Apple today added refurbished iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max models to its online store in the United States and Canada, offering the smartphones at a discounted price.


The ‌iPhone 15‌ is priced starting at $619 in the United States, while the ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus is priced starting at $699. The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro is priced starting at $759, and the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max is priced starting at $929. Prices are discounted about 15 percent compared to brand new models.

Multiple colors and capacities can be purchased as of the time of writing, but stock will fluctuate over time as Apple refreshes what is available, so you may need to check back often if you're looking for a specific color or capacity. Note that the ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus is not available in Canada at the current time, but it will likely be added soon.

Apple introduced refurbished ‌iPhone 15‌ models in Europe back in January, but this is the first time Apple has offered discounted ‌iPhone 15‌ models in the U.S. since the devices came out in September 2023.

Refurbished iPhones from Apple are unlocked and can be used with any carrier. Apple outfits all refurbished iPhone models with new batteries, outer shells, and a new USB-C cable, so they are essentially identical to new in the box iPhones.

Apple offers the same one-year warranty on refurbished ‌iPhone‌ models, as well as the option to purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage.
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The iOS 18.5 update that Apple plans to release next week will enable carrier-provided satellite features on iPhone 13 models, adding satellite connectivity to iPhones that do not support Apple's built-in satellite functionality through Globalstar.


Apple says that satellite connectivity provided by carriers will be enabled on all ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, including the ‌iPhone‌ 13, ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max. To use the feature, ‌iPhone‌ 13 users will need cellular service that offers a satellite connectivity option, and there are several carriers that have been rolling out the functionality.

In the United States, T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX to provide customers with Starlink Direct service for connecting to Starlink satellites when Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity are unavailable. au and One NZ have also introduced satellite connectivity, as has Verizon, though Verizon's satellite option does not currently work with ‌iPhone‌.

Apple has included built-in satellite connectivity in all iPhones dating back to the ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup, with connectivity provided through a partnership with Globalstar. Satellite connectivity is useful in rural and remote areas where cellular towers are not available.
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Apple today shared release notes for iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, ahead of the updates being released to the general public next week. The updates are minor overall, but they do include a useful change for the Screen Time feature on iPhones and iPads.


Specifically, Apple says that parents will now receive a notification when their Screen Time passcode is successfully entered on their child's device.

This change will allow parents to be alerted immediately if their child has correctly guessed or figured out the Screen Time passcode, which can allow the child to turn off or adjust the restrictions that were set by their parents.

Parents will also receive these notifications on a Mac running macOS 15.5, which should be released to the general public next week.

Screen Time launched in 2018 as part of iOS 12, providing parents with settings to remotely manage a child's device. For example, parents can restrict device usage to certain times, set time limits for apps, and block inappropriate content.
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Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.5 update to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.5 beta.


Registered developers can opt-in to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.

‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.5 appears to be a minor update so far, and no notable new features were found in the first four betas. The release candidate version represents the final version of macOS 15.5 that will be released to the public next week as long as no issues come up during this last week of testing.

Work on new features for ‌macOS Sequoia‌ is winding down, as Apple will soon transition to macOS 16. The next-generation version of macOS is set to be unveiled at WWDC in June.
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Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth betas. The release candidate represents the final version of iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 that will be released to the public should no bugs be found.


iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

So far, iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 are relatively minor updates, introducing just a few new design changes. There are more options for reverting the Mail app back to the prior design, including removing contact photos, and AppleCare info is easier to find. The update also likely has bug fixes and performance improvements that are less obvious, plus it will add new Pride wallpapers.

Apple is transitioning to iOS 19 and iPadOS 19, which are set to be previewed in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 are likely to launch next week.
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Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming visionOS 2.5, tvOS 18.5, and watchOS 11.5 updates for testing purposes. The software is available a week after Apple seeded the fourth betas.


The betas are available to registered developers, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.

No notable new features have been found in any of the software updates so far, suggesting Apple is focusing on under-the-hood performance improvements and bug fixes. watchOS 11.5 will include a new Pride watch face option that goes along with this year's Pride band.
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In macOS, Apple allows you to share Tab Groups in Safari with colleagues, friends, and family. Keep reading to learn how it's done.


Introduced back in macOS Monterey, Tab Groups are designed to make organizing and preserving open tabs more manageable in Safari without having to have those tabs active.

In a Tab Group, you can easily collect and save related tabs, which can be especially advantageous in scenarios where collaboration and coordination are key. For instance, teams working on research projects can compile relevant sources into a shared group, allowing everyone to stay aligned and contribute in real time.

Families planning a vacation can gather booking sites, maps, and activity pages in one place, making it easy to explore options together. Even casual browsing, like curating gift ideas or event plans with friends, can benefit from this feature, turning scattered links into a centralized, living workspace. Here's how it's done.

1. To share a currently open Tab Group in Safari, reveal Safari's sidebar by clicking the Show sidebar button.
   
   
2. Right-click the Tab Group or click the ellipsis button (three encircled dots) next to the Tab Group in the list and select Share Tab Group from the contextual menu.
   
   
3. Choose the desired sharing method from the Share Sheet menu that appears. Selecting Mail or Messages, for example, will open the associated app with a link to the Tab Group, ready to be sent.

Once you've sent an invite, you can see who has access to the Tab Group by clicking the user profile icon that appears on the right-hand side of Safari's address bar.


From there, you can manage access to the Tab Group: you can revoke access, add new people, or call and message them to chat about the project. Note that everyone you collaborate with must be signed in to their Apple Account, have Safari turned on in iCloud settings, and have two-factor authentication turned on.

If you're on iPhone and iPad, here's how to share Tab Groups: Tap the open tabs button in the bottom-right corner of the screen (the two squares overlapping), then tap the Share icon (the square with the arrow pointing out). Tap Messages, then choose the person that you want to share the group with.
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Amazon has updated the Kindle app for iOS to include a new "Get Book" button that links users directly to purchase pages on Amazon's website, following a recent court ruling that prohibits Apple from blocking external purchase links or imposing a 27% commission on them (via The Verge).


The change to the Kindle app was made in response to a contempt order issued on April 30, 2025, by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the ongoing litigation between Epic Games and Apple. According to the court order, Apple is barred from continuing to enforce App Store rules that previously prevented developers from directing users to external payment methods.

For more than a decade, Kindle app users on Apple devices have been unable to purchase e-books directly through the app. Beginning in 2011, Apple began enforcing guidelines that required developers to either use Apple's in-app purchase system (incurring a 30% commission) or remove any links, buttons, or instructions that would guide users to alternative purchasing methods. As a result, the Kindle app became limited to browsing owned titles, downloading samples, or managing a wish list, while actual purchases had to be completed manually through Amazon.com in a browser.

The update released this week introduces a prominent orange "Get Book" button next to book listings inside the Kindle app. When tapped, the button opens the user's default mobile web browser and navigates directly to the corresponding Amazon product page, with the Kindle edition of the book pre-selected. Users can then complete the purchase using Amazon's standard web-based checkout process. After the transaction, the book is automatically synced to the user's Kindle library and becomes available for immediate reading within the app. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the change in a statement to The Verge:

We regularly make improvements to our apps to help ensure we are providing customers the most convenient experience possible. By selecting "Get Book" within the Kindle for iOS app, customers can now complete their purchase through their mobile web browser.

This is the first time since the enforcement of Apple's in-app purchasing restrictions that Kindle users on iOS have had a direct route from the app to Amazon's store. Previously, the lack of in-app purchasing or even external linking meant users had to manually search for titles in a separate browser session.

While Apple has filed an appeal against the court ruling, it is currently complying with the order. The judge declined to stay the ruling during the appeals process, meaning companies are now able to implement new payment flows unless a higher court reverses the decision. In addition to Amazon, Spotify has announced similar changes, and other developers are expected to follow.
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While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around a year and a half away from launching, there are already several early rumors about the devices.


Below, we recap some key iPhone 18 Pro rumors, as of May 2025.

Under-Screen Face ID

In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap showing that iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID. In May 2024, however, Young said he heard this change had been delayed until 2026. If so, that means that under-screen Face ID could debut on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year.

Citing its own sources, The Information this month also reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models will likely be equipped with under-screen Face ID.

Top-Left Front Camera

With under-screen Face ID expected, the report from The Information said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have only a small pinhole in the top-left corner of the screen, to accommodate the front-facing camera.

The report said the devices will no longer have a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen, but it is unclear if the Dynamic Island will be discontinued.

Variable Aperture

The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.

A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size restraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

Samsung Image Sensor

Samsung is developing a new three-layer stacked camera sensor that Apple is expected to use for iPhone 18 Pro models, according to DigiTimes. This advanced image sensor would make the iPhone 18's camera more responsive, and offer other benefits like reduced noise in photos, increased dynamic range, and more.

The exact technology is called "PD-TR-Logic," according to a leaker known as "Jukanlosreve", and it refers to a camera sensor with three layers of circuitry affixed to it.

Sony has long been the exclusive supplier of image sensors for iPhone cameras, so Samsung entering the fray would be notable.

In July 2024, Kuo said he expected Samsung to begin shipping 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera sensors to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, which is when the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be released.

12GB of RAM

iPhone 18 Pro models will be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Kuo. Increased memory bandwidth has also been rumored for the devices.

iPhone 16 Pro models are equipped with 8GB of RAM, while iPhone 17 Pro models and even the iPhone 17 Air are rumored to have 12GB of RAM.

C2 Modem

Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e a few months ago, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems.

Apple's second-generation C2 modem will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models next year, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain. Unsurprisingly, expect the C2 modem to be faster than the C1, and for it to gain mmWave support in the United States. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.

A20 Pro Chip (2nm)

Apple's A20 Pro chip for the iPhone 18 Pro models will be manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process, known as N2, according to Kuo.

Apple's latest A18 and A18 Pro chips for the iPhone 16 series use TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, while the A19 and A19 Pro chips for the iPhone 17 series are expected to use TSMC's third-generation 3nm process.

The move to a 2nm process starting with the A20 chips would allow for more transistors in each chip, which would boost performance. Specifically, reports indicate that A20 chips should be up to 15% faster and up to 30% more power efficient than A19 chips.

An overview of current and expected chips:

• A17 Pro chip: 3nm (TSMC's first-generation 3nm process N3B)


• A18 and A18 Pro chips: 3nm (TSMC's second-generation 3nm process N3E)


• A19 and A19 Pro chips: 3nm (TSMC's third-generation 3nm process N3P)


• A20 and A20 Pro chips: 2nm (TSMC's first-generation 2nm process N2)

Keep in mind that these nanometer sizes are simply TSMC marketing terms, rather than actual measurements.
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Adobe this week is offering first-time subscribers of the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan a 40 percent discount on the service. With this sale, you'll pay $35.99 per month for the plan, down from $59.99 per month, and this price will last through your first year.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adobe. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can also choose to pay for the entire year upfront at the price of $395.93 per year, down from $659.88 per year. After your first year ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard rate unless you change or cancel the subscription. This sale ends May 12.



When signing up for Creative Cloud All Apps, you gain access to more than 20 creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, and Acrobat. You also get templates, cloud storage, and thousands of Adobe Fonts.

These programs can be subscribed to individually as well for a monthly fee, and many are also seeing 40 percent discounts this week. You can get individual subscriptions to apps including Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Illustrator for $13.79 per month for your first six months (originally $22.99 per month).

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple today announced that five additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library at the beginning of next month.


The most notable addition will be UNO: Arcade Edition, which is a reimagined version of the popular card game. In addition to solo matches with classic UNO rules, players can go a step further with new options like Wild Swap Hands and Color Showdown. There are three game modes: Quick Match, Custom Games, and Single Player.

The four other games coming to Apple Arcade on Thursday, June 5:

• LEGO Hill Climb Adventures+


• Lost in Play+


• Helix Jump+


• WHAT THE CAR? for Apple Vision Pro

More details about all of the games are available on the Apple Newsroom website.

Accessible through the App Store, Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, all free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and is bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.
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Amazon is discounting numerous models of Apple's M4 iPad Pro this week, including both 11-inch and 13-inch models. Simultaneously, Amazon has the Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 right now, and it's compatible with these iPad Pro models.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

In total, there is at least one markdown on every model of the M4 iPad Pro during this sale, with up to $250 off these tablets. We've collected every device being discounted in this lists below, and they include a few models with Nano-Texture Glass options as well.




These iPad Pro models feature Apple's M4 chip, OLED displays, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard. Don't forget that you can get the Apple Pencil Pro for a match of its all-time low price of $99.00 today on Amazon, down from $129.00.

11-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $899.00 ($100 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,499.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,599.00 ($100 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi - $1,749.00 ($250 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,999.00 ($100 off)

13-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($200 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,299.00 ($200 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,699.00 ($200 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,799.00 ($200 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,099.00 ($200 off)


• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $2,199.00 ($200 off)

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Microsoft's Skype has finally shut down, concluding its 22-year tenure as the once-dominant internet calling and messaging service.


Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion in what was then its largest-ever acquisition. At its peak, Skype had more than 300 million monthly active users and was synonymous with internet-based voice and video calling. For many, Skype was their first experience of speaking to someone halfway across the world for free, a radical shift from the dominance of telcos and expensive long-distance calls.

The service steadily declined in relevance in recent years, with its active user base shrinking to approximately 36 million by 2023 as competitors such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft's own Teams platform gained traction.

Teams has since grown to 320 million monthly users, far surpassing Skype's remaining user base. The company's decision to discontinue Skype is apparently part of a broader effort to prioritize artificial intelligence features within Teams. Employees who worked on Skype will be reassigned to other projects rather than being laid off.

Skype played a key role in popularizing VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, enabling businesses and individuals to connect around the world with minimal costs. It also served as an early testbed for AI-powered real-time language translation, a feature Microsoft showcased in a widely publicized demonstration in 2014. However, its frequent UI changes, reliability issues, ill-conceived social media-like features, gradual shift toward enterprise, and inability to keep pace with newer competitors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately led to its obsolescence.

Existing Skype users had until May 5 to migrate their data and contacts to Teams or seek alternative solutions. Skype's legacy lives on in the VoIP technology it helped to normalize—but as a product, it stands as a case study in how brand recognition alone can't save a stagnant platform.
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Apple supplier Jabil is planning to expand its AirPods enclosure production in India with a second manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu, according to The Economic Times (Via DigiTimes).


The Florida-based electronics manufacturer already produces AirPods plastic casings at its existing plant in Pune, and is now looking to increase sourcing from India through the new facility in Tiruchirappalli. The company reportedly met with Tamil Nadu's chief minister recently, although construction of the new facility has yet to start. Jabil aims to finalize its expansion plans by July.

The development is another step in Apple's ongoing strategy to diversify its supply chain beyond China amid increasing trade tensions and tariff uncertainties. The current process involves shipping AirPods casings made in India to assembly plants in China and Vietnam.

Apple currently produces approximately 20% of its iPhones in India and plans to import most U.S.-bound iPhones from India by the end of next year. During Apple's latest post-earnings call, India was mentioned nearly as frequently as China, underlining its growing importance in Apple's manufacturing strategy.

The move comes a month after Foxconn began producing AirPods at its new $400 million Hyderabad factory. Assembly at this plant began in April, with initial production units destined for export markets.
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YouTube has started testing a new two-person Premium subscription tier in some countries, offering a more affordable option for pairs of users who want ad-free viewing without committing to a full family plan (via Money Control).


The pilot program is currently limited to India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with no immediate word on whether the tier will expand to other regions like the United States.

"We're experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost," a YouTube spokesperson confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch.

Similar to Spotify's Duo plan, the new tier is designed for two people living at the same address who want Premium benefits such as ad-free viewing and background play.

The test appears to be part of YouTube's efforts to diversify its subscription offerings and potentially recover subscribers who may have canceled after recent price increases.

The test follows YouTube's March rollout of Premium Lite, a lower-cost tier that offers ad-free viewing without YouTube Music access or certain other Premium features. The Lite plan is currently available in the United States, Australia, Germany, and Thailand.
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Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett offered rare public praise for Apple CEO Tim Cook at the holding company's annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, during which Buffett confirmed he was stepping down.


"I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that Tim Cook has made Berkshire a lot more money than I've ever made," Buffett told the audience, alluding to the 680% surge in Apple's stock since Berkshire first began acquiring shares in early 2016.

Buffett also reflected on the late Steve Jobs and credited him for building Apple, but he was quick to underline Cook's contributions to the company's success. "Nobody but Steve could have created Apple, but nobody but Tim could have developed it as he has," he said.

The 94-year-old investor, who announced his intention to step down as CEO by year's end, made billions investing in Apple despite his long-standing wariness of tech investments. At one point in 2024, Buffett was even Apple's largest investor outside of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).

In 2024, Berkshire's stake in Apple was valued at $174 billion, which the company had acquired for $40 billion over several years. That said, the conglomerate has been shedding its holdings in the company throughout the past year, and it has now sold nearly 70% of the 905 million shares it held at its peak.

Since Cook took over as CEO in 2011, Apple's stock has seen remarkable growth, climbing from under $15 on a split-adjusted basis to $205. The roughly 14-fold increase has propelled Apple's market capitalisation to over $3 trillion.

Buffett, known as the Oracle of Omaha and arguably the world's most successful investor, told his company's annual meeting he would hand over the reins to vice-chairman Greg Abel.


"There's never been someone like Warren, and countless people, myself included, have been inspired by his wisdom," Cook wrote on X (Twitter) after attending the shareholder meeting. "It's been one of the great privileges of my life to know him. And there's no question that Warren is leaving Berkshire in great hands with Greg."
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Apple is being sued by developers unhappy with the company's "willful violation" of the anti-steering injunction the court ordered as part of its legal battle with Epic Games. A company called Pure Sweat Basketball has teamed up with law firm Hagens Berman to file a class-action lawsuit against Apple in an attempt to win some money for developers.


The lawsuit focuses on the recent Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ decision where Apple was found to be in contempt of court. Back in 2021, Apple was ordered to relax its anti-steering rules that prevent developers from directing customers to purchase options outside of the App Store. Because of appeals, Apple didn't have to comply until January 17, 2024, but when it did, Apple did so in a way that the court said was anticompetitive.

Apple forced developers to pay between 12 and 27 percent in commission when customers made a purchase through an app using an external payment link, which was an issue because developers also had to pay payment processors. Apple also had strict rules allowing only a single link and it used scare screens to try to prevent customers from making purchases outside of the ‌App Store‌.

Apple last week was forced to change its U.S. ‌App Store‌ policies to support external payment links in apps with no restrictions, a decision that Apple is appealing, but the class action lawsuit argues that developers should be compensated for the trouble. It claims that Apple's moves to circumvent the injunction cost developers "billions of dollars" in revenue.

Due to Apple's anti-steering implementation, only 34 developers of 136,000 took advantage of the external payment link option before the terms were changed last week, and the lawsuit is seeking restitution for all U.S. developers who offered in-app purchases for non-zero prices between January 17, 2024 and when Apple fully complied with the original injunction.

Apple should be forced to disgorge all of its "ill-gotten gains," according to the lawsuit. The law firm that's handling the case, Hagens Berman, previously secured a $100 million settlement for developers over Apple's ‌App Store‌ fees.
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In the early days of the Apple vs. Epic Games legal battle, Apple banned the Epic Games developer account and all of Epic's titles, like Fortnite, disappeared from the App Store. ‌Epic Games‌' U.S. developer account has been banned for almost five years now, so when Epic said last week that it would bring Fortnite back to the ‌App Store‌ in the U.S., it wasn't clear how that would work.


‌Epic Games‌ CEO Tim Sweeney said over the weekend (via The Verge) that Epic will use its ‌Epic Games‌ Sweden account to submit Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌ in the U.S. Apparently, Sweeney has spoken to Apple about the issue, and based on his wording, it sounds like Apple could allow the plan, but he did not say that he has explicit approval from Apple.

We have conversed with Apple on the topic and will use our Epic Games Sweden account to submit Fortnite to the US App Store. We created this account last year to launch Epic Games Store and Fortnite in the European Union, and Apple required an EU-domiciled account.

After Apple was required to support alternative app marketplaces in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, ‌Epic Games‌ created an account based in Sweden in order to launch the Epic Games Store. Apple initially shut down Epic Games' EU developer account due to Epic's pattern of untrustworthy behavior, but that didn't last. Apple's statement from when it banned the EU account:

Epic's egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate "any or all of Epic Games' wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games' control at any time and at Apple's sole discretion." In light of Epic's past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.

‌Epic Games‌ claimed that Apple was violating the Digital Markets Act by not allowing it to create an alternative app marketplace in Europe, and the European Union started questioning Apple. Apple ultimately reinstated the account after ‌Epic Games‌ promised to follow the alternative marketplace rules, and Apple avoided issue with EU regulators.

The outcome of the Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ dispute in the U.S. resulted in Apple not having to reinstate the U.S. ‌Epic Games‌ account, and it sounds like Apple still has no plan to do so. Apple could object to ‌Epic Games‌ trying to return Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌ using the Swedish account, but given that Apple is already facing the wrath of the judge overseeing the case, it may not want to attract further attention.

‌Epic Games‌ CEO Tim Sweeney offered a "peace proposal" to Apple last week, claiming that if Apple extends its "Apple-tax-free" framework worldwide, Epic would return Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌ and drop current and future litigation. So far, Apple has given no sign that it will implement the ‌App Store‌ link and payment changes outside of the United States.

Apple is now required to allow developers to add links and buttons to their apps directing customers to purchase options outside of the ‌App Store‌.

Sweeney said that ‌Epic Games‌ is working "as hard as possible" to return Fortnite to the ‌App Store‌, but that he doesn't yet know when it will be ready to launch.
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PayPal today announced that it is planning to debut contactless payments in Germany, allowing German iPhone users to make tap-to-pay purchases in stores using their PayPal accounts.


PayPal is able to offer this feature because Europe's Digital Markets Act has forced Apple to open up the NFC chip in its devices to third-party apps. NFC payments are available in apps without the need for Apple Pay or the Wallet app, allowing third-party payment services and banks to offer their own tap-to-pay solutions on Apple devices.

European users are able to choose a default app that is activated when an ‌iPhone‌ is near an NFC terminal or when the side button on the device is double pressed, so paying in stores with PayPal is as seamless as paying with ‌Apple Pay‌.

PayPal says it will launch its first contactless mobile wallet "in the coming weeks," and Germany will be its first test market. Using the latest version of the PayPal app on an ‌iPhone‌, PayPal customers will be able make in-store purchases with PayPal wherever contactless Mastercard payments are accepted.

To lure customers to use PayPal over ‌Apple Pay‌, PayPal is offering cashback offers in the PayPal app and will eventually support a pay over time feature with options for six, 12, and 24 monthly installments for purchases.

NFC access is available for banking and wallet apps in the European Economic Area, which includes the 27 European Union countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
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As promised, Apple is appealing the contempt of court decision it was hit with last week in its ongoing legal fight with Epic Games. Apple today filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court in Northern California, in the hopes that the Cupertino company might be able to walk back changes that have required it to allow developers to add links to external payment methods to apps.


Last Wednesday, Apple was handed a scathing order to immediately walk back all of its anti-steering policies in the United States. Apple was found to be in violation of a 2021 injunction that required it to let developers direct customers to third-party purchase options outside of apps.

The order initially came from the Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ lawsuit that primarily went in Apple's favor. Apple was found not to have a monopoly and largely won the case, but part of the ruling forced Apple to change some of its App Store rules. Apple did make updates, but it only allowed developers a single link to an external website in apps, and Apple also collected a 12 to 27 percent fee from purchases made on a website through an app.

The judge was not at all happy with how Apple decided to comply with the order, and in her ruling, she said that Apple picked the most anticompetitive option at every turn. As a result, she provided Apple with a detailed list of tweaks to make, and ordered Apple to implement them immediately. "Apple's continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated," read the order.

Apple changed its App Store rules last Thursday. Apple cannot prevent developers from adding links or buttons that direct customers to make purchases outside of the ‌App Store‌, nor can it dictate how those buttons or links look. Apple also can't collect any fees for purchases made using external links in apps.

In a statement, Apple said that it strongly disagrees with the decision, but Apple was not able to hold off on implementing the new rules during the appeals process, so U.S. developers are able to direct customers to websites to make purchases as of now.

Spotify, Patreon, and others have already submitted app updates with links to make purchases on the web.

Except for confirming Apple's plan to appeal, the notice contains little info, so it's not yet clear what arguments Apple will present to try to convince the appeals court that the judge overseeing the case made a mistake. Apple will need to submit a brief with its legal argument, then ‌Epic Games‌ will have a chance to respond, after which Apple will be able to file a second brief. There could also be oral arguments, so we are looking at several more months before a final decision is made.
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Apple recently updated its Move to iOS app that's designed for Android users, adding new features that make switching over from an Android to an iPhone quicker and more seamless.


Cabled data transfers using an ‌iPhone‌ and an Android phone with a USB-C cable or USB-C to Lightning cable are now faster, and tips for using iOS are displayed during the migration process.

Apple also says that voice recordings from Android devices will migrate to Voice Memos or Files depending on the file format, plus there's support for new languages in India. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.

• Faster data migration using a cabled connection between your ‌iPhone‌ and your Android phone (USB-C or USB-C to Lightning)


• Connect over WiFi or Personal Hotspot


• iOS tips are now displayed during migration


• Call history and Dual SIM labels are now migrated


• Voice recordings are now migrated to the Voice Memos app or the Files app depending on the file format


• New languages supported: Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu

Move to iOS is an app that Apple created to allow Android users to switch to an ‌iPhone‌ without losing their data, contacts, messages, and more. Android users can download Move to iOS from the Google Play store.
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While the more personalized version of Siri is infamously delayed, Apple Intelligence will continue to evolve in other ways in the meantime.


In a later-than-usual Monday edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined two additional Apple Intelligence enhancements that are likely planned for the upcoming iOS 18.6 and iOS 19 software updates.

First, he expects iOS 18.6 to enable Apple Intelligence in China, with Alibaba and Baidu set to power some of the features in that country.

Second, he said that iOS 19 will include new Apple Intelligence capabilities, although he did not provide any specific details. In court, Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently suggested that iOS 19 may include Google Gemini integration.

iPhone models with Apple Intelligence have already offered ChatGPT integration since iOS 18.2. With user permission, Siri can show ChatGPT answers directly in response to questions and other prompts. ChatGPT is also an option for Apple's system-wide Writing Tools feature, allowing users to generate text and images. Google Gemini would likely have similar integration across Siri and Writing Tools, becoming a second option alongside ChatGPT.

Google Gemini is already available as an iPhone app.

Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models, plus select iPads and Macs.

iOS 18.6 beta testing should begin later this month. After that, Apple is expected to announce iOS 19 during its annual developers conference WWDC, which kicks off Monday, June 9. The first iOS 19 beta should be seeded to developers shortly after the keynote, and the software update should be released to the general public in September.
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Today we're tracking a collection of discounts on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro at Amazon, including as much as $479 off select models of the computer. These computers are seeing frequent price fluctuations on Amazon right now, so be sure to shop soon if you're interested.

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Deals include both 14-inch and 16-inch models, and the biggest savings will be found on the latter group. The steepest discount is on the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max 48GB RAM/1TB), available for $3,520.11, down from $3,999.00. At $479 off this is a new all-time low price on the computer.



For the 14-inch models, you'll find up to $313 off these computers on Amazon this week. You can get the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/512GB) for $1,372.02, down from $1,599.00, which is another new record low price on the M4 MacBook Pro.

14-inch MacBook Pro

• M4 10-Core/16GB RAM/512GB - $1,372.02 ($227 off)


• M4 10-Core/24GB RAM/1TB - $1,742.02 ($257 off)


• M4 Pro 12-Core/24GB RAM/512GB - $1,695.88 ($303 off)


• M4 Pro 14-Core/24GB RAM/1TB - $2,101.24 ($298 off)


• M4 Max 14-Core/36GB RAM/1TB - $2,886.01 ($313 off)

16-inch MacBook Pro

• M4 Pro 14-Core/24GB RAM/512GB - $2,157.23 ($341 off)


• M4 Pro 14-Core/48GB RAM/512GB - $2,629.00 ($270 off)


• M4 Max 14-Core/36GB RAM/1TB - $3,179.00 ($320 off)


• M4 Max 16-Core/48GB RAM/1TB - $3,520.11 ($479 off)

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

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Apple and EA Sports today jointly announced that four selected MLS Season Pass matches will be streamed for free in the FC Mobile app on the iPhone and iPad.


The first match will see the reigning champions LA Galaxy face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The second match is set for Saturday, May 17, and it will feature the Atlanta United FC taking on the Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In an emailed press release, Apple said the remaining two matches will be held in September, with details to be announced at a later date.

To access a live stream of each match, users will need to tap the "Extra Time" button in the app's main menu, and look for the TV feature. While there is no cost to watch the matches, users must have an account that is Level 4 or higher in order to unlock access. Eligible users will also be offered a one-month free trial of MLS Season Pass.

MLS Season Pass is a subscription service in the Apple TV app, which is the exclusive home of all MLS matches. In the U.S., MLS Season Pass is normally priced at $14.99 per month or $99 per season, and it provides access to all regular season and playoff matches. However, with the season underway, Apple is now offering 25% off the price.

The EA Sports FC Mobile app is available in the App Store for the iPhone and iPad, and more details can be found on EA's website.
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In its press release for the new Pride Band today, Apple said that iOS 18.5 is "upcoming," following more than a month of beta testing.


We expect the iOS 18.5 Release Candidate to be released this week, and this should be the final beta version, barring any last-minute bugs or changes. The software update should then be released to the general public next week.

iOS 18.5 is a relatively minor update for the iPhone, with only a few additions discovered so far. Below, we recap all of the known changes.

Specifically, there are a few changes in the Mail and Settings apps. The update will also include a new Pride wallpaper for the iPhone and iPad.

Mail

In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner.


This was already an option on earlier iOS versions, but it was buried in the Settings app.

Settings

In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more prominent.

Pride

Apple today announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face, and a matching wallpaper for the iPhone and iPad.

The new Pride Edition Sport Band has rainbow stripes that vary in shape and size, and it is available to order on Apple.com starting today.


Apple said a matching iPhone and iPad wallpaper will be available when iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 are released to the public. The wallpaper features colorful stripes that change position as users move, lock, or unlock their devices.
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Amazon this week is discounting a collection of Beats audio devices, including a new all-time low price on the Powerbeats Pro 2. You can get this new 2025 model for $199.95 in all four colors, down from $249.99.

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This sale includes major discounts on products like the Beats Solo Buds, which have hit $59.95, down from $79.99. These are a solid entry-level option and feature up to 18 hours of playback, USB-C, and Spatial Audio.



For an upgraded model, Amazon has the Beats Studio Buds+ for $99.95, down from $169.95. These have up to 9 hours of playback (up to 36 hours with charging case), USB-C, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance.

You'll also find a few steep discounts on over-ear headphones, like the Beats Studio Pro at $169.95, down from $349.99. Many of these deals are matches for the record low price on each pair of headphones.

• Beats Solo Buds - $59.95, down from $79.99


• Beats Studio Buds+ - $99.95, down from $169.95


• Beats Solo 4 - $99.95, down from $199.95


• Beats Pill - $129.95, down from $149.95


• Powerbeats Pro 2 - $199.95, down from $249.99


• Beats Studio Pro - $169.95, down from $349.99

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

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Apple plans to release its first foldable iPhone next year, according to several reporters and analysts who cover the company.


In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the foldable iPhone will offer two key advantages over other foldable smartphones.

First, he said the foldable iPhone will have a "nearly invisible" crease when unfolded. This means the device's rumored 7.8-inch to 8-inch inner display would have a more seamless design, for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

"Apple looks to stand out from the competition by making the crease less noticeable when the phone is in the open position," he wrote.

Second, the foldable iPhone will be equipped with a "much higher-quality hinge" compared to some other foldable smartphones, according to Gurman. He did not elaborate about this aspect, but Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the hinge will be made with a mix of titanium and stainless steel.

Other foldable iPhone specs that Kuo shared include a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and a high-density battery. He expects the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded.
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Apple today announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face, and a matching wallpaper for the iPhone and iPad.


Ahead of Pride Month in June, Apple says its Pride Collection celebrates the strength and beauty of LGBTQ+ communities around the world.

The new Pride Edition Sport Band is now available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting next week. In the U.S., the band costs $49.

Apple says the band features rainbow stripes that vary in shape and size, with no two bands looking exactly alike:

Featuring a tapestry of rainbow stripes that vary in shape and size, each Pride Edition Sport Band is assembled by hand from individual stripes of vibrant color that are compression-molded together, creating subtle yet striking variations. No two bands are exactly alike, reflecting the individuality of all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

A matching Pride Harmony watch face features rainbow stripes that dynamically shift to form large hour numerals as users raise their wrist to check the time.

A matching iPhone and iPad wallpaper features colorful stripes that change position as users move, lock, or unlock their devices.

The watch face and wallpaper will be available in upcoming watchOS 11.5, iOS 18.5, and iPadOS 18.5 software updates, according to Apple. The watch face will be available through the Apple Watch and Apple Store apps, and on Apple.com.

In addition to the Pride Collection, Apple said it is proud to financially support organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities.
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Apple is actively testing an under-display Face ID system on a prototype iPhone 18 Pro model with a single hole-punch camera in its display, claimed a Chinese leaker on Monday.


According to the Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station, Apple is testing under-display 3D facial recognition for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, which are expected to launch next year.

Digital Chat Station has sources in the Apple supply chain, as evidenced by previous claims by the leaker that have later turned out to be accurate. The leaker's latest claim corroborates a report by The Information over the weekend that said Apple's two-generations-away iPhone 18 Pro models will likely feature under-screen Face ID, with only a small hole in the top-left corner of the screen to accommodate the front-facing camera.

Under-display Face ID presents a major engineering challenge, as it requires Apple to integrate complex infrared facial recognition sensors beneath the iPhone's OLED display without compromising accuracy or reliability.

Unlike a simple front-facing camera, Face ID relies on projecting and reading thousands of infrared dots to create a detailed depth map of the user's face. OLED panels naturally block or scatter much of this infrared light, making it difficult for the system to function properly under the screen.

To overcome this, Apple is likely testing ways to allow more IR light through specific parts of the display while minimizing distortion and maintaining image fidelity. This will probably require redesigning both the hardware components and the software algorithms to compensate for signal loss and optical interference. Apple would have to make sure it matches the performance and security of the current Face ID system before it's ready for widespread adoption.

Meanwhile, for the front-facing selfie camera, Apple is said to be using a single HIIA (hole-in-active-area) hole punch in the active display area. HIAA is a display manufacturing technique developed by Samsung and other display makers that integrates front-facing cameras into OLED panels without compromising too much screen real estate. The technique involves precisely drilling a small hole within the active pixel area using laser micro-drilling.

According to Digital Chat Station, the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18 Air will continue to use the current two front-facing sensor holes and one for the camera, concealed within the Dynamic Island. Apple is now expected to launch the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027 – a full six months after the iPhone 18 Pro models – as part of a rejigged split iPhone annual launch strategy, as per The Information report and since corroborated by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
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Apple will launch the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027, marking a major shift in the company's release strategy beginning in 2026.


According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to split its flagship iPhone lineup between two launch windows annually. The iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in the second half of 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and an updated iPhone 18e will follow in the first half of 2027. Here's how Kuo sees the next two and a half years of iPhone launches shaping up:

• 2H25: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim (Air), iPhone 17


• 1H26: iPhone 17e


• 2H26: iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Slim (Air)


• 1H27: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e


• 2H27: iPhone Foldable 2 (already kicked off), iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Slim (with a larger display vs. 18 Slim)

Kuo attributes this strategic shift to two key factors: addressing the "marketing gap" created by mainly Chinese competitors who typically release flagships in the first half of the year, and preventing "diluted marketing efforts" as Apple's iPhone lineup expands.

Kuo's roadmap tallies up with the latest report from The Information, which revealed Apple's plans to debut the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air, and a new foldable device in fall 2026, with standard models following in spring 2027.

The staggered approach would also help Apple manage manufacturing resources more efficiently as its lineup grows to six devices instead of five. If implemented, it would be the first deliberate separation of Apple's flagship iPhone releases since the company established its annual fall launch pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.
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Apple will launch its second foldable iPhone in the second half of 2027, as part of a major shake-up of its iPhone launch strategy, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


According to Kuo's latest report outlining Apple's new staggered iPhone roadmap through 2027, Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in the second half of next year, followed by a second-generation model a year later in 2027, which will be the 20th anniversary of the iPhone.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month reported that Apple in 2027 plans to launch a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold" new iPhone Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass. He did not say which generation of foldable it would be.

However, Gurman had previously said he expects Apple's first book-style foldable iPhone to be released next year, so it was presumed that the "foldable version" he said is coming in 2027 would be a second iteration of that model. Kuo's latest report therefore appears to back up this interpretation.
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Apple plans to launch an iPhone 19 Air with a larger display in the second half of 2027, as part of the company's evolving product strategy, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


According to Kuo's latest report outlining Apple's roadmap through 2027, the iPhone 19 Air will feature a larger display compared to the iPhone 18 Air model that's expected to debut a year earlier.

While specific dimensions weren't disclosed, Kuo specifically noted the device would offer "a larger display vs. 18 Slim" in his product timeline. Kuo presumably uses the "Slim" nomenclature as a placeholder for Apple's rumored ultra-thin device – the first of which is expected this September – which we are calling the iPhone 17 Air.

The rumored iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display, which means it will be larger than the iPhone 17 but smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The expanded Air lineup appears to be part of Apple's broader strategy to diversify its product offerings in response to competitive pressure. Kuo highlighted "intense competition, particularly in China" as a key driver behind Apple's plans to adopt a bi-annual release schedule starting in 2026.

The analyst's roadmap also indicates Apple will introduce its first foldable iPhone in late 2026, followed by a second generation in late 2027 alongside the larger iPhone 19 Air, suggesting an expansion of form factors in Apple's smartphone lineup over the next few years. 2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, and at least one new iPhone model launching in 2027 will have a truly edge-to-edge display, according to The Information.

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Apple will launch an iPhone 17e in the first half of next year, according to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


Corroborating a recent report that Apple will switch to a split iPhone launch strategy, Kuo on Monday offered his own interpretation of Apple's roadmap for the next two years:

• 2H25: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17


• 1H26: iPhone 17e


• 2H26: iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Slim


• 1H27: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e


• 2H27: iPhone Foldable 2 (already kicked off), iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Slim (with a larger display vs. 18 Slim)

Earlier this year, Apple launched the iPhone 16e, a more affordable iPhone 16 model that starts at $599 in the United States and replaces the entry-level iPhone SE line. Over the weekend, The Information outlined a long list of iPhone models that Apple plans to release in 2025, 2026, and 2027, including an iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, but there was no mention of an iPhone 17e coming next year.

Kuo's roadmap for upcoming iPhone releases shows Apple planning to split its launch cadence with models arriving in both the first half (1H) and second half (2H) of the year beginning in 2026. The schedule includes the iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone in late 2026, with standard iPhone 18 models following in early 2027.

The analyst cites two key factors driving this strategy shift. First, Apple's competitors typically release new flagship phones in the first half of the year, creating a "marketing gap" that Apple aims to close. Second, Apple's expanding iPhone lineup risks "diluting marketing efforts" if all models launch simultaneously.

Chinese smartphone manufacturers including Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, and Vivo have been steadily eroding Apple's market share in China with their competitive flagship devices typically launched in the first half of the year. Huawei's recent resurgence in the premium smartphone segment has posed a particular challenge to Apple's position.

Apple's shift to a split cycle roadmap would be the first time Apple has deliberately separated its flagship iPhone lineup releases since establishing its fall launch pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.
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Amazon this weekend is providing record low prices on multiple models of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Colors on sale at this price include Purple, Space Gray, and Starlight.

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Compared to past sales, this is a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the tablet, and it's been a few weeks since we last saw it. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99, both $100 discounts and available in multiple colors.





Deals on cellular models are a bit rarer on Amazon, with one color of the 128GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $549.00 and a few colors of the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $649.00, both $100 off.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

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Amazon this weekend has record low prices across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, with up to $165 off every model in every color. Amazon has record low prices on a few Apple products right now, all of which you can catch up with in our Best Apple Deals of the Week post.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the 13-inch models, Amazon has up to $162 off all three of the new configurations of this notebook. Prices start at $849.00 for the 256GB model, then raise to $1,037.19 for the 16GB/512GB model and $1,249.00 for the 24GB/512GB model. All of these are new all-time low prices, beating the previous lows by more than $50.





Moving to the larger display models, Amazon has both 512GB versions of the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week, as well as the 256GB model. The 16GB/512GB model is available for $1,249.00 and the 24GB/512GB model is on sale for $1,434.00. Similar to the 13-inch models, these are all new record low prices.





If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Earlier this year, Apple released the iPhone 16e, a more affordable iPhone 16 model that starts at $599 in the United States.


While the iPhone 16e effectively replaced the iPhone SE, it is also a first-of-its-kind device, so the release cadence for future models has yet to be established. In other words, it is unclear if Apple will release an iPhone 17e next year.

Apple only updated the iPhone SE once every few years, and a new report suggests that trend might continue with the "e" model.

The Information today outlined a long list of iPhone models that Apple plans to release in 2025, 2026, and 2027, including an iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027. The report made no mention of an iPhone 17e, so such a model is looking less likely.

From the report:

The iPhone 18 series will include updated versions of Apple’s thin iPhone, Pro and Pro Max, along with the new foldable device. In spring 2027, Apple plans to release the standard iPhone 18 and a successor to the more budget-friendly iPhone 16e, the people said.

In his newsletter last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has yet to reach a final decision on releasing an iPhone 17e.

All in all, an iPhone 17e is looking less likely as of now. But, things can change.
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Apple's former design chief Jony Ive long dreamed of an iPhone with a truly all-screen design, and his wish might finally become reality in a few more years.


The Information today cited multiple sources who said that at least one new iPhone model launching in 2027 will have a truly edge-to-edge display. The device's front camera and Face ID system would both be placed under the screen.

2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, so the all-screen design could arrive at a significant moment in the device's history.

As a stepping stone towards this all-screen design, the report said that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with under-screen Face ID, with only a small pinhole remaining for the front camera on those devices.

The all-screen design would likely be reserved for higher-end iPhones, so it is likely coming on the iPhone 19 Pro models in September 2027.
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Apple's two-generations-away iPhone 18 Pro models will likely feature under-screen Face ID, according to The Information.


The paywalled report today cited a source who said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have only a small hole in top-left corner of the screen, to accommodate the front-facing camera, with all Face ID hardware moved under the screen.

With under-screen Face ID, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro models would no longer have a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen. However, it is unclear if that means the Dynamic Island feature would be discontinued.

Display industry analyst Ross Young also previously claimed that iPhone 18 Pro models would feature under-screen Face ID, so this rumor is now backed by multiple sources. Apple is expected to introduce the devices in September 2026.
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Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information. Apple will release the more expensive ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro models in the fall, delaying the release of the standard ‌iPhone‌ 18 until the spring.


The shift may be because Apple plans to debut a foldable ‌iPhone‌ in 2026, which will join the existing ‌iPhone‌ lineup. The fall release will include the ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro, the ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro Max, an ‌iPhone‌ 18 Air, and the new foldable ‌iPhone‌.

Later, in spring 2027, Apple will release the standard ‌iPhone‌ 18 and an updated version of the iPhone 16e. The less expensive ‌iPhone‌ models will undergo manufacturing trials in India as Apple expands efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

Shifting the release schedule will make it easier for Apple to manage an ‌iPhone‌ lineup that has six devices instead of five, as The Information suggests that a staggered launch would cut down on the number of manufacturing workers that Apple needs to employ at one time.

The 2026 Pro ‌iPhone‌ models could have under-display Face ID for the first time, with the hardware needed for facial recognition embedded underneath the display. A pinhole would remain for the front-facing camera.

The foldable 2026 ‌iPhone‌ will have a book-style design with a 5.7-inch outer display when closed and an inner display close to eight inches when open.
This article, "Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air model will have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, according to a paywalled The Information report.


In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to the report. For other iPhone models, the report said that metric is apparently between 80% and 90%.

The reduced battery life is due in part to the iPhone 17 Air's ultra-thin 5.5mm design, which would make it the thinnest iPhone ever.

To mitigate this problem, the report said that Apple is planning to release a battery case as an optional accessory for the iPhone 17 Air.

Apple last released battery cases for the iPhone 11 lineup, followed by the since-discontinued MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 models and newer. A battery case both protects an iPhone and provides additional battery life as necessary.

The report added that Apple's supply chain is uncertain about how much demand there will be for the iPhone 17 Air, given it will be an all-new model with a unique form factor. As a result, the suppliers are initially only dedicating about 10% of production capacity for the iPhone 17 series to the iPhone 17 Air, according to the report.

The report reiterated that the iPhone 17 Air will have only a single speaker, a single rear camera, and no SIM card slot worldwide.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 Air in September.
This article, "iPhone 17 Air Expected to Have Battery Case Due to 'Worse' Battery Life" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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