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M5 Ultra Chip's Impressive Performance Boost Revealed in First Benchmark Result

The first unverified benchmark result for Apple's new M5 Ultra chip surfaced in the Geekbench 7 database today, offering a look at the chip's impressive performance gains. The new Mac Studio will be Apple's first device to be equipped with the M5 Ultra.


Here is how the highest-end M5 Ultra chip with a 36-core CPU scored:

  • Single-core CPU score: 3,774

  • Multi-core CPU score: 52,516
Apple never released an M4 Ultra chip. Here are the average scores for the highest-end M3 Ultra chip with a 32-core CPU on Geekbench 7:

  • Single-core CPU score: 2,920

  • Multi-core CPU score: 39,059


Unsurprisingly, the M5 Ultra is Apple's fastest chip ever. If this Geekbench result is accurate, it has up to around 30% faster single-core CPU performance and up to around 35% faster multi-core performance compared to the M3 Ultra. But, it comes at a steep cost. In the U.S., the Mac Studio with a 36-core M5 Ultra starts at $6,799.

Apple said the M5 Ultra has up to 1.25Γ— faster single-threaded CPU performance and up to 1.3Γ— faster multi-threaded CPU performance compared to the M3 Ultra, so the benchmark result roughly aligns with or even beats those advertised claims. However, keep in mind that there wil be some variance in scores as additional results surface.

Here is where the M5 Ultra slots in for maximum multi-core CPU performance:
  • M5 Ultra: 52,516

  • M3 Ultra: 39,059

  • M5 Max: 35,119

  • M5 Pro: 33,593

  • M4 Max: 29,047

  • M2 Ultra: 28,789

  • M4 Pro: 24,894

  • M3 Max: 24,649

  • M1 Ultra: 23,328

  • M6: 22,783

  • M5: 17,948

  • M2 Max: 17,387

  • M3 Pro: 16,880

  • M2 Pro: 16,725

  • M4: 15,477

  • M1 Max: 14,299

  • M1 Pro: 13,914

  • M3: 11,650

  • M2: 9,809

  • M1: 8,582
Based on these scores, the M5 Ultra is up to 2.25Γ— faster than Apple's original M1 Ultra chip and up to 6Γ— faster compared to the regular M1 chip.

As always, real-world performance varies.

The new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips and the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips launch on Tuesday, September 22.

We are still waiting for GPU results for the M5 Ultra to appear in the Geekbench 7 database.
Related Roundup: Mac Studio
Buyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac Studio

This article, "M5 Ultra Chip's Impressive Performance Boost Revealed in First Benchmark Result" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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M6 Chip Benchmark Surfaces Ahead of New Mac Mini Launch Next Week

The first unverified benchmark result for Apple's new M6 chip surfaced in the Geekbench 7 database today, offering a look at the chip's performance gains. The new Mac mini will be Apple's first device to be equipped with the M6 chip, which is 2nm.


Here is how the M6 chip scored:

  • Single-core CPU score: 4,071

  • Multi-core CPU score: 22,783


Here are the average M5 chip scores for comparison:

  • Single-core CPU score: 3,641

  • Multi-core CPU score: 17,948
If this single Geekbench 7 result is accurate, the M6 chip has up to around 12% faster single-core CPU performance and up to around 27% faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the M5 chip. Note that the M6 chip is in the new Mac mini, while the M5 chip scores are based on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, but performance should be similar.

Apple said the M6 chip has the world's fastest single-threaded CPU performance, and its 4,071 single-core score indeed tops all other Macs and PCs in the Geekbench 7 database, including the M5 Max chip (3,731) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (3,396). Up to 27% faster multi-core CPU performance is in line with Apple's claim of up to 1.2Γ— faster multi-threaded performance, so all of Apple's advertised claims hold up.

Here is where the M6 chip slots in for maximum multi-core CPU performance:
  • M5 Ultra: 52,516

  • M3 Ultra: 39,059

  • M5 Max: 35,119

  • M5 Pro: 33,593

  • M4 Max: 29,047

  • M2 Ultra: 28,789

  • M4 Pro: 24,894

  • M3 Max: 24,649

  • M1 Ultra: 23,328

  • M6: 22,783

  • M5: 17,948

  • M2 Max: 17,387

  • M3 Pro: 16,880

  • M2 Pro: 16,725

  • M4: 15,477

  • M1 Max: 14,299

  • M1 Pro: 13,914

  • M3: 11,650

  • M2: 9,809

  • M1: 8,582
Based on these scores, the M6 chip is more than 2.5Γ— faster than Apple's original M1 chip.

As always, real-world performance varies.

The new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips and the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips launch on Tuesday, September 22.

We are still waiting for GPU results for the M6 chip to appear on Geekbench 7.
Related Roundup: Mac mini
Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac mini

This article, "M6 Chip Benchmark Surfaces Ahead of New Mac Mini Launch Next Week" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Reminder: iOS 27's All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here's How to Sign Up

Apple this week released iOS 27 following around three months of beta testing. If you just installed the software update on your iPhone, you might be wondering where the new-and-improved Siri AI and dedicated Siri app are. In case you missed it, you must join Apple's waitlist in order to gain access to these new features.


Keep in mind that while iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer, Siri AI is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer. This is because Siri AI requires an iPhone model that is compatible with Apple Intelligence, which we have listed below.

Fortunately, joining the Siri AI waitlist is a simple task:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

  • Tap on the Siri menu.

  • Tap on Try Siri AI (Beta).

  • Follow the prompts.

Wait times seem to vary, with some users receiving access to Siri AI within a few minutes of signing up and others having to wait a few hours or even days.

You will receive a notification on your iPhone once you have received access to Siri AI, and the Siri app will automatically appear on your device at that time. You can talk or type to Siri AI in three ways: swipe down on your iPhone's Dynamic Island, press and hold your iPhone's side button to invoke the assistant, or open the Siri app.


The classic version of Siri has always been useful for basic actions like setting a timer and checking the weather, but it has notoriously struggled with more advanced requests over the years. Siri AI is much more intelligent and personalized: it is essentially a ChatGPT-like version of Siri that can respond to most questions.

Siri AI can draw on your personal information stored on your iPhone, has on-screen awareness, and can perform actions in more apps that support it.

The new Siri is limited to English to start, but Apple said support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish will be available in October, likely as part of the release of iOS 27.1. Apple said Siri AI has unspecified daily usage limits, but it noted that expanded access will be coming with select iCloud+ plans.

Siri AI is not available in the EU on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27 at launch, as Apple is in a regulatory battle with the European Commission.

The following iPhone models are compatible with Siri AI:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17e

  • iPhone 17

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
You can adjust Siri AI's pace and expressivity on these iPhone models:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air
Apple still considers Siri AI to be in beta even though iOS 27 is no longer in beta overall.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Tags: Siri, Siri AI
Related Forum: iOS 27

This article, "Reminder: iOS 27's All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here's How to Sign Up" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple TV Shipping Delays Persist, HomePod Mini Unavailable in Orange

Apple TV and HomePod mini orders continue to face extended shipping delays on Apple's online store in the U.S., amid endless rumors about new models coming later this year. These shortages have been occurring on and off for more than a year.

Three examples today: estimated delivery dates for the Apple TV with 64GB of storage are pushing into October, the HomePod mini in orange is currently unavailable to order, and the HomePod mini in yellow is facing a November delivery estimate.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini

This article, "Apple TV Shipping Delays Persist, HomePod Mini Unavailable in Orange" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet Expanding to Three More Vehicle Brands

Apple Wallet car keys are coming to three more vehicle brands, including Lincoln, Lucid Motors, and China's Freelander, according to code uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. However, the code does not provide a timeframe for availability.

The digital key feature allows you to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. It is already offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and others.
This article, "iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet Expanding to Three More Vehicle Brands" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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New Apple TV, HomePod Mini, and More on Track to Launch This Year

The rumor that never ends: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reiterated that new Apple TV and HomePod mini models with Siri AI support remain on track to launch this year.

Other new products he expects this year: an all-new Apple home hub, an updated entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip, an iMac with an M6 chip, and an iPad mini with an OLED display. Apple often announces new products in October, so hopefully we can soon finally stop talking about the next Apple TV and HomePod mini, which have seemingly been "coming soon" for several years.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini

This article, "New Apple TV, HomePod Mini, and More on Track to Launch This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Running macOS 27.1 Inside Apple

Apple's rumored 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays are currently being tested with macOS 27.1, which is scheduled for release in late October, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


While he previously said these high-end MacBook Pro models would be released in either late 2026 or early 2027, Gurman's latest report today has the laptops firmly within a list of products coming "later this year," so it would appear that he is now more confident that Apple is planning to release them before the end of 2026.

Other rumored features for these MacBook Pro models include M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a thinner design, and a Dynamic Island instead of a notch.

Macworld previously reported that these laptops would have MacBook Ultra branding, but that same report incorrectly said the iPhone Duo would be named the iPhone Ultra. In any case, the first-generation MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are expected to be distinct, higher-priced models that sit above the regular 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are expected to jump to the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips next year.

The first developer beta of macOS 27.1 will likely be released in the coming days.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

This article, "MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Running macOS 27.1 Inside Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's Newest Store Features Three Design Changes

Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California reopened on Saturday with three key design changes, which will continue to roll out to other new and renovated stores.

MacRumors reader Katelyn H. attended the grand reopening and shared some photos of the renovations on LinkedIn. The store now has a Genius Bar again instead of a Video Wall, plus dedicated Apple Pickup and Today at Apple bays that are now part of the side shelving area known as the Avenue.
This article, "Apple's Newest Store Features Three Design Changes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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More Than 1,000 Apple Watch Bands Have Been Released Since 2015

Apple recently achieved a milestone: it has now released more than 1,000 official Apple Watch bands since the device was released in April 2015, according to Filip Chudzinski, who develops the Bandbreite app for tracking Apple Watch bands.


The latest set of bands arrived alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 announcements last week, and Chudzinski said luxury fashion brand Hermès revealed its latest Apple Watch collection in full today on its website.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

This article, "More Than 1,000 Apple Watch Bands Have Been Released Since 2015" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27's iPhone Handoff Feature Expanding to More Carriers This Year

Apple last week announced that Verizon and EE will support iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature later this year. The feature allows you to switch between any two iPhones running iOS 27 while using the same phone number on each device.

iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom. To learn more about the feature, read our previous coverage and Apple's support document.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

This article, "iOS 27's iPhone Handoff Feature Expanding to More Carriers This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27.1: New Features to Expect and Release Date

Apple's press release for the iPhone Duo last week said the device will ship with iOS 27.1, which essentially confirms the software update's release timing.


iPhone Duo launches on Friday, October 23, so we can expect iOS 27.1 to be released by that date at the latest β€”Β likely several days earlier.

Following three months of beta testing, iOS 27 will be released to the public today, and the first beta of iOS 27.1 will likely follow soon after.

New Features to Expect


During its iPhone event last week, Apple announced that Siri AI will be available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish starting in October, and this expanded language support beyond English will likely arrive with iOS 27.1 based on that timeframe, as the software update itself will likely be released in October.


Apple recently said that two new features will not be available in the initial iOS 27 release, including suggestions like "Add to Reminders" and "Add to Notes" in the Messages app and the ability to automatically fix compromised passwords with a single tap in the Passwords app. Apple merely said these features will arrive in a "future software update," and iOS 27.1 will likely be the earliest opportunity for that to happen.

And of course, iOS 27.1 supports the iPhone Duo's unique foldable interface.

This is all that is known for now, but we expect iOS 27.1 to include other new features, bug fixes, and security fixes, so stay tuned.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

This article, "iOS 27.1: New Features to Expect and Release Date" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone 18 Pro Yet? Wait Times Are Even Longer Now

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders began on Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order, though, your wait time will likely be longer at this point.


The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began will have their devices delivered on Friday, September 18 launch day. If you place your order today, though, all iPhone 18 Pro iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. currently have estimated delivery dates of September 29 to as late as October 13.

Apple Store pickup may still be an option for September 18 depending on your desired configuration, and some carriers and resellers like Best Buy may still have stock available for launch day, so you might not be entirely out of luck.

Here are the delivery dates shown as of Monday, September 14 at 6 a.m. Pacific Time.

iPhone 18 Pro


  • All Colors and Storage Capacities: September 29 - October 6


iPhone 18 Pro Max


  • All Colors and Storage Capacities: October 6 - October 13


Inventory may continue to tighten for both delivery and Apple Store pickup over the coming days.

iPhone Duo pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

This article, "Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone 18 Pro Yet? Wait Times Are Even Longer Now" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features

During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14.


iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General β†’ Software Update.

Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS 27, with the main attraction being a major revamp of Siri.

iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, but Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer.

New Features


Siri AI



The classic version of Siri has always been useful for basic actions like setting a timer and checking the weather, but it has notoriously struggled with more advanced requests over the years. That all changes with iOS 27, which features a much more intelligent and personalized version of Siri named Siri AI.

Siri AI is essentially a ChatGPT-like version of Siri that can answer pretty much anything. iOS 27 introduces a dedicated Siri app, or you can continue to invoke the assistant by pressing and holding the iPhone's side button. Given it is powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Siri AI can draw on your personal information stored on your iPhone, has on-screen awareness, and can perform actions in more apps that support it.

Apple said Siri AI is limited to English to start, and the feature will be subject to daily usage limits, with expanded access to be available for a fee in the future. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27, as Apple is in a regulatory battle with the European Commission.

More Apple Intelligence Features



Other new Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27 include new "Extend" and "Reframe" options in the Photos app, the ability to generate "photorealistic" images in the Image Playground app, the ability to create new shortcuts in the Shortcuts app by simply describing them, generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video cameras, and more.

Liquid Glass Design Changes



Apple introduced a new Liquid Glass design on iOS 26, and it has further refined the interface on iOS 27. Apple says Liquid Glass now has "more uniform refraction and improved contrast," and app icons are "sharper and more detailed."

A new slider lets you adjust how clear or tinted Liquid Glass looks.

Performance Improvements



iOS 27 makes a lot of actions and experiences faster across the operating system. For example, Apple said app launches are up to 30% faster, new photos in the Photos app library load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster. To learn about others, check out our list of noteworthy performance improvements.

iPhone Handoff



Apple has added a new iPhone Handoff feature to iOS 27 that allows you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device.

iPhone Handoff requires support from carriers, which may charge a fee for the feature. T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany will be the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff, with T-Mobile set to charge $5 per month for it. Apple said Verizon and the UK's EE plan to offer the feature by the end of the year, with more carriers to follow.

To learn more, read our iPhone Handoff explainer and Apple's support document. In addition, a video demonstrating the feature was shared in our forums.

Apple Cash Bill Splitting



In the U.S. only, iOS 27 allows you to split bills with a new feature powered by Apple Cash and Apple Intelligence. This capability is available in the Apple Wallet and Messages apps, or by using the new Siri mode in the Camera app.

"When users point their iPhone at a receipt using Siri mode, it can surface the relevant action to split a bill with Apple Cash and identify the items on the receipt," said Apple. "As users select their items, their total payment is calculated, including their share of tax and tip, so they can pay back exactly what they owe with Apple Cash."

Hide Location in Find My



In the Find My app, you can now share your location with others for a custom duration, such as four days and six hours. Or, you can set a set an exact date and time for your location sharing to expire. In addition, you can now pause your location sharing with specific people until the end of the day, without them knowing. The ability to hide your location is meant for things like planning a surprise birthday party for your spouse.

On iOS 26 and earlier, there are only three preset timeframes available for Find My location sharing: indefinitely, until end of day, and one hour.

CarPlay Video Apps



Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving.

In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone app that supports AirPlay video streaming, users can select the car's display from the AirPlay menu on iOS and watch the video on a compatible vehicle's screen.

New in iOS 27, Apple is allowing developers to create CarPlay apps with video browsing capabilities, so you can find videos to watch right on CarPlay.

This feature can keep you entertained while you are not driving. For example, Apple said you may use it while waiting in your car at the airport, or charging your electric vehicle. For safety reasons, video playback is only enabled when the vehicle is parked.

CarPlay video will likely roll out in new vehicles over time, so stay tuned.

Compatible iPhones


The following iPhone models are compatible with iOS 27:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17e

  • iPhone 17

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 15

  • iPhone 15 Plus

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • iPhone 14

  • iPhone 14 Plus

  • iPhone 14 Pro

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • iPhone 13

  • iPhone 13 mini

  • iPhone 13 Pro

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • iPhone 12

  • iPhone 12 mini

  • iPhone 12 Pro

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

More


In June, Apple shared a list of more than 250 new features and changes across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27.

All of the updates will be released today.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

This article, "iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's Rumored iPhone Game Controllers Will 'Likely' Come From Beats

Earlier this month, references to two unreleased Apple game controllers were allegedly spotted in macOS 26.7 beta code, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has shared more details.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the controllers have been in development for more than a year, are for the iPhone, and will likely have Beats branding. Acquired by Apple in 2014, Beats has expanded beyond headphones and now sells charging cables, iPhone cases, and more.

"Apple sees this as a growing market and wants in," he wrote. No word on pricing or availability.
Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate
Related Forum: macOS Golden Gate

This article, "Apple's Rumored iPhone Game Controllers Will 'Likely' Come From Beats" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 Available Tomorrow With These 8 New Features

During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14.


iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow via the Settings app, under General β†’ Software Update.

Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS 27, with the main attraction being a major revamp of Siri.

iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, but Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer.

New Features


Siri AI



The classic version of Siri has always been useful for basic actions like setting a timer and checking the weather, but it has notoriously struggled with more advanced requests over the years. That all changes with iOS 27, which features a much more intelligent and personalized version of Siri named Siri AI.

Siri AI is essentially a ChatGPT-like version of Siri that can answer pretty much anything. iOS 27 introduces a dedicated Siri app, or you can continue to invoke the assistant by pressing and holding the iPhone's side button. Given it is powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Siri AI can draw on your personal information stored on your iPhone, has on-screen awareness, and can perform actions in more apps that support it.

Apple said Siri AI is limited to English to start, and the feature will be subject to daily usage limits, with expanded access to be available for a fee in the future. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27, as Apple is in a regulatory battle with the European Commission.

More Apple Intelligence Features



Other new Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27 include new "Extend" and "Reframe" options in the Photos app, the ability to generate "photorealistic" images in the Image Playground app, the ability to create new shortcuts in the Shortcuts app by simply describing them, generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video cameras, and more.

Liquid Glass Design Changes



Apple introduced a new Liquid Glass design on iOS 26, and it has further refined the interface on iOS 27. Apple says Liquid Glass now has "more uniform refraction and improved contrast," and app icons are "sharper and more detailed."

A new slider lets you adjust how clear or tinted Liquid Glass looks.

Performance Improvements



iOS 27 makes a lot of actions and experiences faster across the operating system. For example, Apple said app launches are up to 30% faster, new photos in the Photos app library load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster. To learn about others, check out our list of noteworthy performance improvements.

iPhone Handoff



Apple has added a new iPhone Handoff feature to iOS 27 that allows you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device.

iPhone Handoff requires support from carriers, which may charge a fee for the feature. T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany will be the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff, with T-Mobile set to charge $5 per month for it. Apple said Verizon and the UK's EE plan to offer the feature by the end of the year, with more carriers to follow.

To learn more, read our iPhone Handoff explainer and Apple's support document. In addition, a video demonstrating the feature was shared in our forums.

Apple Cash Bill Splitting



In the U.S. only, iOS 27 allows you to split bills with a new feature powered by Apple Cash and Apple Intelligence. This capability is available in the Apple Wallet and Messages apps, or by using the new Siri mode in the Camera app.

"When users point their iPhone at a receipt using Siri mode, it can surface the relevant action to split a bill with Apple Cash and identify the items on the receipt," said Apple. "As users select their items, their total payment is calculated, including their share of tax and tip, so they can pay back exactly what they owe with Apple Cash."

Hide Location in Find My



In the Find My app, you can now share your location with others for a custom duration, such as four days and six hours. Or, you can set a set an exact date and time for your location sharing to expire. In addition, you can now pause your location sharing with specific people until the end of the day, without them knowing. The ability to hide your location is meant for things like planning a surprise birthday party for your spouse.

On iOS 26 and earlier, there are only three preset timeframes available for Find My location sharing: indefinitely, until end of day, and one hour.

CarPlay Video Apps



Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving.

In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone app that supports AirPlay video streaming, users can select the car's display from the AirPlay menu on iOS and watch the video on a compatible vehicle's screen.

New in iOS 27, Apple is allowing developers to create CarPlay apps with video browsing capabilities, so you can find videos to watch right on CarPlay.

This feature can keep you entertained while you are not driving. For example, Apple said you may use it while waiting in your car at the airport, or charging your electric vehicle. For safety reasons, video playback is only enabled when the vehicle is parked.

CarPlay video will likely roll out in new vehicles over time, so stay tuned.

Compatible iPhones


The following iPhone models are compatible with iOS 27:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17e

  • iPhone 17

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 15

  • iPhone 15 Plus

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • iPhone 14

  • iPhone 14 Plus

  • iPhone 14 Pro

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • iPhone 13

  • iPhone 13 mini

  • iPhone 13 Pro

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max

  • iPhone 12

  • iPhone 12 mini

  • iPhone 12 Pro

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

More


In June, Apple shared a list of more than 250 new features and changes across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27.

All of the updates will be released on Monday, September 14.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

This article, "iOS 27 Available Tomorrow With These 8 New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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  •  

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where.


Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S.

According to a tipster known as @itspdfu, who has been digging through Apple's software updates in recent weeks, iOS 27 code reveals that the iPhone 18 Pro Max is equipped with a Qualcomm modem instead of the C2 chip in the U.S.

Apple has yet to provide an explanation for this modem difference, so we can only speculate for now. In 2023, Qualcomm announced that it would supply Apple with smartphone modems through 2026, so perhaps Apple is equipping the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a Qualcomm modem in order to honor this agreement in a minimum way.

Apple's C2 modem supports ultra-fast mmWave 5G in the U.S., unlike its previous-generation C1 and C1X modems. Qualcomm modems in the iPhone 12 and newer already supported mmWave 5G in the U.S., so Apple is playing catch up here. Apple said the C2 delivers "meaningfully faster uploads" compared to the C1X while consuming 15% less energy.

Apple's first-generation C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e in February 2025, and the second-generation C1X debuted in the iPhone Air in September 2025. Now, the third-generation C2 modem has arrived in the iPhone 18 Pro models, except for the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the U.S. as mentioned, as Apple's transition away from Qualcomm continues.

It is unclear which Qualcomm modem is in U.S. units of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but the Snapdragon X85 is most likely. Over the coming weeks, real-world performance tests should show how the C2 and Snapdragon X85 stack up.

Apple's foldable iPhone Duo uses the C2 modem worldwide.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
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Didn't Pre-Order iPhone 18 Pro Yet? Here's How Long the Wait is Now

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders began today in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order on Apple's online store, you might face a longer wait now, depending on your desired configuration.


The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began on September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time will have their devices delivered on Friday, September 18. As of September 13 at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time, though, select configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. are now showing delivery estimates into October for new orders.


  • iPhone 18 Pro / Black / 256GB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Black / 512GB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Black / 1TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Black / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Silver / 256GB: September 24-29

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Silver / 512GB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Silver / 1TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Silver / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Glacier / 256GB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Glacier / 512GB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Glacier / 1TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Glacier / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Burgundy / 256GB: September 24-29

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Burgundy / 512GB: September 24-29

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Burgundy / 1TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro / Burgundy / 2TB: September 18



  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Black / 256GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Black / 512GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Black / 1TB: September 24-29

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Black / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Silver / 256GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Silver / 512GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Silver / 1TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Silver / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Glacier / 256GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Glacier / 512GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Glacier / 1TB: September 24-29

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Glacier / 2TB: September 18

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Burgundy / 256GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Burgundy / 512GB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Burgundy / 1TB: October 6-13

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max / Burgundy / 2TB: September 18
Apple Store pickup may still be an option for launch day depending on the model.

Inventory will likely continue to tighten for both delivery and Apple Store pickup as the day progresses, so order quickly if you are planning to.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
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iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders: Deadline to 'Get Ready' Early is Tonight

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders begin this Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.

Apple allows you to prepare for your pre-order early. Simply look for the "Get Ready" button on the Shop iPhone page or in the Apple Store app and proceed to select your iPhone 18 Pro model and any accessories, get pre-approved for financing or leasing if necessary, and so forth.

Apple is giving customers until 9 p.m. Pacific Time today to get their pre-order ready ahead of the morning rush, so act fast if you want a quicker checkout tomorrow.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
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Apple Still Has 8 More Products to Announce Later This Year

Apple's annual iPhone event is now in the rearview mirror, but it still has many more products to announce later this year, according to rumors.


Apple is expected to unveil the following eight products this year, although the MacBook Pro with an OLED display might not arrive until early 2027.

With this many products still coming, Apple will likely hold an October event this year.

iPad

Mac


Home


  • Apple TV: At least five new features, including an A17 Pro chip or newer, an increased 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote. The new Apple TV will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.

  • HomePod mini: Newer chip with Siri AI support, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red. The new HomePod mini will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.

  • Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring Siri AI, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip or newer for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. A new operating system will feature clock faces, widgets, and more. There will a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.

Headphones

  • Beats 360: New over-ear Beats 360 headphones with an AirPods Max-like design, interchangeable ear cushions and headbands, up to 1.75Γ— more noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro, IPX4-rated water resistance, and more. It is likely that Apple will announce the Beats 360 before the end of September.

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iPhone Duo is Missing These 10 iPhone 18 Pro Features

While the iPhone Duo is the first foldable iPhone ever and has some unique features like Duo FaceTime and forthcoming Apple Pencil support, the device lacks some other features available on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.


Below, we have listed 10 features that are missing on the iPhone Duo:

  • A dedicated Telephoto camera with up to 8Γ— optical zoom. Instead, the iPhone Duo's main 48-megapixel Fusion camera has "optical-quality" 2Γ— zoom.

  • Variable aperture for the main 48-megapixel Fusion camera, which provides greater control over depth of field in photos and videos.

  • A higher-resolution 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera. On the iPhone Duo, this camera is 12 megapixels.

  • Action button.

  • Face ID. Instead, the iPhone Duo has a Touch ID button.

  • LiDAR Scanner, which measures depth for augmented reality purposes.

  • Other camera features: Pro controls in the Camera app, ProRAW, ProRes RAW, spatial photos and videos, and more.


You can pre-order the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max starting Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, ahead of a Friday, September 18 launch. iPhone Duo pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and the device will be released on Friday, October 23.
Related Roundups: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo
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Reminder: AirPods 5 Do Not Include a Charging Cable in the Box

A reminder for anyone pre-ordering the new AirPods 5 announced this week: Apple does not include a USB-C cable or a charger in the box with either of the two models available.

If you purchase the cheaper of the two AirPods 5 models, you are limited to wired charging and will need to supply your own USB-C cable. Alternatively, you can opt for the AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case and use your own USB-C cable, Apple Watch charging puck, MagSafe charger, or Qi charger.
Related Roundup: AirPods 5
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Mac's Edge Light Feature Rumored to Expand to iPhone

macOS 26.2 added an Edge Light feature to Macs with the M1 chip or newer, and it has now been rumored that this feature will expand to the iPhone.


According to pdfu, who has been digging through code in Apple's software updates in recent weeks, the iOS 27 Release Candidate contains evidence of the Edge Light feature coming to the iPhone Duo at a minimum. However, it appears that the feature is still in development, as they said the color temperature setting is not fully implemented.

On the Mac, Edge Light illuminates the borders of the screen to evenly illuminate your face in low-light conditions. The feature is essentially a virtual ring light, and there are settings to adjust the width of the white line around the screen and a color temperature slider to make the light it produces appear more or less warm.

Edge Light is coming to iPhone.

iOS 27 RC gates the feature behind a device subtype that points to iPhone Duo. The color temperature setting isn't fully implemented. pic.twitter.com/dc4pQmikJc

β€” pdfu (@itspdfu) September 10, 2026

Based on a video of the feature in action on a simulated iPhone, it appears that the feature will work in a similar manner and have the same brightness and color temperature settings on the iPhone. It is unclear if Edge Light will be available on the iPhone Duo when the device launches on October 23, or if it will expand to other iPhone models.

Some of pdfu's other Apple-related code findings have already proven to be right, so the user has an accurate track record so far.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, iPhone Duo
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Related Forums: iOS 27, iPhone

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RIP, iPhone Ultra

For many months, tech blogs like ours used the name iPhone Ultra to refer to Apple's rumored foldable iPhone, but the device ended up being named iPhone Duo.


The name iPhone Duo was not a complete surprise. Daring Fireball's John Gruber accurately guessed that the device would be named iPhone Duo all the way back in April, and the name made the rounds again on social media last week.

iPhone Ultra became the more common name in rumor coverage after Bloomberg's Mark Gurman floated it as a potentially fitting name for the device back in March, and he later reported that many Apple employees referred to the device as the iPhone Ultra. Plus, former Macworld reporter Filipe EspΓ³sito cited a source familiar with Apple's plans who said the foldable iPhone would be named iPhone Ultra. Evidently, that source was wrong.

To his credit, Gurman ended up confirming the iPhone Duo name in a last-minute report published shortly before Apple announced the device.

Apple avoiding the name iPhone Ultra makes sense, as the device now known as the iPhone Duo is not the most "ultra" version of the iPhone available. Yes, the iPhone Duo has a large 7.6-inch inner display when opened, but on the other hand the device lacks features such as a dedicated Telephoto camera, Face ID, and an Action button.

Apple has used Duo branding in the past for its PowerBook Duo line of laptops in the 1990s and the MagSafe Duo Charger in the early 2020s. In the case of the iPhone Duo, the word Duo obviously refers to the device's dual screens.

Apple does have some products and services with Ultra branding, including the Apple Watch Ultra, CarPlay Ultra, and the M1 Ultra through M5 Ultra line of chips. And with Apple rumored to be a planning a special 20th-anniversary iPhone, perhaps there will still be an opportunity for the company to use the name iPhone Ultra in the future.

For now, though, the iPhone Ultra rumor is dead.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
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Apple Watch Series 12 Received a Price Increase You Might Have Missed

Ever since the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018, the larger-sized aluminum Apple Watch has started at $429 in the U.S., but that has changed with the Apple Watch Series 12.


While the Apple Watch Series 12 with a 42mm case maintains a starting price of $399, the 46mm model has received a $20 price increase and now starts at $449.

In other words, stepping up to a 46mm case now costs an extra $50 instead of $30.

Apple products are getting more expensive lately. Amid a RAM chip shortage, the company raised prices on several existing iPhone models this week, after raising prices on Macs, iPads, HomePods, the Apple TV, and more in June. Plus, the starting prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models are $100 higher in the U.S. compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models have increased RAM, according to Xcode.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Skipping the iPhone 18 Pro? Redesigned 'iPhone 20' is Coming Next Year

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro models just one day ago, but there are already rumors about a redesigned "iPhone 20" launching next September.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release a special 20th-anniversary iPhone next year with the biggest design changes since the iPhone X. Of course, there is always a new iPhone around the corner, but it sounds like the so-called "iPhone 20" will have significant changes that some customers may wish to wait for.

Unveiled by Steve Jobs in 2007, the iPhone turns 20 next year. To mark the occasion, the report said Apple plans to release a 20th-anniversary iPhone with "curved glass around all corners and edges" and thinner bezels around the screen.

"It will be the biggest overhaul to what is now the iPhone Pro line since the iPhone X," the report said, but no further details were provided.

Released in 2017, the iPhone X was the first iPhone with Face ID. The removal of the Touch ID button allowed for the iPhone X's screen to extend more towards the edges of the device compared to previous models. It seems like the 20th-anniversary iPhone would go a step further than this by truly having the screen wrap around the corners and edges of the device, for a seemingly all-glass appearance.

Rumors about the 20th-anniversary iPhone have gone back and forth, but based on Gurman's latest reporting, the device seems to be in the works still. However, it remains to be seen if Apple can fully achieve the ambitious design changes that are apparently in development, or if plans for the device will ultimately be scaled back.

As for the iPhone 18 Pro, key new features include an A20 Pro chip with up to a 20% faster CPU and up to a 40% faster GPU compared to the A19 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island, variable aperture for the main 48-megapixel Fusion camera, longer battery life, and a larger vapor chamber cooling system for improved heat dissipation.

If those upgrades do not sound interesting to you, waiting for the redesigned "iPhone 20" might prove to be worthwhile, but only if rumors come to fruition.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
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iPhone 18 Pro Launching on September 18 With These 10 New Features

Apple this week unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. While the devices look very similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, there are still quite a few new features and incremental changes compared to the previous generation.



Below, we have recapped 10 new features coming with the iPhone 18 Pro models, which can be pre-ordered starting Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time and will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores Friday, September 18.

  • A20 Pro chip, the first 2nm chip in an iPhone. It has a 6-core CPU, a 7-core GPU, and a 32-core Neural Engine. Apple says the chip delivers up to 20% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster graphics performance compared to the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple also says sustained performance is up to 40% faster.


  • Three new color options: Burgundy, Black, and Glacier. Orange is no longer an option. The rear aluminum and Ceramic Shield glass area are now more color matched.


  • A smaller Dynamic Island with support for up to three Live Activities at once.


  • The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max has variable aperture, allowing you to adjust the amount of light that reaches the image sensor for greater control over depth of field. Apple says this upgrade will allow for improved low-light photography and crisper details in the back of group photos. Aperture options include Ζ’/1.48, Ζ’/1.8, Ζ’/2.8, and Ζ’/4.0.


  • In the Camera app on iPhone 18 Pro models, new Pro controls allow you to manually control or adjust shutter speed, white balance, and aperture, and there is an option to use a histogram.


  • iPhone 18 Pro models can record time-lapse videos in 4K and Dolby Vision HDR.


  • Both of the iPhone 18 Pro models have longer battery life compared to the previous generation β€” especially the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If we go by Apple's offline video playback metric, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has up to 15% longer battery life compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Fast charging to 50% now takes 15 minutes, down from 20 minutes.


  • The revamped vapor chamber cooling system in the iPhone 18 Pro models has three times more surface area than the one in the iPhone 17 Pro models, for even better heat dissipation.


  • At least some iPhone 18 Pro models in some countries have Apple's second-generation C2 cellular modem for 5G and LTE. Apple says the C2 chip has "AI-powered improvements" to cellular quality and reliability, delivering "meaningfully faster uploads when compared to its previous C1X modem while consuming 15% less energy. In the U.S., the chip supports mmWave 5G.


  • There is now a 2TB storage capacity for both the Pro and Pro Max models β€” it was previously exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
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Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Have Increased RAM

MacRumors has confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 have increased RAM compared to the previous-generation models.


Both new models are equipped with 4GB of RAM, according to Apple's developer tool Xcode 27.

Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 models are equipped with 2GB of RAM, so the Series 12 and Ultra 4 have twice as much memory.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are equipped with a new S11 chip that powers new Apple Intelligence features when the watches are paired to an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The increased RAM will help to enable these new functions, such as Live Rewind text snippets and Siri Recap summaries, and give a boost to Siri AI.

Despite a severe memory chip shortage that has driven up the price of RAM and resulted in Apple raising prices on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more in recent months, the Series 12 and Ultra 4 start at $399 and $799 respectively in the U.S., meaning the devices have the same starting prices as the Series 11 and Ultra 3 even with more RAM.
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Apple Announces macOS Golden Gate Release Date

Apple this week announced that macOS 27, also known as macOS Golden Gate, will be released to all users with a compatible Mac on Monday, September 14.


iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 will be released on the same day.

macOS Golden Gate features Siri AI, design improvements, performance enhancements, and more. A developer beta has been available since June, while a public beta followed in July, and now the update will be widely released on September 14.

macOS Golden Gate is compatible with all Macs with an M1 chip or newer:
  • MacBook Neo (2026)

  • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

  • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

  • iMac (2021 and later)

  • Mac mini (2020 and later)

  • Mac Studio (2022 and later)

  • Mac Pro (2023 and later)

macOS 26 aka macOS Tahoe is the final macOS release compatible with Intel-based Macs.

Intel Macs that can run macOS Tahoe, but not macOS Golden Gate:
  • 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

  • 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)

  • 27-inch iMac (2020)

  • Mac Pro (2019)
Apple said Intel-based Macs will continue to receive security updates for three years.

macOS 27 Golden Gate can still run Intel apps on Apple silicon, as it is the final major macOS release to include Apple's full Rosetta translation layer.
Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate
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iOS 27 Will Let You Redeem Apple Gift Cards on the Back of Your iPhone

According to new code uncovered in the iOS 27 Release Candidate, there will be a new way to redeem Apple gift cards by tapping them on the back of a compatible iPhone.

Apple's gift cards will have a security chip that the iPhone will scan to verify that the card is authentic and unspent, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. He said the redeem flow will have "this card has been blocked" or "cancelled" screens, seemingly to reduce attempted scams.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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iPhone 18 Pro is eSIM-Only in These Countries

Apple has been phasing out the SIM card tray on iPhones, with the latest models relying solely on eSIM technology in select countries.


According to Apple, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max support eSIMs only in these countries and regions:


  • Bahrain

  • Canada

  • Guam

  • Japan

  • Kuwait

  • Mexico

  • Oman

  • Qatar

  • Saudi Arabia

  • United Arab Emirates

  • United States

  • U.S. Virgin Islands

iPhone 17 Pro models are eSIM-only in the same countries, so there is no change this year.

iPhone 18 Pro models continue to have a tray for a physical SIM card in all other countries around the world, including in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.

If you are unaware, an eSIM is essentially a digital version of a SIM card.

Apple says eSIM-only iPhone models are equipped with a larger battery that fills the space formerly occupied by the physical SIM card tray. Earlier today, we reported on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max battery capacities listed on EU regulatory labels, but note that these figures are for models that still have a SIM card tray.

Apple started phasing out SIM cards starting with the iPhone 14 series, in the U.S. only at first.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models sold in European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and elsewhere still have nano-SIM card trays alongside eSIM support. In China, the devices support one of the following combinations: two nano-SIM cards, one nano-SIM card and one eSIM, or two eSIMs.

iPhone Duo features an eSIM-only design worldwide.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap SIM cards while traveling.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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