"50 years of thinking different."
Apple observed its 50th anniversary with a series of events and initiatives during the past week, concurrent with several product releases and reported developments on future devices.
Anniversary Celebrations
Apple commemorated the milestone with multiple activities. CEO Tim Cook released a letter titled "50 Years of Thinking Different." The company launched a "Hello Apple" Instagram account for company news and marketing, and journalist David Pogue published a book detailing Apple's history. A surprise musical performance by Alicia Keys took place at the Grand Central Terminal store in New York City. A party at Apple Park included a concert by Paul McCartney.
Employees received commemorative t-shirts, enamel pins, and limited-edition posters. Separately, a United States Mint commemorative $1 coin featuring Steve Jobs was released and sold out within minutes.
Current Product Releases and Availability
Seven previously announced Apple products were officially released this week and are available in Apple Stores globally for walk-in purchases and online pickup, subject to stock.
The MacBook Neo launched in March. CEO Tim Cook stated customer response has been "off the charts." According to reports, Apple is experiencing supply constraints, reportedly running out of A18 Pro chips. Tech columnist Tim Culpan suggested Apple may drop the entry-level $599 configuration and potentially introduce additional colors.
Apple discontinued the 256GB storage option for the Mac mini. The starting price in the U.S. is now $799 for the M4 chip configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, up from $599. Apple is also cutting other Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations due to memory shortages and strong demand related to AI applications.
Software Updates
Apple released iOS 26.5 to the public. According to Apple's release notes, the update includes:
- End-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices, rolling out to supported carriers.
- A "Suggested Places" section in Apple Maps, which will display ads in the U.S. and Canada later this year.
- A new Pride Luminance wallpaper for iPhones and iPads.
Developer betas for iOS 26.5 and macOS Tahoe 26.5 were also released. A revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence was not included in iOS 26.4 and is now anticipated for iOS 27. Apple continues testing iOS 26.4, with Beta 4 released to developers and public testers, which includes new emoji characters and support for the new iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air models.
macOS 27 is reported to include a slight redesign and a Safari feature for automatic tab grouping.
Reported Future Products
Foldable iPhone
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple's first foldable iPhone is anticipated to represent the "most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history." The device is expected to feature a design that opens like a book, providing a large internal display for media consumption and multitasking. Reports indicate the device will operate as a hybrid device running iOS, supporting side-by-side execution of two iPhone apps on its internal display, which will approximate the size of an iPad mini.
Apple is redesigning its apps to incorporate sidebars for this mode, and third-party developers will be able to adapt their applications. The device will not offer full iPadOS multitasking capabilities or directly run iPad-optimized apps. iOS 27 is projected to include optimizations for side-by-side app functionality. The foldable iPhone is expected to be unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, with potential shipment delays of a few months. An estimated price of over $2,000 has been reported.
"Ultra"-Class Devices
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to launch at least three new "Ultra"-class devices this year. These may include: Apple's first foldable iPhone, higher-end AirPods Pro models featuring infrared cameras, and a premium MacBook Pro with a touchscreen OLED display, potentially positioned above current MacBook Pro models.
Smart Home Hub ("HomePad")
Information from leaker Kosutami suggests Apple's upcoming "HomePad" could feature a magnetic snap-to-wall capability similar to MagSafe, along with doorbell integration. The device is expected to heavily utilize Apple Intelligence. Due to delays with Apple Intelligence-powered Siri, the HomePad, along with updated Apple TV and HomePod models, may not launch until fall.
iMac Display Technology
According to ZDNet Korea, Apple is reportedly planning an iMac featuring an OLED panel with increased brightness. Apple has requested 24-inch OLED panel samples from suppliers like Samsung Display and LG Display. These panels are specified to have 600 nits of brightness and approximately 218 pixels-per-inch (PPI), compared to the current iMac's 500 nits LCD display, while maintaining the same PPI.
MacBook Pro
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips were released in March 2026. Rumors indicate an updated design with new display technology and faster performance is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
iPhone 18 Pro
Images shared by X user @earlyappleleaks depicted an alleged iPhone 18 Pro prototype and screen protectors, suggesting a smaller Dynamic Island compared to current models. The prototype reportedly features a small circular punch-hole cutout under the display, potentially indicating a relocated Face ID sensor. Leaker 'Fixed Focus Digital' reports that the iPhone 18 Pro will retain the anodized aluminum finish from iPhone 17 Pro, despite durability complaints, and that Apple classifies chipping as normal wear and tear.
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e
According to leaker 'Fixed Focus Digital', the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e share interchangeable components, indicating a narrowing specification gap. The leaker also claims the iPhone 18 has been downgraded and delayed.
Education Discount Program Update
Apple updated its education discount program in the U.S., Canada, and several other countries, requiring verification through the UNiDAYS system. Previously, the program operated largely on an honor system in these regions. Apple Watch has been added to the list of products eligible for education pricing, offering approximately a 10% discount. Similar verification systems have been used in other countries for some time.