ChatGPT is linked to the iPhone Health app; Apple may return to working with Intel to manufacture some M-series chips; Apple adds the first-generation iPhone SE to its list of legacy devices; Apple's head of AI retires after delaying Siri development; Samsung launches its Z TriFold foldable phone with three screens; iPhone 17 sales break Apple's records; and other exciting news on the sidelines…
The iPhone 17e will come with thinner bezels and the same OLED screen.
Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17e next year. It will retain the same OLED display used in the iPhone 14 and 16e, but will feature thinner bezels for a more elegant look without a significant price increase. According to reports from supply chain sources, BOE will manufacture most of the displays, while Samsung and LG will contribute the remainder. The device will retain its 6.1-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate and will not include the Dynamic Aperture Display (DAP) found in the Pro models. Adding this feature would require significant changes to the cameras and sensors, which would contradict Apple's goal of keeping this version lower-cost compared to the more expensive iPhone 17 models.
Apple faces a lawsuit in the Netherlands over App Store fees.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Apple cannot evade a class-action lawsuit concerning its App Store fees in the Netherlands, potentially costing the company up to €637 million in compensation for 14 million iPhone and iPad users there. The case began in 2022 when consumer protection groups accused Apple of abusing its dominant market position by charging developers a 30% commission, thus inflating app and in-app purchase prices. Apple attempted to challenge the jurisdiction of the Dutch courts, arguing that the App Store is managed from Ireland, but the European Court ruled that the store is targeted at the Dutch market and therefore subject to Dutch regulations. The Amsterdam court is expected to hear the case in the first quarter of 2026, while Apple continues its defense. The company is also embroiled in a separate dispute with the Dutch competition authority over dating apps, which has already resulted in fines of €50 million.
Apple is pushing iOS 18 users to upgrade to iOS 26.
Apple has begun highlighting the option to upgrade to iOS 26 more prominently within device settings, now displaying it as a recommended update rather than a secondary option below the updates screen. While the company isn't forcing users to upgrade, it aims to increase adoption of the new system, which was released in September, especially given the significant changes to the "Liquid Glass" interface. iOS 18 users can still receive temporary security updates, but these are expected to cease soon, making iOS 26 the only option for supported devices. It's worth noting that the upgrade is irreversible; Apple doesn't offer a way to revert to the previous version after installing the new system.
iPhone 17 sales shatter Apple's records
Recent reports from IDC indicate that strong demand for the iPhone 17 series is driving Apple toward record shipments exceeding 247 million units in 2025, a 6.1% increase over last year. This success is largely attributed to the Chinese market, where Apple accounted for over 20% of sales in October and November, turning a projected decline into positive growth of 3%. This strong performance was also replicated in the United States and Western Europe, pushing Apple's projected sales to over $261 billion, a 7.2% increase.
CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company is on track to achieve its highest quarterly revenue in history. While the iPhone Air didn't meet expectations, the strong demand for the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro has solidified Apple's global position. However, changes to the release schedule and a global memory shortage in 2026 are expected to impact shipments, potentially leading to a slight market downturn.
Samsung launches its Z TriFold foldable phone with three screens
Samsung has launched its innovative new phone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, its first phone with three total screens and a foldable design that folds twice instead of once, making it a truly unique device. This phone features a massive 10-inch screen when fully unfolded, in addition to a smaller 6.5-inch external screen that can be used when the phone is closed. These screens are designed with technology that minimizes the appearance of creases in the folded area.
The phone features a robust internal folding mechanism to protect the main screen, along with titanium Armor FlexHinge hinges designed to provide a smooth and stable fold despite the varying weight of each screen section. It also boasts a large 5600mAh three-cell battery and an advanced triple rear camera system, including a 200MP main camera.
The new phone design enables users to open three different apps simultaneously side-by-side, or easily resize apps in multi-window mode, making multitasking incredibly easy.
The phone also supports Samsung DeX independently, allowing up to four workspaces and five apps to run simultaneously. Samsung apps and Google's Gemini Live service have been specifically developed to take full advantage of the large screen. The Z TriFold will launch in Korea on December 12th, and will later reach other markets such as China, the UAE, Taiwan, and Singapore. It is expected to arrive in the US in the first quarter of 2026. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Apple's head of artificial intelligence retires after Siri development is delayed
Apple announced that its head of artificial intelligence, John Giannandrea, will retire in the spring of 2026 after years of leading the company's AI efforts. He will continue to serve as a consultant until then. Former Microsoft and Google researcher Amar Subramania will succeed him as vice president of AI, leading the core modeling, machine learning research, and AI security teams under Craig Federighi. Some teams will transition to Sabih Khan, the new chief operating officer, and Eddy Cue, who is in charge of Apple Services. This change comes after the delayed launch of a more intelligent version of Siri in iOS 18, which was postponed until spring 2026, leading to the departure of several members of the AI team. Apple affirmed its commitment to continuing innovation and developing a personalized and reliable user experience, while reports indicate a potential collaboration with Google to deliver a more advanced version of Siri next year.
Apple adds the first-generation iPhone SE to its list of older devices.
Apple has reclassified the first-generation iPhone SE as a legacy device, officially ending support and repairs more than seven years after it ceased sales. Released in 2016, the phone featured a design based on the iPhone 5s, with key specifications including a 4-inch screen and a fingerprint sensor, but it used the A9 processor from the iPhone 6s. Following the release of newer generations and the eventual discontinuation of the SE series in 2025 in favor of the iPhone 16e, this model is no longer eligible for any Apple services or authorized service centers.
Apple may return to collaborating with Intel to manufacture some M-series chips.
Although all Macs now run on Apple's own in-house designed chips, new reports suggest a possible return to limited collaboration with Intel. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Intel may begin manufacturing lower-cost M-series chips like the M6 or M7 by mid-2027, using its advanced 18A sub-2nm manufacturing process, a first for North America. The chips will still be Apple-designed and based on the Arm architecture, with Intel's role limited to manufacturing, while TSMC continues to produce the majority of the chips. This move could help Apple diversify its supply chain and meet the US administration's desire for "Made in the USA" products. Apple ended its reliance on Intel processors in Macs in 2020 and confirmed that macOS Tahoe would be the last major operating system to support older x86-based Macs.
Miscellaneous news
Sam Altman has declared a “red alert” within OpenAI, confirming that the focus is now on improving ChatGPT to stay ahead of competitors like Google and Anthropic by enhancing user personalization and improving image creation speed and performance. As a result, plans to introduce ads and features like the Pulse assistant and AI-powered shopping have been postponed, as introducing ads could drive users to other platforms. The company financially depends on user retention, and therefore is preparing to unveil a new thinking model next week that it says internally surpasses the Gemini 3 model.
Germany is evaluating Apple's proposed changes to its app tracking transparency feature. The company intends to revise and format the consent window text to be more neutral between its own apps and those of third-party developers, while maintaining users' core privacy. Apple is also working to simplify the process of requesting user permissions, following complaints that current restrictions make it difficult for developers to access advertising data. This prompted Germany to seek feedback from publishers and media outlets to determine if the changes are sufficient. Despite advertiser objections since 2021, Apple maintains that it is trying to persuade Germany and other European countries to allow the continuation of this feature, which gives iPhone and iPad users the ability to opt out of being tracked across apps and websites.
Apple has released a new software update for the MagSafe battery for the iPhone Air. This is the second update since the battery's initial release in September, and it's expected to improve performance and efficiency, although Apple hasn't disclosed specific details of the changes. The update is automatic when the battery is connected to the phone, and it can also be forced by connecting it to a Mac. Users can check for the version by going to Settings > General > About > iPhone Air MagSafe Battery. This exclusive battery for the iPhone Air adds up to 65% more charge and is remarkably lightweight and slim because it uses the same battery as the iPhone Air itself.
OpenAI is working on adding a feature that connects ChatGPT to the iPhone's Health app, potentially allowing for more accurate health answers based on activity, sleep, diet, and other data. A Health app icon was found within the app's code, but it's unclear when or if the feature will actually be released. If implemented, it will appear in ChatGPT's settings under the Connected Apps section, similar to services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
◉ Evidence in the Android version of ChatGPT suggests that OpenAI may soon begin displaying ads, particularly to users of the free plan. These ads may be related to search or shopping only. This coincides with talk of a possible restructuring of paid plans and a price increase, as the company is considering adding an ad-supported subscription tier, as indicated in its financial projections. Although Sam Altman previously described ads as a “last resort,” his recent statements suggest a greater openness to the idea of offering meaningful advertising within the service.
India requires companies like Apple and Samsung to pre-install a government cybersecurity app on every new phone, notifying users of it during setup and preventing them from disabling it. The app aims to curb fraud and cybercrime by verifying IMEI numbers, reporting fraud, and tracking lost phones, but its broad scope raises privacy concerns. Apple is expected to try to negotiate an alternative solution, such as offering the app to users instead of pre-installing it, especially as it seeks to expand its presence in the Indian market.
Perplexity has added a new AI-powered shopping feature that provides personalized suggestions based on user preferences and search history, displaying results in product cards with specifications and reviews instead of traditional listings. Users can pay directly via PayPal with select participating stores. The feature is currently available for free to Perplexity users in the US via the web and will be coming to iPhones soon. This move follows ChatGBT's introduction of a similar shopping search feature. PayPal is also offering up to 50% cashback—up to a maximum of $50—on your first purchase through Perplexity.
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