MacRumors

With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.

Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with ‌Apple Intelligence‌ last year, and now the added language support is here. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is now available in the following languages:

• English (U.S.)
• English (Australia)
• English (Canada)
• English (New Zealand)
• English (U.K.)
• English (South Africa)
• English (India)
• English (Singapore)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• French
• Japanese
• Spanish
• German
• Italian
• Korean
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Danish (iOS 26.1)
• Dutch (iOS 26.1)
• Norwegian (iOS 26.1)
• Portuguese (Portugal) (iOS 26.1)
• Swedish (iOS 26.1)
• Turkish (iOS 26.1)
• Chinese (Traditional) (iOS 26.1)
• Vietnamese

The iOS 26.1 update also adds more languages that work with AirPods Live Translation, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).

iOS 26.1 is available for developers right now, but Apple will likely expand it to public beta testers in the coming weeks.

Woot today has Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C for $449.00 in four colors, down from $549.00. These are in new condition on Woot, and they come with a one-year Apple limited warranty.

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

Colors available include Purple, Orange, Blue, and Starlight. Although this isn't an all-time low price on the AirPods Max, it's been a few weeks since we last saw that discount, and Woot's is a solid second-best offer.

In other Apple deals at Woot, you can also still get 70 percent off a huge collection of Apple Watch bands right now. This includes Solo Loop options for just $14.99 and Braided Solo Loop for $29.99, with many colors to choose from on Woot's storefront.

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.

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Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The new betas are the first updates to the iOS, iPadOS, macOS 26, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS releases that came out last week.

The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

We don't yet know what's included in the beta software, but there are a couple of features that didn't make it into the launch version of iOS 26, like Wallet support for passports. We'll share details when we learn what's new.

The iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, betas are limited to developers right now, but Apple will likely release some of the updates to public beta testers in the future.

The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device.

Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors.

Likely Features

N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7

Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is likely the since-announced N1 chip that debuted in the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air. That chip supports Wi-Fi 7, which would be an upgrade over the current Apple TV's Wi-Fi 6 support.

Wi-Fi 7 has increased bandwidth, in part because it allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, with a supported device and router. Wi-Fi 7 is theoretically up to 4× faster than Wi-Fi 6, but real-world speeds are typically bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.

In the latest iPhones, the N1 chip also supports Bluetooth 6, which would offer lower latency and other benefits compared to the current Apple TV's Bluetooth 5.

A17 Pro Chip

The current Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which debuted in all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models in 2022.

According to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, the next Apple TV will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, for faster performance and potentially even Apple Intelligence support on tvOS. For example, Gurman said the new Apple TV will support next year's revamped version of Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence.

Other devices with the A17 Pro chip include the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPad mini 7, and all of those devices support Apple Intelligence.

With the A17 Pro chip, the Apple TV should get an increased 8GB of RAM.

Other Rumors

FaceTime Camera and Gesture Controls?

tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for video calls with the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

In April 2024, Gurman said Apple had "discussed" offering an Apple TV with a built-in camera for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, but it is unclear if Apple is moving forward with that plan for the next model in particular. He did not elaborate on the gesture aspect, but it sounds like the Apple TV would recognize various hand movements.

Apple says tvOS 26 enhances FaceTime in several ways — fitting for an Apple TV with a camera:

With tvOS 26, users can enjoy a more personalized FaceTime experience that's consistent with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it easier and more personal by displaying a contact's customized photo and name when starting a FaceTime call on Apple TV. Live Captions expand to include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to use on-device intelligence to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations, so users can follow what's being said in even more languages. Additionally, FaceTime audio and phone call notifications will appear onscreen for the active profile, allowing users to answer on connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone, and ensuring that communication with loved ones remains at the forefront.

Lower Price?

On the same day as the current Apple TV was announced in October 2022, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected the next Apple TV to be "more affordable." He said that a sub-$100 price would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but he did not say if Apple will actually achieve that price point.

Both the 2010 and 2012 versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the 2012 model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Other companies like Amazon and Roku offer low-priced streaming sticks, with sale prices going as low as $19.99.

In the U.S., the current Apple TV starts at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB model with an Ethernet port for wired internet is priced at $149.

Timing

The next Apple TV will be released "toward the end of the year," according to Gurman. At this point, it is likely the device will be announced in October, but November is also a possibility. December is less likely, historically.

Here is when the previous four Apple TV models were announced:

• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): October 2022
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): April 2021
• Apple TV 4K (1st generation): September 2017
• Apple TV HD: September 2015

Read our Apple TV roundup for more details.

Apple and its content partners are working on new immersive films designed for the Vision Pro headset, including sports, travel, music, and nature-themed films. Immersive video is a major selling point of the Vision Pro, because it makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action.

Tour De Force from CANAL+ and MotoGP is available today through the Apple TV app, and can be watched on the Vision Pro. Apple retail locations will be providing an extended preview starting next month, so if you don't have a Vision Pro, you can visit an Apple Store to watch.

Tour De Force follows MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, documenting his win of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May 2025. It was filmed using four of Blackmagic Design's URSA Cine Immersive cameras, paired with ambisonic microphones for spatial audio.

Later this year, Apple will debut World of Red Bull, a new sports-themed series. The first episode coming in December will feature backcountry skiing, while the second coming in 2026 will highlight big-wave surfing.

This October, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to watch Julaymba, a documentary that features the Daintree Rainforest of North Tropical Queensland, Australia. A new series from CNN's Bill Weir will feature a scientific expedition to Antarctica to find emperor penguins next spring.

Experience Paris, a travel film, will include visits to a three-Michelin-star kitchen, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre's historic streets. For music-related content, Apple this fall will debut a film on BBC Proms, a classical music festival, and a film featuring K-pop boy band CORTIS.

Several of Apple's existing Immersive Video series are also getting new updates, including Wild Life and Elevated.

‌Apple Vision Pro‌ can be purchased in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.

Apple's latest iPhone models launched on Friday, and some early adopters of the devices are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi issues.

Affected customers say Wi-Fi connectivity periodically cuts out on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, with hundreds of comments about the issue posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community over the past four days. It is unclear how widespread the problem is.

Specifically, affected users said Wi-Fi briefly disconnects and then reconnects after they unlock the iPhone. And since Apple's CarPlay system in vehicles relies on a Wi-Fi connection, the issue can result in CarPlay disconnecting too.

Many users said the issue occurs while they are wearing an Apple Watch that is paired and unlocked, but it is unclear if that is always a contributing factor.

MacRumors has been unable to reproduce the problem, but it has reached out to Apple for comment on the matter. This story will be updated if Apple responds.

It is unclear if this is a hardware or software problem, but Apple is often able to fix these sorts of issues with a software update. iOS 26.0.1 is coming soon, but it is unclear if Apple will have identified and implemented a fix in time for that version.

All four of the new iPhone models are equipped with Apple's first-ever custom-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity, whereas previous iPhone models rely on a Broadcom chip for wireless networking.

In a recent interview with CNBC, Apple touted the N1 chip's power efficiency.

"One of the things people may not realize is that your Wi-Fi access points actually contribute to your device's awareness of location, so you don't need to use GPS, which actually costs more from a power perspective," said Arun Mathias, Apple's vice president of wireless software technologies. "By being able to do this more seamlessly in the background, not needing to wake up the application processor as much, we can do that significantly more efficiently."

In its press releases for the new iPhones, Apple said the N1 chip also improves the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.

Unfortunately, though, it appears the N1 chip is not so reliable for Wi-Fi for some users right now.

The Apple Watch SE starts at $249, providing an accessible, low-cost option for those interested in owning an Apple smartwatch. The company also now offers the Apple Watch Series 11, which starts at $399, so what exactly do you get by spending an additional $150 and is it worth it? Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is designed to be a low-cost option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years, while the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a more feature-rich experience with additional health monitoring capabilities.

With the latest generation, the Apple Watch SE has a lot more in common with Apple's higher end watches, offering an always-on display, body temperature sensing, sleep apnea detection, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, 64GB of storage, and the S10 chip.

There are still some significant differences between the two devices. Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.

‌Apple Watch SE 3‌	Apple Watch Series 11
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6	Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case size	42mm or 46mm case size with edge-to-edge display
Aluminum casing	Aluminum or titanium casing
	IP6X dust resistant
Ion-X glass front	Ion-X glass (aluminum) or sapphire crystal (titanium) front
Thicker borders around the display	Thinner borders around the display
40mm: 1.57-inch display 44mm: 1.78-inch display	42mm: 1.79-inch display 46mm: 1.99-inch display
LTPO display	LTPO3 display (faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces)
	Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels with 759 sq mm display area 44mm: 368 by 448 pixels with 977 sq mm display area	42mm: 374x446 pixels 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 416x496 pixels 1,220 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits of brightness	Up to 2,000 nits of brightness
2 nits minimum brightness	1 nits minimum brightness
Color-matched nylon composite back case	Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna
Second-generation optical heart sensor	Third-generation optical heart sensor
	Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
	Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
	Hypertension detection
Cycle tracking	Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
	Water temperature sensor
	Depth gauge to 6m
	Depth app
	Oceanic+ app for snorkelling (available on the App Store)
Single, elongated speaker hole	Redesigned speaker with individual holes
	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Find iPhone	Precision Finding for iPhone, providing distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone
	HomePod integration (when a user gets within four meters of a playing ‌HomePod‌, the Apple Watch launches Now Playing to control playback. If nothing is playing, media suggestions appear at the top of the Smart Stack.)
Up to 18 hours battery life	Up to 24 hours battery life
Up to 32 hours battery life in Low Power Mode	Up to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes	Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes
Midnight and Starlight finishes	Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes
Starts at $249	Starts at $399 (aluminum) or $699 (titanium)

The Apple Watch Series 11 is minor improvement over the previous Series 10 model, offering 5G connectivity on cellular models, a slightly bigger battery, and stronger glass on aluminum models. Yet compared to the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a considerably more feature-rich device with advanced capabilities.

With its larger display, additional health monitoring features, and range of colors and finishes, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the model of choice for those who want more out of their smartwatch. If you feel that the added health monitoring features (such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring) or more advanced display would be particularly useful to you, or simply like a specific casing and color combination that is not available with the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the best model for you.

If you are on a budget and are not particularly attracted to the additional features of the Series 11, the Apple Watch SE is a highly compelling option. It now features an always-on display, fast charging, and several new health features such as sleep apnea detection and body temperature sensing, and there are surprisingly few drawbacks. Both devices have the S10 chip and 64GB of storage, and are equally future-proof.

The biggest flaw of the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ is its design, which is based on the Apple Watch Series 4 from 2018 and is now quite outdated. Nevertheless, as it shares many key features with the Apple Watch Series 11, many customers will be happy choosing the more inexpensive model, unless you particularly value features such as the larger display or advanced health monitoring and can justify the added cost.

The Apple Watch SE is an ideal device for kids and senior citizens who do not have an iPhone thanks to Family Setup, but it is also the go-to model for most customers who are new to the Apple Watch and those who are upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 4, SE 1, or older due to its competitive pricing and generous feature set, allowing users to get a balanced Apple Watch experience at a low price.

Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Satechi, Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible car chargers to portable power stations, Find My compatible wallets, and robot vacuums.

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.

Highlights of the sales include Anker's 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank for $34.99 ($15 off), Jackery's Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station for $429.00 ($370 off), and Ecovac's Deebot T30S Pro Robot Vacuum for $519.99 ($580 off). Most of these deals have been applied automatically and do not require a coupon code, but there are some exceptions where you'll need to either clip a code or enter one at checkout.

Another discount worth noting is a massive sale on the popular Anker 60,000mAh Power Station with Smart Digital Display and Retractable Light, available for just $79.99, down from $149.99. This accessory is typically around the $100 price point when it's on sale, so today's deal is among the lowest we've ever tracked.

Satechi's Amazon sale is a bundle offer, with 5 percent off any two items, 10 percent off any three items, 15 percent off any four items, and 20 percent off any five items. You can find the products eligible for these discounts on this landing page, and they all support Apple's Find My feature.

Anker

• Nano USB-C 30W Foldable Charger - $15.99, down from $19.99
• 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank - $34.99, down from $49.99
• Nano Magnetic Car Charger - $39.99, down from $59.99
• Soundcore V40i Open-Ear Headphones - $63.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
• 10,000 mAh MagGo Qi2 Power Bank - $71.99, down from $89.99
• 140W 4-Port USB-C Charger - $79.99 with coupon, down from $99.99
• Power Station with Lantern - $79.99, down from $149.99
• 24,000 mAh Power Bank - $87.99, down from $109.99

Jackery

• Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00
• Explorer 2000 Plus Solar Generator - $2,498.99, down from $4,999.00

Satechi (Bundle Offers)

• Passport Holder with Find My - $59.99
• FindAll Keychain with Find My - $29.99
• FindAll Wallet Card with Find My - $34.99
• MagSafe Wallet - $39.99
• FindAll Luggage Tag with Find My - $44.99
• FindAll Glasses Case with Find My - $49.99

Ecovacs

• Deebot T30S Care Robot Vacuum - $399.99, down from $579.99
• Deebot T30S Pro Robot Vacuum - $519.99, down from $1,099.99
• Deebot T50 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum - $549.99, down from $699.99
• Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum - $1,299.99

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.

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The website ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W.

The device reached a peak charging speed of around 36W with the following Apple chargers:

• 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
• 61W USB-C Power Adapter
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 70W USB-C Power Adapter
• 96W USB-C Power Adapter
• 140W USB-C Power Adapter

For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can reach a peak charging speed of around 30W, so the iPhone 17 Pro Max can charge a bit faster.

The smaller iPhone 17 Pro can likely reach the same 36W peak.

Apple says the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max can be charged up to 50% in 20 minutes with a compatible charger, including the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. For comparison, the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max can be charged up to 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible charger.

Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is available to order in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Keep in mind you also need an appropriate USB-C cable for fast-charging capabilities, with the most basic or cheap options sometimes not supporting enough power delivery. If you are unsure, the USB-C cable included in the box with iPhones does the trick.

In iOS 26, Live Translation enables hands-free communication by allowing users who don't share the same language to speak naturally while wearing AirPods. For conversations with non-AirPods users, the iPhone can display live transcriptions horizontally, showing translations in the other person's preferred language. Keep reading to learn how to use it.

In iOS 26, Live Translation is integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone to help users communicate across languages, translating text and audio on the fly.

However, the feature is at its most impressive when both conversation participants wear compatible AirPods with Live Translation enabled. Active Noise Cancellation automatically lowers the volume of the other speaker, helping users focus on translated audio while maintaining natural interaction flow.

Apple's Live Translation was a headline feature when it announced AirPods Pro 3, but it also works with older models running iOS 26, including AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2.

What You'll Need

• AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3.
• iPhone 15 Pro or later.
• iOS 26 or later.
• The Translate app downloaded.
• The latest AirPods firmware version.

Supported Languages

Live Translation supports real-time translation between English (UK and U.S.), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Apple plans to add Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) support later this year.

Before you can use Live Translation, you'll need to download the language the other person is speaking and the language you'd like to translate it to.

1. Put your AirPods in your ears and make sure they're connected to your iPhone.
2. Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap the name of your AirPods.
3. Under "Translation," tap Languages, then select the languages you want to download.

Start a Live Translation Conversation

1. Wear your AirPods and connect them to your iPhone.
2. Make sure Apple Intelligence is turned on (Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri).
3. Open the Translate app, then tap Live.
4. Select the language that the other person is speaking and the language that you want your AirPods to translate it to.
5. Tap Start Translation.

Once the other person speaks, your AirPods instantly translate their words into your chosen language. If you're in a noisy place, you can boost accuracy by letting your iPhone's microphones join in – just move your iPhone closer to the speaker.

When it's your turn, simply reply as you normally would. The Translate app's Live tab can display a transcript of your words on your iPhone screen, or you can tap the Play button to have your iPhone read the translation aloud.

If the person you're talking with also has supported AirPods set up with Live Translation, they'll be able to hear your response directly through their own AirPods. To stop Live Translation at any time, just tap the X button.

Other Ways to Use Live Translation

To start Live Translation at any time, open the Translate app on your iPhone, tap Live, and then tap Start Translation. You can also set the Action button on your iPhone to launch the Translate app, letting you jump straight into Live Translation while wearing your AirPods.

There are several other quick ways to begin. You can press and hold the stems on both AirPods at once, or ask Siri by saying something like "Start Live Translation." You can also swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center and tap Translate. (To add Translate to Control Center, long press on a space between the buttons, tap Add Control, then search for and select Translate.)

Apple is preparing to open its fifth retail store in the United Arab Emirates.

Apple Al Jimi Mall in the city of Al Ain will open on Thursday, September 25, according to a new listing for the store in the Apple Store app. The store's page has yet to go live on Apple's website, though, so this date is not guaranteed yet.

Apple last year announced that it would be opening a new store in Al Ain at some point in 2025, and it reiterated that timeframe a few months ago. The company has four other stores in the country — two in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi.

Apple has been expanding its retail presence in the Middle East over the past few years. In July, Apple's online store began operating in Saudi Arabia, and the company said it planned to open several stores in that country starting in 2026. Apple said one of the stores would be in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Next year's rumored foldable iPhone will showcase an ultra-thin design resembling "two titanium iPhone Airs side-by-side," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple's first foldable device will be "super thin and a design achievement," combining Apple's thinnest iPhone form factor with cutting-edge folding technology. However, this engineering feat is still expected to come with a premium price tag of at least $2,000.

Apple launched its ultra-thin new iPhone Air last week. The device is 5.64mm thick and represents the company's thinnest iPhone to date, though it's still shy of the M4 iPad Pro's impressive thinness at 5.3mm.

Gurman says manufacturing the foldable iPhone will involve Foxconn in China, despite recent speculation about potential production in India. The device remains slated for 2026, dropping around Apple's traditional fall launch window, "give or take" hedges the Bloomberg reporter.

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously outlined specifications for the foldable iPhone, including a 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer screen, with pricing between $2,000 and $2,500. Apple reportedly plans to forgo Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side button to optimize internal space. The titanium device is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states.

• 2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far

The foldable iPhone will compete in an increasingly crowded market dominated by Samsung's Galaxy Z series, establishing Apple's late entry into the folding smartphone category after years of the rumored device's development.

On all models in Apple's new iPhone 17 series as well as the iPhone Air, the new 18MP Center Stage front camera transforms mobile photography with its square sensor design and intelligent auto-adjustment features. Unlike traditional front cameras, the system automatically rotates and zooms to capture perfect selfie shots.

The square sensor also captures more image data than rectangular sensors, giving you unprecedented flexibility in framing and composition without sacrificing image quality.

Understanding Auto-Rotate and Auto-Zoom

Center Stage automatically switches between horizontal and vertical orientation when you're lining up a shot, meaning you don't need to physically rotate your iPhone. The camera also dynamically adjusts its field of view based on what's happening in front of it.

When you're taking a solo selfie, for example, Center Stage keeps the frame tight for a more personal feel. As friends join the shot, the view expands to include everyone without cropping anyone out.

Taking Photos with Center Stage

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the circular arrows icon at the bottom right to switch to the selfie camera.
3. The Center Stage button (the icon of a person's profile within a frame) above the viewfinder should appear as yellow, indicating the feature is enabled.
4. Line up your shot – Center Stage automatically adjusts orientation and zoom.
5. Hit the shutter button to capture your photo or video.

Manual Camera Controls

You can override Center Stage's automatic functions when you need more control:

• Manual rotation: Tap the orientation icon within the viewfinder to switch between portrait and landscape modes.
• Manual zoom: Use the zoom icon (arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to adjust the field of view yourself.

How to Disable Auto-Rotate

When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage detects faces beside you or in the background and rotates to include them when you want a personal selfie:

1. Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
2. Tap Off next to "Auto Rotate."
3. Take your photo normally – the camera will no longer auto-rotate. Alternatively, use the rotate orientation icon in the viewfinder to do so manually.

How to Disable Auto-Zoom

When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage's automatic zoom adjustments don't match your needs:

1. Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
2. Tap Off next to "Auto Zoom."
3. Use the manual zoom button (with arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to frame your shot exactly as desired.

Center Stage works during FaceTime calls too, keeping your face centered, similar to how it functions on iPads and MacBooks. If you're interested to learn about dual capture video recording on iPhone 17, be sure to check out our dedicated how-to.

Apple just launched the AirPods Pro 3, and today Amazon introduced the first discount on the earbuds at $10 off their original price. You can get the AirPods Pro 3 for $239.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00.

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.

Although not a particularly large discount, considering the earbuds just launched this week it's a noteworthy sale for anyone looking to purchase the brand new model. Free delivery options are estimated for September 25, while Prime members should see delivery windows around September 21 in many cases.

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.

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The iPhone 17 lineup brings a new video feature that lets you record from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously. Dual Capture creates picture-in-picture recordings that should be perfect for reaction videos, tutorials, or any scenario where you want to capture both yourself and the action in front of you. Here's what you need to know about the feature.

Dual Capture works across the iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone Air. Here's how to get up and running with the new feature.

iPhone 17: How to Enable Dual Capture Mode

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Video at the bottom.
3. Tap the icon made up of dots at the top right of the interface, or alternatively, tap again the selected video option in the carousel at the bottom of the interface.
4. Select Dual Capture from the pop-up menu, then tap in the viewfinder.
5. Tap the shutter to start recording via both front and rear cameras.

Once you have used Dual Capture mode, for the rest of the app session the camera interface will show a handy new icon in the top-right corner, allowing you to turn it on and off without involving the pop-up menu.

What You Can Do While Recording

Once you start recording, you gain several useful controls. On iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, you can switch between the 48MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto lenses for different perspectives without stopping your recording.

The smaller front camera window can also be moved around the screen by dragging it with your finger, which is handy if the preview window blocks something important in your shot. Bear in mind that any repositioning of the window gets saved in your final video, though.

Recording Quality and Limitations

Dual Capture records in either 1080p or 4K resolution at 24 or 30 fps. For maximum editing flexibility later, 4K at 30fps will likely deliver the best results.

The feature does come with some trade-offs. For one, you're locked into Apple's single layout design, where the rear camera takes up most of the frame while the front camera appears in a smaller window. Unlike Samsung's similar feature, you can't switch the feeds or choose a split-screen layout that shows both cameras equally.

Lastly, bear in mind that everything saves as one video file, not separate clips for each camera.

Repair site iFixit today did one of its traditional teardowns on the iPhone Air, which is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date and the first major redesign we've seen in the iPhone line in several years.

To fit all of the necessary components in a 5.6mm frame, Apple designed a camera "plateau." The iPhone Air's logic board is partially inside of the camera bump, providing space for a large, metal-encased battery. The position of the logic board also ensures that it's protected from bending stress if the ‌iPhone Air‌ happens to flex, though we've seen in several tests that the titanium frame of the device is almost bend-proof.

iFixit tried bending the ‌iPhone Air‌ frame without any of the components inside, and it wasn't quite as durable as it is when it's fully packed. The frame easily bent, because there are weak points where Apple had to add plastic gaps to prevent cellular interference. As to whether the weak points will be an issue for ‌iPhone Air‌ owners, iFixit says "time will tell."

Earlier this week, iFixit took apart MagSafe Battery that Apple designed for the ‌iPhone Air‌, and speculated that Apple was using the same battery for the accessory that it used in the ‌iPhone Air‌. That's now confirmed, and Apple did indeed include an ‌iPhone Air‌ battery inside the MagSafe Battery pack. The battery has a 12.26 watt-hour capacity, and you can take the battery out of the ‌MagSafe‌ Battery pack and put it in an ‌iPhone Air‌ with no issue.

Though the ‌iPhone Air‌ has a thinner design than usual, it's easier to repair than you might think. There isn't room for layers of components, and iFixit says that the thin chassis keeps parts from getting buried. Apple is using a clipped-in display and back glass that's easier to remove. For the battery, Apple is using adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. It's a design that Apple introduced last year with the iPhone 16, and now it's expanded to other models.

Apple 3D printed the USB-C port for the ‌iPhone Air‌ to get it to fit in the chassis, and iFixit found that the company is indeed using a 3D printed titanium alloy that's not as scratch resistant as the frame, but is "structurally robust." The USB-C port is glued in place, but it is modular and can be removed if needed.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ logic board includes the C1X 5G modem, the N1 networking chip, and the A19 Pro, all of which Apple designed. The ‌iPhone Air‌ is the first iPhone to have so many custom-designed Apple chips. The other iPhone 17 models also have the A19 and the N1, but the ‌iPhone Air‌ also gets the C1X instead of a Qualcomm modem.

Overall, iFixit gave the ‌iPhone Air‌ a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10, because it's easier to get to the battery and not too difficult to replace a screen. Apple has also made efforts to release spare parts and manuals for iPhone repair, and has scaled down software locks and restrictions on parts pairing, improving its iPhone repairability scores.

Make sure to watch iFixit's full video to see the ‌iPhone Air‌ disassembled piece by piece.

It was another busy week in the Apple world, with Monday seeing the release of iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and other operating system updates, while Friday saw the launch of all of the hardware announced at the company's "Awe Dropping" event, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 lineup, three new Apple Watch models, and the AirPods Pro 3.

We're also looking forward to what's coming in additional updates to iOS 26 and on the hardware front in the coming months, so read on below for all the details!

Top Stories

iOS 26 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide

iOS 26 is finally here for everyone! Over the past several months, MacRumors has been working on a series of in-depth feature guides and how-tos that walk you through the design changes and updates in Apple's new software, and our ultimate guide includes a big chunk of that iOS 26 coverage. It's a useful resource for iPhone and iPad users who haven't had a chance to test out ‌iOS 26‌ until now, or those who might want a recap on what's new.

The new Liquid Glass design is of course the headline feature of iOS 26, and in fact across all of Apple's new operating systems this year, but not everyone is a fan of it.

macOS Tahoe Now Available With Liquid Glass Design, Phone App, Spotlight Actions and More

iOS 26 naturally gets the bulk of the attention given the size of the iPhone user base, but macOS Tahoe brings a lot of the same updates and some other changes to the Mac platform as well. Take a look at our video and list of some of the top macOS Tahoe features to check out first.

Apple's other platforms also got the usual updates, with watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and HomePod software 26 delivering improvements across the board with Apple's newly unified version numbering system.

First iPhone Air, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17 Pro Orders Now Arriving to Customers

Apple customers in Australia and New Zealand were the first to receive their iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max orders, with the rest of the world gradually following. Early orders of the AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 are also arriving.

While many iPhone configurations saw extended shipping estimates during the pre-order period, Apple retail stores appeared to have decent supply of most models as stores opened for the launch. Supplies have since tightened somewhat, but Apple is resupplying its stores daily so hopefully you shouldn't have to wait long if you place an order now for pickup.

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

The new AirPods Pro 3 just launched on Friday, but users of the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation got early access to some of the new capabilities thanks to a firmware update.

The new Live Translation feature revealed at last week's event comes to the older models, as do Hearing Aid functionality enhancements, improved "studio-quality" audio capture, a camera remote gesture, and more.

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch These 10 Products in 'Coming Months'

With four new iPhone models, three updated Apple Watch models, and AirPods Pro 3 having debuted last week, you might think Apple will be taking a break before introducing any more new products, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has at least ten new products ready to launch in the coming months, starting as early as October. We're expecting updates to the Apple TV, HomePod mini, AirTag, iPad Pro, and more, with several Mac updates likely to arrive in early 2026.

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4: Here Are 5 New Features to Expect on Your iPhone

iOS 26 may have just been released, but Apple will still be bringing additional refinements over the coming year before its next major update with iOS 27.

The biggest mid-cycle update we're expecting to see is the personalized Siri that was delayed from earlier this year. We should be seeing that around iOS 26.4 in the first half of 2026. Other updates we may see include support for digital versions of U.S. passports in the Wallet app, upgrades for RCS messaging, new emoji, a Weather via satellite feature we've spotted in iOS 26 code, and more.

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!

Happy iPhone 17 day! The iPhone Air and the other new ‌iPhone 17‌ models are now available in stores and in the hands of customers. We picked up the ‌iPhone Air‌, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max for a first impressions video.

Unsurprisingly, the ‌iPhone Air‌ is incredibly thin, and holding one after holding the much larger Pro models makes for a real "wow" moment. If the weight of the bigger iPhones bothers you, the Air will be a relief.

There's not too much to say about the Air other than fawning over its 5.6mm thin design. It does have the A19 Pro for performance on par with the Pro models, but it's limited to a single-lens rear camera. If you use the Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses, you'll miss them. Apple did make some under-the-hood changes that allow the Air to support editable portrait mode photos with a single lens, and you do get the same 18-megapixel front-facing camera that the other models have.

Moving on to the Pro models, the 17 Pro and Pro Max feel hefty this year compared to the Air. The 17 Pro is probably the size that most people will prefer because it's a good blend of pro features, display size, and weight.

Apple made interesting color choices this year, and the bright orange Pro color stands out. We got the Pro Max in the orange shade and the Pro in the silver, and the silver is surprisingly nice. It's one of the better light silver shades that Apple has come out with. There is no titanium this year, because Apple discovered that it wasn't great for dissipating heat. We're back to aluminum, and there's a whole new vapor chamber cooling system to maximize the thermal performance of the A19 Pro chip.

You won't see it, but the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models have a little bit of water inside to direct heat away from the chip and through the aluminum casing. It's still early, but the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models don't seem to have the immediate heat issues of the 16 Pro models when doing GPU-heavy tasks.

Apple updated the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ design, and instead of a camera bump, we have a whole camera plateau. It's big, but some people might appreciate the symmetry of the new design. There's also a two-tone sort of look because most of the frame is aluminum with just a rectangle at the back made from Ceramic Shield material for wireless charging. This is the first time that Apple has used Ceramic Shield for the back of the iPhone, and it's supposed to be more durable. Apple says the front cover is Ceramic Shield 2, which is more scratch resistant than before. There's an updated anti-reflective coating as well, but it's subtle.

Battery life on the ‌iPhone Air‌ is impressive for its size, but the Pro and Pro Max have bigger gains. Battery life is six hours longer per Apple's testing, though we'll need more time to see what that means in day-to-day usage.

The new front-facing camera has a feature that lets you take landscape or portrait selfie shots without rotating the phone, which is unique. You can also record with the front and rear-facing cameras at the same time if you want to do reaction-style videos.

The Pro models have a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens with 4x or 8x zoom, so you can zoom in further than before. It's useful to have another focal length, and it produces nice bokeh for portrait shots.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors because we'll have more in-depth videos coming, including Camera comparisons and videos where we pit Apple's new iPhones against popular smartphones from Samsung and Google.