Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 4, 2026, 6:46 AM ET

iPhone 18 Pro Launch

We are now just six sleeps away from Apple's unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, alongside its first foldable device. The Pro models will retain the same screen sizes as their predecessors, but display upgrades are expected, including LTPO technology anda smaller Dynamic Island. A supply chain leak has detailed the A20 Pro chip's improvements in gaming and performance, while another leaker claimsthe chip will feature a seven-core GPU and faster RAM. An alleged solder joint diagram suggests a wider memory interface anda larger L2 cache, indicating major GPU and memory bandwidth gains.

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Research firm Trend Force has estimated pricesfor the devices, with costs potentially rising 10-20% due to hardware expenses. Apple is reportedly paying 400% morefor memory in the iPhone 18 Pro compared to previous generations, a factor likely to drive up final retail prices.

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iPhone Ultra and Foldable

A new TrendForce reporthas revealed pricingand specs for the iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable iPhone. A maxed-out configurationcould break the $3,000 mark, making it the most expensive iPhone ever. The device will offer three key advantagesover the iPhone 18 Pro, including a larger displayand enhanced multitasking. As the event date approaches, rumors have intensified regarding the foldable's hinge design, durability, and camera system. Apple is expected to launch six major productson September 9, includingthe iPhone 18 Pro lineup, iPhone Ultra, and next-generation Apple Watch.

Apple Leadership and Legal

John Ternus has completed his first week as Apple CEO,with questions remaining about Tim Cook's ongoing involvement. Meanwhile, chemical giant BASF has filed a lawsuitagainst Apple over Face ID technology, nearly a decade afterthe feature debuted. Apple also faces a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) lawsuitin London, accusing it of imposing stricter App Tracking Transparency ruleson third-party developers than on its own advertising. A former UK antitrust director has filedthe class action,claiming the privacy feature was designed to disadvantage developers. The lawsuit includes a twist: plaintiffs argue Apple's own services benefit from looser tracking standards, creating an uneven playing field.

MacBook Roadmap

Apple last week announcedtwo new Mac mini models featuringthe M6 and M5 Pro chips, offering significant performance gains. A new Omdia research notehas revealed that Apple has reportedly canceled an innovative foldable Mac-iPad hybrid,aproject that was considered a "Ternus priority."the same report indicates Apple has scrapped plansfora folding MacBook Pro, ending along-rumored project. Meanwhile, mini-LED MacBook Pro modelscould stick around until 2028, as Apple revises its OLED adoption timeline. A display research groupclaims Apple may introduce a new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook in 2029, potentially creating a new product tierbetween the MacBook Air and Pro. The OLED MacBook Promight get an M5 Ultra chip option, though analysts consider it unlikely. A "MacBook Ultra"has been rumoredwith M5 Ultra chip support, potentially arriving by early 2027. Apple's big roadmapfor new Macand iPad models through 2029 includes OLED display transitions across the lineup, though timelines have shifted. Apple has apparently canceled plansfor two new Mac Books, including a larger OLED MacBook Pro model.

MacBook Neo Competition

TheMacBook Neo 2has been a resounding success since its release earlier this year,with demand exceeding expectations. Lenovo is now taking on the MacBook Neowith its colorful new Idea Pad Vibe, starting at just $699. The budget-friendly laptop aims to capture consumers seeking MacBook Neo-style aesthetics at a lower price point, potentially intensifying competition in the thin-and-light laptop segment.

Software and Services

iOS 27 brings a brand new designto the Calendar app,with updated event detailsand creation workflows. Code discovered in audio OS 27 shows HomePods may finally get surround soundthrough four connected speakers, including new calibrationsanda"Party Mode." However, the Apple Watch loses a useful multitasking featurein watch OS, specificallythe app switcher, which has been removed. Siri AI on Apple Watch has finally arrivedin watch OS 27 beta, though two cycles late, offering improved natural language processingand contextual responses.

AI and Industry

OpenAI is releasing a major upgradeto Chat GPTand Codex with GPT-6 Astra, enhancing reasoning, coding capabilities, and multimodal understanding. A major AI outagehas hit Claude, Chat GPT/Codex, and Grok, leaving many users unable to access services for about half an hour before partial recovery. Nvidia's new PAIR toollets M4 Macs share local AI work with PCs, turning home networks into shared supercomputers for AI tasks. The US government has made a legal filingarguingthat copyright violations by AI companies are acceptable if they enable faster innovation, citing national security concerns around AI development.

Vision Pro and Health

Apple Vision Pro was used in a first-of-its-kind surgery,markingthe first FDA-authorized surgical procedure utilizingthe spatial computing headset. Pfizer has launched an immersive Apple Vision Pro experienceto help cancer patients understand how research works, using interactive 3D visualizations of cellular processesand drug mechanisms.

Deals and Accessories

Labor Day sales are bringing significant discounts on Apple hardware. The Apple Studio Display has dropped to $1,499at B&Hand Amazon, marking one of the lowest prices of the season. Amazon has introduceda steep $214 discounton the 2026 Studio Display with Nano-Texture Glass, bringing it to $1,684.88. AirPods Pro 3 have returned to $199during Amazon's Labor Day Sale,a $50 discount off their regular price. A roundup of Labor Day tech dealsincludes Air Pods Pro,the 2026 Apple Studio Display XDR at $329+ off, iPad Air at $100 off, and charging gear discounts. Brydge has announced color-matched keyboardsfor the entry-level iPad, offering users a stylish typing solutionthat matches their device's aesthetic.

Entertainment and Smart Home

Apple TV has landed the sci-fi thriller 'Waffle House Index'in a seven-figure deal, betting on the restaurant's reputation for staying open during disasters as the premise for a disaster flick. Syncing Philips Hue lights to your TVnow starts at$120,with new products loweringthe entry barrier for immersive lighting, plus Nanoleaf integration. Anker has launched the MindBase hubat IFA,a local AI hub for the home that supports Matter, controls camerasand video doorbells, and includes NAS file sharing capabilities.

Miscellaneous

Mac users can now run Wallpaper Engine files nativelywith Vivid Walls, though with some caveats regarding performanceand feature support. A year later,the iPhone Air'scriticshave proven wrong,as the device has aged welland proven more capable than initial reviews suggested. The 9to5Mac Daily podcastcovers Apple executive news, includingthe CEO transition, plus Apple Maps updates, available on iTunes, Stitcher, and other podcast platforms.