Last updated: August 7, 2026, 12:03 AM ET

Apple News Briefing: August 4–6, 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Event Takes Shape

The iPhone 18 Pro event is now roughly a month away, with Apple expected to announce at least five new devices at its annual September showcase. Apple hasn't sent invitations yet, but its announcement history over the last six years gives a remarkably consistent window for when the date will be revealed. Apple is already preparing for the big September event, which is expected to debut the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new product. While some hope for a return to live presentations, Apple's employee lottery for the September launch doesn't mean it will be a live event, and it'll probably be the same pre-recorded format. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman stirred things up with a deliberately teasingly-phrased tweet suggesting the event could be "live-lier" this year, even if a full live keynote seems unlikely.

The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to be announced in a month, with new features including an upgraded camera system and the A20 Pro chip. Rumored features include a variable aperture, a smaller Dynamic Island, and the C2 modem — three upgrades that have been rumored for years. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but with 12 new features rumored across the lineup. 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. Claims of a $1,399 starting price may be exaggerated, but the device is expected to cost significantly more than current models. Apple recently raised prices across much of its product lineup, and even more increases are expected next month for iPhone and more.

Memory Crisis Threatens iPhone 18 Supply

The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra could be in short supply this year due to a DRAM shortage, potentially selling out fast. Apple's new A20 Pro processor isn't being cranked out as fast as it could be because of RAM shortages, which 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. The global RAM and SSD crisis continues to echo through home electronics pricing, and RAM manufacturers are reaping massive profits, with a fix still a long time away and prices likely to worsen before improving.

iPhone Ultra and the Foldable Era

Apple's first foldable iPhone 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 Samsung's experience in the market shows the timing couldn't be better. Apple is also prototyping a second new iPhone display, this one measuring around 6.4 inches, that could be destined for the 20th anniversary iPhone. iOS 27 includes hints about the new iPhone Ultra, but it also points to an all-new Apple Home product likely launching soon.

iOS 27 Feature Deep Dive

iOS 27 continues Apple's trend of giving users more control over the design of the iPhone's Lock Screen, with four new customization options, wallpaper settings, and more this year. The Messages app gets a variety of new features in iOS, including a time-saving one-tap suggestion feature that's the best new addition based on hands-on time with the beta. FaceTime gets a huge upgrade with a powerful new dual-capture feature. GymKit, one of Apple Watch's smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017, is coming to iPhone and Air Pods in iOS, essentially turning them into an Apple Watch at the gym. CarPlay in iOS 27 adds two new features for popular Apple apps, including a mini player and scrubbing controls. AirPods are getting a variety of new features in iOS, two of which are exclusive to Air Pods Pro. Siri AI is a major upgrade and highlight of iOS, mac OS Golden Gate, and more, but only newer Apple devices will get it. iPadOS 27 launches next month with new features in apps like Notes. Apple also released a fourth version of the beta firmware for Air Pods Pro, Air Pods Pro, and Air Pods 4 with iOS 27 features.

Apple TV+ Fall Lineup Arrives

Ted Lasso is officially back for season 4, with the first episode available to stream as of today, three years after the season 3 finale aired. Apple TV is now airing Ted Lasso season 4 alongside its fall lineup of new shows and movies coming soon. Two more hit Apple shows are coming soon, including Slow Horses and Dark Matter. Apple TV's surprise hit series Widows Bay is making the jump to theaters for one night only. Apple TV's most popular show this year was just revealed, with Shrinking taking the top spot. 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. Disney could introduce an ad-supported Disney+ free tier in the future, according to comments from Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro during the company's latest earnings call.

Security Updates and Malware Threats

Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes, coming a little over a month after the previous update. Apple has now published the security details for today's mac OS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma updates, addressing a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. Researchers have uncovered Mac malware that can steal credentials and drain all or a selected percentage of a cryptocurrency wallet. A malware campaign using fake Zoom updates is now expanding its reach to mac OS, installing Screen Connect for remote control that can resemble legitimate IT activity. The most blatant security backdoor yet seen in an internet router has been found in models sold under multiple brand names, with a firmware implant phoning home. Apple's iCloud Private Relay doesn't always work, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry, who found the paid Safari protection feature leaking users' real IP addresses. Apple's baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense according to Security Bite's latest analysis. A judge is allowing a $32B lawsuit to proceed over Apple Photos face recognition, though the feature is not a privacy threat — quite the opposite, according to analysis.

OpenAI's Rapid Evolution

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, featuring a new "Think" button. OpenAI's GPT-5 turns one tomorrow, and the company is marking the week by introducing Agent Plugins, an open standard meant to let reusable AI-agent extensions work across platforms. OpenAI shared new pricing and design details about its first smart device, a doughnut-shaped speaker, following initial reports from Bloomberg. ChatGPT Atlas, OpenAI's dedicated web browser for Mac, is shutting down this weekend, and OpenAI has shared details about what happens when it goes dark. Adobe's newest AI ChatGPT plugin shows the company doesn't care where people create, but more on ensuring they create with Adobe, integrating with Chat GPT for AI creation. Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI says the iCloud mess didn't play a role in how a former Apple employee may have accessed confidential documents after leaving to join OpenAI.

Deals, Trade-Ins, and Pricing

Apple updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Apple has significantly increased how much it pays for trade-ins, but carrier offerings, other trade-in vendors, and private sale values can still get you more for your hard-earned money. Amazon is offering up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, the best deals since the price hike. Apple's M5 MacBook Air laptops are up to $200 off in limited-time deals that end this weekend. AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to nearly 25% off for one of the best deals of the year, alongside Air Pods Max 2 at $100 off. Apple Watch deals at Amazon and Walmart deliver savings of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles. Amazon has deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $99 off before they're gone. Apple's loaded 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max chip and 40-core GPU is $500 off, the largest discount currently available across the 16-inch lineup. Best Buy is hosting its Back to School sale with markdowns on Apple devices, TVs, headphones, and monitors. Amazon's Apple sale offers up to $500 off across Mac, iPad, Air Tag, and Apple Watch categories, with prices starting at just $27. The M4 iPad Air is discounted by up to $69 at Amazon this week. Samsung's newest line of smartphones and smartwatches launches tomorrow, making today the last chance for pre-order discounts including up to $350 Amazon gift cards.

Apple's Business Momentum

Apple reported a 5% year-over-year drop in iPad revenue for the June quarter, and new reports show 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, though Chinese brands are making a dent in local market share. Apple has set new annual sales in India, with its second main iPhone manufacturing base generating a record $10 billion in sales despite currency and other 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, driven by AI demand. Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major new milestone for the audio subscription service as it competes with Apple Music, which is preparing iOS 27 upgrades. The Apple Account Card in Wallet has expanded support to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta, following its initial rollout.

Telegram's App Store Drama

Apple briefly removed 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. Telegram CEO says an extortionist manipulated Apple into the App Store removal by planting AI-modified child sexual abuse material to get the app pulled.

Around the Apple Ecosystem

The original iPhone has lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile retired its 2G GSM network, meaning all three major carriers in the United States have now ended 2G service. Lutron is expanding its Caseta integration with Sonos, adding the ability to control smart-home devices using Sonos Voice Control. Abode expanded its Apple Home-compatible lineup with two new sensors designed to monitor garage doors, gates, sheds, and other entry points. Meta launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent available for mac OS that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data. MacPaw 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. Wispr Flow users on Mac can now access Notetaker, an AI-powered meeting assistant that uses calendars, connected apps, and personal dictionaries. RevenueCat's annual Shipaton mobile hackathon is officially back, running August 1-September 30 with $1 million worth of prizes for winning apps. WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let channel admins flag AI-generated media as EU transparency requirements take effect. WhatsApp also announced a series of updates to group chats, including an "@all" mention feature, three new poll upgrades, and a faster way to spin off new groups. Signal's latest iOS update expands its multi-device feature, making it easier to use the encrypted messaging app across different iPhones. Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month alongside iPhone 18 Pro, with three new features already generating excitement. Apple Watch users in China can participate in the 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. Crest Marine and Balise are bringing Car Play to pontoon boats, giving boat owners a new entertainment option. A jailbreak solution has emerged to run mac OS on M1 and M2 iPads still running iPad OS, though it is experimental. Apple's Newton handheld computer launched 33 years ago this month, setting the stage for what would become the iPad and iPhone. A T-Mobile outage last week left many iPhone users across the US without service for several hours, and Redditors are reporting bill credits of $10 to $80 in compensation. T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan as iPhones get more expensive. Apple Card users have a new way to get more value out of Booking.com without spending months climbing its loyalty ranks, through a partnership that speeds up rewards. Bingers, a new TV-tracking app from the founder of TV Time, is now available to download, leaning more heavily on social features. GAMEBABY's new translucent case turns your iPhone into a Game Boy with real buttons, with a new look for the popular accessory. A scam Uber email is making the rounds, attempting to steal payment information by claiming your payment method expired. Viral posts telling iPhone owners to refrigerate overheated devices should be ignored, as that will cause more damage. TikTok deliberately kept safety controls from 15 million American teenagers until one killed himself, and then lied about being responsible, according to a report. Apple is preparing some smart home updates with a new Home Pod mini expected soon, featuring Siri improvements and smart capabilities. In a joint status report filing, Apple said it hadn't heard from Jon Prosser's lawyer in a month, which his counsel attributed to Prosser caring for his newborn child. The Apple Health app on iPhone is a powerful way to track all facets of your health, whether recording data from your Apple Watch or importing records from your doctor. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is available on Apple Arcade starting today, a full Madden NFL game without in-app purchases. X Money's launch last month raised questions about what happens to your money if X suspends or closes your social media account, with answers now available in a comprehensive FAQ covering account suspensions, 6% APY, and physical cards. The Memoket Gem is an 11g AI wearable that slots beside your Apple Watch in a co-wear band, among the favorite Apple Watch accessories of 2026 so far. The unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird is back to persuade Android users to route their messages through its servers, even though Apple now supports RCS. The 9to5Mac Daily podcast recaps the top stories of the day, including Apple iPhone event clues and more. Another 9to5Mac Daily episode covers the latest Apple vs OpenAI drama. A third 9to5Mac Daily episode recaps potential iPhone 18 Pro shortages and more top stories. The Apple @ Work Podcast examines the state of digital signage on Apple TV in 2026. Benjamin and Chance return for another episode recapping the week in Apple news, including the interesting details of Apple's most recent earnings calls and universal clipboard interoperability.