Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 2, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple's Financial Performance and Future Outlook

reported strong financial results for its third fiscal quarter of 2026, announcing a profit of $29.8 billion on revenue of $109.4 billion. company's June quarter was its strongest on record, bolstered by tariff refunds which contributed to increased gross margins and earnings per share. Despite this success Apple's stock opened down roughly 10% following mixed Q3 2026 results and a cautious outlook for the September quarter. Investment bank Sachs has trimmed its Apple target by $10 after earnings, while Morgan Stanley has pared its target from $364 to $360 due to slowing Services growth and higher memory costs. JP Morgan set a $345 price target for Apple's stock through December 2027, but has since cut its target.

Product Updates and Rumors: iPhones and Air Pods

Rumors are circulating about the 2028 iPhone, hinting at potential evolutions in design, display, and cameras for the device. upcoming iPhone 18 Pro may see a significant price hike of $300, attributed to a chip shortage, and could introduce an Apple-designed C2 cellular modem, moving away from Qualcomm. The base model iPhone, expected in spring 2027, is rumored to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, 12GB or 9GB RAM, and a 2nm A20 chip. A lower-end iPhone 18e is also expected by March 2027 with an increased 9GB of RAM. The iPhone 17 Pro has demonstrated remarkable durability, with one unit surviving a drop from 3,600 feet from a plane. Apple is also rumored to be working on a 20th-anniversary iPhone for next year, potentially coinciding with the release of Air Pods with cameras. An update for Air Pods Pro is still expected by the end of 2026, though a camera-equipped version is not anticipated until 2027.

Hardware and Software Innovations

Apple's Mac will receive an update this fall, marking its first refresh since early 2025. The M4 Pro Mac mini is currently available at a discounted price and is in stock at Amazon. Apple's Mac have seen a significant rise of over 25% in the last quarter compared to the previous year, largely driven by the MacBook Neo. The company is also preparing for a major overhaul of its smart home products, with at least three new devices reportedly nearing launch. iOS 27 significant changes, including a major alteration to the Notification Center, which has been a staple since iOS 5 in 2011. This new operating system also brings enhancements to Apple Mail with improved search functionality and new features for Apple Notes and iPhone Mirroring. iOS 27 will allow users to set custom equalizers for their Air Pods, a feature previously unavailable.

New Programs and Services

Apple launched "Apple Upgrade," a new leasing program that replaces the iPhone Upgrade program and applies to most Apple products. This program's introduction has sparked discussions about its potential impact on the used and refurbished markets and how it might expand the company's upgrade cycles. Apple also reached a milestone of 1.5 billion paid subscriptions across its platform, contributing to its growing Apple Services business. However, the company has noted that regulatory changes to the App Store business model are beginning to affect Services growth. Apple's AI costs are currently being covered by iCloud+ subscriptions, with daily usage limits tied to subscription tiers.

Market Trends and Industry Commentary

Apple continues to dominate smartphone revenue, capturing 49% of the global market share in the second quarter despite only accounting for 23% of shipments. company's outgoing CEO, Tim Cook, participated in his final earnings call, with John Ternus set to take over as CEO on September 1. addressed escalating memory costs, referring to them as a "100-year flood," which has reluctantly led Apple to raise product prices. He also that adding more memory suppliers may not necessarily result in lower product prices. Apple is anticipating significantly increased supply constraints in the next quarter, impacting the availability of iPhones, iPads, and Macs. In response to potential supply chain issues, U.S. Senators are demanding Apple commit to not purchasing Chinese memory chips, citing national security concerns.

Other Apple Ecosystem Developments

Beats continues to operate as a separate brand outside of Air Pods for 12 years, allowing it to reach Android users and compete in different market segments. Shazam has been updated with iMessage stickers inspired by Ariana Grande's new album. Apple TV+ now offering full San Diego Comic-Con panels for shows like "Silo" and "Dark Matter," and the new Snoopy Presents special "There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy" is available to subscribers. The company is also expanding Car Keys support in Apple Wallet to more Chinese car brands. Code Weavers is developing an Apple Silicon-native Cross Over build as Rosetta 2's role diminishes. In other news the FCC has banned new foreign-produced advanced robotic devices due to national security risks, which could impact future Matter and Home Kit models.

Deals and Discounts

Amazon is offering a $1,200 discount on Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max with a 2TB SSD, representing the lowest price on record for this configuration. Deals are also available for the Air Pods Pro 3 at $199.99 and Air Pods Max 2 at $100 off, with Air Pods Pro 3 also available at $50 off. Apple Watch Series 11 GPS models are available from $299.99 on Amazon. Buy's back-to-school event includes discounts on Air Pods Max 2 and MacBook Pro, alongside other Apple products. The M4 Pro Mac mini is also on sale for $30 off, though supply is limited.