Apple's annual iPhone event is just two months away, but the highly anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra may follow the iPhone X playbook: unveiled in September but available for pre-order only six weeks later. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, manufacturing challenges have constrained early production of the foldable device, reportedly named iPhone Ultra, and pre-orders may slip to the fourth quarter of 2026. This week also brought the third developer beta of iOS 27, new battery capacity details for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, updates on the next-generation Apple TV, and the awaited Back to School offer.
iPhone Ultra likely to repeat the iPhone X story with delayed launch
Kuo stated that Apple will likely introduce the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max but start foldable iPhone pre-orders at a later date. In 2017, the iPhone X was unveiled on September 12 with pre-orders opening only on October 27, six weeks later. Similarly, the foldable iPhone may not be available for pre-order until Q4 2026, creating a situation reminiscent of the iconic 2017 release. The production challenges center on the hinge mechanism and display durability.
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iOS 27 beta 3 introduces customizable Siri and Golden Gate wallpapers
The third developer beta of iOS 27, released this week, brings several new features. Siri becomes more customizable with new voice options and commands. There is a new wallpaper action, along with improvements to the Photos app and Shortcuts. On the Mac side, the macOS 27 beta includes stunning Golden Gate-themed wallpapers that can also serve as screen savers. Public betas are expected later this month, ahead of the official September launch.
Apple Intelligence Home features require 2TB iCloud+ plan
One of the most discussed announcements is that Apple Intelligence camera features in the Home app will require an iCloud+ plan starting at 2TB, priced at $9.99 per month. With iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate, the Home app can generate written summaries for motion alerts from HomeKit Secure Video cameras, group footage from multiple cameras, and support natural language search. Apple had previously indicated that some Apple Intelligence features would require an iCloud+ subscription, but this is the first confirmation of the specific tier needed. This move pushes users toward higher storage plans, aligning with Apple's services expansion strategy.
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iPhone 18 Pro battery capacities confirmed by Chinese regulatory filings
Chinese regulatory certification filings in the C3 database, spotted by leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, reveal the battery capacities of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. The iPhone 18 Pro is rated for 4,056 mAh in China and 4,288 mAh in the U.S., up modestly from the iPhone 17 Pro's 3,988 mAh and 4,252 mAh. The iPhone 18 Pro Max shows a bigger jump: 5,391 mAh in China and 5,567 mAh in the U.S., compared to 4,823 mAh and 5,088 mAh on the predecessor, an increase of nearly 500 mAh. The foldable iPhone Ultra reportedly includes two battery cells of 1,921 mAh and 2,962 mAh, for a combined minimum capacity of 4,883 mAh. These figures suggest a strong focus on battery life for the flagship devices.
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Next-generation Apple TV 4K coming with Siri AI
The Apple TV 4K has not been updated since 2022, but a refresh is planned for 2026. Apple appears to be waiting for the launch of Siri AI in iOS 27 to integrate new voice capabilities into the set-top box. Expected features include a more powerful chip, Wi-Fi 7 support, and possibly a revised price. It remains unclear whether the new model will arrive in September or later in the year.
Apple's Back to School offer still pending
As July progresses, Apple's annual Back to School promotion for students and educators in the U.S. and Canada has not yet started. In recent years, Apple launched the offer in June, but historically it has sometimes started in July. Last year, it offered a free accessory like AirPods 4 or Apple Pencil Pro with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad. Given recent price increases on all Macs and iPads, this year's promotion may be less generous. Users are still waiting for an announcement.
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In a landscape where AI transparency is increasingly important, as highlighted by Anthropic's discovery of a hidden space in Claude, Apple is moving toward deeper AI integration. Meanwhile, Samsung's update to Voice Recorder with cloud transcription shows competitors pursuing similar features. For more detail on iOS 27, visit Apple's official iOS 27 preview page.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/11/top-stories-iphone-ultra-apple-tv-rumors
