Top Stories: iOS 27 Beta 5, iPhone 18 Pro Rumors, and More
Apple is getting ready to launch its new iPhone models next month, and it looks like they are almost finished developing the first version of iOS 27, the software that will run on these phones. Even so, they are still making some last-minute tweaks, as seen in the fifth test version released this week.
This week also brought other exciting news and rumors. We got a glimpse of what might be the battery for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max, and some third-party accessories gave us hints about the design of the rumored foldable "iPhone Ultra." Keep reading for all the details!
Top Apple News This Week
What’s New in iOS 27 Beta 5?
We're just over a month away from the official release of iOS 27, and Apple is still fine-tuning things. The fifth test version of iOS 27, which was given to app developers and public testers this week, includes fresh designs for some app icons and changes to a feature called Liquid Glass. It also introduces smaller improvements that make using your iPhone a bit more enjoyable.
Want to know all the specifics? Check out our complete summary of every change in this latest test version.
iPhone 18 Pro Max Might Have a Much Bigger Battery
According to a recent leak, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could come with a battery that’s almost 12% larger than the one in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This is a significant upgrade for users who need more power throughout the day.
A leaked photo, reportedly of a battery pack for an iPhone 18 Pro Max model from China, shows a capacity of 5,391 mAh. This is a noticeable jump from the 4,823 mAh battery in the current iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Additionally, reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro will still offer 256GB of storage as its starting option, just like the iPhone 17 Pro. However, experts believe that rising costs for memory and other components could increase Apple's production costs for these new models by around 38%. This could potentially lead to higher prices for consumers.
'iPhone Ultra' Screen Protectors Hint at Unique Design
A leaker known as "Ice Universe" recently shared pictures and a video of screen protectors for Apple's rumored "iPhone Ultra," which is expected to be a foldable phone. These leaks seem to confirm some key details about the device's front design that have been discussed for months.
What's particularly interesting is that these leaked screen protectors have square corners on one side (the side where the phone would fold) and rounded corners on the other. This uneven shape matches earlier rumors about a foldable iPhone with a hinge on one side. This leak gives us one of the clearest ideas yet of how the proportions and shape will look on the phone's front screen.
Furthermore, third-party camera protectors made for the iPhone Ultra also suggest two potential color options for the device: silver and dark blue.
Apple Might Be Planning Major Changes for Apple Watch
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is rethinking its entire Apple Watch lineup and exploring many new, unconventional designs.
In his "Power On" newsletter this week, Gurman compared Apple's plans for the Apple Watch's future to the "revolutionary design change" that a foldable iPhone would represent. He suggests it will be "something that transforms the product for a new era."
Apple's design team has reportedly been "exploring a broader rethink of its smartwatches" for some time. They are looking into several different directions, including offering an Apple Watch with a round screen, and even creating fitness trackers that don't have a screen at all.
In the more immediate future, a ceramic case option for the Apple Watch might make a comeback either this year or next. This premium material hasn't been available in the Apple Watch series since the Series 5 was discontinued.
New MacBook Pro and Updated iMacs Expected in October
Based on Apple's usual release patterns, it's highly probable that the company will unveil a new MacBook Pro featuring the M6 chip and updated iMacs in October, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman repeated his belief that Apple is preparing to launch an updated entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, which will be powered by the new M6 chip.
Regarding iMacs, the upcoming version is expected to be an updated 24-inch model. It will likely feature either an M5 or M6 chip, replacing the current model that uses the M4 chip. Major changes to the design of the iMac are not anticipated.
iCloud+ Subscribers Get Exclusive iOS 27 Features
If you subscribe to an iCloud+ plan that includes at least 2TB of storage, you'll gain access to new benefits within the Home app on iOS 27, as confirmed by Apple.
With the release of iOS 27, Apple has announced that iPhone users who have an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB of storage will get three new Apple Intelligence features for their Home app. These include AI-generated descriptions for videos recorded by HomeKit Secure Video cameras, the ability to easily search through camera clips, and automatic highlighting of important video moments.
Stephen Robles, a known tech expert, noted that the Home app in the fifth developer beta of iOS 27 now shows how many HomeKit Secure Video cameras qualify for these generated video summaries. Robles mentioned that he has a total of 8TB of iCloud+ storage (6TB from one plan plus 2TB from Apple One), which makes him eligible for video summaries for up to 15 cameras.
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