MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:47:48 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Benchmarks Reveal Speed of A20 Pro Chip https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/iphone-18-pro-max-benchmarks-reveal-a20-pro-speed/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-and-pro-max-benchmarks-reveal-speed-of-a20-pro-chip.2488918/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:06:15 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/iphone-18-pro-max-benchmarks-reveal-a20-pro-speed/ Tim Hardwick iPhone 18 Pro Geekbench benchmark results for the A20 Pro chip in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max appeared early this morning in the Geekbench 7 database, offering us a first look at the new models' CPU and graphics performance ahead of the devices reaching customers.


Based on these early results – which are unconfirmed – the A20 Pro chip across the Pro models appears to deliver around 21% to 23% faster performance in single-core and 27% to 28% faster performance in multi-core than the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro. It's a pretty impressive jump.

The iPhone 18 Pro result lists a single-core score of 4,719 and a multi-core score of 12,677, while an iPhone 18 Pro Max entry delivers similar results, scoring 4,725 and 12,575, respectively. Both identify a six-core CPU running at approximately 4.93 GHz.

There are similarly formidable gains on the graphics side for the A20 Pro. Based on early Metal scores in the Geekbench 6 database (also unconfirmed) the full 7-core GPU variant of the chip in the iPhone 18 Pro models is around 38% to 40% faster than the A19 Pro's 6-core GPU.

The graphics results broadly match Apple's claim in its iPhone 18 Pro press release and product page that the A20 Pro offers up to 20% faster CPU performance compared to the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro models, while the A20 Pro's new seven-core GPU is up to 40% faster than the A19 Pro.

Built using a 2-nanometer process, the chip also features a six-core CPU with integrated Neural Accelerators and 50% more memory bandwidth than its predecessor. Apple also says the new chip packaging and redesigned vapor chamber enable up to 40% better sustained performance than the previous generation.

Note that these one-off benchmarks, which have yet to be independently verified, don't tell us how the devices will perform during prolonged gaming or other demanding workloads – benchmark results and real-world performance are never totally analogous.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tag: Geekbench

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]]> iOS 27 to Upgrade Apple TV Remote App in Two Ways https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/hidden-ios-27-features-iphone-apple-tv-remote-app/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-27-to-upgrade-apple-tv-remote-app-in-two-ways.2488910/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 02:33:59 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/hidden-ios-27-features-iphone-apple-tv-remote-app/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV iOS 27

First up, Apple has added a new button to the top-right corner of the Remote UI with a glyph showing four squares. Pressing the button pops out an app menu similar to the Apple TV home screen that allows you to quickly select an app and launch it.

Second, you can now drag down from the top of the virtual trackpad with your finger to reveal the Apple TV's top shelf carousel, where shows in your watch list are displayed, along with shows that you've started so that you can continue watching.

The two new features, hidden behind feature flags, were discovered by MacRumors and later demonstrated on X (Twitter) by code sleuth "pdfu."


The next-generation Apple TV 4K will ship with an upgraded Siri Remote, according to previously discovered macOS 26.7 code findings. We don't know what those upgrades will be, but these two new Remote app features could hint at what's to come. The new Apple TV 4K is likely to be unveiled later this month or in October.

Starting in iOS 27, the virtual Apple TV remote can also be added to the iPhone's Home Screen again, so it's no longer limited to Control Center. If you're on the iOS 27 beta, you can find it by swiping down on the Home Screen and searching for "remote."
Related Roundups: Apple TV, iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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]]> Touch ID Isn't the Only Way to Unlock an iPhone Duo https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/apple-great-mac-feature-for-iphone-duo/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/touch-id-isnt-the-only-way-to-unlock-an-iphone-duo.2488907/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:41:48 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/10/apple-great-mac-feature-for-iphone-duo/ Tim Hardwick iPhone Duo Apple's new iPhone Duo lacks Face ID. That may irk users who are used to the seamless unlocking experience that a facial biometric system provides, but fortunately Apple has brought over one of the Mac's best authentication features to its foldable iPhone to make up for it.

Touch ID is integrated into the Duo's side button for authentication whether iPhone Duo is open or closed, but like regular iPhones, if you own an Apple Watch, you can opt to have it unlock your iPhone Duo without you having to press a thing. Pre-orders for iPhone Duo begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo

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]]> Hands-On With the iPhone Duo: The Crease is Still There, But Barely https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-hands-on/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/hands-on-with-the-iphone-duo-the-crease-is-still-there-but-barely.2488883/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:44:32 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-hands-on/ Juli Clover Featured iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo. We were able to take a look, and we have some initial thoughts to share.

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The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is priced starting at $1,999, and it feels like it. This is a premium device that's thin, but feels sturdy. The outer display is 5.4 inches, so it's smaller than the iPhone 18 Pro when it's closed, but the inner display is 7.6 inches.

Apple used a nano-texture polymer for the inside display, and the material cuts glare but also reduces the visibility of the crease. The display layer has a micro lens texture written pixel by pixel using maskless laser lithography for a perceptually flat, matte surface. It does indeed minimize the look and feel of the fold in the middle of the ‌iPhone Duo‌.

You can still see the crease and it's visible in certain lighting, but Apple did a better job than Samsung at hiding it. Of course, foldable creases can become more visible as a device folds and unfolds, so it will be interesting to see how the ‌iPhone Duo‌ holds up over time. Apple says there are viscoelastic adhesives that let the layers glide over each other, so that might help.

There's no visible camera cutout on the inner display of the ‌iPhone Duo‌, because Apple put it under the screen. It's invisible on a lighter screen, but when the display is darker, you can see the camera area somewhat.

Apple knew software would be important, and apps adapt well to the new form factor. The main controls are on the side of the displays and there's a new vertical dock. The status bar tucks in the corner, which makes sense for a foldable, and everything is where you want it for one-handed use.

You can run two apps side by side, or two instances of the same app (like two Safari pages), but there's no option to resize them. They each take up one half of the display. Two apps can be locked together as a pair so they launch together in the future and you can swipe over to other apps.

Apps work when the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is open, closed, and half-folded too. You can prop the ‌iPhone Duo‌ up and controls will move to the bottom of the display. iOS can adapt to the orientation and angle of the device, and it slides content away from the crease to make sure everything is easy to tap regardless of position. Audio also tunes automatically based on position.

StandBy works even when the ‌iPhone Duo‌ isn't charging. You just need to fold the Duo in half in a tent orientation and you'll see widgets, music, calendar, weather, and more. It works as a bedside clock too, and there's even a new glow alarm clock feature.

There are only two cameras in the ‌iPhone Duo‌. It has a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, but no Telephoto camera. There is 2x zoom, but that's just a cropped-in view from the Main camera. The outer display front camera is 12MP.

You can do some unique things with the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s camera setup. Apple added 4K Dolby Vision time lapses, a feature that works well with the ‌iPhone Duo‌ since it can prop itself up for longer shots. A Smart Take option uses AI to capture a shot when everyone is in frame, so you can set it up, run over to get in a group photo, and have the iPhone automatically take a picture. The outer display can show Peanuts animations to get children to smile (Kid Cue), and when you're taking a photo of someone, they can see themselves on the outer display and give you feedback on the shot setup (Duo Preview). FaceTime can also use both displays and someone can join a ‌FaceTime‌ call with you using the outer display camera, so you don't have to crowd together in one camera (‌FaceTime‌ Duo).

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ has the same A20 Pro chip as the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, and Apple's new C2 modem that's faster and more efficient than the C1X. The C2 supports mmWave 5G speeds in the United States.

The $1,999 starting price is for 256GB storage. You can get up to 2TB, but that option will cost you $3,199. ‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders start on Friday, October 16, with a launch to follow on October 23.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> Everything Apple Announced at the September 2026 Event https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-september-2026-event-recap/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/everything-apple-announced-at-the-september-2026-event.2488879/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:25:29 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-september-2026-event-recap/ Juli Clover Featured September 2026 Apple Event iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the new foldable iPhone Duo, new Apple Watch models, and AirPods 5. It took Apple over an hour to announce everything, but we have an 11-minute recap for those who want a quick but detailed overview of everything.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.


Our full event coverage is below with more information on all of today's announcements.

iPhone Duo



iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max



Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4



AirPods 5



Software



Other News



The Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 are available for pre-order today. Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max will begin on Saturday, September 12 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The new devices will launch on September 18.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ will start on October 16, with a launch to follow on October 23.
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> iPhone Duo is Dust-Tight With IP68 Rating, Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-ip68-durability/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-duo-is-dust-tight-with-ip68-rating-unlike-samsungs-galaxy-z-fold8.2488875/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:46:16 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-ip68-durability/ Juli Clover iPhone Duo Samsung September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, beating Samsung and tying Google.


Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold8 models have an IP48 dust and water resistance rating, which means they aren't able to hold up to dust as well. Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold also has an IP68 rating.

IP6X for dust means the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is "dust-tight" and no dust is able to get in. The IPX8 rating for water means it is protected from water deeper than 1 meter. Apple says the device can handle a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. IP68 is the same dust and water resistance rating as other iPhones, and dust matters because it can get into the hinges of foldables and cause damage.

Apple warns that water and dust resistance "are not permanent conditions," and resistance can decrease as a result of normal wear. iFixit will likely do a teardown on the ‌iPhone Duo‌, and we'll see how it holds up to dust.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ has other durability features, including a titanium frame, titanium hinge cover, and 10-layer display.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tags: Samsung, September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> iOS 27's 'iPhone Handoff' Feature Limited to T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom at Launch https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/ios-27-iphone-handoff-t-mobile/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-27s-iphone-handoff-feature-limited-to-t-mobile-and-deutsche-telekom-at-launch.2488868/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:49:35 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/ios-27-iphone-handoff-t-mobile/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 September 2026 Apple Event iOS 27 that will let you use the same number on two iPhones and swap between them as needed. iPhone Handoff requires carrier support, and Apple says there may be carrier fees when setting it up.


The new iPhone Handoff option was mentioned at today's event and in the iPhone Duo press release, and it turns out it's going to be limited at launch. Apple says it will only be available on T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany when ‌iOS 27‌ comes out.

To use iPhone Handoff, you need two iPhones running ‌iOS 27‌ or later that are connected to Wi-Fi and signed into the same Apple account with FaceTime, iMessage, and Messages in iCloud turned on.

iPhone Handoff can be enabled during new iPhone setup, or in the Settings app. When you set up a new iPhone, you can make your current iPhone your secondary iPhone.

With iPhone Handoff enabled, one iPhone is the main iPhone and the other iPhone is the secondary iPhone that shares the same number. Some carrier services like Call Forwarding, Caller ID, and account management can only be managed on the main iPhone. iPhone Handoff also does not swap your Apple Watch from one iPhone to another.

Moving between a main iPhone and secondary iPhone happens automatically when you unlock one of the devices. Apple says your phone number will automatically become active, and you'll see the message "Switched to this iPhone" to confirm.

A phone number can only be active on one iPhone at a time when using iPhone Handoff. Payment cards in the Wallet app and car keys can work across both iPhones, but Apple warns some Wallet items like transit passes, IDs, or corporate badges might only work on one iPhone at a time.

iPhone Handoff works with Dual SIM as long as both eSIMs are from carriers that support iPhone Handoff. Both eSIMs will switch together simultaneously when you unlock your iPhone. Each eSIM has to be set up separately.

Once set up, iPhone Handoff remains activated until you contact your carrier to turn it off. More information can be found in Apple's support document for the feature.

‌iOS 27‌ is set to launch on Monday, September 14. T-Mobile has not announced iPhone Handoff pricing.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> Apple Explains What's Inside the iPhone Duo's Folding Screen https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-folding-screen-layers/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-explains-whats-inside-the-iphone-duos-folding-screen.2488866/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:38:46 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-folding-screen-layers/ Juli Clover iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo's inner display uses a complicated, multi-layer structure that Apple says will hold up to wear and tear.


There are 10 ultrathin layers in total, including a nano-textured cover layer made from a custom polymer that Apple says is up to 40 percent stiffer than "other materials used in the industry," which presumably means other foldable devices.

Apple added high-strength glass above and below the folding display panel, along with a titanium plate at the bottom of the stack. Custom adhesives "allow the layers to glide past one another like the pages of a book, relieving bend stress," according to Apple.

The exterior nano-texture layer's finish is meant to reduce glare and minimize the visibility of the crease, and a scratch-resistant coating covers the nano-texture layer.

The outer display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2 like the iPhone 18 Pro models, while the back of the iPhone has Ceramic Shield. The inner display gets the custom polymer cover instead of Ceramic Shield.

Both of the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s displays support ProMotion, Always-On, and True Tone, and offer 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> iPhone Duo Beats iPhone Air as Apple's Thinnest iPhone, But Only When Open https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-thinnest-iphone/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-duo-beats-iphone-air-as-apples-thinnest-iphone-but-only-when-open.2488858/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:43:01 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-thinnest-iphone/ Juli Clover iPhone Air iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo is the "thinnest iPhone ever," according to Apple. When unfolded, the device is 5.2mm thick, making it 0.4mm thinner than the 5.6mm iPhone Air.


Rumors suggested it could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, but it didn't end up that thin. At 5.2mm, it's just a little bit thicker than the 5.1mm 13-inch iPad Pro, which is Apple's thinnest device.

When folded, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is 11.3mm thick. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro Max are both 8.75mm thick.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is also Apple's heaviest iPhone to date at 254 grams, which is five grams heavier than the 249-gram ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max. It has a 7.6-inch inner display when it's open and a 5.4-inch outer display when it's closed, and it has a short, wide design.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ begin on October 16 ahead of an October 23 launch date.
Related Roundups: iPhone Air, iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Neutral)

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]]> Here's What Apple Says About the iPhone Duo's Crease https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-crease/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/heres-what-apple-says-about-the-iphone-duos-crease.2488854/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:35:39 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-crease/ Juli Clover Featured iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo, rumors suggested Apple was focused on eliminating the crease between the device's two displays. All foldables have a visible crease, and it often becomes easier to see over time from constant folding and unfolding.


On the ‌iPhone Duo‌ product page, one of Apple's FAQs concerns the crease. "Does the inner display of ‌iPhone Duo‌ show a crease where it folds?" reads the question.

Apple's response says the display is "wonderfully flat and smooth," but it doesn't say there's no crease at all and actually skirts the question it asks.
iPhone Duo features a wonderfully flat and smooth inner display with custom nano-texture finish technology to reduce glare and reflections for an uninterrupted viewing experience. The optically clear adhesives let the display layers glide as the screen folds, minimizing stress and crease.

In the press release for the device, Apple says that the Duo's nano-texture display is meant to minimize the visibility of the crease.
A premium nano-texture finish reduces glare and reflections, creating a matte surface that minimizes crease visibility and feels great to touch.

Apple does not list a fold cycle count anywhere in its press release or on its website, but it does say the hinge offers "smooth, balanced resistance for long-lasting reliability." Apple also says the hinge has more than 100 components, while the ‌iPhone Duo‌ has support ribs and a titanium panel under the display.

Apple competitor Samsung does list fold cycles for its foldable devices. The new Galaxy Z Fold8, which has the same general shape as the ‌iPhone Duo‌, is rated for 500,000 folds.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is set to launch on October 23, with pre-orders starting on October 16.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Get Wave of New Bands https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-new-bands/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-get-wave-of-new-bands.2488852/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:24:20 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-new-bands/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Featured New Banner (Featured) September 2026 Apple Event


Here's a breakdown of what's new across the band lineup:


  • Sport Band: New Navy Blue, Magenta, Olive, Burgundy, Wildflower Blue, Pale Succulent, Sand, and Black colors for Apple Watch Series 12.

  • Sport Band (ceramic hardware): Sand and Navy Blue to match the new ceramic Apple Watch Series 12 models; not available as a standalone purchase.

  • Sport Loop: New Olive, Burgundy, Limestone, Magenta, and Chambray Blue colors, plus a new inkjet-printed plaid pattern in Burgundy and Light Umber.

  • Nike Sport Band and Nike Sport Loop: Five new colors; Essential White, Chalk Calm, Pavement Grey, After Dark Black, and Green Spark.

  • Milanese Loop: New Radiant Gold and Natural colors to match the titanium case, plus a new Dark Bronze option, priced at $99.

  • Link Bracelet: A new stainless steel bracelet in Radiant Gold and Natural, priced at $349.

  • Modern Buckle: New woven material with flecks of color, in Mulberry, Camel, Sage, and Navy Blue, now available with gold hardware for the first time alongside natural hardware, priced at $199 (42mm only).

  • Magnetic Link: Available in Wildflower Blue, Burgundy, Camel, and Midnight, priced at $99.

  • Solo Loop: New Wildflower Blue, Burgundy, Olive, and Navy Blue colors, priced at $49.

  • Braided Solo Loop: New Olive, Magenta, Wildflower Blue, Burgundy, Navy Blue, and Black colors, priced at $99.

  • Trail Loop: New Dark Umber, Sand, and Burgundy colors for the Apple Watch Ultra 4, priced at $99 (49mm only).

  • Alpine Loop: New Desert, Dark Olive, and Burgundy colors for the Ultra 4, priced at $99 (49mm only).

  • Ocean Band: Now made from a translucent silicone material, offered in Translucent Gray, Translucent Kelp, and Translucent Black, priced at $99 (49mm only).

  • Hermès Noir Satin Clou de Selle: A new band with a gold-finish clasp and saddle stud, exclusively paired with the new Hermès radiant gold titanium case, priced at $499.

  • Hermès Rocabar Club: A new knitted H pattern band inspired by horse-jumping competitions, in four Bleu Nuit colorways paired with Gris Titane, Orange, Bleu Brighton, and Vert accents, priced at $499.

  • Hermès En Mer: A new water-resistant knit band for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 with a pillowed stripe and titanium buckle, in Argile, Bordeaux, Bleu Nuit, and Orange colorways, priced at $549 (49mm only).

  • Hermès Scub'H Diving: A new rubber band for the Ultra 4 with circular porthole-like cutouts, in Vert Vertigo, Gris Titane, and Bleu De Malte colorways, priced at $549 (49mm only).

  • Hermès Grand H Titane: A new titanium version of the Grand H bracelet for the Apple Watch Ultra 4, priced at $2,199 (49mm only).

  • Hermès Kilim Single Tour: Bleu De Malte, Cuivre, and Béton colorways, priced at $499.



The new Apple Watch bands are available to order today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy), Apple Watch Ultra (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> iOS 27 Will Let You Redeem Apple Gift Cards on the Back of Your iPhone https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/ios-27-apple-gift-cards-tap-to-redeem-on-iphone/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-27-will-let-you-redeem-apple-gift-cards-on-the-back-of-your-iphone.2488847/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:11:08 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/ios-27-apple-gift-cards-tap-to-redeem-on-iphone/ Joe Rossignol iOS 27 No Linkback According to new code uncovered in the iOS 27 Release Candidate, there will be a new way to redeem Apple gift cards by tapping them on the back of a compatible iPhone.

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

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12 Comes in New Finishes, Including Ceramic https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-comes-new-finishes/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-comes-in-new-finishes-including-ceramic.2488843/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:52:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-comes-new-finishes/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Apple Watch Hermès


Here's a breakdown of the case types, finishes, and pricing across the new Apple Watch lineup:

  • Apple Watch Series 12 (aluminum): Available in space gray, black, light gold, and dark bronze (starts at $399).

  • Apple Watch Series 12 (titanium): Available in radiant gold and natural (starts at $699).

  • Apple Watch Series 12 (ceramic): Available in pearl white and night blue (starts at $899).

  • Apple Watch Ultra 4 (titanium): Available in natural and black finishes (starts at $799).

  • Apple Watch Hermès Series 12 (titanium): Available in radiant gold and silver (starts at $1,399).
  • Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 4 (titanium): Available in natural titanium (starts at $1,499).


The ceramic finish returns with the Series 12 this year, pairing with sand and navy blue Sport Bands that feature a ceramic pin-and-tuck closure to match the case.

Pre-orders for both Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are open today, with availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Apple Watch Hermès
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy)

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]]> iPhone 18 Pro is eSIM-Only in These Countries https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-18-pro-esim-only-countries/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-is-esim-only-in-these-countries.2488842/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:52:11 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-18-pro-esim-only-countries/ Joe Rossignol iPhone 18 Pro September 2026 Apple Event

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


  • Bahrain

  • Canada

  • Guam

  • Japan

  • Kuwait

  • Mexico

  • Oman

  • Qatar

  • Saudi Arabia

  • United Arab Emirates

  • United States

  • U.S. Virgin Islands

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

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

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

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

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

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

iPhone Duo features an eSIM-only design worldwide.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than physical SIM cards, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap SIM cards while traveling.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> iPhone Duo Will Ship With iOS 27.1, Hinting at Update's Release Date https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-ios-27-1/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-duo-will-ship-with-ios-27-1-hinting-at-updates-release-date.2488840/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:36:11 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-ios-27-1/ Juli Clover iOS 27 iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1 when it launches this October, which gives us a hint at when the first major iOS 27 update will come out.


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will be available on October 23, so iOS 27.1 should be released shortly before that date. Last year, iOS 26.1 didn't come out until November 3, but we're expecting iOS 27.1 about two weeks earlier.

iOS 27.1 will include updated app layouts built for the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s dual displays and its new vertical dock.

The iPhone 18 Pro models will ship with ‌iOS 27‌ and are set to launch on September 18, so the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is coming just over a month later. ‌iOS 27‌ will launch on September 14.

Apple will accept pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ on October 16, a week ahead of the October 23 launch.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> Three All-New 'Audio Intelligence' Features Arrive With Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/audio-intelligence-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/three-all-new-audio-intelligence-features-arrive-with-apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4.2488838/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:23:25 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/audio-intelligence-features/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Apple Intelligence September 2026 Apple Event

The Apple Watch's Audio Intelligence comprises four features:


  • Siri Recap: Uses ambient listening to generate high-level notes from conversations, such as takeaways from a team meeting or a parent-teacher conference, producing an Apple Intelligence-generated title, summary, and key points reviewable in the Siri app.

  • Live Rewind: Lets users "go back in time for 15 seconds," transcribing and displaying what was just said in a conversation with a double press of the Digital Crown.

  • Shazam: Automatically identifies music playing nearby and surfaces the song title and artist on the Music Recognition widget in the Smart Stack.

  • Sound Recognition: Brings sound alerts to Apple Watch for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, listening for sirens, alarms, doorbells, a baby crying, and more, even when their iPhone isn't nearby.



Apple emphasized that ‌Siri‌ Recap is opt-in and configurable, telling users they "control if and when ‌Siri‌ Recap takes notes." Users can set it to always listen or schedule it for specific contexts, such as only at work or never at night, and can toggle it on or off at any time from Control Center. Apple reiterated that none of the Audio Intelligence features create or store audio recordings, with raw audio processed in an isolated Secure Exclave on the S11 chip and deleted immediately after use.

Audio Intelligence and ‌Siri‌ AI both require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, with Live Rewind and ‌Siri‌ Recap limited to the iPhone 16 or later (excluding the iPhone 16e).

The features arrive in beta later this year, starting in English, with additional languages to follow, and will not initially be available in the EU.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tags: Apple Intelligence, September 2026 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy), Apple Watch Ultra (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> iPhone Duo Only Works With the $79 USB-C Apple Pencil, Not the Apple Pencil Pro https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-pencil-usb-c-iphone-duo/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-duo-only-works-with-the-79-usb-c-apple-pencil-not-the-apple-pencil-pro.2488836/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:15:26 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-pencil-usb-c-iphone-duo/ Juli Clover iPhone Duo Apple Pencil September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo will work with the Apple Pencil, but support is limited. Apple says that you need the ‌Apple Pencil‌ with USB-C for the ‌iPhone Duo‌, so if you have the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro, you may be out of luck.


It's likely the ‌iPhone Duo‌ doesn't support the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro because there's no magnetic surface for charging the pencil. The ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro charges magnetically when connected to a compatible iPad, while the ‌Apple Pencil‌ with USB-C charges with a USB-C port hidden behind a sliding cap.

The ‌Apple Pencil‌ with USB-C does not support pressure sensitivity, double-tap, barrel roll, haptic feedback, squeeze, or Find My, but it does have tilt sensitivity. Apple charges $79 for the ‌Apple Pencil‌ with USB-C and $129 for the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro.

Apple says that an ‌Apple Pencil‌ will work with both the inner and outer ‌iPhone Duo‌ displays. It's the first iPhone that works with ‌Apple Pencil‌.

‌Apple Pencil‌ support won't be available right when the ‌iPhone Duo‌ launches, and Apple says it's coming later this year.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will launch on October 23, with pre-orders beginning on October 16.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tags: Apple Pencil, September 2026 Apple Event
Related Forum: iPad Accessories

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Offer These Eight New Health and Fitness Features https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-health-and-fitness/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-offer-these-eight-new-health-and-fitness-features.2488834/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:07:23 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-health-and-fitness/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Health and Fitness September 2026 Apple Event

Apple today revealed the following features for the two new devices:


  • New "Health Sensing System": A redesigned sensor architecture with three main improvements, including increased electrode surface area for better ECG skin contact, photodiodes arranged in a ring for more efficient light capture, and larger, more power-efficient green LEDs for accurate heart rate readings during motion.

  • Continuous heart rate sensing: Heart rate is now measured every five seconds throughout the day, 60 times more frequently than before, viewable via a new watch face complication.

  • Higher-frequency HRV: Heart rate variability is sampled up to 24 times more often, with separate recovery and overall HRV values shown in a new section of the Heart Rate app.

  • Daytime vitals view: A new toggle lets users switch between overnight and daytime vitals, potentially catching shifts in metrics before they show up in overnight readings.

  • VO2 Max test: A new test has users set up their iPhone to watch them perform a series of exercises, delivering results immediately alongside data from their Apple Watch.

  • Most accurate step tracking: A redesigned pedometer model with new machine learning algorithms improves distance accuracy for indoor workouts and all-day step counts.

  • Steps complication: A brand-new watch face complication, enabled by the S11 chip, lets users track their step count in real time.

  • Longer workout battery life: Up to 10 hours during an outdoor workout, 25% more than the previous model, with 15 minutes of charging now delivering up to 12 hours of extra battery. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 goes further, with up to 50 hours of everyday battery life, 84 hours in Low Power Mode, and a new Max Extended Workout mode rated for up to 45 hours of outdoor tracking; 15 minutes of charging adds up to 18 hours of battery.



The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799, with pre-orders for both open today and availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tags: Health and Fitness, September 2026 Apple Event
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy), Apple Watch Ultra (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> iPhone Duo Doesn't Have an Action Button https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-doesnt-have-an-action-button/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-duo-doesnt-have-an-action-button.2488831/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:01:36 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-duo-doesnt-have-an-action-button/ Juli Clover iPhone Duo September 2026 Apple Event iPhone Duo does not include an Action Button, according to the device's technical specifications page. The page's diagram highlights volume up/down buttons at the top, Camera Control and side buttons on the right side, a USB-C port at the bottom, and microphones and speakers at the top and bottom.


On the iPhone 18 Pro models and earlier, the Action Button is located on the left side of the iPhone right above the volume up/down buttons.

The Action Button is a customizable button that can be assigned one of several actions. It can do things like activate Silent mode (the default), set a Focus, turn on the Flashlight, record a Voice Memo, activate Visual Intelligence, or run a Shortcut.

Apple introduced the Action Button with the iPhone 15 Pro, and all iPhones released since then have included the feature. The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is the first iPhone that has no option for a physical mute toggle. Silent mode will need to be turned on via Control Center.

The side button on the ‌iPhone Duo‌ includes Touch ID for unlocking the device, because it does not support Face ID. There's also a separate Camera Control button for launching the camera and capturing photos.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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]]> Apple Reveals iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery Capacities https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-18-pro-max-battery-capacities/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-reveals-iphone-18-pro-and-iphone-18-pro-max-battery-capacities.2488830/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:56:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/iphone-18-pro-max-battery-capacities/ Joe Rossignol Featured iPhone 18 Pro September 2026 Apple Event iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models that the company announced earlier today.


Apple is required to publish energy labels on its iPhone product pages in the EU, and they reveal the official mAh battery capacities for the devices.

Here are the battery capacities for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models that still have a SIM card tray, according to Apple:


  • iPhone 18 Pro: 4,056 mAh (+1.7% vs. iPhone 17 Pro's 3,988 mAh)

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5,391 mAh (+11.7% vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max's 4,823 mAh)

Notably, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has received a much larger battery life increase than the iPhone 18 Pro did compared to the previous generation.

eSIM-only models of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The devices have a SIM card tray in all other countries around the world, including in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.

eSIM-only iPhone models are equipped with a slightly larger battery that fills the space occupied by the physical SIM card tray.

eSIM-only battery capacities for the iPhone 18 Pro models have yet to be confirmed.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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