The Core: Apple TLDR (May 31)

by Jonny Evans · May 31, 2026

Another day passes closer to iPhone, new operating systems and a more nuanced AI system at WWDC. With so much to come, no surprise the news slowed.

Apple chucks a cherry bomb

Apple will replace the Cosmic Orange iPhone Pro variant with a new Dark Cherry color for the iPhone 18 Pro series. Other colors for the high-end device to include Black, Silver, and Light Blue.

Camera cost climbs

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the variable aperture lens used in the iPhone 18 Pro iPhones will cost 50% more than Apple’s current high-end 7P lens system.

Apple Music may get new subscription tiers

A developer identified code in the latest Apple Music for Android beta that suggests the company may introduce new subscription tiers. The code included user-focused text warning “Can’t skip any more tracks”, and “premium access required”. It is curious that this emerged even as reports that Apple Music was unavailable for users emerged worldwide. While this may be unrelated it seems possible the company may have been putting things in place for a new service.

Smart Glasses Launch Delayed to 2027

Apple has pushed back its internal timeline for iPhone-connected AI smart glasses to late 2027, says Bloomberg. These will have built-in cameras along with speakers and microphones for music, phone calls, and notifications, and compete with products in the $200-$500 price range.

Siri and iCloud

As well as a conversational interface and chat history, Apple’s new Siri chatbot will sync across all your devices using iCloud.

Apple TV, HomePod upgrades loom

Apple is almost ready to ship updated models of its Apple TV box and HomePod mini. These should be equipped with more recent processors capable of handling more complex instructions than supported today.