Hey guys, Tom here. This week, Apple gets Charismatic, next year might be an odd year for the iPhone, and there's been some major new Apple Watch rumours.
Forget iOS and macOS, let's talk 'Charismatic'
I’ve previously talked here in the newsletter about Apple’s upcoming table-top robot and smart-home hub, so we’ve already got a sense of what the highly anticipated new hardware might look like. Now, according to reports, we’re starting to get an idea of the software that could power it. Apple’s engineers are said to be working on a new operating system, codenamed Charismatic, designed specifically for this next generation of devices.
Charismatic is rumoured to mix elements of tvOS and watchOS. Instead of full-screen apps, the interface is said to revolve around clock faces, widgets and quick, task-focused controls. Leaks suggest a hexagonal grid of circular icons, similar to the Apple Watch, and Apple is apparently testing playful designs such as a Snoopy-themed clock face. Core apps like Calendar, Music, Reminders and Notes are expected, though the emphasis would be on short, simple interactions rather than traditional apps.
One of the most interesting claims is multi-user support. Reports suggest a front-facing camera could recognise who’s approaching and adjust the layout and content to their preferences. In theory, your calendar and music would appear for you, while another family member would see their own information. If true, it would be a major step up from today’s HomePod and competing smart displays.
The platform is also said to be voice-first. Siri and improved App Intents would drive most interactions, with touch controls as backup. It’s worth noting, though, that Apple has had a terible time of late with AI, with Siri facing years of delays and often falling behind Alexa and Google Assistant. If Charismatic really does lean heavily on voice, it would be Apple’s chance to reset expectations, but they're going to have to deliver the long-awaited improved Siri first.
The first product tipped to run Charismatic is a smart-home display planned for release next year. Leaks describe it as a seven-inch screen with thin bezels, rounded corners and a dome-shaped base for speakers and microphones. It’s said to be wall-mountable and will focus on home control, video calls and media playback. A year later, in 2027, Apple is reportedly preparing a table-top robot, internally codenamed J595. Mark Gurman has compared it to a Pixar-style lamp, with a screen on a robotic arm that follows you around the room. It’s rumoured to feature a more animated Siri interface with visual effects designed to make it feel more lifelike.
None of this has been confirmed by Apple, so for now it is, of course, all speculation. But taken together, these reports suggest Apple is preparing a serious push into the smart-home market, an area where it has so far struggled. The HomePod never reached the mainstream success of Amazon’s Echo, and HomeKit has lagged behind Google’s ecosystem. Charismatic could be Apple’s attempt to change that story.
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Apple's iPhone strategy might be about to change
All eyes are naturally on the iPhone 17 launch next month, but as is the case each year, attention is already turning to what comes after. Reports suggest Apple is planning to delay the base iPhone 18 until spring 2027, with only the premium models arriving at the September 2026 event. That means we could be looking at the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and potentially Apple’s first foldable iPhone taking centre stage.
Industry sources, first reported by ETNews and later echoed by MacRumors, claim Apple has already told suppliers that the entry-level iPhone 18 and the more affordable 18e won’t be part of the autumn launch. Instead, both models would land the following spring.
If that plays out, it would mark a major break from tradition. Since the very first iPhone in 2007, Apple has unveiled its entire lineup each autumn. A two-phase cycle would be something new: premium devices in September, followed by the more accessible ones a few months later. It’s a strategy that could help Apple maintain momentum across the year and smooth out its sales calendar.
It’s also a clear sign that Apple is leaning further into form-factor diversity. Slotting in a foldable model alongside the Pro range would massively expand the 'Pro' category, while the spring release gives everyday buyers something more approachable.
There are obvious upsides. Apple gets the spotlight twice a year instead of once, and avoids overwhelming customers with too many models at a single event. But there are risks too. Delaying the base iPhone could cause confusion, especially as the standard model usually sets the tone for the entire lineup.
Even so, in a market where phones come in so many shapes, sizes and price points, a staggered release has its logic. If Apple gets the balance right, it could refresh interest every six months rather than relying on one big autumn launch.
We’ll have to wait until 2026 to know for sure, but if this happens, it could be one of the biggest shifts in Apple’s iPhone strategy in years.
A look ahead at the Apple Watch
It’s been a busy week of Apple Watch news, and it all points to some big developments expexcted at next month's Apple event.
The most significant update is likely to be the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Details have surfaced from the latest iOS 26 beta, which revealed a higher display resolution. That almost certainly means Apple has slimmed down the bezels to give you more usable screen space without making the case itself bigger. Alongside this, the Ultra 3 is tipped to include 5G RedCap connectivity, a newer form of 5G that’s faster than 4G but less power-hungry than full 5G. Another headline feature could be satellite messaging, letting you send texts and share your location even when you’re far from any mobile signal, a welcome addition for the 'adventure-seeking' crowd that the Watch Ultra is targeted to. Add in faster charging, the possibility of blood-pressure trend alerts, and new watchOS 26 features such as AI-based workout coaching and a built-in Notes app, and this year’s Ultra could well be a meaningful upgrade, especially for those still on the first-generation model.
There’s also an interesting glimpse of what might be coming further down the road. Apple’s internal code has referenced something called “AppleMesa”, which is the company’s codename for Touch ID. In plain terms, Apple has been experimenting with ways to add fingerprint recognition to the Apple Watch. That could mean a future model, perhaps as soon as 2026, lets you unlock the device or approve payments with your fingerprint on the side button or Digital Crown. It would be a far more secure and convenient option than typing in a passcode on the tiny screen. It might initially seem like a gimmick, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of this.
Then there’s the ongoing saga around blood-oxygen monitoring. If you’re in the U.S. and bought a Watch Series 9 or an Ultra 2 after 2023, you’ll know the feature was removed because of a patent dispute. Apple has now reintroduced it, but with a big change. The watch still collects the raw sensor data, but instead of processing it on your wrist, the calculations are now done by your iPhone. The end result is that the readings appear in the Health app rather than directly on the watch. It’s not as immediate or as seamless as before, but it does restore the feature for those who have gone without it.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Masimo, the medical tech company behind the original case, has filed a new lawsuit against U.S. Customs. They argue Apple’s workaround is only a superficial change and that the infringement remains. They’re asking for the import ban to be reinstated, which would once again block Apple from selling affected watches in the U.S.
Tip of the week
Did you know, that if you ever struggle to find something in the Settings part of your iPhone, you can simply use the Search bar at the top of Settings? Tap into it, type what you're looking for, and tap on a relevant result to be taken right to it.
Content I've enjoyed this week
An enjoyable look at the new Pixel Phones
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Have "bad" cameras gone too far?
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The biggest problem with Vision Pro
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