The MacRumors Show

Latest Episodes:

165: iPhone Air and 17 Pro First Impressions Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk over first impressions of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.
Apple's new iPhone lineup has been available for over a week, so we reflect on the devices now we've had some time to check them out. We discuss the radically thin and light design of the ‌iPhone Air‌, and what it really feels like to use the device. We look at its surprisingly impressive durability and battery life, as well as its drawbacks in terms of speakers and rear camera versatility.
We talk through the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s controversial design and improved thermals, and examine the all-new 48-megapixel Fusion telephoto camera. We also look at the impressive scratch-resistance of Ceramic Shield 2, as well as the brighter display panel.
In addition, we weigh up recent debates around the durability of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, which have come under fire for being highly susceptible to damage compared to previous generations due to the move to an aluminum unibody design

164: iOS 26 Is Finally Here! Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through iOS 26 and Apple's other major software updates, which officially launched this week.
‌iOS 26‌ introduces a major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass," making system elements more translucent and fluid. There are a series of new communication features, such as backgrounds in Messages and Call Screening. The Lock Screen can adapt dynamically to photo subjects, while Photos gains a new Library and Collections layout and spatial 3D effects for favorites. Apple also added a new Games app that combines a user's game library with Game Center content.
iPadOS 26 focuses on transforming multitasking by replacing Split View and Slide Over with a full window management system. Users can freely resize app windows, minimize or maximize them with macOS-style traffic-light controls, and use a menu bar across apps. A new Mac-style toolbar and a redesigned cursor are also present.
macOS 26 brings Liquid Glass to the desktop for a refreshed aesthetic. Spotlight is overhauled with new search categories and quick keys, Control Center is more customizable with new menu bar options, and iPhone Live Activities can now be viewed directly on the Mac.
watchOS 26 brings improvements to the Control Center and Smart Stack, and brings Notes to the Apple Watch for the first time. New health features include hypertension notifications and Sleep Score, while fitness gains an AI-powered "Workout Buddy" for personalized guidance. A new wrist flick gesture lets users dismiss calls or alarms more intuitively.
Having tested the updates for several months, we take an overall look at the updates. We discuss polarized reaction to Liquid Glass, and Apple's controversial decision to remove the iPad's Split View and Slide Over. We also talk through enhancements to Apple Intelligence, such as improved Visual Intelligence and the ability to access Apple's on-device foundation models directly in Shortcuts.
‌iOS 26‌, ‌iPadOS 26‌, ‌watchOS 26‌, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 are available now.
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163: Apple Announces iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, and More Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

The iPhone 17 is finally here. On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of Apple's "awe-dropping" announcements this week, including the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup, new Apple Watch models, AirPods Pro 3, and more.
Apple's ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ were introduced with significant hardware upgrades, including enhanced active noise cancellation, a built-in heart rate monitor, improved sound processing, and foam ear tips. In addition, Apple previewed a new Live Translation feature also coming to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.
The Apple Watch lineup received a refresh, with the Series 11 touting stronger front glass, 5G connectivity, and better battery life. The Apple Watch SE 3 now includes an always-on display and fast charging, while the Ultra 3 gains a new display and satellite connectivity. Apple also introduced hypertension detection and a new sleep scoring feature, which are available on older models.
The ‌iPhone 17‌ gains a 6.3-inch display, now with ProMotion for the first time in a non-Pro model, and the A19 chip. It features the same new 18-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage and a square sensor introduced across the lineup.
Apple introduced the iPhone Air as its thinnest iPhone yet with a radical new design. It includes a polished titanium frame, the A19 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, a faster and more efficient C1X 5G modem, a single rear camera, and a 6.5-inch display with ProMotion, but loses out on a physical SIM card slot and stereo speakers.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were unveiled with a new design that abandons titanium in favor of an aluminum unibody structure, with a new full-width camera plateau and vapor chamber cooling. There is now a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical zoom options. Both devices include larger batteries that deliver over six hours more battery life than their predecessors, with storage starting at 256GB and reaching a new 2TB maximum on the Pro Max.
There were also a range of new accessories, including TechWoven cases for the Pro models, a crossbody strap, and a bumper case and MagSafe battery for the ‌iPhone Air‌.

Bonus Episode: Interview with Kayci Lacob - Writer/Director of "Everything to Me" Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In a very special bonus episode we spoke with Kayci Lacob, writer and director of “Everything to Me," a new movie about a girl raised in Silicon Valley amid Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' successful return to the company. The film follows Jobs' huge influence on her imagination, aspirations, and relationships, and is packed with easter eggs for Apple fans.
Everything to Me is in theaters now!

162: Apple's 'Awe Dropping' Event Expectations Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

With Apple's "Awe dropping" iPhone 17 event now less than a week away, in this episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of our final expectations for the announcements. We also talk to director Kayci Lacob about her new Steve Jobs-focused movie, "Everything to Me."
At the very least, Apple is expected to announce the ‌iPhone 17‌, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 next week.
The ‌iPhone 17‌ is expected to gain a slightly larger display with simmer bezels and the A19 chip. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ is set to debut a radically thin new design with a single rear camera and gain Apple's custom C1 modem.
The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and Pro Max are rumored to introduce a new, all-aluminum design with a glass cutout on the back to enable wireless charging. The overall look is significantly different with a large rear camera bump that spans the entire width of the device and a relocated Apple logo. They are also expected to gain a 48-megapixel telephoto camera for the first time, longer battery life, brighter displays, and a new thermal architecture. Reverse wireless charging is also a possibility.
The whole lineup is expected to offer 24-megapixel front-facing cameras, ProMotion displays for refresh-rates up to 120Hz, and a custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip. The Air and Pro models are also likely to feature 12GB of memory and the A19 Pro chip. New color options are expected across the lineup, alongside a whole new selection of cases and accessories, including "TechWoven" fabric cases and a "Crossbody Strap."
The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ 3 is rumored to feature a larger display (perhaps like the Apple Watch Series 7), the S11 chip, and potentially a plastic casing. It could also available at a slightly lower price point.
The Apple Watch Series 11 will likely feature the S11 chip, 5G RedCap connectivity on cellular models, a "Sleep Score" feature, and potentially hypertension detection. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to also get all of these new features, as well as a slightly larger wide-angle OLED display with a faster refresh rate, and satellite connectivity.
The AirPods 3 could also be announced with new features such as a tweaked design with a capacitive pairing button, improved audio and active noise cancellation, a heart-rate sensor, and body temperature monitoring. The event takes place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
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161: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.
We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the ‌iPhone 17‌'s new thermal system with vapor chamber cooling and a more heat-conductive aluminum chassis. The orange and blue also likely hints at the purported orange color option for the iPhone 17 Pro and the blue color finish for the iPhone 17 Air.
New “Liquid Silicone" cases are rumored to debut alongside the ‌iPhone 17‌, as well as more premium "TechWoven" cases. TechWoven is expected to take the place of Apple's previous FineWoven and leather cases, but with improved durability. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ could also get a Smart Battery and an iPhone 4-style bumper case. All of the new cases are expected to feature support for a "Crossbody Strap," a new magnetic lanyard accessory.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3 could arrive at the event. The new model is expected to feature heart-rate monitoring, improved active noise cancellation, tweaked earbuds, and a slightly smaller charging case with a hidden capacitive pairing button. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ may also offer reverse wireless charging for AirPods.

160: Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 or Wait for Next Year? Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through what to expect from the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, and Ultra 3, and whether it's worth holding off on an upgrade until next year.
The third-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is rumored to feature a larger display (perhaps like the Apple Watch Series 7), the S11 chip, and potentially a plastic casing. It could also available at a slightly lower price point.
The Apple Watch Series 11 will likely feature the S11 chip, 5G RedCap connectivity on cellular models, a "Sleep Score" feature, and potentially hypertension detection. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to also get all of these new features, as well as a slightly larger wide-angle OLED display with a faster refresh rate, and satellite connectivity.
Earlier this week, internal Apple code revealed that the 2026 Apple Watch lineup is poised to get some major enhancements. The new devices will feature Touch ID for biometric authentication, a redesigned chip based on newer CPU technology for improved performance, a revamped design with a new rear sensor array, and more.

159: Apple’s Big Plan to Revamp the Smart Home Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through Apple's plan to focus on the smart home with a host of new devices and improvements to Siri.
An upgrade to ChatGPT-5 integration is planned for Siri with iOS 26, aiming to improve reasoning capabilities. The next-generation version of â€ŒSiriâ€Œ is now being tested with third-party apps including Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp. A more advanced large language model-based â€ŒSiriâ€Œ, which will be more powerful than the "personalized" â€ŒSiriâ€Œ, could launch as early as next spring. A visually redesigned â€ŒSiriâ€Œ interface for iPhones and iPads is also under consideration for release in 2026.
The company is said to be recruiting engineers for its "Answers, Knowledge, and Information" team tasked with enhancing â€ŒSiriâ€Œ, Spotlight, Safari, and other services. This team is in the early stages of creating a "new ChatGPT-like search experience" and is even exploring the possibility of a standalone "answer engine" app.
The next-generation HomePod mini is expected to launch this year and will shift further toward the smart home. It will incorporate Apple's "S11" chip, a new Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E support, and potentially a second-generation ultra-wideband chip for enhanced spatial awareness. The refresh may also bring improved sound quality alongside new color options. Likewise, a new Apple TV is expected to launch this year with the A17 Pro chip and the new Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip.
Meanwhile, Apple's first smart home hub is now expected in 2026 and will feature a 7-inch display paired with an integrated speaker, taking visual cues from Google's Nest Hub with a square display, thin black or white bezels, rounded corners, and a half-dome-shaped base. Designed for shared household use, its interface will emphasize clock faces and widgets for core Apple apps, including Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes. â€ŒSiriâ€Œ could feature a new visual interface, personified and inspired by the Mac Finder icon. The device will include a front-facing camera to deliver personalized content and features for each user, but it will not run third-party apps or have an app store. It is rumored to heavily rely on the next-generation version of â€ŒSiriâ€Œ.
Apple is also believed to be working on a Ring-style home security camera with facial recognition and motion detection to trigger home automations. Battery life is apparently being designed to last several months to a year. A facial recognition doorbell is also in development. The camera could debut alongside the 2026 smart home hub.
Lastly, a so-called Apple "robot companion" is in the prototyping stage, targeted for a 2027 launch. It will feature a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend about six inches in any directionâ€”nicknamed internally as the "Pixar lamp." Apple envisions it as an AI-driven household companion, powered by an advanced â€ŒSiriâ€Œ capable of remembering information, engaging in more natural conversations, and presenting a "visual personality." The device could proactively interrupt with suggestions and be similar to OpenAI's voice mode. It will include Center Stage as well as joystick-controlled camera movement to show different parts of a room during calls.
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158: Latest iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max Rumors Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ is expected to introduce a significant redesign. The device will move from titanium frame to an aluminum unibody. As part of this new design, the rear camera array will be made out of aluminum and the entire width of the back, with the flash and the LiDAR scanner moving to the right side.
To enable wireless charging, there will be a glass cutout in the aluminum chassis below the large camera bump. The Apple logo will move down to be centered to this glass segment, which will lead to some MagSafe accessories such as clear cases being redesigned so that the logo can still be seen.
A new cover glass with improved scratch resistance and a better anti-reflective coating are also expected. The new Pro models are rumored to come in black, white, gray, dark blue, gray, and orange finishes. There are also sketchy reports of an iridescent-style "Liquid Glass" colorway.
The device is almost certain to be powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB of memory – a 50% increase. Thermal enhancements are also expected, along with battery life improvements. All four ‌iPhone 17‌ models that are coming in 2025 will likely have Apple's first custom-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 7 support.
Major improvements are anticipated for the rear camera system, with the telephoto making the jump to 48-megapixels to match the main and ultra-wide cameras. It could also have an 8x optical zoom instead of the current 5x. There are also reports of an all-new "pro" camera app and even an additional camera control.
The ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup is now rumored to be announced on Tuesday, September 9. The series of devices could see a $50 price hike, but a base storage bump from 128GB to 256GB is possible for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌.

157: Latest iPhone 17 and 17 Air Rumors Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we focus on the latest rumors about the two standard iPhone models expected to arrive this fall: the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air.
The ‌iPhone 17‌ is expected to feature the A19 chip and a larger, 6.3-inch display with slimmer bezels and ProMotion. Color options are likely to include black, white, steel gray, light blue, green, and purple.
The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ is set to replace the "Plus" model in the lineup, debuting a super-thin design. While it will not have an ultra wide camera, a SIM card tray, stereo speakers, or extended battery life, it is expected to offer a 6.6-inch display with ProMotion, the A19 Pro chip with a 5-core GPU, 12GB of memory, and a titanium frame. Color options are likely to include black, white, light gold, and light blue.
The entire ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup is expected to feature a redesigned Dynamic Island interface, support for 25W charging with third-party accessories thanks to Qi 2.2, and a $50 price hike. The entire lineup is expected to be announced in the week of September 8. An ‌iPhone‌ 17e model is likely to follow in the spring of 2026.
We also discuss our latest thoughts on the iOS 26 beta, including the refinement of Liquid Glass and Apple MusicAutomix.

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