MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:04:57 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Apple Covers iPhone 17 Pro in Stickers in New Ad https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-ad-iphone-17-pro-stickers/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-covers-iphone-17-pro-in-stickers-in-new-ad.2481071/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:25:21 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-ad-iphone-17-pro-stickers/ Joe Rossignol iPhone 17 Pro Apple Ads South Korea video uploaded to its YouTube channel in South Korea today, Apple showed off a handful of iPhone 17 Pro devices decorated with tiny stickers.


The stickers are placed on the iPhone 17 Pro's so-called "plateau," the protruding aluminum area housing the rear cameras, an LED flash, a microphone, and the LiDAR Scanner. The video has the hashtags #PhoneDecor and #iPhoneCustomization.

"Stick it here," says Apple.


The ad is accompanied by a pair of YouTube Shorts.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17 Pro
Tags: Apple Ads, South Korea
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Get Apple's M5 MacBook Air at $150 Off Before Amazon Runs Out https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apples-m5-macbook-air-150-off/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/get-apples-m5-macbook-air-at-150-off-before-amazon-runs-out.2481066/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:53:09 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apples-m5-macbook-air-150-off/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured new record low prices on the M5 MacBook Air, offering $150 off multiple models of the notebook. We've begun noticing that deals aren't as plentiful as they were over the weekend, so if you've been holding off now will be the time to get the M5 MacBook Air at these best-ever prices.

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

Amazon has the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for $949.00, down from $1,099.00, and the 24GB/1TB model for $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00. Both of these represent record low prices for each configuration.

$150 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.00

$150 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.00

$150 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,349.00


In terms of the 15-inch models, you'll find up to $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,149.00 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and also include both 1TB models on sale.

$150 OFF
15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,149.00

$150 OFF
15-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,349.00

$150 OFF
15-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,549.00


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



Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Apple Offers 10% Off AirPods and More for Earth Day Device Recycling https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-offers-discount-for-earth-day/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-offers-10-off-airpods-and-more-for-earth-day-device-recycling.2481065/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:19:20 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-offers-discount-for-earth-day/ Hartley Charlton AirPods iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac at a participating Apple Store through May 16.


The discount applies when the recycling and purchase are completed in the same transaction. The promotion runs from today, April 16, through to May 16. Products brought in for recycling undergo screenings, with eligible devices sent to Apple's advanced recycling systems, including Daisy and Cora, for further processing. See Apple's terms and conditions for more information.

The promotion was announced alongside Apple's annual Environmental Progress Report, which revealed a record 30% of material across all products shipped in 2025 came from recycled content.
Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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]]> Apple Hits Record 30% Recycled Content Across All Products in 2025 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-hits-record-recycled-content/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-hits-record-30-recycled-content-across-all-products-in-2025.2481064/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:57:11 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-hits-record-recycled-content/ Hartley Charlton Apple Environment announced that a record 30% of material across all products it shipped in 2025 came from recycled content, alongside a series of other environmental milestones published in its annual Environmental Progress Report.


The achievement marks new highs across several specific components. All batteries designed by Apple now use 100% recycled cobalt, all magnets use 100% recycled rare earth elements, and all Apple-designed printed circuit boards use 100% recycled gold plating and tin soldering. Apple also completed the transition to fully fiber-based packaging, fulfilling a pledge to remove all plastic from packaging by 2025, a goal the company says it reached across every package manufactured today.

Apple's greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 remain down over 60% compared to 2015 levels, holding constant from 2024 despite significant business growth. The company is working toward its Apple 2030 goal of carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by the end of the decade.

MacBook Neo leads the lineup on recycled material. It contains 60% recycled content overall, which is the most of any Apple device to date, and features a new aluminum forming process that uses half the raw material compared to traditional machining. Apple and its suppliers also developed an anodization process that achieves a 70% water-reuse rate, turning a traditionally water-intensive step into a near-closed-loop system. Apple said it plans to expand this process to additional production lines in coming years.

Apple launched Cora, a new electronics-recycling line at its Advanced Recovery Center in California, designed to achieve material recovery rates significantly higher than industry baselines using precision shredding and advanced sensor technology. The company also developed A.R.I.S., a machine learning-powered detection system that helps recyclers classify and sort electronic scrap, running on the Mac mini, which Apple is piloting with partner recyclers.

Apple's direct suppliers procured more than 20 gigawatts of renewable energy in 2025 through the Supplier Clean Energy Program, generating more than 38 million megawatt-hours of electricity, which is enough to power more than 3.4 million U.S. households for a year. Apple itself procured an additional 1.8 gigawatts to power its offices, retail stores, and data centers entirely on renewable electricity.

Apple and its suppliers saved 17 billion gallons of fresh water in 2025, and the company replenished more than half of the water it withdrew to support its global facilities. All eight Apple-owned data centers have now been certified to the Alliance for Water Stewardship standard. Apple has set a goal to replenish all water withdrawn by its facilities worldwide by 2030.

Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City became the company's first retail store to achieve TRUE Zero Waste Certification, which requires facilities to divert more than 90 percent of their waste from landfills. Across its supply chain, Apple and its suppliers redirected more than 600,000 metric tons of waste from landfills in 2025, with 400 supplier facilities participating in the company's Zero Waste Program.
Tag: Apple Environment

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]]> Apple Vision Pro Shoot Ended in Fatal Aircraft Crash https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-was-filming-aircraft-crash-for-vision-pro/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-vision-pro-shoot-ended-in-fatal-aircraft-crash.2481061/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:38:41 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/apple-was-filming-aircraft-crash-for-vision-pro/ Hartley Charlton Vision Pro Apple Vision Pro immersive video series during a fatal aircraft crash in the Jordanian desert in July 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.


Claire Lomas became internationally recognized in 2012 when she became the first person to complete the London Marathon using a robotic exoskeleton suit, five years after being paralyzed from the waist down in a horse-riding accident. Apple was apparently working with London-based Atlantic Studios to film Lomas for its Apple Immersive Video series called Adventure. A camera system was mounted on the plane itself, and Lomas was actively being recorded when the crash occurred. Lomas died from her injuries within weeks of the crash at the age of 44.

The planned episode was set to showcase multiple Jordanian landmarks, including the Wadi Rum valley and the ancient city of Petra. The original release date for was sometime in 2025. Apple spent millions of dollars per episode on the series, with Atlantic producing and Apple distributing.

People involved with the production say there were broader safety concerns during the making of the Adventure series, including crews working longer hours than staff felt was safe, filming in harsh climates, and operating equipment in conditions the crew had limited training for. Staffers reportedly raised these concerns with their superiors at Apple, which in response sent a health and safety representative to work periodically alongside production staff. There is no record of other major injuries tied to the series.

Apple and Atlantic continued working together after the crash; a Colorado episode was filmed in August 2024. Apple has released five Adventure episodes to date, featuring athletes highlining 3,000 feet in the air, swimming under Arctic ice, parkouring across Paris, cliff diving in Spain, and racing cars in Colorado. No new episodes have been published since last year.

The Adventure series sits within Apple's broader Apple Immersive Video offering for the Vision Pro, which Apple describes as a "180-degree, 3D 8K recording format captured with Spatial Audio." The format is one of the headset's primary selling points and is used in in-store demonstrations of the $3,499 device.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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]]> 4 New Apple Intelligence Features Found in Apple Code, Likely in iOS 27 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/4-new-apple-intelligence-features-ios-27/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/4-new-apple-intelligence-features-found-in-apple-code-likely-in-ios-27.2481059/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:08:29 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/4-new-apple-intelligence-features-ios-27/ Tim Hardwick iOS 27 Apple Intelligence Visual Intelligence Nicolás Alvarez and confirmed by MacRumors.


First up, Apple is expected to lean more heavily into Visual Intelligence in iOS 27, since the company is reportedly developing AI wearable devices that will leverage the feature. Apple is reportedly working on smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and a wearable AI pin or pendant.

To that end, Visual Intelligence appears to be getting at least two new capabilities. One of them will likely let you scan a food nutrition label to get more information, which could well integrate into the Health app. Another will offer to add printed phone numbers/addresses to your Contacts. Visual Intelligence already offers to add calendar dates to your Calendar, so an equivalent feature for contacts makes sense.

Elsewhere, Apple's Wallet app is likely to gain the ability to generate digital passes from scans of things like event tickets, gym membership cards and the like. Google Wallet for Android already does something similar, using AI to determine the content of a pass.

Meanwhile, in Safari, we're expecting a new AI feature that will automatically name Tab Groups for users based on the contents of the tabs within the group.

We can't say with certainty that the above features will work as described, since we're interpreting them from the names of individual code strings. Likewise, we do not know for sure that they will appear in iOS 27 or a future point update of the upcoming software, but given that Apple is working on a smarter version of ‌Siri‌ for iOS 27 with deeper integration across apps, the timing fits.

Apple will unveil iOS 27 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out.
Related Roundup: iOS 27
Tags: Apple Intelligence, Visual Intelligence

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]]> iPhone 18 Pro Variable Aperture Camera Enters Production https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/iphone-18-pro-variable-aperture-camera-production/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-variable-aperture-camera-enters-production.2481058/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:38:48 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/16/iphone-18-pro-variable-aperture-camera-production/ Tim Hardwick iPhone 18 Pro ETNews.


Apple has never implemented a variable aperture on an iPhone. From the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17 Pro, the main camera uses a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, meaning the lens remains fully open at all times when capturing images.

In contrast, a variable aperture lets the camera control how much light reaches the sensor. In low-light conditions, it opens to admit more light, while in bright scenes, it closes to avoid overexposure. This should also give users more control over depth of field.

In December 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to say that that the main rear camera on both ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models will offer variable aperture. A report from October 2025 said Apple was moving ahead with plans to bring the technology to next-generation iPhones and was discussing components with suppliers.

According to industry sources cited by today's report, Chinese supplier Sunny Optical has already started producing the actuators that enable the aperture mechanism, while camera module assembly will follow in early summer. Apple's primary camera partner LG Innotek is said to be preparing to begin production around June or July, with dedicated equipment being installed at its Gumi facility in South Korea. Module makers such as Cowell are also expected to take part in the process.

LG Innotek is reportedly likely to take on a larger share of production for the main camera module due to the system's added complexity. A similar thing happened when Apple adopted a folded tetraprism zoom lens in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, where LG Innotek initially served as the sole supplier.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone sometime around September.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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]]> Apple Stores Will Soon Be Able to Restore Apple Watch Software In-House https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-stores-apple-watch-software-restore/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-stores-will-soon-be-able-to-restore-apple-watch-software-in-house.2481051/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:36:01 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-stores-apple-watch-software-restore/ Juli Clover Apple Watch MacRumors.


Right now, Apple Watches that can't be restored using an iPhone need to be mailed to an Apple Repair Center for service. There is no in-store repair option, so customers have to wait for the Apple Watch to be shipped to the repair depot, get repaired, and be shipped back.

Starting later this month, Apple Stores and AASPs will be able to use an Apple Watch repair dock that connects to a Mac to restore the software on an Apple Watch. An in-store option for fixing software will make software-based repairs much quicker.

With watchOS 8.5 and iOS 15.4, Apple introduced an iPhone-based wireless restore option, but it is limited. It can only be used when a restore prompt is shown on the Apple Watch. For software issues where the iPhone restore doesn't work, the Apple Watch needs a specialized repair currently unavailable in retail stores. Failed updates, bricked devices, and boot loops can't be fixed with an iPhone.

Early Apple Watch models had a diagnostic port that Apple Stores could use for software fixes, but it was removed with the Apple Watch Series 7, and Apple switched to a wireless restoration process. After the port was dropped, Apple Watch software repairs had to be done at Apple Service Centers, making software-based failures a hassle for customers.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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]]> iOS 26.4 No Longer Signed by Apple, Blocking Downgrades From iOS 26.4.1 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-stops-signing-ios-26-4/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-26-4-no-longer-signed-by-apple-blocking-downgrades-from-ios-26-4-1.2481048/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:12:26 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-stops-signing-ios-26-4/ Juli Clover iOS 26 came out a week ago.


When software is "signed," it means it can pass the server-side verification check that Apple does when a user downloads a new version of iOS on an iPhone. An update that's not signed can't be installed because it won't pass the verification check.

Apple does not show users earlier versions of iOS after an upgrade has been released, but when software is still signed, it is possible to downgrade with the macOS Finder app on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on a Windows PC.

Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS, and Apple typically stops signing an update a week or so after new software comes out.

iOS 26.4.1 fixed iCloud syncing issues and Stolen Device Protection on enterprise devices. While iOS 26.4.1 is the current publicly available version of iOS, Apple is also beta testing an iOS 26.5 update.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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]]> Here's How Researchers Stole $10,000 From MKBHD's Locked iPhone https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-pay-visa-transit-exploit/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/heres-how-researchers-stole-10-000-from-mkbhds-locked-iphone.2481046/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:13:27 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-pay-visa-transit-exploit/ Juli Clover Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad

Cybersecurity researchers from the University of Surrey and the University of Birmingham developed the attack to bypass an iPhone's locked status and steal funds from a mobile wallet. The exploit was first publicized in 2021, and it bypasses traditional limits on transaction size. Veritasium demonstrated the attack by collecting $10,000 from YouTuber Marques Brownlee's locked iPhone.

The attack works using an NFC card reader that intercepts the communication between an iPhone and a tap-to-pay terminal when a payment is made. The card reader is connected to a laptop that collects payment data and sends it to a separate burner phone, which is then tapped on a legitimate card reader. The NFC device has to be tuned to the same transit terminal identifier as a legitimate transit reader.

The process requires the victim to have Express Transit Mode enabled for payments, and a Visa card linked for those payments, among other steps. As it turns out, it's a Visa-related security loophole rather than an iPhone issue, and it doesn't work with a Mastercard or an American Express card because other cards use different security methods. It also doesn't work with Samsung Pay on Samsung devices, and it requires the specific combination of a Visa card and an iPhone. Apple told Veritasium that it's an issue with the Visa system, but something unlikely to occur in the real world.
This is a concern with the Visa system, but Visa does not believe this kind of fraud is likely to take place in the real world. Visa has made it clear that their cardholders are protected by Visa's zero liability policy.

Visa also told Veritasium that the exploit was very unlikely from a scaled real world setting, and any such transactions can be disputed. The researchers who shared the exploit said users can protect themselves by not using a Visa card on the iPhone for transit purposes.
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]]> Siri Engineers Sent to AI Coding Bootcamp as Apple Prepares to Deliver Siri Overhaul https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/siri-engineers-ai-coding-bootcamp/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/siri-engineers-sent-to-ai-coding-bootcamp-as-apple-prepares-to-deliver-siri-overhaul.2481045/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:19:23 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/siri-engineers-ai-coding-bootcamp/ Juli Clover Featured Siri Siri engineers to a multi-week bootcamp to learn to code using AI, reports The Information. Apple's decision to teach its programmers to better use AI for coding comes just two months before Apple is expected to unveil a smarter, more capable version of Siri at WWDC.


While employees attend the coding bootcamp, around 60 members of the ‌Siri‌ development team will stick around to work on ‌Siri‌, and an additional 60 will evaluate how ‌Siri‌ is performing. Apple is testing to make sure ‌Siri‌ is meeting its safety standards and is able to interpret and execute commands from users.

Coding with AI is becoming the standard, but Apple's ‌Siri‌ team apparently isn't taking full advantage of AI coding tools. The Information says that some teams within Apple have allocated large parts of their budgets to Claude Code, but the ‌Siri‌ team has a "reputation as a laggard inside Apple."

The ‌Siri‌ team was unable to produce the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌ that Apple promised would come in iOS 18, leading to a major organizational shakeup. Apple replaced AI chief John Giannandrea, who stepped down from his position in late 2025 and is set to retire this week following the final vesting of his stock on April 15.

Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi took over and oversees AI development, and Mike Rockwell, who developed the Vision Pro, is the Siri team lead. Under Federighi, Apple inked a deal with Google that will see ‌Siri‌ and other AI features powered by Google's Gemini models.
Tag: Siri

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]]> Google Launches Native Gemini AI App for Mac https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/google-gemini-mac-app/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-launches-native-gemini-ai-app-for-mac.2481037/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:46:25 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/google-gemini-mac-app/ Juli Clover Gemini Google new native macOS app that's available starting today. Gemini for Mac can be activated with a keyboard shortcut, and it has built-in tools for generating images, analyzing what's on your screen, reviewing files, and more.


Gemini is the last of the three major AI services to have a dedicated Mac app, because OpenAI and Anthropic have had Mac apps for quite some time.

Gemini can be brought up anywhere on the Mac with an Option + Space keyboard command, so there's no need to swap over to a dedicated window. Option + Shift + Space is available for opening the full Gemini chat window. Gemini can also be accessed from the Dock or through the Menu Bar.

Any window on the Mac can be shared with Gemini, allowing Gemini to provide contextual assistance on anything that you're looking at. After activating Gemini, selecting the Share Window option will let Gemini see what it is you want to ask questions about. Gemini will need Accessibility access to read full pages in a browser window.

Nano Banana is available for creating images, and Veo can be used for generating videos.

Gemini for Mac is available for Macs running macOS 15 and later, and it is free to download and use. Free access to Gemini is limited, and Google has subscription plans with increased usage limits. Google AI Plus is $7.99 per month, Google AI Pro is $19.99 per month, and Google AI Ultra is $249.99 per month.

Google says that the Mac app is the first step toward a personal, proactive, and powerful desktop assistant, with more news to follow in the coming months.
Tags: Gemini, Google

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]]> OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/oled-ipad-mini-release-pricing-what-to-expect/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/oled-ipad-mini-release-date-pricing-and-what-to-expect.2481029/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:07:54 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/oled-ipad-mini-release-pricing-what-to-expect/ Tim Hardwick Featured iPad mini OLED

Processor and Performance


Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared in August.

Apple's A19 Pro chip since debuted in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro models include the higher-end version of Apple's A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU, while the iPhone Air uses a mid-tier A19 Pro chip with one fewer GPU core than the A19 Pro chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

If the code leak is accurate for the iPad mini 8, Apple is likely to use the mid-tier A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone Air. This is based on the fact that the A17 Pro chip used in the iPad mini 7 has a 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 5-core GPU, compared to the 6-core GPU found on the A17 Pro used in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple built the A19 Pro chip on an upgraded third-generation 3-nanometer N3P process for modest speed and efficiency improvements. The chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine, next-generation dynamic caching, and unified image compression.

The GPU in the A19 Pro has an upgraded architecture with a larger cache, more memory, and Neural Accelerators that are built into each core. Apple says that this change provides 3× the peak GPU compute over the prior-generation chip. There's also an upgraded 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks.

There is an outside chance that Apple opts for the A20 Pro chip for the new iPad mini. The claim has been made by a MacRumors tipster who analyzed a macOS kernel debug kit containing internal Apple codenames. However, the iPad mini has not always received Apple's newest A-series chip at the time it was updated, so the A19 Pro cannot be ruled out at this time. iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be fabricated with TSMC's advanced 2nm process.

Display



Apple's plan to transition the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ from an LCD to an OLED display is widely rumored. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the small form-factor tablet is likely to be the next Apple device to adopt OLED. According to a Chinese leaker with sources in Apple's supply chain, Apple has evaluated a Samsung-made OLED display for its next iPad mini model.

It remains unclear whether the iPad mini 8 will feature a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7, but since the new base iPhone 17 now uses a 120Hz ProMotion panel, it would be reasonable to expect the same on the first OLED iPad mini. A separate report has suggested the ‌‌‌iPad mini 8‌‌‌'s screen could increase in size from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches with the adoption of OLED.

OLED panels can individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to other common display technologies. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility. All of Apple's flagship iPhones use OLED panels, and in May 2024 the company brought the display technology to the iPad Pro for the first time.

Unlike Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, the ‌iPad mini‌ may have a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel, which would make it dimmer.

Chassis Design



Apple is reportedly working to give the iPad mini 8 a more water-resistant design, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The updated casing would bring protection levels closer to those of the iPhone, making the tablet safer for use in damp environments.

To achieve this, Apple is said to have designed a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates the need for traditional speaker holes. By using sound-emitting surfaces instead of open grilles, the company can reduce potential entry points for water and dust, resulting in a more sealed, durable enclosure.

On the iPhone, Apple relies on adhesives and gaskets to shield speakers and other openings from moisture. The iPad mini's approach appears to go further, doing away with the holes altogether. Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, but the upcoming version could mark the first in the lineup to feature a certified level of water protection.

Apple patents could offer further clues to the new design direction. For example, a 2014 patent outlines a "mechanically actuated panel acoustic system" that vibrates flat surfaces to generate sound, effectively turning parts of a device's chassis into a speaker diaphragm. This could potentially allow Apple to produce audio without visible speaker holes. The patent suggest Apple has been building towards a sealed, vibration-based acoustic system for several years.

Release Date



According to research firm Omdia, the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ is expected to adopt an OLED display in 2027. However, Korea's ET News and ZDNET Korea have both suggested that the iPad mini will be updated with an OLED display in 2026. Bloomberg has also said the update could come as soon as this year.

The most recent word on the subject comes from Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, who claims the OLED iPad mini will be launched in the second half of 2026 at the earliest.

In May 2024, it was reported that Samsung Display had started developing sample OLED panels for a future ‌iPad mini‌, with plans to initiate mass production at its facility in Cheonan in the second half of 2025. The same report claimed that Apple will bring an OLED panel to the iPad Air alongside the ‌iPad mini‌ in 2026, though Apple only refreshed the iPad Air in March, and more recent reporting suggests an OLED iPad Air will arrive in early 2027.

The latter outlook aligns with a December report by analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) that said an 8.5-inch OLED iPad mini is planned for a 2026 launch, while 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Air models are expected to follow in 2027.

Ultimately, there are no rumors suggesting exactly when the next ‌iPad mini‌ will be released, but a launch later in 2026 has a high probability.

Pricing



Apple's ‌iPad mini‌ with OLED display technology and improved water resistance is expected to be more expensive, and Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device, according to Bloomberg's Gurman. The ‌iPad mini‌ is currently priced starting at $499. Gurman has previously argued that Apple should consider a lower-end version of the mini, or at least a change to its current $499 starting price, given that it's up against rival products that cost a lot less.

However, Apple users who are looking for a more affordable option should probably consider the 10th-generation iPad instead. Starting at $329, the iPad offers many iPad mini features, such as Touch ID and Center Stage, but at a lower price that balances functionality and affordability.
Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tag: OLED
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

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]]> Apple to Host Free Events in London Ahead of April 26 Marathon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-to-host-events-in-london-ahead-of-marathon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-to-host-free-events-in-london-ahead-of-april-26-marathon.2481027/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:29:18 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-to-host-events-in-london-ahead-of-marathon/ Hartley Charlton United Kingdom announced a series of events tied to this year's TCS London Marathon, with the company serving as an official partner of the race.


The TCS London Marathon is one of the world's most popular marathons and takes place on Sunday, April 26, drawing athletes of all abilities from around the world. A record-breaking one million people applied to enter the ballot for the 2026 event.

Apple will host two free events at its Brompton Road store in the days before the race. On Thursday, April 23, a panel including fitness trainer Joe Wicks, ultramarathon runner Hellah Sidibe, and athletes Dora Atim, Becky Briggs, and Sherica Holmon will offer training tips before a 5K shakeout run in Hyde Park, hosted by Apple Fitness+ trainer Cory Wharton-Malcolm. Spots are limited and registration is now open.

On Saturday, April 25, former marathon world-record holder Paula Radcliffe and two-time Olympian Chris Thompson will record a live episode of their podcast, Paula's Run Club, also at Brompton Road, joined by Wharton-Malcolm. The episode closes out their "Road to London Marathon" series. Registration is available for that event as well.

On race day, Apple Music will station artists and DJs at a key point on the course. An official Ultimate Marathon Playlist spanning seven hours is available now on ‌Apple Music‌, with additional mixes from race-day DJs to follow after the event.

Ahead of marathon week, Apple will host a PE with Apple: Hour of Play event for students from six schools in the London borough of Wandsworth, with Wicks and Fitness+ trainers leading physical activities for children ages 10 to 14, in partnership with nonprofit Enable. Apple also pointed out that it supports several other Greater London organizations, including Battersea Arts Centre, Southbank Centre, Youth Battersea, and Wandsworth BEST.
Tag: United Kingdom

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]]> Apple Watch Ultra 3 Gets Lowest Prices of 2026 So Far With $99 Off Select Models https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-watch-ultra-3-99-off-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-ultra-3-gets-lowest-prices-of-2026-so-far-with-99-off-select-models.2481026/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:15:32 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-watch-ultra-3-99-off-2/ Mitchel Broussard Deals fresh deals on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, providing $99 discounts on select models. These are the best prices on the Ultra 3 that we've tracked so far in 2026, and they're overall solid second-best prices.

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

You can get the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $699.99 in the Natural color option, down from $799.00. There are also a few Milanese Loop models on sale for $799.99, down from $899.00.

$99 OFF
Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $699.99


We've collected all of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 models currently on sale on Amazon in the list below. All of these deals are within $19 of the all-time low price, and they're the best prices we've seen so far in 2026.



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



Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Apple Threatened to Pull Grok From App Store Over Sexualized Images https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-threatened-pull-grok-from-app-store/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-threatened-to-pull-grok-from-app-store-over-sexualized-images.2481025/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:10:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-threatened-pull-grok-from-app-store/ Tim Hardwick App Store Grok NBC News ($).


Earlier this year, Grok's AI capabilities came under scrutiny after X users shared nonconsensual sexualized images of women and children created by the app, many of which were based on photos of real people.

What followed was a confusing rollout of moderation changes to Grok, some of which could be easily bypassed. Publicly, Apple did not comment on the controversy at the time, but it did respond, and was in fact the instigator of the changes. Internally, the company had found both X and Grok in violation of its App Store guidelines and demanded its developers submit a content moderation plan, the letter reveals.

According to the letter, Apple rejected an initial fix from xAI as insufficient, saying the "changes didn't go far enough," and Apple warned it that additional alterations were required or Grok would be removed. After further back-and-forth, however, Apple eventually concluded that a later submission of the app had improved enough for it to be approved.

The disclosure was apparently prompted by a January letter from Senators Ron Wyden, Ben Ray Luján, and Edward Markey, who urged Apple and Google to pull both apps, arguing the imagery violated App Store rules barring offensive, sexual, and exploitative content.

The senators also said that Apple's response would test its own arguments, since the company has long defended its curated App Store by claiming its review process keeps users safer. Letting Grok continue to generate this kind of imagery, they argued, would undermine that case in the eyes of the public and in a court of law.

After NBC News published its report, X posted the following statement on its platform:
"We strictly prohibit users from generating non-consensual explicit deepfakes and from using our tools to undress real people. xAI has extensive safeguards in place to prevent such misuse, such as continuous monitoring of public usage, analysis of evasion attempts in real time, frequent model updates, prompt filters, and additional safeguards."
While the amount of sexualized deepfakes created by Grok and posted to X appears to have decreased significantly, NBC News found that Grok is still able to generate similar imagery, with some users apparently having simply updated their prompt tactics to get around the safeguards. You can read that report in its entirety by following this link.
Tags: App Store, Grok

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]]> Report: iPad Air to Gain OLED Display Early Next Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/report-ipad-air-to-gain-oled-display-next-year/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/report-ipad-air-to-gain-oled-display-early-next-year.2481021/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:31:03 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/report-ipad-air-to-gain-oled-display-next-year/ Tim Hardwick iPad Air ETNews OLED ET News.


Citing industry sources, the outlet says Samsung Display will begin mass production of OLED panels around the end of 2026 or January next year, with a view to supplying panels for Apple's next iPad Air, expected to be released in early 2027. Apple last updated the iPad Air in March 2026 with an M4 chip.

Apple's iPad Pro models already have OLED displays, but the iPad Air models still use more affordable LCD displays that Apple calls Liquid Retina. The Liquid Retina displays do not support 120Hz ProMotion display technology, and are limited to 60Hz refresh rates.

OLED panels individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to LCD. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility.

That said, unlike Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, the iPad Air‌ is expected to use single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels, meaning that they may be dimmer and continue to lack ProMotion.

Apple's plan to transition the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ from an LCD to an OLED display is already widely rumored, with reports suggesting the iPad mini 8 will adopt OLED later this year, albeit using the same cheaper single-stack LTPS panel.

Once the iPad mini and iPad Air receive the display upgrade, the entry-level iPad will be the only model in Apple's tablet lineup without an OLED panel.
Related Roundup: iPad Air
Tags: ETNews, OLED
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

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]]> Anthropic Rebuilds Claude Code Desktop App Around Parallel Sessions https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/anthropic-rebuilds-claude-code-desktop-app/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/anthropic-rebuilds-claude-code-desktop-app-around-parallel-sessions.2481016/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:32:21 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/anthropic-rebuilds-claude-code-desktop-app/ Tim Hardwick Anthropic redesigned Claude Code experience for its Claude desktop app, bringing in a new sidebar for managing multiple sessions, a drag-and-drop layout for arranging the workspace, and more.


The new sidebar displays every active and recent session in one place, and users can filter by status, project, or environment, with the option to group sessions by project. A new side chat shortcut (Command + ;) also lets users branch a question off a running task without feeding extra context back into the main thread.

Anthropic has also dropped more of the developer workflow into the app itself. There's now an integrated terminal for running tests and builds, an in-app file editor for spot edits, a rebuilt diff viewer aimed at large changesets, and an expanded preview pane that handles HTML files and PDFs alongside local app servers. Each pane is also drag-and-drop friendly, so the layout can be arranged to suit.

In addition, the desktop app now matches Claude Code's CLI for plugin support, while SSH sessions are supported on Mac as well as Linux. Lastly, there are three view modes (Verbose, Normal, and Summary) that let users decide how much of Claude's tool-call activity they want to see.

The Claude desktop app update is rolling out now to Claude Code users on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.


In related news, Anthropic also announced Routines – a new way to set up Claude Code automations that run without an active session. A routine bundles a prompt, a repo, and any relevant connectors into a single configuration that can run on a schedule, fire from an API call, or trigger off a GitHub event such as a new pull request.

Routines run on Claude Code's web infrastructure rather than a local machine, but Anthropic has put in place daily run caps that scale by plan. Routines are available in research preview to Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise users with Claude Code on the web enabled. For further details, check out Anthropic's blog post.
Tag: Anthropic

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]]> Apple TV and Peacock $20 Monthly Bundle Available on Amazon Prime Video, Offering a 30% Discount https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-tv-peacock-prime-video-bundle/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-tv-and-peacock-20-monthly-bundle-available-on-amazon-prime-video-offering-a-30-discount.2481015/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:14:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/15/apple-tv-peacock-prime-video-bundle/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV partnering up for a $19.99/month streaming TV bundle that includes access to Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus.


Available to customers in the U.S. for a limited time, the streaming bundle offers access to both services at a 30% discount, similar to the bundle that launched in October 2025.

‌Apple TV‌ is normally $12.99 per month, while Peacock starts at $16.99 for the Premium plan that's included in the bundle, so that's a $10 monthly saving. Peacock Premium Plus includes the option to download content and watch it offline. It also removes most ads.

The Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus bundle offers customers access to live sports like Premier League soccer and Major League Baseball, Apple Originals like Pluribus and Severance, as well as Peacock shows and moves. Customers can watch content from both services directly through the Prime Video app on compatible devices.
"This bundle makes it easier for customers to seamlessly access even more entertainment options all in one place," Ryan Pirozzi, Head of Prime Video Channels, US, said in a statement. "By expanding the streaming services and bundles available on Prime Video, we're continuing to deliver on our commitment to provide customers with greater choice and seamless access to the shows, movies, and sports they love."
Prime members can subscribe to the bundle via the Prime Video app or visiting the Prime Video website and using their existing Amazon account and payment method.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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]]> Microsoft Raises Prices for All Surface PCs, Making Them More Expensive Than Equivalent Macs https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/14/microsoft-surface-pc-price-hike/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/microsoft-raises-prices-for-all-surface-pcs-making-them-more-expensive-than-equivalent-macs.2481006/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:21:37 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/14/microsoft-surface-pc-price-hike/ Juli Clover Microsoft Windows Central highlighted the increases, which now see Microsoft's mid-range models priced above $1,000 and flagship models priced starting at $1,500.


A Microsoft spokesperson said the price increase was due to "recent increases in memory and component costs."

Microsoft's 12-inch Surface Pro, which was its cheapest modern PC at $799, is now priced starting at $1,049. The flagship 512GB 13-inch Surface Pro is $1,499, up from $1,199 when it launched in 2024 (Microsoft also discontinued a $999 256GB configuration). The 13-inch Surface Laptop went from an $899 starting price to a $1,149 starting price, while the 13.8-inch model went from $999 to $1,499 and the 15-inch model went from $1,299 to $1,599.

The 13-inch Surface Pro and the 13.8-inch and 15-inch Surface Laptop models originally launched in 2024, and Microsoft did increase prices for them in 2025, so this is the second price increase. The 13-inch Surface Laptop and the two Surface Pro models that have seen a $300 price increase launched in 2025.

Microsoft's 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage used to be $100 cheaper than the 256GB M4 MacBook Air, but now it's $400 more than the 512GB M5 ‌MacBook Air‌. Apple increased ‌MacBook Air‌ pricing from $999 to $1,099 with the M5 upgrade, but Apple's hike came with more base SSD storage. The Surface Laptop 7 is the laptop that Microsoft says is "faster than a ‌MacBook Air‌ M4."

Prices have increased for all Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models, from entry-level to high-end. Microsoft's PCs are now more expensive than their Mac equivalents, which is good news for Apple. The high-end Surface Laptop 7 with 64GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is $3,649, which is more expensive than the 16-inch $3,300 M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 64GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Apple's M5 Pro chip also far outperforms the Snapdragon X Elite.

Windows Central says Microsoft has new Surface PCs coming later this year, which are also expected to have the same higher prices.

Microsoft's decision to increase PC prices comes as Samsung also raised prices for some of its smartphone models and all of its U.S. tablet offerings.

Both Microsoft and Samsung are responding to increased costs caused by global memory shortages. Chip makers are prioritizing memory for AI data centers, and there is little manufacturing capacity left for consumer devices.
Tag: Microsoft

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