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In the latest 9to5Mac Overtime episode, hosts Jeff Benjamin and Fernando Silva compare the discounted $899 M4 Mac mini against the newer M6 model, and cover the M5 Pro Mac mini alongside Apple's new Mac Studio desktops running M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. They close by previewing Apple's rumored 'Surprise and Shine' iPhone event.
Ahead of Apple's September 9 unveiling, leaks point to significant changes for the iPhone 18 Pro, including a redesigned Main camera with variable aperture and a wider-aperture Telephoto lens for better low-light shots. The device is also expected to house the new A20 Pro chip, built on the same 2-nanometer process as Apple's recently announced M6 chip.
A hands-on video test using an iPhone 16 Pro Max shows that Apple's Cinematic mode still struggles with basic depth-of-field challenges, producing visible focus halos and background objects drifting in and out of focus during a simple interview setup. The tester filmed a subject seated with railings and a distant landmark behind him, revealing recurring artifacts despite the phone's far more powerful hardware than the iPhone 13 that introduced the feature.
Apple has increased the monthly cost of Apple TV in the US by $2 to $15, with the annual plan rising $20 to $119. The Apple One Individual bundle, which includes Apple TV, iCloud Plus, Apple Music and Apple Arcade, also goes up to $22 a month from $20, though Family and Premier tiers stay unchanged. New and existing subscribers are affected immediately, though current customers get about a month's notice before their bill changes.
Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro on September 9, but a report from Macwelt suggests pre-orders will start on Saturday, September 12 rather than the usual Friday. The shift, attributed to a source, would also reportedly move the order window to midnight Pacific time instead of the typical 5 a.m. slot.
Amazon has kicked off its 2026 Labor Day Sale with widespread discounts across Apple products, including $50 off AirPods Pro 3, AirTag 2 units as low as $20, and Apple Watch SE 3 hitting a record $200 price point. Renewed Premium iPhone 17 Pro units are discounted up to $290, and even the newly released M6 Mac mini is seeing early price cuts on its two entry configurations.
Apple unexpectedly updated its Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops this week, timing the release alongside the teaser for its September 9 iPhone event themed 'Surprise and Shine.' The move deviates from Apple's usual September pattern, coinciding with John Ternus taking over as CEO. Separately, Walmart began accepting Apple Pay across US stores, marking another win for Apple this week.
Apple's Shortcuts app can be used to build a CarPlay automation that plays a custom audio clip whenever an iPhone connects to a vehicle's infotainment system. The feature works alongside, not in place of, a car's built-in startup chimes, and relies on a short audio file stored in the Files app.
Despite underwhelming sales, Apple's ultra-thin iPhone Air appears to have served as a testing ground for thinner designs and component choices that could enable a foldable iPhone. Analysts suggest Apple may debut a foldable device, speculatively called the iPhone Ultra, at its September event, with a second-generation Air possibly following in early 2027.
ZDNET is hosting a multi-round 'Big Guessing Game' where readers predict Apple's September 2026 announcements, such as a foldable iPhone or touchscreen MacBook, to win an Apple Watch. The contest's final round closes at 11:59 pm ET on September 1, with winners determined after Apple's event based on correct guesses. Early results show readers split, with 55% doubting a foldable iPhone and 28% expecting a touchscreen MacBook.
The Vergecast team discussed Apple's refreshed Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and new M6/M5 Ultra chips, questioning whether Apple's AI inference claims are more marketing than substance. They also previewed Apple's newly announced event, expecting no iPhone 18 but debating whether the foldable form factor is ready for an iPhone Fold, and examined Meta's settlement imposing new restrictions on teen accounts.
A hands-on video from reviewer Vincent Zhong shows Huawei's new wide-format Pura X View can detect whether it's held in the left or right hand and shift on-screen elements accordingly. The keyboard, call accept/reject buttons, and some music player controls all reposition to match the holding hand, and the power button appears usable to flip e-reader pages.