Apple quietly confirmed in a footnote to its iPhone 18 Pro announcement that existing iPhone 14, 15, and 16 users will keep free access to its satellite connectivity features for an extra year beyond the standard two-year trial. The extension applies automatically to anyone who activated their device before midnight PT on September 9 in a supported country, marking the third time Apple has prolonged this free trial.
A photography guide explains that Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro has a slightly wider variable aperture (f/1.48 vs f/1.78) than its predecessor, theoretically producing shallower depth of field. However, it outlines four techniques—Portrait mode, Macro mode, shooting close to a subject, and using the telephoto lens—that let owners of older iPhones create similar background-blur effects without upgrading.
Apple used its latest launch event, led by new CEO John Ternus, to unveil the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, alongside updated iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture camera and new Apple Watches featuring an expanded sensor array. The Watches also gain an always-on microphone capable of summarizing conversations, a feature The Verge's team discussed at length on this week's Vergecast alongside a segment on running local AI models on Mac.
Apple has started taking preorders for its new AirPods 5 earbuds ahead of a September 18th launch, the same day as the Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The lineup includes a $129 standard model that now includes active noise cancellation, a feature previously reserved for pricier variants, and a $149 upgraded version with wireless charging, longer battery life, and stem-based touch controls for volume.
In a special episode of Happy Hour, Benjamin Mayo and Chance Miller share hands-on impressions of Apple's newly unveiled iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5, including reporting from Apple Park. The episode also examines how John Ternus handled his first product event as Apple's CEO.
Apple confirmed in a footnote to its iPhone 18 Pro press release that it is once again extending free access to its satellite features, this time covering iPhone 14, 15, and 16 users for an additional year. The offer applies to devices activated in supported countries before midnight PT on September 9, and includes Emergency SOS, Find My, Roadside Assistance, and Messages via satellite.
A comparison of the flagship-sized iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra shows both share a 6.9-inch screen but differ in build: Apple mixes aluminum and glass while Samsung uses an all-glass back. Samsung's phone is lighter and thinner, has a marginally higher-resolution AMOLED display, and retains the S Pen stylus, while Apple's OLED screen edges ahead on peak brightness at 3,000 nits versus 2,600 nits.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro Max debuted at $1,299, a $100 jump from last year's model, putting its 256GB version near the price of Samsung's $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra. The two flagships now compete closely on battery life and cameras, despite differing designs: the 18 Pro Max uses an aluminum unibody with a 6.8-inch OLED screen, while the lighter S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a unique Privacy Display mode.
Apple released a condensed 95-second highlight video summarizing its 'Surprise and Shine' event, which ran nearly 80 minutes and introduced the foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation. Alongside the short recap, Apple posted individual segment videos for each product announcement on its YouTube channel.
Apple has opened trade-in credit for iPhone Air and iPhone 17 ahead of new successor models, offering up to $585 for either device despite the iPhone Air costing $200 more at retail after this week's price hikes. The iPhone 17 now starts at $899 and the iPhone Air at $1099, yet both receive identical trade-in valuations.
Apple's iPhone 18 generation launches without a standard model, offering instead the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new folding iPhone Duo. The Pro models are up for preorder September 12 and ship September 18, while the Duo opens preorders October 16 ahead of an October 23 release. Rumors point to a cheaper standard iPhone, an 18e, and a second-generation Air arriving as early as spring 2027.
A Geekbench 6 benchmark result attributed to Apple's unreleased A20 Pro chip has surfaced online, showing single-core and multi-core scores roughly 25% higher than the current A19 Pro. The chip, built on a 2nm process, is expected to power the upcoming iPhone Duo foldable and iPhone 18 Pro models, with clock speeds nearing 5 GHz.
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