Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 26, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

iPhone Ultra & Foldable iPhone

Apple has confirmed its September 9 event, and expectations are running high for the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. The event, dubbed "Surprise and shine," will reportedly feature the iPhone 18 Pro and a folding iPhone. Attendees are being invited to participate in a Welcome Run the night before the event, with a fun walk, run, or wheelchair lap at Apple Park.

A fan-made concept video imagining the foldable iPhone Ultra reveal is circulating online, and a You Tuber has produced a teaser video that rivals Apple's launch-style production quality. Meanwhile, alleged motherboard photos from the foldable iPhone have surfaced on X and Chinese social media, and a separate component leak for the iPhone Ultra motherboard has emerged.

Despite the buzz, a new survey from CNET finds that 75% of US adults have no interest in buying a foldable iPhone. A separate survey indicates that while 25% of US adults are interested in the iPhone Ultra, most are unwilling to pay a premium price for it.

Apple Event & Livestream

Apple has added an event placeholder to its website, and viewers can find details on where and when to watch the September 9 livestream. The event will be streamed across Apple's platforms, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. PT.

Mac Hardware & Deals

Amazon is offering a $500 discount on Apple's 2TB MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and 20-core GPU, bringing the price down to $2,699 — the lowest available. For those pre-ordering the new Mac mini or Mac Studio, Best Buy rewards can provide money back on purchases.

Apple has informed some customers who ordered a Mac mini with an M4 chip that they will receive a free upgrade to the M6 model. The new Mac mini and Mac Studio also feature genlock support over USB-C, enabling precise camera syncing for professional workflows.

A comparison of the M5 vs. M6 chips shows the M6 is Apple's first chip built on a 2nm process, using three different CPU core types. However, the M5 Max Mac Studio offers a strong argument to keep the prior M4 Max model, as it's faster but more expensive. There's also a $300 GPU upgrade gotcha in the M5 Max Mac Studio configuration that buyers should be aware of.

iOS 27 & Software Features

Apple has published a support document explaining why Spotlight indexing can take days after an update, particularly for beta versions of iOS, mac OS 27 Golden Gate, iPad OS, and vision OS. The iOS 27 beta also reveals potential AI features for Apple TV 4K and HomePod.

iOS 27 also tweaks the U.S. passport feature in Apple Wallet, updating some information and menus shown alongside the Digital ID. Virginia residents can now add a digital driver's license to Apple Wallet, usable on iPhone and Apple Watch for identity verification.

Apple Services & Support

Apple Support's phone line 1-800-APL-CARE now connects callers to an AI-powered assistant instead of a human in many cases. Apple TV has unveiled a new crime thriller series called "12-12-12," a heist drama starring and executive produced by Emmy Award nominee Anthony Mackie.

Accessories & Third-Party

Pioneer, known for its Car Play head units, has launched its first iPhone accessory collection, including Mag Safe-compatible in-car gear. The Sonnet Echo 21 Thunderbolt 5 SuperDock offers a significant speed boost over its predecessor, the Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 Super Dock.

Automotive & Maps

Volvo has detailed a Car Play update that adds Spatial Audio support for three models: the EX90, EX60, and ES90. Apple's Car Keys feature appears to be coming to Xiaomi Auto vehicles, based on code changes in Apple's Wallet app backend.

Ads have landed in Apple Maps in the US and Canada, and early reactions suggest they are as poorly received as expected.

Market & Legal

The iPhone 17 retained its position as the world's best-selling smartphone in Q2 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple has pushed back against OpenAI's attempts to delay the trade theft lawsuit, pressing for expedited discovery while the AI company continues to profit from allegedly stolen information.

Miscellaneous

Apple's new $9 Polishing Cloth is softer than the original but close in size. Instagram has debuted a new iPhone-exclusive auto-Reels feature that creates an edit with a single tap, though Meta is being careful not to upset creators.