Apple Daily Digest: OS 26.5 Release Candidates, iPhone Ultra Leaks, and App Store Legal Battles — 2026-05-04#

Highlights#

Today’s news is dominated by the imminent arrival of Apple’s next round of software updates, with Release Candidate (RC) builds for iOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 now in the hands of developers and public beta testers. Meanwhile, the hardware rumor mill is accelerating with clearer looks at the foldable “iPhone Ultra” and sweeping changes anticipated for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup. On the corporate front, Apple continues its legal wrangling, officially asking the Supreme Court to pause a mandate in the ongoing Epic Games dispute regarding App Store fee calculations.

Top Stories#

• [Apple Seeds iOS 26.5 and macOS Tahoe 26.5 Release Candidates]: Apple has seeded the Release Candidate versions for its upcoming 26.5 OS updates. The updates bring end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iOS and Android, prepare for Apple Maps ads, lay the groundwork for app sideloading in Brazil, and include the new 2026 Pride wallpapers. (Source)
• [Apple Asks Supreme Court to Pause Epic Games Case Ahead of App Store Fee Ruling]: Apple has filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court requesting a stay on the Ninth Circuit’s mandate. The company aims to halt proceedings that would calculate a “reasonable” commission on off-App Store purchases while it seeks a broader review of the initial contempt ruling. (Source)
• [Video Offers Clearest Look Yet at Foldable iPhone Ultra Dummy Unit]: A newly surfaced dummy unit video showcases the anticipated foldable “iPhone Ultra,” revealing a passport-like aspect ratio and a specialized hinge. The video details physical dimensions, coming in at 11.02 mm thick when closed (excluding the camera bump) and roughly 5.2 mm when opened. (Source)
• [iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Feature Variable Aperture, 2nm Chip, and C2 Modem]: Looking ahead to the fall, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce a variable aperture camera for greater depth-of-field control, a 2nm A20 Pro chip, a unified rear design, and a smaller Dynamic Island. It will also reportedly utilize Apple’s new proprietary C2 cellular modem. (Source)
• [Apple Unveils 2026 Pride Edition Sport Loop and Dynamic Wallpapers]: Apple announced its 2026 Pride Collection, featuring a new Pride Edition Sport Loop band woven from 11 colors of nylon yarns to create a vibrant, moving pattern. The band pairs with new dynamic Pride Luminance watch faces and iOS/iPadOS wallpapers launching with the upcoming 26.5 software updates. (Source)
• [iOS 27 Tipped to Get New ‘Create a Pass’ Feature in Wallet]: Ahead of WWDC, a new report suggests iOS 27 will introduce a “Create a Pass” feature in the Wallet app. This tool will allow users to scan physical QR codes—like gym memberships or concert tickets—and generate highly customizable digital passes sorted by color-coded templates. (Source)

Articles Worth Reading#

[The iPhone Ultra doesn’t need to be successful to be a success](https://www.macworld.com/article/3124879/the-iphone-ultra-doesnt-need-to-be-successful-to-be-a-success.html) This piece offers a compelling perspective on Apple’s strategy for its upcoming foldable device, arguing that early sales figures won’t define the product’s ultimate success. Drawing comparisons to the Vision Pro, the author suggests the initial iPhone Ultra is designed to make a splash and establish Apple’s presence in a niche market, rather than to immediately generate massive revenue. The high price tag and experimental form factor will target wealthy early adopters, paving the way to normalize foldable technology for a more refined and widely adopted “Ultra 2” in the future. It’s a must-read for understanding Apple’s long-term hardware roadmap.

[MacBook Ultra could bring ‘Neo’ energy, but for the high-end](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/04/macbook-ultra-could-bring-neo-energy-but-for-the-high-end/) This article explores the rumored “MacBook Ultra,” framing it as a high-end counterpart to the recently successful—but entry-level—MacBook Neo. Slated to feature an M6 chip, an OLED touchscreen, and a Dynamic Island in place of the traditional notch, the Ultra is positioned as an exciting expansion for power users. The piece effectively argues why such a radical, no-compromise machine is necessary to inject fresh enthusiasm into Apple’s premium computing lineup for longtime Mac veterans.

[iOS 26.5 Brings End-to-End Encryption to iPhone-Android RCS Messages](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/04/ios-26-5-rcs-encryption/) This report highlights a massive leap forward for cross-platform messaging privacy. With iOS 26.5, Apple is officially bringing end-to-end encryption to RCS chats between iPhones and Androids, matching the security standard of iMessage-to-iMessage communications. The feature is built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol in collaboration with the GSM Association, guaranteeing that third parties cannot intercept cross-platform messages. Developers and privacy advocates should review this to understand the underlying standards and carrier rollout requirements.