Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 8:50 AM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra Lineup

Apple’s fall iPhone event is expected on September 9, 2026, though the presentation likely won’t be live — but it could be more dynamic than previous years. This year’s lineup is rumored to be flagship-only, with the cheaper base iPhone 18 saved for spring. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a 2nm A20 chip, C2 modem, and under-display Face ID, but prices could rise by $250–$300. A separate rumor claims iPhone 17 prices may rise as soon as Monday. Apple is also preparing its first foldable iPhone Ultra, which sounds truly deserving of the “Ultra” name. Assembly of the iPhone 18 Pro is reportedly slowed by RAM shortages, and the broader RAM supply crisis is expected to worsen before improving. Apple’s supplier SK Hynix is investing $38 billion in AI memory, but that won’t cut iPhone prices. Meanwhile, Apple’s attempt to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage has backfired, giving Samsung and SK Hynix more pricing power.

iOS 27 and watch OS 27 Features

iOS 27 introduces a compact clock that gives your wallpaper room to breathe, along with four new Lock Screen customization options. Messages gets one-tap suggestions to save time. Car Play in iOS 27 adds a mini player and scrubbing for popular apps. A long-awaited fix addresses the Wi-Fi to cellular lag issue. iOS 27 also brings GymKit to iPhone and AirPods, essentially turning them into an Apple Watch at the gym. Air Pods Pro 3 get exclusive new features in iOS. The update also hints at an all-new Apple Home security camera. Apple Wallet in iOS 27 gains physical pass import, a feature long desired. Apple is testing iOS 26.6.1 for existing iPhones. On the watch side, watch OS 27 could upgrade hypertension alerts on Apple Watch. iPad OS 27 adds two new iPad features that users are loving.

Apple Hardware and Upcoming Products

Apple is rumored to launch three new “Ultra” products by early 2027. MacBook Pro users will have two compelling upgrade options: M6 and Ultra models this fall. New Air Pods with cameras could launch next month. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month with exciting new features. A new HomePod mini 2 is expected with Siri and smart home updates. Apple refreshed its Certified Refurbished Store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs and Apple TV 4K. The original Mac Pro turned 20 today, five months after Apple discontinued the tower — but it’s still celebrated as the best Mac ever. Apple has expanded its Apple Account Card to four new countries. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline. Surgeon studies praise Apple Vision Pro as a great bargain for surgery.

Apple TV+, Services, and Entertainment

Ted Lasso season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV+, and two more hit shows — Slow Horses and Dark Matter — are coming soon. Apple TV’s fall lineup includes new shows and movies. The surprise hit “Widow’s Bay” is making the jump to theaters for one night only. Actor James Marsden was confirmed for his third Apple TV+ project. However, the high-profile series “The Bonfire of the Vanities” has been dropped by Apple TV+ due to creative differences. On the gaming side, Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade. Apple also captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026. Disney+ could introduce a free ad-supported tier in the future.

Apple Legal and Trade Secrets

In an ongoing lawsuit, Apple flagged discovery delays from Jon Prosser’s legal team, who attributed the delay to Prosser caring for his newborn child. The case involves trade secret leaks.

Security and Privacy

Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is leaking users’ real IP addresses, according to security researchers. Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes addressing a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. Researchers also uncovered Mac malware that steals crypto wallet funds via a single pasted Terminal command. A massive backdoor was found in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names. WhatsApp will let channel admins label AI-generated media to comply with EU transparency rules. A TikTok safety experiment that turned off controls for 15 million Americans is linked to a teen’s death. Scammers are increasingly using FaceTime and Uber email scams to steal information. Apple’s bug bounty changes finally make sense.

AI and Developer Tools

OpenAI delayed its next major AI model “Astra” over critical hacking concerns. A new Chat GPT version adds a “Think” button for more reliable facts. OpenAI introduced Agent Plugins as GPT-5 turns one. You may soon be able to export custom stickers from Chat GPT to WhatsApp. OpenAI’s first device is a doughnut-shaped speaker with a $300–$400 price target. Claude Code now supports cross-session messaging on mac OS, and auto mode will be default from August 14. Meta launched Muse Code, a terminal coding agent that costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data. Mac Paw is building an on-device AI layer for Mac apps with Liquid AI. Adobe is hell-bent on being the creative engine behind AI with a new Chat GPT plugin.

Car Play and Automotive

CarPlay connection issues may be caused by radio interference, not your iPhone or cable. Tesla, Rivian, and GM still don’t support CarPlay — here’s why. Car Play is now coming to Crest & Balise pontoon boats. Lutron Caseta expands hands-free smart home controls through Sonos. Abode launched new Apple Home-compatible sensors for garages and gates.

Deals, Trade-Ins, and Refurbished

Apple raised trade-in values for iPhone, Mac, and more, but you can still do better. Amazon took up to $190 off M5 MacBook Air with best deals since price hike. Best Buy’s Back to School event discounts MacBook Pro, Air Pods, and more. Last call to save up to $200 on M5 MacBook Air — deals end this weekend. AirPods Pro 3 are nearly 25% off in a new deal. Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals return at $99 off. M5 Max MacBook Pro with 40-core GPU is $500 off. August Apple Watch deals deliver up to $172 off. Samsung Galaxy pre-order deals end today with up to $350 Amazon gift card. X Money launches with 6% APY and physical cards.

Other Apple News

WhatsApp makes parent-managed accounts easier to set up on iPhone. Apple added 43 new MFi hearing devices to its compatibility list. iOS 26 gets its first jailbreak via Dopamine 3.0 after 326 days. The original iPhone lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile killed 2G. BBEdit remains a Mac app legend at 34 years old. Apple Health is more powerful than you think; here are top tips. Never put a hot iPhone in the fridge — it’s dangerous. Apple’s Newton foreshadowed the iPad and iPhone 33 years ago. Siri AI is coming to newer devices only — here's the full list. Apple’s Cinematic mode is abandoned, and that’s a mistake. 9to5Mac Overtime discusses native retro games on iPhone. The iPhone Air 2 faces changes after a difficult first year. 9to5Mac Daily recaps top stories including iPhone Fold hype and mac OS fixes. Apple earnings, universal clipboard interoperability, and iPhone event chatter dominate podcasts. Unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird returns.