Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 2, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Apple's Financial Performance and Executive Transition

Apple reported a strong third fiscal quarter of 2026, with revenue reaching $109.4 billion and a profit of $29.8 billion. company's June quarter was its strongest on record, bolstered by tariff refunds which also positively impacted gross margins and earnings per share. Apple achieved a significant milestone of 1.5 billion paid subscriptions across its platform, though this still fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Research and development expenses reached a record $11.73 billion in Q3 2026, continuing a sharp acceleration in spending throughout the fiscal year. Apple will shareholders a quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share on August 13. Outgoing CEO Cook participated in his final Apple earnings call, with incoming CEO John Ternus set to take over on September 1. Cook stated that Apple "reluctantly raised prices" due to a "100-year flood on memory pricing". He also mounting memory supply and pricing challenges, suggesting that adding more suppliers may not necessarily bring product prices down.

New Product Launches and Rumors

Apple is preparing to launch five long-awaited new products this fall, with a total of fifteen new products expected to be released. MacBook Neo is reportedly drawing schools away from Windows and Chromebooks. fall will see an update to the Mac Studio for the first time since early 2025. Amazon is offering a $30 discount on the M4 Pro Mac mini, with limited supply available. A $1,200 discount is currently available on Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max with a 2TB SSD, marking the lowest price on record for this configuration. deals include discounts on Air Pods Max 2 and MacBook Pro models.

Rumors about 2028 iPhone suggest potential evolutions in design, display, and cameras. The iPhone is expected to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, with Apple rumored to be working on a special edition device. The iPhone 18 Pro could see a significant $300 price hike due to chip shortages. The base model iPhone 18 is anticipated to launch in spring 2027 with a smaller Dynamic Island, 12GB or 9GB of RAM, and a 2nm A20 chip. lower-end iPhone 18e, expected by March 2027, will reportedly feature 9GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessor. iPhone Air 2 is also slated for release in the first quarter of 2027 with five new features. The iPhone 18 Pro might introduce an Apple-designed C2 cellular modem, moving away from Qualcomm. iPad Air could finally receive a redesign next year, as its current design has been in place since 2020.

Software Updates and Features

iOS 27 is making significant changes, including a departure from the chronological alert order in Notification Center that has been in place since iOS 5 in 2011. iOS 27 is also bringing a highly requested feature to Apple Mail: search functionality that "just works". update will also allow users to set a custom EQ for their Air Pods, a feature previously unavailable to Air Pods owners. Alarm volume finally be unlinked from the iPhone ringer in iOS, ending a practice that has been in place for nearly two decades. iOS 27 includes hints about the upcoming iPhone Ultra, such as expanded landscape mode support. mac OS 27 introduce three key upgrades to iPhone Mirroring, enhancing the ability to access an iPhone directly from a Mac.

New Programs and Services

launched "Apple Upgrade," a new leasing program for most Apple products, which replaces the previous iPhone Upgrade Program. new leasing program has sparked discussions regarding its potential impact on the used and refurbished markets and how it might affect Apple's upcycling efforts. Apple's Services growth has slowed, with regulatory changes to the App Store business model beginning to affect the company's performance in the US and abroad. Apple's AI costs are currently expected to be covered by iCloud+ subscriptions, with daily usage limits tied to subscription tiers. company's history in software as a service began with iTools, evolving through .Mac and Mobile Me before becoming iCloud.

Industry and Market Trends

captured 49% of global smartphone revenue in the second quarter, despite only accounting for 23% of shipments, highlighting the company's strong profit margins. High demand iPhones is expected to outstrip supply during the September quarter, a situation that has persisted throughout much of 2026. Apple is bracing for significantly increased supply constraints in the upcoming quarter, impacting iPhone, iPad, and Mac production. U.S. Senators demanding Apple commit to not purchasing Chinese memory chips, citing national security and economic concerns. The FCC has banned new "foreign-produced advanced robotic devices" due to national security risks, which could affect future Matter and Home Kit models.

Other Apple News

Apple TV+ released full San Diego Comic-Con panels for shows like "Silo" and "Dark Matter". The newest Snoopy Presents special, "There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy," is now available on Apple TV+. Shazam has been updated with iMessage stickers, including a collection inspired by Ariana Grande's new album. Beats continues to operate as a separate brand, allowing Apple to reach Android users and compete at lower price points without diluting the Air Pods brand. Major Chinese brands are preparing to support Car Keys in Apple Wallet, expanding the feature's compatibility. Apple is reportedly preparing a significant overhaul of its smart home products, with three new devices nearing launch. An iOS app called 'Antizuck,' which claims to detect nearby smart glasses, has topped the App Store chart. Code Weavers is testing an early version of Apple Silicon-native Crossover as Rosetta 2's role diminishes. Apple CEO Cook announced that Apple would be making donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Japan and wildfire relief efforts in Europe. Epic Games launched the Epic Games Store on iPhones in Brazil, bringing Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe back to the platform.