Last updated: August 7, 2026, 2:34 AM ET
iPhone 18 Pro and September Event
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are just a month away, expected to bring 12 new features including an upgraded camera system, the A20 Pro chip, and a smaller Dynamic Island. Pricing predictions suggest the Pro lineup could cost $250–300 more than current models, with a possible $1,399 starting price. Apple is gearing up for a more focused launch this fall, saving the cheaper base iPhone 18 for spring and leaving the more expensive Pro and Ultra models to anchor the September event. Apple's announcement history gives a remarkably consistent window for when invitations will arrive, and the company has already started preparing for the big September event. While Bloomberg's Mark Gurman teased a possibly livelier presentation, the event likely won't be fully live, and Apple's employee lottery for the launch doesn't signal a return to live keynotes.
The iPhone 18 Pro will feature three long-rumored upgrades: a variable aperture camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple's C2 modem. RAM shortages are reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro, and the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra could sell out fast due to the DRAM supply crunch. Apple's attempt to use Chinese memory maker CXMT as leverage against Samsung and SK Hynix has backfired, giving the Korean chipmakers more pricing power. The global RAM and SSD crisis will get worse before it gets better, with manufacturers reaping massive profits as prices soar.
The foldable iPhone Ultra sounds truly deserving of its name based on software experience rumors, and global foldable smartphone sales are expected to rise 20% this year, with Apple's first entry cited as a key driver. Samsung's foldable success shows Apple's timing for the iPhone Ultra couldn't be better, and iOS 27 hints point to an all-new Apple Home product launching soon alongside the foldable. Apple is also prototyping a 6.4-inch display for the 20th anniversary iPhone, according to a Chinese leaker. As iPhones get more expensive, T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan, and more price increases are expected next month for iPhone and other products.
Apple Financials and Market Position
Apple reported record revenue of $109.4 billion for the June quarter, though iPad revenue dropped 5% year-over-year and iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline. Apple continues to dominate the premium smartphone market, owning 65% of the over-$600 segment with 9% year-over-year growth in the first half of 2026. Apple has hit a record $10 billion in annual retail revenue in India, with its second main iPhone manufacturing base driving the milestone. Ahead of iPhone 18 Pro mass production, AI demand has driven Foxconn to record profits, with the manufacturer announcing its greatest monthly earnings ever.
iOS 27 and Software Updates
iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and Air Pods into an Apple Watch at the gym with Gym Kit support, letting you tap to compatible equipment and share heart rate data. AirPods Pro 3 are getting a variety of new features in iOS, two of which are exclusive to the latest model, and Apple has released a fourth version of AirPods beta firmware with these features. iOS 27 adds four new ways to customize your iPhone's Lock Screen, including new wallpaper settings and design controls. The Messages app gets a time-saving feature with one-tap suggestions based on your conversation context. FaceTime receives a huge upgrade with dual-capture support, a powerful new feature exclusive to newer iPhones. CarPlay in iOS 27 adds two new features for popular Apple apps, including a mini player and scrubbing controls.
iPadOS 27 adds two new iPad features that reviewers are loving, launching next month alongside iOS. Siri AI is coming to newer Apple devices only, with a full list of compatible iPhones, iPads, and Macs now available. Apple has released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes, and the latest macOS updates address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability across Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma.
Apple TV+ Content
Ted Lasso season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV, with the first episode available three years after the season 3 finale. Ted Lasso is back alongside two more hit shows coming soon, including Slow Horses and Dark Matter. Apple TV's fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon, with a packed schedule ahead. Shrinking has been revealed as Apple TV's most popular show this year, ahead of Ted Lasso's return. Apple's surprise hit series Widows Bay is making the jump to theaters for one night only. However, The Bonfire of the Vanities series has been dropped by Apple TV due to creative differences, and Disney+ could get a free ad-supported tier according to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro's comments on the earnings call.
Deals and Pricing
Amazon is offering up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, marking the best deals since the price hike. Apple's loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro with a 40-core GPU is $500 off, the largest discount currently available across the 16-inch lineup. Best Buy's Back to School sale includes notable markdowns on MacBook Pros, Air Pods, and more. Amazon's Apple sale offers up to $500 off across Mac, iPad, Air Tag, and Apple Watch categories, with prices starting at just $27. AirPods Pro 3 have dropped to nearly 25% off alongside ongoing Air Pods Max 2 offers at $100 off. M5 MacBook Air deals are ending this weekend with up to $200 off, and Apple Certified Refurbished MacBook Neo models are up to $120 off.
Apple has raised trade-in values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, but you can still do better by comparing carrier offerings, other trade-in vendors, and private sale values. August Apple Watch deals deliver savings of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles at Amazon and Walmart. Amazon has deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $99 off, and M4 iPad Air models are discounted by up to $69 at Amazon. Samsung Galaxy pre-orders end today with up to $350 Amazon gift cards before the new devices launch tomorrow.
Security and Privacy
iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry, undermining Apple's paid Safari protection feature. A new Mac malware can steal credentials and drain cryptocurrency wallets with a single pasted Terminal command. The biggest backdoor yet has been found in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names, with a firmware implant that phones home. A fake Zoom update malware campaign has expanded its reach to mac OS, installing Screen Connect for remote control. Apple's bug bounty changes finally make sense according to Security Bite's analysis. T-Mobile retired its 2G GSM network on Monday, meaning the original iPhone has lost its last cellular network across all three major US carriers. A T-Mobile outage last week left many iPhone users without service, and affected customers can snag $10 to $80 in bill credits. Apple Photos face recognition is not a privacy threat despite a $32B lawsuit proceeding, and the feature actually enhances privacy through on-device processing. A scam Uber email is making the rounds attempting to steal payment information, and users should know how to spot it.
Telegram was briefly removed from the App Store on Monday night after a review found content violating guidelines against child sexual abuse material. Telegram CEO says an extortionist manipulated Apple into the removal by planting AI-modified CSAM, and the app was restored after the content was removed. TikTok deliberately turned off safety controls for 15 million American teenagers to see what would happen, and one teen died as a result. The unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird just will not die, returning despite Apple's RCS support for Android users.
AI and OpenAI
OpenAI's first device will reportedly be a doughnut-shaped speaker, with new pricing and design details emerging alongside legal battles. A new ChatGPT version has a 'Think' button and promises to find more reliable facts with fewer confident wrong answers. GPT-5 turns one as OpenAI shares a new Agent Plugins standard for reusable AI-agent extensions. Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI says the iCloud mess didn't play a role in a former employee's alleged access to confidential documents. ChatGPT Atlas, OpenAI's dedicated web browser for Mac, will shut down this weekend, and OpenAI has explained what happens to user data. Adobe is integrating with ChatGPT through a new AI plugin, positioning itself as the creative engine behind AI regardless of where people create. Meta launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent for mac OS that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data.
Smart Home and Accessories
Lutron Caseta is expanding its integration with Sonos, adding the ability to control smart-home devices using Sonos Voice Control. Abode launched new Apple Home-compatible sensors designed to monitor garage doors, gates, sheds, and other entry points. HomePod mini 2 expectations include a smaller, smarter speaker with Siri improvements and smart home updates. Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month with three new features that already have reviewers excited, launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro. Apple Watch accessories for 2026 include the Memoket Gem, an 11g AI wearable that slots beside your Apple Watch in a co-wear band. The Apple Watch National Fitness Day challenge returns this weekend for users in China to unlock virtual rewards. Crest Marine and Balise are bringing Car Play to pontoon boats with Savvy Navvy integration.
Apps and Services
Apple Health is more powerful than you think, with tips for tracking data from your Apple Watch, importing records from your doctor, and more. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade as a full Madden NFL game without additional purchases. X Money's FAQ addresses what happens to your money if X suspends or closes your social media account, along with 6% APY and physical card details. The Apple Account Card in Wallet is now available in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta. WhatsApp channel admins will soon get the ability to flag AI-generated media as EU transparency requirements take effect. WhatsApp added '@all' mentions and three new poll upgrades to group chats, plus a faster way to spin off new groups. Signal's latest iOS update expands the multi-device feature for iPhone users, making it easier to use the app across different devices. Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major milestone as Apple Music readies iOS 27 upgrades. Apple Card partnered with Booking.com to speed up loyalty rewards with Genius Level 2 access. Bingers, a new TV-tracking app from the founder of TV Time, is now available with more social features. RevenueCat's Shipaton mobile hackathon is back with $1 million worth of prizes, running August 1 through September 30.
Miscellaneous Apple News
Apple flagged delays in Jon Prosser's response to its leak lawsuit, with his counsel attributing the delay to Prosser caring for his newborn child. The 9to5Mac Daily podcast recapped the week's Apple news including iPhone event clues, and another episode covered the Apple vs OpenAI drama. Apple earnings and universal clipboard interoperability were discussed in the latest episode recapping the week in Apple news. Surgeons are enthusing about what a great bargain the Apple Vision Pro is for certain surgeries, concluding it's superior to existing medical equipment. The Newton's August 1993 launch set the stage for what would become the iPad and iPhone, 33 years later. Never put a hot iPhone in the fridge or freezer, as viral social media advice will cause condensation damage. MacPaw is building an on-device AI layer with Liquid AI that will work across your Mac apps, starting with the Eney AI assistant. A jailbreak solution has emerged for M1 and M2 iPads still running iPad OS, allowing mac OS to run natively on iPad hardware. Wispr Flow launched Notetaker, its first product beyond dictation, an AI-powered meeting assistant for Mac. GAMEBABY's new translucent case turns your iPhone into a Game Boy with real buttons, and it's back with a new look. The Apple @ Work podcast covered the state of digital signage on Apple TV in 2026.