Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 17, 2026, 10:02 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro Launch

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max arrived in customers' hands on Friday, September 18, with the first orders landing in Australia and New Zealand alongside the Apple Watch Series, Apple Watch Ultra, and Air Pods. The launch follows Apple's unveiling of the new flagships, which bring ten headline features to the Pro line. Pre-order customers have already begun receiving shipping notifications, with Apple alerting users that their orders are on the way. Those unboxing the device are finding new color options, improved photography, and a smaller Dynamic Island. The new models will require a day-one software update upon activation, a familiar ritual for early adopters.

Hands-On and Camera

In 9to5Mac's hands-on review, Chance tested the iPhone 18 Pro and the new Apple Watches over the past week, alongside the release of iOS. Photographer Austin Mann has published his annual camera review, detailing the changes to the Main camera and the iOS Camera app. The A20 Pro chip inside the new Pros powers the performance gains, with Apple executives explaining in detail how the silicon was built specifically for what Apple needs. Charging has also improved: a new test shows the iPhone 18 Pro Max charges faster from 0% to 100%, completing the cycle 26 minutes quicker than the previous model thanks to faster USB-C charging.

Battery and Service Costs

Apple has raised the out-of-warranty battery fee for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to $129 in the U.S., up from the previous $99. The company updated its service and repair pricing to reflect the new cost, which applies to batteries replaced outside of warranty or Apple Care+. The increase mirrors a broader trend of rising component and service costs across the industry.

Apple Watch Reviews

Reviewers have praised the health upgrades in the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra, with many calling the new wearables the most personal devices Apple has shipped. Mac Rumors' review roundup frames the new watches as a direct challenge to the Oura Ring, citing improved sensors and health tracking. In 9to5Mac's own full review, the Series 12 and Ultra 4 are described as more personal than ever before, with the Ultra 4 targeting endurance athletes and the Series 12 refining the everyday experience.

Software: iOS, mac OS, and watch OS 27

iOS 27 launched this week with an all-new Siri AI, and David Pogue put the assistant through 125 tests on the iPhone to see what it can actually do. On the Mac, mac OS 27 Golden Gate brings a revitalized Siri experience, with the assistant finally coming to life after a decade of stagnation. Mac Rumors has cataloged 50 new macOS Golden Gate features worth checking out, despite Apple's focus on Apple Intelligence. The Photos app in mac OS 27 also received a refresh, with new organization and editing tools. Meanwhile, watch OS 27 removed a useful feature from the Apple Watch: the digital crown double-click gesture is gone, a change that has frustrated long-time users.

Messages, iCloud, and iPad OS

iOS 27 brings a sweep of new features to Messages, including a drawing app, RCS upgrades, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration. iCloud+ subscribers gained new AI benefits in iOS, with several Apple Intelligence-related perks added to the paid tier. On iPad, iPad OS 27.2 added a convenient new feature borrowed from the Mac: a Siri popup for selected text. Apple also rolled out the first Release Candidates for mac OS Tahoe 26.7.1 and mac OS Sequoia 15.8.1, following the release of mac OS 27.2 beta.

Car Play and Automotive

iOS 27 delivers the biggest CarPlay update in years, but some features depend on your vehicle's hardware and may not work in every car. General Motors has continued its CarPlay backtrack on two truck models, reversing its earlier decision to drop the platform. The move signals that automakers are reconsidering their software strategies as customers demand smartphone integration.

Apple TV and Sports

Apple TV's broadcast of the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants game featured the iPhone 18 Pro in its production lineup, showcasing the device's camera capabilities in a live sports setting. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will also be used in this week's Friday Night Baseball broadcast, marking another high-profile deployment of Apple's hardware in professional production. On the content side, Apple TV dropped trailers for two upcoming premieres, including Tenzing and Knife Edge season.

Meta AI and Third-Party Apps

Meta AI has launched Muse, a personal agent that now includes apps for iPhone and Mac, positioning Meta as a direct competitor to Apple Intelligence and Siri. Readdle updated PDF Expert with handwriting recognition, expanded Apple Pencil support, and other improvements for iOS. OWC's Soft RAID 9 added RAID 6 support exclusively for mac OS 27 owners, bringing RAID 6 and RAID 6+ protection designed to keep arrays accessible during drive failures.

Enterprise and Device Management

Addigy launched its Intelligence Suite, giving IT teams control over how AI is used across their Apple fleets. The company also brought AI into its device management layer, adding AI-assisted scripting, reporting, compliance controls, and MCP support. The tools arrive as Apple admins grapple with managing AI use across increasingly complex deployments.

iPhone Duo and Developer Readiness

Apple's new iPhone Duo has been called a godsend for mini iPhone fans, though the pricing remains a sticking point. Developers, however, need time to update their apps for the new form factor, and Apple's messaging around the transition makes the update process sound easier than it is in practice. The iPhone Duo represents Apple's latest attempt to diversify its lineup after years of fans lamenting the discontinued iPhone mini.

Upgrade Guides and Long-Term Reviews

For those weighing an upgrade, Mac Rumors has published a buyer's guide comparing the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro, laying out the generational improvements. Apple Insider's one-year retrospective on the iPhone 17 finds plenty to appreciate even as the 18 Pro arrives. Analysts, meanwhile, are already churning out demand chatter about the iPhone 18 Pro, though such early assessments from big banks have historically been unreliable.

Deals and Subscriptions

Amazon has cut $150 off two models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, bringing the entry price down meaningfully. A broader deals roundup highlights discounts on Air Pods, the M6 Mac mini, and a $330 price cut on the Apple Studio Display, alongside a Thunderbolt 5 dock and MacBook Air offers. Apple One Premier is also offering a three-month trial worth $120 for new and qualifying returning subscribers, a notable promotion for the bundled services tier.

Apple Music and Merch

Apple Music is testing countdown clocks for upcoming album releases, a feature that could build anticipation for major launches. In an unexpected move, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has launched an official merch store, making it one of the most surprising product launches of the month.

Legal, Supply Chain, and Leadership

Apple challenged the UK government's secrecy around an encryption backdoor order in a hearing today, arguing the public has a right to know about the demand. On the supply chain front, Apple has reportedly agreed to pay Samsung higher prices for RAM and storage chips starting in 2027, a sign of continued memory cost pressure. Some memory for Apple devices could be made in the US for the first time, a potential shift in the company's supply chain. Finally, Tim Cook is keeping John Ternus away from controversy by attending a White House dinner himself, a diplomatic role that shields his likely successor from political entanglements. On the podcast front, former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson joined Overtime to discuss his new book and the origins of the Apple Store, while 9to5Mac Daily recapped the day's top stories including iOS 27.2 beta testing and M8 Ultra AI servers.