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News

The latest Apple news, opinion and analysis posts from Cult of Mac writers.

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on News:

This one feature justifies buying an iPhone 17

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iPhone 17 Center Stage selfie camera justifies a purchase
The iPhone 17 Center Stage selfie camera improves your video calling experience significantly.
Image: ChatGPT

If you’re strongly tempted by an iPhone 17, but you haven’t yet found the reason to make the jump, then you must not realize how amazing the Center Stage selfie camera is. It’s my favorite feature of Apple’s newest smartphones because it makes video calls so much easier on me, and smoother for the people I talk to.

Even better: the base model iPhone 17 gets this great feature, not only the Pro variants.

Is the iMac Pro ready for a comeback? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo with an iMac Pro
Apple's high-end all-in-one computer might reappear soon.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Leaked code indicates Apple is working on a new iMac Pro, years after the powerful all-in-one faded from the scene.

Does a new iMac Pro make sense in the Apple silicon era? And what price point would make it appealing? We discuss the possibilities.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The 20th-anniversary iPhone sounds like a real cracker — if Apple can pull off the impossible.
  • Another leak gives us a look at new features coming in iOS 26.4.
  • Hate iOS 26’s Liquid Glass user interface? Griffin walks us through a weird hack that will keep your iPhone on iOS 18 forever.
  • We wrap up the show with our new trivia segment, Apple Genius. Should we make it a regular addition to the podcast?

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

2025 was huge for Apple — here’s why

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Tim Cook standing in front of Apple Park with a big “2025” behind him.
This was a big year.
Photo: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

2025 was a big year for Apple. In this end-of-year roundup, we gathered up the most consequential news, groundbreaking rumors and biggest surprises of the last 12 months. 

There were plenty of leaks — in fact, the entire iPhone 17 lineup was exhaustively shown off in the months leading up to September. We also knew most of the other product releases, from the MacBook Air and iPad Air to MacBook Pro and Vision Pro, would consist of simple spec bumps.

But there were tons of curveballs, too. Tariffs rattled Apple’s international supply chain. The Blood Oxygen app for Apple Watch made a sudden return. And no one was expecting a UI redesign quite like Liquid Glass. 

Here’s our look back at 2025.

The folding iPhone is coming – and you might not be able to get one for months

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The folding iPhone is coming – and you might not be able to get one for months
Apple might struggle to make enough folding iPhone units to meet demand.
Concept image: ChatGPT

Apple’s long-rumored folding iPhone — expected to be one of the most significant new product launches in years — is generating strong buzz, with a respected analyst warning that consumer interest could far outpace Apple’s ability to supply the device when it hits the market.

And a separate report may have revealed the sizes of the two screens coming in the first foldable iOS device. The large internal display is what’s expected to drive demand.

Apple’s OLED iMac: What to expect from the stunning display (and when)

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Apple's OLED iMac: What to expect from the stunning display (and when)
A gorgeous OLED display might come to Apple’s all-in-one iMac.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

An iMac with an OLED display is in development, according to a fresh supply-chain leak. This would bring a significant upgrade to the look of Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer for the consumer market.

The report comes shortly after a new professional-grade iMac was rumored. Clearly, it’s a big week for Apple desktops.

Public beta testers get first look at iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3

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Developers get first look at iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3
Apple forges ahead with beta testing iOS 26.3, macOS 26.3 and more.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple made the first betas of iOS 26.3 and macOS 26.3 available to anyone interested in testing them on Wednesday. This comes two days after developers got access to these betas, and less than a week after the final 26.2 versions went out to users around the world.

The same goes for iPadOS 26.3 beta 1, watchOS 26.3 beta 1, tvOS 26.3 beta 1 and visionOS 26.3 beta 1.

Apple simplifies battery swaps on the M5 MacBook Pro

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M5 MacBook Pro review
Replacing the battery on the M5 MacBook Pro gets a lot easier.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple made it significantly easier to replace the battery on the M5 MacBook Pro. Instead of removing or replacing multiple internal components, users can now swap out the battery directly.

The company updated its Self Service Repair program info and official repair guides to reflect this change.

iPhone 18 Pro might bring stealthy Face ID redesign

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iPhone 12 Face ID closeup
Will Face ID finally go under-display in 2026?
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 2026 flagship iPhones — the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max — might feature under-display Face ID sensors, according to a new port. As part of the change, the company will reportedly relocate the devices’ front cameras to their top-left corner.

The report also sheds light on other changes coming to next year’s iPhones, including a new rear camera sensor.

iMac Pro could make an epic M5 Max-powered comeback

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iMac Pro could make an epic M5 Max-powered comeback
The iMac Pro might be back with a huge processor upgrade for professional users — the M5 Max.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iMac Pro could be poised for a major return — years after Apple discontinued the power all-in-one computer. This time, the professional desktop will be powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 Max chip, according to information found in internal Apple software.

It would be a change in strategy for Apple, but it seems the company is at least exploring the idea of an updated all-in-one desktop for the pro and prosumer markets.

iOS 26.3 beta 1: All the new features and changes

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iOS 26.3 beta
iOS 26.3 beta 1 gives an early glimpse at some upcoming new features.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Just days after pushing iOS 26.2 to the public, Apple seeded the iOS 26.3 beta 1 to developers on Monday. The next major point release of the iPhone operating system does not include radical new features, but it promises to bring some notable changes to the platform.

Below are all the changes we’ve discovered in iOS 26.3 beta 1.

Protect your iPhone: Update to iOS 26.2 now for critical security fixes

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Protect your iPhone: Update to iOS 26.2 now for critical security fixes
Install iOS 26.2 now to protect your iPhone from newly identified threats and security vulnerabilities.
Image: ChatGPT

Experts urge iPhone users to install iOS 26.2 as soon as possible, warning that the update includes important security patches designed to protect devices from newly identified threats.

New iOS versions usually patch security vulnerabilities, but the need is unusually urgent this time because Apple says hackers are already exploiting the security holes patched in iOS 26.2.

Apple’s ‘HomePad’ could be a home run [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo along with concept art of rumored Apple device called
The mythical HomePad might become reality in the very near future. What does that mean for smart homes?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Fresh rumors about the hybrid device that marries an iPad with a HomePod get us thinking about the future of Apple’s home automation. This could be the start of something big.

Also on The CultCast:

  • A worrisome rumor about Apple’s chip chief turns out to be a false alarm. Johny Srouji, the architect of Apple silicon, is not leaving “anytime soon.” But what’s really going on with the wave of Apple execs heading for the exit?
  • Griffin gets excited about potential upgrades coming to Apple’s Studio Display.
  • And finally, Leander wraps up with a review of the Beats Pill speaker, which he finds surprisingly excellent — especially at the rock-bottom price he paid!

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

UK wants Apple and Google to block nude photos unless your age is verified

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UK wants iPhone to block explicit images without age verification
The UK will soon propose OS-level iPhone age verification to block nude images, aiming to protect children from online explicit content.
Image: Google Gemini

The UK government is reportedly pushing ahead with plans to ask Apple and Google to block access to nude images on smartphones unless a user’s age has been verified. Ministers say the proposal is aimed at protecting children from explicit material, but the move is a dramatic shift as it could shift responsibility onto technology companies.

Information leaking out of London indicates the Home Office wants age checks built directly into iOS and Android, as well as direct blocks on taking and viewing nude images.

In this, they will have a surprising ally: porn websites.

20th anniversary iPhone’s display might wrap around all four sides

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20th anniversary iPhone concept
The 2027 iPhone could redefine smartphone design once again.
AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone might stand out due to a “four-sided bending design,” according to a new report. The company reportedly plans to make the phone bezel-less, integrating the camera and Face ID sensors below the display panel.

To help Apple achieve its goal, LG Display is seemingly making heavy investments in the next-generation display technology.

iOS 26.4 features surface in new internal Apple leak

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iOS 26.4 features leak
iOS 26.4 will apparently come with several handy new features.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

A leaked iOS 26 internal build reveals several new features Apple plans to introduce in iOS 26.4. These include credit card autofill support for third-party apps, folders in whiteboarding app Freeform, and a Sports tier in Apple TV.

The company will supposedly also introduce additional security measures with the update.

When to expect iOS 26.2 release in your time zone [It’s out now!]

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When to expect iOS 26.2 release in your time zone
iOS 26.2 is out!
Image: Cult of Mac

The wait for iOS 26.2 is over! Apple’s latest update to the iPhone operating system includes a useful change to AirDrop file sharing, a prominent tweak to Liquid Glass and more. We expected it all week, and it’s finally out.

The update is joined by macOS Tahoe 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2 and visionOS 26.2, all at the same time.

Brad Pitt’s record-breaking F1 movie now streaming free on Apple TV

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F1: The Movie stars Brad Pitt
Drivers, fire up your Apple TV. F1 is finally here.
Photo: Apple Original Films

After earning more than $629 million at the global box office this summer, the racing flick F1: The Movie finally zoomed from theaters to living rooms, reaching the Apple TV streaming service on Friday.

The film blends blazing-fast cars on the racetrack with clashing personalities off the track. Brad Pitt stars as an aging racer trying to prove he still has what it takes to be a Formula One driver, with the action playing out at 230 mph.

Apple’s iOS 26 push draws cheers from some, frustration from others

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Apple’s iOS 26 push draws cheers from some, frustration from others
iPhone users are divided on iOS 26 and Liquid Glass. But general opinion might not be what you think.
Image: ChatGPT

Apple has begun actively encouraging iPhone users to move from iOS 18 to iOS 26, and social media is filling up with people complaining about Liquid Glass, with the occasional compliment for the new look.

Trying to find out what most people really think about the new version, Cult of Mac polled its readers, and their answers might surprise you.

All the ways Apple will improve AirTag 2

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All the ways Apple will improve AirTag 2
The improvments in AirTag 2 should be internal, and not visible from the outside,
Photo: Apple

AirTag 2 will reportedly include features clearly intended to win over new converts to Apple’s tracking tag. A leak on Thursday of details about the second-generation model reveals that the product will be easier to find in several ways, and easier to set up, too.

The new AirTag is now expected to launch in 2026.

Why you’ll want Apple’s ‘HomePad’ smart home hub

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Why you'll want Apple’s ‘HomePad’ smart home hub
The Apple HomePad smart home hub might look something like this concept image.
AI image: Google Gemini

As new details on Apple’s smart home hub leak out, the device is shaping up to be something that’ll attract plenty of customers.  On Thursday, it was revealed that the device will have a front-facing camera with Center Stage, making it ideal for making FaceTime calls.

Previous reports indicate that it’s designed to be the centerpiece of a smart home, not only controlling smart accessories but also displaying shared calendars and answering questions, thanks to the improved version of Siri now in development.

This could be a flagship product in a fresh push by Apple into smart home technology.

iFixit’s new app puts AI technician in your pocket to fix your iPhone

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Photo of the iFixit app on an iPhone.
iFixit's AI-powered app promises to put a master technician in your pocket.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A decade after getting banned from the App Store, iFixit is back with a free DIY repair app that uses AI to diagnose problems and guide users as they fix their Apple devices.

iFixit trained the app’s AI-powered FixBot on 20 years of the company’s highly regarded repair guides. Now the iFixit app, released Tuesday, promises to make fixing broken iPhones and MacBooks a breeze (as long as you don’t have clumsy sausage fingers).

Plus, the iFixit app features a built-in real-time battery monitor that will prompt you when to replace a failing battery (with iFixit parts, of course).

ProMotion and HDR could finally make Studio Display a true pro tool for creators

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Apple Studio Display in use
Apple Studio Display 2 might build considerably on the current model.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac/ChatGPT

Apple Studio Display 2 is shaping up to be a major upgrade over the original. Code found Wednesday in iOS points to the upcoming high-end monitor getting a ProMotion screen, HDR and a much newer processor.

The new leak builds on earlier reports that the next-gen Studio Display will drop its traditional LCD in favor of a mini-LED panel.