MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Mon, 11 May 2026 09:43:05 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com 11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/reasons-to-wait-for-the-iphone-18-pro-max/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/11-reasons-to-wait-for-the-iphone-18-pro.2482211/ Mon, 11 May 2026 09:01:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/reasons-to-wait-for-the-iphone-18-pro-max/ Tim Hardwick Featured iPhone 18 Pro

One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a two-phase rollout starting with the iPhone 18 series. That means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone ("iPhone Ultra") will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.


Overall Design

iPhone 17 Pro Style

Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely retain the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro models. Most rumors suggest the rear camera system will look identical to the current generation, featuring a raised "plateau" with three lenses arranged in a triangle – although recent dummies indicate a possible thickening of the plateau and the protrusion of individual lenses. Display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max continuing to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively (the same dimensions introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro series). iPhone 18 Pro models could drop the current two-tone look of the rear casing found on the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more seamless aesthetic, while Apple has apparently updated the back-glass "replacement process" to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, resulting in a more unified appearance.

Next-Level Battery Life

Thicker Chassis

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, claims a Chinese leaker. The Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. (The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the biggest ‌iPhone‌ battery to date at 5,088 mAh. Apple says it has a battery life of up to 39 hours.) According to another rumor, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, raising the device's weight to around 243 grams. That would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced. A larger battery is the most likely cause.

Smaller Dynamic Island

Under-Screen Face ID?

Rumors continue to circulate about whether the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce under-display Face ID, but reports remain divided on when the technology will actually arrive. The feature would move the TrueDepth camera system beneath the display, eliminating the need for the current Dynamic Island cutout.

According to Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple is targeting a design without a Dynamic Island, replacing it with a single pinhole camera in the upper-left corner of the screen. However, other sources dispute that claim. Display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but says a smaller Dynamic Island will still be present. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has echoed this view, reporting that the new models will feature a slimmed-down Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also said to be testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently located within the Dynamic Island.

The Weibo leaker "Ice Universe" has claimed the Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro models will be approximately 35% narrower than it is on the iPhone 17 Pro models. Specifically, they said it will have a width of around 13.5mm, down from around 20.7mm.

Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has offered yet another version of events, saying the Dynamic Island will shrink in size, but that under-display Face ID and camera technology won't debut this year. The latest word on the subject is that Apple is weighing two options for the iPhone 18 Pro's Dynamic Island, and a final decision has yet to be made. One option apparently retains the existing screen mold from the iPhone 17 Pro, while the other introduces a significantly smaller "Mini ‌Dynamic Island‌" enabled by moving the Face ID receiver and transmitter components beneath the display.

Upgraded Display

LTPO+

The iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly use LTPO+ display technology, which should be more power efficient than the current LTPO technology in the iPhone 17 series. Such an upgrade could also contribute to longer battery life (see above), since LPTO+ enables finer control of OLED light emission, potentially allowing the display to optimize its operation based on environmental conditions. In other words, it will know better when to up screen brightness or reduce it, depending on surrounding light sources. The panels are reportedly being supplied by Samsung Display and LG Display.

A20 Pro Chip

2nm Process

The iPhone 18 Pro models will use Apple's A20 chip, based on TSMC's 2nm process for power and efficiency improvements. A move to 2nm fabrication increases transistor density, which will enable higher performance. The A20 series is expected to deliver roughly a 15 percent speed gain and about 30 percent better efficiency compared with the A19 series used in Apple's iPhone 17 models.

Apple's A20 chip will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, suggesting at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than sitting adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could contribute to faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, and longer battery life from improved power efficiency.

C2 Modem

Replacing Qualcomm

Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models, according to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu. The chip will succeed the C1 modem, which debuted in the lower-cost iPhone 16e as Apple's first in-house cellular modem, and the C1X modem chip in the iPhone Air, which Apple says is up to 2× faster than the C1. The C2 is expected to bring faster speeds, improved power efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the United States – a feature missing from the C1 and C1X.

Apple's modem roadmap is part of a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on Qualcomm, which currently supplies 5G modems for the rest of the iPhone lineup. The company has been working on developing its own cellular chips for years, aiming for deeper integration and greater control over power management and performance.

New Camera Sensor

Samsung-Made

Samsung is working on a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. The sensor, referred to as PD-TR-Logic, integrates three layers of circuitry, which would improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The leak comes from a source known as "Jukanlosreve," who claims the sensor is being developed specifically for Apple's 2026 iPhone lineup. Sony has long been Apple's sole image sensor supplier, so Samsung's entry would be a big shift in the iPhone's camera supply chain.

Variable Aperture

DSLR-Style

Apple intends to equip this year's iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture lens, according to reports. Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims the main rear camera – what Apple calls the 48-megapixel Fusion camera – on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, which would be a first for the iPhone. A variable-aperture system physically adjusts the lens opening, letting more light in for low-light shots or narrowing the opening for brighter scenes and deeper depth of field.

The main cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro all use a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, where the lens is permanently set to its widest setting. With a variable lens, the iPhone 18 Pro would allow users to manually shift the aperture, similar to on a DSLR camera. This would mean more control over depth of field, enabling sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in November 2024 that Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models will get the feature.

5G Satellite Internet

Non-Terrestrial Data

According to a report by The Information, Apple plans to add support for 5G networks that operate via satellites rather than Earth-based towers as early as next year. This advancement would allow future iPhones to gain full internet connectivity through satellite, not just limited emergency features.

If Apple meets the 2026 target, the first devices to feature 5G satellite internet would likely be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone. Apple partners with Globalstar for its iPhone satellite features, but there is currently no service that delivers full 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone. That said, Amazon and Globalstar announced in April a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire the satellite operator. Amazon's Leo satellite network will power existing iPhone features – with scope for additional feature support as part of a forthcoming infrastructure upgrade.

Simplified Camera Control

New Design

Apple is reportedly working to simplify the Camera Control button's design on iPhone 18 models in order to reduce costs. The current Camera Control button on iPhone 17 models uses both capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface. The capacitive layer detects touch gestures, while the force sensor recognizes different pressure levels for taps, presses, and swipes.

However, according to the Weibo-based account Instant Digital, Apple will remove the capacitive sensing layer and retain only pressure sensing recognition in the second iteration to achieve all Camera Control functions on the iPhone 18. The simplified version is not about reducing functionality in the button, but about saving money. The current solution is said to be very expensive for Apple and is generating costly after-sales repairs.

We don't expect Camera Control to go away anytime soon – Apple apparently sees it as a key feature, so much so that it has reportedly made deliberate engineering compromises to ensure that the first foldable iPhone features the button.

New Colors

Three in Testing

In February 2026, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is testing a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Rumors of purple and brown finishes have also circulated, but Gurman believes those are just variants of the same red idea. Since then, we've seen aligned rumors that the devices will come in light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were previously available in Deep Purple, and Apple has never released an iPhone in a genuinely brown color. According to a Chinese leaker, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models won't come in black this year. If the rumor is true, it will be the second consecutive year Apple has ditched what was arguably its most classic color option for the Pro lineup.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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]]> Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Rumored to Launch in Just Two Colors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/foldable-iphone-to-launch-in-just-two-colors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foldable-iphone-ultra-rumored-to-launch-in-just-two-colors.2482207/ Mon, 11 May 2026 07:31:02 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/foldable-iphone-to-launch-in-just-two-colors/ Hartley Charlton iPhone Fold Foldable iPhone iPhone Ultra," is shaping up to launch with a noticeably restrained selection of colors, according to multiple leakers, with sources pointing to as few as two options and a deliberate avoidance of bold or vibrant finishes for the device.


In February, the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital" shared a broader account of the foldable iPhone's design, describing it with just two color options, with white as the only "confirmed" shade at the time. The leaker did not reveal the second option. Instant Digital revisited their February report earlier this month without walking back any color details, keeping the two-option account intact.

More recently, Macworld cited a supply chain source to provide new details about the foldable's color options: a classic silver and white model, and an indigo option described as similar to the iPhone 17 Pro's Deep Blue finish. The same source said the device will offer fewer choices than the iPhone 18 Pro models, with no bold or vibrant colors.

The approach is reminiscent of the iPhone X, which similarly launched in just two colors, Silver and Space Gray, when it debuted in November 2017 at a then record starting price of $999. Like the foldable iPhone, the iPhone X was a generational leap that introduced an entirely new design language. The iPhone XS that followed a year later added Gold to the lineup, suggesting Apple may take the same approach with the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ over time.

A limited color offering may also be a practical consequence of the device's constrained production outlook. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges could mean smooth shipments may not occur until 2027, with potential shortages lasting through at least the end of 2026. Kuo also clarified that the frequently cited order figure of 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones likely reflects cumulative demand across the product's full two to three year lifecycle, rather than 2026 alone, suggesting that annual volumes will be modest.

Developing and manufacturing each additional color variant adds complexity and cost to an already challenging production process, as well as additional SKUs to stock. With the device expected to be in short supply at launch regardless, there is little commercial incentive for Apple to broaden the initial color palette. At a starting price that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says will "cross the $2,000 threshold," the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ is also unlikely to attract the kind of buyer who might be swayed by a wider color range, making the calculation even simpler.

The ‌iPhone Ultra‌ is expected to be announced in September 2026 alongside the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max.
Related Roundup: iPhone Fold
Tag: Foldable iPhone

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]]> Apple Says Mac is 'Best Choice for College' in New Ad Aimed at Students https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-says-mac-is-best-choice-for-college/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-says-mac-is-best-choice-for-college-in-new-ad-aimed-at-students.2482201/ Mon, 11 May 2026 06:51:18 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-says-mac-is-best-choice-for-college/ Joe Rossignol Apple Ads shared a new ad that promotes MacBooks as the "best choice for college."


In the 90-second video, students are frustrated by but eventually overcome creative block while working on assignments like screenplays and CADs.

"Mac laptops are your best choice for college," says Apple. "Whether you're studying business, engineering, design, or the arts — get started on Mac."

The ad is set to the song "I'VE GOT THIS ALL UNDER CONTROL" by Willow Kayne.

With the MacBook Neo, the Mac is more affordable than ever. In the U.S., the laptop starts at just $499 for college students who verify their enrollment.

Students can learn more about the Mac on Apple's College Students page.
Tag: Apple Ads

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]]> B&H Introduces New Low Prices On 2026 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/bh-new-low-prices-macbook-pro-macbook-air/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/b-h-introduces-new-low-prices-on-2026-macbook-pro-and-macbook-air.2482202/ Mon, 11 May 2026 06:46:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/bh-new-low-prices-macbook-pro-macbook-air/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured notable MacBook Pro and MacBook Air discounts this week, all of which beat the current Amazon discounts on these notebooks. B&H Photo is a trusted authorized Apple reseller that sometimes offers great deals on brand new Apple products.

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

MacBook Pro


B&H Photo's deal of the day is the 48GB RAM/1TB SSD 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro, available for $2,699.00, down from $3,099.00. This beats the current sale price on Amazon by $200, and represents a new all-time low price on this model.

$400 OFF
16-Inch MacBook Pro (48GB RAM/1TB SSD) for $2,699.00


This sale is part of B&H Photo's daily Deal Zone event, and will disappear later tonight. The discount has been applied automatically and does not require any coupon codes to see the final sale price.

MacBook Air


If you're shopping for the new M5 MacBook Air, B&H Photo is offering a few coupon discounts on the 13-inch and 15-inch models this week. This includes up to $30 in extra coupon savings once you add the notebook to your cart, stacking on the existing $150 discounts on each computer.



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



Deals Newsletter


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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/reddit-starts-blocking-mobile-website/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/reddit-starts-blocking-mobile-website-pushing-users-to-app-instead.2482200/ Mon, 11 May 2026 06:09:54 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/reddit-starts-blocking-mobile-website/ Tim Hardwick Reddit

If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit."

A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica that it was "a test for a small subset of frequent logged-out mobile users that prompts them to download the app after visiting the site." They continued: "These users are already familiar with Reddit and we've seen that the experience is much better for them in the app. The app offers a more personalized experience and users can more easily find communities that match their interests."

Users have since taken to subreddits like r/bugs and r/help to voice their displeasure at being blocked out of the website on mobile. "Are my days of anonymously browsing over?" asked one user.

Futurism's Victor Tangermann wrote about the aggressive ad last week, suggesting the change was the latest indication of the platform's "enshittification" – a neologism coined by author Cory Doctorow that describes tech companies deliberately degrading their services in order to maximize profit.

Despite consistent user growth and 121 million daily active users, Reddit has struggled to find a path to monetization since it went public on the stock exchange two years ago. The site's principal revenue is advertising, which explains the push to log users into its mobile app, where it can consistently track their activity.

In 2024, the company also signed a controversial contract with OpenAI that allowed the ChatGPT maker to train its AI models on user-submitted posts. (It's currently in legal battles with Perplexity and Anthropic over alleged unlawful use of its data.)

Over half the population of the U.S. visits Reddit each week, according to the Financial Times, but most of that discovery comes from Google searches, which suggests the so-called "front page of the internet" is walking a tightrope between monetizing interactions and stifling engagement growth.


It's not the first time Reddit has alienated some of its users. In 2023, it stopped letting users opt out of ad personalization. Then again in the same year, ahead of its IPO, the company started charging developers for accessing its API, which led to the shutdown of several popular Reddit clients, including Apollo.
Tag: Reddit

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]]> Gurman: New Apple Vision Pro Won't Arrive for at Least Two Years https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/new-vision-pro-wont-arrive-at-least-two-years/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gurman-new-apple-vision-pro-wont-arrive-for-at-least-two-years.2482197/ Mon, 11 May 2026 05:06:35 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/new-vision-pro-wont-arrive-at-least-two-years/ Tim Hardwick Vision Pro Mark Gurman Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman resisted suggestions that Apple has walked away from the headset entirely. The well-connected reporter says the company continues to develop new technologies and materials behind the scenes with the goal of eventually producing a cheaper, lighter enclosed headset. That said, no such product is apparently in active development, and the long-rumored "Vision Air" was canceled last year.

If a new Vision Pro-style device does materialize, Gurman says he wouldn't expect it for "around two more years at least," given that the bulk of Apple's mixed-reality hardware talent has been pulled onto other projects like lightweight smart glasses.

Indeed, Apple's smart glasses project is now the focus, and former Vision Products Group members have been reassigned to that team, as well as shoring up its Siri chatbot development, not to mention other AI wearables such as the AirPods with cameras and a planned AI pendant.

The Vision Pro's troubled retail launch was recently extensively covered in a book by New York Times labor reporter Noam Scheiber, who argues that Apple's decade-long erosion of its retail workforce directly contributed to the disappointing launch of the $3,499 headset.

Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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]]> Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-prioritizing-battery-life-apple-watch/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/next-apple-watch-models-unlikely-to-add-touch-id-focus-on-battery-life.2482193/ Mon, 11 May 2026 03:34:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-prioritizing-battery-life-apple-watch/ Tim Hardwick Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Instant Digital

In a new Weibo post, Instant Digital pushed back on recent speculation about biometric recognition coming to Apple's wearable lineup, claiming instead that the company remains content to let users unlock their devices via their paired iPhone.

Adding Touch ID sensors would introduce extra cost and eat into precious internal space that could otherwise be used for battery capacity, which is a tradeoff Apple apparently isn't willing to make at this stage, suggests the leaker.

Last August, MacRumors confirmed lines of code uncovered by Macworld that suggested Touch ID could arrive on the Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4. That discovery led to suggestions that Apple could put the Touch ID sensor under the display or potentially integrate it into the side button, similar to its implementation on the iPad mini and iPad Air.

As things stand, the 2026 Apple Watch models are not expected to feature major design changes, and a design update is unlikely to happen until 2028 at the earliest. When it does, Apple could introduce noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, but currently the feature remains in the early stages of development.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tag: Instant Digital
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution), Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> WhatsApp Plus Lands on iPhone With Custom Themes, Icons, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/whatsapp-plus-lands-on-iphone/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/whatsapp-plus-lands-on-iphone-with-custom-themes-icons-and-more.2482192/ Mon, 11 May 2026 02:35:54 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/whatsapp-plus-lands-on-iphone/ Tim Hardwick WhatsApp WABetaInfo.


The plan is light on practical features, and is aimed more at heavier users who want to customize various aspects of the WhatsApp experience. It gives you access to premium sticker packs with fullscreen overlay animations (visible to recipients without the plan) and 18 accent colors that replace the app's default green across the interface. There are also 14 alternate app icons to choose from, ranging from minimal outlines to glittery and artistic designs.

The plan also raises the pinned-chat limit from 3 to 20, adds 10 new ringtones, and allows bulk theme, alert tone, and ringtone settings across chat lists.

The subscription costs €2.49 per month in Europe and $29 in Mexico, but that may not be reflective of the price in other regions. Eligible users may also see a one-week or one-month free trial, depending on the country. If you have a WhatsApp Business account, though, you won't see the subscription option -- it's for regular users only.

WhatsApp's core functionality remains changed, so users with no interest in the plan don't lose anything. Messaging, voice and video calls, status updates, and end-to-end encryption are still free for everyone. WhatsApp Plus is basically an optional add-on providing extras rather than restricting existing features.

The rollout is limited to a small group of iOS users on the latest App Store version, but broader availability is expected over the coming weeks.
Tag: WhatsApp

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]]> macOS 27: Two More Changes Leaked Ahead of WWDC Next Month https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/10/two-macos-27-changes-rumored/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-27-two-more-changes-leaked-ahead-of-wwdc-next-month.2482173/ Sun, 10 May 2026 09:45:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/10/two-macos-27-changes-rumored/ Joe Rossignol macOS 27 WWDC Bloomberg Mark Gurman Safari the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the design changes will help to improve the readability of macOS Tahoe's Liquid Glass interface:
If you've used Tahoe, you're likely familiar with some of the quirks — particularly the transparency effects and shadows that can make lists and other text-heavy areas harder to read. The issue is especially noticeable in Control Center, Finder, and apps with sidebars and dense lists. In several places, the new textures reduce text clarity or create interface confusion. [...]

Apple clearly needs to refine the experience for Mac users and make the software feel more polished. I'm told the company is preparing what people internally consider to be a "slight redesign" for macOS 27. With the next update, Apple aims to address the shadows and transparency quirks.
In addition, Gurman said macOS 27 will have a new Safari feature that can automatically organize browser tabs into groups. This feature, previously revealed by MacRumors, is also expected to be available on iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.

Here is how he described the "Organize Tabs" feature:
I'm told that in test versions of iOS 27, the center-top button that users can tap to move between their tab groups has a new option called "Organize Tabs." You can choose whether you want the grouping to occur automatically or not.
Apple will unveil macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8.

The first developer beta of macOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users in September.

Related Reading: Apple to Unveil macOS 27 Next Month With These New Features
Related Roundups: macOS 27, WWDC 2026
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman, Safari
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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]]> Apple's 2026 MacBook Pro Available for Record Low Price This Weekend https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/10/2026-macbook-pro-low-price/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-2026-macbook-pro-available-for-record-low-price-this-weekend.2482166/ Sun, 10 May 2026 07:09:26 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/10/2026-macbook-pro-low-price/ Mitchel Broussard Deals $1,983.94, down from $2,199.00.

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

This beats the previous deal we tracked on this model by about $17, and as of writing it's only available in Space Black. Amazon provides a free delivery estimate by around May 12, with quicker delivery for Prime members.

$216 OFF
14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $1,983.94


You can also get up to $200 off the 16-inch MacBook Pro model right now on Amazon, with the 48GB RAM/1TB M5 Pro model hitting an all-time low price of $2,899.00, down from $3,099.00.

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


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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> AirPods Max 2 Available for $509 in All Colors on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/airpods-max-2-for-509-all-colors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-max-2-available-for-509-in-all-colors-on-amazon.2482145/ Sat, 09 May 2026 07:51:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/airpods-max-2-for-509-all-colors/ Mitchel Broussard Deals $509.00 this weekend on Amazon, down from $549.00.

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.

This is a match of the all-time low price on the brand new AirPods Max 2 headphones. Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around May 11, while Prime members may be able to find quicker options in select locations.

$40 OFF
AirPods Max 2 for $509.00


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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]]> Top Stories: iOS 26.5 Coming Soon, Goodbye $599 Mac Mini, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon-goodbye-599-mac-mini-and-more.2482140/ Fri, 08 May 2026 19:14:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon/ MacRumors Staff Featured Top Stories

This week also saw Apple making more changes to its Mac mini and Mac Studio offerings amid product shortages, while the company is weighing how it can meet strong demand for the new MacBook Neo, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories


Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone


iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week.


As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out.

The second new feature added in iOS 26.5 is "Suggested Places" in Apple Maps. This section of the app provides recommendations based on your location and recent searches, and it will start showing ads in the U.S. and Canada later this year.

Third, a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that "dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors" is available to download on iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5. Released alongside a new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance watch face, Apple says the wallpaper celebrates LGBTQ+ communities around the world.

Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro


Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026, but depending on your needs and interests, you might want to skip this generation because there's something better in the works.


The M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models have faster chips, but the same design that Apple has used since 2021. An updated design with new display technology and faster performance is coming in late 2026 or early 2027. Check out our overview of everything rumored for this upcoming "MacBook Ultra."

Apple Stops Selling Mac Mini With 256GB of Storage, Starting Price Rises to $799


Apple last week stopped offering a 256GB storage option for the Mac mini worldwide. As a result, the desktop computer now has a higher starting price.


In the U.S., for example, the Mac mini now starts at $799 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, whereas it previously started at $599 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Apple is also continuing to cut other configurations of the Mac mini and Mac Studio as the company has been hit by related issues of memory shortages throughout the industry amid strong demand from customers looking to use these machines for AI-related purposes.

Apple Was Caught Off Guard by MacBook Neo's 'Off the Charts' Demand


Apple's most affordable MacBook ever appears to be a resounding hit with customers, based on comments shared by CEO Tim Cook last week.


On an earnings call last Thursday, Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo has been "off the charts" since the laptop was unveiled in March. "We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment," he said.

Apple has been struggling to meet customer demand for new laptop, and the company is said to be running out the A18 Pro chips used to power them. With Apple rumored to be considering ordering another run of the chips that will add to the cost, plus rising memory costs, tech columnist Tim Culpan believes Apple could be considering dropping the entry-level $599 configuration of the MacBook Neo and perhaps offering it in some additional colors.

iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Keep Aluminum Finish Amid Durability Complaints


The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly carry over the same anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, despite concerns from some users about its durability.


According to the Weibo leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," surface chipping on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has become a common complaint, and that users who have sought recourse from Apple have been told they cannot claim it, with the company classifying the issue as an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy material and normal wear and tear. Crucially, they added that the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ will "continue to utilize this same design approach" despite its weaknesses.

Separately, a fresh leak of a CAD render for the iPhone 18 Pro lends support to circulating rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island.

iPhone 18 Might Look a Lot More Like an 'e' Model, Leaker Claims


The standard iPhone 18 and the lower-cost iPhone 18e are said to share components, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," as further evidence that Apple is narrowing the gap between the two devices.


In recent posts on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said that certain parts are interchangeable between the two models, adding that the information originates from a reliable manufacturing source. The leaker described the component overlap as confirmation that the specification convergence between the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e is real and measurable at the supply chain level. "Take it from me: The standard ‌iPhone 18‌ model has been downgraded and its launch delayed—this decision is final and will not change," they added.

MacRumors Newsletter


Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
Tag: Top Stories

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]]> Apple's AirTag-Sized AI Pendant: Five Features Rumored So Far https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/ai-pendant-five-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-airtag-sized-ai-pendant-five-features-rumored-so-far.2482119/ Fri, 08 May 2026 15:39:32 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/ai-pendant-five-features/ Juli Clover AirTag Featured Apple AI Pin

1. It'll Look Like an AirTag


Apple's design plans could change, but rumors suggest the device is a pin or pendant that looks similar to an AirTag. It's been described as having a thin, flat, circular disc shape, with an aluminum and glass shell. A physical control button is included on one edge.

Apple wants the final version of the device to be about the same size as an ‌AirTag‌, but because of the hardware inside, it could be thicker.

It sounds like the wearable will be versatile. It could have a clip to attach to clothing like a pin, but there's also supposedly a hole in the device so it can be worn as a necklace. Rumors have referred to it as both a pin and a pendant.

2. There Will Be Cameras


Apple's AI wearable is going to have at least one camera, but rumors are mixed on exactly what the camera will be used for.

Bloomberg says the pin will have a low-resolution camera that gives it info about its surroundings rather than a camera for capturing photos and videos. The camera will be always-on and processing visual data, but users will not be able to use it for images.

The Information reports there will be two front cameras, one with a standard lens and one with a wide-angle lens for capturing photos and videos.

Apple's AI device will rely heavily on Visual Intelligence, which is currently an iPhone feature that uses the camera to provide users with more information about places and objects around them.

3. Siri is the Brain


Rumors have described Apple's wearable as an AI pin or pendant, because it's going to be reliant on artificial intelligence. It's one of several AI-equipped devices that Apple is working on, and it will give wearers a way to interface with Siri without having to use an iPhone.

The camera on the pin will give ‌Siri‌ insight, and ‌Siri‌ will be able to answer questions about what the wearer is looking at or the wearer's surroundings.

Apple is planning to completely overhaul ‌Siri‌ in iOS 27, turning the personal assistant into a much smarter chatbot on par with Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT.

4. iPhone Required


While the AI wearable will have a chip inside, it will be a smaller chip that's similar to the H2 in the AirPods. It won't use a high-powered chip, and most processing will need to be done on the iPhone.

The pin is not meant to be a standalone device, and it will instead be marketed as an iPhone accessory.

5. It'll Listen, But Might Not Talk Back


To listen for voice requests and to pick up sounds around the wearer, the AI pin will have a microphone. Apple has not yet decided whether to add a speaker for back-and-forth ‌Siri‌ conversations and audio playback.

If there's no speaker, responses might be directed to the wearer on the iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods.

Release Date


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said this week that the AI wearable could see a launch as soon as 2027.
Related Roundup: AirTag
Tag: Apple AI Pin
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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]]> A Closer Look at watchOS 26.5's New Luminance Watch Face https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/watchos-26-5-luminance-face/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/a-closer-look-at-watchos-26-5s-new-luminance-watch-face.2482117/ Fri, 08 May 2026 15:39:04 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/watchos-26-5-luminance-face/ Juli Clover watchOS

You can select 1 to 12 colors from a palette that has every color of the rainbow, some in-between shades, and black, white, brown, and gray.


The colors you pick are distributed across the watch face in a gradient, available in either radial or linear styles. The first style looks like a starburst, while the second style is a series of rectangular lines.


The dial can be set to Rectangle for edge-to-edge color, or Circle for a smaller dial that supports four complications.

As with most of Apple's faces, the Luminance face is animated. When the wrist is down, it shrinks into slim lines of color on a black background, but when the wrist is raised, the full color palette is displayed. Colors will also shift slowly.


Apple's pre-selected colors represent different Pride flag colors, but with the deep customization options, the Pride Luminance face can match clothing, show off support for sports teams, or just display your favorite colors.


iOS 26.5 also has a matching Pride Luminance Wallpaper option that can be customized in the same way. You can choose up to 12 colors for the Lock Screen and Home Screen. On the Lock Screen, the colors collapse onto a black background when the device is locked.


To get the new watch face, you need iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5. Apple has released RCs, and the public versions of the updates are expected as soon as next week.
Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-rumors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-what-to-expect-later-this-year.2482115/ Fri, 08 May 2026 13:05:57 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-rumors/ Joe Rossignol Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra watchOS

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was just updated last year and it typically goes two to three years between refreshes.

Apple will unveil watchOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8, and a developer beta will likely be available immediately afterwards. A public beta typically follows in July, and the update should be widely released in September.

Touch ID


Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, according to internal Apple software code that leaked online last year.

Touch ID would likely be built into the Apple Watch's side button, enabling users to unlock the device with their fingerprint instead of a passcode.

Even though new Touch ID references were discovered within the code, there is no guarantee that Apple will move forward with this plan either this year or ever. In addition, credible sources such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have yet to mention Touch ID coming to the Apple Watch this year.

New Chips After One-Year Hiatus


While the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 all contain the same S10 chip as the previous year's models, the leaked Apple code indicated that the Series 12 and Ultra 4 will get a new chip. It is unclear if the chip will have S11 or S12 branding, but performance improvements are expected either way.

New Modular Watch Face


watchOS 27 will reportedly include new watch faces, including a variant of the "Modular Ultra" watch face that is currently exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra.

New Apple Intelligence Features


On watchOS 26, the following Apple Intelligence features are available on an Apple Watch when it is paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer:

  • Workout Buddy

  • Live Translation in Messages

  • Notification Summaries
When it announced the dates for WWDC 2026, Apple promised to unveil "AI advancements" across its platforms, and it can be reasonably assumed that watchOS 27 will include some additional Apple Intelligence features powered by the iPhone.

New Satellite Features


Apple Watch Ultra 3 has built-in satellite connectivity, enabling Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite without any reliance on an iPhone.

iOS 27 will reportedly include up to five new satellite features, and the following two would likely extend to watchOS 27:
  • Apple Maps via satellite

  • Photos support for Messages via satellite
Amazon last month announced plans to acquire Globalstar, the satellite company that powers Apple's satellite features on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In turn, Amazon announced that it has signed an agreement with Apple to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, watchOS 26
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution), Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-intel-preliminary-chip-deal/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-could-soon-be-buying-iphone-and-mac-chips-from-old-frenemy-intel.2482105/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:44:56 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-intel-preliminary-chip-deal/ Juli Clover Featured Intel The Wall Street Journal.


Intel would make chips based on Apple chip designs, much like TSMC. Prior rumors on Intel's Apple talks have suggested Intel could make some of the lower-end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest-end M-series chip used in select iPad and Mac models.

Before Apple adopted Apple silicon, it used Intel-designed chips for its Macs, but had to deal with continual chip delays. Apple now designs its own Arm chips that are manufactured by TSMC, allowing it to provide updates at a more regular cadence.

Intel makes its own chips, but it also makes chips for other companies. Apple has not previously eyed Intel as a supplier because it has lagged behind other chip makers like TSMC and Samsung, and because of the history between the two companies. Intel replaced CEO Pat Gelsinger with Lip-Bu Tan last year, and Tan has led an effort to revitalize Intel's chip manufacturing business.

Tan has been focusing on Intel's most advanced process node, 14A, which will reach production in 2028. Intel has been seeking customers for its 14A 1.4nm node. Intel also makes 18A chips built on a 1.8nm node, along with chips built on older process nodes.

Apple has been working to diversify its supply chain, because Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is currently its sole Apple silicon manufacturer. During Apple's latest earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said iPhone 17 models had been constrained during the quarter because Apple could not get enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.

TSMC is one of the world's largest chip manufacturers, and along with making chips for Apple, it makes chips for other companies like Nvidia. With the AI boom and huge demand for AI servers, TSMC has more limited capacity for chips made for consumer devices, and Apple has less leverage to convince TSMC to make its chips.
Tag: Intel

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]]> Warning: Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption Starting Today https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/instagram-end-to-end-encryption/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/warning-instagram-dms-lose-end-to-end-encryption-starting-today.2482110/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:37:13 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/instagram-end-to-end-encryption/ Juli Clover Instagram

Meta can potentially see what's in messages shared between users on Instagram, and that information can be shared with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

End-to-end encryption has been an opt-in messaging feature on Instagram since 2023, but Meta quietly removed it. Meta told The Guardian earlier this year that it is removing the encryption feature because not enough people adopted it. At the same time, Meta did not turn it on by default, nor did the company alert users that it was an option. Sending an encrypted message required turning it on for each individual conversation by tapping into a buried per-conversation setting. Meta also never rolled the feature out to all Instagram users.

"Very few people were opting in to end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we're removing this option from Instagram in the coming months," Meta said. Meta suggests that people who want end-to-end encryption should use WhatsApp, which is another messaging app that it owns. iMessage and other apps like Signal that are not Meta-owned also offer end-to-end encryption.

Law enforcement agencies and child safety advocates have long pushed for Meta to remove encryption, but Meta could also be getting something out of the feature's removal. It's possible the company will be able to use direct messaging content for advertising algorithms or training chatbots. Meta says that content in DMs is not used for targeted ads right now, but there is wording that allows for product improvement.

Meta's decision to remove Instagram's end-to-end encryption comes 11 days before the Take It Down Act takes effect. The actf will require platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery like deepfakes within 48 hours of a takedown notice, but with E2EE in place, Meta can't access the content needed to comply.

Instagram users who have end-to-end encrypted chats have been given instructions on how to download media or messages that they want to keep.

Last year, Meta started using private generative AI conversations to personalize content and customize ad recommendations for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger users, so there seems to be little limit on the data that it will use to generate revenue. WhatsApp and Messenger continue to have end-to-end encryption for the time being.
Tag: Instagram

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]]> Best Apple Deals of the Week: Shop Popular Mother's Day Accessory Deals, Plus AirPods Max 2 for $509.99 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-5-8-26/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-shop-popular-mothers-day-accessory-deals-plus-airpods-max-2-for-509-99.2482096/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:34:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-5-8-26/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured
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.

Mother's Day Deals



  • What's the deal? Save on popular accessories and more

  • Where can I get it? Anker, OtterBox, ZAGG, and more

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here


Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10, and multiple popular accessory companies are hosting big discount events to mark the holiday. You'll find savings on Anker charging accessories, OtterBox iPhone cases, ZAGG screen protectors, and much more in the list below.

  • Anker - Get up to 40% off charging accessories

  • AT&T - Get iPhone 17 Pro Max for up to $1,100 off

  • Best Buy - Save on everything from wearable tech to TVs and more

  • Belkin - Get up to 30% off

  • Casetify - Buy two get 20% off

  • Grid Studio - Get 15% off sitewide

  • Hyper - Get 20% off select products

  • Nimble - Get 20% off with code MOM20

  • OtterBox - Get 25% off sitewide

  • Verizon - Get iPhone 17, iPad, and Apple Watch Series 11 for no cost when switching

  • ZAGG - Get 25% off screen protectors and cases


AirPods Max 2



  • What's the deal? Take $40 off AirPods Max 2

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$40 OFF
AirPods Max 2 for $509.00


Amazon this week introduced a new record low price on the AirPods Max 2, now available for $509.00, down from $549.00. This sale is available in all five colors of the headphones.

MacBook Pro



  • What's the deal? Take up to $216 off M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$216 OFF
14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $1,983.94

$150 OFF
16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $2,549.00


Amazon is offering a few all-time low prices on Apple's M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro this week, with up to $216 off select models.

iPhone Air MagSafe Battery



  • What's the deal? Take $39 off

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$39 OFF
iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.99


Following a few steep discounts on the iPhone Air last month, we're now tracking a new all-time low price on the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery on Amazon. You can get the accessory for $59.99, down from $99.00, beating the previous low price by about $20.

Samsung Sale



  • What's the deal? Save on Samsung's best monitors, TVs, and more

  • Where can I get it? Samsung

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

UP TO $1,099.99 OFF
Samsung Monitor Sale

$800 OFF
65-inch The Frame for $999.99

$1,000 OFF
75-inch The Frame Pro for $2,199.99


Samsung this week is offering big discounts across multiple product categories, including its most popular monitors and TVs. This sale precedes the announcement of Samsung's newest line of 2026 monitors, and if you sign up with your e-mail and phone number, you can lock in $50 savings on the upcoming monitors.

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 Seeds Second iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Release Candidates to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-seeds-ios-26-5-rc-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-second-ios-26-5-and-ipados-26-5-release-candidates-to-developers.2482103/ Fri, 08 May 2026 10:16:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-seeds-ios-26-5-rc-2/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 26 iOS 27

Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any ‌Siri‌ updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads in the Apple Maps app.

Apple is continuing to test end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple included the feature in the iOS 26.4 beta, but removed it before the update launched to the public.

There is a new Pride wallpaper to go along with the Pride Apple Watch band for this year.

More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our iOS 26.5 beta features guide. iOS 26.5 is likely to see a launch next week.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, iOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 26

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]]> MacRumors Giveaway: Win a MacBook Neo and Accessory Kit From Plugable https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/macrumors-giveaway-plugable-may-2026/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macrumors-giveaway-win-a-macbook-neo-and-accessory-kit-from-plugable.2482102/ Fri, 08 May 2026 09:58:45 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/macrumors-giveaway-plugable-may-2026/ Juli Clover Featured MacBook Neo Giveaway Plugable to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a MacBook Neo and a Plugable ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory kit that includes the UD–6950PDH USB-C Docking Station, USBC–9IN1E USB-C Hub, and the PS–30C1 30W power adapter.


Plugable makes a wide range of accessories for Apple devices, and it is perhaps best known for its hubs and docks. There are several dock and hub options that work well with Apple's new low-cost ‌MacBook Neo‌, and Plugable's solutions are affordable.

The UD–6950PDH USB-C 14-in–1 Dock is priced at $180, and it adds multiple ports to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac. There's a 5Gb/s USB-C port that also provides power for accessories, four 5Gb/s USB-A ports (one of which can power peripherals), microSD and SD card reader slots, a 100W USB-C port for charging a connected MacBook, a 1Gb/s Ethernet port, two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, and a K-Lock for security.


The dock supports two 4K 60Hz displays connected via HDMI or DisplayPort, and it uses DisplayLink software to get around display limitations on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ and other Macs. Even though the ‌MacBook Neo‌ only supports one external 4K display natively, with the dock, it can power two displays.


For those who only need a single display, Plugable has the $50 9-in–1 USB-C Hub. It connects to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac via USB-C, adding several useful ports. Unlike the dock, it does not need an external power source because it is bus-powered.


The hub has a 10Gb/s USB-C port, an HDMI 2.0 port, microSD and SD card slots, a USB 2.0 port, two 10Gb/s USB-A ports (one offers 15W charging for accessories), a USB-C port for 125W passthrough charging to the connected Mac, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Plugable currently has a 15% discount on the 9-in–1 Hub on Amazon.


Plugable's ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory lineup is rounded out with a compact $24 USB-C Charger Block, which comes in either black or white. The power adapter provides 30W for the ‌MacBook Neo‌, which is ideal. It uses GaN technology so it's small in size, and it has collapsible prongs, making it ideal for travel. Plugable is offering a 16% discount on the power adapter on Amazon this week.


We have a ‌MacBook Neo‌ and a Plugable accessory kit to go along with it for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


Plugable Giveaway (U.S. Only)The contest will run from today (May 8) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 15. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after May 15 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Related Roundup: MacBook Neo
Tag: Giveaway
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Neo

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