Apple's annual September iPhone event is just about a month away, and things are going to be a little bit different this year with Apple moving to a split launch for the iPhone 18 lineup, so make sure you're up to date on everything we may see at the event.


This week also saw word that Apple is experiencing shortages of the MacBook Air due to the ongoing memory crunch, while the software side saw a significant issue with iCloud Private Relay disclosed and progress from Apple on a cross-platform clipboard, so read on below for all of the details!

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Everything Apple Is Expected to Announce in September

Apple is going to announce at least five new devices next month at its annual iPhone-centric event, though it's possible we'll also get devices that were waiting on Siri AI, so check out our overview of what we might see. There's even a late-breaking wild card in the form of camera-equipped AirPods, which were previously thought to be a 2027 launch.


Apple is gearing up for the big iPhone event, which should take place in the first half of September with Apple currently holding a lottery for its U.S. retail employees to come to Apple Park and help staff the event.

iPhone 18 Pro Models Could Be Up to $300 More Expensive, Says Analyst

Following recent price increases across the Mac and iPad lineups, most observers are expecting the iPhone lineup to follow suit as part of next month's launch of new models. It remains unknown just how much iPhone prices will increase compared to current models, but analyst Jeff Pu believes the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could see increases of $250–$300 due to component shortages.


Apple is reportedly still scrambling to secure sufficient memory supplies for the upcoming iPhone models, and the company reportedly has around $1 billion worth of unpackaged processors sitting idle as they wait for their accompanying memory chips. The issues could lead to shortages of the new iPhone models at launch.

MacBook Air Experiencing 'Major' Shortage Despite $200 Price Increase

Despite receiving a price increase in June, the MacBook Air is currently experiencing a "major" shortage, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


"Retail store sources say Apple is struggling to keep the laptop in stock and that shipments of new units are more constrained than they can ever recall," he said.

In the U.S., the MacBook Air is facing a 2–6 week delivery estimate on Apple's online store, with configurations with higher amounts of RAM delayed the longest.

Bigger Displays Rumored for Next Year's iPhone Models

Apple is prototyping a second new iPhone display, this one measuring around 6.4 inches, that could be destined for the 20th anniversary iPhone, according to a Chinese leaker.


In a recent post on Weibo, the leaker known as "Digital Chat Station" said Apple is currently sampling two new display panels. One measures roughly 6.4 inches and has a chance of being used in the "‌iPhone 20 Pro‌," while the other is the approximately 7-inch panel previously reported for the larger ‌"iPhone 20 Pro Max‌." (Even though next year's models should be in the iPhone 19 family, many expect Apple to jump to iPhone 20 or iPhone XX in recognition of the device's anniversary.)

Apple is planning a significant revamp of its pro iPhone models in 2027, with more of an all-glass design that wraps the display around all four edges of the device, a smaller display cutout, and more.

Apple's iCloud Private Relay is Leaking Users' Real IP Addresses

Apple's paid Safari protection feature that promises to keep your IP address masked doesn't always work, according to security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. It turns out iCloud Private Relay can expose your real IP to websites that use or pretend to use passkeys.


‌iCloud‌ Private Relay is a service included with paid ‌iCloud‌+ plans. It is supposed to hide your IP and DNS information when you browse the web using Safari, but it is not a VPN that masks all traffic from a device. Passkeys use the WebAuthn standard, which stores a private key on your device, not the Safari browser. The request the system sends to the website isn't protected by Private Relay and can leak your IP address.

Apple Plans iPhone-to-Windows Copy and Paste in EU After Microsoft Request

Apple is working on a new feature that will support cross-device copy and paste between iOS devices and Windows PCs. Microsoft asked for the feature using Apple's EU interoperability request system for developers, which Apple implemented to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple began evaluating the request in March, and on June 26, proposed a project plan.


Apple says introducing cross-device copy and paste is a significant engineering effort, with work expected to be complete by fall 2027. It will be shipped first in a developer beta for testing ahead of a public release. If the feature is added toward the end of fall 2027, it could be early 2028 before the public gets access.

It is likely that cross-device copy and paste will be limited to iPhone and Windows users in the European Union, though it is possible Apple could implement it worldwide.

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We're a little more than a month away from the September iPhone debut season, but there's still lots to talk about in the Apple universe, led this week by the launch of the new Apple Upgrade program in the United States.


This week also saw the release of iOS 26.6 and other updates, fresh rumors about Apple's upcoming home hub and new Apple TV and HomePod mini models, and a MacRumors interview with Ed Zitron to discuss the state of the AI industry and where Apple may end up if it turns out there's an AI bubble which bursts at some point, so read on below for all of the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories

Apple Upgrade: Apple Retires iPhone Upgrade Program for Klarna-Backed Leases

As rumored, Apple this week launched Apple Upgrade, a new U.S. leasing program for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Apple partnered with Klarna for Apple Upgrade, and it replaces the current iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments.


Apple Upgrade lets you lease a variety of Apple devices, with iPhone and Apple Watch available in 12-month and 24-month term options and iPad and Mac offered in 24-month and 36-month term options. At the conclusion of the lease period, you can simply return the device, start a new lease, or convert the lease to an outright purchase by making a final payment covering the difference between the total lease payments made and the original retail price.

Be sure to check out our list of 20 things to know about the program before you take the plunge, and see our comparison example to help you decide whether Apple Upgrade is worth it to you.

Apple Will 'Watch Everything Burn' When AI Bubble Bursts - Ed Zitron

Memory prices have doubled, Macs and iPads have gone up, and iPhones are expected to follow. Ed Zitron – who writes the Where's Your Ed At newsletter, hosts the Better Offline podcast, and has been described by Politico as the AI boom's most "acerbic gadfly" – has spent years arguing the buildout driving those costs will never pay for itself.


We asked him what happens to Apple if he's right.

Apple Releases iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 With iOS 27 Optimizations

Apple this week released iOS 26.6 and related updates to the public, marking what should be one of the final updates before iOS 27 sees its official launch in September.


The updates patch hundreds of security flaws across Apple's operating systems, and Apple says they also prepare the Spotlight search index for the upcoming cycle of OS 27 releases.

All-New Apple Home Hub Reportedly Launching as Soon as October

Apple plans to release an all-new smart home hub at some point between October and early next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Siri AI is expected to be a core feature of the hub, which is designed to be placed in rooms throughout your house, such as a kitchen, living room, or bedroom. The report said the device will be available in tabletop and wall-mounted versions, with Apple apparently believing that many customers will buy more than one.

Apple has also had updated Apple TV and HomePod mini models ready to go for quite some time, but they too have been waiting for Siri AI to be ready and thus should be launching in the fall once Siri AI is available to everyone.

iOS 27: All the New iCloud Features

Over the course of the iOS 27 beta testing cycle, we've been highlighting various changes and additions across apps and services, and this week we took a look at changes to iCloud and the Phone and FaceTime apps.


iCloud includes a number of improvements to syncing and sharing features, as well as new premium benefits for iCloud+ subscribers, while the Phone app gets a Call Context feature to show you relevant information from across your apps while you're on a phone call and FaceTime gets a number of improvements including a Dual Capture feature to let you stream video from both front and rear cameras simultaneously.

Apple Planning to Unveil Privacy-Focused Smart Glasses at WWDC 2027

Apple currently plans to unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC 2027 next June, and privacy will be a focus, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


For the glasses, Apple is prototyping "a slew of new hardware and software-related privacy features" that are not available on current products, he said. He did not mention any specific features, but he noted that Apple's marketing will likely emphasize the privacy measures of its glasses compared to rival products like the Meta Ray-Bans.

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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.

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It's been another busy week in the Apple world, led by word that the company is preparing to launch a new device leasing and financing program as it has raised some more prices including on Apple Music subscriptions.


This week also saw a fresh round of beta releases for iOS 27 and related updates, details on roughly a dozen new Macs under development, and more, so read on below for all of the details!

Top Stories

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during the term, upgrade early to a newer device, or keep or return the existing device after the term.

As part of the transition, Apple will wind down the existing iPhone Upgrade Program.

Apple Music Now Costs $11.99 as Apple Increases Subscription Prices

Following last month's move to raise prices across its Mac and iPad lineups, Apple last week expanded its price increases even further.


Apple Music saw price increases across all tiers, with the change driving increases to Apple One bundles as well. Apple also raised iPhone prices in Japan by up to 11%, perhaps foreshadowing price hikes in other countries with the iPhone 18 lineup, if not earlier. And finally, Apple increased iCloud+ prices in eight countries.

Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models

Apple is preparing to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads.

The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro and the first new iMacs in two years. Check out the full list of new Macs under development in our coverage.

Everything New in iOS 27 Beta 4

Apple is continuing to tweak iOS 27 ahead of its September launch, with the fourth developer beta and second public beta released this week.


Check out our full list of tweaks and changes in the latest beta, including some new settings toggles, visual tweaks, and more.

Interestingly, some new code in this beta makes several references to an iPhone with multiple internal batteries, hinting at the upcoming foldable "iPhone Ultra" that will have a battery in each half of the device.

iOS 27: Access the New iPhone Recovery Screen

Since iOS 26, a malfunctioning iPhone has been able to boot itself into Recovery Assistant, with no Mac or PC required. However, you could only get there if your device failed to start up and dropped into recovery on its own.


In iOS 27, currently still in beta, Apple has removed that limitation, and you can now manually boot into a Mac-style recovery screen whenever you like.

The new recovery mode lets you troubleshoot, update, or erase your device without necessarily plugging it into anything. It can connect automatically to a known Wi-Fi network, and it shows your battery percentage in the corner of the screen. Check out our guide to see how to access recovery mode and what the various options it offers can do.

Hands-On With Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, the Closest Thing Yet to a Foldable iPhone

Amid the ongoing wait for Apple's first foldable iPhone expected in just a few months, Samsung this week introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8, which adopts a very similar form factor to what we're expecting for Apple's device.


Samsung's Z Fold8 has a 7.6-inch display when open and a 5.5-inch display when closed, and it has a passport-style form factor, so it's wider and more square than prior Samsung foldables.

The aspect ratio of the unfolded Z Fold8 makes it feel similar to using an iPad mini, which feels more natural than using taller foldables. It's a size that's perfect for watching videos or running two apps side by side. The Z Fold8 gives us a pretty clear look at what the Apple foldable will look like and what it will feel like to use.

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!
This article, "Top Stories: 'Apple Upgrade' Program, Apple Music Price Hike, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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