iPhone 18 Pro Max adds 'Prepare to Ship' battery fix
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max packs a battery larger than 20 watt-hours, triggering stricter shipping rules in many places. To get around this, new units ship with software that keeps the battery under 20 Wh until activation. If you ever need to mail in your phone for repairs or trade-in, a new “Prepare to Ship” option in settings will discharge it below the legal limit. The process can take a couple hours if fully charged.
- Battery exceeds 20 watt-hours, triggering shipping limits
- Pre-activated units have battery capped with firmware
- 'Prepare to Ship' mode discharges battery below threshold
- Process can take up to two hours if fully charged
- Device may run warmer during discharge, says Apple
Sources covering this
In this story
More in Gadgets
Apple launches AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation
Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5, which now offer active noise cancellation on all models, a first for this entry-level line. They're $129 for the standard version and $149 for a version with wireless charging. Apple says the new design blocks up to 50% more outside noise than the last model. Pre-orders begin today, with store availability set for September 18.
iPhone 18 Pro Will Add Variable Camera Aperture
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce an adjustable aperture for its main camera lens—a first for Apple’s phone lineup. Sources say the rest of the phone won’t look or work much differently from last year’s model, and big camera changes will likely only be in that primary lens. This adjustment could allow for more creative photo effects, but the tiny sensor size probably limits real-world impact.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 features leak ahead of launch
Apple’s expected to launch both a new Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 soon, with reports pointing to faster chips, possibly called S11 or S12, and a handful of first-time features. Code in beta software teases a “Readiness” app for recovery tracking, more detailed strength workouts, boosted storage up to 128GB, and upgraded sensors for better health data. You might also need to brace for a price hike—the Ultra 4 could land above last year’s $799.
Apple's iPhone Duo foldable phone starts at $2,000
Apple will call its first foldable phone the iPhone Duo, not the previously rumored iPhone Ultra, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Pricing begins at $2,000 for a 256GB model, with premium versions reaching $3,000. Apple reportedly accepted higher costs due to memory parts shortages but chose not to start even higher, as earlier rumors suggested. The iPhone Duo could launch as early as October, in white or dark blue.