Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 1, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Apple's Financial Performance and New Programs

Apple announced its third fiscal quarter 2026 financial results, reporting $109.4 billion in revenue and a profit of $29.8 billion. This quarter was Apple's strongest June quarter on record, boosted by tariff refunds which also positively impacted gross margins and earnings per share. company will pay shareholders a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share on August 13. Research and development expenses climbed to a record $11.73 billion in Q3 2026, continuing a sharp acceleration in spending throughout fiscal 2026. Apple's Services has been impacted by regulatory changes to the App Store business model in the US and abroad. reaching 1.5 billion paid subscriptions, the growth fell short of Wall Street's expectations.

Product Launches and Updates

Apple launched "Apple Upgrade," a new leasing program that replaces the previous iPhone Upgrade Program. This week also saw the release of iOS 26.6, with iOS 27 in beta testing and expected to bring significant changes, including a revamp of Notification Center and the ability to set custom EQ for Air Pods. Mac Studio is slated for an update this fall, its first since early 2025. Amazon is offering the Apple Watch Series 11 GPS models starting at $299.99. A Canadian artist reportedly dropped an iPhone 17 Pro from a plane at 3,600 feet, and the device was found intact. iPad Air which has maintained the same design since 2020, could be redesigned next year.

Future Product Rumors and Speculation

20th anniversary iPhone, expected next year, is rumored to feature significant changes and potentially include Air Pods with cameras. Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could introduce an Apple-designed C2 cellular modem, moving away from Qualcomm. The base model iPhone 18 is anticipated to arrive in spring 2027 with a smaller Dynamic Island, 12GB or 9GB of RAM, and an A20 chip. lower-end iPhone 18e is expected to launch by March 2027 with 9GB of RAM, and the iPhone Air 2 is also anticipated in the first quarter of 2027 with five new features. Analysts predict a potential $300 price hike for the iPhone 18 Pro due to chip shortages and increased memory costs. Apple is also rumored to be working on an iPhone Ultra with expanded landscape features in iOS.

Apple's Ecosystem and Services

Apple's Mac saw a rise of over 25% in the last quarter, attributed to the MacBook Neo. company's iCloud+ subscriptions are currently intended to cover AI compute costs. Apple's legacy in Software as a Service dates back to iTools, .Mac, and Mobile Me before the evolution into iCloud. The Shazam app has been updated with iMessage stickers, including a collection inspired by Ariana Grande's new album. TV's YouTube channel has released full San Diego Comic-Con panels for various shows, including "Matchbox The Movie" and "Widow's Bay." Apple continues its partnership with Peanuts, with the newest "Snoopy Presents" special now available on Apple TV.

Industry Trends and Analyst Outlook

captured 49% of global smartphone revenue in the second quarter, despite only accounting for 23% of shipments. Investment banks have adjusted their price targets for Apple's stock following recent financial reports and outlooks. JP Morgan a $345 price target for Apple's stock through December 2027, while Goldman Sachs has trimmed its target by $10. Morgan Stanley its target to $360 due to slowing Services growth and increased memory costs. Rosenblatt hiked its AAPL target to $300 based on expected iPhone 18 demand, but still faces short-term supply problems. Apple warned that supply constraints will increase significantly next quarter, impacting iPhone, iPad, and Mac availability.

Smart Home and Other Developments

A new Federal Communications Commission order bans foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, potentially impacting future Matter and Home Kit models and limiting options for Apple Home users. Apple appears to be preparing to expand Car Keys support in Apple Wallet to another Chinese automaker's brands. Apple is reportedly preparing to launch three new smart home products. The company is also donating to relief efforts for recent earthquakes in Japan and devastating wildfires in Europe. In other app news, Spotify has rolled out a new "User Notes" feature for playlists and a "Running Mode" with tempo-matched music. Yahoo Weather iOS has received a major overhaul with new features and an enhanced design.