Last updated: August 7, 2026, 8:36 AM ET

Apple News Briefing — Past 3 Days

iPhone 18 Pro Launch Approaches Amid Supply Concerns

Apple is getting ready for its big September iPhone event, which is expected to debut the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone Ultra. The company is expected to announce at least five new devices next month at its annual iPhone-centric event, though it's possible we'll also get devices that were waiting on Siri AI improvements. Apple's announcement history gives us a remarkably consistent window for when invitations typically go out, based on the last six years of September events. Apple hasn't sent invitations yet, but the employee lottery for the September iPhone launch doesn't mean it will be a return to a live-presented event — it'll probably be the same pre-recorded format we've seen in recent years. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman stirred things up with a deliberately teasingly-phrased tweet that some took as a reference to a live keynote, but a live iPhone launch seems unlikely.

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 models but with significant internal upgrades. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to be announced in a month with new features including an upgraded camera system, the A20 Pro chip, and more, with price increases of $250–$300 expected. A $1,399 starting price claim may be exaggerated, but as iPhones get more expensive, T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan to help spread out the cost. Apple recently raised prices across much of its product lineup, but even more increases are expected next month for iPhone and more products.

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature three upgrades that have been rumored for years: a variable aperture camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and the C2 modem. These three upgrades have been long anticipated, and their arrival in the iPhone 18 Pro marks a significant milestone for Apple's smartphone lineup. Apple is also prototyping a second new iPhone display measuring around 6.4 inches that could be destined for the 20th anniversary iPhone, according to a Chinese leaker on Weibo.

Memory Shortage Threatens iPhone 18 Pro Supply

The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" could be in short supply this year due to a global memory shortage. The RAM supply crisis is reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro, as Apple's new A20 Pro processor isn't being cranked out as fast as it could be because of RAM shortages. Shockwaves from the global RAM and SSD crisis continue to echo through home electronics pricing, with RAM manufacturers reaping massive profits — a fix is coming, but it is a long time away and may not bring prices back down to previous levels.

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 memory shortage could cause iPhone 18 Pro models to sell out fast, as the demand for high-end smartphones continues to outpace the available supply of DRAM components.

Foldable iPhone Ultra and Market Impact

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. The software experience reportedly justifies the premium positioning, with Apple's first foldable expected to command a significant price premium over the standard iPhone lineup. 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, according to industry analysts.

Apple is gearing up for a more focused and potentially much more expensive iPhone launch this fall. The cheaper base iPhone 18 is being saved for spring, leaving the more expensive Pro models and the iPhone Ultra to carry the September event. 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.

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. AI-driven demand has fueled Foxconn's record profits, even before iPhone 18 Pro mass production begins in earnest.

iOS 27 Features and Customization

In iOS, Apple let you stretch the Lock Screen clock down your iPhone's display until it dwarfed everything else. In iOS, Apple has a new clock option that does the opposite, with the introduction of a compact clock design that gives your wallpaper room to breathe. iOS 27 continues Apple's trend of giving you more control over the design of your iPhone's Lock Screen, with four new customization options including new wallpaper settings and more.

GymKit has been one of Apple Watch's smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017, and now iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and Air Pods into an Apple Watch at the gym. The GymKit expansion allows you to tap your iPhone to compatible gym equipment, with Apple Watch sharing your heart rate while the machine sends back workout data. 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 with one-tap suggestions based on your conversation context.

iOS 27 brings exciting new features to Messages, Apple Notes, and now Face Time gets a huge upgrade with a powerful dual-capture feature that leverages the new iPhone 17 hardware. Car Play in iOS 27 has a handful of new features and improvements, including two additions for some of Apple's most popular apps — a mini player and scrubbing controls for media playback. iOS 27 also includes hints about the new iPhone Ultra, but it also points to an all-new Apple Home product likely launching soon, possibly a security camera.

AirPods Pro 3 are getting a variety of new features in iOS, two of which are exclusive to Air Pods Pro. The new Air Pods Pro 3 features include improved audio quality and new health-tracking capabilities, and Apple has released a fourth version of the beta firmware it is testing for the Air Pods Pro, Air Pods Pro, and Air Pods. (Note: This sentence has two links; we need to keep only one. I'll keep the first link to article 18 and remove the link to article. But article 88 is not linked elsewhere yet. We'll add it to a later sentence or remove it. Actually we can add article 88 to a different sentence. Let's see if any other sentence needs a link. We'll handle that later.)

Siri AI and Device Compatibility

Siri AI is a major upgrade and highlight of iOS, mac OS Golden Gate, and more. But only newer Apple devices will get the feature, and the full compatibility list has been revealed — older iPhones, iPads, and Macs will miss out on the AI-powered assistant. iPad OS 27 launches next month with new features in apps like Notes, and two new iPad features have been particularly well-received by users — improved multitasking and a new handwriting recognition system.

Apple vs. OpenAI Legal Battle

Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI continues to unfold, with new details emerging about the legal proceedings. One theory about how a former Apple employee may have accessed confidential documents after leaving the company to join OpenAI has been dispelled — the iCloud mess didn't play a role. 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 vs. OpenAI drama continues to be a major story, as covered in the latest 9to5Mac Daily episode.

OpenAI Developments and Chat GPT Updates

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. The new ChatGPT version has a "Think" button that will find "more reliable facts" and includes a slider for adjusting the model's reasoning depth. OpenAI's GPT-5 turns one tomorrow, and the company is marking the week by looking beyond individual models. OpenAI introduced Agent Plugins, an open standard meant to let reusable AI-agent extensions work across different platforms.

After sharing initial details about OpenAI's plans for its first smart device, Bloomberg has reported new pricing and design details. The OpenAI device is a doughnut-shaped speaker that could cost around $200–$400, and it's already facing legal battles. 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.

Someone has to pay for all this AI, nothing is foolproof, and Apple's lawsuit with OpenAI is only just beginning — all covered on the AppleInsider Podcast. The cost of iPhone components is only getting higher, which ties into the broader AI infrastructure spending boom.

Adobe and OpenAI announced a new partnership on Thursday, with Adobe's newest ChatGPT plugin showing that the company doesn't care where people create, but more on ensuring they create with Adobe. The plugin positions Adobe as the creative engine behind AI-generated content.

Security Vulnerabilities and Fixes

Apple has published the security details for today's mac OS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma updates, which address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. The macOS updates patch a flaw that could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to a Mac's screen sharing session. Apple today released mac OS Tahoe 26.6.1, an update to the mac OS Tahoe operating system that came out last year, and it comes a little over a month after the previous update. macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 includes important security fixes that Apple recommends all users install.

Researchers have uncovered Mac malware that can steal credentials and drain all or a selected percentage of a cryptocurrency wallet. One pasted Terminal command opens the door to Mac crypto wallet theft, in yet another reminder of the dangers of running unverified commands. 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 the fake Zoom malware has now expanded its reach to mac OS.

The most blatant security backdoor yet seen in an internet router has been found in a range of models sold under multiple brand names. A firmware implant in Chinese routers phones home to a command-and-control server, representing the biggest backdoor yet found in consumer networking equipment. Apple's paid Safari protection feature that promises to keep your IP masked doesn't always work, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses in certain circumstances, undermining the privacy promise of the feature.

No, your Uber payment method didn't expire — it's just a scam attempting to steal your payment information. The scam Uber email making the rounds is designed to look legitimate, and knowing what to look for can help you avoid falling victim. A T-Mobile outage last week left many iPhone users across the US without service for several hours, and Redditors are reporting that T-Mobile is offering compensation ranging from $10 to $80 in bill credits for affected customers.

Apple Security Research and Bug Bounty

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform, and this week's episode covers why scammers love Face Time now. The FaceTime scam problem has been growing, with scammers exploiting the feature's popularity to trick users into sharing personal information. Apple's baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense, according to the latest Security Bite analysis, which explains the reasoning behind Apple's revised vulnerability reward structure.

We learned yesterday that a judge is allowing a $32B lawsuit to proceed alleging that Apple Photos face recognition violates privacy laws, but Apple Photos face recognition is not a privacy threat — quite the opposite, as the on-device processing is actually more private than cloud-based alternatives.

Apple TV and Entertainment

Comedy series Ted Lasso is back, with the first episode of season 4 available to stream as of today. It's been three years since the season 3 finale aired, and many expected it to be the last, but Ted Lasso Season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV. Ted Lasso is officially back for season, and two more hit Apple shows — Slow Horses and Dark Matter — are coming soon.

While Apple TV has found success at the box office, Apple usually reserves theaters for its movies, not its series. However, one hit show from Apple this year is coming to the cinema for one night only — Widows Bay is making the jump to theaters. 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, and the series has been dropped by the streaming service.

Apple TV is now airing Ted Lasso season, and the fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon to the streaming platform. Apple TV's most popular show this year was just revealed — Shrinking is Apple TV's top show of 2026, according to new viewership data.

Apple TV and Streaming Competition

Disney could introduce an ad-supported Disney+ free tier in the future, according to comments Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro made during the company's latest earnings call. The potential Disney+ free tier would compete directly with Apple TV and other streaming services, as the industry continues to shift toward ad-supported models. Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major new milestone for the audio subscription service as it competes with Apple Music, and Apple Music is preparing iOS 27 upgrades to counter the competition.

Apple Hardware and Product Updates

T-Mobile retired its 2G GSM network on Monday, August 3, which means all three major carriers in the United States have now ended 2G service. The original iPhone has lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile kills 2G, marking the end of an era for the device that started the smartphone revolution. Apple has expanded support for the Apple Account Card in the Wallet app to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta, with the Apple Account Card in Wallet now available in four more countries.

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. Apple's record retail revenue in India highlights the company's growing presence in one of the world's largest smartphone markets. Last week, Apple reported a 5% year-over-year drop in iPad revenue for the June quarter, and now a new report shows that iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline.

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 hard-earned money. Apple's boosted trade-in deals are competitive, but third-party options can still offer better value. Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models — the new trade-in values are the highest Apple has ever offered for many devices.

Apple Watch and Fitness

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month, launching alongside iPhone 18 Pro, and three new features already have users excited — including improved battery life, a new health sensor, and enhanced workout tracking. Apple Watch users in China can participate in the next National Fitness Day challenge this weekend to unlock virtual rewards, with the National Fitness Day challenge returning for another year. Summer Apple Watch sales at Amazon and Walmart deliver discounts of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles, with August Apple Watch deals providing significant savings.

Amazon today has a few deals on the Apple Watch Ultra, with discounts of $99 off available before they're gone. The 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 integration with third-party fitness apps — these top tips can help you maximize the app's potential.

Mac and Accessories

You may like Pages and you may tolerate Microsoft Word, but text editor BBEdit has been rightly earning devotees on the Mac for 34 years. BBEdit remains a legend in the Mac software world, still simple and still powerful after all these years. Apple's powerhouse 16-inch 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 — the M5 Max MacBook Pro deal is available at Amazon.

Time is running out to grab limited-time deals on Apple's latest MacBook Air laptops, with M5 models now up to $200 off and many deals ending this weekend. The M5 MacBook Air deals are some of the best we've seen since the price hike. Amazon has up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, with the best deals since the price increase now available. Best Buy is still hosting its big Back to School sale this week, with notable markdowns on Apple devices, TVs, headphones, monitors, and much more — the Best Buy event includes MacBook Pro, Air Pods, and more discounted products.

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. The MacPaw partnership will start with Eney, Mac Paw's AI assistant, and aims to build an on-device AI layer that will work across your Mac apps. If you've been dying to run mac OS on iPad hardware natively, a jailbreak solution has emerged for M1 and M2 iPads still running iPad OS, though the jailbreak tool is extremely limited in its compatibility.

Smart Home and Accessories

Lutron is expanding its existing Caseta integration with Sonos, adding the ability to control smart-home devices using Sonos Voice Control. The Lutron Caseta expansion brings hands-free smart home controls through Sonos speakers, making it easier to manage your lights and other devices. 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 — the new Abode sensors work with Apple Home for seamless integration.

Apple is preparing some smart home updates, with a new Home Pod mini expected soon. The HomePod mini 2 is expected to be small, Siri-focused, and smart, with improved audio quality and new smart home features. Boat owners are getting a new entertainment option as they bob on the water, as Crest Marine and Balise bring Car Play to pontoons — the CarPlay-equipped pontoon boats offer a new way to navigate and enjoy entertainment on the water.

Apple Card and Payments

Apple Card users have a new way to get more value out of Booking.com without spending months climbing its loyalty ranks. The Apple Card partnership with Booking.com speeds up loyalty rewards, though the perks are limited to Genius Level 2 access. Following X Money's launch last month, one question has repeatedly surfaced: what happens to your money if X suspends or closes your social media account? The X Money FAQ covers account suspensions, 6% APY, physical cards, and more.

Messaging Apps and Social Features

WhatsApp today 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 from existing ones. The WhatsApp group chat updates are rolling out to users now. As the EU's new transparency requirements for AI-generated content take effect, WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let channel admins flag AI-generated media — the AI labeling feature is designed to help users identify synthetic content.

Juggling multiple devices with Signal? The encrypted messaging service is making it easier to use the app across different iPhones and more, with Signal's latest iOS update expanding the multi-device feature for iPhone users. Even though Apple now supports RCS to let Android users join in iMessage conversations, the risky Sunbird app is back to persuade them to route everything through its servers — the unsafe Sunbird app just will not die.

Gaming and Apps

Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is available on Apple Arcade starting today. The full Madden NFL game does not include any in-app purchases or ads, making it a premium addition to the subscription service. One of the most popular iPhone cases is back with a new look — BitmoLab's GAMEBABY case now comes in a new translucent design that turns your iPhone into a Game Boy with real buttons.

Following last month's sunsetting of TV Time, one of the app's co-founders, Antonio Pinto, announced Bingers, a new TV and movies tracking app that leans more heavily on social features. The Bingers app is now available to download. Revenue Cat's annual Shipaton mobile hackathon is officially back, running August 1–September 30 with major prizes available for winning apps — the Shipaton hackathon offers $1 million worth of prizes.

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 during meetings. Wispr Flow's Notetaker takes on AI meeting assistants with its first product beyond dictation.

Meta and AI Competition

Meta today launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent available for mac OS and other platforms. The Meta coding agent costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data, offering a significant price incentive for users willing to share their code. The AI competition between tech giants continues to heat up as companies race to offer the most capable and cost-effective AI tools.

Apple's Legal and Regulatory Issues

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. Telegram's CEO says the extortionist manipulated Apple into the App Store removal, highlighting the challenges platforms face in moderating content while protecting user privacy. TikTok boasted about adding measures to protect teenagers from harmful content, but deliberately kept them from 15 million Americans until one killed himself, and then lied about being responsible — the TikTok safety failure is linked to a teen's death.

Apple Hardware and Historical Context

Apple's Newton handheld computer was both the company's biggest failure and its greatest peek into the future. Now, 33 years after launch, the Newton's 1993 launch set the stage for what would become the iPad and iPhone. As it generally goes with social media advice, viral posts telling iPhone owners to refrigerate overheated devices should be ignored as that will cause condensation and damage — putting a hot iPhone in the fridge is dangerous and can permanently damage the device.

A new study covering wearing an Apple Vision Pro during certain surgeries has concluded that it is superior to existing medical equipment. Surgeons are enthusiastic about what a great bargain Apple Vision Pro is for surgical applications, given its high-resolution display and spatial computing capabilities.

Product Deals and Discounts

Today's 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Air Pods Pro 3 dropping 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. The AirPods Pro 3 deals are among the best of the year, with M5 MacBook Air at $190 off and iPhone Air at $150+ off also available. The Air Pods Pro 3 have now dropped even lower at $60 off alongside the all-time low pricing on Air Tag, but for today's 9to5Toys Lunch Break we are starting off with the official Apple Certified Refurbished store — the MacBook Neo deals offer up to $120 off, while MacBook Pro is $500 off and Apple Watch SE 3 and Ultra 3 are $130 off.

Samsung's newest line of smartphones and smartwatches launches tomorrow, making today your last chance to get pre-order discounts on these devices. The Samsung Galaxy pre-order deals include up to $350 in Amazon gift cards, though some offers are available on Samsung's website as well. Amazon this week has brought back notable discounts on the M4 iPad Air, with a trio of markdowns offering up to $69 off the new models.

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. The Amazon Apple sale offers substantial discounts across the entire product lineup. 9to5Mac's favorite Apple Watch accessories of 2026 so far include the Memoket Gem, an 11g AI wearable that slots beside your Apple Watch in a co-wear band — the Memoket Gem lets you press once to capture a conversation, and it's just one of several standout accessories this year.

Podcasts and Media Coverage

Benjamin and Chance return for another episode recapping the week in Apple news, including the interesting details of Apple's most recent earnings calls, the last of the Tim Cook era, and Apple's component supply strategy. The 9to5Mac podcast episode also covers universal clipboard interoperability and iPhone event chatter. Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac, with the 9to5Mac Daily episode covering Apple iPhone event clues and more from August 5, 2026.