Apple's first foldable iPhone, known as the "iPhone Ultra," will feature impressive vapor chamber cooling and launch in September despite production difficulties, a known leaker today reported.


In a new post today on Weibo, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said the foldable iPhone's pre-assembly manufacturing processes are facing pressure and that the initial production ramp-up is proving difficult. The leaker added that prevailing speculation points to the original September launch schedule holding, and teased that further positive news is expected tomorrow.

The leaker added that the device will feature vapor chamber (VC) cooling and that its thermal performance is "quite impressive," with Apple "really going all out" with its thermal engineering. The claim marks the first time a source has attributed vapor chamber cooling to the ‌iPhone Ultra‌, and the detail is notable given the extent of the design compromises the device is expected to make.

Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ could be missing at least five features present on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, including Face ID, a telephoto camera, MagSafe, the Action Button, and a physical SIM card slot, largely as a result of its 4.5mm folded thickness. The iPhone Air, which shares a similar ultra-thin philosophy, does not feature vapor chamber cooling, making its presence on the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ far from a given before today's report.

Apple overhauled the thermal design of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ last year, adopting a vapor chamber cooling system for the first time in an iPhone. The system circulates a small amount of deionized water to move heat away from the A19 Pro chip and distribute it throughout the device's aluminum unibody frame, with Apple claiming the design delivers 40% better sustained performance for demanding tasks compared to the graphite thermal systems used in previous Pro models.

The post arrives amid a series of production difficulty reports surrounding the foldable iPhone. Earlier this month, Fixed Focus Digital pointed to yield problems at the pre-assembly stage related to surface-mount technology (SMT), distinct from a separate report by the leaker known as "Instant Digital" that attributed production difficulties to the hinge failing Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing.

Fixed Focus Digital's account pushed back on that framing, suggesting the hinge was not the primary source of difficulty. DigiTimes reported in April that production was already running roughly one to two months behind schedule while still maintaining that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital also reported in April that price negotiations with Apple's assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.

Despite the difficulties, the launch timeline does not appear to be at risk. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ is on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, though he noted the timing was not final and production had yet to ramp up. The device is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip, the C2 modem, Touch ID in place of ‌Face ID‌, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored to start at around $2,000.
This article, "Foldable 'iPhone Ultra' Rumored to Feature Vapor Chamber Cooling Despite Thin Design" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

OpenAI is developing a smartphone intended to compete directly with the iPhone, in what appears to be a significant departure from the company's previously stated hardware strategy. Here's everything we know so far.


Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published his findings in late April following supply chain checks, describing the device as an "AI agent phone" built around a continuous, context-aware interface rather than individual apps. Kuo argued that the smartphone is the only device that captures a user's full real-time state, including location, activity, communication, and context, making it uniquely suited to AI agent inference.

He said fully controlling both the operating system and the hardware is the only way for OpenAI to deliver a comprehensive AI agent service, and that AI agents will fundamentally shift how people interact with a phone, moving the focus from launching individual apps to completing tasks through a seamless interface.

Specifications

OpenAI's phone is said to use a customized version of MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 processor, built on TSMC's N2P node in the second half of 2026. Kuo initially named both MediaTek and Qualcomm as chip partners but has since said MediaTek appears "better positioned to become the sole processor supplier."

Luxshare Precision Industry is believed to be the exclusive manufacturing partner. Separately, Kuo reported that Sunny Optical has secured component orders for two OpenAI devices, including the smartphone. This is likely for the camera module.

The device's headline known hardware specification today is its image signal processor, which includes an enhanced HDR pipeline intended to improve real-world sensing through the camera. It is also said to use two AI processors for handling different tasks simultaneously, such as vision and language processing, along with fast memory and storage and security features to isolate processes.

What About Jony Ive's Devices?

The phone represents a notable reversal in OpenAI's publicly stated strategy. The company's hardware ambitions had previously been described as centered on non-phone form factors developed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, whose startup io Products OpenAI acquired for $6.5 billion in May 2025. Ive and CEO Sam Altman had specifically said they did not want to build a device with a screen, with Altman describing a prototype to employees as "the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen."

The first product from that collaboration was delayed out of 2026 and has since been identified as a smart speaker with an integrated camera, priced between $200 and $300 and expected to launch in early 2027. Other devices reportedly in development include smart glasses, a smart lamp, and potentially earbuds, though those products are further out on the roadmap and some could be cancelled.

OpenAI has also been aggressively recruiting from Apple's hardware ranks, hiring over 40 former Apple employees. The hires include former Apple designers Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon, prompting Apple to offer its iPhone Product Design team retention bonuses of up to $400,000 in restricted stock units to counter the poaching.

Timeline

Mass production of OpenAI's smartphone was originally believed to be targeted for 2028, but Kuo has since revised that expectation to the first half of 2027. The accelerated timeline is said to reflect OpenAI's planned IPO, where a compelling hardware product could strengthen the company's investor narrative, as well as intensifying competition in the AI agent phone category. Kuo projects combined 2027 and 2028 shipments could reach around 30 million units if development stays on track.

What Does It Mean for Apple?

If the broader hardware lineup ships, OpenAI will be a direct competitor to Apple across several product categories. Apple is rumored to be developing smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, an AI pendant, and a smart home hub with enhanced Siri capabilities. On the day Kuo published his initial report, Altman posted on X that it "feels like a good time to seriously rethink how operating systems and user interfaces are designed."
This article, "Everything We Know About OpenAI's Planned iPhone Rival" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Leaker Sonny Dickson today shared images of iPhone 18 Pro dummy models in the device's four rumored colors, offering the first real-world look at what to expect from the lineup visually.


Corroborating previous rumors, the dummies show the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in Light Blue, Black, Silver, and Dark Cherry. Dickson said "Cherry will probably be the next hit, orange did very well." Cosmic Orange was the signature color of the iPhone 17 Pro and proved popular with customers.

Dark Cherry is expected to serve as the headline new color for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models this year. The color has been in the rumor mill since at least February 2026, when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was testing a deep red finish for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max. At the time, Gurman described the shade as a deep red, and separate reporting from a Chinese leaker later suggested the color was very likely to make the cut, partly because Android rivals were already prototyping the same shade.



The picture sharpened in April, when Macworld reported that the color would be called Dark Cherry and would be closer to wine than a brighter red, and considerably more muted than Cosmic Orange. The leaker known as "Instant Digital" subsequently corroborated that name, characterizing the shade as a combination of burgundy, coffee, and deep purple. "Instant Digital" has a good track record on Apple color leaks, having accurately predicted the yellow finish for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.

Macworld's reporting also identified the full four-color lineup, with internal Pantone codes said to be in use at Apple: Light Blue (Pantone 2121), described as resembling the current iPhone 17's Mist Blue; Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076); Dark Gray (Pantone 426C); and Silver (Pantone 427C), said to be similar to the current generation.

The latest images are significant because they mark the first time the rumored colors have been depicted in physical, real-world form rather than renders or supply chain descriptions. That said, dummy models are typically made from plastic or low-quality metals and are not finished to the same standard as production units, meaning the tone and saturation of each color could vary from what Apple ultimately ships. With that caveat, the dummies are consistent with the earlier rumors, suggesting that this will indeed likely be the final color palette of the device.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced in the fall alongside the first foldable iPhone.
This article, "First Look at iPhone 18 Pro Color Options Revealed by Dummy Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max's all-new variable aperture lens will cost Apple 50% more than the camera unit used in current models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


Variable aperture has been one of the most persistent iPhone camera rumors of the past few years. Kuo first flagged the feature in late 2024, and it has since been corroborated by multiple reports and apparently entered production earlier this year.

Unlike the fixed f/1.78 aperture found on every iPhone Pro from the 14 Pro through to the 17 Pro, a variable aperture will physically adjust the size of the lens opening to control how much light reaches the sensor, offering better exposure control and greater flexibility over depth of field.

Kuo said that the component has an average selling price roughly 50% higher than the seven-element plastic lens Apple currently uses in the iPhone 17 Pro's main camera. Sunny Optical set to supply Apple between 40 and 50% of orders

Sunny Optical has also become a new compact camera module (CCM) supplier for Apple, initially producing the camera for the MacBook Neo. ‌MacBook Neo‌ shipments have come in significantly better than expected, with Kuo doubling his 2026 forecast from 5 million to 10 million units, a notable upward revision as the entry-level Mac has materially exceeded early expectations.

Looking further ahead, the 2028 iPhone's ultra wide camera module is expected to move away from flip-chip packaging in favor of an improved COB (chip-on-board) design, with Sunny Optical well positioned to become a supplier at that point. A COB ultra-wide module could be thinner or smaller, leaving more room for other components, or simply deliver better image quality from the same physical footprint.

Beyond Apple, Kuo says Sunny Optical has secured component orders for two OpenAI devices, including a smartphone and a pocket or mobile device.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to launch in the fall alongside the first foldable iPhone.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro's Camera Upgrade Will Cost Apple 50% More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Oura today unveiled the Oura Ring 5, a significantly smaller smart ring with new health-monitoring capabilities including blood pressure trend detection, nighttime breathing analysis, and tools for GLP-1 medication tracking.


The Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller than its predecessor, measuring 6.09mm wide and 2.29mm thick compared to 7.99mm and 2.88mm on the previous model. Oura says the reduction was achieved by redesigning the mechanical, electrical, optical, battery, and sensing architectures, and the company claims the new form factor more closely resembles a traditional wedding band. Despite the smaller size, Oura says battery life remains at approximately one week per charge.

The ring's sensing system has also been overhauled. A new signal architecture uses precision-engineered sensor domes for better skin contact, more powerful LEDs, and twelve signal pathways that Oura says deliver greater accuracy across more finger types and skin tones.

The headline software addition is "Health Radar," a proactive health-monitoring feature that builds on the company's existing Symptom Radar tool, which launched in 2024 to flag early signs of illness. Health Radar includes two initial capabilities: Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing.

Blood Pressure Signals continuously monitors for patterns that may indicate cardiovascular strain, surfacing nighttime blood pressure trends. Nighttime Breathing provides a 30-day rolling view of sleep-related breathing disturbances, with guidance on when to seek further evaluation.

A new Health Records feature allows U.S. users to import diagnosed conditions, medications, lab results, and allergies directly into the app. Oura has also partnered with Counsel Health, an AI-powered virtual care platform, to let eligible users in 43 U.S. states ask health questions and connect with licensed physicians from within the app for an additional fee.

New GLP-1 Insights tools let users track medication dosing, side effects, weight changes, and biometric data in one place. A Lab Uploads feature lets users import blood biomarker results alongside Oura's biometric data.

Other new features include live workout tracking with real-time pace, distance, and heart rate via a connected device, a Brain Health Study through Oura Labs pairing cognitive assessments with biometric data, and a time-based Data Deletion tool allowing users to erase data from specific periods without affecting their full history.

An optional new Charging Case accessory provides one month of battery and supports wireless charging, priced at $99. Oura is also introducing a Locate feature to track misplaced rings and charging cases.

The Oura Ring 5 is priced at $399 in Silver and Black, with Gold, Stealth, Brushed Silver, and Deep Rose finishes priced at $499. The Oura Ring 4 in ceramic remains available at $349. An Oura Membership is required for full functionality at $5.99 per month or $69.99 annually. Global pre-orders open today, with shipping beginning June 4.
This article, "Oura Ring 5 Unveiled With Smaller Design and Blood Pressure Tracking" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple reportedly plans to use next month's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to highlight its on-device AI capabilities as a competitive advantage, leaning on 15 years of custom silicon expertise to make the case for running AI models locally rather than in the cloud.


People familiar with Apple's plans speaking to The Information say the company is expected to showcase how the chips designed for iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macs give it an edge in processing AI queries directly on devices. While cloud-based processing will remain necessary for complex queries, Apple will position local inference as a privacy-preserving, cost-saving alternative to the massive data center buildouts its rivals have pursued.

As part of its agreement with Google, Apple is apparently set to use a large version of Google's Gemini model to train a smaller, distilled version capable of running locally on Apple hardware. Apple is also said to be scouting acquisitions to help advance its model-shrinking work, with one company it has reportedly considered being Liquid AI, a Massachusetts startup focused on running AI locally on devices.

Some queries will still require cloud processing. Apple is believed to have approved the use of Nvidia's confidential compute technology within Google Cloud to handle processing of the larger Gemini-based model. The security feature encrypts data and AI models during processing, adding a modest performance cost but offering stronger privacy protections.

The arrangement represents a noticeable departure from Apple's original Apple Intelligence announcement, in which the company said all cloud-bound queries would be handled exclusively by its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure running on Apple silicon. Apple is likely to retain the Private Cloud Compute branding despite the change, people familiar with the partnership told The Information.

There are also said to be material limits to how far Apple can push on-device processing. Google's full Gemini model runs into the trillions of parameters, and The Information claims that Apple has struggled to run it on its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, which uses the same Apple silicon chips found in Mac computers.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ was first announced at WWDC 2024, but the rollout has been hampered by a tepid response to initial features and a protracted delay to the more personal version of Siri. Apple is now expected to use WWDC 2026, which runs from June 8 to reframe the narrative, reintroduce the delayed features, and debut new ones.
This article, "Report: Apple Plans to Make On-Device AI a Key WWDC Focus" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is planning sweeping AI-driven upgrades to its Camera and Photos apps in iOS 27, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.



The report offers a first look at the appearance of several major ‌iOS 27‌ features that Apple plans to announce at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8. The images are based on information viewed by Bloomberg and people said to be familiar with Apple's plans.

The Camera app is set to gain a dedicated Siri mode, positioned alongside existing options like Photo and Video. Gurman reports the feature would replace the current Visual Intelligence experience, allowing users to photograph objects and have them analyzed by a third-party AI agent or run through a Google reverse image search. By elevating the capability directly into the Camera app rather than restricting it to the Camera Control button, Apple reportedly aims to increase adoption and help acclimate users to visual AI ahead of future products, including smart glasses and camera-equipped AirPods.

The Camera app is also said to be getting a new "Add Widgets" panel that makes the interface more customizable. The top row of shortcuts currently displayed across capture modes would become replaceable, letting users prioritize more professional controls such as depth adjustments, or surface tools like timers and Night mode more prominently in the interface. Gurman says the changes are aimed at making Apple's camera software more appealing to advanced photographers.



The ‌Photos‌ app is set to receive new Apple Intelligence tools called "Reframe" and "Extend." Reframe would allow users to change the perspective of a photo, while Extend uses AI to generate additional portions of an image, such as filling in the lower half of a building that was cut off in the original shot.

Apple is also said to be testing natural language prompt-based photo editing, which would let users request specific edits by voice or text, such as cropping or adjusting colors. Gurman notes that this specific feature may not arrive in the first version of ‌iOS 27‌.

Elsewhere in ‌iOS 27‌, the Shortcuts app is said to be getting a significant overhaul that would allow users to create automations using natural language. Instead of manually building workflows step by step, users can describe what they want to happen; Gurman's example has a user setting up a routine that automatically starts a music playlist and sends a spouse an ETA when they begin driving home from work.

Bloomberg previously reporte ond AI-created wallpapers, a systemwide grammar checker for text input, and a revamped Image Playground app offering improved quality for AI-generated pictures and Genmoji custom emoji. See Bloomberg's full report for more information.
This article, "First Look at AI Camera and Photos Features in iOS 27 Revealed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Accessory maker iFunSmart has begun listing the first protective cases for Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, corroborating rumors about the device's design.


Case makers routinely begin mass producing accessories ahead of a new iPhone announcement, working from dummy units or leaked CAD files to size their molds. Their designs are speculative, but they have historically proven accurate to the millimeter, since accessory makers cannot afford to be left without product on launch day. Leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of foldable iPhone dummy units in April, providing the kind of reference template that typically circulates among case manufacturers.

The listings, spotted by French Apple site iPhoneSoft, show an unobtrusive rear camera plateau housing two lenses, a slim profile, and a circular cutout for MagSafe-style magnets. iFunSmart describes the cases as offering military-grade drop protection, integrated N52 magnets, a translucent matte finish, and 1.5mm raised camera lips alongside a 1mm raised screen bezel.

The design broadly corroborates the design outlined in rumors and seen on dummy units, suggesting the foldable's exterior is increasingly clear. Only two camera lens cutouts are present, in line with reports that Apple plans to skip the telephoto camera. A cutout for a Camera Control button is also visible, but there is no Action button. The listing depicts a multi-part case with separate snap-on sections rather than a single-piece shell owing to its folding design.


The presence of magnets in the case does not necessarily mean Apple has built MagSafe into the foldable iPhone itself, and there has previously been speculation that the device could lack the feature. The N52 magnets could simply be embedded into the case to attach to external ‌MagSafe‌ accessories such as wireless chargers and car mounts, without aligning with a corresponding magnet array inside the device.

iFunSmart's listings are likely to be among the first of many. Accessory makers typically flood the market with cases in the months ahead of a new iPhone launch, and further variants from competing brands should appear in the run-up to the device's announcement.

Apple is widely expected to launch the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in fall 2026. Leaks point to a 5.5-inch external display, a 7.8-inch inner display, a folded thickness of around 9.5mm and a thickness of about to 4.5mm when open, the A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, and Touch ID in the side button rather than Face ID. The device is expected to start at around $2,000.
This article, "First Cases for Apple's Foldable iPhone Surface Online" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most current iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models while reducing several Android offers.


The headline iPhone trade-in figure rises from $685 to $695, with every iPhone 16 model gaining value:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: $685 to $695


• iPhone 16 Pro: $550 to $560


• iPhone 16 Plus: $455 to $465


• iPhone 16: $435 to $460

Every current ‌iPad‌ also gains value, with the headline range shifting from $40 to $670 up to $45 to $690:

• iPad Pro: $670 to $690


• iPad Air: $445 to $460


• iPad: $220 to $235


• iPad mini: $250 to $265

Mac changes are mixed, with most current models gaining value:

• MacBook Pro: $685 to $690


• MacBook Air: $485 to $520


• Mac mini: $340 to $375


• iMac: Unchanged at $355

Despite those increases, the top of Apple's Mac trade-in range slips from $2,090 to $2,045, suggesting a reduction for a higher-end model not shown in Apple's summary table, such as the Mac Pro or Mac Studio. The Apple Watch lineup also gets a mix of revisions:

• Apple Watch Ultra 2: $295 to $305


• Apple Watch Series 9: $120 to $130


• Apple Watch Series 10: Unchanged at $150


• Apple Watch Ultra: $215 to $205

Android trade-in offers have largely been cut, with the headline range narrowing from $30 to $370 down to $30 to $360:

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: $230 to $200


• Google Pixel 8 Pro: $170 to $165


• Samsung Galaxy S23: Unchanged at $125


• OnePlus 12: Unchanged at $200

All Apple-listed values are estimates, with final offers determined after the device is received and inspected. Customers can apply trade-in credit toward a new purchase or receive the value as an Apple Gift Card, and Apple will recycle ineligible devices for free.
This article, "Apple Updates Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today announced that "After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe" will return on June 7 for a third season built around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


Hunt is an actor and cocreator of Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Lowe hosts NBC Sports' Premier League coverage and is cohosting FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast. The two will recap games as the tournament unfolds, with new episodes landing multiple times a week in the hours after notable matches.

The show is produced by Apple News and presented by Verizon, and will be available in audio and video on ‌Apple News‌, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. The first episode arrives on June 7 with tournament previews.

Alongside the podcast, the ‌Apple News‌ app will feature tournament coverage from outside publishers, the schedule, scores, brackets, and player feeds. The free Apple Sports app, which Apple expanded to 90 more countries earlier this month, will offer live scores, stats, and a bracket view for the tournament.
This article, "Apple's 'After the Whistle' Podcast to Return for World Cup" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple yesterday published a support document to help users distinguish Apple Creator Studio versions of its professional creative apps from the standalone editions sold as one-time purchases.


The confusion stems from Apple's decision to ship two parallel variants of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, MainStage, Motion, Compressor, and Pixelmator Pro, with one available through the Apple Creator Studio subscription and one sold separately. Both editions share the same name and can be installed on the same Mac at the same time, leaving little to tell them apart at a glance.

Apple's solution is to give the Creator Studio versions of the apps redesigned icons with Liquid Glass. The new support document presents side-by-side icon comparisons for each of the six apps so users can identify which edition they are running or troubleshooting from the Dock or the Applications folder.

Apple does not typically publish a dedicated reference document for telling two of its own apps apart, and the move suggests the dual-version setup has produced enough real-world confusion to warrant public guidance.

Apple Creator Studio launched in January for $12.99 per month or $129 per year, bringing the company's pro creative apps under a single subscription. Apple said that some new features in its creative apps would be available only to subscribers going forward. Pixelmator Pro's inclusion was the first significant sign of how Apple is integrating the Pixelmator team, which it acquired in November 2024.
This article, "Apple Publishes Document to Help Users Tell Creator Studio Apps Apart" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Android manufacturers are planning to adopt Apple's split launch strategy, releasing high-end and standard models in separate windows rather than simultaneously, according to the leaker known as "Digital Chat Station."


The leaker made the claim in a new post on Weibo this week, saying the "Android camp may repeat this style of play" with Pro series and standard models launching separately in a move to "comprehensively go head-to-head" with Apple. The leaker described it as a move to "fully benchmark" Apple, suggesting the motivation is competitive rather than logistical.

The same post reiterated earlier predictions about Apple's plans. Starting this year, Apple is widely expected to break from its long-standing September release cycle by splitting the iPhone 18 lineup across two windows: the iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and the first foldable iPhone are expected to launch in fall 2026, while the standard ‌iPhone 18‌, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air are expected in spring 2027.

Digital Chat Station attributed the delay partly to supply pressure on memory and 2nm chip production, which is an explanation consistent with Nikkei Asia's corroborating report in January, which also cited a deliberate commercial motive to maximize revenue from premium models before cheaper alternatives arrive.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information have also supported the rumor of the split launch. Kuo framed the strategy as a way to prevent "diluted marketing efforts" as Apple's lineup expands to six devices and to address the "marketing gap" created by Chinese Android brands that typically launch their flagships in the first half of the year, a window Apple has historically ceded entirely to Android.

If Android brands do adopt the same release plan, it would mark a noticeable departure from current practice. Samsung, Apple's most direct competitor, launches its Galaxy S flagship family, standard, Plus, and Ultra, simultaneously each February or March, then launches foldables in a separate mid-year event in July. All tiers of the S series ship together and there is no equivalent of deliberately holding the base model back.

Xiaomi regularly launches flagship models in China several months before a global rollout, and its Ultra-tier models often arrive weeks or months after standard and Pro variants within the same generation. Oppo and Vivo similarly stagger Ultra devices relative to their base flagships, but in each case the split is led by entry level models debuting first, followed by high-end devices.

Should Android manufacturers adopt Apple's new plan, it would largely represent an inversion of the current approach, with premium models leading and standard devices following months later.
This article, "Android Brands May Copy Apple's New Split iPhone Launch Strategy" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Pro iPhone models are unlikely to return to titanium in the near future due to the heat dissipation demands of local AI, according to a known Weibo leaker.


The claim comes from the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," and pushes back on an earlier report from "Instant Digital," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames. Fixed Focus Digital argues that aluminum's thermal properties make it the only practical choice for now, given the processing requirements of AI features. The leaker adds that this is not an Apple-specific issue, noting that Android and Huawei HarmonyOS devices also prioritize aluminum for the same reason.

Instant Digital's earlier report argued that Apple's switch from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro was a compromise solution while it continued to develop longer-term alternatives. The leaker claimed Apple was exploring both liquid metal and revised titanium alloys for future Pro models, with both materials reportedly already earmarked for the upcoming foldable iPhone.

Apple switched away from titanium following overheating complaints on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, although the iPhone Air continues to use it. Fixed Focus Digital's assessment suggests aluminum is more deeply entrenched in Apple's plans than Instant Digital's framing implied, at least for the foreseeable future. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum unibody design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, meaning any material change is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
This article, "Leaker Pushes Back on Rumors of Pro iPhone's Return to Titanium" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's first foldable iPhone is running into mass production yield problems at the pre-assembly stage, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" claims.


In a post today on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said Apple's troubles are not related to hinge reliability, as was previously reported, but rather due to surface-mount technology (SMT) during pre-assembly, with production yields failing to ramp up. The leaker framed the situation as somewhat concerning, stopping short of suggesting the fall launch is at risk.

The update arrives days after a separate leaker known as "Instant Digital" reported that the device's hinge was consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. Instant Digital described that issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection," though a follow-up post suggested the hinge difficulties were unlikely to affect the expected release window.

DigiTimes reported in April that production was already running roughly one to two months behind schedule, while still maintaining that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital reported in April that price negotiations with Apple's assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.

Whatever the precise nature of the problems, the picture that has emerged across multiple supply chain sources in recent weeks is one of unusual production difficulties. That said, a fall launch does not appear to be at risk; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple is aiming to put it on sale at roughly the same time or slightly later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that "the release is six months away and production has yet to ramp up" and "the timing isn't final."

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000.
This article, "Foldable iPhone Reportedly Facing Mass Production Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Images of third-party clear cases for the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max suggest there is a chance Apple may revert back to a more familiar MagSafe ring design, and away from the controversial opaque white panel introduced on last year's iPhone 17 Pro cases.


The images have been circulating on Chinese social media and were spotted by MyDrivers. Where the iPhone 17 Pro clear case drew considerable criticism for replacing the traditional circular ‌MagSafe‌ magnet array with a large opaque white rectangle that covered most of the case's back panel, the cases shown here return to a more open horseshoe or ring-style ‌MagSafe‌ design, leaving the majority of the case genuinely transparent.

If the design is an accurate reflection of Apple's first-party case plans, it would represent a meaningful course correction from a design that many buyers felt made Apple's own "clear" case a misnomer. Accessory manufacturers commonly produce cases ahead of Apple announcements using anticipated details sourced from the supply chain.


The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Clear Case redesign proved to be highly polarizing at launch. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s Apple logo shifted to a lower position on the rear panel to sit centered within the new rectangular glass section below the camera plateau. As reported ahead of the device's launch, that placement would have been obscured by the traditional circular ‌MagSafe‌ design, prompting Apple to replace the ring entirely with a large opaque white rounded rectangle bearing a centered Apple logo. The result covered most of the lower three-quarters of the case, and forum discussions and reviews described the white panel as a "deal breaker" for some buyers who wanted to show off the color of their phone.

The open horseshoe design suggested by the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ cases takes a different approach seen on some other third-party cases, with a break in the ring at the bottom allowing the Apple logo to remain visible through the case without requiring the large opaque panel. The third-party cases shown in the images are clearly trying to emulate Apple's first-party accessories, and given the negative reaction to Apple's clear cases last year, it wouldn't be surprising if the company opted to move to this design.

Beyond this detail, the replica cases reflect design details consistent with existing rumors about the new models. The standard ‌iPhone 18‌ case features a cutout suggesting a vertical dual-camera layout, in line with reports that the base model will retain a broadly similar rear design to its predecessor. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max cases both show large horizontal camera plateau cutouts consistent with the design established on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced alongside the first foldable iPhone in the fall. The ‌iPhone 18‌ is likely set to follow in the spring with the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.
This article, "Apple Could Reverse Controversial Clear Case Design With iPhone 18 Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote date, the sweeping Siri redesign coming in iOS 27, Apple's latest accessibility feature previews, and the hinge troubles reportedly plaguing the foldable iPhone ahead of its expected launch in the fall.


Apple this week confirmed its ‌WWDC 2026‌ keynote for June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the conference running through June 12. The event is expected to introduce ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27, with developer betas available immediately after the keynote and public releases following in September. The focus is expected to be on Apple Intelligence and AI advancements across its platforms. No major hardware announcements have been rumored for the keynote, but we are overdue seeing a new "homeOS" platform for a tabletop or wall-mounted smart home hub, though launch timing remains unclear.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that ‌iOS 27‌ will bring a sweeping ‌Siri‌ redesign, evolving the assistant into a full chatbot designed to compete with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. For the first time, ‌Siri‌ will apparently have a dedicated app, showing a grid or list of past conversations with support for favoriting, searching, and starting new chats, all using iMessage-style chat bubbles.

‌Siri‌ will also purportedly be integrated into the Dynamic Island, where triggering it will show a "Search or Ask" prompt with a glowing cursor; results appear as a translucent card, and pulling it down opens a full conversation mode. ‌Siri‌ is set to replace Spotlight search, though Suggestions will remain and gain access to more user data.

Users will be able to set chats to auto-delete after 30 days, one year, or never. The app could also launch labeled "beta" despite years of development, and is powered by Google Gemini, though Apple is said to be reluctant to emphasize that given Google's reputation as an advertising business.

Separately, Apple this week previewed new accessibility features coming later this year, ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, as is Apple's annual tradition. Among the highlights: VoiceOver Image Explorer uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to generate detailed descriptions of images, scanned bills, and personal records throughout the system; the Action button can now be used to ask questions about what the camera sees, with natural language follow-up supported; and Voice Control is getting a natural language upgrade that lets users describe on-screen elements in their own words rather than memorizing exact labels. Automatic captions for personal videos will also arrive, generated on-device for recorded videos, received from friends, or streamed online. The features are expected to launch with ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, ‌macOS 27‌, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 in September.

Finally, Apple's "iPhone Ultra" reportedly hit a new obstacle this week, after Weibo leaker "Instant Digital" posted that trial production has run into a serious hinge reliability problem. According to the leaker, the hinge is consistently failing Apple's quality control under high-frequency open and close testing, eventually producing audible rattling, and the issue "must be solved with absolute perfection, otherwise progress will remain stalled."

That broadly aligns with a DigiTimes report from April that placed production one to two months behind schedule, with mass production now pushed from June to August. Bloomberg's Gurman has pushed back on a Nikkei report suggesting the device could slip to 2027, calling it "off base", and expects the foldable iPhone to land around the same time or soon after the iPhone 18 Pro models; if it does launch in September, supply is expected to be constrained, with some reports suggesting customer availability could slip as late as December.

The foldable iPhone is rumored to be called the "iPhone Ultra" and is expected to start at over $2,000, with one report citing $2,500, which would make it the most expensive iPhone ever. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Google's latest wave of announcements for Android and Gemini, the newly announced Fitbit Air, and Apple Watch Series 12 rumors.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
This article, "The MacRumors Show: WWDC26 Promises Apple Intelligence and Siri Upgrades" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Meta today launched a new standalone app called "Forum" that brings Facebook Groups into a dedicated feed separate from the main Facebook experience.


The app was spotted by Matt Navarra without any formal announcement from the company. Its App Store listing describes Forum as "a dedicated space for the conversations that matter most to you," built for the groups users already belong to and those they have yet to discover.

Forum's feed surfaces conversations from a user's existing Groups instead of mixing them with posts from friends, Pages, and algorithmically recommended content. When logging in for the first time, users are asked what they want to see more of, suggesting the app will also surface posts from other Groups aligned with their interests. Any post made through Forum syncs back to the main Facebook app, and vice versa.

Users will need an existing Facebook account to sign in. The app supports anonymized usernames for public interactions, similar to the option already available on Facebook, though group administrators can still see the real identities behind those accounts.

Two AI features are available in Forum. The first, called "Ask," is said to pull answers from across a user's Groups so they don't have to search each community individually. The second is an AI-powered assistant for group moderators to help manage administrative tasks.

This is not Meta's first attempt at a standalone Groups product. The company launched a dedicated Facebook Groups app years ago before discontinuing it in 2017.

A comparison to Reddit has been drawn given the app's focus on niche community discussions, real-people recommendations, and question-and-answer style content. Forum is available on the App Store now.
This article, "Meta Quietly Launches 'Forum,' a Standalone Facebook Groups App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Samsung has edged past Apple for the top spot in customer satisfaction for cell phones, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's 2026 Telecommunications, Cell Phone, and Smartwatch Study, published this week.


Samsung scores 81 in the ACSI's cell phone rankings while Apple posts 80, breaking last year's tie between the two companies for satisfaction leadership. The overall cell phone industry score rose 1% to 79 this year, recovering from a sharp 4% decline in 2025 that had pushed it to its lowest point in a decade.

The ACSI says satisfaction improves most when new features translate into everyday value without introducing new pain points, citing battery life tradeoffs as an example. AI integration, measured by the ACSI for the first time, scores 85 overall, signaling that customers are not only aware of AI features but find them useful, while improvements in battery life, up 5% to 81.

For the cell phone industry, the highest-rated customer experience metrics are the fundamental functions of making phone calls and sending text messages, both scoring 86. AI feature performance debuts at 85, nearly matching those top table-stakes interactions, suggesting that AI is moving from novelty to practical utility for many customers.

Among new flagship owners, Samsung's latest Galaxy S-series leads at 84, followed by new iPhone owners at 82, with Google's flagship models scoring 80. Satisfaction with flagship models overall scores 82, far outpacing legacy phones at 76 and foldables at 72.

In the foldable segment, Samsung holds a clear lead with an ACSI score of 80, which is 8 points ahead of Google at 72 and 10 points ahead of Motorola at 70. The ACSI notes that foldable owners are three times as likely to complain as non-foldable owners, and says competitive dynamics in the segment may shift as Apple's rumored entry into the foldable market is anticipated for later this year. Apple is widely expected to debut a foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models this fall, featuring a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, priced at around $2,000.

In the smartwatch category, Apple holds steady at 80, while Samsung drops 4% to create a first-place tie at the top of the leaderboard. Customer experience characteristics of smartwatches are universally rated higher this year at the industry level, with the biggest gains including ease of navigating menus and settings, up 7% to 80, and app and accessory connectivity, up 5% to 83.

The ACSI study is based on 26,963 completed surveys, with customers contacted via email between April 2025 and March 2026.
This article, "Samsung Overtakes Apple for Top Smartphone Customer Satisfaction" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue will be honored as "Entertainment Person of the Year" at the Cannes Lions festival next month, recognizing his leadership of the company's entertainment and services business (via Variety).


Cue will deliver a keynote on the opening day of the festival, which runs from June 22 to June 26 in the south of France. He will be joined by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, whose film "F1: The Movie" was released by Apple last year. In a statement, Lions CEO Simon Cook said:

Eddy Cue has consistently pushed the boundaries of entertainment and storytelling, building platforms and experiences that have redefined how audiences engage with culture. Under his leadership, Apple has not only produced world-class content but has also shaped the future of entertainment through innovation, creativity and an unwavering commitment to quality. We're delighted to honor Eddy as our 2026 Entertainment Person of the Year.

Cue told Variety last year that as streaming platforms multiplied, Apple saw an opportunity to focus on quality over volume. "We saw that the world was changing, and it seemed like everybody was going after quantity. We thought there was an opening for us, if we really focused on high quality," he said.

Apple TV+ launched in November 2019 and has since compiled an impressive awards record. The streamer earned best picture at the Oscars for its 2021 drama "CODA," and "The Studio" set records at last year's Emmy Awards with 13 wins, which is the most by a comedy series in a single year and the most by a first-year series.
This article, "Apple's Eddy Cue to Receive 'Entertainment Person of the Year' Award" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's retail operation turns 25 years old today, marking a quarter century since the company opened its first stores on May 19, 2001.



Steve Jobs personally guided members of the press through the Tysons Corner store four days before it opened, after Apple announced the retail initiative on May 15. Some 500 visitors lined up before dawn on opening day, with the queue growing to over 1,000 by the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. The two stores, located at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia and Glendale Galleria in California, welcomed over 7,700 visitors and recorded $599,000 in combined sales across their opening weekend.

The decision to enter brick-and-mortar retail came at a precarious moment for Apple. With a market share hovering around 2.8%, the company was struggling to showcase its products through third-party retailers, where Macs were routinely relegated to dusty corners staffed by clerks with limited product knowledge. Jobs believed Apple would never shed its "cult" image unless it controlled the entire customer experience right down to the point of purchase. As he told Walter Isaacson for his biography: "Unless we could find ways to get our message to customers at the store, we were screwed."

To lead the retail push, Jobs recruited Ron Johnson, who had transformed Target's image with his designer merchandise line. Together they refined the store concept in a secret warehouse prototype, working through every detail from the single-entrance layout to the Genius Bar, which Johnson modeled on the service experience at Ritz-Carlton hotels. Gap CEO Mickey Drexler, who had joined Apple's board in 1999, also played a key role in shaping the retail vision.



Skepticism was widespread at the time. Apple's sales had dropped 29% the previous year, Gateway had just shuttered 40 of its own stores, and Channel Marketing analyst David Goldstein publicly predicted Apple would be "turning out the lights on a very painful and expensive mistake" within two years.

By 2003, Apple was recording $3 million in profit per store, per quarter, with approximately 60,000 visitors at each location. Apple Retail hit $1.2 billion in revenue in 2004, breaking the record for the fastest retail operation to reach a billion-dollar milestone. The company today operates more than 500 stores across 27 countries, with each location generating approximately $5,500 per square foot annually, among the highest figures in the retail industry.

The original Tysons Corner store relocated and reopened in a larger, redesigned space within the same mall in May 2023. Apple retail stores in both Tysons Corner and Glendale Galleria locations remain open today.
This article, "Apple's First Retail Stores Opened 25 Years Ago Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Fortnite is back on the App Store in every country except Australia, Epic Games announced today, as the company declared it is entering the "final battle" of its long-running legal dispute with Apple.


Epic said the decision to push Fortnite back onto iOS globally was prompted by Apple's own words to the U.S. Supreme Court, in which Apple acknowledged that "regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States." Epic CEO Tim Sweeney framed the move as a strategic provocation, writing on X that the return marks "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide."

The return follows Fortnite's reinstatement to the U.S. App Store in May 2025 after nearly five years off the platform. The return was forced after District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers threatened to require the Apple official overseeing app decisions to appear in court, which prompted Apple to approve the submission. Today's worldwide rollout extends that comeback to most remaining markets, with Epic expressing confidence that an upcoming court-ordered transparency process will expose what the company calls Apple's "junk fees."

Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees. Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand.

In late April, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a stay that had allowed Apple to pause its compliance with rulings on ‌App Store‌ fees, sending the case back to Judge Gonzalez Rogers to determine what commission Apple can charge on purchases made via external links, if any.

Epic said it will "continue to challenge Apple's anticompetitive ‌App Store‌ practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments," pointing to regulatory momentum in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. The company alleged that Apple has "evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements" in each of those jurisdictions.

Australia is the one major market where Fortnite has not returned. Epic said it won its court case there and that an Australian court found many of Apple's developer terms to be unlawful, but Apple continues to enforce those terms regardless. Epic said it cannot return "under an illegal payment arrangement" and is waiting for a court order to compel Apple to comply.
This article, "Fortnite Returns to the App Store Worldwide as Epic Signals 'Final Battle' With Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today announced a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to expand capabilities across VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader, with additional new features for generated subtitles and wheelchair control via Apple Vision Pro.


‌Apple Intelligence‌ powers several of the new features coming later this year:

• VoiceOver Image Explorer uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to produce more detailed descriptions of images throughout the system, including photographs, scanned bills, and personal records. Users can also press the Action button on the iPhone to ask questions about what the camera viewfinder sees, with follow-up questions supported in natural language.


• Magnifier brings Apple Intelligence-powered visual descriptions to its high-contrast interface for users with low vision, also accessible via the Action button, with support for spoken commands like "zoom in" or "turn on flashlight."


• Voice Control gains natural language input so users can describe onscreen elements conversationally, such as "tap the guide about best restaurants" or "tap the purple folder," rather than memorizing exact label names or numbers. Apple says the feature can also help where on-screen elements lack proper accessibility labels.


• Accessibility Reader gains support for more complex document layouts including scientific articles with multiple columns, images, and tables, plus on-demand summaries and built-in translation that retains a user's custom font, color, and formatting preferences.


• Generated Subtitles use on-device speech recognition to automatically transcribe spoken audio in uncaptioned video content, including clips recorded on iPhone, received from friends and family, or streamed online, across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and ‌Apple Vision Pro‌. Initially available in English in the U.S. and Canada.


• Power Wheelchair Control for Apple Vision Pro uses the headset's precision eye-tracking system as an alternative input method for users who cannot operate a joystick, launching with support for the Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the U.S. via Bluetooth and wired connections.

Apple shared a video about the new Voiceover feature:



Apple also announced a number of smaller additions coming later this year:

• Vehicle Motion Cues are coming to visionOS to help reduce motion sickness when using Vision Pro as a passenger in a moving vehicle.


• Apple Vision Pro will support face gestures for performing taps and system actions, plus a new way to select elements with one's eyes while using Dwell Control.


• Made for iPhone hearing aids will gain more reliable pairing and handoff between Apple devices, with an improved setup experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.


• Name Recognition, which notifies users who are deaf or hard of hearing if someone says their name, expands to more than 50 languages globally.


• Larger Text support is coming to tvOS, allowing viewers with low vision to increase onscreen text size.


• Sony Access controller is gaining support as a game controller on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with full button and thumbstick customization and support for combining two controllers.


• FaceTime gains a new API allowing sign language interpretation app developers to add a human interpreter to an ongoing video call.


• Touch Accommodations gain a new way to personalize setup in iOS and iPadOS.

Starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone, an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed by Los Angeles-based designer Bailey Hikawa, is available globally in three new colors via the Apple Store online. The accessory was developed in collaboration with individuals with disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility, and is now available internationally via a partnership with PopSockets.

All of the announced features are expected to arrive later this year. Voice Control's natural language capabilities will be available in English in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Today's announcement is part of Apple's annual tradition of previewing upcoming accessibility features ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which falls on the third Thursday of May each year. While no firm release date is given for the features, they typically arrive with Apple's new operating system updates in the fall. This year that means iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27, all of which are expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June before shipping in September.
This article, "Apple Previews New Accessibility Features Powered by Apple Intelligence" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

An Indian court has ruled that Apple must cooperate with a government investigation into its App Store practices, rejecting the company's attempt to put the case on hold (via Reuters).


The Delhi High Court ruling keeps a probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) alive, which found in 2024 that Apple had abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps market. The CCI wants Apple's financial data to calculate potential penalties, but Apple has refused to hand it over so far.

Apple's argument is largely procedural; it is separately challenging the legality of India's penalty framework in court, and says the CCI should wait until that challenge is resolved. India's updated competition law allows fines to be based on a company's global revenue rather than just local earnings, which given Apple's scale could mean enormous exposure.

The court did not give Apple the pause it wanted, but it did prevent the CCI from issuing a final ruling before July 15, buying the company some time. Apple also succeeded in getting certain documents placed on the legal record, though the court order didn't say what they were.

India is one of Apple's most important growth markets. Counterpoint Research puts the company's iPhone market share there at 9%, up from just 4% two years ago. Apple has also been ramping up iPhone manufacturing in the country through Foxconn and Tata as it reduces its dependence on China. A hostile regulatory environment complicates that ambition.

It is also the latest front in a years-long global battle over ‌App Store‌ rules. Apple faces similar scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe, where regulators and courts have pushed back on its control over app distribution and in-app payments.
This article, "India Refuses to Let Apple Pause App Store Antitrust Case" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could feature a complete redesign and blood pressure monitoring, according to DigiTimes.


Apple will apparently add a new high blood pressure notification feature to the Apple Watch that uses the optical heart-rate sensor on the back of the device to analyze how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, sending alerts when an abnormal pattern is detected. The feature is said to be under FDA review.

It is not entirely clear how it differs from the Hypertension Notifications feature Apple introduced with watchOS 26 last fall, which itself uses the optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses over 30-day periods. DigiTimes says that earlier Apple Watch models already had some blood-pressure sensing capabilities, and the new feature appears to represent a more refined or clinically validated implementation of that underlying hardware.

After this, Apple's next health monitoring capabilities are expected to focus on noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring, a capability Apple has been pursuing for a number of years, pending government approval.

The report is largely consistent with a DigiTimes report from last year, which said at least one new Apple Watch model would feature a "significant redesign," with supply chain sources pointing to exterior design changes including eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern on the back of the device. Today's update describes the changes more forcefully, calling it a "full redesign" alongside a "significant upgrade to sensing functions."

According to market observers cited by the report, the redesign could boost Apple Watch shipments by 20% to 30% compared to 2025. The sensor upgrades are expected to be a major boost for Taiwan-Asia Semiconductor (TASC), Apple's exclusive supplier of sensor components, with large-volume orders anticipated as early as July.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to be announced alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" in fall 2026.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 4 Could Get Redesign and Blood Pressure Monitoring" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today launched a new promotion offering new Apple Card holders the chance to earn back the cost of AirPods Pro 3 through monthly cash rebates, but there is a recurring spend requirement attached.


Customers who open a new Apple Card account and purchase ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ directly from Apple by June 15 will qualify. Starting July 1 and running through April 30, 2027, cardholders can earn $25 in Bonus Daily Cash each month, up to $250 total, but only in months where they make at least ten purchases on the card. Each qualifying purchase must be at least $0.01, and the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase itself does not count toward the monthly ten-purchase threshold.

The offer is open to new ‌Apple Card‌ applicants only, and is not available to existing cardholders or anyone with a pending application. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase must be made directly from Apple, either online or in an Apple Store. Refurbished products, purchases through third-party retailers, international transactions, and business bulk orders are all excluded. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase cannot be made entirely with an Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance.

All ‌Apple Card‌ payment options are eligible, including paying in full or financing via ‌Apple Card‌ Monthly Installments, and any trade-in applied to the purchase does not affect eligibility. Returning the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase may result in forfeiture of the offer.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are priced at $249 and were introduced alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025.
This article, "New Apple Card Holders Can Get Free AirPods Pro 3, But There's a Catch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Trial production of Apple's long-anticipated foldable iPhone, likely called the "iPhone Ultra," has run into a significant engineering hurdle centered on hinge reliability, according to a known leaker.


The leaker known as "Instant Digital" posted on Weibo that the foldable device's hinge is consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. The leaker described the mechanical wear issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection; otherwise, progress will simply have to be stalled for the time being."

The hinge has been a key focus of Apple's foldable development for years. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first reported that the device would use Liquid Metal components in the hinge mechanism, with Dongguan EonTec serving as the exclusive supplier of the amorphous alloy. Instant Digital subsequently elaborated that the material, also known as metallic glass, features a disordered atomic structure that is more resistant to bending and deformation than traditional metals, and more durable than titanium alloy. This makes it suitable for a foldable's hinge.

Apple has previously used the material only in small components such as SIM ejector pins, so the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ would mark its first major use in a critical mechanical part. A subsequent report in January corroborated the liquid metal hinge plans, noting that Apple has been exploring the material for over 15 years, tracing back to a 2010 licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies.

Screen creasing is a concern that has followed the foldable smartphone category since its inception. Instant Digital says Apple has essentially accepted some degree of crease as inevitable, but that test results have demonstrated the device can maintain a visually crease-free state over the long term. That aligns with previous reporting: leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" reported in February that production orders had been placed with a crease depth under 0.15mm and a crease angle under 2.5 degrees. Apple has reportedly pursued eliminating the crease "regardless of cost," with engineering solutions including a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure designed to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers, and advances in optically clear adhesive to keep display layers in precise alignment.

A follow-up post from the leaker suggested the hinge difficulties are unlikely to push back the device's expected release window somewhat, noting that there is still ample time remaining. That is broadly consistent with earlier reporting: DigiTimes reported in April that production was running roughly one to two months behind schedule, but that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Apple is expected to announce the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models at its September event, though some reports suggest customer availability could slip as late as December.

In a third post, Instant Digital offered a note on the device's experience, suggesting that despite its larger form factor the foldable feels like an iPhone rather than an iPad when in use. The leaker added that the screen size offers limited practical utility for a stylus, casting doubt on whether Apple Pencil support would be a meaningful feature for the device.

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, with an A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID power button, and two rear cameras. Pricing is rumored to sit at around $2,000.
This article, "Foldable iPhone Production Stalls Amid Hinge Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has been named the fastest-charging phone overall in a new CNET lab test covering 33 smartphones, with Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra taking the top spot for wired charging speed.


To determine the rankings, CNET's lab team ran each phone through a 30-minute wired charging test starting at 10% battery or less, using the phone's included cable and a wall charger rated at or above the device's maximum supported speed. Phones that support wireless charging went through a matching 30-minute wireless test using a Qi (7.5W), Qi2 (15W), or Qi2.2 (25W) charger matched to the phone's peak supported speed. CNET then averaged the wired and wireless results into an overall charging score.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s win in the overall category is partly a function of its relatively compact 4,252mAh battery, which is smaller than the 5,000mAh or larger capacities common among competing flagships. With less capacity to fill, the 17 Pro charges faster in absolute terms, and it supports both 40-watt wired charging and 25-watt Qi2.2 wireless charging. CNET notes that battery size is just one factor in overall battery life, alongside processor and software efficiency, and in its battery life testing, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max came out on top for endurance.

For wired charging, Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra took the top spot, adding 76% charge in 30 minutes via its 60-watt wired charging speed, the fastest of any Samsung flagship to date. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ came in second at 74%, tied with Motorola's Moto G Stylus (2025). The OnePlus 15 followed with 72%, while the iPhone 17, ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE each reached 69%.

Apple's ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ also claimed the fastest wireless charging result, gaining 55% in 30 minutes. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max added 53%, followed by the ‌iPhone 17‌ at 49%, the iPhone Air at 47%, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra at 39%. CNET again attributes the 17 Pro's edge over the 17 Pro Max largely to its smaller battery, since both devices share the same A19 Pro chip and software.

Across all brands tested, Apple had the most consistent fast-charging performance by a considerable margin, averaging 54.6% across the four ‌iPhone 17‌ models and the ‌iPhone Air‌. Samsung's nine-phone average came in at 38.5%, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra as its strongest performer and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as its weakest at 29%.

Silicon-carbon batteries, which use a silicon-based anode rather than graphite to enable higher capacities and faster charge rates, appeared among several of the top performers. The OnePlus 15, for example, recharged 72% of its 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery in 30 minutes using a proprietary 80-watt charger. Silicon-carbon phones in the U.S. remain limited to OnePlus, RedMagic, and Poco. Apple, Samsung, and Google have not yet adopted the technology.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Named Fastest-Charging Smartphone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Google's latest wave of announcements for Android and Gemini, the newly announced Fitbit Air, and Apple Watch Series 12 rumors.


The centerpiece of Google's announcements this week was Gemini Intelligence, Google's new umbrella platform for AI across phones, watches, cars, and laptops. Its headline capability is cross-app automation: users can photograph an event flyer and ask Gemini to find tickets on Expedia, or pull up a grocery list and have it build a cart in a shopping app. A companion feature called Create My Widget lets users describe a home screen widget in natural language and have Gemini generate it, drawing from Gmail and Calendar to build a personalized dashboard.

Google also unveiled the Googlebook, a new laptop category designed from the ground up around Gemini with partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo arriving this fall. Gemini in Chrome for Android gained an agentic browsing layer rolling out end of June, and Android Auto received AI-generated contextual replies and DoorDash voice ordering. A Meta partnership brings Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and night mode to Instagram on Android flagship devices.

In January, Apple and Google announced a partnership under which Gemini would power the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, including a more personalized Siri expected this year. Apple's equivalent cross-app ‌Siri‌ actions were announced at WWDC 2024 but have not yet shipped; Gemini Intelligence is rolling out this summer using the same underlying technology.

Google also unveiled the Fitbit Air this week, a screenless fitness tracker priced at $99 that ships on May 26. The device weighs just 12 grams with the band and tracks heart rate, AFib, HRV, SpO2, and sleep stages in a small pill-shaped design with no display, no buttons, and no notifications. Battery life lasts for seven days, with a five-minute fast charge delivering a full day of use. A Stephen Curry Special Edition is priced at $129, with core tracking free and Google Health Premium adding an AI Coach for $9.99 per month after a three-month trial.

The launch accompanies a broader rebrand. The Fitbit app becomes Google Health on May 19, with Google Fit folded in, Apple Health data supported on iOS, and APIs for Garmin, Whoop, and Oura. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported earlier this year that Apple has scaled back a comparable Health+ coaching service, with the feature now unlikely to launch. The Apple Watch SE starts at $249 and requires daily charging, and the Fitbit Air's $99 price with no mandatory subscription addresses a segment Apple does not cover.

We also discuss the Apple Watch Series 12, which is shaping up to be an incremental upgrade. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in March that he does not expect any major design changes, and a significant redesign is now not expected until 2028.

The leaker known as "Instant Digital" said this week that Touch ID, which appeared in leaked Apple code last year, has been deprioritized in favor of battery life improvements. DigiTimes previously reported on an eight-sensor array on the back of at least one 2026 model, though blood pressure monitoring is said to be further out. A new chip is expected, with leaked code indicating a meaningful upgrade from the S10 used across the last three series. watchOS 27 will be previewed at WWDC on June 8.

The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about how the global memory shortage is forcing Apple's hand across multiple key products, killing configurations, delaying launches, and prompting spec decisions that would have seemed unlikely a year ago.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
This article, "The MacRumors Show: Gemini Announcements and Apple Watch Series 12 Rumors" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Spotify today announced plans to adopt Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology for video podcasts, a move that will allow creators to distribute video shows across both platforms without changing their existing setup.


Apple introduced an enhanced HLS-based video podcast experience for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and the web at the end of March. The upgrade significantly improves how video shows are delivered and consumed within Apple Podcasts, but Mac and Apple TV support is not yet available.

Spotify says its Spotify for Creators and Megaphone platforms will support Apple's HLS video technology later this year, describing the move as "a major step toward truly platform-agnostic video distribution." The company says it is "actively working on this integration in coordination with Apple" and will share timeline details in the near future.

This will enable Spotify-hosted creators to distribute their video podcast content across platforms, reaching audiences on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts without changing their existing setup.

Monetization will carry over alongside distribution. Spotify says it plans to support "monetization for video content on ‌Apple Podcasts‌ so creators don't have to choose between audience reach and revenue," with further details on how that will work across platforms to follow.

The company noted that video shows must be uploaded directly to Spotify rather than distributed via RSS, which the company says is necessary to enable engagement-based monetization, real-time analytics, and other Spotify-first features. RSS distribution to other platforms, including ‌Apple Podcasts‌, remains unchanged.

Separately, Spotify also announced that several podcast hosting providers are now live with video support through the Spotify Distribution API. Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace have all completed integration, allowing creators on those platforms to distribute video content directly to Spotify and monetize eligible content through the Spotify Partner Program. Additional partner integrations are said to be in progress.
This article, "Spotify to Adopt Apple's Technology for Video Podcasts" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple has stepped in to warn that EU proposals to force Google to open Android to competing AI services pose serious risks to user privacy, security, and safety.


Apple's latest submission to the EU comes (via Reuters) in response to the European Commission's call for feedback on draft measures designed to help Google comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The proposals would allow competing AI services to interact with Android apps to perform actions such as sending emails, ordering food, or sharing photos. Google has already pushed back on the plans, arguing they would undermine key privacy and security safeguards for European users.

Apple, which is itself now subject to EU measures requiring it to open up its own ecosystem, said it has a strong interest in the case given its own operating systems for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In its submission, Apple said the draft measures "raise urgent and serious concerns," warning that if confirmed, "they would create profound risks for user privacy, security, and safety as well as device integrity and performance."

Apple also took aim at the rapidly evolving state of AI as a particular source of concern, arguing that risks are "especially acute in the context of rapidly evolving AI systems whose capabilities, behaviours, and threat vectors remain unpredictable." The company questioned the EU's technical expertise in drawing up the proposals, stating that the Commission is "substituting judgments made by Google's engineers for its own judgment based on less than three months of work," and suggesting the only discernible goal of the draft measures is "open and unfettered access."

Apple has a long history of clashing with EU regulators over the DMA. The company challenged the regulation in court in October 2025, and urged regulators to scrap it entirely the month before, arguing it had created security vulnerabilities and worsened the user experience. The EU said it had no intention of repealing the law in response.

The feedback period for the proposals ran from April 27 to May 13, 2026. The European Commission has said it will carefully assess all submissions and may adjust the proposed measures as a result, though its final decision must be adopted within six months of the opening of the specification proceedings, giving a deadline of July 27, 2026. The EU separately concluded in May 2026 that the DMA has had a positive impact overall, setting aside Apple's lobbying for the regulation to be revised.
This article, "Apple Defends Google Against EU Proposal to Give AI Rivals Access to Services" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums