Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Apple Stock & Market Performance

J.P. Morgan has raised its price target for Apple stock to $345, maintaining a "Buy" rating despite anticipated increases in hardware costs driven by memory prices. The firm believes these price hikes will not impede long-term revenue growth for premium products. This optimism comes as China's smartphone market experienced a 13% year-over-year decline during the 618 shopping festival, according to Counterpoint Research report. Despite this contraction, Apple secured second place in the market, bolstered by iPhone discounts.

iPhone & Device Rumors

Future iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature a noticeably thicker aluminum frame and camera housing compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. Separately, the rumored iPhone Air 2 is slated for a spring 2027 launch, with reports suggesting an 11% increase in battery capacity, potentially offering up to 30 hours of use per charge.

Legal & Software Updates

A federal judge has largely dismissed claims in a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that AirPods Max suffer from a condensation defect. The ruling suggests the headphones function as designed, even if condensation occurs. In software news, Apple has stopped signing iOS 26.5 and iOS 26.5.1, preventing users from downgrading to these versions following a critical security fix release. Developers are also seeing new functionality in the latest iOS 27 beta, with Siri now capable of accessing information from third-party applications. Apple has also asked a judge to pause its legal proceedings with Epic Games while the Supreme Court reviews a portion of their case. Furthermore, the company must continue enforcing age verification for iPhone users in Texas after the Supreme Court denied a request to pause the state law.

Apple TV+ & Accessories

Apple TV+ has confirmed that the drama series "Nocturne", starring Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz, will premiere soon. In accessories, Beats is expanding its woven USB-C cable lineup with a new "Power Pink" color option, following an initial release of various colors in April 2025 collection.

Other Apple Ecosystem News

Amazon is offering discounts of up to $130 on all Wi-Fi iPad Mini 7 models. Meanwhile, the free mac OS Dropbox client Maestral has been retired after seven years of operation. In a broader commentary on artificial intelligence, Tony Fadell, credited as the "Father of the iPod," wrote a column discussing the significance of choosing an AI assistant. The Apple @ Work Podcast featured a discussion on the three core pillars of AI for the Apple enterprise.