Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

[MacRumors]

You'd think things would be slowing down heading into the holidays, but this week saw a whirlwind of Apple leaks and rumors while Apple started its next cycle of betas following last week's release of iOS 26.2 and related updates.

This week also saw the release of a new Apple Music integration with ChatGPT, so read on below for all the details on this week's biggest stories!

Top Stories

iOS 26.3 Beta 1 Features: What's New So Far

With iOS 26.2 and other 26.2 updates now available to the general public, Apple has started beta testing on the next round of 26.3 updates. With work on this round of updates typically spanning the holidays, they tend to be smaller in scale, but there are still a few notable changes.

iOS 26.3 brings changes that make it easier to switch from iPhone to Android, with corresponding changes to Android making the reverse process simpler as well. Users in the European Union will also be gaining a setting that allows iPhone notifications to be forwarded to third-party devices, increasing interoperability.

iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 Features Revealed in New Leak

Macworld's Filipe Espósito last week revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28.

As always, Apple's plans could change, so there is no guarantee that any or all of these features will end up being released to the general public, but some of the leaked features include:

• iOS 26.4: Revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence
• iOS 26.4: Redesigned Health app, potentially involving a previously rumored Apple Health+ subscription service
• iOS 26.4: Credit card AutoFill improvements for third-party apps
• iOS 27: Improvements to collections in the Photos app and AirPods pairing
• iOS 28: New metrics for Apple Watch sleep tracking

Apple Leak Confirms Work on Foldable iPhone, AirTag 2, and Dozens More Devices

More information on the sourcing of that software leak has subsequently surfaced, and it apparently comes from an early build of iOS 26 (then still known as iOS 19) that was on a leaked prototype iPhone.

In addition to numerous features planned for future software updates, which we've outlined in more detail, the leak also reveals dozens of devices in Apple's product pipeline, including many of the expected evolutionary updates to existing products but also some new products that have either been previously rumored or newly revealed.

Notable additions include the first foldable iPhone, Apple's upcoming smart home products, the rumored low-cost MacBook powered by an A18 Pro chip, an iMac with a high-powered M5 Max chip, and more.

Apple Aims to Boost Popularity of iPhone Air 2 in Two Ways

A new report this week from The Information outlined some details on Apple's iPhone product roadmap, including word that Apple is looking at two key improvements for the second-generation iPhone Air: a second rear camera and a lower price tag.

The current iPhone Air has reportedly not sold well due to compromises related to camera capabilities, battery life, and perceived value for the price, with suppliers reportedly already winding down production due to the number of already-produced units still available for distribution.

The same report claimed that next year's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will include under-screen Face ID with the front camera becoming a punch hole at the top-left corner of the screen. Apple is reportedly also adding a mechanical iris to one of the device's rear cameras, which will allow for variable aperture to control the amount of light reaching the sensor.

Leak Reveals Foldable iPhone Details

We've already heard a lot about Apple's first foldable iPhone that's expected next year, but a new report from a frequent leaker on Chinese blogging site Weibo has added a few new details to the existing rumors.

The foldable iPhone will reportedly use a Touch ID power button on the side of the device rather than Face ID in order to save internal space, and it will include a 7.58-inch internal display with an under-screen camera. When folded, the outside will feature a 5.25-inch display with a punch-hole camera.

ChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live

There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists.

ChatGPT can be used to search through the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog for songs, artists, albums, and playlists, even without an ‌Apple Music‌ subscription. OpenAI says that all users are able to discover music, generate playlists, and listen to preview clips in ChatGPT. ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers can add songs, albums, and playlists to their ‌Apple Music‌ Library using ChatGPT.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-p... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

 

[I7guy]

You'd think things would be slowing down heading into the holidays, but this week saw a whirlwind of Apple leaks and rumors while Apple started its next cycle of betas following last week's release of iOS 26.2 and related updates.

This week also saw the release of a new Apple Music integration with ChatGPT, so read on below for all the details on this week's biggest stories!

Top Stories

iOS 26.3 Beta 1 Features: What's New So Far

With iOS 26.2 and other 26.2 updates now available to the general public, Apple has started beta testing on the next round of 26.3 updates. With work on this round of updates typically spanning the holidays, they tend to be smaller in scale, but there are still a few notable changes.

iOS 26.3 brings changes that make it easier to switch from iPhone to Android, with corresponding changes to Android making the reverse process simpler as well. Users in the European Union will also be gaining a setting that allows iPhone notifications to be forwarded to third-party devices, increasing interoperability.

iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 Features Revealed in New Leak

Macworld's Filipe Espósito last week revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28.

As always, Apple's plans could change, so there is no guarantee that any or all of these features will end up being released to the general public, but some of the leaked features include:

• iOS 26.4: Revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence
• iOS 26.4: Redesigned Health app, potentially involving a previously rumored Apple Health+ subscription service
• iOS 26.4: Credit card AutoFill improvements for third-party apps
• iOS 27: Improvements to collections in the Photos app and AirPods pairing
• iOS 28: New metrics for Apple Watch sleep tracking

Apple Leak Confirms Work on Foldable iPhone, AirTag 2, and Dozens More Devices

More information on the sourcing of that software leak has subsequently surfaced, and it apparently comes from an early build of iOS 26 (then still known as iOS 19) that was on a leaked prototype iPhone.

In addition to numerous features planned for future software updates, which we've outlined in more detail, the leak also reveals dozens of devices in Apple's product pipeline, including many of the expected evolutionary updates to existing products but also some new products that have either been previously rumored or newly revealed.

Notable additions include the first foldable iPhone, Apple's upcoming smart home products, the rumored low-cost MacBook powered by an A18 Pro chip, an iMac with a high-powered M5 Max chip, and more.

Apple Aims to Boost Popularity of iPhone Air 2 in Two Ways

A new report this week from The Information outlined some details on Apple's iPhone product roadmap, including word that Apple is looking at two key improvements for the second-generation iPhone Air: a second rear camera and a lower price tag.

The current iPhone Air has reportedly not sold well due to compromises related to camera capabilities, battery life, and perceived value for the price, with suppliers reportedly already winding down production due to the number of already-produced units still available for distribution.

The same report claimed that next year's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will include under-screen Face ID with the front camera becoming a punch hole at the top-left corner of the screen. Apple is reportedly also adding a mechanical iris to one of the device's rear cameras, which will allow for variable aperture to control the amount of light reaching the sensor.

Leak Reveals Foldable iPhone Details

We've already heard a lot about Apple's first foldable iPhone that's expected next year, but a new report from a frequent leaker on Chinese blogging site Weibo has added a few new details to the existing rumors.

The foldable iPhone will reportedly use a Touch ID power button on the side of the device rather than Face ID in order to save internal space, and it will include a 7.58-inch internal display with an under-screen camera. When folded, the outside will feature a 5.25-inch display with a punch-hole camera.

ChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live

There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists.

ChatGPT can be used to search through the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog for songs, artists, albums, and playlists, even without an ‌Apple Music‌ subscription. OpenAI says that all users are able to discover music, generate playlists, and listen to preview clips in ChatGPT. ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers can add songs, albums, and playlists to their ‌Apple Music‌ Library using ChatGPT.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-p... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

I’ll pass on the Apple Music ChatGPT integration. However looking forward to further releases of iOS 26.

 

[SAIRUS]

Apple just leap frog and release a scrollable oled iPhone.

After playing with the trifold Samsung that was the first time it expanded to a usable size.

 

[nt5672]

Please someone leak that Apple is really working in fixing bugs. Otherwise, none of these other leaks will matter because they will be as bug ridden as iOS 26

 

[photoflow76]

I’ve been with iPhone since the 4S was released back in 2011. For the first time since 2011, I’m considering leaving the iPhone for my next phone purchase. There are just too many cool options available on the Android side of the aisle. In reality, the Apple ecosystem of devices and services is the only thing keeping me with Apple right now, which is the entire idea of the Apple ecosystem. Tim Cook got me! Doh! LOL

 

[switz]

Somehow, building a structure on quick sand, one never seems to get above the first floor. Same with software like operating systems. Failure to cure the errors at the first or lowest level continues all those problems no matter how many new releases happen. The phrase rotten to the core really applies to software as well.

 

[svanstrom]

The leak is that Apple next year will release an outdated foldable phone?

The dualfold (3 screens) devices from their competitors are looking real good nowadays. Apple need to keep up with that.

 

[switz]

A fold phone is completely new technology to Apple. I would not be interested until version three and see if their hinge ideas actually work over some period of time.

A slab phone last for years and usually becomes inoperative because Apple puts so much "stuff" into each new version of iOS that it requires loads of CPU horsepower that just is not there in earlier models.

As an example, if I hook up my G4 Cube, it will power on to the operating system of its day. But no current applications will operate on the vintage MacOS. Same is true of the iPhones.

 

[photoflow76]

Seems like everybody posting on this thread feels somewhat similarly about the current Apple direction, which just isn’t focused much on creating new and interesting products. The focus is to create incremental improvements, albeit they are good, and keep people buying Apple products via the well organized ecosystem. Like so many, I have iPads, MacBooks, and combined with my iPhone, everything talks to each other pretty well. That’s the only thing keeping me with Apple, because I could just easily move to Google. Hey, on the bright side, at least Apple is licensing Google’s Gemini product to fix the non-intelligent Apple Intelligence and Siri. LOL.

 

[ruslan120]

Please just fix the bugs. Atrocious battery life on iPhone Air 26.2…

 

[svanstrom]

Seems like everybody posting on this thread feels somewhat similarly about the current Apple direction, which just isn’t focused much on creating new and interesting products. The focus is to create incremental improvements,

I used to be a fan of that, simply because the hardware was functionally speaking more or less the same everywhere. Apple could just focus on not going with the cheapest options.

It was simple, whatever inch your phone, tablet, laptop, or stationary computer had was the size that it had. And not too many ways to stuff those things into a pocket or backpack.

Now if you've paid attention to China you see that there are laptops where the display folds in half, or where the display motorized unrolls to be taller. Not to mention the quite good dual fold/triple display phones. And it's all more than decent enough quality.

Even if you like me hate the creases on these displays they are still preferable to having to carry and prop up an iPad to increase your laptop screen size, or having to carry an iPad mini instead of a triple display phone.

If you don't get why having just that one fold to double the screen wasn't a big deal, but another fold and three screens is, I recommend this video by Marques Brownlee:

Basically it has to do with the format. One fold and you end up with a square, which won't really go beyond whatever the original maximum width/height of your device was, while that extra fold and display give you a noticeably bigger display. A full screen video will basically be the same full screen size on that square display, but it'll be much bigger on that "trifold".

If Apple incrementally start with just that single fold, then they're starting out outdated with a device that was only a half step to the real progress that we needed. And if their laptops and tablets don't start to fold real soon, then they'll start to look real bad next to the competition. There will soon be a generation of students looking with envy on what the international students are bringing over and using.

Edit: As far as an Apple Fold this is the expectation that they need to at least match: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bensin...ng-trifold-for-a-week-and-its-a-game-changer/

 

[I7guy]

Seems like everybody posting on this thread feels somewhat similarly about the current Apple direction, which just isn’t focused much on creating new and interesting products.

What? All nine people?

The focus is to create incremental improvements, albeit they are good, and keep people buying Apple products via the well organized ecosystem.

Incremental improvements vs new products? Like the iPad is an incremental improvement over the iPhone albeit the improvement is a bigger format? Like the new Apple fold is an incremental improvement it is it a new product?

Like so many, I have iPads, MacBooks, and combined with my iPhone, everything talks to each other pretty well. That’s the only thing keeping me with Apple, because I could just easily move to Google.

that’s a pretty reason reason for staying with Apple. I could easily move to Google as well except my iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad all talks to each other well.

Hey, on the bright side, at least Apple is licensing Google’s Gemini product to fix the non-intelligent Apple Intelligence and Siri. LOL.

Right? It’s about time Apple gave Google some revenue.

 

[photoflow76]

No company lasts forever. Eventually, most companies stop creating exciting products and instead focus on incrementalism or stop producing quality. Apple still makes a great phone, so it hasn’t lost its quality which is great, but it’s certainly not producing anything new and exciting in the recent years. It’s fine for now, cause the products have quality.

To compare to the car industry, we could argue that Apple is the Toyota of tech. Very reliable, but Toyota is coming out with some very cool stuff to make me want to continue to consider them. The world of tech moves much faster than cars, so Apple shouldn’t rest on its laurels and wait for others to innovate.

Btw, what Apple foldable phone? I haven’t seen it on shelves. Maybe they’ll copy Samsung or Google’s foldable which are multiple generations in. Is that the upcoming excitement? 🤪

 

[MartiNZ]

The leak is that Apple next year will release an outdated foldable phone?

The dualfold (3 screens) devices from their competitors are looking real good nowadays. Apple need to keep up with that.

I guess that's why the image in the article looks like it says "iPhone Old" lol.

I absolutely love the Z Flips and definitely think Apple should have a go at copying them, and their foray into even thinner with the iPhone Air is just screaming for a tablet fold, because at this point there is no other reason to go that thin! But ironically there is also not much point in going that thin if the camera plateau is still twice as thick.

Also, the Flip is a great concept because it lies perfectly flat when closed and fits pockets far better than most other phones. The Fold -still- needs a convincing use case IMO.

 

[svanstrom]

But ironically there is also not much point in going that thin if the camera plateau is still twice as thick.

Personally I wouldn't mind if the foldable screen went below the camera plateau, if it was a trifold.

It'd mean a slightly slimmer display when unfolded, but perfectly fine for watching videos, and no compromises as far as faceid or cameras.

I think/hope that's where Apple are going with this. It'd mean no compromises on the folded phone, and the unfolded display would get the full rear camera setup.

 

[markrath]

I need a foldable iPhone about as much as I need an iPhone Air, which is not at all. I've never understood the fascination with foldable phones.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Leaks that Apple leaking)

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

No company lasts forever. Eventually, most companies stop creating exciting products and instead focus on incrementalism or stop producing quality. Apple still makes a great phone, so it hasn’t lost its quality which is great, but it’s certainly not producing anything new and exciting in the recent years. It’s fine for now, cause the products have quality.

To compare to the car industry, we could argue that Apple is the Toyota of tech. Very reliable, but Toyota is coming out with some very cool stuff to make me want to continue to consider them. The world of tech moves much faster than cars, so Apple shouldn’t rest on its laurels and wait for others to innovate.

Btw, what Apple foldable phone? I haven’t seen it on shelves. Maybe they’ll copy Samsung or Google’s foldable which are multiple generations in. Is that the upcoming excitement? 🤪

Apple is friking Maserati, expensive and buggy

 

[svanstrom]

I need a foldable iPhone about as much as I need an iPhone Air, which is not at all. I've never understood the fascination with foldable phones.

Some of my work requires only my phone, some of it a laptop or my full desk setup, but sometimes I'm in that awkward in between where an iPad mini is the smallest screen I need to have with me. But it still triggers that need for a bag of some sort, or it's awkward to carry around, or it looks weird to have to put on a table when at a dinner or event. And sometimes I end up having to demo something on my phone simply because I can't always walk around prepared with an iPad in my pocket.

I don't need an unfoldable phone, I need a foldable iPad mini that can also replace my phone.

 

[biffuz]

Call me when we get:
- bug fixes
- option to turn off liquid glass entirely