Apple Daily Digest — 2026-07-21#

Highlights#

Today’s news is dominated by major shifts in how Apple customers will purchase their devices, led by a new “Apple Upgrade” leasing program and looming TSMC chip price hikes. Hardware rumors are also swirling, with reports that Apple is testing its largest-ever 7-inch display for the 20th-anniversary iPhone. On the legal and software fronts, Apple patched a long-standing vulnerability in its Hide My Email service and suffered a setback in its ongoing patent dispute with Masimo.

Top Stories#

• Apple Launching ‘Apple Upgrade’ Leasing Program: Apple is reportedly partnering with Klarna to launch a new device leasing program for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches starting July 28. The new initiative works like a car lease and will replace the existing iPhone Upgrade Program, though it notably excludes entry-level devices like the MacBook Neo and Apple Watch SE. (MacRumors)
• Apple Testing 7-Inch Display for 20th Anniversary iPhone: Supply chain sources indicate Apple is prototyping a 6.96-inch display—its largest smartphone screen ever—potentially intended for the 20th-anniversary iPhone model. The device is rumored to feature a near-borderless, quad-curved design. (MacRumors)
• TSMC Plans Chipmaking Price Hikes for 2027: Apple’s primary chipmaker, TSMC, has reportedly finalized negotiations to raise its manufacturing prices by up to 10% starting in 2027. This increase, driven by rising material and expansion costs, could put further pressure on Apple’s product pricing across the board. (MacRumors)
• Apple Patches Major Hide My Email Vulnerability: After more than a year of being aware of the flaw, Apple has finally patched an iCloud+ bug that exposed users’ real email addresses when targeted messages bounced. The fix was deployed earlier this month following recent public coverage of the issue. (9to5Mac)
• Apple Loses Bid to Overturn $634M Masimo Verdict: A federal judge has upheld a jury’s finding that Apple owes Masimo $634 million for infringing a pulse oximetry patent. The judge rejected Apple’s argument that the Apple Watch is not a traditional “patient monitor” and denied its request for a new trial. (9to5Mac)

Articles Worth Reading#

iOS 27 code suggests Apple could restrict leased devices after missed payments (9to5Mac) Code discovered in the iOS 27 beta reveals a new “App Managed Features” system that ties directly into the upcoming Apple Upgrade program. If a user falls behind on their Klarna-backed lease payments, the financing app can place the iPhone in “Restricted Mode,” blocking access to most applications. Essential apps like Phone, Messages, and Health will remain accessible, but the device is secured with a new “Partner Finance Lock” to prevent the iPhone from being erased or resold for parts. This offers fascinating insight into how Apple intends to securely enforce its new hardware subscription models.

TestFlight: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (MacStories) Apple updated its TestFlight app to version 4.3, finally bringing a much-requested search field to help users navigate massive beta app collections. However, the update simultaneously ruined the list’s sorting mechanism. By shifting from reverse-chronological order to a strict alphabetical list that mixes active betas with hundreds of expired ones, finding live betas has become an endless scrolling nightmare for heavy users. It’s a great read that highlights how a long-awaited feature can inadvertently break a developer tool’s usability.

iPhone Air 2 is coming, here’s everything we know so far (9to5Mac) Despite rumors that the iPhone Air 2 was indefinitely delayed due to poor sales of the first generation, recent reports suggest Apple is moving forward with significant upgrades for the device. The second-generation ultra-thin phone is expected to gain an ultra-wide secondary camera, the highly efficient 2nm A20 Pro chip, and a larger 3,500mAh battery. It may also incorporate the vapor chamber cooling system first introduced in the iPhone 17 Pro to manage heat. This piece serves as an excellent roundup of what enthusiasts can expect from Apple’s sleekest hardware line.