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Tag: Apple iPhone

  • Apple iPhone just had its best year in India as the smartphone market stays broadly flat | TechCrunch

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    Apple’s iPhone is gaining ground fast in India, shipping about 14 million units in 2025, based on market data shared exclusively with TechCrunch.

    Yet the country’s overall smartphone market stayed largely flat at around 152–153 million devices. That means that across the full-year of 2025, Apple’s market share of shipments rose to a record 9%. This is up from 7% in 2024, Counterpoint Research data shows, making it the iPhone’s strongest year yet in the world’s second-largest smartphone market by volume.

    The gains were driven by the iPhone’s product portfolio, growing aspirational demand and wider availability across sales channels, Counterpoint Research’s director for devices and ecosystems, Tarun Pathak, said.

    Apple has repeatedly pointed to India as a standout market in recent quarters, with CEO Tim Cook saying the company set an “all-time revenue record in India” on its last earnings call in October. CFO Kevan Parekh also said iPhone’s active install base hit an all-time high in India and the company set a quarterly record for upgraders, highlighting Apple’s push to expand its user base beyond just new buyers, though the company did not disclose detailed figures for India on the call.

    Beyond shipments, Apple has been widening its footprint in India by ramping up local manufacturing and broadening its retail reach. Last month, the company opened its fifth Apple Store in the country — its first in Noida — as part of a broader retail expansion that began in 2023.

    Apple is also sharpening its services pitch in India. Earlier this month, it introduced Apple Creator Studio — a subscription bundle of creative apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro — priced at ₹399 a month ($4.35) in India. That’s around 66% cheaper than the $12.99 a month it charges in the U.S., underscoring how the company is tailoring pricing to deepen its reach in the country.

    That strong iPhone year came against a market that has largely stopped growing. India is set to log its fourth straight year at about the same shipment level of 152 million units, Counterpoint estimates, with the October–December quarter down 8–10% year-over-year despite the festive season.

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    Longer replacement cycles, fewer feature phone users upgrading to smartphones, and the growing popularity of refurbished devices are among the key reasons the market has struggled to grow, Pathak told TechCrunch.

    Even as overall shipments stagnated, India’s premium segment continued to expand. Smartphones priced above ₹30,000 (around $327) grew 15% year-over-year in 2025 and accounted for a record 23% of total shipments — the highest share ever — according to Counterpoint.

    That shift has helped brands with stronger premium portfolios, including Apple, gain ground even as the mass market slowed.

    By volume, China’s Vivo led India’s smartphone market in 2025 with a 23% share of shipments, per Counterpoint, followed by Samsung at 15% and Xiaomi at 13%.

    Apple remained outside India’s top three by shipments despite its record year, underlining how the market is still dominated by mass-market Android brands even as premium devices take a growing share.

    Counterpoint expects India’s smartphone market to slip about 2% in 2026, warning that rising memory prices could squeeze demand in the sub-₹15,000 (under-$170) segment and force phone makers to cut cashback offers, trim specifications or raise prices. Even so, average selling prices are forecast to rise 5% in 2026 after a 9% increase in 2025, suggesting the premiumization trend is set to continue.

    Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

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    Jagmeet Singh

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  • Apple is ramping up succession plans for CEO Tim Cook and may tap this hardware exec to take over, report says | Fortune

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    Apple’s board of directors and senior executives have been accelerating succession plans for Tim Cook, sources told the Financial Times.

    After serving as CEO for 14 years, Cook may step down as early as next year, the report said.

    Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, 50-year-old John Ternus, is widely seen as the most likely successor, but no final decisions have been made yet, sources told the FT.

    The engineer joined Apple’s product design team in 2001 and has overseen hardware engineering for most major products the tech company has launched ever since, according to Ternus’ LinkedIn profile.

    He has also played a prominent role during Apple’s most recent keynotes, introducing products like the new iPhone Air. Ternus had been rumored to be Cook’s potential successor, according to previous reports. 

    The company is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, and an early-year announcement would allow a new leadership team time to settle in before its annual events, the FT said. 

    The succession preparations have been long-planned and are not related to the company’s current performance, which is expecting strong end-of-year sales, people close to Apple told the FT.

    Apple did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment and declined to provide a comment to the FT.

    The $4 trillion company is expecting year-on-year revenue growth of 10% to 12% for its holiday quarter ending in December, fueled by the release of the iPhone 17 model in September.

    Ternus would take the helm of the tech giant at an important time in its evolution. Although Apple has seen sales success with iPhones and new products like Airpods over the past couple of decades, it has struggled to break into AI and keep up with rivals.

    Instead, Apple has even spending significantly less in AI investments compared to Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft. 

    Apple has been criticized by analysts this year for not having a clear AI strategy. And despite approving a multibillion-dollar budget to run its own models via the cloud in 2026, it was reported in June that Apple is even considering using models from OpenAI and Anthropic to power its updated version of Siri, rather than using technology the company has built in-house. 

    Its AI-enabled Siri, originally slated for 2025, will be delayed until 2026 or later due to a series of technical challenges, the company announced earlier this year.

    Apple has also lost a number of senior AI team members since January, many of whom have joined Meta’s AI and Superintelligence Labs during talent poaching wars this year. The exodus of Apple’s AI execs included Ruoming Pang, former head of Apple’s foundation models and core generative AI team, who joined Meta with a compensation package reportedly worth $200 million.

    The company is also dealing with increased competition from one of its most influential former employees.

    In May, Sam Altman’s OpenAI acquired startup io for about $6.5 billion, bringing in former Apple chief designer Jony Ive to build AI devices. The 58-year-old designer was instrumental in creating the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. 

    Cook, Apple’s former operations chief, turned 65 this month. He has grown the company’s market capitalization to $4 trillion from $350 billion in 2011, when he took over the CEO role from company co-founder Steve Jobs.

    Under Cook, Apple became the first publicly traded company to reach $1 trillion in market capitalization in 2018—then it became the first company to reach $3 trillion in market cap in 2022.

    But more recently, its stock price has been lagging behind Big Tech rivals Alphabet, Nvidia, and Microsoft, though Apple is trading close to an all-time high after strong earnings were reported in October.

    Apple has also dealt with tariff complications as U.S.-China trade tensions have disrupted its supply chain.

    Cook has previously said he’d prefer an internal candidate to replace him, adding that the company has “very detailed succession plans.”

    “I really want the person to come from within Apple,” Cook told singer Dua Lipa last year on her podcast At Your Service.

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    Nino Paoli

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  • iOS 26 arrives on Monday: Find out if your iPhone is eligible for the free update

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    The Apple iPhone 17 event last week delivered on all of the rumors we read ahead of the show. The company announced the iPhone 17 lineup, the all-new iPhone Air and several other devices. (Check out Engadget’s liveblog of the event for full details.) In addition to finally seeing the new hardware, Apple confirmed after the event that we’ll be able to download the final versions of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on Monday, September 15. (That’s when all of Apple’s other operating system updates hit, too.)

    Coming with those OS updates are substantial changes to your iPhone and iPad’s software. You may have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is sort of like Apple’s take on the old Windows Vista design language. That’s the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-driving many of the other features included in the update — you can check out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions.

    Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

    While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025, as a few models are getting the axe this time around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the boot in 2023, and this year iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind. If your device is ineligible, you won’t be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available next week. However, Apple is also expected to release iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to address security issues, according to MacRumors.

    You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that will support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 below. To see everything that’s coming with the latest OS updates, you can check out our big rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Additionally, here’s everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 17 launch event.

    These three iOS 18 iPhones won’t be compatible with iOS 26

    Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut. These three models that were first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

    iPhones compatible with iOS 26

    Per Apple’s site, the devices listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. In short, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

    • iPhone SE (second generation or later)

    iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

    Meanwhile, the iPads listed below are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

    • iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)

    • iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)

    • iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

    • iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

    • iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

    What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

    If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll eventually miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And, of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

    When will iOS 26 become available?

    Apple announced it will release iOS 26 to eligible iPhones on Monday, September 15.

    Can I still download the public beta?

    Yes, you can try the software out yourself by downloading and installing the latest public beta, now in the release candidate version. (Though it’s worth remembering that there’s a degree of risk involved with installing any form of beta software.)

    iOS 26 features we’re excited about

    Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s terms, was designed to make all of the company’s operating systems more visually cohesive.

    Phone app redesign: You’ll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

    Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

    Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

    New lock screen options: More customizable iPhone lock screen options are coming with iOS 26, including a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.

    Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms (if you want). You’ll soon have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.

    Fresh Camera app design: You’ll find the Camera app is simpler to navigate in iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus located in convenient spots. That means less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there’s a new feature that tells you if your lens is too dirty.

    Screenshot revamps: When you take a screenshot, you’ll have the option to search for the image on Google (maybe you’re looking for a sweater you saw on a celeb) and you can ask ChatGPT questions about the photo — all from the edit screen. It’s like a reverse image search but without all the hard work.

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    Katie Teague

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  • Apple Reveals iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods, Apple Watch | Entrepreneur

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    Apple held its biggest launch event of the year on Tuesday, with the tagline: “Awe Dropping.” At the event, Apple released the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods, including the Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, and iPhone 17.

    “We’re taking the biggest leap ever for iPhone,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the event.

    Here’s what Apple announced, from the ultra-thin profile of the iPhone Air to satellite connectivity on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

    Related: ‘We’re Very Open’: Apple CEO Tim Cook Says He Wants to Buy Startups. Could Your Company Be Next?

    Apple Introduced the iPhone Air and iPhone 17

    The new iPhone lineup includes four new phones: the iPhone Air, 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max.

    Apple revealed its highly anticipated $999 iPhone Air, the “thinnest iPhone ever” — at 5.6 millimeters, it’s the slimmest iPhone yet. Apple also claims that the 6.5-inch phone is the most durable of all iPhones and benefits from an improved internal chip. It’s the most power-efficient iPhone ever made, with a powerful camera and an all-day battery life.

    iPhone Air. Credit: Apple

    Meanwhile, the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro is “the most powerful iPhone yet, by far,” according to Apple. The phone has a unified outer body that uniformly dissipates heat from the battery, preventing overheating. Apple also said that the phone offers “the best battery life ever in an iPhone,” with 39 hours of video playback.

    Related: How Much Does Apple Pay Its Employees? Here Are the Exact Salaries of Staff Jobs, Including Developers, Engineers, and Consultants.

    Apple said the event was filmed with an iPhone 17 Pro, demonstrating the capabilities of the phone in real time. The $1,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger screen than the Pro, but features the same capabilities, including increased power and battery life.

    iPhone 17 Pro. Credit: Apple

    The standard iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch display with thinner borders for a wider screen. The display is more readable in direct sunlight, and the phone has twice the scratch resistance. Charging is now faster than ever: Ten minutes of charge can result in 8 hours of video playback.

    iPhone cameras are also improving, with better resolution and a wide field of view for the front-facing camera. Apple noted that users took 500 billion selfies last year, more than any other smartphone.

    iPhone 17. Credit: Apple

    Pre-orders for the new iPhone lineup start Sept. 12. The new phones will be available starting Sept. 19.

    What’s New With the AirPods Pro 3

    Cook said that this year, Apple was building on innovations with AirPods Pro, including the hearing aid function introduced last year that transformed the buds into assistive devices for people experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.

    Related: Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

    At the event, Julz Arney, senior director of fitness technologies at Apple, introduced heart rate sensing for AirPods. Custom sensors on the AirPods allow the earbuds to track heart rate independently of a smartwatch, Arney explained.

    AirPods Pro 3. Credit: Apple

    The AirPods Pro 3 also deliver twice the active noise cancellation of previous generations. Apple claimed that the AirPods deliver the world’s best active noise cancellation of any in-ear headphones.

    The earbuds also offer live translation, transforming words from one language into another in real-time. For example, if someone speaks a different language, the AirPods will lower their voice and deliver a real-time translation.

    The AirPods Pro 3 cost $249 and will be available on Sept. 19. Preorders begin Tuesday.

    Here’s How the Apple Watch Is Changing

    Apple introduced the $399 Apple Watch Series 11, which comes with a thorough list of health features, including state-of-mind tracking for mental health.

    In a new development, Apple is taking on hypertension, or high blood pressure, with a new feature that tracks irregularities in blood pressure over time. Apple expects to notify one million people of hypertension within the first year alone.

    Apple Watch Series 11. Credit: Apple

    The company is also introducing a new sleep score based on duration of sleep, how many times a user wakes up throughout the night, and regularity of sleep over time. The new sleep score function applies to the budget-friendly $249 Apple Watch SE 3.

    The $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also packed with new features, including satellite connectivity. Even when a user is off the grid, they can use their Apple Watch to get help in case of an emergency. The watch features 42 hours of battery life and also has hypertension notifications.

    Apple Watch Ultra 3. Credit: Apple

    Cook called Apple Watch “the most popular watch in the world.”

    The Apple Watches can be pre-ordered today and will be available starting Sept. 19.

    Apple held its biggest launch event of the year on Tuesday, with the tagline: “Awe Dropping.” At the event, Apple released the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods, including the Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, and iPhone 17.

    “We’re taking the biggest leap ever for iPhone,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the event.

    Here’s what Apple announced, from the ultra-thin profile of the iPhone Air to satellite connectivity on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

    The rest of this article is locked.

    Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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    Sherin Shibu

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  • Apple Unveils Its Latest iPhone Lineup Amid Trump’s Trade War – KXL

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    The iPhone 17 is displayed during an announcement of new products at Apple Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

    Apple has unveiled its new iPhones 17 lineup, along with updates to its digital watches and AirPod products at its annual September product launch.

    The new iPhones are the first to be released since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and unleashed a barrage of tariffs, in what his administration says is an attempt to bring overseas manufacturing back to the U.S. — a crusade that has thrust Apple CEO Tim Cook into the hot seat.

    The new devices come with a larger, 6.3-inch display and is powered by a new a A19 chip to help power Apple’s AI features. The iPhone 17’s front camera has also been upgraded to have a wider field of view and new sensor, allowing you to take landscape photos without having to rotate your phone

    The new devices are still expected to be made in Apple’s manufacturing hubs in China and India, much to the Trump administration’s consternation.

    Both Trump and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have repeatedly insisted that iPhones be made in the U.S. instead of overseas. It’s an unrealistic demand that analysts say would take years to pull off and would result in a doubling, or even a tripling, of the iPhone’s current average price of about $1,000.

    Cook tried to placate Trump by initially pledging that Apple would invest $500 billion i n the U.S. over the next four years, and then upped the ante last month by adding another $100 billion to the commitment. He also gifted Trump a statue featuring a 24-karat gold base.

    That kind of diplomacy has helped insulate Apple from Trump’s most severe tariffs. However, the iPhones being brought into the U.S. still face duties of about 25%, stoking speculation that the company will reveal its first across-the-board price increase in five years in an effort to preserve its hefty profit margins.

    Since 2020, Apple has charged $800 for its basic iPhone and $1,200 for its top offering, but analysts now believe the company may raise prices by $50 to $100 on some of the new models. If Apple does announce price increases, it will come just weeks after Google held steady on prices for its new Pixel smartphones.

    Although Apple’s stock price is still down by 4% so far this year, the shares have been bouncing back in recent months amid signs it won’t be as hard hit by the tariffs as once feared, and a highly anticipated court ruling cleared the way for the company to continue receiving $20 billion annually to lock in Google’s search engine as the default option on iPhones.

    More about:


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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Will Apple’s new iPhones cost more? Here’s what to expect from today’s unveiling

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    By MICHAEL LIEDTKE, Associated Press Technology Writer

    Apple on Tuesday will unveil its next line-up of iPhones amid a global trade war that’s added a potential price increase to the usual intrigue surrounding the annual evolution of the company’s marquee product.

    The new iPhones will be the first to be released since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and unleashed a barrage of tariffs, in what his administration says is an attempt to bring overseas manufacturing back to the U.S. — a crusade that has thrust Apple CEO Tim Cook into the hot seat.

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    The Associated Press

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  • An iPhone event unlike the others: Apple is betting the house on hardware to weather the AI storm | Fortune

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    Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event is kicking off today at 1 p.m. ET, and yes, it will be livestreamed: You can watch it on Apple’s official YouTube channel, the Apple TV app, and Apple’s Events website—but, and I say this with love, unless you’re working remotely, you might want to be careful about watching videos at work. If you get caught, that’s on you. On the other hand, your boss loves Fortune. We promise. (If they’re confused or try to protest, simply show them this article.)

    Apple throwing a launch party for its new iPhones has become as synonymous with September as pumpkin spice everything, but this event is not quite like the others. Despite solid financial results, including record revenue in Q3, up 10% year-over-year, Apple’s had a mixed year in the markets as investor concerns about Apple’s AI capabilities have applied pressure on its stock. Apple, for some context, has chosen to pursue baking AI into its full software ecosystem that extends across devices rather than create a standalone app like ChatGPT or Claude or Perplexity, which you can access in dedicated apps and websites including, notably, on non-Apple devices. On top of that, Apple admitted earlier this year at its Worldwide Developers Conference that its promised Siri overhaul for this year wouldn’t arrive until 2026. That delay cost Apple roughly $75 billion in market value in a single day and prompted some analysts to question CEO Tim Cook’s leadership.

    All of this to say: Wall Street is absolutely zeroed in on the AI gold rush right now and has grown impatient with Apple’s timeline on this front, so you can bet analysts will be watching this event closely and counting the number of times Apple says “AI” or “Intelligence.”

    That said, unlike WWDC, Apple’s September events tend to be about new hardware. So here’s what we’re expecting.

    iPhone 17 Air: The return of an ultra-thin design

    Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports that Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 Air, representing the company’s most dramatic iPhone redesign in years. The device is expected to measure approximately 5.5mm thick compared to the iPhone 16’s 7.8mm profile. Achieving this ultra-thin form factor will likely require significant engineering trade-offs, including a single 48-megapixel rear camera system and reduced battery capacity, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

    Multiple reports suggest the device will gain ProMotion 120Hz display technology previously exclusive to Pro models, marking the first time this feature would appear in Apple’s mid-tier lineup. Pricing is rumored to start at $949, positioning the Air between the base iPhone 17 and Pro models. Wall Street analysts expect the Air could drive upgrade cycles among users with iPhone 13 or older devices, who represent roughly 40% of Apple’s installed base.

    iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: First price increases in seven years expected

    Industry sources suggest Apple plans to raise iPhone prices for the first time since 2018 across most of its lineup. The base iPhone 17 is expected to maintain its $799 starting price, but the iPhone 17 Pro could increase to $1,199—a $200 jump from the current model, according to Morgan Stanley’s Erik Woodring. The price adjustment would reportedly come with doubled base storage at 256GB and improved camera systems featuring new 48-megapixel telephoto lenses with up to 8x optical zoom.

    Reports from supply-chain sources indicate the Pro models may introduce aluminum backs instead of glass, reducing weight while maintaining durability. New color options are rumored to include orange and blue variants alongside traditional options. Apple’s pricing power stems from its 90% customer retention rate, providing flexibility that competitors lack. Consumer acceptance of higher prices amid economic uncertainty remains a key variable for Apple’s fiscal 2025 performance.

    Apple Watch Series 11: Enhanced health-monitoring rumored

    According to Bloomberg, the Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to add blood-pressure trend tracking, which would monitor patterns over time rather than providing precise medical readings. The feature could detect trends that might indicate hypertension and prompt users to consult healthcare professionals. An updated S11 chip is anticipated to enable better performance and potentially improved battery life.

    WatchOS 26 is rumored to introduce new fitness features, including something called “Workout Buddy” designed to enhance exercise motivation. The Series 11 may also gain 5G RedCap connectivity from MediaTek, providing faster data speeds than current LTE-only models. These updates would represent meaningful improvements to a device that already commands roughly 50% of the global smartwatch market.

    Apple Watch Ultra 3: Satellite connectivity expected

    Industry reports suggest the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could become Apple’s first standalone satellite-enabled wearable, offering emergency SOS functionality and potentially text messaging in areas without cellular coverage. The feature would extend capabilities introduced on iPhone 14 and later models to Apple’s wearable lineup.

    Additional rumored improvements include enhanced 5G connectivity through RedCap technology and faster charging that could reach 80% capacity in 30 minutes. The Ultra 3 is expected to feature the largest Apple Watch display to date with improved brightness and viewing angles. These upgrades would address previous limitations while maintaining the Ultra’s focus on outdoor and adventure applications.

    AirPods Pro 3: Health sensors may enter earbuds

    Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro are rumored to introduce heart-rate monitoring through LED optical sensors that track blood flow in the ear canal. The technology, previously tested in Powerbeats Pro 2, could provide more accurate readings than wrist-based monitoring due to superior blood flow detection in ears, according to industry sources.

    Temperature-monitoring capabilities may also debut, potentially offering more precise readings than Apple Watch sensors since ear canals maintain more consistent temperatures. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, enhanced audio quality through a faster H3 chip, and studio-quality microphone recording. Some features may arrive through software updates after launch, following Apple’s typical rollout strategy.

    AirTag 2: Enhanced range and privacy features expected

    The second-generation AirTag is rumored to address key limitations through an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip that could triple Precision Finding range from roughly 30 meters to potentially 90 meters. Privacy improvements are expected to make the speaker more difficult to remove, addressing stalking concerns that have affected the first-generation product.

    The AirTag 2 is anticipated to maintain compatibility with existing accessories while adding improved battery management and low-power alerts. The device would represent Apple’s response to criticism about the original AirTag’s potential for misuse, though law enforcement data indicates such cases affect a small percentage of total units sold.

    The wider implications, and what’s at stake for Apple

    These expected product announcements occur as Apple manages multiple business pressures. The company faces an estimated $1.1 billion impact from tariffs in fiscal Q4 2025, adding cost pressures as it navigates component price increases. Goldman Sachs expects iPhone sales to grow 5% in fiscal 2025 and accelerate to 7% in 2026, assuming successful execution of today’s rumored product launches.

    Analyst sentiment remains mixed. While Goldman maintains its buy rating with a $266 target, MoffettNathanson argues that 30 times next year’s earnings is expensive for a company with “solid but not exceptional” growth prospects. The consensus among 31 Wall Street analysts shows a moderate buy rating with an average price target of $239—roughly flat from current levels.

    Apple’s strategy appears centered on hardware innovation bridging the gap until AI capabilities mature in 2026. But this approach carries inherent risks: if these products fail to drive expected upgrade cycles, the company could face continued underperformance relative to its AI-obsessed peers in Silicon Valley, many of whom are advancing their strategies and technologies more aggressively than Apple. Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft and others are pouring billions into AI facilities, and talent—and soon, hardware. Success for Apple would depend on whether consumers will accept higher prices for incremental improvements while Apple develops its next generation of software capabilities.

    For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.

    Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.

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    Dave Smith

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  • iOS 26 release date expected at Tuesday’s Apple Event: Check to see if your iPhone is compatible for the update

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    We’re almost there: The Apple iPhone 17 event is tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9. We expect to see new additions, like the iPhone 17 Air, among other devices. The company has titled the event “awe dropping” and if all goes as expected, we should be able to download iOS 26 and iPad 26 sometime next week.

    Coming with those OS updates are substantial changes to your iPhone and iPad’s software. You may have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is sort of like Apple’s take on the old Windows Vista design language. That’s the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-driving many of the other features included in the update — you can check out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions, or you can try the software out yourself by downloading and installing the latest public beta. The public beta is a more stable iteration of the update than the developer version, which recently hit the beta 9 waypoint and offers a few more flashy features not yet available in the public version. (Though it’s worth remembering that there’s a degree of risk involved with installing any form of beta software.)

    Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

    While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025, as a few models are getting the axe this time around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the boot in 2023, and this year iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind. If your device is ineligible, you won’t be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this fall.

    You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that will support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 below. To see everything that’s coming with the latest OS updates, you can check out our big rundown of what to expect.

    These three iOS 18 iPhones won’t be compatible with iOS 26

    Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut. These three models that were first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

    iPhones compatible with iOS 26

    While we don’t know exactly which new iPhones Apple plans to drop on September 9 — though there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the devices listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. In short, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

    • iPhone SE (second generation or later)

    iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

    Meanwhile, the iPads listed below are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

    • iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)

    • iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)

    • iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

    • iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

    • iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

    What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

    If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

    When will iOS 26 become available?

    Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. If it follows suit this year, we should have access to the new operating system on Tuesday, Sept. 16 — exactly one week after the event.

    Expect a confirmation of the release date at the iPhone 17 event on September 9.

    iOS 26 features we’re excited about

    Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s terms, was designed to make all of the company’s operating systems more visually cohesive.

    Phone app redesign: You’ll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

    Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

    Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

    New lock screen options: More customizable iPhone lock screen options are coming with iOS 26, including a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.

    Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms (if you want). You’ll soon have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.

    Fresh Camera app design: You’ll find the Camera app is simpler to navigate in iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus located in convenient spots. That means less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there’s a new feature that tells you if your lens is too dirty.

    Screenshot revamps: When you take a screenshot, you’ll have the option to search for the image on Google (maybe you’re looking for a sweater you saw on a celeb) and you can ask ChatGPT questions about the photo — all from the edit screen. It’s like a reverse image search but without all the hard work.

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    Katie Teague

    Source link

  • Apple’s new iOS 26 public beta 5 is here, but is your iPhone eligible for the update? Check this list

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    In just a few days, the Apple iPhone 17 event will be here — the “awe dropping” event is officially confirmed for Tuesday, September 9. If Apple follows its past schedule, that could mean we’ll get to download iOS 26 and iPad 26 exactly one week after the event. Coming with the OS 26es are huge upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s operating systems. You’ve heard of Liquid Glass, right? It’s like the better-executed version of Windows Vista and definitely one of the cooler features coming this fall. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you can check out our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you can try it out yourself by downloading and installing the public beta 5. That software is a more stable iteration of the separate developer version, which recently hit the beta 8 waypoint, and offers a few more flashy features not yet available in the public version. (While the public beta is open to everyone and quite stable, always remember there’s a degree of risk involved with beta software.) Additionally, there are credible reports that iOS 26 could bring a new live translation feature to AirPods, too. Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet this year? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

    While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025 — a few models are getting cut this time. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to get the boot in 2023, and this year the 2018 models are getting left behind. If you have an ineligible device, you won’t be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this fall.

    We’ll get to the bottom of which iPhones and iPads will support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this year. To see what’s coming with the latest OSes, check out everything announced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 event. One thing you shouldn’t immediately expect is Apple’s updated version of Siri, though the company is reportedly working on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.

    These three iPhones won’t be compatible with iOS 26

    Unlike last year, several iPhone models won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut in September. This trio of models first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

    iPhones compatible with iOS 26

    While we don’t yet know the new iPhones Apple will be dropping next month — though there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the phones listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. Basically, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

    • iPhone SE (second generation or later)

    iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

    The iPads listed below, and any iPads released later this year, are eligible to download iPadOS 26.

    • iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)

    • iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)

    • iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

    • iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

    • iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

    What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

    If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

    When will iOS 26 become available?

    Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. If it follows suit this year, we should have access to the new operating system on Tuesday, Sept. 16 — exactly one week after the event.

    Expect a confirmation of the release date at the iPhone 17 event on September 9.

    iOS 26 features we’re excited about

    Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes more cohesive.

    Phone app redesign: You’ll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

    Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

    Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

    [ad_2]

    Katie Teague

    Source link

  • The iPhone 17 event is September 9: Here’s everything to know about the upcoming Apple lineup

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    It’s official: The Apple iPhone 17 event will take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 1PM ET. That means we’ll finally get to take a look at the much-anticipated iPhone 17 lineup — which will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled — and any new features Apple reveals that day. But since we still have to wait a couple of weeks until the iPhone event, we can only speculate what the new devices will look like. As with most unreleased iPhones, rumors and leaks have trickled in about the hardware side ahead of the official introduction. Here’s what we’re expecting and what we can reasonably assume we’ll get from Apple in September.

    What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors?

    After the announcement dropped yesterday for the official iPhone 17 event, MacRumors speculates the Apple logo says a lot about the new iPhones. Apple’s logo “hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features.”

    The logo shows bright orange and dark blue colors, rumored to be two of the iPhone 17 Pro colors, so they could be onto something. They also noticed it looks like an infrared heat map, hinting at the vapor chamber cooling system.

    These rumors haven’t been confirmed by Apple and we won’t know what the actual iPhone 17 models will look like until the iPhone event next month.

    How much will the iPhone 17 cost?

    Apple’s announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers. But given that President Trump’s trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple’s continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers?

    If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an “upgrade.” Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as “Instant Digital,” suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50, Apple could at least pitch it as a “better value.” That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 — but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started.

    When will the iPhone 17 series be announced?

    Most years, the flagship smartphones are introduced in September. MacRumors highlighted a story originally reported by iphone-ticker.de that the Apple iPhone 17 event could be Tuesday, September 9, according to information gleaned from German mobile phone providers.

    It’s still too early to have the specific dates; some years, Apple only gives a week or two of lead time between sending invites and hosting the event. But years of past precedent show that sometime in September should be when the 17 models make their debut. This family of smartphones may be the last to follow that trend, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring.

    What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?

    Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone, likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple’s ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, often a solid source of advanced intel about Apple, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It may also use Apple’s new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. More details about this development may leak ahead of September, but that’s what we know for now.

    An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is oddly a lighter material than titanium. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement.

    Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report says the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick — half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog, where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air’s battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors notes. (That’s below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.)

    On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors. Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu, the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight.

    That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a “hit-or-miss leaker,” suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro’s supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can’t knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we’re hoping this one has a degree of truth to it.

    Leaker Majin Bu also claims “TechWoven” cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report. The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for “convenient and secure carrying,” so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Additionally, he says there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black.

    Each new roster includes a base model, but over the years, Apple has shaken up the variety of phones it offers. Most likely there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the size matters philosophy, and has been building an iPhone Pro Max option with an even bigger screen and better battery life; the 17 roster will almost certainly have one as well.

    The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width “camera island” on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 “spotted in the wild.” The pics, highlighted on MacRumors, show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours.

    The iPhone 17 Air seems primed to take the place of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Since the iPhone 16e was only just introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point, it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to that lower end of the spectrum, the models that were previously called SE.

    At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won’t take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Finally, the price is rumored at $900 — likely more than the standard iPhone 17 but less than the Pro.

    We’ve also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange.

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his weekly Power On newsletter.

    On July 30, Tom’s Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson — a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information — showing “dummy” iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups — not real, leaked iPhones — it’s interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel.

    To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports. According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it’s important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e.

    What will iOS 26 be like?

    Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it’s released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they’ll be running on iOS 26.

    On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual.

    The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image.

    iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm.

    The next iOS is now available as a public beta. Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11.

    What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17?

    If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They’ll all run watchOS 26, of course.) Other possibilities — and this is, again, speculation — could include refreshed Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022) and maybe new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021).

    The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm this week thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors, it’s a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV, HomePod mini, new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads.

    Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 — if ever. So don’t expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention.

    That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs), so there’s always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road.

    Update, August 27, 2025, 5:44PM ET: Added official Apple iPhone 17 event date, and a rumor about its event logo.

    Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro’s orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases.

    Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case.

    Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series.

    Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island.

    Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17.

    Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s.

    Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro.

    Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing.

    Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date.

    Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models.

    Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors.

    Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta.

    Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models.

    Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air.

    Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech’s new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build.

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    Anna Washenko,Will Shanklin,Katie Teague

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  • Apple’s new iOS 26 public beta 5 is here, is your iPhone compatible? Check this list

    [ad_1]

    The Apple iPhone 17 event is exactly two weeks away, with the “awe dropping” announcement now officially confirmed for Tuesday, September 9 this year. If all goes to plan, that means we’ll likely get to download iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 one week after the event. Get excited because the OS 26es are coming with huge upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s operating systems. You’ve heard of Liquid Glass, right? It’s like the better-executed version of Windows Vista and definitely one of the cooler features coming this fall. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you can check out our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you can try it out yourself by downloading and installing the public beta 5. That software is a more stable iteration of the separate developer version, which recently hit the beta 8 waypoint, and offers a few more flashy features not yet available in the public version. (While the public beta is open to everyone and quite stable, always remember there’s a degree of risk involved with beta software.) Additionally, there are credible reports that iOS 26 could bring a new live translation feature to AirPods, too. Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet this year? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

    While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025 — a few models are getting cut this time. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to get the boot in 2023, and this year the 2018 models are getting left behind. If you have an ineligible device, you won’t be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this fall.

    We’ll get to the bottom of which iPhones and iPads will support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this year. To see what’s coming with the latest OSes, check out everything announced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 event. One thing you shouldn’t immediately expect is Apple’s updated version of Siri, though the company is reportedly working on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.

    These three iPhones won’t be compatible with iOS 26

    Unlike last year, several iPhone models won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut in September. This trio of models first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

    iPhones compatible with iOS 26

    While we don’t yet know the new iPhones Apple will be dropping next month — though there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the phones listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. Basically, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

    • iPhone SE (second generation or later)

    iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

    The iPads listed below, and any iPads released later this year, are eligible to download iPadOS 26.

    • iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)

    • iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)

    • iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

    • iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

    • iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

    What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

    If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

    When will iOS 26 become available?

    Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. If it follows suit this year, we should have access to the new operating system on Tuesday, Sept. 16 — exactly one week after the event.

    Expect a confirmation of the release date at the iPhone 17 event on September 9.

    iOS 26 features we’re excited about

    Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes more cohesive.

    Phone app redesign: You’ll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

    Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

    Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

    [ad_2]

    Katie Teague

    Source link

  • Apple’s new iOS 26 public beta 4 is here, but is your iPhone compatible? Check this list

    [ad_1]

    The Apple iPhone event is nearly here, which means we’ll soon get to download iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. The OS 26es are coming with huge upgrades to your iPhone and iPad’s operating systems. You’ve heard of Liquid Glass, right? It’s like the better-executed version of Windows Vista and definitely one of the cooler features coming this fall. We spent two weeks test-driving it — you can check out our detailed hands-on iOS 26 preview, or you can try it out yourself by downloading and installing the public beta 4. That software is a more stable iteration of the separate developer version, which recently hit the beta 7 waypoint, and offers a few more flashy features not yet available in the public version. (While the public beta is open to everyone and quite stable, always remember there’s a degree of risk involved with beta software.) Additionally, there are credible reports that iOS 26 could bring a new live translation feature to AirPods, too. Not sure if you want to upgrade your smartphone or tablet this year? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

    While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025 — a few models are getting cut this time. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to get the boot in 2023, and this year the 2018 models are getting left behind. If you have an ineligible device, you won’t be able to download iOS 26 when it becomes available this fall.

    We’ll get to the bottom of which iPhones and iPads will support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this year. To see what’s coming with the latest OSes, check out everything announced at Apple’s WWDC June 9 event. One thing you shouldn’t immediately expect is Apple’s updated version of Siri, though the company is reportedly working on a ‘stripped-down’ AI chatbot to compete with ChatGPT.

    These three iPhones won’t be compatible with iOS 26

    Unlike last year, several iPhone models won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS when it makes its debut this fall. This trio of models first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

    iPhones compatible with iOS 26

    While we don’t yet know the new iPhones Apple will be dropping this fall — though there are iPhone 17 rumors — we do know, per Apple’s site, that the phones listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. Basically, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

    • iPhone SE (second generation or later)

    iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

    The iPads listed below, and any iPads released later this year, are eligible to download iPadOS 26.

    • iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)

    • iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)

    • iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)

    • iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)

    • iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

    What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

    If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

    When will iOS 26 become available?

    Apple usually rolls out its latest iOS in mid-September, just a few days before the new iPhones hit store shelves. Last year, it released iOS 18 on Monday, Sept. 16. Expect a confirmation of the release date at the iPhone 17 event, expected in early September.

    iOS 26 features we’re excited about

    Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple’s OSes more cohesive.

    Phone app redesign: You’ll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

    Live Translate: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

    Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members will be able to create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

    [ad_2]

    Katie Teague

    Source link

  • Why Morgan Stanley Analysts Doubled Apple iPhone Predictions | Entrepreneur

    Why Morgan Stanley Analysts Doubled Apple iPhone Predictions | Entrepreneur

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    Apple entered the AI game last month with Apple Intelligence, a suite of new features designed to bring AI straight to iPhone, iPad, and Mac screens. Apple’s AI has a catch though: it only works on the newest iPhones and it could be the reason why millions of iPhone users with older models seriously think about upgrading, say Morgan Stanley analysts.

    Morgan Stanley analysts named Apple a top-pick stock on Monday, after which Apple shares jumped to an all-time high, per Bloomberg. Apple Intelligence is a “clear catalyst” for iPhone upgrades and will enable Apple to sell nearly half a billion iPhones in the next two years, analyst Eric Woodring stated.

    Apple Intelligence is expected to come out this fall for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max — older iPhones will not have access to Apple’s AI. The update offers AI-generated emojis, a smarter Siri, and direct access to ChatGPT, though some anticipated Siri AI upgrades may arrive next year.

    Related: Apple Is Expanding What The iPhone Can Do. Here’s What’s Changing Right Away.

    “We believe that there is record level of pent-up demand entering the iPhone 16 cycle later this year,” Woodring noted, adding that Apple Intelligence delivers “unique-to-the-Apple-ecosystem” value.

    Morgan Stanley previously forecasted that Apple would sell around 230 million iPhones in the same time frame, making the new prediction more than double the previous one.

    Apple is also uniquely positioned to be the AI “base camp” for its customers, “just as it has done for digital content (iPod) and social media (iPhone),” wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Ananda Baruah.

    Apple CEO Tim Cook waves to customers before they enter Apple’s 5th Avenue store. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

    Other analysts at different firms have made similar predictions. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told Reuters in June that more than 15% of existing iPhone users could buy the new iPhone Apple is expected to release this fall.

    Related: Apple Labels These 3 Iconic Products ‘Vintage,’ and Soon-to-Be ‘Obsolete’

    Ives estimated that 270 million iPhone users have not bought a new model in the past four years.

    More than half of Apple’s overall revenue in the second quarter of 2024 came from iPhones; Apple has the majority of the market share for smartphones in the U.S.

    At the time of writing, Apple was the largest company in the world with a $3.584 trillion market cap. Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, and Amazon followed.

    Related: Warren Buffett Had to Work From His iPhone After Telephone Lines Went Down at Berkshire Hathaway: ‘I’m Glad We Didn’t Sell All of Our Apple’

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    Sherin Shibu

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  • Apple to be hit with Justice Department antitrust lawsuit over allegations it unfairly blocked rivals

    Apple to be hit with Justice Department antitrust lawsuit over allegations it unfairly blocked rivals

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    The Justice Department is poised to sue Apple Inc. as soon as Thursday, accusing the world’s second most valuable tech company of violating antitrust laws by blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software features of its iPhone.

    The suit, which is expected to be filed in federal court, according to people familiar with the matter, escalates the Biden administration’s antitrust fights against most of the biggest US technology giants. The Justice Department is already suing Alphabet Inc.’s Google for monopolization, while the Federal Trade Commission is pursuing antitrust cases against Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.

    Apple and the Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The people familiar asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter.

    Apple shares fell as much as 1.4% to $176.10 in late trading on the news. They had been down 7.2% this year through Wednesday’s close.

    The coming case will mark the third time that the Justice Department has sued Apple for antitrust violations in the past 14 years, but it is the first case accusing the iPhone maker of illegally maintaining its dominant position. 

    The lawsuit comes as Apple also is coming under increasing scrutiny in Europe over alleged anticompetitive behavior. The company was hit with a €1.8 billion fine this month for shutting out music streaming rivals from offering cheaper deals. Apple’s appealing the penalty and has said that regulators failed to uncover any “credible evidence of consumer harm.”

    Meanwhile, the company may face a full-blown investigation under the EU’s new rules for Big Tech — the Digital Markets Act — which went into force earlier this month. Rivals have dinged new App Store rules that came into force in Europe, complaining that changes are likely to result in higher prices for developers. Penalties for failing to comply with the EU’s new rules can be severe – as much as 10% of a company’s annual worldwide revenue or up to 20% for repeat offenders.

    The Justice Department opened the latest case in 2019 under former President Donald Trump. The antitrust division, though, chose to prioritize twin cases against Google, taking a back seat as Fortnite maker Epic Games Inc. sued Apple for monopolization in 2020 and that case worked its way through the federal courts.

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    Anna Edgerton, Kartikay Mehrotra, Leah Nylen, Bloomberg

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  • Apple says it shut down the Beeper Mini app—which enabled iMessage for Android—to 'protect our users'

    Apple says it shut down the Beeper Mini app—which enabled iMessage for Android—to 'protect our users'

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    Apple Inc. on Saturday said it shut down third-party applications that enabled Android devices to use the iMessage service to communicate with iPhone users.

    The iPhone maker said in a statement it “took steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials in order to gain access to iMessage.” It added that “these techniques posed significant risks to user security and privacy, including the potential for metadata exposure and enabling unwanted messages, spam, and phishing attacks.”

    The company said it would continue to make changes in the future to protect its users. The announcement comes a day after Beeper Mini, the latest app to enable iMessage on Android devices, stopped working. Apple’s iMessage offers encrypted messaging between iPhones, Macs, iPads and other devices made by the company, and it has resisted calls for nearly a decade to expand the service to Android.

    Some users have long argued that the lack of an iMessage app for Android makes messaging between the two platforms less secure. Apple recently said it would support RCS, or rich communication services, later next year. That’s a replacement for the standard SMS service that will enable an improved texting experience between platforms.

    Read more: Apple to Adopt Texting Standard That Works With Android

    Beeper was founded by Eric Migicovsky, who is known for creating the Pebble smartwatch in the years before the Apple Watch and for being part of Y Combinator, the tech industry’s most prestigious business incubator.

    In an interview, Migicovsky said his new company continues to work on Beeper Mini and is “feeling good” about again bypassing Apple’s restrictions. He said that Beeper Cloud — a variant of Beeper Mini — is still working. Beeper Mini, he says, is more secure and connects directly to Apple services, while Beeper Cloud uses third-party servers.

    “The passion and energy people had this week is indicative of the importance of what we’re doing,” Migicovsky said. He denied that Beeper Mini creates security issues for users, saying his app enables encrypted messaging between Android and iOS so less security is a false notion.

    Migicovsky, who said he hasn’t heard from Apple about his service, was selling Beeper Mini for a $1.99 per month subscription after a one week free trial. Apple doesn’t charge a subscription to use iMessage on its devices.

    Apple said it can’t verify that messages sent through unauthorized systems that masquerade the use of Apple credentials are actually end-to-end encrypted. Other services, including one called Sunbird, have previously tried to make iMessage work on Android. Those efforts were also shuttered by Apple.

    Despite adding support for RCS next year, Apple executives have publicly and privately shot down the idea of making it easier for iOS and Android users to communicate. Last year, Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook suggested that a user who wanted to more easily message with his mother on Android buy her an iPhone.

    Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, said in an email to fellow executives several years ago that “iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove an obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones.”

    The company’s operating systems will further open up next year in the European Union with the Digital Markets Act, which will require Apple to allow third-party app stores in the region.

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    Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

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  • Apple warns of hit to iPhone shipments from China COVID disruption

    Apple warns of hit to iPhone shipments from China COVID disruption

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    Apple Inc on Sunday said it expects lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max shipments than previously anticipated as COVID-19 restrictions temporarily disrupt production at an assembly facility in Zhengzhou, China.

    “The facility is currently operating at significantly reduced capacity,” the iPhone maker said in a statement. “Customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products,” it added.

    Reuters last month reported that production of Apple’s iPhones could slump by as much as 30% at one of the world’s biggest factories next month due to tightening COVID curbs in China.

    Its main Zhengzhou plant in central China, which employs about 200,000 people, has been rocked by discontent over stringent measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, with many workers fleeing the site.

    Separately, Taiwan’s Foxconn, Apple Inc’s biggest iPhone maker, said on Monday it was working to resume full production at a major plant in Zhengzhou that had been hit by COVID-19 curbs, and revised down its fourth quarter outlook.

    The impact on production comes amid a traditionally busy time for electronics makers ahead of the year-end holiday season, which is also a prime time for vendors of consumer goods like Apple.

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