MacRumors

Apple today released visionOS 2.4, the fourth update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.4 comes two months after the launch of visionOS 2.3.

visionOS 2.4 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option.

The visionOS 2.4 update brings Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for the first time, putting it on par with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The Vision Pro has an M2 Apple silicon chip inside, and is capable of running the full suite of ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ features available on the Vision Pro include Writing Tools for generating, proofreading, and summarizing text, Genmoji for creating custom emoji characters, a dedicated Image Playground app for generating images, Memory Movie for creating custom slideshows, smart reply for generating quick responses to texts and emails, Priority Notifications and Notification Summaries, ChatGPT Siri integration and new ‌Siri‌ features, and more.

Along with ‌Apple Intelligence‌, Apple added a Spatial Gallery app for the Vision Pro. The Spatial Gallery app offers a curated assortment of spatial videos, spatial photos, and panorama images from artists, filmmakers, and photographers. Apple plans to offer a range of content featuring sports, culture, arts, lifestyle, nature, travel, entertainment, and more.

Content at launch includes images and experiences from Cirque du Soleil, Red Bull, Porsche, Samba Diop, and Jonpaul Douglass, along with behind the scenes content from Apple TV+ shows like Severance. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Apple Intelligence
- Use Writing Tools to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text right in the app you’re working in, and compose text from scratch using ChatGPT
- Quickly respond to messages with Smart Reply in Mail and Messages with suggested responses
- Create unique images in multiple styles using concepts, descriptions, and people from your photo library with Image Playground
- Create custom emoji right from the keyboard and use your Genmoji across the system in your sticker drawer
- Use Image Wand to turn sketches into images in Notes
- Find photos and videos simply by describing what you’re looking for in Photos
- Create a Memory Movie by describing the story you want to see in Photos
- Use priority messages in Mail which understand the content of your messages and prioritize those that require your attention, displaying them at the top of your inbox
- Catch up on your notifications with Priority Notification to make it easy to see a glanceable summary of the most important information

Guest User
- Start a Guest User session with your nearby iPhone or iPad and guide the guest using View Mirroring

Spatial Gallery app
- Discover a curated collection of spatial photos, spatial videos and panoramas, updated regularly

Apple Vision Pro app
- Discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device using Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone when you upgrade to iOS 18.4

This release also includes other features and improvements.
- Use dictation to edit text like replacing or deleting a word
- Activate Travel Mode using the Digital Crown when you see a “tracking fail” notification.

Some features may not be available for all regions. For more information, please visit this website:
https://www.apple.com/visionos/visionos-2

In iOS 18.4, there is a new Vision Pro app that works in conjunction with visionOS 2.4. With the Vision Pro app, Vision Pro owners can download apps to the Vision Pro, find content to watch and add it to a watch list, and get device info like serial number. There is a dedicated discover page that offers curated recommendations for new and noteworthy experiences, including popular apps and games.

An ‌iPhone‌ can also be used to set up and manage Guest Mode on the Vision Pro, and guests can now save their eye and hand setups for up to 30 days after their last use, making multi-person use more feasible. With an ‌iPhone‌, Vision Pro owners can block or allow certain apps and guide a user through the Vision Pro interface using AirPlay.

Apple today released tvOS 18.4, the latest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4 comes two months after Apple released tvOS 18.3, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD models.

tvOS 18.4 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌Apple TV‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18.4 automatically.

Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.

Apple has also released a new version of the HomePod Software 18.4 for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini. ‌HomePod‌ software is based on tvOS.

Amazon has a few new discounts on Apple's 11th generation iPad this week, including $50 off the 512GB Wi-Fi model of the tablet. Prices start at $327.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00.

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.

This sale is available in Blue, while all of the other colors are just a few dollars higher. Although this is just a $22 discount, it remains the lowest price we've ever tracked for the new iPad, and right now only Amazon has these record low prices.

You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $419.80, down from $449.00, and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $599.00, down from $649.00.

The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new ‌iPad‌ starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.

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.

It has been rumored that a new Apple TV will launch later this year, and it might support the faster Wi-Fi 7 standard.

All four iPhone 17 models coming later this year will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, according to Apple supply chain analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu. A new Apple TV is also expected to be released this year, and it will also have an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

This means the next Apple TV should support Wi-Fi 7, unless Apple chooses to artificially limit the device's specifications.

The current Apple TV 4K model from 2022 supports Wi-Fi 6, and the higher-end model also has an Ethernet port for wired internet.

It is worth noting that Gurman said the Wi-Fi chip that he reported on would support Wi-Fi 6E at a minimum, but it seems unlikely that Apple is developing separate Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 chips, especially considering that all iPhone 17 models already support Wi-Fi 7 with some limitations. All in all, Wi-Fi 7 seems more likely.

Wi-Fi 7 allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, with a compatible router, resulting in faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 can provide peak speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E, provided a device supports the maximum specifications.

The new Apple TV is expected to launch towards the end of the year.

The iPad Air is now available in two size options, just like the iPad Pro. Yet after a significant update to the ‌iPad Pro‌ that introduced a thinner design and OLED displays and a minor ‌iPad Air‌ refresh that added the M3 chip, how different are the two product lines and which should you buy?

Apple recently refreshed the ‌iPad Air‌ with the M3 chip—a minor update over the previous model from 2024 which added the M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover. The latest ‌iPad Pro‌ models introduced a large number of significant new changes, such as the M4 chip, OLED displays, and a higher price point, and it means that the high-end iPad models are now further differentiated from the ‌iPad Air‌ than before.

Should you consider purchasing the ‌iPad Air‌ to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the ‌iPad Pro‌? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.

Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $400+ needed to buy the ‌iPad Pro‌ is not justified to get the likes of ‌Face ID‌, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.

Some ‌iPad Pro‌ features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity are only practically useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end capabilities. Many features such as Audio zoom and stereo audio recording may not be meaningfully utilized by many users.

Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from buying the ‌iPad Pro‌. That being said, "prosumer"-style customers who simply want the best ‌iPad‌ will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not necessary.

Beyond these individual circumstances, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best value for money and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the ‌iPad Air‌, users can get a modern all-screen design, the M3 chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories for a price well below that of the ‌iPad Pro‌.

Apple and SpaceX subsidiary Starlink have been rolling out competing satellite features that allow smartphone users to send text messages while they are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The Wall Street Journal on Sunday detailed the relationship between the two companies, and the report also revealed some other notable details.

First, the report said that SpaceX has attempted to delay Apple's satellite expansion efforts.

Last year, Apple committed $1.5 billion to its satellite partner Globalstar, to fund the expansion of infrastructure for the iPhone's built-in satellite features. Earlier this month, SpaceX urged the FCC to dismiss Globalstar's application for this expansion, calling it "premature." SpaceX said Globalstar's satellites would make exclusive use of the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands, before the FCC decides on rules that could permit other satellite operators to use those bands. SpaceX wants shared access to the bands, but Globalstar believes this could result in interference, and potentially degrade the iPhone's built-in satellite features.

Despite this conflict, Globalstar is paying SpaceX to launch its additional satellites.

Second, the report said that Apple and SpaceX had "tense" discussions about seamlessly integrating Starlink's satellite texting feature on newer iPhone models, although the two companies eventually reached an agreement.

In a support document, Apple says iPhones display "SAT" in the status bar when using a carrier-provided satellite feature, such as Starlink via T-Mobile.

Starlink via T-Mobile is currently available in beta for free, and it is set to launch as a paid service in July for both iPhone and Android users.

Finally, the report said that Apple held talks over the years with additional satellite companies, including Boeing, EchoStar, and even SpaceX. However, as of today, the iPhone's built-in satellite features remain exclusively powered by Globalstar.

In a statement responding to the report, Apple said its satellite features are "designed to complement carrier offerings, giving users even more ways to stay connected." Most importantly, Apple said the features have "already helped save lives."

Apple's built-in satellite feature was initially limited to communication with emergency services, but iOS 18 added the ability to send and receive iMessages and SMS messages to anyone via satellite. iPhone users can also update their location in the Find My app via satellite, and arrange roadside assistance via satellite. All of these features are available in the U.S., but availability varies in other countries. The features are free to use for now. Both the Apple-provided and carrier-provided satellite features are supported on all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models, with an up-to-date iOS version.

Apple has been fined €150 million ($162 million) by France's Competition Authority over the implementation of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework (via Bloomberg).

The French regulator concluded that the way Apple deployed its ATT feature constitutes an abuse of market dominance, finding that the system unnecessarily complicated the process for users to opt out of tracking and unfairly disadvantaged third-party developers and advertising providers. Introduced in 2021 with iOS 14.5, the ATT framework requires apps to request user consent via a pop-up before tracking activity across other apps and websites. If users decline, the app is denied access to the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), which is typically used for delivering personalized ads.

The regulator emphasized that while the ATT framework itself is not inherently anticompetitive, its implementation by Apple resulted in a lack of neutrality. In its published decision, the authority said that the system was "neither necessary nor proportionate to the company's stated goal to protect user data" and added that the method Apple used to prompt consent introduced unnecessary friction for third-party developers. Apple's own advertising services are integrated directly into iOS and were not subject to the same user journey, raising concerns that Apple had leveraged its platform control to favor its own interests.

The decision also cited the economic consequences for app publishers and advertising providers. Since many developers of free, ad-supported apps depend on targeted advertising for revenue, the enforcement of ATT in its current form was determined to have caused financial harm, particularly to smaller publishers with limited access to first-party data.

The investigation was launched in 2021 following a complaint lodged by a coalition of French advertising trade associations, including Alliance Digitale and the Internet Advertising Syndicate. Though the Competition Authority initially declined to impose emergency interim measures that year, it proceeded with a full probe into ATT's competitive effects. The final ruling compels Apple to pay the €150 million fine and to publicly publish the decision on its website for a duration of seven days.

In a statement, Apple defended its actions and reiterated its commitment to user privacy:

App Tracking Transparency gives users more control of their privacy through a required, clear, and easy-to-understand prompt about one thing: tracking. That prompt is consistent for all developers, including Apple, and we have received strong support for this feature from consumers, privacy advocates, and data protection authorities around the world.

Apple also noted that the French authority has not mandated any specific changes to the ATT system, instead placing the onus on the company to ensure its compliance with competition law. Apple expressed disappointment with the decision but did not indicate whether it would appeal the fine.

The ruling adds to a growing list of investigations into Apple's ATT framework across Europe. Authorities in Germany, Italy, Romania, and Poland have opened similar probes to examine whether the privacy feature violates competition rules by impeding access to essential data for advertising while reinforcing Apple's own position in the digital ad market.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple's attempts to develop a non-invasive glucose monitoring feature for Apple Watch remains "many years away" from debuting, despite over 15 years of work to make the capability a reality in a consumer device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The idea of a non-invasive glucose monitor originated in Apple's Steve Jobs era, with the aim to include an Apple Watch sensor that can inform users if they are pre-diabetic so that they can take proactive steps and potentially reverse the condition. Prediabetes is a warning sign that blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. An early diagnosis allows for early intervention through lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the progression to full-blown type 2 diabetes.

Bloomberg previously reported that Apple has tested a health-focused app aimed at diabetes prevention. Last October, Gurman said that the app could help inform some of Apple's future products related to blood sugar management, but that it wouldn't necessarily become a consumer-facing product.

Most blood sugar tests that people currently use require a skin prick, but Apple has been trying to develop a method that uses optical absorption spectroscopy and lasers to determine the concentration of glucose in the body without puncturing the skin. Apple has reportedly been developing a silicon photonics chip that uses optical absorption spectroscopy to shine light from a laser under the skin to determine the concentration of glucose in the body.

In 2023, Apple's blood glucose monitoring development reportedly reached a proof-of-concept stage culminating in a functional prototype device, but it was still way too large to incorporate into a device the size of the Apple Watch. Apple is said to have hundreds of engineers in its Exploratory Design Group (XDG) working on the project.

Over the weekend, Gurman also said that Apple is considering offering a new AI-powered health coaching feature that offers personalized health recommendations and lifestyle improvements via a "coaching feature." The feature could eventually be part of a future Apple Health+ service, according to the report.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is winding down, and is set to end later today. There are still plenty of notable discounts available before the sale ends, including low prices on AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirTag, iPad Air, and more.

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.

In this article we've collected a list of the best Apple and Apple-related products still available in the Big Spring Sale. Besides Apple products, it also includes popular accessories from brands like Anker, Jackery, and Satechi.

AirPods

M3 iPad Air

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $549.00, down from $599.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $649.00, down from $699.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $849.00, down from $899.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $738.08, down from $799.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $849.00, down from $899.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00, down from $1,099.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,229.00, down from $1,299.00

Apple Pencil Pro

AirTag

Satechi

Jackery

• Explorer 100 Plus - $169.00, down from $229.00
• Explorer 500 - $479.00, down from $799.00
• Explorer 3000 Pro - $1,799.00, down from $2,799.00
• Explorer 2000 Plus - $2,999.00, down from $4,999.00

Anker

• 10,000 mAh Power Bank with USB-C Cable - $12.94, down from $25.99
• MagGo Ultra Slim 10,000 mAh Power Bank - $62.99, down from $74.99
• MagGo Qi2 10,000 mAh Power Bank - $64.99, down from $89.99
• MagGO UFO 3-in-1 Travel Charger - $71.99, down from $89.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station - $82.49, down from $109.99
• 25,000 mAh Power Bank - $87.99, down from $109.99
• SOLIX Portable Power Station - $99.99, down from $169.99

Beats

• Beats Solo Buds - $59.95, down from $79.99
• Beats Studio Buds - $99.95, down from $149.95
• Beats Pill - $99.95, down from $149.95
• Beats Solo 4 - $129.95, down from $199.95
• Beats Fit Pro - $169.00, down from $199.95
• Beats Studio Pro - $179.95, down from $349.99

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.

Apple CEO Tim Cook today said Apple will be donating an undisclosed amount towards earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar and Thailand.

"Our hearts go out to all those in Myanmar and Thailand affected by the devastating earthquake," said Cook, in a social media post.

Apple typically donates to the Red Cross following major natural disasters around the world.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared some details about future devices.

In his Power On newsletter, Gurman said that Apple is already in the early stages of developing iPad Pro models with an M6 chip and an Apple-designed 5G modem, an entry-level iPad 12 with a newer chip, and MacBook Air models with an M5 chip.

Apple is currently aiming to release the iPad Pro models with its own 5G modem in 2027, according to Gurman. This will likely be Apple's C2 modem. The current cellular iPad Pro models are equipped with Qualcomm modems.

Apple's first C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e last month.

A new iPad Pro generation typically launches every 18 months or so. The current models were released in May 2024, and the next models with the M5 chip will likely launch in October this year. If this trend continues, the iPad Pro models with the M6 chip and an Apple-designed 5G modem would likely be released in the first half of 2027.

Gurman did not say when the new entry-level iPad and MacBook Air models will launch, but 2026 is a safe bet.

At this point, no other major changes have been rumored for these devices.

Apple plans to introduce a revamped Health app on the iPhone as early as iOS 19.4 next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple plans to offer a new AI-powered health coaching feature that offers personalized health recommendations.

The information provided by the coaching feature would be accompanied by videos from health experts that inform users about various health conditions and ways to make lifestyle improvements. For example, Gurman said if the Apple Watch tracks poor heart-rate trends, a video could explain the risks of heart disease.

It is possible that the feature could eventually be part of an Apple Health+ service.

Food tracking will be another big part of the revamped Health app, which could compete with the MyFitnessPal app, according to Gurman.

Apple is also aiming for the AI-powered coaching feature to provide users with fitness-related tips, such as how to improve their technique during workouts. This feature could eventually be built into the Apple Fitness+ service.

Apple is expected to release iOS 19 to the general public in September this year, and iOS 19.4 should follow in March or April next year.

Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this codename further hints at iOS 19 having a "glass-like" appearance with translucent interfaces. The new design is expected to look similar to visionOS for the Apple Vision Pro.

Jon Prosser has shared alleged renders of iOS 19's Camera and Messages apps on his YouTube channel Front Page Tech, and both apps have more translucent designs. However, there is some debate over the extent of the design changes.

Gurman previously claimed that iOS 19 could have the biggest design changes since iOS 7 introduced a much flatter appearance in 2013.

Apple's annual developers conference WWDC returns on Monday, June 9 this year. The first iOS 19 beta should be made available to developers for testing immediately following the opening keynote that day, and the software update should be released to the general public in September. Even the WWDC 2025 logo might hint at iOS 19's new design.

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro models with the M5 chip will "launch this year," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new iPad Pro models have progressed to an "advanced testing" stage, and he expects mass production of the devices to begin in the second half of this year. If that timeframe is met, the new iPad Pro models could launch around October, which is when the 2018 and 2022 models debuted.

Apple last released new iPad Pro models in May 2024. It was a big year for the iPad Pro, which received its first-ever OLED display, a thinner and lighter design, the M4 chip, support for the new Apple Pencil Pro, and more. This year, the iPad Pro will likely receive a much smaller update, with no major upgrades rumored beyond the M5 chip.

Similarly, Gurman expects new MacBook Pro models with M5 chips to launch later this year, but no other major changes are expected. Previous rumors have claimed that the MacBook Pro will receive a major redesign next year, with an OLED display and a thinner design, so we recommend waiting until late 2026 to buy a new MacBook Pro if possible.

Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect.

The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design.

It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information.

Relocated Charging Port

While the Magic Mouse switched from Lightning to USB-C last year, the charging port is still located on the bottom of the mouse, which prevents it from being used while charging. This is only a minor inconvenience, as charging the mouse is a quick and infrequent process, but it sounds like Apple will finally relocate the port.

In December, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on a redesigned Magic Mouse with a relocated charging port.

More Ergonomic Design

In addition to having a relocated charging port, the next Magic Mouse will be more ergonomic and comfortable to use, according to Gurman.

While no specific design details about the next Magic Mouse were shared, perhaps Apple will take some inspiration from popular alternatives for the Mac, like Logitech's excellent MX Master 3S. That mouse features an ergonomic design with a thumb rest, a front-facing USB-C charging port, precision tracking, two scroll wheels, and more.

The overall look of the Magic Mouse has not changed much since 2009, so a redesign has been a long time coming. Notable changes over the years include the mouse switching from AA batteries to a built-in rechargeable battery in 2015, new color-matching options with the iMac in 2021, and the switch from Lightning to USB-C last year. Overall, the Magic Mouse has not received much attention from Apple over the past decade.

Release Timing and Pricing

The new Magic Mouse will be released in 2026 at the earliest, according to Gurman.

The current Magic Mouse is priced at $79 in the U.S. on a standalone basis, and it is included at no additional cost with the purchase of an iMac or a Mac Pro.

There is no word yet on how much the Magic Mouse 3 will cost.

Woot today has introduced a pair of solid discounts on the Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C Apple Pencil in New (Open Box) condition, providing new all-time low discounts on each model.

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.

You can get the Apple Pencil Pro for $79.99, down from $129.00, and the USB-C Apple Pencil for $49.99, down from $79.00. Both of these beat Amazon's current discount prices by about $20, and they represent new record low prices on each model.

Both accessories come in New (Open Box) condition, meaning they are expected to be in excellent condition, but are not guaranteed to come in the traditional retail packaging from Apple. They also include at least 120 days remaining of the original Apple warranty.

You can find out which iPad is compatible with each Apple Pencil by visiting Apple's website. The Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro, 11-inch M2/M3 iPad Air, 13-inch M2/M3 iPad Air, and iPad mini 7.

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.

Update: The Apple Pencil Pro is out of stock, but the USB-C model remains available.

Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent.

A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this update. This week also saw updated rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro models coming later this year and the first foldable iPhone likely coming as soon as next year, so read on below for all the details!

Apple Announces WWDC 2025 Event for June 9 to 13

Apple this week announced that its 36th annual Worldwide Developers Conference will begin on Monday, June 9, and run through on Friday, June 13. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2025 will primarily be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost.

WWDC 2025 will kick off with the traditional keynote on June 9, where Apple will unveil iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3.

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

The most immediately obvious design change will be a large rectangular camera bump across the top of the device's rear, and it looks like the rear shell will be a combination of aluminum and glass. Other rumored features include camera improvements, an A19 Pro chip, a larger battery, and more.

Top 5 New Features Coming in iOS 18.4

Apple this week seeded release candidate versions of iOS 18.4 and related updates, signaling that a public release is likely to happen sometime next week.

While some of the Apple Intelligence updates we were expecting for iOS 18.4 have been delayed, there are still a number of improvements coming with the release, including Priority Notifications, expanded device support for visual intelligence, new emoji, and more.

Here's What Apple's iOS 19 Messages App Might Look Like

Leaker Jon Prosser has teased a glimpse of what the Messages app might look like in iOS 19 when it arrives later this year, and he's followed it up with a full video outlining what he says he has seen with some additional design changes for the update.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has warned, however, that at least some of the images "aren't representative" of what's actually coming in iOS 19, with Prosser's information perhaps based on "very old builds" or "vague descriptions."

Rumors suggest that design changes in iOS 19 may include adoption of some of the "glassy" elements found in visionOS and Apple's recent app releases such as Apple Sports and Apple Invites, an idea that has been reinforced by the official WWDC 2025 logo unveiled this week.

AirPods Max to Gain Lossless Audio and Low-Latency Audio in iOS 18.4

iOS 18.4 and a related firmware update will bring some new capabilities to Apple's AirPods Max headphones with USB-C, including support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio. As part of the update, wired connectivity for AirPods Max that was dropped with the launch of the USB-C models will return, and Apple is now selling a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable to help enable that feature.

While the addition of lossless audio may not mean much to many users given Apple's previous claims about compressed AAC audio from Apple Music being "virtually indistinguishable" from lossless audio, some demanding users like musicians and sound mixers will be able to benefit from the upgrades.

Foldable iPhone Expected to Launch Next Year, Costing Around $2,000

Rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone are continuing to mount, and they're lining up behind a launch as soon as late next year with a price tag of around $2,000 if not more.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes that Apple will leverage many of the advancements coming in this year's "iPhone 17 Air," including display, chip, battery, and modem updates that will all help Apple fit everything into a super-slim chassis for the foldable model.

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We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable ‌iPhone‌, but so far we're hearing good things.

1. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable ‌iPhone‌ that it's satisfied with because Apple wants to get away from the pesky crease that impacts most foldable smartphones on the market. Apple is aiming for an entirely creaseless look so you won't be distracted by a visible line going through the middle of the display.
2. It'll open like a book. Based on the myriad rumors we've heard, Apple experimented with multiple designs. There was talk last year that Apple would go with a clamshell design that opens top to bottom, like the Galaxy Z Flip. That's possibly something we'll see in the future, but now it's sounding like Apple's first foldable ‌iPhone‌ will have the book-like design we've seen in foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold. iOS isn't designed for a horizontal orientation, so this is going to require some major software updates. Apple is rumored to be working to redesign iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 to be more consistent cross-platform, and that kind of design would work well when you need an operating system that works seamlessly in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
3. For size, imagine the iPad mini. When it's closed, Apple's foldable ‌iPhone‌ is rumored to have a 5.5-inch outer display, which is smaller than current ‌iPhone‌ models that start at 6.1 inches. When opened, though, it will be 7.8 inches, which isn't too far off from the old 7.9-inch iPad mini. Picture the ‌iPad mini‌ in horizontal orientation, or put two 6.1-inch iPhones side by side to get an idea of how big the display might be.
4. It's going to be thick and thin. Apple is going to use some iPhone 17 Air tech for the foldable ‌iPhone‌, and it could be as thin as 4.8mm when it's opened up. That's even thinner than the 5.1mm 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which is Apple's thinnest device to date. When closed, though, it'll be somewhere around 9mm to 9.5mm, which is chunky.
5. It might have Touch ID. This is a weird one, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple might use a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. If Apple can't slim down that front-facing TrueDepth camera module enough to get the screen to an acceptable thinness, ‌Touch ID‌ could work instead.
6. It's going to cost you. Foldable smartphones are far from cheap, even from Android manufacturers. Apple's version is going to be expensive, with rumors suggesting it will be priced somewhere around $2,000 to $2,500.

These are just the current rumors, and in the years before a device actually launches, information can be all over the place due to Apple's experimentation. The details we're hearing are starting to firm up, but there could be changes before it comes out. And given Apple's track record lately, it might never be released.

Right now, it looks like we could get the first foldable ‌iPhone‌ right around late 2026, so we might be hearing more in the coming months as we get into the 2026 ‌iPhone‌ rumor cycle.