iPhone 18 Pro Pricing, More MacBook Neo On Sale, Bluey Invades Your iPhone

iPhone 18 Professional Pricing Anticipated To Keep Regular

Appel appears set to carry the iPhone 18 Professional regular and match the iPhone 17 Professional final 12 months, however that’s just one a part of the pricing story, as Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor discusses. Whereas the highest tier of the 18 Professional and 18 Professional Max will keep locked in (round $1,099 for the iPhone 18 Professional, $1,199 for the 18 Professional Max), it is the decrease tiers that might take up the rising worth of reminiscence and storage:

“If this technique sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of Samsung did one thing very related earlier this 12 months with the Galaxy S26. The Korean firm held the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s worth flat within the U.S. whereas elevating the price of the bottom Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus. The Extremely, which is Samsung’s best-selling mannequin, was protected. All the pieces else absorbed the hit.”

iPhone 17 Finds Extra Success In The US

Following its have a look at international smartphone gross sales final week, Counterpoint Research has taken a closer look at the US market, one in all Apple’s strongholds throughout the first quarter. Unsurprisingly, iPhone gross sales are rising, and the market share is rising:

“Apple’s Q1 2026 iPhone gross sales quantity within the US was up 1.3% YoY, outperforming the nation’s general smartphone market, which declined 5.7% YoY… Apple’s share of quantity grew by 4% YoY, as Android system gross sales declined 14.4% YoY. Apple’s success was pushed by the iPhone 17 collection, which skilled carryover demand from provide limitations in This fall 2025 as a consequence of international demand for the most recent iPhone lineup.”

Apple Commits To Extra MacBook Neo Laptops

MacBook Neo availability is bettering, with the delivery instances through the Apple Retailer dropping by per week. Ordering this week ought to see supply, no less than within the US. This is not the one motion on the MacBook Neo, as Apple decides to open the manufacturing strains for a second important manufacturing run. Zac Hall looks at the impact of the decision:

“In consequence, it’s now asking suppliers to arrange capability for 10 million models of the debut model of the Neo, up from an preliminary estimate of 5 million to six million, my sources inform me. Supply instances for the laptop computer have ballooned to as a lot as 4 weeks as Taiwan’s Quanta and Foxconn rush to fill orders from factories in Vietnam and China.”

Making macOS Look A Little Bit Higher

The most recent model of macOS has drawn important criticism for its up to date person interface. Whereas Aqua isn’t going away, Apple is ready to deal with considerations that, whereas not rolling again to a flatter and extra information-dense look, ought to enhance readability. Mark Gurman has more:

“Within the grand scheme of issues, this downside isn’t catastrophic, and I nonetheless suppose Liquid Glass has been a internet optimistic for the corporate regardless of among the criticism on-line. In some methods, it’s a uncommon occasion of Apple’s software program feeling extra futuristic than its {hardware}. Upcoming Mac releases — together with a high-end OLED touch-screen MacBook — ought to assist the interface look much better over time… With the following replace, Apple goals to deal with the shadows and transparency quirks.”

EU Opens Up Apple’s Peripherals

iOS 26.5 introduces a number of further options for European markets to adjust to the EU Digital Markets Act. These are primarily to permit third-party manufactuers to interface with Apple’s proprietary expertise, which the EU see as anti-competitive as a consequence of Apple’s market share. Peripherals can now entry proximity pairing, iPhone notifications and reside actions. Juli Clover has more, in addition to Apple’s objections to the laws:

“Apple has warned that the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is forcing it to make “regarding modifications” to its services within the EU, and exposing clients to new dangers whereas additionally disrupting the way in which that Apple merchandise work collectively. In September, Apple urged European regulators to scrap the DMA, and in November, it shared a examine it commissioned that discovered the DMA has not resulted in decrease costs for customers.:

The place Am I? Shut By….

Apple has rolled out a brand new privateness function in iOS 26.5, It helps masks a person’s exact location from community suppliers, providing a bigger footprint on the order of a small neighbourhood. It’s not open to everybody, although, as Ryan Christoffel points out:

“The function requires an Apple-made mobile modem just like the C1 and C1X. So it’s presently restricted to iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 16e. The M5 iPad Professional gives assist too. Later this 12 months, iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone Extremely are each rumored to pack an Apple mobile modem—the C2. So the brand new flagships ought to all assist Restrict Exact Location.”

And Lastly…

Bluey is heading to Apple Arcade. Apple has announced that the popular children’s character shall be conducting a takeover beginning subsequent week:

“The beloved characters from the Emmy-winning animated collection Bluey are coming to Apple Arcade for a large, limited-time crossover occasion beginning Might 21. Bluey and her household are taking on 5 fan-favorite video games with unique updates throughout Crossy Street Citadel, sew., puffies., Suika Recreation+, and Disney Coloring World+. Better of all, households can dive into these new experiences collectively with out interruptions from advertisements or in-app purchases.”

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