Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple TV that's slated for launch later this year. Information about the upcoming device that was found in Apple code indicates that it will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip.
There have been multiple rumors about a new Apple TV coming in 2025 with a new A-series processor, but it hasn't been clear which chip Apple would use until now.
The A17 Pro was designed for the iPhone 15 Pro models, but Apple still makes it for the iPad mini 7.
The current Apple TV 4K has an A15 Bionic chip, so the upgrade to the A17 Pro will bring substantial performance improvements. The A17 Pro supports Apple Intelligence, plus it can run console-quality games with advanced graphics effects.
Little else is known about the upcoming Apple TV, but it is expected to get an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip. Apple might introduce the new Apple TV in September alongside new iPhone models, but it could also be held until later in 2025.
Apple is still working on a next-generation version of the Studio Display, and MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered signs of the new display in Apple code.
The upcoming Studio Display 2 has a codename of J427, and references to J427 were tucked away in software code that Apple didn't mean to publish. Rumors suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, so it makes sense that Apple is testing it now.
We don't know a lot about the next-generation Apple display, but it is possible it will use mini-LED backlighting. If the Studio Display does indeed adopt mini-LED technology, we can expect improved brightness, a higher contrast ratio, and better color quality.
References to a display with the codename J527 were also found in the code. It's not clear what J527 is. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said earlier this year that Apple was developing two versions of the Studio Display and would choose one to launch, so J527 could be a second variation of the Studio Display 2. It's also possible that it is a reference to a new version of the Pro Display XDR, but Gurman believes a second-generation Pro Display XDR is not a priority for Apple.
Apple has not launched a display product since it came out with the original Studio Display in 2022. It is not yet clear if the display will actually be named the Studio Display 2 or if Apple will give it another name.
The new model will likely come out alongside Macs with the M5 chip, with the Macs also slated for early 2026.
Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features an A19 chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared.
It looks like the next-generation iPad mini will get the A19 Pro chip that Apple plans to use in the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Apple is developing the A19 chips for the iPhone 17 series that's set to come out this September. The Pro version of the A19 will have more GPU cores than the standard A19, and rumors suggest there will also be an in-between version that's a binned A19 Pro with one fewer GPU core. The binned chips could be used in the iPhone 17 Air.
The current iPad mini that came out in 2024 is equipped with the A17 Pro chip that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, so it makes sense for the next-generation version to adopt the A19 Pro.
There is no concrete word on when a new version of the iPad mini is coming out. Rumors have suggested that Apple is working on an iPad mini with an OLED display for launch as early as 2026, but the launch timeline is unclear and other rumors have suggested it won't come until 2027.
Apple is also working on an updated version of the low-cost iPad with an A18 chip, according to the Apple's leaked code. Codenamed J581/J582, the low-cost iPad could launch next spring.
Apple is working on a next-generation version of the Vision Pro with an M5 chip, according to code accidentally shared by Apple and discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
Rumors of a Vision Pro 2 with an updated M-series chip have been circulating since last year, but there was some confusion over which chip the device would use. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the Vision Pro would have an M5 chip, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that it would use the same M4 chip that's in the latest MacBook Air and iPad Pro models rather than the M5.
Based on Apple's code, it looks like the next-generation Vision Pro will use the M5 chip.
The refreshed Vision Pro isn't expected to feature any design changes or hardware updates aside from the new chip, but it could get a new strap that will make it more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
The Vision Pro 2 with M5 chip could launch as soon as late 2025.
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 will have an updated S11 system in package (SiP), but it may not bring much in the way of processor performance improvements.
Apple accidentally leaked some internal information about the upcoming chip, and it turns out it will have the same T8310 architecture as the S9 and S10 chips in the Series 9 and Series 10 Apple Watch models.
It's not unusual for Apple to use the same architecture across multiple versions of the S-series chips for the Apple Watch. The S6, S7, and S8 chips all had the same core technology.
The S9 and S10 chips use two "Sawtooth" performance cores like the A16 Bionic chip, so while it is older technology, it's still a lot of power for a wrist-worn device. It's a 64-bit dual-core processor with a 4-core Neural Engine, second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, and 64GB storage space.
Though the underlying technology is the same, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch.
With the S11 chip set to stay largely the same in the 2025 Apple Watch models, it's likely Apple's upcoming S12 chip for 2026 will use a new microarchitecture with performance improvements.
Though Apple's code only gave us insight into the Ultra 3 and Series 11, there were codenames for future devices as well:
N227: Apple Watch Series 11
N228: Apple Watch Series 11 (Cellular)
N230: Apple Watch Ultra 3
N237: Apple Watch Series 12
N238: Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular)
N240: Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch SE 3 are expected to debut at Apple's upcoming September event.
Apple's software engineers are testing an internal version of iOS 26.4, according to the MacRumors visitor logs this week.
iOS 26.4 is expected to be released in March or April next year, so the software update is still many months away. However, Apple develops both "Fall" and "Spring" versions of iOS each year, with work on both iOS 26.0 and iOS 26.4 underway.
There are two expected iOS 26.4 features so far, with more to follow.
First up is new emoji.
The Unicode Consortium recently previewed some of the new emoji coming with Unicode 17.0 later this year. It typically takes Apple several months to design new emoji in its own style, so the new emoji will likely be available on the iPhone starting with iOS 26.4.
Here are some of the new emoji:
Trombone
Treasure Chest
Distorted Face
Hairy Creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)
Fight Cloud
Apple Core
Orca
Ballet Dancers
Landslide
Notably, Distorted Face is a popular emoji in Discord servers. It is essentially a distorted version of the embarassed face emoji, also known as Flushed Face.
Apple most recently added new emoji to the iPhone with iOS 18.4, an update that came out in late March. iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4 also introduced new emoji over the years, so the timing has become predictable by this point.
The second expected feature is a more personalized version of Siri.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that his company was making "good progress" on a more personalized Siri, and he reiterated that the features are on track to launch next year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the new Siri to launch in the U.S. in spring 2026, so Apple is likely aiming to make it available as part of iOS 26.4.
Apple first announced the personalized Siri features during its WWDC 2024 keynote, but in March it announced that they were delayed. The new capabilities will include better understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
Apple is still working on a Ring-like home security camera that will integrate into the Home app, reports Bloomberg. It's unclear when the camera might launch, but it could come alongside or after the smart home hub that's expected in 2026.
The camera will feature a battery that could last for several months to a year, and it in addition to being useful for security, it will be able to detect people and sense motion for Home automation purposes. From Bloomberg:
The device has facial recognition and infrared sensors to determine who is in a room. Apple believes users will place cameras throughout their home to help with automation. That could mean turning lights off when someone leaves a room or automatically playing music liked by a particular family member.
Apple is working on multiple types of cameras and home security products, including a doorbell that uses facial recognition for unlocking a door. Apple is aiming to establish a foothold in the smart home product market, competing with Amazon's Ring brand and Google's Nest brand.
The HomeKit smart home platform already supports cameras developed by third-party manufacturers, with Apple offering secure cloud-based storage through iCloud.
The iPad-like smart home hub that Apple is developing isn't going to launch until mid-2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the device as soon as 2025, but it was delayed because of Apple's issues with the Apple Intelligence version of Siri.
The device will feature a built-in 7-inch display and a speaker, and it supposedly looks similar to the Google Nest Hub. Gurman describes it as "shaped like a square" with thin black or white bezels, rounded corners, and a half-dome-shaped base.
The hub, which is codenamed J490, will run an operating system codenamed "Charismatic." Charismatic is different from iOS, macOS, and tvOS in that it is designed to be used by multiple members of the household. The interface centers on clock faces and widgets for Apple apps, and it could have a Siri virtual interface that gives Siri a more personified look. Apple is said to be testing a look for Siri that resembles the Mac Finder icon.
A front-facing camera will scan a person's face as they approach, providing content and features specific to each user. There won't be a dedicated App Store, but the device will run Apple apps like Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes. Apple expects users to control the smart home hub with voice-based commands, though it does have a touch screen. References to J490 have already been found in Apple's code.
Siri will be central to the hub, and Apple is working on a version of Siri that is powered by large language models. Apple wants Siri to be able to incorporate personal data to provide a richer experience for users. The functionality was originally meant to be included in iOS 18, but now an expanded LLM version of Siri is coming instead. Apple could be ready to launch LLM Siri "as early as next spring." A visually redesigned version of Siri for iPhones and iPads could also come at some point in 2026.
Apple is testing an LLM version of Siri that is powered by its own internal models, but it is also simultaneously working on a version that uses outside technology from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Apple hasn't made a final decision on which model it will use.
The Charismatic operating system and the new version of Siri will also be the basis for a separate tabletop robot that Apple is working on for a 2027 launch.
Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."
The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for Siri's look. From Bloomberg:
The idea is for the device to act like a person in a room. It could interrupt a conversation between friends about dinner plans, say, and suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. It's also being designed to engage in back-and-forth discussions for things like planning a trip or getting tasks done -- similar to OpenAI's voice mode.
Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.
At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as Siri's visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of Siri, and the LLM Siri won't come until after that.
Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.
In case you missed it, Walmart is currently offering the older but still very capable MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $599 in the United States.
It seems like this deal began around Amazon's four-day Prime Day event in early July, but it flew under our radar until a reader let us know about it today.
Apple first released the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in November 2020, as one of the first Macs with an Apple silicon chip, instead of an Intel processor. The configuration being sold for $599 includes the M1 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM, with Gold, Silver, and Space Gray color options all available as of this writing.
To the best of our knowledge, these MacBook Air units remain in brand-new condition, with the product listing not indicating they are refurbished.
Apple discontinued the MacBook Air with the M1 chip last year, after it launched models with the M3 chip, and it has since updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. Prior to being discontinued, the model with the M1 chip was being sold for a starting price of $999 brand new, but Amazon sometimes offered it on sale for $899.
While the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is nearly five years old, it is still a capable machine for many average day-to-day tasks. However, it has an older design, and it is the oldest MacBook Air model compatible with the upcoming macOS Tahoe update, so those aspects should be factored into your purchasing decision.
Walmart first began selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip for $699 in March 2024. It has since dropped the price two times — first to $649, and now to $599. It is unclear how long supplies will last, but rumors suggest that Apple has a new MacBook with an A18 Pro chip in the pipeline, and that model is also predicted to cost between $599 and $699.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart, and we may receive a small payment if you click a link in this article and proceed to make a purchase.
Apple has uploaded all of macOS Tahoe's beautiful new screen savers to its servers, and you can watch them right now without waiting for the operating system's release. The collection showcases some breathtaking aerial footage and nature scenes from the likes of India that will grace Mac screens later this year.
Rather than waiting to see what Apple has in store, you can preview every single screen saver from the upcoming macOS release immediately. Each video streams directly from Apple's content delivery network in high quality, so you can ignore any warnings your browser throws up.
How to Watch macOS Tahoe Screen Savers
Simply click any of the links below to start streaming the screen savers instantly in your browser in glorious 4K at 240 frames per second.
They also function as dynamic wallpapers that adapt throughout the day. Setting them from the Screen Saver section in System Settings makes both your wallpaper and screen saver change to the selected scene. They'll animate as screen savers and smoothly slow to a freeze-frame when you unlock to your desktop, just like Apple's existing aerial screen savers.
Alternatively, choosing them from the Wallpaper section changes only your desktop background without animation, but the wallpaper will still dynamically adjust its brightness and darkness to match your time of day.
These screen savers will automatically become available to all Mac owners when macOS Tahoe releases, but streaming or downloading them now gives you an early taste of what's coming to your desktop.
Apple is preparing to offer in-store iPad repairs for the first time, according to French site iGeneration.
The report claims that by the end of 2025, around 30 Apple Stores will be able to carry out certain iPad repairs directly with on-site technicians. The participating stores will be mostly located in the United States.
Today, Apple resolves iPad hardware problems in Apple Stores by simply offering a complete replacement of the device, often with a quote at the maximum out-of-warranty price. The faulty or broken device is then sent to a repair center.
The final invoice is apparently often revised down since the repair subcontractor only replaces the damaged part, but an accurate picture of the final repair price is not provided during the customer's first appointment at the Genius Bar. Apple is now seemingly looking to overhaul this system starting in September, providing exact quotes just like it does for iPhone and Mac repairs.
Earlier this year, Apple announced that its Self Service Repair program would expand to the iPad lineup for the first time.
A previously-accurate leaker on the Chinese platform Weibo claimed the smaller iPhone 17 Pro model with a 6.3-inch display will start at $1,049 in the U.S. with 256GB of storage, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB of storage.
Apple has offered at least one Pro model or equivalent tier of the iPhone at a starting price of $999 in the U.S. since the iPhone X was released in 2017, so the iPhone 17 Pro would break an eight-year streak held by the company.
The starting prices of each model in the U.S.:
iPhone X: $999
iPhone XS: $999
iPhone 11 Pro: $999
iPhone 12 Pro: $999
iPhone 13 Pro: $999
iPhone 14 Pro: $999
iPhone 15 Pro: $999
iPhone 16 Pro: $999
iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049?
If the iPhone 17 Pro lacks a 128GB storage tier, some might argue that this is not a price increase anyway. In fact, $1,049 would be a price decrease for the 256GB configuration. On the other hand, customers who do not want to pay more than $999 for the Pro model would lose that option. This was a hotly-debated topic when Apple dropped the 128GB tier for the Pro Max model with the iPhone 15 Pro Max a few years ago.
In any case, Apple has proven the price increase rumors wrong year after year, so it deserves the benefit of the doubt. But, nothing lasts forever. If the $999 streak finally does come to an end, you can probably blame it on a combination of tariffs and higher inflation in recent years, although Apple is unlikely to mention that.
At this point, though, it is a see-it-to-believe-it situation.
The publication said the lower-cost MacBook will be equipped with a 12.9-inch display, and a version of the A18 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro models last year. It would become the first Mac to ever use an A-series chip from an iPhone.
The lower-cost MacBook could launch in late 2025 or early 2026, according to the report.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In late June, he also said the laptop will have around a 13-inch display, and an A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so the laptop could come in bright colors, like the iMac.
A18 Pro specs include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip is around 40% slower than the M4 chip, but its performance is comparable to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $649$599.
In the iPhone 16 Pro models, the A18 Pro chip has 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. In addition, the chip lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports. They would look the same as Thunderbolt ports, but data transfer speeds would be limited to up to 10 Gb/s, and the new MacBook might natively support only a single external display, but that limitation can be overcome with DisplayLink adapters.
The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, an M4 chip, and a starting price of $999. However, the latest MacBook Air is often on sale on Amazon for as low as $799.
Apple often announces new Macs in October, so stay tuned.
In iOS 26, Apple has a helpful new feature that notifies you when your iPhone's camera lens needs cleaning – something Android devices have offered for years. Here's how to turn on this smart notification system.
Whenever your iPhone's camera is active, iOS 26 monitors the incoming light for signs of reduced clarity or smudging that could indicate a dirty lens. When triggered, you'll see a discrete alert suggesting you clean your camera lens to improve image quality.
To benefit from the feature, you'll need an iPhone running iOS 26 (currently in beta). It's currently unclear which models support Lens Cleaning Hints, but you can check by looking for the following toggle:
Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Camera.
Toggle on Lens Cleaning Hints.
Once enabled, your iPhone will analyze image quality and display a notification in the Camera app when it detects your rear camera lens could benefit from cleaning.
This feature joins another camera-related change in iOS 26 – a completely redesigned Camera app interface that includes a new minimalist navigation bar. If you don't have the beta software installed, you shouldn't have long to wait: Apple is expected to officially release iOS 26 in September.
Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner, with the iPhone 17 series expected to be announced in early September, and availability to follow later in the month. As always, the Pro and Pro Max models will have the most new features.
Below, we have recapped rumors about four of the most interesting iPhone 17 Pro features. This list is subjective, of course, so sound off in the comments section.
12GB of RAM
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models are rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, which would be an increase over the 8GB of RAM in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance, including for Apple Intelligence.
Even the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, while the base-model iPhone 17 is expected to remain at 8GB of RAM.
Specifically, it has been rumored that the Telephoto lens in the iPhone 17 Pro models will be able to move, allowing for multiple focal lengths. As a result, a tipster claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will let you switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom, without tricks like sensor cropping. A moving Telephoto lens would require more parts and internal space, which could explain why the camera bump is expected to be larger on iPhone 17 Pro models.
On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens has a fixed focal length of 120mm, and it offers a single 5× optical zoom option. Apple says the devices also have a 2× optical zoom option, but that uses the main rear camera with sensor cropping, which in simple terms is a technique that effectively zooms in on the center of a larger photo.
Anti-Reflective Display
While it has been an on-again, off-again rumor, the latest word is that all iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display (option?) with a matte finish.
If this rumor is true, perhaps the iPhone will get the same nano-texture glass option that Apple's online store offers for select higher-end configurations of the iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro. In the U.S., for example, a nano-texture display is a $100 upgrade option for iPad Pro models equipped with 1TB or 2TB of storage. Nano-texture glass is also an upgrade option for Apple's Studio Display and Pro Display XDR monitors.
On the other hand, perhaps it will just be a more basic anti-reflective coating that is included on all iPhone 17 models at no extra cost.
For the iPad Pro, Apple says nano-texture glass "reduces glare and is perfect for high-end, color-managed workflows and demanding lighting environments."
In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera's photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025's iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.
It has even been rumored that Apple might offer a "Camera Pro" app of sorts, for both photos and videos, but the source behind this information does not have an established track record yet. The app would compete with the likes of Halide, Kino, and Filmic Pro. It is unclear if the app would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Douyin Pay launched in January 2021 as a payment feature within Douyin, ByteDance's Chinese short video platform that serves as the domestic counterpart to TikTok. Douyin has approximately 766.5 million monthly active users in China, making it one of the country's most heavily used apps. Its payment service allows users to link bank accounts and conduct transactions within Douyin's ecosystem, including livestream shopping and in-app purchases.
Once the testing period concludes, the ByteDance-owned service would join Ant Group's Alipay, Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay, and state-run China UnionPay as available payment options for App Store purchases in mainland China. Apple introduced Alipay support for the App Store in 2016 and added WeChat Pay in 2017, while UnionPay has long since been integrated through credit and debit card support.
Amazon and Best Buy are both discounting Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro to record low prices this week, offering $300 off select models of the computer. In this article we're focusing on the 10-core configurations of the computer, but you'll also find sales on other M4 MacBook Pros at both retailers.
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.
Starting with the 10-core 16GB RAM/512GB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,299.00 [Amazon/Best Buy], down from $1,599.00. This is the entry-level model of the M4 MacBook Pro, and it's never dropped below this price.
You can also get both 1TB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro on sale this week. The 10-core 16GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,499.00 [Amazon/Best Buy] and the 10-core 24GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,699.00 [Amazon/Best Buy]. Both of these are also $300 discounts and record low prices on each computer.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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