iPhone 18 Pro & Duo Launch
04:41
· MacRumors (Front)
6 evidence
iPhone 18 Pro Max Battery >20 Wh: First Boot Auto-Unlocks Firmware Lock, Rated Capacity 21.75 Wh (US eSIM)/ 21.06 Wh (EU SIM); Reshipment Requires Manual 'Prepare to Ship'
The iPhone 18 Pro Max retains the 163.4×78×8.75 mm dimensions of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with the weight increasing by 16 g to 249 g (previous generation was 233 g), while the iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 g (previous generation 206 g), making it the heaviest non-foldable iPhone. The vapor chamber cooling area is tripled, and A20 Pro sustained performance improves by 40% over A19 Pro; video playback battery life increases by 6 hours. For wired fast charging, it is recommended to use a dynamic 40 W power adapter (60 W peak) with a USB-C cable, increasing charging speed by approximately 33% compared to the previous Pro models. Due to international shipping restrictions on battery capacity exceeding 20 Wh, Apple's support page confirms that the device's battery is limited to below 20 Wh by a firmware lock at the factory. This lock is automatically released upon the user's first boot without manual intervention, restoring the battery to its rated capacity—approximately 21.75 Wh for the US eSIM-only model, and approximately 21.06 Wh for the European physical SIM model. If the user needs to ship the device later for repair or trading, they must manually execute 'Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Prepare to Ship' to discharge the battery, during which the body may heat up.
Battery Capacity 21.75 Wh (US) / 21.06 Wh (EU)Weight 249 gPerformance Gain 40% over A19 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro & Duo Launch
03:45
· MacRumors (Front)
10 evidence
iPhone 18 Pro Series Imaging Upgrade: Variable Aperture Main Camera (f/1.48–f/4), Computational Pipeline Rebuild, Reference Image (Sensor-Side Signature + Secure Digital Negative Architecture) and Manual Shooting Controls; iFixit Teardown Confirms Magnetically Driven Six-Blade Mechanical Aperture
The imaging system of the iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max undergoes a comprehensive upgrade: the main camera (bottom) is equipped with a variable mechanical aperture, supporting four levels of automatic/manual adjustment at f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4 (the previous iPhone 17 Pro had a fixed f/1.78); it adds new professional manual controls (shutter speed, manual white balance, manual focus). iFixit's teardown (as reported by The Verge / 9to5Mac) confirms that this mechanical aperture is a magnetically driven six-blade structure, with each blade approximately the thickness of a human hair, operating within the same main camera footprint as the iPhone 17 Pro series, while noting potential issues related to display repair that require attention. The 48MP Fusion Main computational imaging pipeline is redesigned (clearer, with richer details); a new Apple Reference Image feature is introduced: the main camera sensor signs pixel-level sensor data at the moment of capture. In Reference mode, the signed data is uploaded to Private Cloud Compute to generate a tamper-proof reference image ('digital negative'), which is displayed side-by-side in Photos for comparison to detect modifications. Additionally, iOS/iPadOS/macOS 27 APIs are opened to allow third-party apps to display reference images. Apple Security Research blog further clarifies its security architecture: after the sensor starts in a dedicated reference mode, the firmware is architecturally prohibited from modifying signed data. Apple points out that other authentication systems sign images at the end of the software pipeline, posing a tampering risk, whereas Reference Image signs instantly at the sensor level, forming a 'secure digital negative' that fundamentally avoids this vulnerability. Photographic Styles adds texture and grain control; iPhone 17 Pro gains style support via software update. Apple positions this feature as part of its image authenticity strategy, alongside existing image metadata and SynthID support to be released later this year via software update.
Aperture f/1.48–f/4Mechanism Magnetic six-blade
Mac & Watch Updates
02:53
· The Verge
22 evidence
Apple Watch Series 12 / Ultra 4 Pricing, S11 Chip, 4 GB Memory, New Bands, Display/Case Sizes, Ceramic Model Specs, GNSS Specs, Health Sensing System, Repair/AppleCare+ Costs and 10 W Magnetic Fast Charging Accessory (A3277) $29
Apple Watch Series 12 will go on sale on September 18 with pre-orders opening simultaneously. The aluminum models start at $399 (Space Gray/Black/Light Gold/Deep Bronze), titanium models start at $699 (Natural/Flashing Gold), and ceramic models start at $899 (Pearl White/Midnight Blue). The Ultra 4 titanium model starts at $799; the Hermès collections start at $1,399 for Series 12 and $1,499 for Ultra 4. Starting prices remain the same as the previous generation. Series 12 offers approximately 24 hours of battery life in daily use and about 10 hours in outdoor activities, with support for faster charging. A new Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger (Model A3277) was introduced for this generation, available on the Apple website for $29. The charger’s output limit has been increased from 5 W in the previous generation to 10 W; it requires a 10 W or higher USB-C Power Delivery adapter to reach full speed. A 15-minute fast charge provides 12 hours of battery life for Series 12 and 18 hours for Ultra 4 (compared to only 8/12 hours for the previous Series 11/Ultra 3 in the same time), and this 10 W charger is not compatible with Series 11/Ultra 3 due to hardware changes limited to this generation. It features the S11 chip (Ultra 3 had S10), with memory increased from the previous 2 GB to 4 GB (confirmed via Xcode 27), providing the hardware foundation for on-watch Apple Intelligence features. The fall new band lineup includes Sport Band, Sport Loop, Nike series, Milanese, Link, and Modern Buckle in new colors and materials. Regarding display and case sizes, according to Apple’s official tech specs: Series 12 46 mm display area decreased to 1196 sq mm (previous 1220, approx -2%), 42 mm decreased to 970 sq mm (previous 989, approx -1.9%), with pixel resolution unchanged (46 mm 416x496 / 42 mm 374x446); aluminum/titanium cases for 46 mm are 46x40x9.7 mm, and 42 mm are 42x37x9.7 mm. Ceramic models have larger and thicker bodies at the same nominal size: 46 mm ceramic is 47x41x9.85 mm, 42 mm ceramic is 43x37x9.85 mm, being 1 mm wider and 1 mm taller (46 mm) or just 1 mm taller (42 mm, width unchanged), and 0.15 mm thicker; display area is identical to aluminum/titanium, with extra dimensions coming entirely from the case. In terms of weight, 46 mm Pearl White ceramic is 51.3 g, Midnight Blue 52.9 g, roughly 34% heavier than same-size aluminum (39.5 g) and 18% heavier than titanium (44.9 g); 42 mm Pearl White is 41.7 g, Midnight Blue 42.8 g, roughly 30% and 16% heavier than aluminum (32.2 g) and titanium (36.5 g), respectively. Regarding satellite navigation (MacRumors citing device technical specifications): Ultra 4 has removed GLONASS support, now supporting only GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou; the previous Ultra 3 supported all four systems plus GLONASS. Apple has not explained the reason for the removal, but analysis suggests GLONASS uses a different signal architecture and consumer devices typically only receive its L1 band, offering limited benefits on multi-frequency receivers, so removal may improve positioning accuracy, reduce processing load, and enhance battery life. Ultra 3 also featured 5G and satellite connectivity (Ultra 4 specs no longer emphasize 5G). In terms of sensing systems, Series 12 and Ultra 4 feature a new Health Sensing System: ECG electrodes have been upgraded to a second-generation electrical heart rate sensor (Ultra 3 had the first generation), optical heart rate sensors have switched to an always-on architecture (Ultra 3 had the third generation), and the ECG electrode coverage area has been increased to improve skin contact quality; the optical heart rate sensor photodiodes have been rearranged in a ring shape to collect light signals more efficiently; heart rate sensor volume has increased, improving power consumption and accuracy. Background heart rate tracking intervals have been shortened to every 5 seconds (about 60 times higher frequency than Ultra 3), HRV measurement covers HRV recovery and overall HRV
Series 12 Price $399Ultra 4 Price $799Charger Price $29
AirPods & Accessories
01:31
· The Verge
14 evidence
AirPods 5 Hierarchy Reset: ANC Standard Starting at $129, Wireless Charging Version Only $20 More at $149, In Stores September 18
Apple officially launched AirPods 5, succeeding the 2024 AirPods 4 lineup. Both versions feature the H2 chip, pinch controls, and an open-ear design, retaining the appearance and fit of AirPods 4 (no silicone ear tips). Apple states that its open-ear ANC is the industry's best, with 50% more noise reduction compared to AirPods 4, lower latency, and better sound quality across a wider range of ear shapes. ANC implementation details (MacRumors testing): uses low-noise microphones and a new compressor; the compressor is tuned for a wider frequency response range and responds faster to environmental changes; left and right ears measure and correct for fitting leakage independently to compensate for the lack of sealing inherent in the open-ear design. Hierarchy reset: ANC is now standard entry-level, included in the $129 version; the $149 wireless charging version only adds a wireless charging case, narrowing the price difference to $20 (previous $129→$179 with a $50 gap where ANC was an add-on, changing the hierarchy logic). Acoustics feature a redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ, supporting Adaptive Audio and Transparency Mode. Supports Siri AI and volume control on the stem (sliding adjustment). USB-C cable and charger are not included in the package. Official retail availability begins September 18; pre-orders are now open.
Price $129Wireless Charging $149Launch Date September 18
AirPods & Accessories
22:08
· MacRumors (Front)
2 evidence
AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 Pre-Orders Open, Launching September 18
MacRumors reported: The day after Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' event, AirPods 5 ($129) and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case ($149), as well as Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm GPS $399 / 46mm GPS $449), are available for pre-order on Amazon. All three products will officially launch on September 18.
Launch Date September 18AirPods 5 Price $129Watch Series 12 Price $399
iPhone 18 Pro & Duo Launch
16:41
· MacRumors (Front)
1 evidence
iPhone Duo drops Face ID in favor of a Mac-derived security feature
MacRumors confirms the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone, does not ship with Face ID; instead Apple has ported a Mac-side biometric/security authentication feature onto the device. The article frames this as a deliberate design trade-off for the foldable form factor and situates it within the ongoing iPhone Duo product cycle.
Security Mac-derived featureRemoved Face ID
iPhone 18 Pro & Duo Launch
06:35
· MacRumors (Front)
2 evidence
iPhone Duo Inner Display Structure Detailed: 10-Layer Ultra-Thin Design Mitigates Crease Stress
The iPhone Duo inner display uses a 10-layer ultra-thin multilayer structure: A nano-texture top layer made of custom polymer, claimed to be 40% harder than other industry materials; high-strength glass is placed above and below the folding display panel, with a titanium plate at the bottom of the stack. Custom adhesive allows layers to slide like book pages to relieve bending stress. The outer nano-textured surface reduces glare and minimizes crease visibility, with an anti-scratch coating beneath, replacing the Ceramic Shield used on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro. The product page FAQ still describes the inner display as 'flat and smooth' but does not claim to eliminate creases, nor does it disclose fold cycle life.
Structure 10-layer designMaterial Nano-texture polymer