MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:23:20 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Apple Details How Reference Image Proves a Photo is Real https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-reference-image-info/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-details-how-reference-image-proves-a-photo-is-real.2489482/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 23:46:29 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-reference-image-info/ Juli Clover Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad iPhone 18 Pro models support Apple Reference Image, a way to verify that a photo was taken with an iPhone and hasn't been edited. Apple says it's a method to prove that something actually happened and wasn't AI-generated, likening the feature to a digital film negative.


Apple Reference Image offers a trustworthy, scalable guarantee that a reference image is what it claims to be: a real photograph, captured by a real sensor in an iPhone camera, at a specific time. It sets a new standard for verifiable digital photography.

Apple introduced Apple Reference Image when debuting the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, and today the company shared more information on how the feature works on its Security Research blog.

Apple Reference Image boots the camera sensor into a specialized reference mode. The mode instructs the sensor to cryptographically sign pixel data immediately after capture, and the sensor firmware is prevented from modifying the data. Other authentication systems don't sign images until the end of the software processing pipeline, which Apple says leaves images vulnerable to tampering attacks.

Apple Reference Image creates a "secure digital negative" protected from software compromise alongside a standard editable photo. The negative is stored on-device and includes pixel data, sensor metadata, and cryptographic timestamps with lower and upper bounds. When a user decides to "develop" the negative for verification, it is sent unprocessed to Private Cloud Compute. Private Cloud Compute runs the steps needed to render the image in a secure, private, and verifiable environment.

Apple says the feature resists data injection attacks, compromised operating systems, hardware attacks, and cryptographic attacks. Apple believes Apple Reference Image is the only image provenance system with quantum-secure defenses. In case the system is breached, there is a revocation option. Private Cloud Compute calculates a confidence score for each image, and Apple can revoke individual photos or an entire sensor if fraud is detected.

To safeguard photographers, Apple Reference Image avoids using an explicit, public credential for photographers, and it prevents public association between different photos taken by the same sensor. The confidentiality of the image is protected, including from Apple.

Apple Reference Image is opt-in and is limited to the Main camera sensor.

More information on the ins and outs of Apple Reference Image can be found in Apple's full blog post.
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]]> What the iPhone Duo's Camera Can and Can't Do https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-duo-camera/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-the-iphone-duos-camera-can-and-cant-do.2489476/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:11:01 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-duo-camera?post_date=1789521051/ Juli Clover Featured iPhone Duo iPhone Duo's dual-display design, Apple is introducing new Camera app features that are unique to the foldable iPhone.


Smart Take


Smart Take uses AI to determine when everyone (including the iPhone owner) is ready for a group shot, so no one has to use a timer or stay out of the picture to capture the image.


You can prop up the ‌iPhone Duo‌ in a half-folded orientation, get in frame, and then wait for the group shot to be taken.

Kid Cue


Kid Cue shows little Peanuts animations to children so they look at the camera when you're taking a photo.


Duo Preview


With Duo Preview, the Camera app shows a live preview of the shot on both displays, so the subject you're taking a photo of can make adjustments.


Duo FaceTime


Nearby friends can participate in a FaceTime call using the outer display while the iPhone owner uses the inner display, so nobody has to crowd around the iPhone or pass it around to get on video.


Duo ‌FaceTime‌ is not the same as Dual Capture, which records video with both the front and rear cameras. Duo ‌FaceTime‌ specifically uses the outer display to allow another person to join in on a call.

Unique Form Factor Features


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ can be used in multiple orientations, including when it's half-folded. The Duo stands up on its own, for taking ‌FaceTime‌ calls and recording video without holding it.


The folding mechanism acts like a built-in tripod and stand, so it's also useful for selfies and long exposures. You can also capture selfies with the higher-quality 48MP rear camera while using the outer display as a viewfinder, which isn't something you can do with a slab iPhone.

Camera Hardware


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ has a "Dual Fusion" two-camera setup with a 48MP Main camera. It's basically the same camera that's in the iPhone 17 (not the 17 Pro), offering 26mm 24MP images by default, along with 12MP 2x "telephoto" images at 52mm.

The camera supports sensor-shift optical image stabilization, but not the second-generation version available in the Pro models. It also does not support spatial photos or the ProRAW format.

It also includes a 48MP Ultra Wide camera with a 13mm focal length and macro capabilities. Since there's no Telephoto lens, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is limited to 2x optical-quality zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and digital zoom up to 10x for images.

Other Camera Capabilities


Like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ supports the latest Photographic Styles, which adds texture and grain parameters.

Video


Smart focus tracking is a feature new to the ‌iPhone Duo‌ and the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models. It uses AI to keep a subject in focus at all times, and pick up subject tracking if the subject exits the frame and then reappears.

The Duo supports 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 120 fps, and Cinematic mode for recording videos in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps. For the first time, Cinematic mode effects can be added to a video after capture on the Duo and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌. Apple also says there's improved low-light video on the Duo when recording at 1080p.

Time-lapse video recording with stabilization up to 4K Dolby Vision is a new ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone Duo‌ option. It's especially useful on the ‌iPhone Duo‌ because you can record a stable video without the need for a tripod.

Front Camera


The ‌iPhone Duo‌'s outer front-facing camera is 12MP, not 18MP like the ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models. It otherwise has the same features.

The inner display has a 1080p ‌FaceTime‌ camera that's under the display.

Missing Camera Features


Compared to the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ has a more rudimentary camera system. It lacks many features available on the Pro models.

  • Telephoto lens

  • Pro Controls

  • Apple Reference Image

  • Variable aperture

  • Second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization

  • Adaptive True Tone flash

  • Spatial photos and video recording

  • ProRAW

  • ProRes

  • ProRes RAW

  • Genlock

  • Apple Log 2 video recording

  • Studio-quality four-mic array


Launch Date


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will be available for pre-order on October 16, and it will launch on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Duo (Coming Soon)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple's Last Intel 21.5-Inch iMac is Now Vintage https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-last-intel-imac-vintage/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-last-intel-21-5-inch-imac-is-now-vintage.2489470/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:53:26 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-last-intel-imac-vintage/ Juli Clover iMac Intel Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products iMac to its list of vintage products, which means repairs can only be done if Apple has the parts available.


Products are added to the vintage list five years after they were last distributed for sale, and they're moved to the obsolete list at the seven-year mark. Vintage products can be repaired at Apple Stores and by Apple Authorized Service Providers if the parts are available, but that's not guaranteed. Devices that are obsolete are not eligible for repair and Apple no longer makes repair components.

The 2019 iMac preceded the colorful, redesigned M1 ‌iMac‌ that came out in 2021. The machine featured a 21.5-inch Retina 4K display and the standard silver ‌iMac‌ design. The base model was equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Pricing in 2019 started at $1,299.

The 2019 27-inch ‌iMac‌ that was sold alongside the 21.5-inch model was added to the vintage list in July 2025, but Apple sold the smaller model for a longer so it didn't previously qualify as vintage.
Related Roundup: iMac
Tags: Intel, Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iMac

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]]> iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 18 Pro Buyer's Guide: Worth Upgrading? https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-16-pro-vs-18-pro/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-16-pro-vs-iphone-18-pro-buyers-guide-worth-upgrading.2489469/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:17:47 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-16-pro-vs-18-pro?post_date=1789510658/ Hartley Charlton Buyer's Guide Featured iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 18 Pro iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, arriving two years after the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max. Skipping a generation means makes for a bigger upgrade, with more than 50 differences between the 2024 and 2026 models.


Most of the visible change arrived in between, with the iPhone 17 Pro replacing the titanium frame and glass back with an aluminum unibody and Ceramic Shield 2, adding vapor chamber cooling, and upgrading both the telephoto and front cameras. This year's update is largely focused on internal changes, centering on the A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture Main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and a battery capacity increase that delivers the largest jump in battery life in the iPhone's history. For ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro owners, the two sets of changes stack on top of each other.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ starts at $1,199 for 256GB, $200 more than the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro's $999 launch price, although the entry storage tier has doubled from 128GB. Apple no longer sells the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro directly, so any comparison now involves either a device you already own or a third-party listing. Here's everything that differs between the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌:

Design and Display




















































‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
Titanium frame with full glass back Aluminum unibody with partial Ceramic Shield back
8.25mm thickness 8.75mm thickness
Glass rounded square camera bump Full-width rounded rectangle aluminum camera plateau
Ceramic Shield front Ceramic Shield 2 front with 3x better scratch resistance
Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating only Apple-designed anti-reflective display coating to reduce glare
2,000 nits peak display brightness (outdoor) 3,000 nits peak display brightness (outdoor)
2x better outdoor contrast
‌Dynamic Island‌ supports up to two simultaneous Live Activities Smaller ‌Dynamic Island‌, supports up to three simultaneous Live Activities
iPhone 16 Pro: Weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams)
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Weighs 7.99 ounces (227 grams)		 iPhone 18 Pro: Weighs 7.44 ounces (211 grams)
iPhone 18 Pro Max: Weighs 8.78 ounces (249 grams)
Available in White, Black, Natural, and Desert Available in Silver, Black, Glacier, and Burgundy



Chip, Performance, and Connectivity



























































‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
A18 Pro chip A20 Pro chip
Built with TSMC's N3E process (3nm) Built with TSMC's N2 process (2nm), Apple's first 2nm smartphone chip
6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores
60GB/s memory bandwidth ~115GB/s memory bandwidth
8GB RAM 12GB RAM
6-core GPU 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
16-core Neural Engine Dual 16-core Neural Engine (32 total cores)
Vapor chamber cooling with 3x more surface area than the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌
New chip packaging that places silicon die beside memory, allowing it to attach directly to the vapor chamber
Qualcomm Snapdragon X71 modem iPhone 18 Pro: Apple C2 modem in all countries
iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple C2 modem in all countries except the U.S., where it uses a Qualcomm modem
Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip Apple N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread
Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity Bluetooth 6 connectivity



Rear Camera
















































































‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
12-megapixel Telephoto camera 48-megapixel Fusion Telephoto camera
0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom options 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x optical zoom options
Fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture on the 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera Variable-aperture 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with four stops: ƒ/1.48, ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.8, and ƒ/4.0, using six laser-cut blades
API available for developers to control the aperture range within their own apps
Faster Night mode, tied to the new variable-aperture lens
Pro controls in the Camera app: manual lens aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and histogram
New sensor and computational imaging pipeline on the Fusion Main camera, delivering around 50% better low-light performance and more detail in the back of group photos
Photographic Styles 2, adjusting tone and color Photographic Styles 3, adding texture and grain controls alongside tone and color
Smart focus tracking
Cinematic mode recording up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps Cinematic mode recording up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps
Cinematic mode effects can be applied after capture, on video shot at up to 60 fps
Improved low-light video
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization, up to 4K Dolby Vision
Apple Reference Image (Main camera only)
Audio Mix Audio Mix with new algorithms for higher-quality voices, and the ability to isolate music
ProRes RAW capture support
Genlock support



Front Camera




















































‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
12-megapixel TrueDepth camera 18-megapixel TrueDepth camera
Tap to zoom Tap to zoom and rotate
Center Stage
Ultra-stabilized video
Dual Capture (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)
Photographic Styles 2, adjusting tone and color Photographic Styles 3, adding texture and grain controls alongside tone and color
Smart focus tracking
Cinematic mode effects can be applied after capture
Improved low-light video
Time-lapse video recording with stabilization, up to 4K Dolby Vision



Battery and Charging
























‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
iPhone 16 Pro: 3,582 mAh battery
iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,685 mAh battery		 iPhone 18 Pro: 4,056 mAh battery
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5,391 mAh battery
iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 27 hours of video playback
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 33 hours of video playback		 iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 36 hours of video playback
iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 45 hours of video playback
iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher		 Up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes with a 60W-capable adapter
iPhone 16 Pro: MagSafe wireless charging up to 22W with a 30W adapter or higher
iPhone 16 Pro Max: ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher		 ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 25W, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 35W adapter or higher



Storage and Pricing




















‌iPhone 16‌ Pro (2024) ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ (2026)
iPhone 16 Pro: Available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage		 Available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
iPhone 16 Pro: Launched at $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Launched at $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)		 iPhone 18 Pro: $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,799 (1TB), $2,399 (2TB)
iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 (256GB), $1,499 (512GB), $1,899 (1TB), $2,499 (2TB)
Now discontinued, only available via third-parties iPhone 18 Pro: Sold directly by Apple, from $49.95 a month for 24 months via Apple Upgrade
iPhone 18 Pro Max: Sold directly by Apple, from $54.12 a month for 24 months via Apple Upgrade



Which to Choose?


For ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max owners, the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ is a worthwhile upgrade, and a far easier recommendation than it is for anyone coming from last year's model. Two generations of changes accumulate, touching almost every part of the device: an all-new aluminum unibody with Ceramic Shield 2 and three times better scratch resistance, a display that is 50% brighter outdoors at 3,000 nits and features an anti-reflective coating the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro lacks entirely, and a battery that runs for 36 hours rather than 27, rising from 33 hours to 45 hours on the Pro Max. Charging has changed most dramatically of all, dropping from 50% in 30 minutes to 50% in around 15 minutes.

The camera differences are also major. The telephoto camera moves from 12 megapixels at 5x to 48 megapixels with 4x and 8x optical options, the front camera jumps from 12 megapixels to 18 megapixels and gains Center Stage and ultra-stabilized video, and the Main camera trades its fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture for a four-stop variable aperture ranging from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0. Add ProRes RAW, Genlock, Dual Capture, Cinematic mode at 60 fps, and manual Pro controls, and the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ is a substantially different camera system.

Performance is the other argument for upgrading, particularly if you have noticed your ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro throttling. The A20 Pro moves to a 2nm process, gains a seventh GPU core with Neural Accelerators, and doubles the Neural Engine to 32 cores, while the vapor chamber that the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro lacks entirely is now in its second generation. If you play demanding games, shoot long video clips, or expect to lean on on-device Apple Intelligence features for several more years, the extra 4GB of RAM and the doubled Neural Engine make the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ the more future-proof purchase.

That being said, the price has moved against you. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ costs $200 more than the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro did at launch, even accounting for the doubled 256GB entry tier, and the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max is $100 more than its equivalent. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max is also 22 grams heavier than the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max, which is noticeable in the hand, although it buys you the largest battery gain Apple has ever delivered on an iPhone and the option of a 2TB device.

A notable exception arises if you are upgrading primarily for the design, the telephoto camera, or the battery. Almost all of those enhancements arrived with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ rather than this year's model, so an ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ bought from a third-party retailer at a heavy discount will get you most of the way there for meaningfully less money. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s genuine exclusives over that model are the variable aperture and Pro controls, the C2 modem, the smaller ‌Dynamic Island‌, and roughly three extra hours of battery life. If none of those matter to you, last year's model is the better value.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max opened on Saturday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 18.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> AirPods 5 Hands-On: Better Noise Cancellation, Lower Price https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/airpods-5-hands-on/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-5-hands-on-better-noise-cancellation-lower-price.2489465/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:19:59 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/airpods-5-hands-on/ Juli Clover AirPods Featured introduced the AirPods 5 last week, we got a set to take home and review. We've been testing the AirPods 5 for the last week and have some initial thoughts.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

The ‌AirPods 5‌ have the same overall design and fit as the AirPods 4, so they're just as comfortable as the prior-generation model.

Active Noise Cancellation has been improved through new internal acoustic architecture, and it's surprisingly good. The ‌AirPods 5‌ don't have silicone ear tips so you might not expect ANC to work as well as earbuds with a tighter fit, but there is a noticeable improvement over the ANC version of the AirPods 4.

Apple says the ‌AirPods 5‌ use low-noise microphones and a new compressor tuned for open-ear ANC. The compressor is tuned to a wider frequency range and can react faster than before when conditions change. Sound is measured for the left and right ears independently, correcting for fit leaks to further improve ANC.

Sound quality on the ‌AirPods 5‌ was muddier than on the AirPods Pro 3, especially in the low mids. iOS 27 has custom EQ, though, which allows for adjustments. The ‌AirPods 5‌ support Adaptive Audio and Transparency, so they have most of the same audio features as the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌.

Apple used to limit ANC to the higher-end version of the AirPods 4, but with the ‌AirPods 5‌, it's universal. You can now get AirPods with ANC for just $129. There's an upgraded model with a Wireless Charging Case, an extra hour of battery life, and swipe-based controls on the stem for $149. The base model has four hours of battery with ANC, while the upgraded version offers five hours.

Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and other features that were previously limited to the higher-end AirPods 4 model are now on all models. Dust and water resistance has improved, and the AirPods have an IP57 rating, so they'll hold up better to sweat and moisture exposure.

With the ANC upgrade and the price drop, the ‌AirPods 5‌ are an excellent value. If you've been hesitant to get AirPods because of the price, this is the version to get. People who have AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC don't need to upgrade, but it's a big improvement if you have older AirPods.

The ‌AirPods 5‌ are available for pre-order and will launch on Friday, September 18.
Related Roundup: AirPods 5
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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]]> M5 Ultra Chip's Impressive Performance Boost Revealed in First Benchmark Result https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-m5-ultra-chip-benchmark/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m5-ultra-chips-impressive-performance-boost-revealed-in-first-benchmark-result.2489460/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:00:47 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-m5-ultra-chip-benchmark/ Joe Rossignol Featured Mac Studio Benchmarks Geekbench benchmark result for Apple's new M5 Ultra chip surfaced in the Geekbench 7 database today, offering a look at the chip's impressive performance gains. The new Mac Studio will be Apple's first device to be equipped with the M5 Ultra.


Here is how the highest-end M5 Ultra chip with a 36-core CPU scored:

  • Single-core CPU score: 3,774

  • Multi-core CPU score: 52,516
Apple never released an M4 Ultra chip. Here are the average scores for the highest-end M3 Ultra chip with a 32-core CPU on Geekbench 7:

  • Single-core CPU score: 2,920

  • Multi-core CPU score: 39,059


Unsurprisingly, the M5 Ultra is Apple's fastest chip ever. If this Geekbench result is accurate, it has up to around 30% faster single-core CPU performance and up to around 35% faster multi-core performance compared to the M3 Ultra. But, it comes at a steep cost. In the U.S., the Mac Studio with a 36-core M5 Ultra starts at $6,799.

Apple said the M5 Ultra has up to 1.25× faster single-threaded CPU performance and up to 1.3× faster multi-threaded CPU performance compared to the M3 Ultra, so the benchmark result roughly aligns with or even beats those advertised claims. However, keep in mind that there wil be some variance in scores as additional results surface.

Here is where the M5 Ultra slots in for maximum multi-core CPU performance:
  • M5 Ultra: 52,516

  • M3 Ultra: 39,059

  • M5 Max: 35,119

  • M5 Pro: 33,593

  • M4 Max: 29,047

  • M2 Ultra: 28,789

  • M4 Pro: 24,894

  • M3 Max: 24,649

  • M1 Ultra: 23,328

  • M6: 22,783

  • M5: 17,948

  • M2 Max: 17,387

  • M3 Pro: 16,880

  • M2 Pro: 16,725

  • M4: 15,477

  • M1 Max: 14,299

  • M1 Pro: 13,914

  • M3: 11,650

  • M2: 9,809

  • M1: 8,582
Based on these scores, the M5 Ultra is up to 2.25× faster than Apple's original M1 Ultra chip and up to 6× faster compared to the regular M1 chip.

As always, real-world performance varies.

The new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips and the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips launch on Tuesday, September 22.

We are still waiting for GPU results for the M5 Ultra to appear in the Geekbench 7 database.
Related Roundup: Mac Studio
Tags: Benchmarks, Geekbench
Buyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac Studio

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]]> OWC's Best Mac Accessories Are on Sale Just for MacRumors Readers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/owcs-mac-sale-macrumors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/owcs-best-mac-accessories-are-on-sale-just-for-macrumors-readers.2489456/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:38:16 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/owcs-mac-sale-macrumors/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured big savings on the retailer's best Thunderbolt docks, USB-C cables, and external storage enclosures. These exclusive deals will run through Monday, September 21 at 12:00 a.m. CST, so you have the rest of this week to shop.

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

All discounts have been applied automatically, so all you need to do is follow the links below and add one of the accessories to your cart to see the savings. There are seven total items on sale, including two docks, three enclosures, and two USB-C cables.

$50 OFF
OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt Dock for $179.99

$205 OFF
OWC Express 4M2 Ultra Enclosure for $244.99


The two docks on sale include the OWC 11-Port Thunderbolt 5 Dock for $229.99 ($90 off), and the 11-Port Thunderbolt Dock for $179.99 ($50 off). These docks expand the capabilities of your Mac setup by adding 11 additional ports to your computer.

One of the overall steepest discounts in our exclusive sale is on the OWC Express 4M2 Ultra Enclosure, which is on sale for $244.99 ($205 off). Below you'll find additional desktop RAID systems on sale, as well as two USB-C cables at low prices.



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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]]> M6 Chip Benchmark Surfaces Ahead of New Mac Mini Launch Next Week https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-m6-chip-benchmark/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m6-chip-benchmark-surfaces-ahead-of-new-mac-mini-launch-next-week.2489445/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:38:39 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-m6-chip-benchmark/ Joe Rossignol Featured Mac mini Benchmarks Geekbench benchmark result for Apple's new M6 chip surfaced in the Geekbench 7 database today, offering a look at the chip's performance gains. The new Mac mini will be Apple's first device to be equipped with the M6 chip, which is 2nm.


Here is how the M6 chip scored:

  • Single-core CPU score: 4,071

  • Multi-core CPU score: 22,783


Here are the average M5 chip scores for comparison:

  • Single-core CPU score: 3,641

  • Multi-core CPU score: 17,948
If this single Geekbench 7 result is accurate, the M6 chip has up to around 12% faster single-core CPU performance and up to around 27% faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the M5 chip. Note that the M6 chip is in the new Mac mini, while the M5 chip scores are based on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, but performance should be similar.

Apple said the M6 chip has the world's fastest single-threaded CPU performance, and its 4,071 single-core score indeed tops all other Macs and PCs in the Geekbench 7 database, including the M5 Max chip (3,731) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (3,396). Up to 27% faster multi-core CPU performance is in line with Apple's claim of up to 1.2× faster multi-threaded performance, so all of Apple's advertised claims hold up.

Here is where the M6 chip slots in for maximum multi-core CPU performance:
  • M5 Ultra: 52,516

  • M3 Ultra: 39,059

  • M5 Max: 35,119

  • M5 Pro: 33,593

  • M4 Max: 29,047

  • M2 Ultra: 28,789

  • M4 Pro: 24,894

  • M3 Max: 24,649

  • M1 Ultra: 23,328

  • M6: 22,783

  • M5: 17,948

  • M2 Max: 17,387

  • M3 Pro: 16,880

  • M2 Pro: 16,725

  • M4: 15,477

  • M1 Max: 14,299

  • M1 Pro: 13,914

  • M3: 11,650

  • M2: 9,809

  • M1: 8,582
Based on these scores, the M6 chip is more than 2.5× faster than Apple's original M1 chip.

As always, real-world performance varies.

The new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips and the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips launch on Tuesday, September 22.

We are still waiting for GPU results for the M6 chip to appear on Geekbench 7.
Related Roundup: Mac mini
Tags: Benchmarks, Geekbench
Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac mini

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]]> Reminder: iOS 27's All-New Siri AI Has a Waitlist, Here's How to Sign Up https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/ios-27-siri-ai-has-waitlist-how-to-join/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/reminder-ios-27s-all-new-siri-ai-has-a-waitlist-heres-how-to-sign-up.2489437/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:54:20 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/ios-27-siri-ai-has-waitlist-how-to-join/ Joe Rossignol iOS 27 Siri Siri AI released iOS 27 following around three months of beta testing. If you just installed the software update on your iPhone, you might be wondering where the new-and-improved Siri AI and dedicated Siri app are. In case you missed it, you must join Apple's waitlist in order to gain access to these new features.


Keep in mind that while iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer, Siri AI is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer. This is because Siri AI requires an iPhone model that is compatible with Apple Intelligence, which we have listed below.

Fortunately, joining the Siri AI waitlist is a simple task:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

  • Tap on the Siri menu.

  • Tap on Try Siri AI (Beta).

  • Follow the prompts.

Wait times seem to vary, with some users receiving access to Siri AI within a few minutes of signing up and others having to wait a few hours or even days.

You will receive a notification on your iPhone once you have received access to Siri AI, and the Siri app will automatically appear on your device at that time. You can talk or type to Siri AI in three ways: swipe down on your iPhone's Dynamic Island, press and hold your iPhone's side button to invoke the assistant, or open the Siri app.


The classic version of Siri has always been useful for basic actions like setting a timer and checking the weather, but it has notoriously struggled with more advanced requests over the years. Siri AI is much more intelligent and personalized: it is essentially a ChatGPT-like version of Siri that can respond to most questions.

Siri AI can draw on your personal information stored on your iPhone, has on-screen awareness, and can perform actions in more apps that support it.

The new Siri is limited to English to start, but Apple said support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish will be available in October, likely as part of the release of iOS 27.1. Apple said Siri AI has unspecified daily usage limits, but it noted that expanded access will be coming with select iCloud+ plans.

Siri AI is not available in the EU on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27 at launch, as Apple is in a regulatory battle with the European Commission.

The following iPhone models are compatible with Siri AI:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17e

  • iPhone 17

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
You can adjust Siri AI's pace and expressivity on these iPhone models:
  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Duo

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • iPhone Air
Apple still considers Siri AI to be in beta even though iOS 27 is no longer in beta overall.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Tags: Siri, Siri AI
Related Forum: iOS 27

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]]> Apple TV Shipping Delays Persist, HomePod Mini Unavailable in Orange https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-tv-homepod-mini-shipping-delays/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-tv-shipping-delays-persist-homepod-mini-unavailable-in-orange.2489432/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:39:06 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-tv-homepod-mini-shipping-delays/ Joe Rossignol Apple TV HomePod mini No Linkback Apple TV and HomePod mini orders continue to face extended shipping delays on Apple's online store in the U.S., amid endless rumors about new models coming later this year. These shortages have been occurring on and off for more than a year.

Three examples today: estimated delivery dates for the Apple TV with 64GB of storage are pushing into October, the HomePod mini in orange is currently unavailable to order, and the HomePod mini in yellow is facing a November delivery estimate.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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]]> Apple Watch Pre-Order Discounts Expand With Up to $20 In Savings https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-watch-pre-order-discounts/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-pre-order-discounts-expand-with-up-to-20-in-savings.2489421/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:27:27 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-watch-pre-order-discounts/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured No Amazon EU Redirect few more early discounts on these models.

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

Apple Watch Series 12


Apple Watch Series 12 models are up for pre-order on Amazon today, starting at $389.99 for 42mm GPS devices ($9 off) and $439.99 for 46mm GPS devices ($9 off). These will launch on September 18, and as of writing only the Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band 42mm GPS model is on sale.

$9 OFF
Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm GPS) for $389.99

$9 OFF
Apple Watch Series 12 (46mm GPS) for $439.99


If you're interested in the cellular models of the Apple Watch Series 12, the 42mm Cellular Series 12 is available for pre-order at $489.99, down from $499.00. This is for the new Dark Bronze Aluminum Case with Olive Sport Band.

$9 OFF
Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm Cell) for $489.99

$9 OFF
Apple Watch Series 12 (46mm Cell) for $539.99


You can also pre-order the new Titanium Apple Watch Series 12 models starting at $679.00 ($20 off), and the Ceramic model is available for $929.00 ($20 off).

Apple Watch Ultra 4


The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available for pre-order on Amazon for $779.99 in the Natural Titanium Case with Translucent Gray Ocean Band. This device will launch on September 18, alongside the Series 12 and AirPods 5.

$19 OFF
Apple Watch Ultra 4 for $779.99


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



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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]]> AirPods 5 Sees Initial Pre-Order Deal Ahead of Launch This Friday https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/airpods-pre-order-deal/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-5-sees-initial-pre-order-deal-ahead-of-launch-this-friday.2489419/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:29:20 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/airpods-pre-order-deal/ Mitchel Broussard Deals No Amazon EU Redirect $124.99, down from $129.00. While only a $4 markdown, it's notable for being the first ever deal we've tracked on the base model of the AirPods 5.

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 also pre-order the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case for $149.00, but there's no discount on this one. The AirPods 5 will launch this Friday, September 18.

$4 OFF
AirPods 5 for $124.99

PRE-ORDER
AirPods 5 w/ Wireless Charging Case for $149.00


Amazon also currently has a solid deal on the AirPods Max 2, available for $449.00, down from $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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]]> iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet Expanding to Three More Vehicle Brands https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-car-keys-coming-to-three-more-automakers/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-car-keys-in-apple-wallet-expanding-to-three-more-vehicle-brands.2489413/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:17:49 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-car-keys-coming-to-three-more-automakers/ Joe Rossignol No Linkback Apple Wallet iPhone Car Keys Apple Wallet car keys are coming to three more vehicle brands, including Lincoln, Lucid Motors, and China's Freelander, according to code uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. However, the code does not provide a timeframe for availability.

The digital key feature allows you to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. It is already offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and others.
Tags: Apple Wallet, iPhone Car Keys

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]]> Apple Cuts iPhone Trade-In Values While Raising Mac and iPad https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-cuts-iphone-trade-in-value/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-cuts-iphone-trade-in-values-while-raising-mac-and-ipad.2489415/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:43:23 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-cuts-iphone-trade-in-value/ Hartley Charlton Apple Trade-In trade-in estimates, cutting values for every eligible iPhone while raising them across the iPad and Mac lineups.


The refresh follows the announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. Their predecessors now appear on Apple's trade-in list for the first time, led by the iPhone 17 Pro Max at up to $885. The iPhone Air is valued at $585, exactly the same as the standard iPhone 17, despite having launched at a $200 higher price:


  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: $885

  • iPhone 17 Pro: $785

  • iPhone Air: $585

  • iPhone 17: $585



The update is also the first to run under Apple's new condition grading system, which is now live. Devices with minor cosmetic defects such as small chips in the display glass were previously treated much like those with far more serious damage, resulting in a similarly steep cut to their value. As we reported last week, Apple now applies more granular tiers that better reflect a device's actual condition, and no device receives less than it would have under the old system.

Every other iPhone on the list lost value. The iPhone 16 Pro saw the steepest cut in percentage terms at 19%, while the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max lost the most in absolute terms, falling $110 barely a month after Apple raised it to $720:


  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: $720 to $610

  • iPhone 16 Pro: $630 to $510

  • iPhone 16 Plus: $485 to $430

  • iPhone 16: $480 to $430

  • iPhone 16e: $310 to $270

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max: $530 to $455

  • iPhone 15 Pro: $420 to $370

  • iPhone 15 Plus: $340 to $315

  • iPhone 15: $335 to $305

  • iPhone 14 Pro Max: $405 to $360

  • iPhone 14 Pro: $335 to $285

  • iPhone 14 Plus: $235 to $210

  • iPhone 14: $235 to $195

  • iPhone SE (3rd generation): $85 to $75

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max: $340 to $320

  • iPhone 13 Pro: $285 to $255

  • iPhone 13: $205 to $175

  • iPhone 13 mini: $155 to $145

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: $240 to $210

  • iPhone 12 Pro: $195 to $165

  • iPhone 12: $135 to $120

  • iPhone 12 mini: $90 to $80

  • iPhone SE (2nd generation): $45 to $40

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max: $160 to $140

  • iPhone 11 Pro: $145 to $125

  • iPhone 11: $110 to $100

  • iPhone XS Max: $95 to $85

  • iPhone XS: $70 to $60

  • iPhone XR: $90 to $75

  • iPhone X: $60 to $50

  • iPhone 8 Plus: $40 to $35



The Apple Watch followed the same pattern. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 joins at $430, well clear of any other watch Apple accepts, with the Apple Watch Series 11 at $200 and the Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) at $115. Only the two older Apple Watch SE models held their value, at $60 and $30 respectively:


  • Apple Watch Ultra 2: $305 to $265

  • Apple Watch Ultra: $205 to $190

  • Apple Watch Series 10: $165 to $150

  • Apple Watch Series 9: $135 to $115

  • Apple Watch Series 8: $95 to $90

  • Apple Watch Series 7: $70 to $65

  • Apple Watch Series 6: $45 to $40



The ‌iPad‌ and the Mac moved decisively the other way, with every model gaining value. The iPad Pro climbed almost 26%:


  • iPad Pro: $720 to $905

  • iPad Air: $490 to $510

  • iPad mini: $300 to $320

  • iPad: $260 to $280



The Mac saw the largest increases anywhere in the update, continuing a run that has nearly doubled some trade-in estimates since the spring. The MacBook Pro has risen from $690 in May to $1,315 today, while the Mac mini is up 65% over the same period of time:


  • MacBook Pro: $855 to $1,315

  • MacBook Air: $580 to $705

  • Mac mini: $480 to $620

  • Mac Studio: $1,305 to $1,460

  • iMac Pro: $315 to $340

  • iMac: $380 to $385



The Mac Pro was the only Mac left untouched, holding at $2,195 and keeping the top of Apple's trade-in range where it has sat since August.

Android estimates were largely static, with four small reductions and a single increase for the Google Pixel 7:


  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: $315 to $290

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro: $305 to $275

  • Google Pixel 9: $210 to $200

  • Google Pixel 8 Pro: $155 to $150

  • Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: $85 to $80

  • Samsung Galaxy S22 5G: $85 to $80

  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: $75 to $70

  • Google Pixel 7: $60 to $65



The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8a, Google Pixel 7 Pro, OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, OnePlus 12, and OnePlus 12R all held at the same trade-in prices.

As always, Apple's listed values are estimates, with the company noting that final offers can vary based on a device's condition and configuration, and that not all devices are eligible for trade-in credit.
Tag: Apple Trade-In

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]]> Spotify Now Lets You Keep Kids' Music Out of Your Wrapped https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/spotify-keep-kids-music-out-of-taste-profile/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/spotify-now-lets-you-keep-kids-music-out-of-your-wrapped.2489411/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:59:42 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/spotify-keep-kids-music-out-of-taste-profile/ Tim Hardwick Spotify announced a new feature that lets you keep kids' and family music played on the service out of your taste profile.


Starting today, Spotify is rolling out a new toggle in the app's settings that prevents kids' music from affecting your personalized recommendations. This includes, for example, songs you play on repeat from your kids' favorite animated movies, theme songs from family TV shows, nursery rhymes, and more.

When you turn the new setting off, you can still search for, listen to, and build playlists of kids and family music, but those streams won't affect what Spotify suggests for you.

In other words, things like Discover Weekly, Daily Mix, and Wrapped will more accurately reflect your taste. Not only that, the setting applies retroactively, so kids music you've already listened to won't count toward your Wrapped top song or artist, for example.

The following steps show you how to turn it off in the Spotify app on iOS and Android:

  1. Navigate to Settings and privacy by tapping your profile picture in the top-left corner.

  2. Select Content and display.

  3. Switch off the toggle next to Include kids and family music in taste profile.

Spotify says it may take up to 48 hours for these changes to be reflected in your personalized recommendations.
Tag: Spotify

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]]> 'Widow's Bay' Leads Apple TV to Record 29 Emmy Wins https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/widows-bay-apple-tv-record-emmy-wins/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/widows-bay-leads-apple-tv-to-record-29-emmy-wins.2489408/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:34:26 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/widows-bay-apple-tv-record-emmy-wins/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV Apple TV Service Apple TV Shows

It was Apple TV's best-ever Emmy Awards haul, thanks to the likes of Widow's Bay, Pluribus, Slow Horses, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Palm Royale, and Mr. Scorsese.

Widow's Bay was the most awarded show of the night, sweeping all major categories with 14 wins in total, including Outstanding Comedy Series. It becomes the most Emmy-awarded comedy series of all time. The show also took the most awards for a comedy series in a single season.

Elsewhere, Pluribus won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Rhea Seehorn and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Vince Gilligan, while drama Slow Horses won Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Saul Metzstein.

Apple TV has now reached most Emmy-awarded network status faster than any other streaming service over seven Emmy seasons. It's also now home to the most Emmy-awarded series for the second year in a row, following last year's wins for The Studio. Apple TV has won Outstanding Comedy Series awards for four of the last six years, thanks to Ted Lasso, The Studio, and now Widow's Bay.

See Apple's press release to learn more about every win Apple TV received on the night.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tags: Apple TV Service, Apple TV Shows
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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]]> Apple's Weirdest iTunes Walk-Back Turns 12 Today https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apples-strangest-support-page-turned-12-today/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-weirdest-itunes-walk-back-turns-12-today.2489401/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:13:50 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apples-strangest-support-page-turned-12-today/ Tim Hardwick Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad 12 years ago today, Apple published a web page with one job: to make a U2 album go away. On September 9, 2014, at Apple's iPhone 6 event, Tim Cook revealed that "Songs of Innocence" would be given to every iTunes customer for nothing. The album was directly linked to accounts, and devices set to "download automatically" got it without asking.

Complaints quickly followed, and on September 15, Apple was forced to respond with a one-click page that stripped the album from accounts. Users were given a month to reinstall it at no cost. Apple said 26 million people ultimately downloaded the full album. Bono apologized a month later. The web tool is no longer active, but an archive of the support page is available here.
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]]> Moof! Apple Snuck a Dogcow Into iOS 27 - Here's How to Find It https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-snuck-dogcow-into-ios-27-how-to-find/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/moof-apple-snuck-a-dogcow-into-ios-27-heres-how-to-find-it.2489399/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:44:00 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/apple-snuck-dogcow-into-ios-27-how-to-find/ Tim Hardwick iOS 27

Open the Settings app, then tap through to Appearance ➝ Liquid Glass. Scroll to the bottom of the "Welcome to Apple Park" sample images, and when you hit the last image, keep dragging up with your finger until the word "Moof!" appears in the search bar overlay and the image changes.

Say hello to Clarus. A bitmap image of the famous dogcow was originally used to demonstrate page layout in the classic Mac OS, indicating to users which orientation the paper would be in when it was printed. The original glyph it was based on was created by Susan Kare for the Cairo dingbat font that came with the original Mac in 1984, but it became the official mascot of Apple's Developer Technical Support.

When Apple was a fledgling company, Mac developers regularly left fun little Easter eggs in software, but not so much these days. While surprises can still be found, they are a lot more subtle, and exist more as a nod and wink to Apple's origins rather than anything edgy or unauthorized. If you're interested, several have been found in macOS over the years.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

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]]> iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Off to a Muted Start, Analyst Says https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-18-pro-orders-muted-start/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-pre-orders-off-to-a-muted-start-analyst-says.2489395/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:18:24 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/iphone-18-pro-orders-muted-start/ Tim Hardwick iPhone 18 Pro Jeff Pu

iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders opened on September 12 in the U.S. and many other countries, and there's now a 3-4 week wait time for iPhone 18 Pro Max models with 256GB and 512GB storage across all colors in the U.S., as well as for Burgundy 1TB models. Elsewhere, Pu cites 2-3 weeks for the Pro Max in Glacier across 256GB and 512GB options in China.

Otherwise, Pu sees initial demand less strong for the Black and Glacier 1TB Pro Max models, quoting 1-2 weeks wait times in the U.S. Meanwhile, the 1TB Pro Max option in Silver, most 2TB Pro Max configurations, and nearly every iPhone 18 Pro model are available immediately on launch day this Friday, with Burgundy 256GB pre-orders the only iPhone 18 Pro exception.

Pu believes the softer-than-expected demand is due to limited spec upgrades and higher pricing, particularly for the larger storage tiers. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the U.S. and the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, with prices as high as $2,399 and $2,499 for the 2TB models, respectively.

Pu also expects the iPhone 18 Pro Max to lose some buyers to the iPhone Duo, whose pre-orders begin on October 16, with availability from October 23. Prices for the Duo start at $1,999 for the 256GB model, rising to $3,199 for the 2TB option.

On the supply side, Pu has lowered his iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max production estimate to 72 million units because of constraints associated with the new variable aperture camera. Pu also separately cut his 2026 build estimate for the iPhone Duo from 7 million units to 6 million, which he puts down to production challenges with the hinge.

Pu's latest investor note maintains a Hold rating on Apple, with a $369 price target.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tag: Jeff Pu
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/icloud-plus-includes-apple-tv-arcade-100-countries/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/icloud-now-includes-apple-tv-apple-arcade-and-curated-apple-music-stations-in-over-100-countries.2489387/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:43:40 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/icloud-plus-includes-apple-tv-arcade-100-countries/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV Featured Apple Arcade Apple Music Apple One iCloud announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries.


In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people.

The initiative does not include the U.S., Canada, Australia, nor is it offered in the UK and other European markets, but it is clearly more than a promotional offer, since Apple TV and Apple Arcade will stop being sold as individual subscriptions through Apple in countries where it has launched. Apple says existing standalone subscriptions will be cancelled as customers transition to access through iCloud+, while Arcade saves and game progress are preserved.

Countries where Apple is launching the new iCloud+ bundle include the following:

  • Albania

  • Algeria

  • Angola

  • Anguilla

  • Antigua and Barbuda

  • Armenia

  • Azerbaijan

  • Bahamas

  • Bahrain

  • Barbados

  • Belize

  • Benin

  • Bermuda

  • Bhutan

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Botswana

  • British Virgin Islands

  • Burkina Faso

  • Cameroon

  • Cape Verde

  • Cayman Islands

  • Chad

  • Côte d'Ivoire

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Dominica

  • Egypt

  • Eswatini

  • Fiji

  • Gabon

  • Gambia

  • Georgia

  • Ghana

  • Grenada

  • Guinea-Bissau

  • Guyana

  • India

  • Iraq

  • Israel

  • Jamaica

  • Jordan

  • Kazakhstan

  • Kenya

  • Kosovo

  • Kuwait

  • Kyrgyz Republic

  • Lebanon

  • Liberia

  • Libya

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Maldives

  • Mali

  • Mauritania

  • Mauritius

  • Micronesia

  • Moldova

  • Montenegro

  • Montserrat

  • Morocco

  • Mozambique

  • Namibia

  • Nauru

  • Nepal

  • Niger

  • Nigeria

  • North Macedonia

  • Oman

  • Pakistan

  • Palau

  • Papua New Guinea

  • Qatar

  • Republic of the Congo

  • Rwanda

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis

  • Saint Lucia

  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

  • São Tomé and Príncipe

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Senegal

  • Serbia

  • Seychelles

  • Sierra Leone

  • Singapore

  • Solomon Islands

  • Sri Lanka

  • Suriname

  • Tajikistan

  • Tanzania

  • Tonga

  • Trinidad and Tobago

  • Tunisia

  • Türkiye

  • Turkmenistan

  • Turks and Caicos

  • Uganda

  • Ukraine

  • United Arab Emirates

  • Uzbekistan

  • Vanuatu

  • Yemen

  • Zambia

  • Zimbabwe



Apple says existing iCloud+ subscribers in these countries will "automatically gain access" to TV and Arcade, while someone subscribing individually to TV or Arcade but not iCloud+ will be notified that they are now subscribed to iCloud+, and their old standalone subscription will be cancelled.

What's particularly interesting is that Apple One is effectively being wound down in these markets. New customers will no longer be able to subscribe, although existing Apple One subscribers can keep their plans. It's a clear sign that Apple is shifting away from Apple One toward iCloud+ in smaller markets.
"We're excited to bring Apple TV and Apple Arcade to iCloud+ users in over 100 countries in one convenient subscription," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services and Health. "iCloud+ users can now securely store and share personal content across their devices, enjoy the absolute best in original storytelling from Apple TV, and explore an incredible lineup of hundreds of games through Apple Arcade."
As part of the iCloud+ changes, Apple is also including an additional service called Apple Music Select that offers ad-free Apple-curated music stations. The stations are included to entice iCloud+ subscribers to upgrade to full Apple Music at a discounted monthly rate. For example, Apple's Mozambique announcement quotes $2.79/month for Individual and $4.49/month for Family plans.

With the introduction of iCloud+ with Apple TV and Apple Arcade, Apple TV is also expanding to 59 new countries, making the streaming service now available in 170 countries across the globe.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tags: Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Apple One, iCloud
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

This article, "iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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