Apple has decided to market two of its new products over the next year as "Ultra" devices, Macworld reports.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report claims that Apple's first foldable iPhone will be called the "iPhone Ultra." The device will become the highest end option in the lineup.
The iPhone Ultra will not be considered part of the iPhone 18 iPhone lineup, despite arriving alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This would be just like how the iPhone Air is not considered to be part of the iPhone 17 series. Although Apple is hoping to ship the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, it may launch a few weeks later and with scarcer availability.
Moreover, Apple is apparently planning to release a "MacBook Ultra" later this year or in early 2027. It will feature an OLED panel and a touchscreen, sitting above the MacBook Pro in the lineup at a "significantly" higher price point. While the device was originally intended to launch later this year, it is now likely pushed back by several months due to memory supply chain shortages.
Apple already offers M-series Ultra chips, the Apple Watch Ultra, and CarPlay Ultra. "Ultra" branding for the foldable iPhone and OLED MacBook was previously rumored by Bloomberg, which added that "AirPods Ultra" could also be on the way.
OpenAI is working on a smartphone in what appears to be a significant reversal from previous reports that the company had no plans to enter the phone market, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo shared the findings from his latest supply chain checks in a post on X, saying MediaTek and Qualcomm are the chosen chip partners and Luxshare Precision Industry is the exclusive manufacturing partner, with mass production scheduled for 2028. Exact chip specifications and additional suppliers are expected to be finalized by late 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
Kuo argues that the smartphone remains uniquely positioned for AI agent use because it is the only device that captures a user's full real-time state, including location, activity, communication, and context, which he describes as the most important input for real-time AI agent inference. He claims that AI agents will fundamentally change how people interact with a phone, shifting the focus from launching individual apps to completing tasks through a more continuous, context-aware interface.
He argues that fully controlling both the operating system and the hardware is the only way for the company to deliver a comprehensive AI agent service, and that a subscription-bundled business model could enable OpenAI to build a developer ecosystem around those agents.
Kuo suggests that Luxshare, which has long sought to reduce its dependence on Apple supply chain work, could benefit substantially from an early position in what he frames as the next generation of smartphone hardware.
The development represents a notable reversal in OpenAI's publicly stated hardware strategy. Previous reports have consistently described the company's hardware ambitions as centered on non-phone form factors developed in collaboration with Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief whose startup io Products was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion. Those plans include a smart speaker, which is likely the first product to launch, along with smart glasses, a smart lamp, and potentially earbuds. OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane has said the first hardware announcement is expected in the second half of 2026, with launch around early 2027.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X the same day Kuo published his analysis, writing that it "feels like a good time to seriously rethink how operating systems and user interfaces are designed." Such a device would obviously put OpenAI in direct competition with Apple's iPhone.
Earlier this month, Amazon introduced a few new record low prices on the M5 MacBook Air and the best deal is back today. You can get the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for $949.99, down from $1,099.00, available in all colors.
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You'll find up to $150 off every model of the M5 MacBook Air on Amazon, with free delivery around May 2 for most models. In terms of other 13-inch models, Amazon also has the 24GB/1TB model for $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00. Both of these represent a match for the record low prices for each configuration.
In terms of the 15-inch models, you'll find up to $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,149.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and also include both 1TB models on sale.
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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It wasn't necessarily a surprise given circulating rumors, but the biggest news in the Apple world this week was the announcement that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO, with John Ternus taking over the reins as of September 1.
Other recent news included updated details on color options for the iPhone 18 Pro, as well as fresh rumors about the standard iPhone 18 and timing for the launch of the highly anticipated touch screen-equipped MacBook Pro and updated Mac Studio, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
Top Stories
Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over
Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world."
The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a "Dark Red" option, the hue is said to be considerably closer to wine than a brighter red.
According to Macworld's source, Apple has been working on four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with the following Pantone codes said to be in use internally:
Light Blue (Pantone 2121), resembling the current iPhone 17's Mist Blue
Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076), the headline new color
Dark Gray (Pantone 426C)
Silver (Pantone 427C), similar to the current generation
MacBook Pro With Touch Screen and New Mac Studio Likely 'Postponed'
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has repeatedly stated that 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touch screen are slated to launch in late 2026 to early 2027. In his Power On newsletter this week, though, he said to be prepared for the laptops to potentially arrive towards the end of that timeframe due to the chip shortage.
In other words, early 2027 is now more likely than late 2026.
Gurman previously expected a new Mac Studio to launch around the middle of 2026, which pointed towards an announcement around WWDC 2026 in June. However, in his newsletter, he wrote that sources within Apple believe that the next Mac Studio models will not ship until around October this year as a result of the shortage.
In a new post on Weibo, the user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the iPhone 18 features "certain manufacturing downgrades" that bring it more into line with the low-cost iPhone 18e model. The decision is said to be "a cost-cutting measure" that will "effectively bring it in line with the '18e' model."
In follow-up posts, the leaker provided further detail indicating the iPhone 18 is likely to see downgrades to the display and main chip compared to Apple's original plans.
iOS 27 Rumored to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
If this rumor is accurate, iOS 27 will drop support for the following iPhone models, although they will continue to receive iOS 26 security updates for at least a few years:
The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available in beta starting in June, and the update will likely be widely released in September.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Amazon today has the AirPods 4 available for $99.00, down from $129.00. This remains one of the best deals on the AirPods 4 so far in 2026, and it's accompanied by a solid deal on the AirPods Max 2.
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.
Apple's new AirPods Max 2 launched earlier this month, and Amazon is still one of the only retailers offering a discount on the headphones. You can get the Midnight and Starlight color options for $529.99 on Amazon, down from $549.00.
Although this is only a $19 discount on the AirPods Max 2, it's the best markdown you'll find online if you're looking to order the new headphones. Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around April 30, but they can be delivered as soon as tomorrow with Prime shipping.
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 is planning to start showing ads in the Apple Maps app this summer, and signs of ads have already shown up in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple prepares to roll them out.
Where Ads Show Up
Ads will be displayed in the Apple Maps search interface. Depending on the search, relevant ads will be shown first in search results.
Apple is also implementing a new Suggested Places feature in Maps that will show recommendations based on what's trending nearby and the user's recent searches.
Suggested Places
The Maps app is getting a Suggested Places feature that recommends locations to visit based on trending places that are around you and your recent Maps searches. Ads will be shown in Suggested Places.
No Opt-Out
Similar to ads in the App Store, there will be no option to turn off ads in Apple Maps. Ads will be displayed for all users in the U.S. and Canada.
Countries
Ads will be shown in Apple Maps in the United States and Canada first, and could expand to other countries in the future.
Platforms
Ads will be displayed in the Maps app on iPhone and iPad.
What Ads Look Like
Apple says that ads in Maps will be clearly marked as ads with an "Ad" label, similar to how ads show up in the App Store search results.
Businesses will be able to bid for ad placement, which is how ads in the App Store work. The highest bidder for a given term will have their ad shown in the app.
Privacy
Your location and ads that you see and interact with in the Maps app are not associated with your Apple Account, and the data is not shared with third parties.
Beta Testing
Apple is laying the groundwork for Maps ads in the iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas. There's an ads splash screen in the Maps app along with underlying ad code, but ads are not yet live.
Launch Date
Apple only said "summer" for the ads launch. "Summer" in the Northern Hemisphere starts on June 21 and ends on September 22. iOS 26.5 is likely to launch in late May or early June, and it's possible ads will be tied to the update.
X today launched XChat, a standalone messaging app for the iPhone and iPad, available now on the App Store.
XChat allows users to chat with anyone on X in a private, focused space separate from the main X app. At launch, the app supports direct messaging and group chats, audio and video calls, and file sharing. X claims all messages are end-to-end encrypted and PIN protected, with no ads or tracking.
Other features include disappearing messages, the ability to edit and delete messages for everyone in a chat, and a mechanism to block or alert users when a screenshot is attempted. The app is free to download and requires iOS 26.0 or later.
The app has been in testing with a small group of beta users since last year. X says more updates are still planned, with X lead designer Benji Taylor teasing that XChat is "just the beginning of what we're building for messaging."
Unlike the main X app, XChat adopts iOS 26 design conventions, including the iOS 26 keyboard. The app offers several customization options, including light and dark modes, message permissions, left-swipe interaction settings, and a selection of app icon options. There is also a prominent button within XChat for jumping back to the main X app.
XChat can now be downloaded from the App Store in the United States. A release date for an Android version of the app has not yet been announced.
Apple's standard iPhone 18 could feature 12GB of memory for the first time, according to analyst Dan Nystedt.
In a new post on X, Nystedt said that the standard iPhone 18 will match the 12GB of RAM Apple gave the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max last September. It would mark the first time the entry-level iPhone model has shipped with that much memory.
Nystedt also flagged an earlier rumor claiming that Apple has secured TSMC's first 2nm chip production run for the A20 chip set to power the iPhone 18 lineup. According to that report, TSMC's 2nm process delivers 15% better computing performance than 3nm, with no loss in power efficiency. The iPhone 17 series uses TSMC's N3P 3nm node.
The jump to 12GB of RAM on the base model is likely tied to Apple Intelligence. Apple is expected to introduce expanded AI features with iOS 27, which the company is set to announce at WWDC on June 8. On-device AI workloads are memory-intensive, and keeping the entry-level iPhone capable of running Apple Intelligence in full would give Apple reason to push the standard model's memory up to par with last year's Pro tier.
The iPhone 18 is not expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this fall. Apple is reportedly planning to delay the standard model until early 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air, while the Pro models and the long-anticipated foldable iPhone will ship in the usual fall time frame.
Apple today released a YouTube Short revealing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of its playful MacBook Neo introduction video.
The short clip gives what Apple describes as "a peek at some handmade magic," revealing the physical models and camera techniques used during production. Apple shows how real-world props were combined with visual effects to produce the final sequences. Apple does not usually share production insights for a major product launch videos.
The MacBook Neo launched in March at $599, and its introductory video was widely noted for its whimsey and charm. The MacBook Neo itself has proven to be very strong seller since its launch; Apple reportedly broke a Mac launch week record in the weeks following its debut, and the device has since sold out of inventory until the middle of next month.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone Ultra," could be missing at least five key features present on the iPhone 18 Pro models despite its $2,000 price point.
Recent images of dummy models shared by Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev seem to reveal two previously undiscussed missing features of the iPhone Ultra: MagSafe and the Action Button.
iPhone dummy units are intended to take the place of real devices for testing purposes, particularly for accessory manufacturers, who seek to mass produce items such as cases prior to the announcement of new devices, which necessitates a high level of accuracy and manufacturing precision.
Both sets of dummy models show that the volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini. This aspect was first rumored by Weibo leaker "Instant Digital," who said that the motherboard is apparently located on the right side of the device. As to not run cables across the screen to the left side for the volume buttons (where they are located on all other iPhone models), Apple is said to have decided to run them directly upwards, which maximizes internal space.
While a power button and volume buttons in their new location are clearly visible on the dummy models, the Action button is curiously missing. This suggests that the iPhone Ultra will be the first iPhone model with no Action button or silent switch. Apple introduced the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro as a replacement for the silent switch, and it has since come to every available iPhone model.
The images of the foldable iPhone dummy models shared so far have been shown alongside mock iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max units. These dupes for the high-end models, like most dummies, clearly show precise indentations for the internal array of MagSafe magnets to help manufacturers obtain correct alignment with their accessories.
Crucially, these indentations are absent on the foldable iPhone dummies, suggesting that the device may not have MagSafe. This aspect remains speculative, but at 4.5mm, the iPhone Ultra is expected to be Apple's thinnest iPhone to date by a considerable margin, so it is not implausible that it could be too thin for MagSafe.
The iPhone Ultra is believed to be too thin to accommodate Apple's TrueDepth camera array, which is required for Face ID authentication and now located in the Dynamic Island. As a result, Apple is expected to revert to Touch ID on the device. The last iPhone to feature Touch ID was 2022's iPhone SE 3, where it was part of the device's budget offering. The last flagship iPhone with Touch ID was 2016's iPhone 7, so the return of Touch ID as the sole method of authentication on what will be the highest-end iPhone will be unprecedented.
As visible on the dummy models, which corroborate a multitude rumors, the iPhone Ultra is expected to sport only two rear cameras. These are expected to be wide and ultra wide cameras, just like the iPhone 17. Unlike the Pro iPhones, there will be no third camera with telephoto capabilities.
Previous rumors indicate that the iPhone Ultra will also not have a SIM card slot, again just like the iPhone Air, being compatible with eSIM only. As a result, the iPhone Ultra could be missing the following features:
Face ID/TrueDepth camera array
Telephoto camera/third rear camera
MagSafe
Action Button
Physical SIM card slot
The iPhone Air lacks Ultra Wide and Telephoto rear cameras, a SIM card slot, and stereo speakers. With a super-thin design, a titanium frame, and a glass back, the iPhone Ultra is expected to be very similar to the iPhone Air in terms of design, and it is possible that similar feature concessions will be present on the device when it launches later this year. There are no indications that the iPhone Ultra will be missing stereo speakers, but it is not out of the question given the other design compromises Apple has chosen to make with the device.
The rumored starting price for the iPhone Ultra varies somewhat, but reports agree that it will not be below $1,999. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and has all of the above missing features, so the iPhone Ultra's compromises could be controversial given its markedly higher price point. The device is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the fall.
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a higher-priced model at the top of the MacBook lineup, sitting above the MacBook Pro entirely.
Up to six new features have been rumored so far, including an OLED display, touch capabilities, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process, a thinner design, and built-in cellular connectivity.
Keep in mind that the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip is not expected to receive many of the changes listed below.
Apple last redesigned the MacBook Pro in 2021, when the M1 Pro and M1 Max models launched, so the MacBook Ultra would represent the first major redesign in at least five years and is a model that many customers are holding out for.
Below, we recap rumored MacBook Ultra features.
OLED Display
Regardless of whether Apple uses MacBook Pro or MacBook Ultra branding, it is widely expected that these will be the first MacBooks with OLED displays.
The current MacBook Pro models are equipped with LCD displays with mini-LED backlighting. The move to OLED technology would result in improved image quality, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.
All of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad Pro models that Apple sells today are already equipped with OLED displays, excluding refurbished models.
Touch Screen
Not only will the MacBook Ultra be moving to OLED, but the display will apparently have touch-screen capabilities too. This functionality would allow Mac users to use both their fingers and a keyboard and mouse/trackpad for input.
Steve Jobs said that a touch-screen Mac would cause arm fatigue, but he made that comment a long time ago, and Apple does reverse course from time to time.
Dynamic Island
Yet another display-related change rumored for the MacBook Ultra is a hole-punch camera, and this will pave the way for a Dynamic Island instead of a notch.
With a Dynamic Island, the MacBook Ultra would be another step towards a truly edge-to-edge display with thin bezels. Like on the iPhone, the Dynamic Island would display things such as low battery life alerts and AirPods connection indicators in the area surrounding the camera at the top-center part of the screen.
M6 Pro and M6 Max Chips
This one is obvious, but the MacBook Ultra is expected to be powered by Apple's next-generation M6 Pro and M6 Max chips. Notably, these chips are expected to be manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process, which should result in greater year-over-year performance and efficiency gains than usual.
The current M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are built with TSMC's third-generation 3nm process.
Thinner Design
MacBook Ultra is expected to have a thinner design compared to the MacBook Pro.
The move from LCD with mini-LED backlighting to OLED would contribute to the thinner design, and there could be other changes that help to slim things down.
As of now, there has been no indication that Apple plans to once again remove ports like HDMI, MagSafe, or the SD card slot in order to achieve this thinner design, but we shall see. That was a very unpopular decision the last time it happened.
Cellular
Macs can already connect to a cellular network via the Personal Hotspot feature on a nearby iPhone or iPad, but Apple has reportedly at least considered built-in cellular connectivity for future Macs. If these plans moved forward, the MacBook Ultra would likely be equipped with Apple's C1X or future C2 modem for 5G and LTE.
This week's best deals include lowest-ever prices on Apple Watch Series 11, M5 MacBook Air, and AirTag 1. We're also tracking some last-minute Earth Day deals on Anker accessories below.
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.
Amazon has a few record low prices on the new M5 MacBook Air this week, with $150 off select models of the brand new notebook. Stock has begun dwindling on these notebooks and we're no longer tracking an all-time low price on the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, but most other configurations have availability.
Apple Watch Series 11
What's the deal? Take $100 off Apple Watch Series 11
Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes many aluminum models of the Series 11 on sale at record low prices.
Woot this week introduced a great deal on Apple's first generation AirTag 4-Pack, and it's set to last only for a few more hours. You can get this accessory for $56.99, down from $99.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on this model. The AirTag 4-Pack is in new condition and comes with a 90-day Woot limited warranty.
We began tracking a few different Earth Day-related sales from Anker this week, including events on Amazon and Anker.com. This includes a wide array of charging accessories like the new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $119.99, down from $149.99.
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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On this week's special episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's bombshell announcement that Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, 2026, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus set to succeed him.
Cook will transition to executive chairman, where he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world." The transition was approved by the board and is the result of a "thoughtful, long-term succession planning process." Current board chair Arthur Levinson will become the lead independent director. Cook has served as Apple's CEO since 2011.
Ternus, who has spent nearly his entire career at Apple, will join the board ahead of assuming the CEO role. He is a product person in the mold of Steve Jobs rather than a supply chain operator like Cook, and according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, he is expected to take a more centralized approach to decision-making. "If you go to Tim with 'A' or 'B,' he won't pick," one person who has worked closely with both executives told Gurman. "Ternus will make decisions." Ternus will take over in time to oversee the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple's first foldable iPhone, both expected in September.
Alongside the leadership transition, Apple said that Johny Srouji, currently SVP of Hardware Technologies, will take on an expanded role as Chief Hardware Officer, leading Hardware Engineering and reporting to Ternus. Srouji's remit will cover everything from product design to system engineering to reliability and durability testing. Cook described Srouji as having "played a singular role in driving Apple's silicon strategy" and said his influence has been felt "not just inside the company, but across the industry."
In a statement, Cook said leading Apple has been the "greatest privilege" of his life and described Ternus as "a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count." Ternus said he is "filled with optimism" about what Apple can achieve in the years to come, adding that he promises to "lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century."
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's upcoming overhaul of the iPad mini and iPad Air, looking at the future of the product lineup as a whole.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Apple's new 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD has hit a new all-time low price today. It's available for $1,999.00 on Amazon, down from $2,199.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This beats the previous deal we tracked on this model by about $50, and as of writing it's only available in Space Black. Amazon provides a free delivery estimate by around April 29, with earlier delivery for Prime members.
You can also get $200 off every 16-inch MacBook Pro model right now on Amazon, with the 24GB RAM/1TB M5 Pro model hitting a new all-time low price of $2,499.00, down from $2,699.00.
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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OpenAI has announced the release of GPT-5.5, the latest upgrade to the company's family of models powering its ChatGPT and Codex apps.
OpenAI describes GPT-5.5 as better at multi-step work, claiming it can plan, use tools, and verify its own output with less hand-holding. The model is said to offer gains in agentic coding, computer use, and early-stage scientific research.
GPT-5.5 Thinking offers "faster help for harder problems," according to OpenAI, while GPT-5.5 Pro is being pitched as a research partner for tougher questions where accuracy matters more than speed.
OpenAI argues that its latest model is more token-efficient, so Codex tasks should – in theory – finish with less overhead despite the bump.
ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers get GPT-5.5 Thinking, while the more powerful GPT-5.5 Pro model is limited to ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise. In Codex, GPT-5.5 spans Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, Edu, and Go plans. API access is said to be coming "very soon."
For its 20th-anniversary iPhone, Apple is tapping Samsung to produce a custom micro-curved OLED display that is brighter and thinner than existing panels, according to new supply chain information out of China.
Apple is reportedly considering a radical redesign for the 20th-anniversary iPhone that could feature a completely bezel-less display that curves around all four edges of the device.
To that end, Apple is said to be seeking from Samsung an equal-depth quad-curved panel design that uses "micro-curves" to keep the curve very shallow, as opposed to the aggressively curved "waterfall" edges of some existing Samsung panels.
Apple's preference for slightly rounded edges may ensure that the device feels softer in the hand and that swipes from the edge of the display feel more natural. It could also prevent distortion of on-screen content around the edges.
The latest supply chain information comes from Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, who also says that Apple wants a "pol-less" display from Samsung – in other words, a panel design that removes the polarizer layer that sits on top of most current OLED screens.
That claim lines up with a September 2025 report out of Korea that said Apple will adopt a Samsung-made OLED technology called COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) to make the 20th-anniversary iPhone's display brighter and thinner than previous panels.
COE displays remove the polarizing film from an OLED panel, applying the color filter directly onto the encapsulation layer of the display.
The technique reduces the thickness of the overall display stack, and it lets more light through to improve brightness while reducing power draw. Reflections are harder to deal with when there's no polarizing film, but in its latest iPhones, Apple added a new anti-reflective coating that is expected to be improved for future versions of the iPhone.
Apple is also said to be employing a crater-shaped light diffusion layer in the display to even out the brightness so that the screen looks uniformly lit across all areas.
2027 will mark the 20th-anniversary of the iPhone, and Apple reportedly wants to create a high-end all-glass model that doesn't have cutouts in the display.
Display analyst Ross Young said that Apple won't have under-display Face ID ready to go for a 2027 iPhone, but other leakers think it's possible. If Apple can't get everything under the display, we may see under-display Face ID and then a small hole-punch cutout on the front for the front-facing camera.
The latest rumors suggest that Apple is still testing an under-display iPhone camera for 2027, so it remains a possibility.
Following the latest update of Apple's Invites app, hosts can now manually edit the guest list to update guest responses and adjust the number of additional guests.
This v1.8.0 update appears to have focused on delivering a more streamlined experience for managing and sharing events. Within Messages, a new Invites iMessage app allows users to quickly share an existing invite without needing to leave the conversation.
Elsewhere, the dashboard has been expanded with an All Events view, bringing both upcoming and past events into a single, unified interface. Sharing options have also been improved for hosts, who can now generate and download an image of their invite card.
Additionally, music integration has been enhanced through the Apple Music Shared Playlist feature, which now provides personalised playlist suggestions based on listening habits.
Finally, hosts can now specify a time zone for their event, and the update also contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall.
Design
Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black plastic material.
We're expecting the 2026 Apple TV to be indistinguishable from the existing Apple TV on the exterior, with no changes to size or design.
New Chip
The Apple TV 4K is going to get a new A-series chip, and that'll be the biggest upgrade. Rumors suggest Apple is planning to use the A17 Pro that was first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Compared to the A15 Bionic in the current Apple TV, the A17 Pro is a solid update, and it's a good reason to hold off on buying the current model. The A17 Pro is built on a 3-nanometer process for faster speeds and better efficiency, and it has hardware-accelerated ray tracing for higher-quality graphics in games.
Given that Apple has held the Apple TV update for so long, it's possible it'll get an even newer chip like the A18 or A19. A RAM update is possible too, especially if the Apple TV has any kind of Apple Intelligence support.
Apple Intelligence and Siri
The next Apple TV is ready to launch, but new Siri features are the holdup. Apple wants to release the Apple TV with the smarter version of Siri that's in the works, and it's not ready to go.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the Apple TV is linked to "new artificial intelligence features" that Apple has postponed until iOS 27, which is coming in September 2026. Apple intended to launch the Apple Intelligence Siri features in spring 2026, but the company was still experiencing issues with Siri. At this point, we're not going to see new Siri capabilities until iOS 27, which also means a delay for all the devices that Apple is holding.
Along with the Apple TV, the rumored home hub and a new version of the HomePod are waiting on Siri.
Updated Siri features may require more RAM and a faster chip, so if you want the smarter Siri on the Apple TV, that's another reason to wait before making a purchase.
Wi-Fi
The Apple TV could get Apple's N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. Wi-Fi 7 works with the 6GHz band offered by newer routers.
6GHz connectivity is faster and less congested, which you want for a device designed for streaming content.
Bluetooth and Thread
The Apple TV 4K could get Bluetooth 6 for connecting devices like controllers and earbuds.
Apple's N1 chip also supports Thread, so the Apple TV will be able to continue to serve as a Thread border router and a Matter hub for smart home devices.
Pricing
There have been rumors of a price drop, so it's possible Apple has plans for a cheaper Apple TV.
Apple could release two models, one that's higher-end and one that has lower specs and a lower price tag, or it could keep the existing Apple TV around as a low-cost option.
Launch Date
Since the new version of Siri has been pushed to iOS 27 and the Apple TV is tied to that update, we're likely not going to see the Apple TV refreshed until September 2026 at the earliest.
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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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
