2026-02-08 21:29:03
Apple is planning to launch new iPad and iPad Air models in the near future, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
Writing in today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that updated iPads are "coming soon," including a new entry-level iPad and a new iPad Air. Both devices are not expected to feature design changes or major enhancements, instead focusing on new chips. The 12th-generation iPad is set to feature the A18 chip, while the eighth-generation iPad Air will apparently feature the M4 chip. The iPad mini is said to be the only new iPad set to get a bigger upgrade this year, moving to an OLED display.
The new chip is perhaps most significant for the iPad, which will facilitate Apple Intelligence support on the device for the first time. Apple announced the 11th-generation iPad in March 2025 with the A16 chip, which does not support Apple Intelligence, despite the technology being widely available across Apple's other devices at that time.
The iPad saw strong sales over the holidays, largely driven by the entry-level model. Apple purportedly plans to market the new model heavily to enterprise customers.
2026-02-08 21:15:28
Apple's iPhone 17e is set to launch "imminently" with at least four new features, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the new lost-cost iPhone will feature the A19 chip first introduced with the iPhone 17 last year. The device will also address one of the most glaring omissions from the current generation and add MagSage connectivity. The device is also apparently set to feature Apple's latest cellular modem, the C1X chip, as well as its N1 chip for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread connectivity.
Gurman added that the device is set to be sold at the same $599 starting price as the iPhone 16e, proposing to offer more features for the same cost. Apple is said to be planning to market the iPhone 17e heavily to users in emerging markets and enterprises, and could benefit from weakened competition in the segment from competitors like Google and Samsung.
2026-02-08 04:26:04
Apple is actively testing two major rear camera improvements for the iPhone, according to a reputable leaker.
The Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" claims that Apple is testing a new main camera for the iPhone with a variable aperture. A variable aperture allows the camera to adjust the amount of light that reaches the sensor. This means that in dark environments, the aperture can be opened to receive more light, while in light environments, it can be closed to prevent over-exposure. It also should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background.
The claim corroborates a multitude of previous rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature an upgraded main camera with a variable aperture. In December 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to say that that the main rear camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture. A more recent report from October 2025 said Apple was moving ahead with plans to bring the technology to next-generation iPhones and was discussing components with suppliers.
Apple has never used a variable aperture on an iPhone camera before. The main cameras on all of the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this aperture. Samsung Electronics previously brought a variable aperture camera to its Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 models in 2018 and 2019, but due to increased thickness and high price, it dropped the feature in 2020.
Secondly, the leaker reiterated their claim that that Apple is testing a new telephoto camera with a larger aperture for the iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro models feature a telephoto camera with an ƒ/2.8 aperture. While the camera was upgraded to a 48-megapixel sensor, which was a substantial improvement over the 12-megapixel sensor used on previous generations, it retained the same aperture size. A larger aperture on the iPhone's telephoto camera would primarily improve light gathering, noise performance, shutter speed, and background separation.
Other rumors suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro models could also gain a teleconverter to increase effective focal length and improve zoom reach, as well as a 24-megapixel front-facing camera. They are expected to launch in the fall alongside the first foldable iPhone.
2026-02-08 01:26:55
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
Users no longer have to rotate their iPhone to take a landscape selfie — they can now take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding their iPhone vertically, enabling a more comfortable, secure grip and centred gaze. For group shots, Center Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame.All four of the latest iPhone models are equipped with an 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera with a square image sensor.
2026-02-07 23:46:11
Amazon this weekend has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This time around, we're tracking these record low prices on nearly every aluminum model.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models on sale at this all-time low price, and four of the 46mm GPS models on sale as well.
2026-02-07 22:00:00
The iOS 26.3 release looks to be right around the corner with a highly anticipated iOS 26.4 update following right behind, so Apple software rumors were big in the news this week.
Hardware wasn't left out, however, as we're still awaiting a few early-year launches like the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro, while we're also looking further down the road at major new products coming later in the year like the first foldable iPhone, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
