The Apple rumor mill is in full swing, as the company prepares for its annual fall hardware refresh. This week brought a flurry of news, from the latest iOS 27 beta to new details on the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery and tantalizing hints about a redesigned Apple Watch.
iOS 27 Beta 5 continues the polish
With just over a month until the public launch, iOS 27 Beta 5 has arrived with a focus on refinement. The update introduces tweaks to several app icons and adjustments to the Liquid Glass interface effects that have been a hallmark of the iOS 27 visual refresh. The beta also adds smaller features aimed at improving day-to-day usability, further polishing the operating system that will ship on new iPhones next month.
The Home app is getting notable enhancements tied to iCloud+ storage. Users with at least 2TB of iCloud+ storage will receive three new Apple Intelligence features: generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video, searchable camera clips, and auto-surfaced noteworthy moments.
iPhone 18 Pro Max battery specs surface
An alleged battery pack photo for a Chinese iPhone 18 Pro Max reveals a 5,391 mAh capacity, up from 4,823 mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The photo includes a SIM card tray, confirming the upcoming model for the Chinese market. While the authenticity of the leak is unconfirmed, it aligns with expectations of improved battery life in the next generation.
Analysts predict the iPhone 18 Pro will retain the same starting price as the iPhone 17 Pro, despite component cost increases. Memory price spikes and other factors are expected to squeeze margins but may be absorbed rather than passed to consumers, a strategy Apple has employed in recent years.
iPhone Ultra details solidify
Leaker Ice Universe shared a key detail about the foldable iPhone Ultra this week. A leaked accessory shows square corners on the hinge side and rounded corners on the opposite edge, confirming asymmetrical design rumors. This aligns with months of speculation about a device that folds with a hinge on one side. Third-party camera protectors for the device also hint at the overall shape.
Apple Watch redesign on the horizon
In his "Power On" newsletter, Mark Gurman described Apple's plans for the Apple Watch as a "revolutionary design change" akin to the foldable iPhone. The industrial design team is exploring several directions, including a round display, and even screenless fitness tracker products. In the nearer term, a titanium casing is expected to return to the lineup this year or next, marking a comeback for a material absent since the Series 5.
New Macs on the way
Mac users can expect updates soon. Gurman reports Apple is readying a refreshed base-model MacBook Pro with a 14-inch display and M6 chip. iMacs are also likely to see an updated 24-inch model with either M5 or M6 chips, though no major design changes are expected.
The week's rumors paint a picture of a busy fall for Apple. With new iPhones, potential redesigns for the Apple Watch, and Mac updates, the company is positioning itself for a strong end to 2026.