Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 5:48 AM ET

iPhone 18 Pro & Ultra

Apple’s September iPhone event is expected to be split, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launching alongside the foldable iPhone Ultra. The iPhone 18 Pro release is likely set for September 9, according to industry estimates. The Pro models will feature a 2nm A20 chip, a custom C2 modem, and under-display Face ID, as detailed in a comprehensive rumor roundup. Pricing could see a significant jump, with predictions of a $250–$300 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone Ultra — Apple’s first foldable — may launch in two colors: silver and dark blue, according to a new leak. A poll asks readers whether they plan to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or the foldable iPhone Ultra. The iPhone Air, which struggled in its first year, is set for a successor, with changes discussed on the MacRumors Show. Additionally, a rumor claims iPhone 17 prices could rise as soon as Monday, ahead of the September launch.

iOS 27 & watch OS 27

iOS 27 has been in beta for about two months, and while it’s been called “the easiest beta to forget about,” it brings several welcome fixes. One long-awaited improvement addresses the lag when switching from Wi-Fi to cellular. The update also introduces a compact clock option for the Lock Screen, giving wallpaper more breathing room. GymKit support is now available on iPhone and Air Pods, effectively turning them into an Apple Watch at the gym. Apple Wallet gains a physical pass import feature that has been on many wish lists for years. CarPlay in iOS 27 adds a mini-player and scrubbing for popular Apple apps. The beta also hints at an all-new Apple Home security camera product. For Apple Watch, watch OS 27 may upgrade hypertension alerts, making an already life-saving feature even better. AirPods Pro 3 are getting new features exclusive to iOS, and new Air Pods with cameras are rumored to launch next month.

Mac & MacBook

Apple is reportedly skipping its M6 Pro and M6 Max chips to accelerate the M7 launch, a move that could reshape the Mac lineup. MacBook Pro users will have two compelling new upgrade options this fall: an M6 model and a new MacBook Ultra. The Mac Pro turned 20 years old this week, five months after Apple discontinued the iconic tower. Apple has released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 with security fixes, including a patch for a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability. The company also expanded its Certified Refurbished Store, adding rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and more. For those looking for deals, Amazon is offering up to $190 off M5 MacBook Air laptops, and time is running out on limited-time discounts. The legendary text editor BBEdit remains a powerful Mac app after 34 years.

iPad, Air Pods, and Other Devices

Amazon is offering the 11th-generation iPad at its best price since June’s hike, with $50 off Wi-Fi models. However, iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline. New AirPods with cameras could launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, a feature that sounds very exciting. The Apple Account Card in Wallet expanded to four new countries, and the company added nearly 45 hearing devices to its Made for iPhone compatibility list.

Apple TV & Services

Apple TV welcomed back Ted Lasso with a clever new commercial for season four. The fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon, including the surprise hit series “Widow’s Bay,” which is making the jump to theaters for one night only. James Marsden has been confirmed for his third Apple TV project. However, the high-profile series 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. The indie app “Pocket Jam” helps users learn and practice their favorite songs on iPhone.

Security & Privacy

A security vulnerability in macOS Screen Sharing has been addressed in the latest updates. Researchers discovered Mac malware that can steal cryptocurrency wallet credentials with a single Terminal command. The biggest backdoor yet found in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names has been uncovered. On the legal front, Apple flagged delays in Jon Prosser’s response to its trade secret lawsuit, with Prosser’s counsel citing his care for a newborn child. OpenAI delayed its next major AI model, Astra, over critical hacking concerns. Meanwhile, iOS 26 received its first jailbreak thanks to the Dopamine tool after 326 days. The Security Bite podcast explains why scammers love FaceTime now, and Apple’s baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense.

Industry & Market

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the premium segment’s share of overall sales hit a record 29%. The company’s memory supplier SK hynix is making a $38 billion bet on AI demand lasting until 2029, but that won’t cut iPhone prices. Apple’s attempt to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage against Samsung and SK hynix backfired, giving the Korean firms more pricing power. RAM supply issues are reportedly holding up iPhone 18 Pro assembly, another bad sign for production. Apple sweetened its trade-in deals, raising values for iPhone, Mac, and more, though better deals exist elsewhere. The original iPhone lost its last cellular network as T-Mobile killed its 2G GSM network. X Money launched with a FAQ covering account suspensions, 6% APY, and physical cards. OpenAI continues to churn out upgrades, with GPT-5.6 gaining a “Think” button for more reliable facts, and the company is working on exporting custom Chat GPT stickers to WhatsApp. Claude Code added cross-session messaging on mac OS, and auto mode will become the default next week. Lutron Caseta expanded hands-free smart home controls through Sonos voice integration.