Apple is still working on a Ring-like home security camera that will integrate into the Home app, reports Bloomberg. It's unclear when the camera might launch, but it could come alongside or after the smart home hub that's expected in 2026.


The camera will feature a battery that could last for several months to a year, and it in addition to being useful for security, it will be able to detect people and sense motion for Home automation purposes. From Bloomberg:

The device has facial recognition and infrared sensors to determine who is in a room. Apple believes users will place cameras throughout their home to help with automation. That could mean turning lights off when someone leaves a room or automatically playing music liked by a particular family member.

Apple is working on multiple types of cameras and home security products, including a doorbell that uses facial recognition for unlocking a door. Apple is aiming to establish a foothold in the smart home product market, competing with Amazon's Ring brand and Google's Nest brand.

The HomeKit smart home platform already supports cameras developed by third-party manufacturers, with Apple offering secure cloud-based storage through iCloud.
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The iPad-like smart home hub that Apple is developing isn't going to launch until mid-2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the device as soon as 2025, but it was delayed because of Apple's issues with the Apple Intelligence version of Siri.


The device will feature a built-in 7-inch display and a speaker, and it supposedly looks similar to the Google Nest Hub. Gurman describes it as "shaped like a square" with thin black or white bezels, rounded corners, and a half-dome-shaped base.

The hub, which is codenamed J490, will run an operating system codenamed "Charismatic." Charismatic is different from iOS, macOS, and tvOS in that it is designed to be used by multiple members of the household. The interface centers on clock faces and widgets for Apple apps, and it could have a ‌Siri‌ virtual interface that gives ‌Siri‌ a more personified look. Apple is said to be testing a look for ‌Siri‌ that resembles the Mac Finder icon.

A front-facing camera will scan a person's face as they approach, providing content and features specific to each user. There won't be a dedicated App Store, but the device will run Apple apps like Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes. Apple expects users to control the smart home hub with voice-based commands, though it does have a touch screen. References to J490 have already been found in Apple's code.

‌Siri‌ will be central to the hub, and Apple is working on a version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by large language models. Apple wants ‌Siri‌ to be able to incorporate personal data to provide a richer experience for users. The functionality was originally meant to be included in iOS 18, but now an expanded LLM version of ‌Siri‌ is coming instead. Apple could be ready to launch LLM ‌Siri‌ "as early as next spring." A visually redesigned version of ‌Siri‌ for iPhones and iPads could also come at some point in 2026.

Apple is testing an LLM version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by its own internal models, but it is also simultaneously working on a version that uses outside technology from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Apple hasn't made a final decision on which model it will use.

The Charismatic operating system and the new version of ‌Siri‌ will also be the basis for a separate tabletop robot that Apple is working on for a 2027 launch.
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Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."


The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for ‌Siri‌'s look. From Bloomberg:

The idea is for the device to act like a person in a room. It could interrupt a conversation between friends about dinner plans, say, and suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. It's also being designed to engage in back-and-forth discussions for things like planning a trip or getting tasks done -- similar to OpenAI's voice mode.

Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.

At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as ‌Siri‌'s visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌, and the LLM ‌Siri‌ won't come until after that.

Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.
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In case you missed it, Walmart is currently offering the older but still very capable MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $599 in the United States.


It seems like this deal began around Amazon's four-day Prime Day event in early July, but it flew under our radar until a reader let us know about it today.

Apple first released the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in November 2020, as one of the first Macs with an Apple silicon chip, instead of an Intel processor. The configuration being sold for $599 includes the M1 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM, with Gold, Silver, and Space Gray color options all available as of this writing.

To the best of our knowledge, these MacBook Air units remain in brand-new condition, with the product listing not indicating they are refurbished.

Apple discontinued the MacBook Air with the M1 chip last year, after it launched models with the M3 chip, and it has since updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. Prior to being discontinued, the model with the M1 chip was being sold for a starting price of $999 brand new, but Amazon sometimes offered it on sale for $899.

While the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is nearly five years old, it is still a capable machine for many average day-to-day tasks. However, it has an older design, and it is the oldest MacBook Air model compatible with the upcoming macOS Tahoe update, so those aspects should be factored into your purchasing decision.

Walmart first began selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip for $699 in March 2024. It has since dropped the price two times — first to $649, and now to $599. It is unclear how long supplies will last, but rumors suggest that Apple has a new MacBook with an A18 Pro chip in the pipeline, and that model is also predicted to cost between $599 and $699.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart, and we may receive a small payment if you click a link in this article and proceed to make a purchase.
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Apple has uploaded all of macOS Tahoe's beautiful new screen savers to its servers, and you can watch them right now without waiting for the operating system's release. The collection showcases some breathtaking aerial footage and nature scenes from the likes of India that will grace Mac screens later this year.


Rather than waiting to see what Apple has in store, you can preview every single screen saver from the upcoming macOS release immediately. Each video streams directly from Apple's content delivery network in high quality, so you can ignore any warnings your browser throws up.

How to Watch macOS Tahoe Screen Savers

Simply click any of the links below to start streaming the screen savers instantly in your browser in glorious 4K at 240 frames per second.

Lake Tahoe Collection

• Tahoe Day


• Tahoe Evening


• Tahoe Morning


• Tahoe Night

Himalayan Landscapes

• Himalayan Peaks


• Himalayas Day


• Through Himalayas

Indian Coastal and Natural Scenes

• Goa Beaches


• Goa Coast


• Reservoir Day


• Tea Gardens Day


• Tea Gardens Mist


• Tea Gardens from Above


• Ghansali from Above


• The Ganges

They also function as dynamic wallpapers that adapt throughout the day. Setting them from the Screen Saver section in System Settings makes both your wallpaper and screen saver change to the selected scene. They'll animate as screen savers and smoothly slow to a freeze-frame when you unlock to your desktop, just like Apple's existing aerial screen savers.


Alternatively, choosing them from the Wallpaper section changes only your desktop background without animation, but the wallpaper will still dynamically adjust its brightness and darkness to match your time of day.

• tvOS 26 Brings New Aerial Screen Saver Controls to Apple TV

These screen savers will automatically become available to all Mac owners when macOS Tahoe releases, but streaming or downloading them now gives you an early taste of what's coming to your desktop.
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Apple is preparing to offer in-store iPad repairs for the first time, according to French site iGeneration.


The report claims that by the end of 2025, around 30 Apple Stores will be able to carry out certain ‌iPad‌ repairs directly with on-site technicians. The participating stores will be mostly located in the United States.

Today, Apple resolves ‌iPad‌ hardware problems in Apple Stores by simply offering a complete replacement of the device, often with a quote at the maximum out-of-warranty price. The faulty or broken device is then sent to a repair center.

The final invoice is apparently often revised down since the repair subcontractor only replaces the damaged part, but an accurate picture of the final repair price is not provided during the customer's first appointment at the Genius Bar. Apple is now seemingly looking to overhaul this system starting in September, providing exact quotes just like it does for iPhone and Mac repairs.

Earlier this year, Apple announced that its Self Service Repair program would expand to the ‌iPad‌ lineup for the first time.
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The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro might be more expensive than the iPhone 16 Pro, according to some leakers and analysts. Will it, though?


If that sounds like a familiar rumor to you, that is because it is:

• iPhone 14 Pro price increase rumor


• iPhone 15 Pro price increase rumor


• iPhone 16 Pro price increase rumor

A previously-accurate leaker on the Chinese platform Weibo claimed the smaller iPhone 17 Pro model with a 6.3-inch display will start at $1,049 in the U.S. with 256GB of storage, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB of storage.

Apple has offered at least one Pro model or equivalent tier of the iPhone at a starting price of $999 in the U.S. since the iPhone X was released in 2017, so the iPhone 17 Pro would break an eight-year streak held by the company.

The starting prices of each model in the U.S.:

• iPhone X: $999


• iPhone XS: $999


• iPhone 11 Pro: $999


• iPhone 12 Pro: $999


• iPhone 13 Pro: $999


• iPhone 14 Pro: $999


• iPhone 15 Pro: $999


• iPhone 16 Pro: $999


• iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049?

If the iPhone 17 Pro lacks a 128GB storage tier, some might argue that this is not a price increase anyway. In fact, $1,049 would be a price decrease for the 256GB configuration. On the other hand, customers who do not want to pay more than $999 for the Pro model would lose that option. This was a hotly-debated topic when Apple dropped the 128GB tier for the Pro Max model with the iPhone 15 Pro Max a few years ago.

In any case, Apple has proven the price increase rumors wrong year after year, so it deserves the benefit of the doubt. But, nothing lasts forever. If the $999 streak finally does come to an end, you can probably blame it on a combination of tariffs and higher inflation in recent years, although Apple is unlikely to mention that.

At this point, though, it is a see-it-to-believe-it situation.

We'll find out next month.
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Rumors continue to surface about Apple launching an affordable MacBook as early as this year.


Below, we recap all of the reports and rumors so far.

Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes expects the laptop to have a starting price of between $599 and $699 in the United States.

The publication said the lower-cost MacBook will be equipped with a 12.9-inch display, and a version of the A18 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro models last year. It would become the first Mac to ever use an A-series chip from an iPhone.

The lower-cost MacBook could launch in late 2025 or early 2026, according to the report.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In late June, he also said the laptop will have around a 13-inch display, and an A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so the laptop could come in bright colors, like the iMac.

A18 Pro specs include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip is around 40% slower than the M4 chip, but its performance is comparable to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $649 $599.

In the iPhone 16 Pro models, the A18 Pro chip has 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. In addition, the chip lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports. They would look the same as Thunderbolt ports, but data transfer speeds would be limited to up to 10 Gb/s, and the new MacBook might natively support only a single external display, but that limitation can be overcome with DisplayLink adapters.

The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, an M4 chip, and a starting price of $999. However, the latest MacBook Air is often on sale on Amazon for as low as $799.

Apple often announces new Macs in October, so stay tuned.
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In iOS 26, Apple has a helpful new feature that notifies you when your iPhone's camera lens needs cleaning – something Android devices have offered for years. Here's how to turn on this smart notification system.


Whenever your iPhone's camera is active, iOS 26 monitors the incoming light for signs of reduced clarity or smudging that could indicate a dirty lens. When triggered, you'll see a discrete alert suggesting you clean your camera lens to improve image quality.

To benefit from the feature, you'll need an iPhone running iOS 26 (currently in beta). It's currently unclear which models support Lens Cleaning Hints, but you can check by looking for the following toggle:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.


2. Scroll down and tap Camera.


3. Toggle on Lens Cleaning Hints.

Once enabled, your iPhone will analyze image quality and display a notification in the Camera app when it detects your rear camera lens could benefit from cleaning.

• Will My iPhone Support iOS 26?

This feature joins another camera-related change in iOS 26 – a completely redesigned Camera app interface that includes a new minimalist navigation bar. If you don't have the beta software installed, you shouldn't have long to wait: Apple is expected to officially release iOS 26 in September.
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Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner, with the iPhone 17 series expected to be announced in early September, and availability to follow later in the month. As always, the Pro and Pro Max models will have the most new features.


Below, we have recapped rumors about four of the most interesting iPhone 17 Pro features. This list is subjective, of course, so sound off in the comments section.

12GB of RAM

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models are rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, which would be an increase over the 8GB of RAM in the iPhone 16 Pro models.

Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance, including for Apple Intelligence.

Even the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, while the base-model iPhone 17 is expected to remain at 8GB of RAM.

Up to 8× Optical Zoom

iPhone 17 Pro models are widely expected to be equipped with an upgraded 48-megapixel Telephoto camera, and it might offer up to 8× optical zoom.

Specifically, it has been rumored that the Telephoto lens in the iPhone 17 Pro models will be able to move, allowing for multiple focal lengths. As a result, a tipster claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will let you switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom, without tricks like sensor cropping. A moving Telephoto lens would require more parts and internal space, which could explain why the camera bump is expected to be larger on iPhone 17 Pro models.


On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens has a fixed focal length of 120mm, and it offers a single 5× optical zoom option. Apple says the devices also have a 2× optical zoom option, but that uses the main rear camera with sensor cropping, which in simple terms is a technique that effectively zooms in on the center of a larger photo.

Anti-Reflective Display

While it has been an on-again, off-again rumor, the latest word is that all iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display (option?) with a matte finish.

If this rumor is true, perhaps the iPhone will get the same nano-texture glass option that Apple's online store offers for select higher-end configurations of the iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro. In the U.S., for example, a nano-texture display is a $100 upgrade option for iPad Pro models equipped with 1TB or 2TB of storage. Nano-texture glass is also an upgrade option for Apple's Studio Display and Pro Display XDR monitors.

On the other hand, perhaps it will just be a more basic anti-reflective coating that is included on all iPhone 17 models at no extra cost.

For the iPad Pro, Apple says nano-texture glass "reduces glare and is perfect for high-end, color-managed workflows and demanding lighting environments."

Video Recording Enhancements

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple is planning to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities.

Here is what he said about that:

In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera's photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025's iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.

One specific rumor is that the Camera app on the iPhone 17 Pro models will let users record video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously.

It has even been rumored that Apple might offer a "Camera Pro" app of sorts, for both photos and videos, but the source behind this information does not have an established track record yet. The app would compete with the likes of Halide, Kino, and Filmic Pro. It is unclear if the app would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro models.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Just Weeks Away — Here Are the Top 4 Rumored Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is testing Douyin Pay support for the App Store in China, according to the South China Morning Post.


Douyin Pay launched in January 2021 as a payment feature within Douyin, ByteDance's Chinese short video platform that serves as the domestic counterpart to TikTok. Douyin has approximately 766.5 million monthly active users in China, making it one of the country's most heavily used apps. Its payment service allows users to link bank accounts and conduct transactions within Douyin's ecosystem, including livestream shopping and in-app purchases.

Once the testing period concludes, the ByteDance-owned service would join Ant Group's Alipay, Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay, and state-run China UnionPay as available payment options for ‌App Store‌ purchases in mainland China. Apple introduced Alipay support for the ‌App Store‌ in 2016 and added WeChat Pay in 2017, while UnionPay has long since been integrated through credit and debit card support.


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Amazon and Best Buy are both discounting Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro to record low prices this week, offering $300 off select models of the computer. In this article we're focusing on the 10-core configurations of the computer, but you'll also find sales on other M4 MacBook Pros at both retailers.

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 10-core 16GB RAM/512GB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,299.00 [Amazon/Best Buy], down from $1,599.00. This is the entry-level model of the M4 MacBook Pro, and it's never dropped below this price.



You can also get both 1TB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro on sale this week. The 10-core 16GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,499.00 [Amazon/Best Buy] and the 10-core 24GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,699.00 [Amazon/Best Buy]. Both of these are also $300 discounts and record low prices on each computer.




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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Netflix appears to have finished deploying its redesigned interface for Apple TV with version 3.0 of the app now available, bringing a months-long rollout that began with other TV platforms earlier this year to a close. Netflix has been testing a redesigned version of its TV app since last year, and the new look is a notable departure from the previous design.


There is a new home page that has a streamlined, modern design, and Netflix designed it to put content front and center. The redesigned interface loses the left-hand sidebar navigation that Netflix has used since 2018 and replaces it with a top menu bar that relocates Search, Home, Shows, Movies, Games, and My Netflix.

The My List and My Netflix sections have been merged with the aim of streamlining access to personal content. The featured program on the home screen also gets a clearer display, presented in a large card isolated from the rest of the interface. Meanwhile, each section features a large main card that has information like release date and show or movie description.

Users will notice that when scrolling content, the static tiles for TV shows and movies have been replaced with tiles that extend when the remote lands on them, making information like the trailer and description more centralized.

The new design hinges on recommendations, which have been improved. You'll see more relevant, personalized content suggestions based on your past viewing history. Netflix says that recommendations will be more responsive to each user's "moods and interests in the moment."

Netflix has also added contextual labels to provide more information about recommended content. New labels include mentions like "Recent addition" and "No. 3 in movies" to give users better context about why content is being recommended.


Version 3.0 of the Netflix app on Apple TV requires tvOS 17 or later. The Apple TV rollout comes several months after Netflix first announced the redesign in May. Users may need to manually update the app via the App Store on their Apple TV to see the new changes, as the interface update isn't appearing automatically for all users.

On iOS devices, Netflix is still experimenting with a generative AI search feature that will let Netflix users search for shows and movies using conversational language like "I want to watch something funny and upbeat." The feature remains available as a small, opt-in beta.
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Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will have a starting price that is $50 more than the iPhone 16 Pro but it will come with a minimum 256GB of storage, doubling the base capacity compared to last year's model. The information comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, posting on Weibo. The account, which has 1.5 million followers, has now made the claim three separate times in recent weeks.


Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB storage for $999, while the 256GB version costs $1,099. By contrast, the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max already begins at 256GB for $1,199. Both Pro models offer up to 1TB of storage.

Before the launch of the iPhone 15 series in 2023, there were rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would drop the 128GB tier and start at $1,199, up from $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The rumor proved accurate, but only because Apple eliminated the lower storage option, effectively raising the entry price.

Apple may be preparing a similar shift for the iPhone 17 Pro. A new 256GB base model could be priced at $1,049, replacing the 128GB model at $999. Rather than a straightforward $50 price hike, this move could be perceived by customers as better value, offering more storage for only a modest increase – and simplifying the lineup in the process.

In July, Jefferies reported that Apple plans to raise prices across the iPhone 17 lineup by $50, citing higher component costs and tariffs related to China. Instant Digital echoed this expectation in a previous post. The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

Instant Digital has shared accurate Apple information before, including the Yellow iPhone 14 launch, iPhone 15's frosted glass back, spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro, M4 iPad Pro's nano-texture display, and iPhone 16 Pro battery specs. Their claims are therefore worth taking seriously.

We'll know for sure soon enough. Apple is rumored to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, with a potential launch date of September 19.
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U.S. Apple Watch owners who signed up to receive a payment from an Apple lawsuit settlement over swollen batteries have started receiving their money this week.


The lawsuit was filed in 2021, but Apple agreed to pay a $20 million settlement in January of this year to avoid further legal fees. Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 owners had until April 10 to submit claims, but anyone who had reported a battery swelling issue to Apple was automatically eligible for a payment.

Payments are being distributed in the form of a prepaid Mastercard, so if you receive an unexpected email about the Smith et.al v. Apple Inc. Settlement with an included prepaid card, that's what it is. Apple Watch owners were supposed to receive $20 minimum with the potential for more based on the number of claims, and one Reddit user said they received a little over $25.

The lawsuit suggested that early Apple Watch models had a design defect with the battery and the display. Battery swelling could put pressure on the Apple Watch face, causing the display to detach. The plaintiffs claimed that this led to operational failures and injuries from the "razor-sharp edges" of broken screens.

Apple was accused of knowing about the defect and selling the Apple Watch models anyway, with the plaintiffs seeking general, special, incidental, statutory, punitive, and consequential damages, as well as the costs for replacing their Apple Watches. While Apple settled, the company denies any wrongdoing and denies that the Apple Watches had issues.
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Apple today responded to Elon Musk's claims that the App Store favors OpenAI's ChatGPT app, telling Bloomberg's Mark Gurman that the ‌App Store‌ is "fair and free of bias."

The App Store is designed to be fair and free of bias. We feature thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations, and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria. Our goal is to offer safe discovery for users and valuable opportunities for developers, collaborating with many to increase app visibility in rapidly evolving categories.

Yesterday, Musk threatened to sue Apple, and claimed that the company was violating antitrust rules by favoring ChatGPT over other AI apps like Grok. "Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the ‌App Store‌, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation. xAI will take immediate legal action," Musk said.

Musk did not provide any evidence or further information on Apple's alleged antitrust violations, but he seems to have missed that AI app DeepSeek hit number one on the ‌App Store‌ charts earlier this year. ChatGPT continues to be in the number one position on the free apps chart, with Grok in the number five spot. X is number 32.

Musk also claimed that Apple "refuses" to put the X or Grok apps in the ‌App Store‌'s "Must Have" section, where ChatGPT is listed. Grok has recently been updated with adult-themed content that includes celebrity deepfakes, and it regularly makes headlines for its questionable Musk-guided responses to queries.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Musk's claims of Apple favoritism by pointing out that Musk has manipulated X algorithms to benefit himself and his companies.

Apple is already facing an antitrust lawsuit levied by the U.S. Department of Justice, and it is still appealing a recent ruling in the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit that required major ‌App Store‌ changes.
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With Apple paying tariffs on imports from many of the countries where it sources devices and device components, there have been multiple rumors about possible price increases for the iPhone 17 models.


The tariff situation has been in flux for most of the year, leading to a lot of uncertainty. We've rounded up the pricing rumors we've heard so far, and provided context on the latest tariff situation.

Pricing Rumors

• Jeff Pu (GF Securities), August 2025 - Prices are "likely" to go up, no specific numbers provided.


• Instant Digital (Weibo), August 2025 - iPhone 17 Pro to be $50 more expensive, but start with 256GB of storage instead of 128GB.


• Edison Lee (Jefferies), July 2025 - Prices will go up $50 across the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup.


• WSJ, May 2025 - Apple considering increasing ‌iPhone 17‌ prices. No specific numbers provided.


• Reuters, April 2025 - iPhone could cost up to $2,300 with tariffs.


• CNBC, April 2025 - Apple would need to raise prices by 17 to 18 percent to offset tariffs.


• Counterpoint Research, April 2025 - Apple would need to raise prices 30 percent to offset tariffs.

Most speculation about a potential price increase is outdated at this point, or analysts have shied away from providing specific numbers. The most concrete recent rumor we've seen is the July Jefferies prediction suggesting a $50 increase across the lineup.

Reciprocal Tariff Changes and Exemptions

When high reciprocal tariffs were first announced against countries like China, India, Vietnam, and Malaysia in April, there were fears that Apple could be hit with huge fees. Tariffs were pushed back, negotiated, and Apple CEO Tim Cook was at work behind the scenes negotiating, and at this point, Apple is going to be subject to minimal tariffs.

Shortly after the tariffs were announced, the Trump administration exempted a long list of products from being subject to tariffs, and that list included almost all of Apple's devices. The ‌iPhone‌, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices are exempt from reciprocal tariffs, which were the highest tariffs that were put in place.

The upcoming 50 percent tariff on imported goods from India is a reciprocal tariff, which Apple does not have to pay at the current time. Apple also does not pay the current 25 percent fee. The high reciprocal tariffs on China are paused again, but Apple wouldn't need to pay that anyway.

When semiconductors and related products were exempted from reciprocal tariffs in April, Trump promised that there was a semiconductor-specific tariff in the works that could be applicable to Apple.

Earlier this month, Trump claimed there would be a 100 percent tariff on chips and semiconductors imported into the United States, but he said that companies that are building in the United States or that have committed to building in the U.S. will not have to pay those tariffs.

Apple has pledged to spend $600 billion on U.S. manufacturing, and won't have to pay that semiconductor tariff. That tariff isn't in place yet, and the terms are unknown, so it's still just talk at this point.

What Apple's Actually Paying

While Apple is exempt from the reciprocal tariff fees on semiconductors and related devices, it does have to pay other tariffs that are in place. That includes the 20 percent "Fentanyl Tariff" on goods imported from China that Trump enacted earlier this year, and tariffs on products that are not exempt.

During Apple's July earnings call, Apple CEO ‌Tim Cook‌ said that Apple paid $800 million in tariff related costs in the June quarter, and that it is expecting $1.1 billion in tariff costs in the September quarter. That estimate assumes the current tariff situation remains unchanged and no additional tariffs are added.

So Will Prices Go Up?

In Q4 2024, ‌iPhone‌ revenue was $46 billion. If we use that number and the $1.1 billion estimate from Apple, tariffs would eat up around 2.4 percent of ‌iPhone‌ revenue. Apple could make that up by increasing costs around $20 per ‌iPhone‌. Increasing costs of one model by $50 (as rumored for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌) could also help offset the cost without Apple having to raise prices on all devices.

The $1.1 billion is not only applicable to the ‌iPhone‌ and applies to all products, so the iPhone-specific impact would be lower.

Of course, that assumes the tariffs are not changing, and it also doesn't take into account any potential component cost increases. Apple's exemption from some tariffs does not mean that the company's suppliers aren't seeing an effect from tariffs and other related pressures.

Apple hasn't raised the $799 price of the base ‌iPhone‌ model for the last five years, so price increases on some models while keeping the base price intact seems like a possibility.

Apple also has a wild card slot with the iPhone 17 Air, because it's an all-new device and we don't have an existing model to compare it to. Right now, rumors suggest it'll be $899, which is the same starting price as the iPhone 16 Plus.
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It is now mid-August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner.


This year, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17, the all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Here are some of the key rumors for those devices:

• iPhone 17: Same design as iPhone 16, but with an A19 chip, a larger 6.3-inch display, an upgraded 24-megapixel front camera, and possibly 120Hz support.


• iPhone 17 Air: All-new model with an ultra-thin and lightweight design, 6.6-inch display, A19 chip, 12GB of RAM, single 48-megapixel rear camera, 24-megapixel front camera, single speaker, and an optional battery case.


• iPhone 17 Pro: A redesigned rear camera bump with a trio of 48-megapixel cameras, an aluminum frame, an A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, an orange or copper color option, and potentially a vapor chamber cooling system.


• iPhone 17 Pro Max: All of the iPhone 17 Pro features listed above, plus a slightly thicker design for a larger and longer-lasting battery.

We are still waiting for Apple to announce the iPhone 17 event, which is rumored to take place on Tuesday, September 9. If that timing is accurate, then the most likely date for Apple to announce the event with one of its clever taglines would be Tuesday, August 26, as the company typically provides two weeks' notice.

Of course, these dates are not official yet.

Since 2020, iPhone event videos have been pre-recorded, but in recent years Apple has invited select reporters to the Steve Jobs Theater to watch the video in person. Afterwards, attendees receive hands-on time with the new devices.

The table below provides an overview of dates for the last six iPhone events, with 2020 and 2021 being outliers due to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

iPhone Series	Announcement Date	Event Date	Delta (Days)
iPhone 16	Monday, August 26, 2024	Monday, September 9, 2024	14
iPhone 15	Tuesday, August 29, 2023	Tuesday, September 12, 2023	14
iPhone 14	Wednesday, August 24, 2022	Wednesday, September 7, 2022	14
iPhone 13	Tuesday, September 7, 2021	Tuesday, September 14, 2021	7
iPhone 12	Tuesday, October 6, 2020	Tuesday, October 13, 2020	7
iPhone 11	Thursday, August 29, 2019	Tuesday, September 10, 2019	12

This article, "When Will Apple Announce the iPhone 17 Event?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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We're just about a month away from Apple's annual September event, and we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. There are some useful new features rumored for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which we've summarized below.

1. Satellite Connectivity - The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will be the first Apple Watch to feature satellite connectivity, allowing wearers to get help even when out of range of cellular towers and Wi-Fi. It will mimic the satellite functionality on the iPhone 14 and later, so it will support off grid texting. With satellite functionality, the Ultra 3 will better compete with satellite wearables from companies like Garmin.


2. Bigger Display - It looks like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will have slimmed down bezels, allowing for more viewable display space. So far, we're not hearing rumors of a larger casing size.


3. 5G - All cellular Apple Watch models use LTE right now, but rumors suggest Apple will adopt MediaTek's modem chip with 5G RedCap support. 5G RedCap is a 5G service designed for wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds, but it should still be faster than LTE.


4. Faster S11 Chip - Apple regularly updates the chips in its Apple Watch models, so the Ultra 3 could get an S11 SoC this year. The S11 is expected to have a more compact, efficient design, and we could see battery life optimizations.


5. Blood Pressure Monitoring - This one isn't a sure thing, but Apple has been working on a blood pressure monitoring feature for the Apple Watch. It may or may not be ready in time for the Ultra 3, because of issues with accuracy and reliability. If it is ready to go, don't expect exact systolic and diastolic readings. Instead, the Apple Watch will monitor for hypertension and send an alert if the condition is detected over time.

Most of these features are also rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, with the exception of satellite connectivity and the larger display. The Series 10 got a display size update last year, and satellite functionality is supposedly going to be an Ultra only selling point.

Both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11 will get watchOS 26, which has the Liquid Glass redesign, an updated Smart Stack and customizable Control Center, and the AI-powered Workout Buddy that'll motivate you to keep fit.

It's looking like Apple could hold its ‌iPhone‌ event on September 9, so that's when we could see the new Apple Watch models debut.
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While the summer months are often relatively quiet for Apple, the company still has many new products coming later this year.


Below, we have outlined at least 10 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each.

This article was originally published last month, and it has been updated with the latest rumors.

iPhone 17 Series

• iPhone 17: Same design as iPhone 16, but with an A19 chip, a larger 6.3-inch display, an upgraded 24-megapixel front camera, and possibly 120Hz support.


• iPhone 17 Air: All-new model with an ultra-thin and lightweight design, 6.6-inch display, A19 chip, 12GB of RAM, single 48-megapixel rear camera, 24-megapixel front camera, single speaker, and an optional battery case.


• iPhone 17 Pro: A redesigned rear camera bump with a trio of 48-megapixel cameras, an aluminum frame, an A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, an orange or copper color option, and potentially a vapor chamber cooling system.


• iPhone 17 Pro Max: All of the iPhone 17 Pro features listed above, plus a slightly thicker design for a larger and longer-lasting battery.

Apple Watches

• Apple Watch Ultra 3: A slightly larger display, 5G support, and satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages in supported areas without Wi-Fi and cellular coverage. Other likely upgrades include an S10 chip or newer, faster charging, and a wide-angle OLED display that is brighter at an angle.


• Apple Watch Series 11: Spec-bump year with an S11 chip and smaller changes, following bigger design updates with the Series 10 last year. iOS 26 beta code apparently includes references to an unreleased "Sleep Score" feature that could be exclusive to the next Apple Watch models.


• Apple Watch SE 3: Larger display sizes are possible. The device was rumored to feature a plastic case in bright color options, but that might not be happening anymore. Not many rumors beyond that yet, but the Apple Watch SE has not been updated since 2022, so it has many features to catch up on.

M5 Chip Devices

Both the iPad Pro and the Vision Pro are expected to be updated with an M5 chip this year.

The next iPad Pro will reportedly also be equipped with two front cameras, for both portrait and landscape orientations, while the updated Vision Pro will reportedly come with a new head strap that makes it easier to wear the headset for extended periods.

No other major design changes are expected for these devices.

The first Macs with the M5 series of chips were initially expected in 2025, but recent rumors suggest they might not launch until 2026.

Home and Accessories

• Apple TV 4K (4th generation): Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, and likely a newer chip than the A15 Bionic in the current model, for faster performance. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.


• HomePod mini (2nd generation): Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, and likely improved sound quality.


• AirTag (2nd generation): Up to 3× longer item tracking range vs. current AirTag, and a more tamper-proof speaker as an anti-stalking measure.

Wild Cards

• AirPods Pro 3: Updated design and improved active noise cancellation, but rumors have been conflicting about a 2025 or 2026 launch.


• Studio Display 2: New model with mini-LED backlighting in late 2025 or early 2026.

There may also new accessories, such as an updated version of the MagSafe Charger for iPhones and new Beats products.

Most of the devices in this list should be announced in September or October this year.
This article, "Apple Launching These 10+ New Products Later This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple launched the HomePod mini almost five years ago and with a successor now on the horizon, here are six things to expect from a second-generation model.

Smart Home Focus

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that, just like the next-generation Apple TV, the new ‌HomePod mini‌ "will be built with Apple's new smart home ecosystem in mind."

It is unclear if the next ‌HomePod mini‌ will have Siri improvements. Unlike Apple's long-rumored smart home hub product, the new ‌HomePod mini‌ is not expected to get Apple Intelligence support.

New Chip

The second-generation ‌HomePod mini‌ is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current ‌HomePod mini‌ is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019.


Apple is likely to opt for the S9 chip, which was a considerable leap forward in terms of performance, or one of its derivatives such as the S10, which is a more compact iteration of the S9. The as-yet unreleased S11 chip for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also an option.

The S5 chip in the ‌HomePod mini‌ is derived from Apple's A12 Bionic architecture but runs at lower clock speeds and is tuned for always-on, low-power operation, making it well-suited for tasks like ‌Siri‌ processing and real-time audio tuning. In contrast, the S9 and S10 chips are based on the A13 chip, offering higher CPU and GPU performance, a more advanced Neural Engine, and greater efficiency per watt.

Custom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Chip

The new ‌HomePod mini‌ will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Gurman.


The chip will apparently support Wi-Fi 6E, which is much faster and has lower latency compared to the current ‌HomePod mini‌'s Wi-Fi 4 connectivity. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference with a compatible router.

Second-Generation Ultra Wideband Chip

Apple could bring its second-generation Ultra Wideband chip to the ‌HomePod mini‌ for a more reliable and lower-latency Handoff experience. The chip debuted in 2023's iPhone 15 lineup.


If present, the chip should allow far more precise spatial awareness than the current model, allowing it to detect the exact position and orientation of nearby devices within a few centimeters. It could also enable novel new features such as auto-adjustment of two stereo paired HomePod minis when one is moved.

Improved Sound Quality

The current ‌HomePod mini‌ uses a single full-range driver powered by a neodymium magnet, paired with two passive radiators. The driver is positioned to fire sound downward into an acoustic waveguide that directs audio 360 degrees.


The waveguide and custom suspension system reduce distortion, while a three-microphone array listens for ‌Siri‌ commands, and a fourth inward-facing mic helps cancel out sound from the speaker so voice pickup remains clear even at high volumes.

Apple could improve the ‌HomePod mini‌'s audio hardware by adding a second active driver for stereo separation, upgrading the full-range driver to a higher-excursion design for better low-end and clarity, and using larger or additional passive radiators. It could also refine the waveguide to improve sound quality or incorporate higher-quality materials to enhance accuracy.

New Color Options

New color options are also highly likely, but specific finishes are not yet known. The current ‌HomePod mini‌ comes in Blue, Yellow, Midnight, Orange, and White.

Release Date

In January, Gurman reported that Apple was aiming to release a new ‌HomePod mini‌ "toward the end of the year." If that timeframe remains accurate, the second-generation ‌HomePod mini‌ could arrive anywhere from September to December 2025.
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Apple's A20 chip in the iPhone 18 will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This change has been rumored by multiple other sources previously.


Apple would be moving away from TSMC's InFO (Integrated Fan-Out) packaging it uses currently.

It is unclear if this change will be limited to higher-end models, like the iPhone 18 Pro and the so-called "iPhone 18 Fold," or if it will extend to the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air. Kuo's research note today mentioned a second half of 2026 timeframe, which is when the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone are expected to launch. The Information said the lower-end iPhone 18 models will not be released until spring 2027.

In any case, at least some A20 chips would have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than sitting adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could contribute to faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, and longer battery life from improved power efficiency. A20 chips may take up less space in the iPhone compared to previous chips.

A20 chips are also expected to be manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process, which would also contribute to faster performance and improved power efficiency over A18 and A19 chips, which are or will be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm processes.

All in all, A20 chips in iPhone 18 models are shaping up to have significant underlying changes.
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In a research note today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips might not launch until 2026.


Kuo discussed how the A20 chips in iPhone 18 models will be packaged with WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) technology, which integrates the so-called "underfill and molding processes" for more efficient manufacturing and increased yield, a term that refers to the percentage of functional chips that can be obtained per silicon wafer.

Kuo went on to say that high-end M5 chips in 2026 MacBooks — likely referring to the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips — will continue to have separate underfill and molding processes during production. His mention of 2026 is the key part here, as it was previously rumored that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips would launch in late 2025. Last month, however, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was "considering" pushing back the release of the next MacBook Pro models with the M5 series of chips until 2026.

All in all, Kuo's mention of "2026 MacBooks" with high-end M5 chips is the latest clue that the MacBook Pro might not be updated this year after all.

Timing aside, we recommend skipping the MacBook Pro models with the M5 series of chips if you can wait, as the subsequent models with the M6 series of chips are expected to feature more significant changes, including an OLED display, a thinner design, and possibly a smaller notch. However, those models might not launch until early 2027 now.
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Apple's Wallet app in iOS 26 includes a new feature that lets you store physical card information alongside your digital payment cards. This allows you to quickly access account numbers, expiry dates, and other details without carrying the physical card.


It's a simple addition in iOS 26, but it brings the Wallet app closer to being a comprehensive card management tool, filling the gap that third-party apps like 1Password typically fill. With the full card information to hand, you can check your card's expiry date for a subscription service or provide account details over the phone, without needing to dig through your physical wallet or memorize card numbers. It also means you don't have to delve into settings to find Safari's Autofill fields.

Adding Physical Card Information

To store your physical card details, follow these steps:

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, then tap one of your stored cards. Alternatively, add a new card using the + button, then select it in Wallet.


2. Tap the "123" card symbol at the top, then authenticate with Face ID or your passcode.
   
   
3. Select Add Physical Card Information.


4. Fill in your card details including name, number, expiry date (optional), and security code.


5. Add a description to help identify the card.


6. Tap Done to save.
   
   

Apple encrypts and stores this information in your iCloud Keychain, keeping it secure and accessible only to you. The details are not used for Apple Pay transactions.

Viewing Stored Information

After adding your details, simply tap the card in Wallet and then tap the same "123" button at the top. You'll need to authenticate with Face ID or your passcode before the information displays, adding an extra layer of security to your stored card data.

Note that this is a feature of iOS 26, which is currently in beta. Apple will roll out a public release of iOS 26 sometime in September.
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