has been dropped by Apple TV due to creative differences, according to reports. On the gaming front, Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade, offering the full Madden experience without microtransactions. A new TV-tracking app called Bingers, from the co-founder of TV Time, has launched with social features that let you share what you’re watching with friends. Disney+ could potentially get a free ad-supported tier in the future, according to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s comments during the company’s earnings call.
Smart Home & Car Play
Lutron Caseta has expanded its partnership with Sonos, allowing users to control smart home devices using Sonos Voice Control for hands-free operation. Abode launched two new Apple Home-compatible sensors designed to monitor garage doors, gates, and sheds, expanding the DIY security ecosystem. The HomePod mini 2 is expected soon with Siri improvements, a Thread radio upgrade, and better audio quality, making it a central smart home hub. CarPlay is coming to Crest & Balise pontoon boats, bringing navigation and music controls to the water. Apple Wallet’s Account Card expanded to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta, allowing users to store Apple balance in Wallet for easy purchases. The Apple Account Card is a useful feature for managing Apple gift cards and credits, but it’s not a bank account — it simply stores your Apple balance.
AI, OpenAI & Chat GPT
OpenAI continues to iterate rapidly, with a new ChatGPT version featuring a “Think” button that encourages more thorough reasoning and fewer confident wrong answers. GPT-5 turns one year old tomorrow, and OpenAI is celebrating by introducing Agent Plugins, an open standard for reusable AI-agent extensions. New pricing and design details have emerged about OpenAI’s first device, said to be a doughnut-shaped speaker with a screen that could cost around $300. Adobe is integrating with ChatGPT to allow users to generate and edit images using natural language prompts, blurring the line between creative apps and AI assistants. Meta has launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent for mac OS that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data, raising privacy concerns. Wispr Flow introduced Notetaker, an AI meeting assistant for Mac that uses calendars and personal dictionaries to provide context-aware notes. Anthropic’s Claude Code is enabling auto mode as default next week for Pro, Max, and Team users, meaning the AI will execute commands without manual confirmation unless administrators pin a different setting.
Security, Privacy & Legal
Apple has told a federal court that it hasn’t heard from Jon Prosser’s legal team in a month, as discovery drags on in its trade secret lawsuit against the leaker. In a joint status report, Prosser’s attorney cited caring for his newborn child as the reason for the delay. Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI alleges that a former employee leaked confidential documents, but the company says iCloud mess did not play a role in the breach. Meanwhile, Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is leaking users’ real IP addresses due to a Web Kit flaw, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. The macOS Screen Sharing vulnerability that was patched this week could have allowed an attacker to view a user’s entire screen without permission. Apple’s bug bounty changes that baffled researchers earlier this year finally make sense: the company is prioritizing reports that affect the most users and devices. A Chinese router backdoor has been discovered that phones home to a command-and-control server, sold under multiple brand names — the most blatant security implant yet. New Mac malware that steals cryptocurrency wallet funds spreads through a single pasted Terminal command, draining all or a selected percentage of a user’s crypto. The unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird is back, despite Apple now supporting RCS, raising privacy red flags. Telegram’s CEO says an extortionist planted AI-modified CSAM to trick Apple into removing the app from the App Store. TikTok deliberately turned off safety controls for 15 million American teens to see what would happen, leading to a teenager’s death and sparking outrage. A scam Uber email is making the rounds, telling users their payment method expired and directing them to a phishing site. X Money launched last month, but users are concerned about what happens to their balance if X suspends their account — the FAQ says funds are held in FDIC-insured accounts. WhatsApp channel admins will soon be able to flag AI-generated media, complying with new EU transparency requirements.
Market Share, Sales & Industry Trends
Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, with the premium segment (phones over $600) reaching a record 29% of overall sales. A separate report from Apple Insider confirms Apple’s dominance in the premium market, noting that the company grew 9% year over year despite Chinese brands making inroads locally. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline, reflecting weaker consumer demand and a longer replacement cycle. The original iPhone lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile shut down its 2G GSM network, meaning the first-generation iPhone can no longer make calls or use data in the US. T-Mobile also launched a new 3-year plan aimed at customers who want to spread the cost of expensive new iPhones over a longer period. Samsung’s Galaxy pre-order deals end today, with up to $350 Amazon gift cards available for the latest Galaxy phones and watches — but the iPhone 18 Pro launch looms.
Podcasts & Commentary
The 9to5Mac Daily podcast covered iPhone Fold hype and mac OS updates on August 7, while the August 5 episode focused on clues about the upcoming iPhone event. The AppleInsider Podcast discussed the rising cost of iPhone components, who will pay for AI, and the OpenAI lawsuit. Security Bite explored why scammers are increasingly using Face Time for phishing attacks. Another Security Bite episode explained Apple’s baffling bug bounty changes. The MacRumors Show discussed what changes are coming for the iPhone Air 2 after a difficult first year.
Odds & Ends
Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode on iPhones, which is a mistake according to 9to5Mac’s analysis, as the feature had huge potential for content creators. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro event won’t be live, but a “livelier” format might include audience Q&A or real-time demos, according to Mark Gurman’s hints. Surgeons are praising Apple Vision Pro as a superior tool for certain procedures, calling it a “great bargain” compared to dedicated medical displays. A jailbreak tool now lets you run mac OS on M1 and M2 iPads still running iPad OS, though it’s experimental and limited to specific iPad OS versions. Never put a hot iPhone in the fridge — condensation can damage internal components, warns Apple Insider. The Newton launched in August 1993 and set the stage for the iPad and iPhone, a reminder of Apple’s early forays into handheld computing.