Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: July 31, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Financial Performance and Analyst Outlook

Apple announced third fiscal quarter 2026 results, reporting a profit of $29.8 billion on $109.4 billion in revenue . The company reached 1.5 billion paid subscriptions across its platform, adding to its Services business . Despite strong demand, Morgan Stanley reduced its Apple price target to $360 due to slowing Services growth and higher memory costs . Sachs also trimmed its Apple target by $10 following the earnings call . JP Morgan its price target to $340, citing supply chain constraints, but remains bullish long-term . Rosenblatt maintained a bearish stance, citing short-term supply problems . Apple's stock down approximately 10% following mixed Q3 2026 results .

Productivity and Operating System Updates

iOS 27 is set to bring significant improvements, including enhanced Siri capabilities and a more user-friendly Mail app with improved search functionality . new operating system will also allow users to customize Air Pods audio with a dedicated EQ setting . mac OS 27 introduce five new features, including improvements to iPhone Mirroring . Users will have more control over alarm volumes, as iOS 27 will finally unlink them from the iPhone ringer . Apple's plans AI compute costs will be covered by iCloud+ subscriptions for now, with potential paid upgrades for heavy AI users .

iPhone and Hardware Rumors

The iPhone 18 Pro is anticipated to launch with a starting price of $1,399, and some analysts predict a potential price hike of $250-$300 due to increased silicon and memory costs . Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro may feature an Apple-designed C2 modem, moving away from Qualcomm . The base model iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027, potentially with 9GB or 12GB of RAM and a 2nm A20 chip . lower-end iPhone 18e is also rumored to come with 9GB of RAM . iPad Air is expected to receive a redesign next year, marking its first update since 2020 . A second-generation iPhone Air is slated for early 2027, possibly featuring a smaller Dynamic Island and additional improvements .

Services and Ecosystem Expansion

Apple's Services experienced softness, partly due to changes in the App Store business model in certain countries and a general slowdown in mobile gaming . CFO Kevan stated that regulatory changes to the App Store are beginning to impact Services growth . Apple is also expanding its Car Keys feature, with more Chinese car brands preparing to support it in Apple Wallet . The company is reportedly preparing a major overhaul of its Home products, with new smart home devices expected . Additionally, Apple working to expand the iPhone driver's license feature to a 15th US state .

Tim Cook's Departure and Leadership Transition

Tim Cook in his final Apple earnings call as CEO, with John Ternus set to take over on September 1 . thanked shareholders and analysts on his last earnings call . He also price increases, citing a "100-year flood on memory pricing" that forced Apple to reluctantly raise prices . Cook also that Apple would be making donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan and wildfire relief efforts in Europe .

Market Dynamics and Industry Trends

captured 49% of global smartphone revenue in the second quarter, despite only holding 23% of shipments . This demonstrates Apple's significant pricing power and brand loyalty. The company is also facing pressure from U.S. senators demanding a commitment not to purchase Chinese memory chips . A new FCC order banning foreign-produced advanced robotic devices could impact future Matter and Home Kit models . Despite a decline in the overall smartphone market in China, iPhone sales have reportedly soared .

New Programs and Special Content

Apple launched a new Apple Upgrade leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, which replaces the previous iPhone Upgrade Program . Apple TV+ released full San Diego Comic-Con panels for various shows, including "Matchbox The Movie" and "Dark Matter" . The streaming service also added the new Snoopy Presents special, "'There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy'" . Shazam has introduced its first artist sticker pack, featuring Ariana Grande's new album .

Durability and User Experiences

An iPhone 17 Pro was reportedly found intact and virtually untouched after falling from a plane at 3,600 feet, underscoring the device's improved durability . iOS 27 introduce several user-requested features, including the ability to hide the often-mistakenly pressed Messages button and improved Apple Maps functionality . The operating system will also feature a setting to adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass, an interface effect introduced in iOS 26 .

Third-Party App and Service Updates

Spotify has launched a new "Running Mode" for its iOS app, which adapts playlists to workout type and tempo . Yahoo Weather received a significant overhaul with new features and enhanced radar and maps . WhatsApp is rolling out web calling and call transfer capabilities across devices . Code Weavers is preparing for the end of Rosetta 2 by testing an Apple Silicon-native version of Cross Over .

Deals and Discounts

Several deals on Apple products are currently available, including a $240 discount on the M5 MacBook Air directly from Apple . AirPods Pro are available for $199.99, and Air Pods Max 2 are discounted by $100 . AirTag 2 is also at an all-time low price of $89.00 for a four-pack . Buy's Back to School sale includes discounts on Air Pods Max 2 and MacBook Pro models .