Last updated: August 7, 2026, 5:37 AM ET
iPhone 18 Pro, Ultra, and the 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. Price predictions suggest the Pro lineup could cost $250–300 more than current models, with a starting price potentially reaching $1,399. DRAM shortages could cause the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" to sell out fast this year. RAM supply constraints are reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro as the A20 Pro processor isn't being produced as quickly as expected. Apple is gearing up for a more focused and potentially much more expensive iPhone launch this fall, with the cheaper base iPhone 18 saved for spring. Apple's employee lottery for the September launch doesn't mean a return to live-presented events — it'll probably be the same pre-recorded format. Mark Gurman's teasing tweet suggests the event could be "livelier" this year, though a full live keynote remains unlikely. Apple's announcement history gives a remarkably consistent window for when invitations will arrive. Apple is expected to announce at least five new devices next month at its annual iPhone-centric event, possibly including devices waiting on Siri. Apple is preparing for the debut of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new device. Three long-rumored upgrades are coming to the iPhone 18 Pro: a variable aperture camera, smaller Dynamic Island, and the C2 modem. Apple is prototyping a 6.4-inch display that could be destined for the 20th anniversary iPhone. Apple's first foldable sounds truly deserving of the "Ultra" name based on rumored software experience and features. Foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 20% in 2026 compared to last year, with Apple's first entry cited as a key factor. Samsung's foldable success shows Apple's timing for the iPhone Ultra couldn't be better. T-Mobile launched a new 3-year plan as iPhones get more expensive, responding to rising device costs. More price increases are expected next month for iPhone and other products, following recent hikes across much of the lineup.
Software Updates: iOS, iPad OS, and mac OS
iOS 27 brings GymKit to iPhone and Air Pods, essentially turning them into an Apple Watch at the gym by enabling tap-to-connect with compatible equipment. AirPods Pro 3 get a variety of new features in iOS, two of which are exclusive to the Pro 3 model. CarPlay in iOS 27 adds a mini player and scrubbing features for some of Apple's most popular apps. Siri AI is coming to newer Apple devices only, with a full compatibility list now available for iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate. iPadOS 27 adds two new iPad features that have been well-received in beta testing, launching next month. iOS 27 adds four new ways to customize the iPhone's Lock Screen, continuing Apple's trend of giving users more design control. Messages in iOS 27 gets a time-saving one-tap suggestion feature that's the best new addition to the app. New AirPods beta firmware has been released with iOS 27 features for Air Pods Pro, Pro, and Air Pods. FaceTime in iOS 27 gets a powerful dual-capture feature that's a huge upgrade for video calls. macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 has been released with security fixes, arriving a little over a month after the previous update. Apple published security details for mac OS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma updates addressing a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. Apple's bug bounty changes have finally been explained, making sense of a baffling set of policy shifts for security researchers.
Apple TV+ and Entertainment
Ted Lasso season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV, with the first episode available as of today after a three-year gap since the season 3 finale. Apple TV's fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon, headlined by Ted Lasso season. Apple TV's surprise hit series "Widows Bay" is making the jump to theaters for one night only, a rare move for an Apple series. The Bonfire of the Vanities series has been dropped by Apple TV due to creative differences, ending the high-profile Tom Wolfe adaptation. Ted Lasso is officially back for season, with two more hit Apple shows — Slow Horses and Dark Matter — coming soon. Apple TV's most popular show this year was just revealed as "Shrinking," beating out other Apple originals. Disney+ could introduce a free ad-supported tier in the future, according to comments from Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro during the company's earnings call.
Deals and Retail
Amazon has up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, offering the best deals since the price hike. M5 MacBook Air models are now up to $200 off with many deals ending this weekend. AirPods Pro 3 dropped to nearly 25% off, alongside the ongoing Air Pods Max 2 offer at $100 off and M5 MacBook Air at $190 off. Apple has significantly increased trade-in values for most devices, but carriers, other trade-in vendors, and private sales may still offer better deals. Apple raised trade-in estimates for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models in the US. Samsung's Galaxy pre-orders end today with up to $350 Amazon gift cards available before the new smartphones and smartwatches launch tomorrow. Amazon has Apple Watch deals with discounts of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles. Amazon has Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals at $99 off before they're gone. The M5 Max MacBook Pro with 40-core GPU is $500 off, the largest discount currently available on the 16-inch lineup. MacBook Neo is up to $120 off with MacBook Pro at $500 off and Apple Watch SE 3/Ultra 3 at $130 off, plus Air Pods deals. Best Buy's Back to School sale includes 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. Amazon has discounts on the M4 iPad Air with a trio of markdowns up to $69 off.
Security and Privacy
Researchers uncovered Mac malware that can steal credentials and drain all or a percentage of a cryptocurrency wallet, activated by a single pasted Terminal command. The most blatant backdoor yet seen in an internet router has been found in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names, with a firmware implant phoning home. A scam Uber email is making the rounds, claiming your payment method expired and attempting to steal payment information. Apple's iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. TikTok deliberately kept safety controls from 15 million Americans until one teenager killed himself, then lied about being responsible. A fake Zoom update malware campaign has expanded its reach to mac OS, installing Screen Connect for remote control that resembles legitimate IT activity. Apple Photos face recognition is not a privacy threat despite a $32B lawsuit proceeding — quite the opposite, according to analysis.
Legal and Business
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. 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. Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI says the iCloud mess didn't play a role in the alleged trade secret theft by a former employee. Telegram was subject to a "takedown extortionist" who planted AI-modified child sexual abuse material to get Apple to remove the app. Apple hit a record $10 billion in annual retail revenue in India, with its second main iPhone manufacturing base driving growth despite currency challenges. Telegram was briefly removed from the App Store Monday after CSAM was posted by a user, then restored after the content was removed. Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store after a review found content violating guidelines against child sexual abuse material.
AI and OpenAI
OpenAI's first device will be a doughnut-shaped speaker with new pricing and design details revealed, alongside ongoing legal battles. The new GPT-5.6 has a "Think" button and promises to be more succinct while providing confident wrong answers less often. OpenAI introduced Agent Plugins, an open standard for reusable AI-agent extensions, marking GPT-5's first anniversary. Adobe's new ChatGPT plugin shows the company is hell-bent on becoming 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. MacPaw is building an on-device AI layer with Liquid AI that will work across Mac apps, starting with the Eney AI assistant. ChatGPT Atlas shuts down this weekend, and OpenAI has explained what will happen to users of the dedicated Mac web browser.
Health, Fitness, and Smart Home
The Apple Health app is more powerful than you think, with tips for tracking data from Apple Watch, importing records from doctors, and more. Apple Watch users in China can participate in the National Fitness Day challenge this weekend to unlock virtual rewards. iOS 27 includes hints about an all-new Apple Home product likely launching soon, possibly a security camera. Lutron is expanding its Caseta integration with Sonos, adding smart-home control via Sonos Voice Control for hands-free operation. Abode expanded its Apple Home-compatible lineup with two new sensors designed to monitor garage doors, gates, sheds, and other entry points. A new HomePod mini is expected soon with smart home updates, staying small and Siri-focused.
Apps and Services
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade as a full Madden game without ads or in-app purchases. Apple expanded support for the Apple Account Card in Wallet to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta. WhatsApp is working on a feature letting channel admins flag AI-generated media as EU transparency requirements take effect. Bingers, a new TV-tracking app from the founder of TV Time, is now available with a heavier focus on social features. RevenueCat's Shipaton mobile hackathon is back with $1 million worth of prizes, running August 1 through September 30. Signal's latest iOS update expands the multi-device feature, making it easier to use the encrypted messaging app across different iPhones. Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major milestone as Apple Music readies iOS 27 upgrades. Apple Card users get a new way to earn Booking.com Genius Level 2 loyalty perks without months of climbing. WhatsApp announced updates to group chats including an "@all" mention feature, three new poll upgrades, and faster group creation.
Hardware, Accessories, and Industry
The Memoket Gem is an 11g AI wearable that slots beside the Apple Watch in a co-wear band, capturing conversations with a single press. Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month with three new features that have early excitement, launching alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. A new study concludes the Apple Vision Pro is superior to existing medical equipment for certain surgeries, calling it a great bargain. The risky Sunbird app is back to persuade Android users to route everything through it despite Apple now supporting RCS. Crest Marine and Balise bring Car Play to pontoon boats, giving boat owners a new entertainment option on the water. Apple's Newton handheld computer was both Apple's biggest failure and its greatest peek into the future, 33 years after its August 1993 launch. The global RAM crisis is going to get worse before it gets better, with RAM manufacturers reaping massive profits and a fix still far away. Foxconn announced record monthly earnings ahead of producing the iPhone 18 Pro and folding iPhone, driven by AI demand. A jailbreak solution has emerged for M1 and M2 iPads running iPad OS 16 to run mac OS natively, though it's experimental. Wispr Flow users on Mac can access Notetaker, an AI-powered meeting assistant that uses calendars, connected apps, and personal dictionaries. GAMEBABY's new translucent case turns the iPhone into a Game Boy with real buttons, building on the previous generation's popularity.
Market and Industry News
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. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline, following Apple's reported 5% year-over-year drop in iPad revenue. Apple owns 65% of the premium smartphone market (over $600) and grew 9% year over year in the first half of 2026, though Chinese brands are making inroads locally. X Money's launch raises questions about what happens to your money if X suspends your social media account, with answers on 6% APY and physical cards. Benjamin and Chance recap the week in Apple news including interesting details from the most recent earnings calls and iPhone event chatter. 9to5Mac Daily recaps the top stories of the day including Apple iPhone event clues and more. Viral posts telling iPhone owners to refrigerate overheated devices should be ignored, as that will cause condensation damage. 9to5Mac Daily covers the latest Apple vs OpenAI drama in the ongoing trade secrets dispute. A T-Mobile outage last week could see affected users snag $10 to $80 in bill credit compensation, with Redditors reporting credit amounts. The Apple @ Work Podcast explores the state of digital signage on Apple TV in 2026, covering enterprise deployment scenarios.