Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 19, 2026, 10:00 PM ET

Apple Watch Series 12 & Ultra 4 Launch

Apple's newest wearables arrived this week, and the first reviews are already drawing lines in the sand. The Series 12 is being pitched as a genuine challenger to dedicated fitness trackers, with one longtime Apple user arguing the health suite is finally enough to abandon their WHOOP subscription. Amazon moved quickly to cut prices on both the Series 12 and Ultra 4 over the launch weekend, while the Ultra 4 dropped to $779.99 on Amazon just one day after release — the first discount on the premium model. Curiously, both new watches are missing the handwashing timer, a health feature that had been present on prior generations, and Apple has not explained the omission.

iPhone 18 Pro & Duo

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is generating the most hardware chatter. A teardown confirmed the US model lacks Apple's C2 modem, relying instead on Qualcomm silicon — a notable setback for Apple's in-house connectivity ambitions. The device's battery is so large that Apple had to introduce a new iOS 27 feature to manage the added capacity. Meanwhile, Apple's foldable iPhone Duo is under scrutiny on two fronts: the company is taking a software gamble that hinges on developer adoption, and hardware engineering VP Tom Marieb addressed crease concerns directly, telling users to "hold us accountable" on durability. For those already planning around the new form factor, a roundup of top iPhone 18 Pro accessories has been updated with current picks.

Software & Enterprise

Apple shipped a broad software release wave this week. iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate are now available, accompanied by a Siri AI waitlist that suggests Apple is gating its most advanced assistant features. On the enterprise side, password management remains a persistent pain point, and Dashlane's new Vault Enforcement tool is aimed squarely at closing the adoption gap among corporate users. For consumers tracking fuel costs, the indie app GasPulse offers iPhone-based monitoring of local gas price trends.

M6 Chip Rumors

Apple's silicon roadmap is generating conflicting signals. A supposed Geekbench result for the M6 Pro has been debunked as fake, according to Mac Rumors. Yet a separate M6 Pro benchmark has surfaced on Geekbench, calling into question earlier reports that Apple plans an unusually short generation for this chip family. The conflicting leaks leave the M6 timeline genuinely unclear.

Deals

Weekend discounts span most of Apple's lineup. A deals roundup highlights Air Pods marked down by as much as $100, alongside savings on the Apple Watch Series, MacBook Air, and Mac mini.