There has never been a time when Apple hasn’t launched a ‘Pro’ and ‘Max’ version of its base M-series chipset, but according to the latest report, the plan will materialize with the arrival of the M6 later this year. Instead of the M6 Pro and M6 Max, the company will apparently bring forth the M7 Pro and M7 Max. New change of plans threaten the redesigned OLED MacBook Pro launch, which was said to exclusively ship with the M6 Pro and M6 Max SoCs Instead of the M6 Pro and M6 Max, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes that Apple will instead […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-m6-will-not-get-pro-and-max-versions/

Apple has been loudly and forcefully complaining of the sky-high memory prices for the past few months, using its soaring cost of key components as a cudgel to implement sweeping price hikes. Now, however, memory chip makers such as Micron are pushing back by blaming Apple's penny-pinching ways for years of under-investment and the resulting dearth of capacity. Micron says it informed Apple a few years back that its "aggressive" attitude on pricing was "not constructive" Memory chip makers apparently have had enough of Apple using their shoulder to preserve its margins. As a case in point, consider the valuable […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/micron-blames-apple-for-the-ongoing-memory-crisis-says-it-took-advantage-of-the-last-down-cycle-to-pay-rock-bottom-prices-deterring-capacity-expansion/

Apple has succumbed to the inevitable by hiking the prices of most of its products in one fell sweep, leading to aberrant pricing outcomes, such as the one pertaining to the M3 Ultra chip-equipped Mac Studio (16TB) and its sole 96GB unified memory variant, which now sells for over $14,000. Apple's highest-end, 96GB unified memory variant of the M3 Ultra chip-equipped Mac Studio now retails for 14,299 Apple laid the groundwork for these sweeping price hikes a few days back, when Tim Cook had declared that memory prices had become "unsustainable," and that "unavoidable" price hikes were coming. As we […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apples-most-expensive-mac-will-now-set-you-back-by-14399-and-it-only-has-96gb-of-unified-memory/

Apple raises prices of MacBook Air and Pro along with iPad Air and Pro.

CEO Tim Cook had already warned that memory prices had become unsustainable, which only meant that Apple was running on borrowed time in keeping the MSRP of its products as low as possible. Unfortunately, the Cupertino firm has thrown in the towel and has announced price bumps across its entire product family, with up to a $1,300 premium being stamped on the more expensive hardware when shopping for the base models. The more popular products like the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air are only slightly more expensive, but it’ll hurt consumers regardless For those who were wondering why Apple’s online […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-announces-price-increases-across-the-board-up-to-1300-premium/

Apple just raised the prices across its key products, excluding iPhones for now. The company’s CEO has recently signaled an upcoming price bump, and the first wave is already here, targeting laptops and tablets.

Analyst MarkGurman reports that prices of select Apple products have been hiked by up to $300 in the US, but iPhones remain unaffected. How long the most trending gadgets stay away from a price bump remains to be seen.

Apple has increased the prices of MacBook laptops and iPad tablets. The company’s recently launched MacBook Neo is also facing a price hike, which gained praise across the industry for its competitive pricing.

Here are the new vs old prices:

• MacBook Neo – $699 from $599
• MacBook Air – $1,299 from $1,099
• MacBook Pro – $1,999 from $1,699
• iPad Pro – $1,199 from $999
• iPad Air – $749 from $599

Apple no longer absorbs the cost burden

Costs of components have spiked severely over the past couple of months. Prices of DRAM and NAND memory chips have increased significantly as memory manufacturers prioritize HBM to make more money in the AI boom.

Related article: Apple could increase iPhone 18 Pro series prices

Apple kept its iPhone 17 series away from a price bump, which Samsung failed to replicate in its Galaxy S26 series earlier this year. Meanwhile, the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may cost more than their predecessors.

You may like: Here’s how Samsung should exploit Apple’s price increase decision

The post Apple increased the prices of its products except iPhones appeared first on Sammy Fans.

The hinge problems that long plagued Apple’s iPhone Fold have seemingly been addressed, allowing for the company’s first foldable flagship to enter production. However, don’t think that the upcoming launch will be a ‘one-off’ event because there’s a successor that’s said to be in the works, and it’ll have one major difference. iPhone Fold 2 with a wider folding display is rumored to be in the works, but don’t expect Apple to use a more advanced display Based on the latest information shared by Weibo’s Digital Chat Station, the iPhone Fold 2 will have a wider folding screen, offering an increase […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/second-generation-iphone-fold-already-under-development/

Apple looks like it’s going for another meaningful camera hardware upgrade with the iPhone 18 Pro series. The latest leaks suggest a noticeably bigger cutout for the main camera, driven by the long-rumored variable aperture on the main lens. The other two cutouts could also match the main one for better symmetry, making the whole camera layout look a bit beefier at first glance. Beyond the design, this could give photographers more real control and help Apple close some gaps with top Android phones.

According to recent reports from Chinese tipsters and supply chain sources, the camera plateau on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could grow by about 2mm compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models. Dummy units show the total thickness (including the lenses) jumping from roughly 12.92mm to around 13.77mm, with the camera island itself getting a bit larger too. Most of that extra space is apparently needed for the new variable aperture mechanism and a rumored 48MP 1/1.12-inch (larger) main sensor.

Right now, recent Pro iPhones use a fixed f/1.78 aperture. A variable one would let the lens physically open or close. In bright light, it could stop down for sharper images and better depth of field. In low light, opening wider would pull in more light naturally, instead of relying so heavily on computational tricks. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned this part will cost Apple about 50% more than the current lenses, and production is already rolling.

The larger sensor paired with the variable aperture system could also open up more creative options, like DSLR-style bokeh control.

Of course, there might be some trade-offs. Current iPhones already aren’t the best at close-up focusing on the main camera. Adding a mechanical variable aperture on top of a larger sensor could make the lens system more complicated, though we don’t know yet exactly how Apple will handle that.

The iPhone 18 Pro series is only about three months away, and dummy models have been surfacing for quite a while. So it’s safe to say the design and specs for the new iPhones are completely locked in at this point.

If these reports from credible sources like Kuo, Fixed Focus Digital, and Digital Chat Station hold up, this could be one of Apple’s more ambitious camera overhauls in a while. It mixes real hardware improvements with Apple’s usual software magic.

(Source)

The post iPhone 18 Pro’s camera plateau could look noticeably beefier than the iPhone 17 Pro’s appeared first on Gizmochina.

It's hard to feel sorry for Apple these days even if its margins are in a vise-like squeeze, courtesy of the relentless increase in the price of memory chips. After all, over the past decade, Apple inflated the price of its flagship iPhone model by 60 percent, when the average CPI basket grew by just 37 percent. Memory makers are only giving Apple a taste of its own medicine Apple used to secure memory chips via 1-year or even longer contracts, winning hefty discounts relative to the prevailing market price of the time. Now, however, Apple negotiates memory prices quarterly, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-inflated-the-price-of-its-highest-end-iphone-by-60-over-the-past-decade-while-the-us-cpi-basket-grew-by-just-37-and-yet-its-playing-the-victim-now/

All the pieces belonging to the iPhone Fold were in place, as Samsung was preparing to begin mass production of the device’s advanced M16 display. The weakest link was said to be Apple’s 3D printed hinge, which was the most complicated and likely headache-inducing component of the upcoming flagship due to the rattling sounds it was making. With the company reportedly having bulldozed through these hurdles, it’s a positive sign that it can enter mass production in July. Launch month of September for the iPhone Fold won’t get disturbed if report’s claims are true, with the bulk of the hinge problems resolved […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-fold-mass-production-in-july-apple-solving-a-massive-challenge/

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is a highly capable device. The transition to an aerospace-grade aluminum unibody makes it lighter, the A19 Pro chip delivers reliable performance, and the new 48MP telephoto lens is a practical upgrade for mobile photographers. But as we move through 2026, the smartphone market is broader than just iOS.

If you are planning to spend around $1,000 on a new phone, it is worth looking at what the rest of the industry is doing. Android manufacturers have spent the last few years rethinking battery chemistry, expanding camera focal lengths, and improving display technology. Today, several alternatives offer larger batteries, faster charging, and more versatile camera systems for the same price, or even less.

Here is a look at five of the most compelling alternatives to the iPhone 17 Pro available right now.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Priced similarly to Apple’s top-tier models, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the most direct competitor to the iPhone Pro and Pro Max. This year, Samsung has slimmed the device down to 7.9mm while introducing a few practical hardware innovations. The most unique is the built-in Privacy Display, which restricts viewing angles to keep your screen hidden from people sitting next to you on a train or in a cafe.

On the software side, Samsung is focusing on what it calls Agentic AI. Instead of just answering questions, the updated Bixby assistant can navigate phone settings and complete tasks based on conversational requests.

The camera system remains comprehensive, featuring a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom. Paired with seven years of guaranteed OS updates, the S26 Ultra is a long-term investment that matches the iPhone on longevity while offering a very different software approach.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Oppo has positioned the Find X9 Ultra as a camera-first device, heavily leaning into its partnership with Hasselblad. The phone features an eco-leather back inspired by the Hasselblad X2D 100C Earth Explorer, giving it a distinct, tactile feel compared to the standard glass and metal slabs on the market.

Oppo has included a 7,050mAh Glacier Battery, utilizing a new silicon-carbon anode material. This allows for a significantly larger battery capacity without making the phone overly thick. It also supports 100W wired charging, which is a noticeable step up from the iPhone 17 Pro’s 40W limit.

The camera array includes six lenses, highlighted by a 10x optical zoom Hasselblad telephoto and a 200MP main sensor. You can zoom even further with the Hasselblad Professional Imaging Accessory Kit.

The device also supports dual-satellite communication for areas without cellular service. For roughly the same price as the base iPhone 17 Pro, the Find X9 Ultra offers a hardware package that prioritizes battery endurance and photographic flexibility.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Xiaomi’s ongoing collaboration with Leica has resulted in some of the most interesting camera phones of the last few years, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra continues that trend. At 8.29mm thick, it features a 6.9-inch flat OLED LTPO display that can reach a peak brightness of 3500 nits.

The camera system is built around a 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor and a Leica 200MP optical zoom telephoto. Because the system uses the full 1/1.4-inch sensor across its 75mm-100mm equivalent range, it can capture native 200MP images without relying on digital cropping.

For users who want a more traditional photography experience, Xiaomi offers an optional Photography Kit Pro. This grip attachment adds a two-stage shutter button, a zoom lever, and an additional 2000mAh battery. It is a niche accessory, but it shows Xiaomi’s commitment to users who view their phone primarily as a camera.

Vivo X300 Ultra

Vivo’s X Series has built a quiet reputation for excellent color science and portrait photography, and the X300 Ultra refines that formula. Co-engineered with ZEISS, the phone is designed to handle complex lighting and varied focal lengths with consistency.

The standout component is the 200MP 85mm APO Telephoto camera. Built to ZEISS APO standards to reduce chromatic aberration, it includes a specialized OIS system that helps stabilize shots in low light or at long distances. Vivo also included a multi-spectral sensor with 12 color channels to ensure accurate color reproduction across different environments.

Just like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Find X9 Ultra, Vivo offers an optional X300 Ultra Photography Kit for users who want a more dedicated shooting experience. This kit includes an imaging grip and physical lens attachments, specifically, 200mm and 400mm equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extenders, allowing you to push the phone’s optical zoom capabilities even further.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 6,600mAh battery, the X300 Ultra is well-equipped to handle demanding tasks like 4K 120fps video recording. If your main priority is taking photos of people or shooting at a distance, the X300 Ultra offers a highly specialized toolset that directly rivals Apple’s computational photography.

OnePlus 15

While the other phones on this list sit firmly in the $1,000+ premium tier, the OnePlus 15 takes a different approach. At $799, it undercuts the iPhone 17 Pro by a significant margin while still providing high-end specifications.

OnePlus 15 comes with a huge 7,300mAh Silicon NanoStack battery. It is currently one of the largest batteries available in a mainstream smartphone, and with 120W wired charging, it requires very little time plugged into a wall. The display is a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, which will appeal to mobile gamers.

It runs on the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip as the more expensive Android models on this list. While its camera system, a 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP 3.5x periscope, may lack the Leica or Hasselblad co-branding of its competitors, it remains a very capable setup for daily use. For buyers who want premium performance without crossing the four-figure price threshold, the OnePlus 15 is a highly practical option.

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The post Top 5 Alternatives to the iPhone 17 Pro: More Value for the Same Price appeared first on Gizmochina.

With an ecosystem of over 1.5 billion devices worldwide, Apple has historically enjoyed a heretofore unprecedented leverage with its supply chain partners. Yet, as the ongoing DRAM squeeze shows no sign of abating, Apple's leverage has largely become impotent, setting the stage for an atypical outcome where LPDDR5X modules are now dictating Cupertino-based tech giant's product roadmap and pricing. Apple's per-unit costs for 12GB LPDDR5X modules are expected to have surged by $68.8 between the Q1 and Q2 of 2026 Apple used to secure memory chips via 1-year or even longer contracts, winning hefty discounts relative to the prevailing market […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-is-in-for-a-sticker-shock-in-q3-with-lpddr5x-dram-costs-surging-by-68-8-in-a-single-quarter-as-operating-profit-margin-for-general-purpose-dram-to-hit-90-within-the-year/

Apple's upcoming foldable, tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra or the iPhone Fold, has been an attraction magnet for quite some time, not just because of its sky-high price but also on account of the various innovations it's expected to sport, including the world's first OLED panel that can produce native 10-bit color depth, an intricate hinge mechanism, and a novel adhesive that keeps the display crease at bay. Alas! The iPhone Ultra/iPhone Fold won't be able to graduate beyond a novelty product if the thesis of a troubling new study pans out. A new study claims Apple's iPhone Ultra might […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/your-2000-apple-iphone-ultra-might-only-be-worth-708-after-1-year/

Apple is adopting an atypical, two-pronged display strategy for its upcoming foldable, tentatively dubbed either the iPhone Ultra or the iPhone Fold, achieving an optimal balance between performance and cost. Apple will furnish the iPhone Ultra/iPhone Fold with Samsung's M16 and M14 OLED panels According to the tipster Schrödinger, Apple is now all set to equip the cover screen of its upcoming iPhone Ultra with Samsung's bleeding edge, natively 10-bit M16 OLED screen, while the inner screen will be made up of the older M14 OLED panels. This comes after Samsung's yields for the M16 panels have reportedly stabilized at […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-will-equip-the-outer-panel-of-the-iphone-ultra-with-samsungs-cutting-edge-natively-10-bit-m16-oled-while-retaining-the-older-m14-oled-for-the-inner-screen/

The incident comes as Tata Electronics expands its role in global technology supply chains.

Shortly after the AirPods Pro 3 dropped to $169 on Amazon, Apple’s top-tier wireless headphones, the AirPods Max 2, have also received a substantial discount on the online retailer. As part of the early Prime Day 2026 sale, you can grab yourself a pair at only $399, making it $150 off, which is the highest price cut that we’ve seen so far. The current offer is available on four AirPods Max 2 color options - Don’t miss out on this deal Despite sticking to the same design as the first-generation AirPods Max, the AirPods Max 2 offer incremental improvements over […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/airpods-max-2-are-150-on-amazon-best-price-yet/

European offensive cybersecurity company Paradigm Shift released details of a flaw and a technique to exploit it that opens the door for hackers to unlock and break into older iPhones.

Apple's planned debut of its iPhone 18 Pro lineup is fast approaching, with mere weeks left until the high-profile launch spectacle kicks off in early September. Naturally, as the proximity to the launch event increases, so does the supply chain's confidence in what the next-gen iPhone Pro duo would look like, and a consensus now appears to be forming around a thicker camera plateau to cater to the lineup's advanced camera sensors. Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro duo will likely sport a heftier camera plateau to house a 48MP ultra-large camera sensor that reportedly comes with a variable aperture optionality […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-to-make-way-for-the-iphone-18-pros-biggest-camera-hardware-upgrades-in-history-by-fattening-the-plateau-three-leakers-warn/

Apple has reportedly given Samsung the green light to begin OLED manufacturing of the iPhone Fold, with the exclusive deal churning out 3 million units for this year’s initial supply. Some of the most advanced display technologies, such as Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) paired with M16, are expected to be paired together, but it’ll matter little if the iPhone Fold cannot enter timely production due to its 3D printed hinge issues. Samsung’s exclusive deal with Apple will bring the most advanced OLED to the iPhone Fold, but the launch delay could be exacerbated by hinge issues The liquid metal […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-fold-3d-printed-hinge-problems-to-cause-potential-launch-delay/

A truckload of Apple products is expected to launch later this year, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max undoubtedly picking up the highest volume, giving the company’s suppliers a tremendous opportunity to etch their name as a reliable manufacturer while raking in millions. Unfortunately, China will miss out on these deals, with Korean display makers establishing lucrative partnerships with Apple. BOE once more loses out on a golden opportunity for securing Apple OLED orders, with Samsung and LG now catering to 100 percent of shipments Despite receiving multiple chances to get its act together, BOE seemingly cannot […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/korean-firms-set-exclusive-apple-deals-for-oled-orders-after-china-failure/

The iPhone Air was always going to be a tough sell because the compromises that accompanied Apple’s slim flagship were always going to break your purchase. The company was reported to make amends by introducing a dual-camera configuration next year, but the latest rumor mentions a hardware downgrade that’s probably not going to sit well with the majority of buyers and may not bode well for this category’s future. Instead of the A20 Pro, Apple is rumored to use the standard A20 on next year’s iPhone Air 2 A rumor on yeux1122’s blog talks about a 48MP + 48MP rear configuration belonging […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/iphone-air-2-one-hardware-downgrade-spell-doom-for-sleek-flagships/

The operational efficiency and the ability to generate billion-dollar profits every quarter are a gift that makes Apple the sight of envy for its competitors, but a report states that the company has lost its design “mojo” along the way. Thankfully, incoming CEO John Ternus appears to be the right man for the job, but his responsibilities won’t get any easier as the attribute that once defined the company needs to once again be highlighted in the products, both aesthetically and through the software. John Ternus’ expertise as a product fits perfectly with the task at hand, but the change […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-ceo-john-ternus-has-to-rebuild-company-design-culture/

Siri’s AI overhaul may have grabbed the headlines at WWDC, but some of Apple’s most useful AI features are arriving elsewhere in iOS 27.

This isn't the first time that the AirPods Pro 3 were discounted on Amazon thanks to early Prime Day 2026, but that 32 percent discount meant Apple's top-tier wireless earbuds would be picked up in droves. After a couple of days of being out of stock, the AirPods Pro 3 have returned at the online retailer and at the same salivating price of $169 as before. That being said, if you've spotted this deal, it means others have too, so it won't be long before these go out of stock again. With better Active Noise Cancellation, better battery life, and more, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/airpods-pro-3-are-back-on-amazon-for-only-169/

While it's not flashy like Apple’s new Siri AI and Apple Intelligence upgrades, there are still a number of additions to iOS 27 worth looking at.

The ARM-based ecosystem has been graced by another entrant in the form of NVIDIA’s RTX Spark, and with its arrival in laptops this fall, Qualcomm and Apple should feel a little hint of worry, mainly in one category, because they have had years to address a problem existing in these notebook SoCs and have failed to do so. Well, the clock is ticking for these two companies. Gaming continues to be a weakness for both Apple Silicon and Snapdragon, with only a decent experience possible by spending top-tier funds on the M5 Max Before the arrival of RTX Spark, having […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/rtx-spark-is-kryptonite-for-apple-and-qualcomm-in-one-area/

Trump confirms that Apple is working to design and build Apple Silicon on US soil US President Donald Trump has stated on Truth Social, his social media platform, that Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and build its chips in America. So far, neither company has confirmed the deal, though that hasn’t […]

The post Trump boosts Intel by confirming Apple/Intel chipmaking partnership appeared first on OC3D.