Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 5:54 AM ET

iPhone & Device Rumors

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to be announced next month, and a new rumor suggests prices could rise by $250 to $300, potentially starting at $1,399. The devices will feature an A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, Apple’s custom C2 modem, and under-display Face ID. However, RAM shortages are reportedly slowing assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro, as the A20 Pro processor isn’t being cranked out fast enough. Meanwhile, Apple is also preparing a foldable iPhone Ultra, which could drive 20% growth in foldable smartphone sales this year. Apple’s first foldable sounds “truly deserving of the ‘Ultra’ name” according to software experience rumors. To accommodate rising prices, T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan. Apple is also expanding its reach with new programs ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra launch.

In addition to iPhones, Apple is rumored to launch three new “Ultra” products by early next year. The iPhone Air 2 faces changes after a difficult first year. New AirPods with cameras could launch next month, and a report shares that the model might include infrared cameras. Apple is also testing iOS 26.6.1 internally.

Software & OS Updates

iOS 27 brings a long-awaited fix for a common iPhone wireless issue: the Wi-Fi to cellular lag is addressed. The update also adds a compact clock option for the Lock Screen, four new customization options, and the ability to import physical passes into Apple Wallet. iOS 27 also turns your iPhone and Air Pods into an Apple Watch at the gym by bringing Gym Kit to the iPhone. Car Play gets a mini player and scrubbing feature. Messages gets time-saving one-tap suggestions. iOS 27 also hints at a new Home product, likely a smart home camera.

For the Mac, Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes. The update addresses a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. iPad OS 27 adds two new features that are already popular among beta testers. watch OS 27 could make hypertension alerts even better. Air Pods Pro 3 are getting new features in iOS 27.

Legal, Security & Privacy

Apple flagged discovery delays in its lawsuit against Jon Prosser, saying his legal team hasn’t responded in a month. Prosser’s counsel attributed this to him caring for his newborn. Apple also filed a new court filing noting delays in response. Separately, Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI says the iCloud mess played no role in the alleged trade secret theft.

On security, Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is leaking real IP addresses, according to security researchers. A new macOS malware can steal crypto wallet funds by pasting one Terminal command. Researchers also uncovered the biggest backdoor yet in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names. A scam Uber email is making rounds. T-Mobile shut down its 2G network, meaning the original iPhone loses its last cellular network. Apple’s baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense. The unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird returns despite RCS support. A TikTok safety test turned off controls for 15 million teens, linked to a teen death.

Services, Entertainment & Apple TV+

Ted Lasso season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV+. James Marsden is confirmed for his third Apple TV project. Apple TV’s surprise hit series Widow’s Bay is making the jump to theaters for one night only. However, the series adaptation of The Bonfire of the Vanities has been dropped by Apple TV+ due to creative differences. Apple TV’s fall lineup includes new shows and movies. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade. Disney+ could get a free ad-supported tier.

AI, OpenAI & Developer News

OpenAI is delaying its next major AI model ‘Astra’ over critical hacking concerns. A new Chat GPT version has a ‘Think’ button that will find more reliable facts. OpenAI is also working on a feature to export custom stickers to WhatsApp. The company shared new pricing and design details about its first device – a doughnut-shaped speaker. OpenAI’s GPT-5 turns one, and the company introduced Agent Plugins. Claude Code now lets sessions talk to each other on macOS. Claude Code auto mode will become the default permission setting next week. 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. Mac Paw is building an on-device AI layer with Liquid AI. Adobe is integrating with Chat GPT for AI creation. The cost of AI is discussed on the Apple Insider Podcast.

Hardware, Accessories & Deals

Apple’s refurb store now includes rare M5 MacBook Pro configs and Apple TV 4K. New MacBook Pro models with M6 and Ultra chips are rumored for fall. A loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro is $500 off at Amazon. Amazon also has up to $190 off M5 MacBook Air. Best Buy’s Back to School sale includes MacBook Pro, AirPods, and more. Apple Watch deals deliver up to $172 off. Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals return at $99 off. Apple increased trade-in values for iPhone, Mac, and more. The Apple Account Card expanded to four new countries. X Money FAQ covers account suspensions and 6% APY. Lutron Caseta now integrates with Sonos voice control. Abode launched new Apple Home-compatible sensors. Car Play comes to Crest & Balise pontoon boats. Home Pod mini 2 expected with Siri and smart home features. Apple’s 20-year-old Mac Pro is still considered the best Mac ever made, though discontinued.

Industry & Market

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in H1 2026. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026. Apple supplier SK hynix invests $38B in AI memory, but that won’t cut iPhone prices. Apple’s bid to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage backfired. Foxconn posted record profits driven by AI ahead of iPhone 18 production. The global RAM supply crisis is worsening. Surgeons praise Apple Vision Pro as a bargain. Nintendo-like retro games on iPhone are discussed in a 9to5Mac podcast episode. WhatsApp makes parent-managed accounts easier. WhatsApp channel admins can soon flag AI-generated media. Apple added 43 new MFi hearing devices. Car Play connection issues may be caused by radio interference. Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, which is a mistake. Scammers love FaceTime now. Apple Health is more powerful than you think; here are top tips. Favorite Apple Watch accessories of 2026 so far. iOS 26 gets first jailbreak via Dopamine. The original iPhone loses its last network as T-Mobile kills 2G. Apple’s Newton launched 33 years ago and set the stage for iPad/iPhone. Never put a hot iPhone in the fridge or freezer. BBEdit remains a Mac app legend. A jailbreak tool lets you run macOS on iPad with specific combos. Siri AI is coming to newer Apple devices only. The iPhone 18 Pro event likely won’t be live but could be “livelier” this year. Apple’s iPhone event clues and more are discussed in the 9to5Mac Daily podcast. Listen to a recap of top stories on 9to5Mac Daily. The last day to save on Samsung Galaxy pre-orders is today. Apple earnings, universal clipboard, and iPhone event chatter are covered in a new episode. Which do you plan to buy: iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone Ultra?