— Next-Gen iPhone Updates, New iOS Tips & Tricks, App Updates, and the Latest iOS 27 Beta News.
This week edition — Next-Gen iPhone Updates, New iOS Tips & Tricks, App Updates, and the Latest iOS 27 Beta News.
NEWSLETTER
7/21/202612 min read
Newsletter #5
Next-Gen iPhone Updates, New iOS Tips & Tricks, App Updates, and the Latest iOS 27 Beta News.
Welcome to the 5th edition of the Tech With Eugene newsletter! 💙
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What a week it has been! Spain has won the World Cup 2026, and are the champions of the world. A huge congratulations to Spain on an incredible achievement! Where did you watch the final?
After an exciting week of football, there is also plenty happening in the world of Apple. I have been following the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumours, along with several other interesting app updates, and I cannot wait to share the highlights with you. So, grab a drink, get comfortable and let’s dive in!
The next gen iPhone 18 Pro
We’re only a few months away from Apple’s next big iPhone event, and the rumours are already getting interesting. Last week, I shared the latest details about the iPhone Ultra, which could become Apple’s first foldable iPhone. But that may not be the only major launch in September. Apple is also expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, the successors to the current iPhone 17 Pro models.
What to Expect from the Next iPhone
We are still a few months away from the iPhone 18 Pro, but the first details are already starting to appear. A smaller Dynamic Island, a more efficient display, longer battery life and new camera features could all be on the way. Here are the upgrades that caught my attention.
A smaller Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island is the small black area at the top of the iPhone screen that contains the front camera and Face ID sensors. It also displays useful information, such as timers, music controls and live activities. This was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022.
Apple may make it smaller on the iPhone 18 Pro by moving part of the Face ID system underneath the screen. This could give you more screen space and make the front of the iPhone look cleaner.
A More Efficient Display
Do not expect a completely new iPhone design this year. The Pro models could keep their 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, along with the raised section on the back that holds the three cameras. So the same camera layout.
The biggest display upgrade may be the new LTPO+ technology. In simple terms, it allows the screen to adjust how often it refreshes based on what you are doing. It can refresh quickly when you are scrolling or gaming, then slow down when the image is not moving. This uses less power and could help the battery last longer.
More Control Over the Camera
The 48-megapixel main camera could get a variable aperture. This means the camera could control how much light enters the lens, helping you take better photos in both bright and dark conditions. It may also give you more control over how blurred the background looks in portrait photos. We do not yet know how big the improvement will be, but it could make the iPhone camera feel more like a traditional camera.
A New, Smaller 2nm Chip
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to use Apple’s new A20 Pro chip. It could be the first iPhone processor built using a 2nm manufacturing process.
The term 2nm refers to a newer and smaller way of building the tiny components inside a processor. This allows Apple to fit more technology into the chip while using less power. As a result, the new iPhones could feel faster, stay cooler and offer longer battery life during everyday use.
The letters “nm” stand for nanometre, an extremely small unit of measurement. One nanometre is one-billionth of a metre. A smaller number means the processor’s tiny components can be packed more closely together. This can help the iPhone perform faster, use less energy, stay cooler and offer better battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are currently using the A19 3nm chip.
Apple’s Next Modem
A modem is the part of the iPhone that connects it to mobile networks such as 5G and 4G. Apple introduced its first own modem, the C1, with the iPhone 16e. It later launched the faster C1X modem with the iPhone Air last year.
Until now, Apple’s Pro iPhones have used modems from Qualcomm. That could change with the iPhone 18 Pro models, which are expected to receive Apple’s new C2 modem. This could bring Apple’s own modem technology to the Pro lineup for the first time, with better connectivity and lower power use likely to be the main improvements.
Internet Through Satellites
The iPhone 18 Pro could support 5G internet through satellites. This means you may be able to browse the web in places where there is no Wi-Fi or normal mobile signal.
Current iPhones mainly use satellites for emergency messages and a few other basic features. A full internet connection would be a major upgrade, although its speed and availability are still unknown.
A New Chip for Wireless Connections
Apple introduced its N1 wireless chip with the base iPhone 17, 17 Pro and iPhone Air in September 2025. This small chip manages connections such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread. It also helps features like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot work quickly and reliably.
The iPhone 18 Pro could receive a new N2 chip. We do not yet know exactly what will improve, but it may provide faster and more stable wireless connections while using less battery power.
A New Dark Cherry Finish
Dark Cherry could become the standout colour of the iPhone 18 Pro, just as Cosmic Orange was for the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple may also introduce Light Blue, Dark Gray and Silver, while Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue could disappear from the lineup. Dark Cherry sounds like a bold choice, and I am curious to see how it will look in real life.
A Simpler Camera Control Button
Apple may simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro. Instead of responding to taps and swipes, the new version could work mainly by detecting how firmly you press it. This could make the button easier and more reliable to use, although some of its current controls may disappear.
A Cleaner Look on the Back
The back of the iPhone 18 Pro could have a smoother and more consistent appearance. The Ceramic Shield area around MagSafe may receive a more frosted finish, helping it blend better with the rest of the phone. This could replace the current two-tone look with a cleaner and more seamless design.
A bigger battery for the Pro Max
Battery life could be one of the biggest reasons to choose the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max. According to information from Chinese regulatory filings, it may come with a battery that is almost 10% larger than the one inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max. That could mean noticeably longer battery life throughout the day.
A slightly thicker Pro Max
The larger battery may come with one small compromise. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to be slightly thicker than both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the regular iPhone 18 Pro. Personally, I would happily accept a little extra thickness if it means noticeably better battery life.
For now, these details are still based on rumours. Even so, the iPhone 18 Pro series is already starting to sound like a meaningful upgrade, especially with better battery life, a more flexible camera system and possible satellite internet support.
Newsletter #5
Image credit: Mac Rumors
Technical specs iPhone 18 Pro
Here is a quick overview of the expected technical specifications for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple has not confirmed anything yet, so these details are still rumours. However, they give us an early look at the possible upgrades.
Display sizes: 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Smaller Dynamic Island: Part of the Face ID system may move underneath the display, creating more usable screen space.
LTPO+ display: The screen could adjust its refresh rate more efficiently, helping to reduce power use and extend battery life.
48-megapixel main camera: A variable aperture could control how much light enters the camera and offer more control over background blur.
A20 Pro processor: Apple’s next Pro chip may use a new 2nm manufacturing process, compared with the 3nm A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro.
Better performance: The smaller 2nm design could make the iPhone faster, cooler and more energy efficient.
C2 cellular modem: Apple’s own next-generation modem could manage 5G and 4G connections while using less power.
5G through satellites: The Pro models may be able to connect to the internet in places without Wi-Fi or a normal mobile signal.
N2 wireless chip: This new chip could improve Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, AirDrop and Personal Hotspot connections.
Simpler Camera Control: The camera button may respond mainly to pressure, with its touch and swipe controls possibly being removed.
Updated rear design: The Ceramic Shield area around MagSafe could receive a more frosted finish for a cleaner appearance.
New colours: Dark Cherry may become the standout colour, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray and Silver.
Battery capacities
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive a meaningful battery upgrade:
eSIM model: 5,425 mAh, up from 5,088 mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. That is an increase of about 6.6%.
Physical SIM model: 5,235 mAh, up from 4,823 mAh. That is an increase of about 8.5%.
The eSIM model may have the larger battery because it does not need space for a physical SIM card tray. The larger batteries could provide longer everyday use, although the final battery life will also depend on the efficiency of the new display, processor and modem.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max may become slightly thicker to make room for its larger battery. Personally, I would not mind a little extra thickness if it means I can use my iPhone for longer without reaching for a charger.
Image credit: Mac World
App Updates
Whenever there are noteworthy app updates, I’ll share them with you here.
This week, I’m taking a closer look at what’s new in the Apple Sports app. It's been one day since the FIFA World Cup 2026 has finished, and Apple already dropped a major Update to the Apple Sports App. Apple is expanding its soccer coverage with seven new leagues:
Belgian Pro League
Danish Superliga
Dutch Eredivisie
Japanese J1 League
Polish Ekstraklasa
Scottish Premiership
Swiss Super League
The update also adds team formations across most soccer leagues, making it easier to see each match’s starting lineup.
How to Update the Apple Sports App
Open the App Store on your iPhone.
Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Scroll down to see the available app updates.
Find Apple Sports and tap Update.
If you don’t see Apple Sports in the list, search for it in the App Store. If the button says Open, you already have the latest version. Currently version 4.2 is the latest one.
This Week’s iOS Tips & Tricks
Welcome back to my weekly iOS Tips section! Every week, I share practical tips, clever tricks and hidden features to help you get more out of your iPhone. After sharing the first two tips last week, I’m back with two more useful features for you to try.
1. Turn the Back of Your iPhone into a Button
Did you know that the back of your iPhone can work like an extra button? With a feature called Back Tap, you can perform an action by tapping the back of your iPhone two or three times.
You can use it to take a screenshot, open the Control Centre, turn on the flashlight, adjust the volume or run one of your shortcuts.
How to set up Back Tap:
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Tap Touch.
Scroll to the bottom and select Back Tap.
Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
Select the action you want to use.
Now tap the back of your iPhone two or three times to try it. I use Double Tap for screenshots because it saves me from pressing two buttons at once. You could also use Triple Tap for a different action, such as turning on the flashlight or opening the Control Centre. Try a few options and choose the combination that works best for you. Once Back Tap becomes part of your routine, you may wonder how you ever managed without it.
2. Copy Text Directly from a Photo
Have you ever seen an address, recipe or phone number in a photo and wanted to copy it? Live Text allows your iPhone to recognize written words inside photos, videos and the Camera app.
You can copy the text, translate it, search for it online or paste it into another app. Your iPhone can also recognise phone numbers, email addresses and website links.
How to copy text from an existing photo:
Open the Photos app.
Select a photo that contains text.
Press and hold one of the words in the photo.
Move the selection points to choose the text you need.
Tap Copy.
Open another app, such as Notes or Messages.
Press and hold inside the text area, then tap Paste.
You can also choose Translate to translate the selected words or Look Up to find more information.
How to use Live Text with the Camera:
Open the Camera app.
Point your iPhone at some written text.
Wait for the iPhone to recognize the words.
Tap the Live Text icon that appears on the screen. It’s the icon next to the numbers that show how far you can zoom in or out with your iPhone.
Select the text and choose what you want to do with it.
This is especially useful for copying Wi-Fi passwords, saving contact details or translating a menu while travelling.
iOS 27 Developer Beta 4 is out.
Yesterday, Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 27, and things are moving fast! The first beta arrived shortly after WWDC26 on June 8, and now Beta 4 is already here. Let’s take a look at what’s new.
What’s New in iOS 27 Beta 4
I have been looking through iOS 27 beta 4, and there are some new changes:
A new look for Siri: When you open Siri from the Dynamic Island or by swiping down on the Home Screen, you may now see a new welcome screen. It gives the updated Siri experience a more polished introduction.
The Depth Effect is working again: Beta 3 introduced a bug that caused the Depth Effect to behave incorrectly. Apple has fixed this in beta 4, so Lock Screen wallpapers should now display properly again.
More natural Siri voices: Two of Siri’s enhanced voices now support controls for speaking speed and expressiveness. These settings should help Siri sound more natural. Five older voices now also show these options, but Apple says they are still coming soon.
Control Center now includes a redesigned Adaptive Audio slider for AirPods Pro, featuring Apple’s new Liquid Glass look. You’ll also see the same udated design on the Adaptive Audio slider in your AirPods Pro settings.
iOS 26.6 Release Candidate is here
Apple also released the iOS 26.6 Release Candidate yesterday. This is usually the final test version before the update becomes available to everyone, provided Apple does not discover any last-minute problems.
iOS 26.6 is a smaller update focused mainly on fixing bugs, improving security and making the iPhone run more smoothly. However, Apple has included a few interesting changes.
One of them is a new limit for blocked contacts. If you attempt to block more than 20,000 contacts, your iPhone will let you know that you have reached the maximum.
Apple also appears to be preparing a new anti-theft feature. It may automatically lock your iPhone if someone suddenly grabs it from your hand. The feature could use the phone’s motion sensors, together with a connected Apple Watch, to notice when the iPhone quickly moves away from you. It’s not yet clear whether this new feature will be included in the iOS 26.6 release or arrive in a future update.
Ahead of the iOS 27 release, Apple says iOS 26.6 prepares your iPhone by improving how Spotlight organizes and searches your content. This should help make the process faster when you update to iOS 27 later this year.
iOS 26.6 final is expected to launch within the next 2 weeks.
That’s all for this week! If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, feel free to forward it and invite them to join us.
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