Last updated: August 6, 2026, 10:07 PM ET
Apple News Briefing: August 4–6, 2026
## iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: Launch Preparations and Supply Concerns
Apple is getting ready for its big September iPhone event, which is expected to see the debut of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable device. Apple hasn't invitations yet, but its announcement history gives us a remarkably consistent window for when the event will occur. Apple's employee lottery for the September iPhone launch doesn't mean it will be a return to a live-presented event, and it'll probably be the same pre-recorded format. Bloomberg's Mark stirred things up a little with what was likely a deliberately teasingly-phrased tweet that some took to be a reference to a live iPhone keynote presentation.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are just a month away, and the devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to feature an upgraded camera system, the A20 Pro chip, and more. iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature three upgrades that have been rumored for years. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" could be in short supply this year due to memory shortages. Apple's new A20 Pro processor isn't being cranked out as fast as it could be because of RAM shortages, and that is reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple's attempt to use Chinese memory maker CXMT as leverage against Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix has backfired, with the two Korean chipmakers ending up with more pricing power rather than less.
Apple is gearing up for a more focused and potentially much more expensive iPhone launch this fall, with the cheaper base iPhone 18 being saved for spring. That leaves the more expensive Pro and Ultra models to anchor the September event. While claims of a $1,399 starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro may be exaggerated, carriers are already preparing for higher price points. T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan as iPhones get more expensive. Apple recently prices across much of its product lineup, but even more increases are expected next month for iPhone and more.
Apple's first iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, is coming very soon, and based on rumors about the product, it sounds very much deserving of the "Ultra" name. Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 20% in 2026 compared to last year, with Apple's first entry into the category cited as one of the factors driving the increase. Apple has waited a very long time to launch its first foldable iPhone, and the Samsung experience shows Apple's timing for the iPhone Ultra couldn't be better. Apple is prototyping a second new iPhone display, this one measuring around 6.4 inches, that could be destined for the 20th anniversary iPhone.
Apple's Financial Performance and Market Dominance
Apple reported a 5% year-over-year drop in iPad revenue for the June quarter, and a new report shows iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline. For smartphones selling at over $600, Apple owns 65% of that market and grew 9% year over year in the first half of 2026. Chinese brands are making a dent in local market share, but Apple continues to dominate the premium smartphone segment. Apple has set new annual sales in India, with its second main iPhone manufacturing base generating a record $10 billion in sales despite currency challenges. Ahead of producing the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone, Apple's main manufacturer Foxconn has announced the greatest monthly earnings in its history.
Apple's most recent earnings calls revealed interesting details about the last of the Tim Cook era, with the company reporting $109.4 billion in revenue, up 16%. Shockwaves global RAM and SSD crisis continue to echo through home electronics pricing, and RAM manufacturers are reaping massive profits. A fix is coming, but it is a long time away and may not fully resolve the supply crunch.
iOS, iPad OS, and mac OS Updates
iOS 27 continues Apple's trend of giving you more control over the design of your iPhone's Lock Screen, with new customization options, wallpaper settings, and more. iOS 27 gives the Messages app a variety of new features and improvements, and the best new Messages feature is all about saving you time. iOS 27 brings exciting new features to Messages, Apple Notes, and more, including a huge upgrade for Face Time. iPad OS 27 launches next month, with new features in apps like Notes that are already impressing users. CarPlay iOS 27 has a handful of new features and improvements, including two additions for some of Apple's most popular apps.
GymKit has been one of Apple Watch's smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017, and iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and Air Pods into an Apple Watch at the gym. Air Pods are getting a variety of new features in iOS, two of which are exclusive to Air Pods Pro. Apple today a fourth version of the beta firmware it is testing for the Air Pods Pro, Air Pods Pro, and Air Pods.
Apple today mac OS Tahoe 26.6.1, an update to the mac OS Tahoe operating system that came out last year. Apple has now published the security details for today's mac OS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma updates, which address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. Siri AI a major upgrade and highlight of iOS, mac OS Golden Gate, and more, but only newer Apple devices will get it.
iOS 27 hints about the new iPhone Ultra, but it also points to an all-new Apple Home product likely launching soon. Apple is preparing some smart home updates, with a new Home Pod mini expected soon.
Security Threats and Privacy Concerns
T-Mobile retired its 2G GSM network on Monday, August 3, which means all three major carriers in the United States have now ended the original iPhone's last cellular network. Apple's paid protection feature that promises to keep your IP masked doesn't always work, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. Researchers have uncovered Mac malware that can steal credentials and drain all or a selected percentage of a cryptocurrency wallet. The most blatant security backdoor yet seen in an internet router has been found in a range of models sold under multiple brand names, with a firmware implant that phones home.
Telegram was subject to a "takedown extortionist" who planted AI-modified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to get Apple to remove the app from the App Store. Apple briefly Telegram from the App Store on Monday night after a review found content that violated its guidelines against child sexual abuse material. Telegram was removed then returned to the App Store after the content was removed. In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said it briefly removed Telegram from the App Store after its review found content that violates its strict guidelines prohibiting child sexual abuse material.
A malware campaign is using fake Zoom updates and business files to install Screen Connect, giving attackers remote control through software that can resemble legitimate IT activity, and it has now expanded to mac OS. A judge is allowing a $32B lawsuit to proceed alleging Apple Photos face recognition is a privacy threat, but the opposite is actually true. Apple's bug changes have finally been explained, and the baffling changes now make sense.
Apple TV+ Content and Entertainment
series Ted Lasso is back, with the first episode of season 4 available to stream as of today, three years after the season 3 finale aired. Ted Lasso officially back for season, and two more hit Apple shows are coming soon. Ted Lasso revealed as Apple TV's most popular show this year. Apple TV is now airing Ted Lasso season 4 alongside a fall lineup that reveals every new show and movie coming soon. While Apple has found success at the box office, Apple usually reserves theaters for its movies, not its series, but one hit show from Apple this year is coming to the cinema for one night only.
The high-profile television version of Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire of the Vanities" will reportedly no longer be made for Apple TV because of creative differences. Madden NFL Arcade Edition is available on Apple Arcade starting today, and it's a full Madden NFL game that does not include a subscription cost beyond Apple Arcade.
Deals, Trade-ins, and Pricing
Apple has significantly increased how much it pays you to trade in most devices, but you should compare carrier offerings, other trade-in vendors, and private sale values to get the most for your money. Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Time is running out to grab limited-time deals on Apple's latest MacBook Air laptops, with M5 models now up to $200 off. Amazon has up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air with the best deals since the price hike. Apple's powerhouse MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip and 40-core GPU is $500 off today, the largest discount currently available across the 16-inch lineup.
AirPods Pro have dropped in price again for one of the best deals of the year at nearly 25% off, alongside the ongoing Air Pods Max 2 offer at $100 off. AirPods Pro 3 have now dropped even lower at $60 off alongside all-time low pricing on Air Tag. Amazon today has a few deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with $99 off. Summer Apple sales at Amazon and Walmart deliver discounts of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles. Amazon this week has brought back notable discounts on the M4 iPad Air, with a trio of markdowns up to $69 off.
Best Buy still hosting its big Back to School sale this week, with notable markdowns on Apple devices, TVs, headphones, monitors, and much more. August Apple deals are in full swing at Amazon, with savings of up to $500 off across Mac, iPad, Air Tag, and Apple Watch categories, with prices starting at just $27. Samsung's newest of smartphones and smartwatches launches tomorrow, making today your last chance to get pre-order discounts on these devices, including up to $350 in Amazon gift cards.
AI Developments: OpenAI, ChatGPT, and the Broader Landscape
OpenAI continues to churn out upgrades to its various GPT models, with the latest GPT-5.6 promising to be more succinct and provide confident wrong answers less often. Chat GPT gets a slider and a new "Think" button that will find "more reliable facts." OpenAI's GPT-5 turns one tomorrow, and the company is marking the week by looking beyond individual models with the introduction of Agent Plugins, an open standard meant to let reusable AI-agent extensions work across platforms. Bloomberg has shared new pricing and design details about OpenAI's first device, which is expected to be a doughnut-shaped speaker.
It's the end of a very short road for Chat GPT Atlas, OpenAI's dedicated web browser for Mac, and OpenAI has shared details about what happens when Chat GPT Atlas shuts down this weekend. Adobe OpenAI have partnered, with Adobe's newest AI Chat GPT plugin showing that the company doesn't care where people create, but more on ensuring they create with Adobe. Mac Paw has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Liquid AI to co-develop an on-device AI technology stack built specifically for the Mac, starting with Eney, Mac Paw's AI assistant. Meta today Muse Code, a terminal coding agent available for mac OS that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data.
## Smart Home Accessories, and Ecosystem
Lutron is expanding its existing Caseta integration with Sonos, adding the ability to control smart-home devices using Sonos Voice Control. DIY smart home security company Abode expanded its Apple Home-compatible lineup today with two new sensors designed to monitor garage doors, gates, sheds, and other entry points. Boat owners are getting a new entertainment option as they bob on the water, as Crest Marine and Balise bring Car Play to pontoons.
Apple has expanded support for the Apple Account Card in the Wallet app to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta. Apple Card users have a new way to get more value out of Booking.com without spending months climbing its loyalty ranks. Apple Watch 4 is coming next month, launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro, with three new features that already have users excited. Apple Watch users in China can participate in the next National Fitness Day challenge this weekend to unlock virtual rewards. A new study covering wearing an Apple Vision Pro during certain surgeries has concluded that it is superior to existing medical equipment.
Apple Health app on iPhone is a powerful way to track all facets of your health, whether it's recording data from your Apple Watch, importing records straight from your doctor, or integrating with other health services. Wispr Flow users on Mac can now access Notetaker, an AI-powered meeting assistant that uses calendars, connected apps, and personal dictionaries to provide additional context. RevenueCat's annual mobile hackathon is officially back, running August 1-September 30 with major prizes available for winning apps, including $1 million worth of prizes.