Apple has expanded its Self Service Repair program to cover the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the M5 Max/M5 Ultra Mac Studio, and the M6/M5 Pro Mac mini. Customers can now buy individual parts—such as displays, batteries, cameras, logic boards, and enclosures—along with the tools needed to install them, or rent the tools instead. The update coincided with Apple's announcement of new and expanded US supplier partnerships for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo components.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority has proposed requiring Apple to let third-party developers access its iPhone NFC and Wallet features, including Face ID and double-click-to-pay, at substantially lower fees. The regulator says Apple's current fees and closed access rules are blocking UK fintechs from launching competing payment wallets, unlike in the EU where Apple opened such access in 2024 under an antitrust settlement.
Apple said nearly 100 components across the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo are produced by American companies in over a dozen states. It named Perryman Company, a Pennsylvania titanium producer, as a new partner supplying titanium for the iPhone Duo's enclosure, backed by up to $100 million over three years, and expanded its work with Delaware-based Qnity Electronics to make film components for the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture camera.
A leak reported by 9to5Google indicates Samsung intends to launch six separate foldable devices next year: the Galaxy Z Slide, Z TriFold2, Z Fold9, Z Fold9 Pro, Z Fold9 Ultra, and Z Flip9. The move follows Apple's launch of the iPhone Duo, which has reportedly seen demand far outstrip supply, and comes after Samsung reportedly moved up the release of its Z Trifold 2.
Apple said it will invest up to $100 million over three years in Perryman Company of Houston, Pennsylvania, to supply titanium for its products, including the newly unveiled $1,999 foldable iPhone Duo. The company also said it is expanding U.S. production of camera components for the iPhone 18 Pro, as part of its broader domestic manufacturing push under the American Manufacturing Program.
Apple has imposed a two-unit purchase limit on the iPhone Duo in the US, UK, Japan, Spain, and other markets, after pre-order shipping estimates pushed into January within minutes of launch. The limit applies regardless of which configuration is selected, according to testing by Engadget on Apple's online stores.
Apple discontinued the iPhone mini line, but a community of users is reportedly still holding onto their devices rather than upgrading to larger current models. Owners describe accepting tradeoffs like degraded battery life, limited storage and overheating in exchange for keeping the smaller form factor.
Apple has imposed a two-unit purchase limit on iPhone Duo orders across its online stores in the US, UK, Japan and Spain, with checkout attempts over that limit triggering a warning message. The restriction's start date is unclear, as some Reddit users report placing larger orders when pre-orders began on October 16. Apple Store shipping estimates now show January 22, while Best Buy lists earlier November and December dates for pick-up or shipping.
WABetaInfo found code in WhatsApp's latest TestFlight build indicating the app is extending its in-app browser beyond business links to all links shared in chats. A new 'In-app browser' toggle under Settings > Chats would let users choose whether links open inside WhatsApp or their default browser, with options to clear cookies and cached data. The feature is not yet live for beta testers and has no announced rollout date.
Taction Technology has filed a motion asking a US court for supplemental damages, ongoing royalties on future iPhone and Apple Watch sales, and prejudgment interest dating back to April 2021, following a jury's $5.7 billion patent infringement verdict against Apple over its Taptic Engine. Taction argues the original award only covered Apple sales through March 2026 and wants royalties extended to newer devices like the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 4, citing arguments Apple itself used in its patent case against Samsung.
9to5Mac published a guide to accessories for the new iPhone 18 Pro, highlighting items like the HyperJuice Next 5K Qi2 solid-state power bank, Nomad's Find My tracking cards, and 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stations from Satechi, Nomad and Anker. The HyperJuice power bank has a 5,000mAh capacity, is airline carry-on compliant, includes a bonus USB-C port, and has passed over 115 independent safety tests. A discount code is offered for 9to5Mac readers to get a reduced price on the power bank.
Apple has scheduled a press event for October 28, using the invitation theme 'Pro and Tell.' The company has not detailed what products will be unveiled.
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