Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: May 16, 2026, 2:38 PM ET

Markets & Corporate Strategy

Apple shares closed above $300 for the first time on Thursday after investors rewarded the company's stronger-than-expected earnings and a $100 billion share buyback program, even as analysts continued to debate the company's AI strategy. Evercore analysts raised their price target to $365, citing Apple Intelligence as a long-term revenue driver, while Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Intel has begun testing production of some iPhone, iPad, and Mac chips, potentially ending TSMC's decade-long monopoly as Apple's sole SoC supplier. On the regulatory front, OpenAI is exploring legal action against Apple after users of Apple-integrated Chat GPT did not convert to paid accounts at the rate CEO Sam Altman had expected, while xAI won a court order adding Craig Federighi to its antitrust suit against Apple and OpenAI as a document custodian. OpenAI is also forcing Mac users to update its desktop apps after a supply chain attack exposed signing certificates tied to its software. Meanwhile, Tim Cook joined President Trump and Elon Musk on a visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, part of a broader diplomatic mission that included executives from Tesla and Boeing.

Fall Hardware & iPhone 18 Lineup

Apple is preparing to launch more than 15 new products this fall, including the first foldable iPhone and an iPhone Ultra model reportedly codenamed with six new features that could drive upgrades. The iPhone 18 Pro has been named the fastest-charging smartphone in a new CNET benchmark, and rumors point to a design overhaul that builds on the rumored four-edge bending display first expected on next year's 20th-anniversary iPhone which itself will reportedly improve in a second version. Meanwhile, three new features on the iPhone 18 Pro are emerging as top upgrade motivators, and Apple has slashed iPhone 17 Pro prices in China by 1,000 yuan ahead of the 618 shopping festival. On the modem front, Apple's planned switch to an in-house modem for the entire iPhone 18 lineup would eliminate Qualcomm chips and bring a quiet privacy benefit by reducing third-party radio dependencies. Apple's broader ecosystem push includes the iPad mini OLED refresh and an upcoming MacBook Pro redesign that reportedly focuses on port improvements and thermal management rather than the headline OLED display.

MacBook Pricing & Deals

The MacBook Pro refresh is attracting aggressive discounting ahead of its redesign, with Amazon cutting the 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro by $249 across all models and 20-Core 2TB M5 Pro units hitting all-time lows. The most affordable M5 MacBook Pro is listed at $1,499, while the MacBook Neo — Apple's mid-range laptop — is shipping from $590. A full review of the MacBook Neo found it nearly capable of competing with the MacBook Pro for most users, and B&H is clearing M4 MacBook Air inventory at $829. Separately, the iVANKY FusionDock Ultra received praise as a premium 26-port Thunderbolt 5 dock for Mac users needing extensive connectivity.

Apple TV & Entertainment

Apple TV is on a hot streak with new shows and a slate of star-packed originals, including a spy thriller starring Ryan Reynolds with a comedy twist and the renewal of Margo's Got Money Troubles for season two ahead of its finale next week. The streamer also lost its head of international development to a new production venture, suggesting potential shifts in content strategy. Separately, the controversial Liquid Glass design language won a Gold Cube at the 2026 Art Directors Club awards, reinforcing its visual identity even as Google's Gemini Intelligence announcement aimed to steal Apple's AI thunder ahead of WWDC but fell short of expectations.

AI, App Store & Services

Ahead of WWDC, Apple and Epic agreed on a pre-court schedule to negotiate new App Store fee proposals, while Replit released its first iPhone app update in four months after resolving an App Store review dispute over AI-generated app previews. Apple commissioned three creative pieces showcasing Creator Studio's capabilities across cooking, poetry, and video editing. In mobile AI, OpenAI brought Codex Remote Access to the ChatGPT mobile app, allowing iPhone users to run coding sessions remotely on a Mac, and Spotify adopted Apple's new video podcast tech for cross-platform publishing. Car Play continues to expand, with six new apps now available including Chat GPT, Perplexity, and Google Meet, while iOS 26 adds five new CarPlay customization options and two new audio apps. Apple Maps introduced a Suggested Places feature in iOS 26.5 that serves as a precursor to upcoming ads in the app. On the enterprise side, Apple detailed mac OS 26.5 fixes for managed Macs, and the Apple Ads team is courting developers through a newly formed Emerging Team to boost ad revenue.

Security, Privacy & Smart Home

Hackers spent months hiding malware behind fake Apple-themed internet infrastructure to infiltrate organizations across the Asia-Pacific region, while thieves are unlocking stolen iPhones for up to $800 more than locked devices. Research shows iPhone theft using scooters and electric bikes has become epidemic, and Apple published Safari 26.5 security fixes addressing a Web Kit vulnerability that could expose user data. On the privacy front, Apple is encouraging users to remove personal data from data brokers that sell phone numbers, addresses, and Social Security numbers to spammers and scammers. In the smart home, SwitchBot launched Lock Vision with facial recognition and Matter over Wi-Fi support, while Matic's robot vacuum now integrates with Siri and Apple Home. Car keys in Apple Wallet expanded to a major new vehicle brand, and Ikea's Matter-over-Thread devices work with Apple Home despite some lingering setup issues.