Last updated: August 7, 2026, 1:42 PM ET
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch next month, and rumors point to at least three ways the new models will be more "Pro" than ever, including an upgraded camera system, the A20 Pro chip, and a higher price. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, but there will still be 12 new features rumored for the lineup. Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could launch at $1,399, representing a potential $250-300 increase over the current generation, though some analysts say those claims may be exaggerated. Apple is preparing for a more focused launch this fall, with the cheaper base iPhone 18 being saved for spring, leaving the more expensive Pro models and the foldable iPhone Ultra to headline the September event. Apple's first foldable iPhone sounds truly deserving of the "Ultra" name based on rumors about the product's software experience. 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 key drivers. Apple hasn't sent invitations yet, but its announcement history gives us a remarkably consistent window for when the event will take place, with September 9, 2026 being the best estimate. The employee lottery for the September iPhone launch doesn't mean it will be a live-presented event, and it will likely be the same pre-recorded format as recent years, though Bloomberg's Mark Gurman stirred things up with what was likely a deliberately teasingly-phrased tweet suggesting a "livelier" presentation. Apple is expected to announce at least five new devices at its annual iPhone-centric event next month, possibly including devices that were waiting on Siri.
Memory Shortage and Supply Chain Concerns
The iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra could be in short supply this year due to a global DRAM shortage that's affecting production. Apple's new A20 Pro processor isn't being cranked out as fast as it could be because of RAM shortages reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro. The world's RAM supply crisis is going to get worse before it gets better, with RAM manufacturers reaping massive profits and a fix that's a long time away. Apple's memory supplier SK Hynix is making a massive $38 billion investment to expand chip production amid global shortages, but it won't make your next iPhone any cheaper. Apple's attempt to use Chinese memory maker CXMT as leverage against Samsung and SK Hynix has backfired, with the two Korean chipmakers ending up with more pricing power rather than less. Ahead of producing the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone, Apple's main manufacturer Foxconn has announced its greatest monthly earnings ever, driven by AI demand. Apple has recently raised prices across much of its product lineup, but even more increases are expected next month for iPhone and other products. As iPhones get more expensive, T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan to help customers manage the higher costs.
Market Share and Industry Performance
Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the wider premium segment's share of overall smartphone sales climbed to a record 29%. For smartphones selling at over $600, Apple owns 65% of that market and grew 9% year over year, though Chinese brands are making a dent in local market share. 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 for the June quarter. Spotify has crossed 300 million paying subscribers, a major new milestone for the audio subscription service as it competes with Apple Music.
iOS 27 and Software Updates
Apple appears to be testing a forthcoming iOS 26.6.1 update for iPhone users, coming nearly two weeks after iOS 26.6 was released. Apple's software engineers are internally testing iOS 26.6.1, according to Mac Rumors visitor logs, and Apple already released mac OS 26.6.1 with security fixes. iOS 27 adds a variety of new features and changes for Apple Wallet, including the ability to import physical passes that's been on many users' wishlists for years. In iOS, Apple let you stretch the Lock Screen clock down your display until it dwarfed everything else, but in iOS 27 there's a new compact clock option that does the opposite. iOS 27 continues Apple's trend of giving you more control over your iPhone's Lock Screen with four new customization options, wallpaper settings, and more. Gym Kit has been one of Apple Watch's smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017, and iOS 27 brings GymKit to iPhone and AirPods so you can tap your phone to compatible gym equipment. Car Play in iOS 27 has a handful of new features and improvements, including two additions for some of Apple's most popular apps. iOS 27 gives the Messages app a variety of new features and improvements, with the best new feature being one-tap suggestions that save you time. Air Pods are getting a variety of new features in iOS 27, two of which are exclusive to Air Pods Pro. iPad OS 27 launches next month with new features in apps like Notes, and there are two new iPad features that users are already loving. iOS 27 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. Siri AI is a major upgrade and highlight of iOS 27 and mac OS Golden Gate, but only newer Apple devices will get it. Apple released a fourth version of the beta firmware it is testing for Air Pods Pro, Air Pods Pro, and Air Pods 4 with iOS 27 features.
mac OS Updates and Security
Apple has published the security details for today's macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma updates, which address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, an update to the mac OS Tahoe operating system that came out last year, arriving a little over a month after the previous update. Apple's paid Safari protection feature that promises to keep your IP masked doesn't always work, according to security researchers who found that iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses. Researchers have uncovered Mac malware that can steal credentials and drain cryptocurrency wallets with a single pasted Terminal command. 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 to get Apple to remove the app from the App Store. WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let channel admins flag AI-generated media as the EU's new transparency requirements take effect. Signal is making it easier to use the app across different iPhones with its latest iOS update that expands multi-device support.
Apple Watch and Fitness
Apple Watch added hypertension notifications last year, an important and potentially life-saving new feature, and watch OS 27 could make it even better. Apple Watch Ultra 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.
Legal and Apple vs. OpenAI
Apple has told a federal court that it hasn't heard from Jon Prosser's legal team in a month, as discovery drags on in its trade secret lawsuit against the leaker. In a joint status report filing, Apple said it hadn't heard from Prosser's lawyer in a month, which his counsel attributed to Prosser caring for his newborn child. One of the theories about how a former Apple employee may have accessed confidential documents after leaving to join OpenAI has been dispelled by Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI, with the company saying iCloud didn't play a role.
Apple TV and Entertainment
The comedy 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 is officially back for season, and two more hit Apple shows are coming soon including Slow Horses and Dark Matter. Apple TV is now airing Ted Lasso season 4, and the fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon. While Apple TV has found success at the box office, Apple usually reserves theaters for its movies, 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. 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. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is available on Apple Arcade starting today, a full Madden NFL game that does not include ads or in-app purchases.
Deals and Refurbished Products
Apple has added a host of new products to its official Certified Refurbished Store this week, including new M5 MacBook Pro models, the Studio Display XDR, and high-end M5 MacBook Air configurations. Amazon has up to $190 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, representing the best deals since Apple's price hike. Apple's powerhouse 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip and 40-core GPU is $500 off right now, the largest discount currently available across the 16-inch lineup. 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. Some of the best Apple deals of the summer arrived this week, including the AirPods Pro 3 for $189.99, up to $500 off select MacBook Pro models, and the lowest iPad Air prices since Apple's price hike. The Air Pods Pro 3 have dropped even lower at $60 off alongside all-time low pricing on Air Tag, with the official Apple Certified Refurbished store offering MacBook Neo up to $120 off. Today's deals are headlined by AirPods 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. Summer Apple Watch sales at Amazon and Walmart deliver discounts of up to $172 off SE, Series, and Ultra 3 styles. Amazon today has a few deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $99 off that are available now. 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. Samsung's newest line of smartphones and smartwatches launches tomorrow, making today your last chance to get pre-order discounts on these devices. Apple today 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 you to trade in most devices, but you should compare carrier offerings and other trade-in vendors to get the most for your hardware.
Apple Account Card and Wallet
Apple this week expanded support for its Apple Account Card in the Wallet app to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta. The Apple Account Card option for Wallet started rolling out last year, and the expansion represents four more countries where users can now access the feature.
Hardware and Accessories
Apple is rumored to give MacBook Pro users two very different new models to choose from this fall, with the M6 and a new MacBook Ultra both reportedly launching. The original Mac Pro is 20 years old today, and even though the whole range is now gone, people are still celebrating this old, favorite workhorse. Apple announced the original Mac Pro 20 years ago today, with the anniversary landing five months after the company discontinued the machine for good. Apple's Newton handheld computer was both the company's biggest failure and its greatest peek into the future, and now, 33 years after launch, it's worth reminiscing about what Newton was and what it meant. Apple is preparing some smart home updates, with a new HomePod mini expected soon featuring Siri improvements and smart home capabilities. 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, and the original iPhone has lost its last cellular network. A new study covering wearing an Apple Vision Pro during certain surgeries has concluded that it is superior to existing medical equipment, with surgeons enthusing about what a great bargain it is. Even though Apple now supports RCS to let Android users join iMessage conversations, the risky Sunbird app is back to persuade them to route everything through its servers. Boat owners are getting a new entertainment option as they bob on the water, as Crest Marine and Balise bring CarPlay to pontoons. 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.
AI and OpenAI
OpenAI continues to churn out upgrades to its various GPT models, and the latest GPT-5.6 promises to be more succinct and provide confident wrong answers less often, with a new "Think" button for more reliable facts. 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 different platforms. After sharing initial details about OpenAI's plans for its first smart device, Bloomberg reports it's a doughnut-shaped speaker that will cost around $400. Adobe's newest AI Chat GPT plugin shows that the company doesn't care where people create, but more on ensuring they create with Adobe. Meta today 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. 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. Someone has to pay for all this AI, nothing is foolproof, and Apple's lawsuit with OpenAI is only just beginning, all on the Apple Insider Podcast.
Apps and Developer News
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. 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. Revenue Cat's annual Shipaton mobile hackathon is officially back, running August 1-September 30 with major prizes available for winning apps. You may like Pages and you may tolerate Microsoft Word, but text editor BBEdit has been earning devotees on the Mac for 34 years. 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 integrating with third-party 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. 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? One of the favorite iPhone cases is back with a new look, as BitmoLab's GAMEBABY case turns your iPhone into a Game Boy with real buttons in a translucent design.
Podcasts and Media
The Mac Rumors Show discusses how the iPhone Air reaches one year on sale next month, and Apple is now closer to launching its successor than it is to the original's debut. Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac, including iPhone Fold hype and macOS updates, available on iTunes and Apple's Podcasts app. Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac, including Apple iPhone event clues and more. Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac, including the latest Apple vs OpenAI drama. 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 universal clipboard interoperability. 9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform, and this week's episode covers why scammers love FaceTime now. 9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, and this week's episode explains Apple's baffling bug bounty changes.
Safety and Scams
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. No, your Uber payment method didn't expire, it's just a scam attempting to steal your payment information, and here's how to spot such scams. 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.
Apple Watch Accessories
The Memoket Gem is an 11g AI wearable that slots beside your Apple Watch in a co-wear band, and it's one of the favorite Apple Watch accessories of 2026 so far.