Apple News 3 Days

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 11:56 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra

Apple's September iPhone event is shaping up to be a pivotal one. Rumors suggest Apple may raise iPhone prices next week, with the iPhone 18 Pro expected to see a $250–$300 increase, possibly starting at $1,399. The device will feature a 2nm A20 chip, an Apple C2 modem, and under-display Face ID, according to a comprehensive rumor roundup. Assembly is reportedly being slowed by a RAM shortage affecting the A20 Pro processor, which is another bad sign for supply. Meanwhile, Apple is also preparing a foldable iPhone Ultra, and foldable smartphone sales are expected to rise 20% this year due to the iPhone Ultra. The name "Ultra" sounds truly deserving based on the software experience, as detailed. Apple is expanding its reach to prepare for the launch of both the iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra, with new programs. A poll asks readers which they plan to buy: iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone Ultra. As prices rise, T-Mobile has launched a new 3-year plan to help with affordability, as reported. Apple's event likely won't be live, but it could be "live-lier" this year, according to insight. Another report confirms the event won't be live no matter how much you wish. The iPhone 18 Pro release is expected on September 9, 2026, per the best estimate. Apple is also testing an iOS 26.6.1 update for iPhones, according to logs. The iPhone Air 2 is under discussion on The Mac Rumors Show, looking at what changes after a difficult first year.

iOS 27 and Software Updates

iOS 27 is bringing a wealth of new features. It introduces a compact clock that gives your wallpaper room to breathe, as explained. There are four new ways to customize the Lock Screen, including new wallpaper settings. The Messages app gets one-tap suggestions that save time, a feature described as iOS 27’s best new Messages feature. Apple Wallet in iOS 27 adds the long-awaited ability to import physical passes, as noted in a wishlist. Car Play in iOS 27 adds a mini player and scrubbing for popular apps. iOS 27 also turns your iPhone and Air Pods into an Apple Watch at the gym via GymKit. Hints in iOS 27 point to an all-new Apple Home product, possibly a security camera. iPad OS 27 adds two new iPad features that users are loving, including improvements to Notes. watch OS 27 may upgrade Apple Watch’s hypertension alerts, making an important health feature even better. mac OS Tahoe 26.6.1 has been released with security fixes, as detailed. The mac OS updates also address a serious Screen Sharing vulnerability, per Apple. Siri AI is coming to newer Apple devices only, and here’s the full list. iOS 27 also gives Air Pods Pro 3 new features, as covered. Finally, iOS 27 brings improvements to Apple Wallet that expand the Apple Account Card to four new countries.

Air Pods and Accessories

New Air Pods with cameras could launch next month alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, and one feature sounds very exciting. Air Pods Pro 3 are available with a 25% discount, part of a broader deals roundup that also includes M5 MacBook Air and iPhone Air offers. Apple added nearly 45 hearing devices to its Made for iPhone compatibility list, with 43 models across 22 brands now supported. For those with Car Play connection issues, radio interference might be the cause. Tesla, Rivian, and GM still don’t support Car Play; here’s why they resist. Car Play is also coming to Crest & Balise pontoon boats, bringing navigation to the water. Lutron Caseta expands hands-free smart home controls through Sonos voice integration. Abode launched new Apple Home-compatible sensors for garages, gates, and more, expanding the smart home ecosystem. For Apple Watch fans, favorite accessories of 2026 so far are listed. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is coming next month with three exciting new features. Deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 return with $99 off, available at Amazon. August Apple Watch deals deliver savings of up to $172 off Series 11 and Ultra 3 styles.

Mac Hardware and Upgrades

MacBook Pro users will soon have two compelling new upgrade options: M6 and Ultra chips, as rumored. Apple’s loaded M5 Max MacBook Pro with 40-core GPU is $500 off right now, a great deal. The Mac Pro turns 20 years old today, five months after Apple killed it; the original 'cheese grater' is still celebrated as the best Mac ever made. Apple expands its refurb store with rare M5 MacBook Pro configs, Apple TV 4K, and more, as added. Amazon takes up to $190 off M5 MacBook Air with best deals since price hike. Last call to save up to $200 on M5 MacBook Air laptops, with deals ending this weekend. Foxconn posts record profits ahead of iPhone 18 Pro mass production, driven by AI demand. Apple's RAM supplier SK hynix makes a $38B bet on the AI boom lasting until 2029, but it won't cut iPhone prices. The world's RAM supply crisis is going to get worse before it gets better, as analyzed. Apple's bid to use Chinese chipmaker CXMT as leverage backfires, giving Samsung and SK Hynix more pricing power.

Apple Services and Content

Ted Lasso season 4 is now streaming on Apple TV, with the first episode available as of today. Apple TV’s fall lineup reveals every new show and movie coming soon, including Ted Lasso season 4 and more. Two more hit Apple shows are coming soon alongside Ted Lasso, as noted. 'Your Friends & Neighbors' star James Marsden is confirmed for his third Apple TV project, a comedy called 'Bad News Dads' here. Apple TV’s surprise hit series 'Widow's Bay' is making the jump to theaters for one night only on August 27. The 'Bonfire of the Vanities' series has been dropped by Apple TV due to creative differences. Disney+ could get a free ad-supported tier in the future, according to comments. Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade, a full game without in-app purchases. X Money launches with a FAQ addressing account suspensions, 6% APY, physical cards, and more. Apple sweetens its trade-in deals for iPhone, Mac, and more, but you can still do better. Apple raises trade-in values for iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch models, as updated. Best Buy's Back to School event discounts MacBook Pro, Air Pods, and more. Samsung Galaxy pre-orders end today with up to $350 Amazon gift card, last chance.

AI and Developer Tools

OpenAI delays its next major AI model 'Astra' over critical hacking concerns, pausing activities. New Chat GPT version has a 'Think' button to find more reliable facts, as part of GPT-5.6 update. You may soon be able to create and export custom WhatsApp stickers straight from Chat GPT, according to reports. OpenAI’s GPT-5 turns one as the company shares new Agent Plugins standard, an open standard for reusable AI-agent extensions. Claude Code now lets sessions talk to each other on mac OS and Linux, enabling cross-session messaging. Claude Code will enable auto mode as default starting August 14, according to Anthropic. Meta's new Mac coding agent, Muse Code, costs up to 20x less if you let Meta train on your data. Mac Paw is building an on-device AI layer that will work across your Mac apps, partnering with Liquid AI. Wispr Flow launches Notetaker, an AI meeting assistant for Mac, its first product beyond dictation. Adobe integrates with Chat GPT for AI creation, becoming the creative engine behind AI. OpenAI's first device is a doughnut-shaped speaker that could cost between $200 and $400, with new pricing and design details. Paying for AI, freezing iPhones, and avoiding scams are discussed on the Apple Insider Podcast. Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI says iCloud mess didn’t play a role in the trade secrets case.

Security, Privacy, and Scams

Apple's iCloud Private Relay is leaking users' real IP addresses, according to security researchers. Apple flags discovery delays in its lawsuit against Jon Prosser, saying it hasn't heard from his lawyer in a month. In a new court filing, Apple flags delays in Jon Prosser’s response to the leak lawsuit. One pasted Terminal command opens the door to Mac crypto wallet theft, as uncovered. Biggest backdoor yet found in Chinese routers sold under multiple brand names, with a firmware implant phoning home. PSA: don't fall for the scam Uber email making the rounds; here's how to spot it. Security Bite podcast explains why scammers love Face Time now, and Apple’s baffling bug bounty changes finally make sense. A teen died because TikTok turned off safety controls to see what happened, deliberately keeping them from 15 million Americans. WhatsApp channel admins will soon get the ability to flag AI-generated media, as the EU’s new transparency requirements take effect. WhatsApp also makes parent-managed accounts easier to set up on iPhone, with a dedicated parental controls section. Unsafe iMessage for Android app Sunbird returns, despite Apple's RCS support, persuading users to route messages through its servers.

Other Apple News

Apple captured 65% of the global premium smartphone market in the first half of 2026, as the premium segment's share hit a record 29%. Apple seems to have abandoned Cinematic mode, and that’s a mistake according to analysis. iOS 26 gets its first jailbreak after 326 days thanks to Dopamine, as reported. The original iPhone loses its last cellular network as T-Mobile kills 2G, ending support for the classic. iPad shipments fell 8% in Q2 2026 amid a global tablet market decline, according to a new report. Apple is rumored to launch three new 'Ultra' products by early next year, including a foldable iPhone and more, per sources. Surgeons enthuse about what a great bargain Apple Vision Pro is, finding it superior to existing medical equipment in a study. Apple's Newton launch in August 1993 set the stage for the iPad and iPhone, now 33 years later. If you have a very specific iPad & iPad OS combo, you can install mac OS via a jailbreak tool for M1/M2 iPads on iPad OS 16. Still simple, still powerful, BBEdit is a Mac app legend at 34 years old. Apple Health is more powerful than you think; here are the top tips to maximize it. Home Pod mini 2 is expected soon with small, Siri, and smart improvements, as detailed. Why you should never put a hot iPhone in the fridge or freezer — it's dangerous. 9to5Mac Overtime 076 discusses native retro games on iPhone, including Pokémon 3D Mod and Mario Kart 64. 9to5Mac Daily episodes recap the week: August 7 covers iPhone Fold hype and mac OS updates, while August 5 covers Apple iPhone event clues. The Mac Rumors Show discusses iPhone Air, and 9to5Mac Daily also covers Apple earnings, universal clipboard interoperability, and iPhone event chatter.