Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 2:52 AM ET

iPhone & iOS

Apple's September iPhone event is now just about a month away, and the company is reportedly moving to a split launch for the iPhone 18 lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature a 2nm A20 chip, an Apple-designed C2 modem, and under-display Face ID, while the event is projected for September 9. A new rumor claims iPhone 17 prices could rise as soon as Monday, August 10, well before the wider round of increases expected with the iPhone. Earlier this summer, Apple dramatically increased prices across its lineup due to the ongoing memory crisis — the iPad Air jumped from $599 to $749 and the M5 MacBook Pro from $1,699 to $1,999. Some analysts argue that price hikes may force Apple to stop dragging its feet on certain product upgrades. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 is set to break a record no flagship has touched in 15 years, based on current rumored sales trajectory. For those considering an upgrade, a report argues you should buy iPhone 17 Pro now instead of waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro, citing marginal gains in the next model.

On the foldable front, new images of camera protector accessories suggest the foldable iPhone Ultra will launch in silver and dark blue finishes. The iPhone Fold may ship in the same two colorways. Apple is already making plans for its third-generation foldable, the iPhone Ultra 3, which is rumored to feature larger displays and launch as early as 2028. Apple's fall iPhone event is expected to look different this year, with rumors pointing to a flagship-only lineup of three premium models, and a poll asks readers which they plan to buy: iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone Ultra. The iPhone Air 2 reaches one year on sale next month, and Apple is now closer to launching its successor than it was to the original's debut.

iOS 27 continues to evolve in beta. The latest beta is described as the easiest to forget about, but it includes several notable features. Apple has added a compact clock option for the Lock Screen, giving your wallpaper room to breathe. iOS 27 also includes a long-awaited fix for a common Wi-Fi to cellular lag issue. The update adds the ability to import physical passes into Apple Wallet, a feature that has been on many users' wishlists for years. Apple is also internally testing iOS 26.6.1 for iPhones, according to visitor logs. Meanwhile, iOS 26 has received its first jailbreak after 326 days, thanks to the Dopamine jailbreak team.

Several iOS-related features and apps are making news. WhatsApp is bringing its parent-managed accounts to the iPhone, making the feature easier for parents to set up. OpenAI is working on a feature to let users export ChatGPT stickers straight into WhatsApp. The indie app Pocket Jam helps you learn and practice your favorite songs on iPhone. Apple added 43 new Made for iPhone hearing devices across 22 brands. A new modular controller from Ohsnap slides open to transform your iPhone into a mobile game console, and we have a hands-on review. The 9to5Mac Overtime podcast discusses native retro games on iPhone, including a native port of Mario Kart.

Apple also reportedly evaluated a feature for its Upgrade program that would have preloaded a customer's previous iPhone data onto the new device, but the plan was dropped over privacy optics. Another report confirms that this scrapped feature would have made setup much more seamless. Apple's Apple Account Card in Wallet has expanded to four new countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. A crime blotter reports that thieves tried using stolen credit cards at a Miami Apple Store, and an Apple Watch was a clue in a kidnapping case.

Apple Watch

Apple is re-evaluating the Apple Watch lineup and considering a host of radical new designs, including a round model and a screenless fitness tracker, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman also reports that Apple is planning to reintroduce its striking ceramic Apple Watch casing as soon as this year with the Series. On the software side, watchOS 27 could make the Apple Watch's important new hypertension notification feature even better with upgraded alerts.

Mac & MacBook

Apple is making major changes to its Mac chip roadmap. According to reports from Bloomberg, the company is skipping its M6 Pro and M6 Max chips to accelerate the launch of M7 chips. This means the next high-end MacBook Pros will feature M6 and M6 Ultra chips this fall, with two compelling new upgrade options on the horizon. A separate report says MacBook Pro users will soon have two very different new models to choose from this fall. Meanwhile, RAM shortages are now affecting MacBook Air availability, with dwindling supply across the Mac lineup. Apple's Mac shipments grew as the overall PC market declined, according to IDC data, which bodes well for the MacBook Neo and Air in the enterprise.

The Mac Pro turns 20 years old today, and it was discontinued five months ago. One writer argues the original Mac Pro 'cheese grater' is the best Mac ever made, while another notes that Apple killed the Mac Pro for good earlier this year. In other Mac news, Apple has expanded its Certified Refurbished Store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, the Studio Display XDR, and more. The iconic text editor BBEdit is 34 years old and remains a Mac app legend. Anthropic's Claude Code has added cross-session messaging on mac OS, allowing coding sessions to message each other directly.

Services & Software

Apple TV+ is heating up with new content. A clever new commercial welcomes back Ted Lasso for season four, while the show's promotion has been noted for its "astounding cheapness." Actor James Marsden has been confirmed for his third Apple TV project, joining the upcoming series "Bad News Dads." The AppleInsider Podcast discusses paying for AI, freezing iPhones, and avoiding scams. The Security Bite Podcast explains why scammers love Face Time now. On the smart home front, the Eve Weather sensor is a must-have for Apple Home automations in 2026.

Industry & Business

Apple captured a staggering 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the wider premium segment's share of overall smartphone sales climbed to a record 29%. Apple's memory supplier SK hynix is making a massive $38B bet on the AI boom lasting until 2029, but that won't make your next iPhone any cheaper. Apple is rumored to launch three new Ultra products by early next year. New AirPods with cameras could launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, and one feature sounds very exciting. The 9to5Mac Daily podcast recaps recent news including iPhone Fold hype and mac OS fixes. OpenAI has delayed its next major AI model Astra over critical hacking concerns. Apple has told a federal court that it hasn't heard from Jon Prosser's legal team in a month, as discovery drags on in its trade secret lawsuit. The Sunday Reboot column covers the nightmare scenario of OpenAI's hardware leak and the cheapness of promoting Ted Lasso.

Other

CarPlay continues to be a hot topic. If your connection drops randomly, the cause might be radio interference rather than your iPhone or cable. Three major automakers — Tesla, Rivian, and GM — still don't support Car Play, and a report explains why they resist and whether that might change. Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode on iPhone, and one writer argues that's a mistake. Amazon is offering the A16 iPad at its best price since June's hike, starting at $399.