Foldable iPhone Ramp-Up, iOS 27 Scams Prevention, and Modem Splits — 2026-07-02#

Highlights#

Today’s news reveals major developments in Apple’s hardware roadmap, particularly regarding a surprisingly ambitious production run for the long-rumored foldable “iPhone Ultra.” On the software front, developers and enthusiasts are dissecting upcoming iOS 27 features, including a new on-device Trust Insights framework to prevent scams and expanded iCloud+ perks, as anticipation builds for the public beta release later this month.

Top Stories#

• Apple Ramps Foldable iPhone ‘Ultra’ Production to 10 Million Units: Apple has reportedly instructed suppliers to prepare up to 10 million units of its first foldable iPhone this year, significantly increasing previous forecasts of 7 to 8 million. Expected to carry a premium average selling price around $2,500, the “iPhone Ultra” will join an estimated 85 million new iPhones ordered for the second half of 2026. (MacRumors)
• iPhone 18 Pro Could Use Qualcomm Modem in the US and C2 Elsewhere: Data stolen in a recent cyberattack on Apple partner Tata Electronics suggests the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will feature a split modem strategy. US models will reportedly retain Qualcomm hardware to support mmWave 5G networks, while international models will utilize Apple’s more power-efficient, in-house C2 modem. (MacRumors)
• Report reveals iPhone 18 Pro Max’s ‘exact’ battery capacity—and it’s huge: New leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature some of the largest batteries ever seen in an Apple device. The eSIM-only model is rumored to boast a 5,425 mAh capacity, while the Nano SIM version may pack a 5,235 mAh battery, offering solid year-over-year gains for heavy users. (Macworld)
• VW Planning to Offer Apple Wallet Car Keys on iPhone: Backend code updates indicate that Volkswagen is preparing to support Apple Wallet car keys in future US vehicles. The addition will allow VW owners to lock, unlock, and start their cars using just an iPhone or Apple Watch, joining the ranks of brands like BMW, Hyundai, and Toyota. (MacRumors)
• iOS 27 helps apps detect when a user may be getting scammed in real time: A new iOS 27 framework called Trust Insights will utilize on-device behavioral analysis to determine if users are being coached through a social engineering scam. If suspicious patterns are detected during payments, account updates, or communications, apps will be able to display warnings or add verification delays without compromising user privacy. (9to5Mac)
• Safari’s New MCP Server Is Great for Agents: Safari Technology Preview 247 introduces a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to help AI agents debug and interact with the browser autonomously. Running entirely locally, the MCP server provides agents access to the DOM, screenshots, and console output, establishing Apple’s browser as a powerful, privacy-preserving tool for web developers using AI. (MacStories)

Articles Worth Reading#

Apple has all the tech needed for great Mac games. So where are they? (Macworld) Despite vast improvements in Apple Silicon and upscaling technologies like MetalFX, macOS continues to lack a robust AAA gaming library compared to Windows PCs. This article examines the persistent performance and pricing gaps, noting that a $4,000 Mac still struggles to match the gaming performance of a significantly cheaper PC. The author suggests that until Apple secures simultaneous multi-platform game releases and improves graphical performance at lower price points, the platform will remain at a disadvantage.

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27 (MacRumors) Apple is tying premium software features to its paid iCloud+ tiers in iOS 27. Subscribers will benefit from increased daily usage limits for intensive Apple Intelligence tasks, such as generating photorealistic images in the new Image Playground app. Additionally, the update will unlock AI-driven HomeKit Secure Video enhancements, including generated video descriptions and the ability to automatically search for and surface specific camera clips.

macOS 27 Golden Gate marks the end of built-in DVD support (Macworld) The era of native DVD playback on the Mac is officially drawing to a close. Release notes for the macOS 27 Golden Gate beta reveal that the DVDPlayback framework has been removed from the SDK, meaning developers can no longer utilize it and Apple intends to scrap it completely in future releases. Users relying on physical media will have to transition to third-party solutions like VLC, marking the death of Apple’s long-neglected, hidden DVD Player app.