Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 11:55 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable Future

Apple’s annual September iPhone event is roughly a month away, and the company is reportedly preparing a split launch for the iPhone 18 lineup. Apple’s September event is expected to feature three premium models rather than four closely related devices, with the iPhone 18 Pro rumored to pack a 2nm A20 chip, Apple’s in-house C2 modem, and under-display Face ID. The iPhone 18 Pro release is widely expected to fall on September 9, 2026. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Apple may raise iPhone 17 prices as soon as Monday, August 10, ahead of the broader increases tied to the new lineup. For those on the fence, buying an iPhone 17 Pro now instead of waiting may still be a solid choice given the incremental upgrades. In a separate development, the iPhone 17 is set to break a 15-year record for the longest-lasting flagship model before its successor arrives. Apple’s price hikes earlier this summer, driven by the global memory crisis, have already pushed the iPad Air to $749 and the M5 MacBook Pro to $1,699, raising questions about whether upgrades will follow.

On the foldable front, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, tentatively called the iPhone Ultra, is rumored to launch in silver and dark blue finishes, based on leaked camera protector accessory images. The iPhone Fold may ship in the same two colorways. Looking further ahead, the third-generation foldable iPhone Ultra 3 is expected as early as 2028, featuring larger displays. In a poll, 9to5Mac asks readers which they plan to buy: iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone Ultra. Additionally, the iPhone Air 2 is approaching its first anniversary, and Apple is reportedly closer to launching its successor after a difficult debut year.

Apple Watch Evolution

Apple is reportedly re-evaluating the entire Apple Watch lineup, considering radical new designs including a round model and a screenless fitness tracker. The ceramic Apple Watch case could return as soon as this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. On the software side, watchOS 27 may upgrade the Apple Watch’s hypertension notifications, making an already important health feature even better. Meanwhile, Apple added 43 new Made for iPhone hearing devices across 22 brands, expanding accessibility.

Mac and iPad Updates

Apple is reportedly skipping its M6 Pro and M6 Max chips to accelerate the M7 launch, with the M7 Pro, M7 Max, and M7 Ultra expected to debut sooner. RAM shortages are now affecting MacBook Air availability, compounding supply issues across the Mac lineup. MacBook Pro users will soon have two compelling new upgrade options: an M6 and Ultra model rumored to launch this fall. In the meantime, Apple expanded its Certified Refurbished Store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Studio Display XDR, and Apple TV 4K. The A16 iPad is available at its best price since June’s hike, $50 off at Amazon starting at $399. IDC data shows Mac shipments growing while the PC market declines, with implications for the MacBook Neo and Air in the enterprise. The original Mac Pro turns 20 years old today, five months after Apple discontinued the tower, and it remains the best Mac ever made in the eyes of many. Meanwhile, the legendary text editor BBEdit is 34 years old and still a powerful Mac app.

Software and Services

The iOS 27 beta is now two months old, and many users find it the easiest beta to forget about. However, iOS 27 includes a long-awaited fix for a common iPhone wireless issue — the lag when switching from Wi-Fi to cellular. The new compact clock in iOS 27 gives your wallpaper room to breathe by shrinking the Lock Screen clock. Apple Wallet in iOS 27 adds a feature that’s been on my wishlist for years: physical pass import. Apple is also testing iOS 26.6.1 internally, according to Mac Rumors visitor logs. Meanwhile, iOS 26 has received its first jailbreak thanks to Dopamine after 326 days.

In services, the Apple Account Card in Wallet expands to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. WhatsApp is making parent-managed accounts easier to set up on iPhone with dedicated parental controls. OpenAI delayed its next major AI model Astra over critical hacking concerns, pausing activities. Separately, ChatGPT stickers may soon be exportable directly to WhatsApp. Claude Code adds cross-session messaging on mac OS, and Claude Code auto mode will become the default for Pro, Max, and Team users starting August 14. CarPlay connection issues may be due to radio interference, not your iPhone or cable. Three automakers still don’t support Car Play: Tesla, Rivian, and GM — here’s why. Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, and that’s a mistake according to one writer. The indie app Pocket Jam helps you learn and practice your favorite songs. On the 9to5Mac Overtime podcast, the hosts discuss native retro games on iPhone, including Pokémon 3D Mod and Mario Kart.

Apple TV+ and Entertainment

Apple TV+ launched a clever new commercial alongside the premiere of Ted Lasso season four. The Sunday Reboot column notes the astounding cheapness of promoting Ted Lasso with lookalike prizes. Actor James Marsden, who starred in Your Friends & Neighbors, has been confirmed for his third Apple TV project, titled Bad News Dads.

Business and Legal

Apple continues to dominate the premium smartphone market, capturing 65% of global sales in the first half of 2026, with the premium segment’s share reaching a record 29%. Apple is rumored to launch three new Ultra products by early next year. One of Apple’s RAM suppliers, SK hynix, is making a $38 billion AI memory bet that won’t cut iPhone prices. In legal news, Apple flagged discovery delays in its lawsuit against Jon Prosser, saying it hasn’t heard from his legal team in a month. Apple reportedly scrapped an Upgrade feature that would have preloaded users’ data onto new iPhones, nixed over privacy optics. The AppleInsider Podcast discusses paying for AI, freezing iPhones, and avoiding scams. The 9to5Mac Daily recap covers iPhone Fold hype and mac OS fixes. In a crime blotter, thieves tried using stolen credit cards at a Miami Apple Store, and an Apple Watch was a clue in a kidnapping case. The Ohsnap MCON controller is a modular controller that slides open to transform your iPhone into a mobile game console. Finally, the Eve Weather sensor is a must-have for Apple Home automations in 2026, and the Security Bite podcast explains why scammers love Face Time now.