Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 9:00 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra Lineup

Apple's fall iPhone launch is expected to be more focused than ever, with the iPhone 18 Pro release event estimated for September 9. The lineup will include the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone Ultra, with rumors suggesting a $1,399 starting price for the Pro model — a $250–$300 jump over last year. Apple is saving the cheaper base iPhone 18 for spring, making this a premium-only fall event. The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to drive a 20% rise in global foldable smartphone sales this year. Despite the hype, the event is unlikely to be live; Apple's employee lottery doesn't mean a return to live keynotes, though the presentation could be "live-lier" this year. The iPhone Ultra name is truly deserved by the software experience, according to early rumors. As prices climb, T-Mobile has launched a new three-year plan to help customers afford the upgrade. A separate rumor claims the iPhone 17 might get a price increase next week, though it's likely a confusion with the 18 Pro. Meanwhile, RAM shortages are reportedly slowing iPhone 18 Pro assembly due to constrained supply of the new A20 Pro processor. A poll indicates readers are split between the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra. Apple is also rumored to launch three new "Ultra" products by early next year, potentially including an Ultra Watch and an Ultra Mac.

iOS 27 and Software Updates

iOS 27 brings a wealth of new features, including a long-awaited fix for the Wi‑Fi to cellular lag that plagued iPhones. The update introduces a new compact clock option that gives wallpapers more breathing room, and four new Lock Screen customization options. Messages gains time-saving one‑tap suggestions, while Apple Wallet adds the ability to import physical passes — a feature long requested. Car Play in iOS 27 gains two new features for popular Apple apps. The update also hints at an all-new Home product, likely a security camera. For fitness, iOS 27 brings GymKit to iPhone and AirPods, letting them work with gym equipment. Air Pods Pro 3 get exclusive features in iOS, including new hearing health and spatial audio enhancements. watch OS 27 could make the Apple Watch hypertension feature even better with upgraded alerts. iPad OS 27 adds two new features I’ve been loving, including better multitasking. Siri AI is coming to newer Apple devices only, with a full compatibility list. Apple is also testing iOS 26.6.1 internally ahead of the iOS 27 release. For older devices, the original iPhone has lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile retired 2G.

mac OS and Mac Updates

Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes this week, addressing a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. The Mac Pro turns 20 years old today, and five months after Apple discontinued it, the original "cheese grater" is still celebrated as the best Mac ever. A separate article also marks the Mac Pro's 20th anniversary. MacBook Pro users will soon have two compelling new upgrade options this fall with M6 and Ultra chips. Apple expanded its refurb store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and more. Amazon has the M5 MacBook Air at up to $190 off, and there's a last call to save up to $200 on M5 MacBook Air laptops. A loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro with 40-core GPU is $500 off at Amazon. Best Buy's Back to School sale features MacBook Pro, AirPods, and more discounted. Mac Paw is building an on-device AI layer for Mac apps in partnership with Liquid AI. Meta launched Muse Code, a new Mac coding agent that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data. Wispr Flow launched Notetaker, an AI meeting assistant for Mac. On the security front, a Mac malware steals crypto wallet funds via a single pasted Terminal command.

Apple Services and Content

Apple TV's fall lineup is packed with new shows and movies, including the premiere of Ted Lasso Season 4 and the return of Slow Horses and Dark Matter. James Marsden has been confirmed for his third Apple TV project, the comedy series "Bad News Dads." The surprise hit series "Widow's Bay" is making the jump to theaters for one night only. Meanwhile, the high-profile adaptation of "The Bonfire of the Vanities" has been dropped by Apple TV due to creative differences. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade. Disney could introduce a free ad-supported tier for Disney+, according to CEO comments. The Apple Account Card has expanded to four new countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. iOS 27's Wallet also gains physical pass import as noted. X Money, the payments system from X, now has an FAQ addressing account suspensions and 6% APY. Apple's iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses, according to security researchers.

AI and OpenAI Developments

OpenAI has delayed its next major AI model "Astra" over critical hacking concerns. A new Chat GPT version (GPT-5.6) adds a 'Think' button for more reliable facts. GPT-5 turns one year old, and OpenAI is celebrating by introducing Agent Plugins, an open standard for AI agents. Users may soon be able to create and export custom WhatsApp stickers straight from ChatGPT. OpenAI's first device is reportedly a doughnut-shaped speaker with a $1,000 price tag. Claude Code now lets sessions talk to each other on macOS via cross-session messaging. Starting next week, Claude Code will enable auto mode as default for Pro, Max, and Team users. Adobe is hell-bent on becoming the creative engine behind AI, integrating with ChatGPT via a new plugin. WhatsApp channel admins will soon get the ability to flag AI-generated media to comply with EU transparency rules. Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI alleges trade secret theft, and a new filing says iCloud mess didn’t play a role. The Apple Insider Podcast covers paying for AI and freezing iPhones.

Security and Privacy

Apple has flagged discovery delays in its lawsuit against Jon Prosser, saying it hasn't heard from his legal team in a month. In a separate filing, Apple again flags Prosser's response delays, with his counsel citing newborn childcare. Apple's baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense in a new Security Bite analysis. The Security Bite podcast also explains why scammers love FaceTime now. Apple released mac OS updates to patch a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability as earlier noted. The biggest backdoor yet found in Chinese routers, dubbed Endless Doors, has been discovered in multiple brand names. Don't fall for the scam Uber email making the rounds — it's phishing. The unsafe iMessage-for-Android app Sunbird just will not die despite Apple supporting RCS. A teen died after TikTok deliberately turned off safety controls to test the impact.

Industry and Supply Chain

Apple's RAM supplier SK hynix is making a $38 billion bet on AI boom lasting until 2029 with a massive chip production expansion. The global RAM supply crisis is expected to get worse before it gets better, with soaring prices and shortages. Apple's attempt to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage has backfired, giving Samsung and SK hynix more pricing power. Foxconn reported record profits ahead of iPhone 18 Pro mass production, driven by AI demand. Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline. Apple raised trade-in values for iPhones, Macs, and more, with a significant increase in estimates — though you can still do better. A separate article notes Apple sweetened its trade-in deals but recommends comparing carrier offers. The last day for up to a $350 Amazon gift card with Samsung Galaxy pre-orders is today. Foldable smartphone sales are expected to rise 20% this year due to iPhone Ultra.

Smart Home and Car Play

Lutron Caseta expands hands-free smart home controls through Sonos voice control. Abode launched new Apple Home-compatible sensors for garages, gates, sheds. iOS 27 hints at an all-new Apple Home security camera as mentioned. The Home Pod mini 2 is expected to be small, Siri-savvy, and smart, with a near-future launch. Car Play is coming to Crest & Balise pontoon boats via the Savvy Navvy app. Three major automakers — Tesla, Rivian, and GM — still don't support CarPlay, and here's why.

Air Pods and Audio

New Air Pods with cameras could launch next month, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. Air Pods Pro 3 keep getting better with exclusive features in iOS 27 as previously detailed. Deals on Air Pods Pro 3 are now even lower at 25% off.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has three new features that already have me excited for next month's launch. Watch OS 27 could upgrade the hypertension notification feature. August Apple Watch deals deliver savings of up to $172 off Series, Ultra 3 styles. Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals return with $99 off at Amazon. My favorite Apple Watch accessories of 2026 include the Memoket Gem co-wear band.

Miscellaneous and Retro

The original iPhone's last cellular network is gone as T-Mobile killed 2G. Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, and that's a mistake. The Mac Pro turns, and BBEdit is a 34-year-old Mac app legend. Newton's August 1993 launch set the stage for iPad and iPhone. Apple Health is more powerful than you think with top tips for maximizing it. Surgeons enthuse about Apple Vision Pro as a great bargain for surgery. iOS 26 gets its first jailbreak thanks to Dopamine 3.0 after 326 days. If you have a very specific iPad and iPad OS combo, you can install macOS on it via a jailbreak tool. The 9to5Mac Overtime podcast discusses native retro games on iPhone and Pokémon 3D mods. Apple earnings, universal clipboard interoperability, and iPhone event chatter are covered in the latest 9to5Mac Daily episodes and the August 7 edition. The iPhone Air 2 is discussed in The MacRumors Show. Apple's latest mac OS updates also address multiple security issues. Never put a hot iPhone in the fridge or freezer — here's why it's dangerous.