MacRumors

Apple's first foldable iPhone will be eSIM only and feature a Camera Control despite its ultra-thin design, according to a known leaker.

In a series of new posts, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that Apple has made deliberate engineering compromises to ensure that the first foldable iPhone features a Camera Control button, despite it being at least 1.1mm thinner than the iPhone Air when unfolded.

According to the leaker, Apple's rationale is largely ergonomic: With competing foldable phones, Apple believes that making adjustments and taking photos can be "cumbersome" owing to their large size. The Camera Control is said to be the company's preferred solution, enabling users to maintain a steady grip on the device while making any required adjustments, or do so one-handed if they wish.

This ensures that even when the screen is fully unfolded, users can still perform these operations effortlessly using just one hand.

Although the reception for this button on standard flat-screen iPhones has been somewhat polarized, Apple believes that within the unique context of a foldable device's ergonomics, its practical value will be significantly enhanced. Consequently, the Apple team made a firm decision to prioritize this feature—even at the cost of sacrificing precious internal component stacking space—to ensure the "Camera Control" button is included on their very first generation of foldable iPhones.

In addition, Apple's U.S. imaging team apparently recently took a trip to Shenzhen, China, to test the cameras of foldable smartphones from rival brands such as Huawei, with particular attention to telephoto zoom capabilities. The first foldable iPhone is not expected to offer a telephoto camera, with only wide and ultra wide cameras on the rear like the iPhone 17. Most high-end rival foldable smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, feature three rear cameras, including a telephoto.

Instant Digital added that they have seen no signs in the supply chain of tooling or stocking for SIM card tray modules for the foldable iPhone, concluding the device will be eSIM-only across all regions, just like the ‌iPhone Air‌. The leaker also puts first-year production at a conservative 10 million units, with pricing expected to fall between 15,000 and 20,000 RMB (roughly $2,060–$2,750).

The leaker added that the mainland China variants of the iPhone 18 Pro models are set to adopt a "Single SIM + eSIM" configuration, dropping the dual-physical-SIM setup currently used in the region. The Hong Kong version is said to follow the same approach while retaining a physical SIM card slot.

The foldable iPhone is widely expected to launch alongside the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in fall 2026. It is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, Touch ID, the A20 chip, the C2 modem, and more.

Amazon is offering a few all-time low prices on Apple's M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro, with up to $200 off select models. These deals join Amazon's discounts on the M5 MacBook Air from last week, which are seeing $150 in savings on some models.

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.

Starting with the 14-inch models, you can get the 24GB/1TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro for $2,048.00, down from $2,199.00. This deal, along with all of the others we're tracking in this article, represent best-ever prices on the brand new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro.

This time around, some of the best deals are on the larger 16-inch MacBook Pro. You can get $200 off every model right now on Amazon, with the 24GB RAM/1TB M5 Pro model hitting a new all-time low price of $2,499.00, down from $2,699.00.

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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While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.

It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of April 20:

• Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.
• Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.
• LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which should contribute to longer battery life.
• Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
• A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
• C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
• 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
• N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
• Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.
• Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.

Woot today has Apple's first generation AirTag 4-Pack for $56.99, down from $99.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on this model. The AirTag 4-Pack is in new condition and comes with a 90-day Woot 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.

Woot provides an estimated delivery date between April 29 and May 1 for the AirTag 4-Pack, and the sale is set to last for four more days. Deals on the first generation AirTag models have been rare since the launch of the AirTag 2, so this is a great time to snag an older model if you've been waiting for a sale.

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 is preparing to bring support for its digital car key feature to Tata EV vehicles, based on evidence uncovered by MacRumors on Apple's backend.

Tata is an Indian multinational commercial vehicle manufacturer, headquartered in Mumbai. The company produces trucks, vans, and buses, and is now on an internal Apple list of vehicles that offer car key integration, but it is not known which EV models the support pertains to.

Introduced in 2022, Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done by holding an Apple Watch or ‌iPhone‌ near a compatible vehicle's NFC reader.

A tap on the door handle is enough to initiate an unlock, and while Face ID authentication is a security option, Apple offers an Express Mode that eliminates the need to authenticate for a faster unlocking process.

At WWDC 2025, Apple confirmed that 13 vehicle brands would "soon" add support for digital car keys, and Tata was on the list. Vehicles from BMW, Genesis, Kia, Hyundai, Lotus, Mercedes, Volvo, and more offer car keys support, with a list available on MacRumors.com.

Apple is facing a fast-track decision on regulatory penalties in India because it has not submitted data sought by the country's antitrust body as part of an investigation into its market practices.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ⁠published a report in 2024 that Apple exploited its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system. The report was the result of a case that began in 2021​ after a non-profit group opposed Apple's practices.

Apple in 2024 denied any wrongdoing by arguing that it is a minor presence in India. However, nowadays iPhones have an 9% market share in the country compared to just 4% two years ago, according to data from Counterpoint Research, potentially weakening its case.

According to Reuters, the CCI this month said that Apple has not submitted details of its financials ​and its views on the investigation since October 2024. Instead, Apple has cited a separate case pending in the ​Delhi High Court where the company has challenged India's entire antitrust penalty law.

The CCI typically requires financial ⁠information from companies to calculate penalties when they are found to have contravened the law, but Apple has said it fears it could be fined up to $38 billion. Apple last year said that using global turnover would result in a fine that's "manifestly arbitrary, unconstitutional, grossly disproportionate, and unjust."

Apple in March requested that the CCI put its proceedings "in abeyance" while the High Court case plays out, but the CCI has rejected that demand and suggested Apple is trying to stall the antitrust case, which is just one of many that the company is facing around the globe.

The CCI has given Apple two more weeks to file its responses and has for the first time fixed a final hearing date of May 21.

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.

Chinese leaker Ice Universe has shared an image showing four camera plateau protection plates with finishes that appear to match the latest color rumors for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models.

Last week, a Macworld report claimed Apple is working on four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: Light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver.

The four anodized aluminum camera lens protector plates shown here are labeled as black, silver, wine red, and blue. Note that the accessories in the picture are not actual phone bodies but third-party camera covers designed to complement the rumored finishes, and we believe the "black" description refers to dark gray. According to Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, Apple won't be offering its next-generation premium models in a black color option this year.

All four colors are said to be still in development, and Apple still has time to make changes.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be unveiled this September alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone, which will have its own set of color finishes that are likely to be more muted, with silver, white, and indigo rumored so far.

The global memory chip shortage may result in the next MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models launching later than expected, according to the latest rumor.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has repeatedly stated that 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touch screen are slated to launch in late 2026 to early 2027. In his Power On newsletter today, though, he said to be prepared for the laptops to potentially arrive towards the end of that timeframe due to the chip shortage.

In other words, early 2027 is now more likely than late 2026.

Gurman previously expected a new Mac Studio to launch around the middle of 2026, which pointed towards an announcement around WWDC 2026 in June. However, in his newsletter today, he wrote that sources within Apple believe that the next Mac Studio models will not ship until around October this year as a result of the shortage.

Touch-screen support will be part of a major refresh planned for the high-end MacBook Pro models, with other rumored features including M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, an OLED display, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. The laptops might have MacBook Ultra branding, and macOS 27 will offer a touch-friendly interface.

For the Mac Studio, the key change will be M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The current model has mismatched M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips, as Apple never introduced an M4 Ultra chip. No major design changes are expected for the desktop computer.

All in all, expect a Mac Studio refresh around October this year, followed by MacBook Pro models with a touch screen by the end of January 2027.

Apple is planning to add "Undo" and "Redo" options to the iPhone's Home Screen customization menu on iOS 27, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

These two options will make it easier to reverse or redo your Home Screen changes.

"Right now, when you long-press on the home screen, you get a bubble in the top left corner with four options: Add Widget, Customize, Edit Wallpaper and Edit Pages," he explained, in his latest Power On newsletter. "Apple is looking at adding 'undo' and 'redo' buttons in that same menu to make reversing or redoing changes easier."

Other rumored iOS 27 features include a dedicated Siri app and Apple Intelligence advancements. The update has been likened to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is apparently very focused on bug fixes and stability improvements.

iOS 27 beta testing will begin in June, and the update will be released in September.

Apple's WWDC 2026 graphic provides "a glimpse of the revamped Siri interface coming in iOS 27," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said iOS 27 will include a new Siri interface in the Dynamic Island. When you trigger Siri, he said the Dynamic Island will show a "Search or Ask" prompt, and this will apparently be accompanied by a "glowing cursor" that looks similar to how the "26" is highlighted in the WWDC 2026 graphic.

There will also be a "thin glow" around the edges of the Dynamic Island when Siri is invoked, and in the search bar of a dedicated Siri app that will be preinstalled on iOS 27, according to Gurman. He previously reported that the Siri app will allow you to have back-and-forth conversations with Siri and view your conversation history.

While the Dynamic Island is available on the iPhone 14 Pro and newer, at least some aspects of the upcoming Siri design will likely be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer due to Apple Intelligence compatibility reasons.

Apple announced that WWDC 2026 will run from Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12. At the annual developers conference, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and more.

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.99, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, and it's accompanied by a solid deal on the AirPods 4.

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.

This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.

You can also get the AirPods 4 for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a second-best price on the AirPods 4, which is the base model without Active Noise Cancellation. Amazon provides an April 23 estimated delivery date for free shipping, with faster delivery options for Prime members.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

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During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs.

The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available in beta starting in June, and the update will likely be widely released in September.

macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Macs:

• MacBook Neo (2026)
• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• iMac (2020 and later)
• Mac mini (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

Intel-based Macs that can run macOS Tahoe but will not be compatible with macOS 27 include the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), the 27-inch iMac (2020), the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), and the Mac Pro (2019).

macOS 27's exact compatibility with Apple silicon Macs remains to be seen, but presumably the update will support all Macs with an M1 chip or newer.

Apple has released more than 12 new products and accessories this year. The company kicked things off with a second-generation AirTag in January, and it unveiled a wide range of devices in March, including the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, two new Studio Display models, updated iPad Air models with the M4 chip, and much more.

Here is everything that Apple has released in 2026 so far:

• Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
• Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch Band
• Apple Announces iPhone 17e With A19 Chip, MagSafe, and More
• Apple Unveils iPad Air With M4 Chip, Increased RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and More
• Apple Announces MacBook Air With M5 Chip and 512GB Base Storage
• Apple Unveils MacBook Pro Featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max Chips
• Apple Updates Studio Display With Thunderbolt 5 and More
• Apple Introduces All-New Studio Display XDR: 120Hz, Mini-LED, and More
• Apple Announces $599 'MacBook Neo' With A18 Pro Chip
• Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 With H2 Chip and More
• Apple's Special-Edition Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 Now Available
• Apple Releases iPhone Cases, Apple Watch Bands, and Crossbody Strap in New Colors

The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode.

With an updated internal design, the new AirTag features a 50% louder speaker compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple.

Apple said the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch features the colors of the Pan-African flag in honor of Black History Month.

iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gains Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, Apple's second-generation C1X modem for faster 5G, and a doubled 256GB of base storage. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at $599, just like the iPhone 16e did.

The new iPad Air's key upgrades include Apple's M4 chip, an increased 12GB of RAM, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and the C1X modem in cellular models.

The MacBook Air received a faster M5 chip, and a doubled 512GB of base storage, but the starting price increased from $999 to $1,099 as a result of a 256GB configuration being dropped. With the N1 chip, the MacBook Air now has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and it now comes with Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.

The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models finally received M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, plus up to twice as fast SSD speeds and a doubled 1TB of base storage. Battery life has increased slightly across all of the models, and the N1 chip extends to the MacBook Pro line now for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.

The regular Studio Display gained Thunderbolt 5 support and improved speakers, and the camera now supports Desk View. There is also an all-new, higher-end Studio Display XDR that gained all of those benefits, plus bigger improvements such as a 120Hz refresh rate, mini-LED backlighting, increased brightness, and more.

The colorful MacBook Neo starts at just $599 in the United States, and at an even lower $499 for college students. Available in Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone, and it is equipped with a 13-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and a non-configurable 8GB of RAM.

AirPods Max 2 have a handful of upgrades over the previous AirPods Max, including Apple's H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. Plus, the Digital Crown has a new Camera Remote function.

The special-edition Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 are the same as the regular Powerbeats Pro 2, except they have a two-tone design consisting of black and Nike's signature Volt neon green-yellow color. The earbuds have both Nike and Beats logos.

What's Next?

Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple's all-new smart home hub is finally expected to launch later this year, once the more personalized version of Siri arrives. We are also expecting a foldable iPhone, a MacBook Pro with an OLED display, and long-awaited updates to the Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini this year.

Related Reading: Apple to Launch These 15+ New Products Later This Year

It was another busy week of Apple news and rumors, with upcoming Apple product categories like the foldable iPhone and smart glasses featuring prominently in the news.

This week also saw continued tightening of supplies of the Mac mini and Mac Studio, while Amazon announced it will be acquiring Apple's satellite partner that supports a variety of Apple services for users off the terrestrial grid, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories

'iPhone Ultra' Will Solve Two Key Problems

Apple reportedly plans to unveil a foldable iPhone in September, with one leaker on Chinese social media claiming the device will be called the "iPhone Ultra."

Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the device will have improved screen quality and overall durability compared to competing foldables. "Apple engineers believe they've solved problems with screen quality and overall durability, two long-running flaws with phones in this category," he said.

Rumors on launch timing have been all over the place, with some claiming the foldable iPhone will be available in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models while others suggest there could be a delay in availability that might extend even into early 2027. The latest rumor suggests, however, that while production is behind schedule, Apple is still aiming for a fall 2026 launch.

For more on the iPhone Ultra, check out last week's episode of The MacRumors Show.

Apple Stops Accepting Orders for Some Mac Mini and Mac Studio Models

Amid severe global RAM chip shortages and rumors of updated models, some Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations are now completely out of stock on Apple's online store in the U.S.

Mac mini configurations with an upgraded 32GB or 64GB of RAM and Mac Studio configurations with an upgraded 128GB or 256GB of RAM are listed as "currently unavailable" on the storefront, meaning they can no longer be ordered at all.

Other configurations that remain available continue to face lengthy shipping delays, with estimated delivery time frames ranging from one to three months. Last month, Apple entirely removed the Mac Studio's 512GB of RAM option, but supplies are clearly now tightening even further.

Apple Testing Four Smart Glasses Styles Made of High-End Materials

Apple is developing at least four different styles of smart glasses, and the company is betting that their superior design will set them apart from rival products, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that Apple's latest designs are made from a high-end acetate material, which is "more durable and luxurious" than the standard plastic used by most existing brands. In Gurman's words, the designs in testing include:

• A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook
• Larger oval or circular frames
• A smaller, more refined oval or circular option

Apple and Amazon Ink Satellite Deal Amid Amazon's Takeover of Globalstar

Amazon has announced that it will acquire Globalstar, which currently serves as Apple's exclusive satellite connectivity partner, but it appears Apple satellite services will be preserved and will perhaps expand under the deal.

Alongside the acquisition, Amazon and Apple have signed a separate agreement for Amazon's Leo satellite network to power existing iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features, including Emergency SOS, Messages via satellite, Find My, and Roadside Assistance via satellite.

Amazon said it will continue supporting iPhone and Apple Watch models that use Globalstar's existing and upcoming low Earth orbit constellation. Amazon also said it will work with Apple on future satellite services running on the expanded Leo network.

Check Who's Using Your iPhone Hotspot Data

If you regularly share your iPhone's data connection with your laptop or iPad, or let family members piggyback on your device's data, you'll be glad to learn that Apple recently made it a lot easier to keep tabs on who's burning through your monthly allowance.

In a welcome change with the release of iOS 26.4, Apple has moved Personal Hotspot data usage info out of its previous hiding spot and put it in a much more convenient location right in the Personal Hotspot menu.

Apple Highlights Photos Shot on iPhone During NASA's Mission to Moon

Astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft used the iPhone 17 Pro Max to take selfies of themselves with the Earth in the background during the Artemis II mission around the far side of the Moon earlier this month.

Now that the crew members have safely returned to Earth, Apple's CEO Tim Cook and marketing chief Greg Joswiak have both turned to social media to congratulate them on their successful mission and highlight the iPhone's involvement.

"You captured the wonders of space and our planet beautifully, taking iPhone photography to new heights, and we're grateful you shared it with the world," wrote Cook. "Your work continues to inspire us all to think different. Welcome home!"

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!

Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.

In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

CarPlay Ultra features deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in apps for radio and climate controls, rear-view camera feed support, and more. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides information like the current speed, fuel level, tire pressure, engine temperature, and more.

The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he was told that CarPlay Ultra would come to at least one major new Hyundai or Kia vehicle model "in the second half of this year," so hopefully an expansion is just a few months away.

Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Studio that's expected at some point in 2026, and with supplies of existing machines running low, we thought we'd highlight what's next for Apple's most powerful desktop machine.

Design

We're not expecting Apple to redesign the ‌Mac Studio‌, and there haven't been rumors of a design update. The ‌Mac Studio‌ will continue to have an Apple TV or Mac mini-like squircle design with rounded corners.

The ‌Mac Studio‌ is a much more compact desktop than the now-discontinued Mac Pro, measuring in at 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide. The current ‌Mac Studio‌ supports Thunderbolt 5, and the next version will too. There haven't been rumors of any changes to the port configuration.

M5 Max and M5 Ultra Chips

We're expecting the ‌Mac Studio‌ to adopt M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Apple already debuted the M5 Max with the MacBook Pro models that came out in March, but the M5 Ultra is still a mystery.

The M5 Max has up to an 18-core CPU and 40-core GPU, with up to 614GB/s memory bandwidth. Apple says the M5 Max offers up to 30 percent faster CPU performance for pro workloads than the M4 Max. The M5 Ultra will bring even better performance, and historically, Apple's Ultra chips have been two Max chips linked together.

The M5 Ultra could have up to a 36-core CPU and up to an 80-core GPU.

The current ‌Mac Studio‌ has a mix of M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips because Apple didn't design an M4 Ultra chip, but the M5 cycle is expected to unify the ‌Mac Studio‌ chip options to a single generation.

Faster SSD

The M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models were updated with a faster SSD, so the ‌Mac Studio‌ could get the same SSD improvements. Apple says the updated SSD in the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models is up to 2x faster than the SSD in the M4 MacBook Pro models.

RAM

Because of global RAM shortages, Apple discontinued the 512GB Mac Studio earlier this year. The current machine maxes out at 256GB RAM, and that's a limitation we could see with the next ‌Mac Studio‌ too.

The M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ supports up to 128GB RAM, so that will be the ceiling for the M5 Max ‌Mac Studio‌. The M5 Ultra model could support up to 256GB.

RAM shortages are expected to continue throughout the year, because companies that manufacture memory are prioritizing orders from companies building AI servers that require huge amounts of RAM. There is little supply left for consumer products, which has caused prices to increase. Many PC and smartphone makers have raised their prices on existing machines, but Apple hasn't changed ‌Mac Studio‌ pricing.

Mac Studio Shortages

Apple stopped accepting orders for some ‌Mac Studio‌ configurations in early April, and they are out of stock. ‌Mac Studio‌ configurations with 128GB or 256GB of RAM can no longer be ordered, but that's not necessarily a sign that a new machine is launching imminently.

Apple has been dealing with soaring DRAM and NAND flash prices, and the fact that only models with higher RAM are unavailable suggests it's a supply issue and not an indication of a refresh.

Pricing

There haven't been rumors of pricing increases for the ‌Mac Studio‌, so it could continue to start at $1,999, but Apple has raised the prices of other Macs this year.

Starting prices for the M5 MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models increased, though Apple did soften the blow with higher starting storage. It's possible the ‌Mac Studio‌ price will go up, and the entry-level machine will start with a 1TB SSD instead of a 512GB SSD.

No More Mac Pro

Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in late March, so the ‌Mac Studio‌ is now Apple's only pro desktop option. There was a lot of overlap between the Mac Pro and the ‌Mac Studio‌, with the Mac Pro only offering PCIe expansion slots as a differentiating feature.

The ‌Mac Studio‌, Mac mini, and iMac are Apple's desktop Mac options.

Release Timing

It's not clear when we might see a refreshed ‌Mac Studio‌ because of the shortages that Apple is facing. It's possible Apple is holding RAM supply for new models and that's why some current versions are out of stock, but it's also possible things are so dire that Apple will need to hold the ‌Mac Studio‌ launch.

The next logical time for a new ‌Mac Studio‌ to be introduced is WWDC. Apple has introduced new Macs at WWDC in the past, but there isn't always new hardware. The WWDC keynote is being held on June 8, and if a new ‌Mac Studio‌ is coming around the first half of 2026, that's likely when it will be announced.

If an updated ‌Mac Studio‌ doesn't come at WWDC, we're looking at a refresh later in the year. Macs aren't often updated in September, so October or November are stronger possibilities.

India will not require smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices with a state-owned biometric identification app, reports Reuters.

The Unique Identification Authority of India asked the IT ministry to start talks with Apple and other tech companies about the possibility of mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar identity app, but the IT ministry told Reuters today that it reviewed the proposal and is "not in favor" of mandating the app's preinstallation.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identity number that residents of India can apply for, and it has been issued to more than 1.34 billion residents. The number is linked to an individual's image, fingerprints, and iris scans, and it serves as proof of residence. It is used for government benefits, banking, taxes, mobile connections, and more.

The Identification Authority said that the IT ministry consulted with "stakeholders from the electronics industry" before deciding not to proceed with the proposal to preload Aadhaar. India's government has asked smartphone makers to preinstall state-owned apps on devices six times over the last two years, according to Reuters. Smartphone makers like Apple have thwarted all requests.

Late last year, India's Department of Communications gave smartphone companies 90 days to start preinstalling the Sanchar Saathi government app on all new devices sold in the country. Sanchar Saathi is a government app that lets users block stolen devices, report fraudulent calls, and verify second-hand phones. Apple told government officials that it would not comply with the requirement because of privacy and security concerns, and the government dropped the issue.

Apple told India the same thing about the Aadhaar app, informing the IT ministry that it had safety and security concerns about preloading apps.

Anthropic today launched Claude Design, a new AI product for creating designs, prototypes, slides, and more. Claude Design uses Opus 4.7, a new AI model that was introduced earlier this week.

Opus 4.7 is Anthropic's most capable vision model, and it can see images in greater resolution. Anthropic says that it is "more tasteful and creative" when doing professional tasks. It is able to create higher-quality interfaces, slides, and docs, making it ideal for Claude Design. Claude Design was developed to allow founders, product managers, and marketers without a design background to create visuals for sharing an idea.

Claude Design is able to mock up an initial design after being provided with a prompt, and from there, designers can make revisions through conversation, comments, direct edits, and custom sliders made by Claude. Anthropic says that teams have been using Claude Design for realistic prototypes, wireframes and mockups, design explorations, pitch decks, presentations, social media assets, and more.

Working with Claude Design starts with brand assets, which Claude can get from the user's design files and codebase. Projects will use brand colors, typography, and other components, plus users can use a web capture tool to pull elements directly from their brand's website. Claude Design is not an image generator like Gemini's Nano Banana or ChatGPT, but it is similar to AI assistants that Adobe and Canva have rolled out.

There are included collaboration tools so multiple members of an organization can access and edit a design, and content created by Claude can be exported anywhere with support for Canva, PDF, PPTX, and standalone HTML files. Designs that are ready to build can be handed off to Claude Code, and Anthropic plans to make it easier to build integrations with Claude Design in the coming weeks.

Claude Design is available as a research preview for Claude Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise subscribers. It is rolling out to users gradually throughout the day.