The low-cost iPad 12 may come with the A19 chip used in the iPhone 17; Gemini will be integrated into the Chrome browser on iPhone and iPad; OpenAI announces GPT-5.2; new features are expected in iOS 26.3; the iPhone 18 Pro will feature under-display Face ID and a relocated front camera; the screen sizes of the foldable iPhone have been leaked; Apple is preparing to launch the 20th-anniversary iPhone with a revolutionary design; and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple is testing a MacBook with an A15 chip and preparing to launch a cheaper version with an A18 Pro chip.
Internal reports indicate that Apple tested a MacBook with the A15 chip, but this was purely for internal testing, as the company isn't expected to release a device with this older chip in 2026. However, there are strong indications that Apple is working on a new MacBook with the more powerful A18 Pro chip, better suited to the future of its products. This new model is expected to feature a 13-inch screen and be available in silver, blue, rose gold, and yellow. It's believed that this new MacBook will be lower-cost and will likely use the same chipset found in iPhones, offering an affordable alternative to the current M-chip Macs.
Apple makes it easier to replace the MacBook Pro M5 battery.
Apple has announced a significant improvement to the 14-inch MacBook Pro M5, allowing users to replace only the battery through its Self Repair program without needing to disassemble other internal components. The new process requires removing the bottom cover and disconnecting the battery management cable to access the battery, making the repair relatively simpler. Apple sells the battery separately through its Self Repair Store for approximately $209, with a $22 refund available upon return of the old battery. The company has also provided a detailed guide explaining the safe replacement steps, although the process still involves several disassembly and reassembly steps, which may lead most users to prefer using a professional repair shop. This change addresses previous criticisms regarding the difficulty of battery replacement and reflects Apple's continued support for its Self Repair program, launched in 2022, which provides genuine parts, tools, and repair guides for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices.
Apple is exploring assembling iPhone chips in India for the first time.
Apple is in preliminary talks with CG Semi, a company based in Gujarat, India, to manage the assembly and packaging of iPhone chips there—a first for the company in India. While the discussions are still in their early stages, the focus is likely on display chips. The success of this venture hinges on CG Semi meeting Apple's stringent quality standards. This move is part of Apple's strategy to strengthen its presence in India as a major manufacturing and supply chain hub, especially after assembling $22 billion worth of iPhones in the country in the year ending March 2025, an increase of nearly 60% over the previous year. The company aims to have most iPhones destined for the US market manufactured in India by the end of 2026, in factories operated by companies such as Foxconn, Tata, and Pegatron Electronics.
The Trump administration threatens to retaliate against EU legislation targeting American technology companies.
The Trump administration has threatened retaliatory measures if the European Union continues to impose laws and regulations such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which target major American companies like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Meta. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative posted a message on social media addressed to the European Union, asserting that the United States could impose tariffs and restrictions on European services such as DHL, SAP, Spotify, and Siemens if these policies persist.
These tensions follow a series of hefty fines imposed on American companies, including €500 million on Apple and €2.95 billion on Google. American officials, however, argue that these laws are discriminatory because they apply only to specific companies, giving foreign competitors an unfair advantage. Trump has previously described the European Union as “very unfair” and threatened to impose higher tariffs, asserting that the United States will not tolerate what he considers the stifling of American innovation.
The upcoming iPad Mini may get an OLED screen and an A20 Pro chip.
The latest rumors suggest that the next-generation iPad Mini may come equipped with the powerful A20 Pro chip, instead of the previously expected A19 Pro. This information surfaced after internal Apple components were leaked, indicating that the company may have tested multiple models before settling on the final design. The device is likely to be unveiled in the fall of 2026, featuring a sharper OLED display, a redesigned audio system with vibration technology, and a water-resistant design. The iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to use the same chip, manufactured by TSMC using a 2-nanometer process, significantly enhancing performance and efficiency. This new model will continue the evolution of the iPad Mini series, which last saw an update in October 2024 with the A17 Pro chip and support for Apple's AI features.
ChatGBT gets Apple Music integration and image generation enhancements
OpenAI has added new features to ChatGBT, including support for integration with Apple Music and improved image generation capabilities. This integration will allow the app to create music recommendations and playlists based on listening history and user suggestions, with the ability to open these recommendations directly in the Music app on desktop or iOS devices.
In addition, ChatGBT's image engine is now four times faster and more precise at editing details while preserving lighting, composition, and the overall appearance of people. The new model allows for realistic addition and removal of elements, image merging, and layout changes, and it also improves text insertion within images. While performance in some artistic styles, such as anime, has declined slightly, the use of preset filters helps improve the results, and the previous version remains available. The new image experience is now available to all users on the mobile app and web, giving ChatGBT a stronger competitive edge over tools like Google's Nano Banana image generator.
Apple is preparing to launch the 20th anniversary iPhone with a revolutionary design.
According to new reports, Apple is planning to release a special iPhone to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original device in less than two years. The anticipated device will feature a sleek, curved glass design with no notches or cutouts, and will move Face ID and the front-facing camera under the screen, resulting in a nearly bezel-less display experience. The design is expected to retain a thin metal band around the center edge where the buttons are located, and may also include a curved screen at the edges, although this has not yet been confirmed. If these rumors are true, the 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected to launch in September 2027, could be a game-changer, similar to the iPhone X's tenth-anniversary release, truly embodying the "iPhone of Dreams."
The iPhone 18 will address the camera button issue present in previous versions.
Reports indicate that Apple plans to simplify the camera control button on the iPhone 18, after it frustrated many iPhone 16 and 17 users due to its touch sensitivity and vibrations, which often led to accidental activation. The new button will eliminate the touch and vibration layers, becoming solely pressure-sensitive, thus reducing inconvenience and making it more intuitive to use. This move not only reduces costs but also reflects Apple's responsiveness to customer feedback. The company had already added settings like the "Require Screen On" option in iOS 18.2 to enhance control, and default gestures were disabled during device setup. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch this September, while the standard version is slated for release in spring 2027.
Apple aims to increase the popularity of the iPhone Air 2 with two key steps.
Apple plans to make the iPhone Air 2 more appealing to users through two key improvements: first, the addition of a second rear camera alongside the existing 48-megapixel camera, likely an ultra-wide lens, to expand photography capabilities; and second, a price reduction compared to the first generation, which starts at $999 in the US, despite its limitations such as a single camera, a single speaker, and shorter battery life. Despite its slim and bold design, the iPhone Air did not achieve the expected success compared to the iPhone 17 series, leading suppliers to reduce its production. Apple is expected to unveil the new generation in the spring of 2027.
Leaked screen sizes for the foldable iPhone
New reports reveal that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a 7.7-inch internal display and a 5.3-inch external display, slightly smaller than the 7.8-inch and 5.5-inch sizes suggested by previous leaks. The device is expected to have a camera in the upper left corner of the internal display, similar to the iPhone 18 Pro. These displays are manufactured using a complex combination of glass and proprietary materials from companies like Corning and SCHOTT. Apple is expected to release this device in September 2026, marking a significant step in the evolution of the iPhone series towards future foldable designs.
Miscellaneous news
After Apple discontinued the iPhone SE series and launched the iPhone 16e as a more affordable option, criticism arose regarding the lack of MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging, as the device was limited to Qi charging at a maximum speed of 7.5 watts. According to new reports, the iPhone 17e will add support for fast magnetic charging via MagSafe at speeds of up to 20 or 25 watts, thus addressing this significant limitation. It will also come equipped with a second-generation C1X modem for improved cellular connectivity, compared to the C1 modem in the previous model. The device is expected to launch in the spring of 2026 as an incremental upgrade to the iPhone 16e, with potential design changes such as a move to the Dynamic AMOLED display instead of the notch. The price remains uncertain; it is unclear whether it will stay at $599, as with the current generation.
Internal leaks have revealed that the iPhone 17e will use a C1X modem instead of the C1 used in the iPhone 16e, but it will lack the N1 wireless chip, which could mean no support for Thread technology. As for the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple is still testing between the C1X and C2 modems, with the intention of including the N1 chip in the final versions.
Reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature under-display Face ID and move the front-facing camera to the top left corner, eliminating the need for a Dynamic Aperture. Apple will also add a variable aperture to the 48MP main rear camera, giving users greater control over lighting and depth of field. The device will be powered by TSMC's 2nm A20 Pro chip, with memory integrated directly into the processor for improved performance, battery life, and heat management. It is expected to launch in September 2026.
Apple added a new option called Notification Forwarding in iOS 26.3, allowing users to forward iPhone notifications to third-party devices like smartwatches. However, this feature can only be linked to one device at a time, meaning your Apple Watch won't receive notifications when the feature is enabled with another device. Users can choose which apps receive notifications from them. This feature is currently only available in Europe, in compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which requires Apple to open certain system features to non-Apple devices.
Apple added a new tool in iOS 26.3 for directly transferring data from iPhone to Android phone without the need for additional apps. Photos, messages, notes, apps, and passwords can be easily transferred wirelessly. The feature supports options such as scanning a QR code or using a special code to initiate the process, but it does not transfer health data or protected items like locked notes. This feature is available globally and was introduced in response to European Union requirements, making the transition between the two systems simpler and more seamless.
After installing iOS 26.2, the automatic updates option may be enabled automatically if the user taps the "Continue" button without noticing the additional prompt, directly downloading and installing future updates. This doesn't appear for all users, but it may explain why some updates install without manual intervention. The feature can be disabled via Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, where you can choose to download updates only or disable automatic installation entirely.
OpenAI announced GPT-5.2 just one month after releasing GPT-5.1, the next generation of GPT Chat with enhanced capabilities for faster task completion, such as creating spreadsheets and presentations, writing code, and understanding long texts. The new model reduces errors by 30% compared to its predecessor and outperforms human experts in knowledge tasks across 44 domains, making it the first model to reach expert-level performance. GPT-5.2 is now available to paid GPT Chat users in three modes: Instant for everyday tasks, Thinking for complex tasks, and Pro for challenging questions requiring high-quality answers.
Google has begun rolling out its Gemini feature within the Chrome browser on iPhone and iPad, bringing the same AI capabilities found in the web and desktop versions. When the app is updated and the user is logged in outside of Incognito mode, the Gemini icon appears instead of Google Lens, providing tools such as page summaries, FAQ creation, simplifying complex topics, and offering personalized recommendations. The update also adds fingerprint payment support, new home page tips, and general performance improvements.
Reports indicate that the low-cost iPad 12 may feature the same A19 chip used in the iPhone 17, which is unusual as Apple typically uses older chips in this type of device to reduce costs. While previous leaks suggested the A18 chip, internal documents may reveal a change in the company's plans. The new iPad Air is also expected to receive an M4 chip with support for the more efficient N1 network chip, with a launch date anticipated in early 2026.
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