Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 4:38 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Fold Rumors

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro launch is expected on September 9, 2026, according to the best estimates. The device will feature a 2nm A20 chip, a custom C2 modem, and under-display Face ID technology. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air 2 approaches its successor's debut after a difficult first year on sale. A new poll asks readers whether they plan to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or a foldable iPhone Ultra this fall.

Air Pods with Cameras and Ultra Products

Apple could launch new AirPods with cameras next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, and the feature sounds very exciting for spatial audio and AR. Additionally, the company is rumored to launch three new "Ultra" products by early next year, expanding its premium lineup.

MacBook Pro Upgrades and Mac Pro Anniversary

MacBook Pro users will soon have two compelling new upgrade options this fall: models with the M6 chip and a new MacBook Ultra. The original Mac Pro turned 20 today, and many still consider it the best Mac ever made despite Apple discontinuing the tower five months ago. That discontinuation anniversary marks the end of an era for the iconic "cheese grater" design.

Apple's Market Dominance and Supplier Investments

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, with the premium segment reaching a record 29% share. Meanwhile, Apple RAM supplier SK hynix is making a $38 billion bet on the AI boom lasting until 2029, though it won't cut iPhone prices.

Software Updates and New Features

Apple is internally testing iOS 26.6.1 for iPhones, following the recent mac OS 26.6.1 release. In iOS, Apple Wallet will gain a physical pass import feature that lets users scan existing cards. The Apple Account Card expanded to four new countries this week, including Estonia and Latvia. watch OS 27 could make hypertension notifications even better, building on the life-saving feature added last year.

Car Play Resistance and Lawsuits

Tesla, Rivian, and GM still don't support CarPlay despite it being a must-have for most car buyers, and they show no signs of changing. In legal news, Apple flagged discovery delays in its lawsuit against leaker Jon Prosser, saying his legal team hasn't responded in a month.

Refurb Store, Abandoned Features, and Claude Code

Apple expanded its Certified Refurbished Store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and more. The company seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, which many argue is a mistake given its creative potential. Finally, Anthropic announced that Claude Code auto mode will become the default permission setting for Pro, Max, and Team users starting August 14.