Top Stories: iOS 26.5 Coming Soon, Goodbye $599 Mac Mini, and More
Source: MacRumors
Overview
Apple is gearing up to unveil iOS 27 and related updates at WWDC in just under a month. In the meantime, iOS 26.5 and its accompanying tweaks are arriving soon, offering a preview of what’s to come. This week also saw Apple adjust its Mac mini and Mac Studio lineups amid ongoing product shortages, while the company evaluates how to satisfy strong demand for the new MacBook Neo.
iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone
iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple’s release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week.
- End‑to‑end encryption for RCS messaging – Enables encrypted RCS chats between iOS and Android devices on supported carriers worldwide. The rollout will continue gradually.
- “Suggested Places” in Apple Maps – Provides location‑based recommendations based on your recent searches. Ads will start appearing in the U.S. and Canada later this year.
- Pride Luminance wallpaper – A dynamic wallpaper that “refracts a spectrum of colors,” available on iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5. It ships alongside a Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance watch face.
Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro
Apple refreshed the 14‑inch and 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026. While the new chips are faster, the design remains unchanged from 2021. Rumors suggest an updated design with new display technology and even higher performance could arrive in late 2026 or early 2027, often referred to as the “MacBook Ultra.” If you can wait, the next generation may offer a more substantial upgrade.
Apple Stops Selling Mac mini with 256 GB of Storage; Starting Price Rises to $799
Apple discontinued the 256 GB storage option for the Mac mini worldwide. In the U.S., the base model now starts at $799 with an M4 chip, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage (previously $599 with 256 GB). Other configurations of the Mac mini and Mac Studio remain affected by industry‑wide memory shortages driven by strong AI‑related demand.
Apple Was Caught Off Guard by MacBook Neo’s “Off the Charts” Demand
The MacBook Neo, Apple’s most affordable MacBook, has become a resounding hit. CEO Tim Cook noted on an earnings call that customer response has been “off the charts” since the laptop’s March unveiling. Apple is reportedly considering dropping the entry‑level $599 configuration and may introduce additional color options.
iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Keep Aluminum Finish Amid Durability Complaints
Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will retain the anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, despite reports of surface chipping on the earlier model. A Weibo leaker, “Fixed Focus Digital,” claims Apple classifies such chipping as normal wear and tear. A fresh CAD render also hints at a smaller Dynamic Island for the iPhone 18 Pro.
iPhone 18 Might Look a Lot More Like an “e” Model, Leaker Claims
According to the same “Fixed Focus Digital” leaker, the standard iPhone 18 and the lower‑cost iPhone 18e share interchangeable components, indicating a convergence of specifications. The leaker asserts that the standard iPhone 18 has been downgraded and its launch delayed, a decision that is final.