Top Stories: New Apple Watch Ultra, AirTag, and iPad Rumors

We're just about a month away from the introduction of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it's far from the only product in Apple's pipeline as this week saw fresh rumors about the next-generation Apple Watch models, AirTag, iPads, and more.

top stories 5aug2023
We also took a glance at some iOS 17 features you might have missed while we look ahead to what we might see with fourth-generation AirPods, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Again Rumored to Be Available in Black Titanium

The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be available with a black titanium case, in addition to the existing natural finish, according to the previously-accurate leaker "ShrimpApplePro."

Apple Watch Ultra Black Feature
The new Apple Watch Ultra is expected to be announced in September alongside the iPhone 15 series and the Apple Watch Series 9, which is rumored to be available in a new pink color option. The new Ultra model is also expected to have a faster S9 chip, but there may be few other changes.

15 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Need to Know About

In a recent video on our YouTube channel, we highlighted 15 hidden or lesser-known iOS 17 features that iPhone users should know about. Be sure to watch the video to hopefully learn something new.

iOS 17 Hidden Features Thumb
iOS 17 is currently available as a public beta for members of Apple's free Beta Software Program, allowing anyone to test it out. The software update is expected to be released in September, and is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer.

New AirTag Likely to Enter Mass Production in Late 2024

Apple suppliers will likely begin mass production of a second-generation AirTag in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

airtag green
The current AirTag launched in April 2021 for $29 and allows users to track the location of lost or misplaced items via the Find My app. Potential new features for the next AirTag include improved Ultra Wideband functionality and longer battery life compared to the current model.

AirPods 4: Everything We Know So Far

Apple introduced the third-generation AirPods nearly two years ago, so customers are beginning to wonder what the company may have in store for the fourth version of the wireless earbuds.

AirPods Fourth Generation Feature Purple Triad
We've put together a guide outlining everything we expect from the fourth-generation AirPods, including seven plausible new features. The new AirPods will likely be released next year at the earliest.

Apple Plans to Reduce iPad Bezel Sizes, Just Like on iPhone 15 Pro Models

Apple is reducing the size of the bezels on its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models by using a special manufacturing process, and the company plans to use the same technology to shrink the bezels on future iPads, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

pink 10th generation ipad
It's unclear exactly when the first iPads with slimmer bezels will launch. New iPad Pro models with OLED displays and the M3 chip are rumored to launch next year.

iPad Mini 7 Could Be Coming Later This Year

The seventh-generation iPad mini appears to be in the works at Apple, according to the previously-accurate leaker "ShrimpApplePro."

iPad mini 6 orange BG
The leaker did not share any new details about the next iPad mini, but the fact they say it is "coming" suggests that a launch later this year is possible. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo does not expect the next iPad mini to enter mass production until the first quarter of 2024.

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!

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
fcc vision pro leak

FCC Accidentally Leaks Apple's Next Vision Pro

Tuesday September 30, 2025 3:48 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly confirmed Apple's work on an updated version of the Vision Pro headset. One of several documents the FCC shared today references an Apple-designed "Head Mounted Device" with a model number of A3416. An included image confirms the device is a Vision Pro. The FCC's uploads are transmission tests, SAR test reports, and...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.0.1 With Fixes for Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Camera Issues on iPhone 17 Models

Monday September 29, 2025 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1, the first updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out earlier this week. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 26.0.1 addresses a bug that could cause aberrations in...
macbook pro prime day 2025

FCC Leaks Upcoming MacBook Pro and More

Tuesday September 30, 2025 1:58 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch. The FCC published documents that reference model numbers that do not correspond with existing devices. A3434, for example, references an unreleased MacBook Pro, while other numbers are likely for...
space black mbp

Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pro Nears Mass Production, But Four Bigger Upgrades Expected Next Year

Sunday September 28, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next MacBook Pro models will enter mass production soon, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said he continues to believe the new MacBook Pro models will be released at some point between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meaning they should be available to order by March at the latest. Apple often...
iOS 26

Apple Continues to Prepare iOS 26.0.1 With Multiple Bug Fixes Expected

Sunday September 28, 2025 1:30 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The account initially said iOS 26.0.1 would have a build number of 23A350, but they now expect the update to have a build number of 23A355. This suggests that the software update will include more bug fixes or changes than initially...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...

Top Rated Comments

shpankey Avatar
28 months ago
Very excited for these reveals. Hoping Apple wow’s us with something unforseen!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
28 months ago

The seventh-generation iPad mini appears to be in the works ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/08/01/ipad-mini-7-could-be-coming-later-this-year/') at Apple, according to the previously-accurate leaker "ShrimpApplePro." The leaker did not share any new details about the next iPad mini, but the fact they say it is "coming" suggests that a launch later this year is possible. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo does not expect the next iPad mini to enter mass production until the first quarter of 2024 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/01/30/new-ipad-mini-launching-next-year/').
This seems to be more along the lines of guessing the arrival of a M3 based iPad mini. IMHO I don't think most of us are so focused about the chip as we are for an improved iPad mini 7 display. That is the one thing most discussed all the time. If Apple comes out with a iPad mini that has a display with no motion issues it will sell like crazy as its 8.3" screen size is ideal for one handed usage. If they can reduce the bezel utilized the display could be 8.5" size easily. Looking forward to see if it is the first to use a OLED screen like the iPhones. Actually expecting this in Sept or October not next year. They need a 'wow" product, not the same old to boost iPad sales don't they?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
28 months ago
Careful there, iPadRumours is going to scoop you on the iPad rumours.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wolf Puppy Avatar
28 months ago

This seems to be more along the lines of guessing the arrival of a M3 based iPad mini. IMHO I don't think most of us are so focused about the chip as we are for an improved iPad mini 7 display. That is the one thing most discussed all the time. If Apple comes out with a iPad mini that has a display with no motion issues it will sell like crazy as its 8.3" screen size is ideal for one handed usage. If they can reduce the bezel utilized the display could be 8.5" size easily. Looking forward to see if it is the first to use a OLED screen like the iPhones. Actually expecting this in Sept or October not next year. They need a 'wow" product, not the same old to boost iPad sales don't they?
I would love a premium iPad mini. 8gigs of RAM in addition to all you listed. Would buy day one.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icymountain Avatar
28 months ago
Reducing iPad bezels would be a good idea only if software (iOS + Apps) were doing a good job at not interpreting fingers holding the screen as a touch command. Which is not the case at all.

My top pick: viewers that interpret a touch at the top border of the screen as "go back to the beginning of the document", so if you hold your iPad wrong, you lose were you are at in the reading. Most fun for long documents or webpages.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PowerButton Avatar
28 months ago
Hard pass on the black titanium case for the Ultra. I’ve already noticed scratches around my Ultra’s bezel; with a darker color those would be even more pronounced as the natural finish would show through.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)