Apple is navigating a mixed Q2: iPhone shipments rose 3% and captured 20% global share despite the worst smartphone market since 2013, while the company escalates its AI push with the newly released Siri AI, sues OpenAI over trade-secret theft, and deepens U.S. chip sourcing with a $30B Broadcom deal. Product-wise, Apple is rumored to have 16 launches lined up for late 2026, including a foldable iPhone Ultra, M6 MacBook Pro base model, and a new smart home hub.
- Market Performance
- Global smartphone shipments fell 11% in Q2 to lowest since 2013 due to memory chip shortages
- Apple was the only major vendor to grow, +3% shipments and 20% record market share, driven by premium iPhone demand
- Legal & Regulatory
- Apple sued OpenAI and two ex-employees Friday, alleging theft of trade secrets to aid OpenAI’s consumer hardware push
- EU General Court dismissed Apple’s challenge to DMA “gatekeeper” status for App Store and iOS, upholding obligations to open to rivals
- Product Roadmap – iPhone/iPad/Mac
- 16 new products expected later 2026: iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max with A20 Pro chip, smaller Dynamic Island, C2 modem for satellite browsing
- Foldable iPhone Ultra: 7.7″ inner + 5.3″ outer display, Touch ID power button, iOS 27 multitasking, likely delayed launch after iPhone 18 Pro
- MacBook: 14″ base model getting M6 chip later this year; redesigned MacBook Ultra with OLED expected by early 2027
- Apple Watch / AirPods / Apple TV / Home
- watchOS 27 requires Series 10 or newer for Apple Intelligence features; adds redesigned Dynamic App Grid, full conversational Siri AI
- Apple TV + HomePod/HomePod mini updates expected later 2026
- New Apple smart home hub debuting later this year
- Vision Pro
- visionOS 27 adds Siri AI as floating 3D orb, no “Hey Siri” needed, plus Visual Intelligence for physical objects and 3x faster Wi-Fi
- Software – iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS, iCloud
- WWDC 2026 launched Siri AI: rebuilt on Apple Intelligence with conversational memory, on-screen awareness, cross-device integration
- iOS 27 adds Visual Intelligence, AI tab organization in Safari, new Parental Controls, AI video descriptions in Home app, perimenopause tracking in Health
- macOS 27 “Golden Gate”: Advanced on-device AI requires M3+ and 12GB RAM; Intel Macs dropped
- iPadOS 27 drops support for wave of older iPads
- Services – App Store, Handoff, AirDrop
- Apple’s DMA loss means App Store must comply with EU gatekeeper rules
- iOS 27 tidbits: faster AirPlay, independent alarm volume, share phone number between two iPhones
- Supply Chain
- Apple + Broadcom $30B multi-year deal through 2031 for FBAR radio chips, 15B chips from expanded Fort Collins, CO factory
- Apple raised U.S. investment to $600B over 4 years amid push for domestic sourcing
