ios 18.6 released iPhone 17 

With the calendar flipping over to August, we're just about a month away from the introduction of the iPhone 17 lineup and we're continuing to hear more about what to expect for this year's flagship phones.

 Testing on iOS 26 and related updates is also in full swing, even as this week saw the release of iOS 18.6, macOS Sequoia 15.6, and more to provide bug fixes and security updates for users. Rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone also continue to surface, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Apple Releases iOS 18.6 With Photos Bug Fix

While iOS 26 and related major updates are now in public beta testing ahead of their official releases later this year, Apple is continuing to tweak the current versions with bug fixes and security updates. This week saw the release of iOS 18.6 with a fix for a bug in the Photos app that could prevent memory movies from being shared. The update also includes over 20 security fixes, so it's important to update your devices as soon as possible..

In addition to iOS 18.6, Apple also released macOS Sequoia 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and more, to ensure that all of the company's platforms receive the important fixes.

iPhone 17 Pro Could Come in Surprising Orange Color, Dummy Models Suggest

We've been hearing more and more about the expected color options for the iPhone 17 lineup coming later this year, and a fresh crop of dummy units reportedly intended to showcase the actual shades Apple is planning on launching reveal a surprisingly bright orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

Most Apple users are thinking about iOS 26 right now, which makes sense, as it's the exciting new toy coming to devices around the world.

However, while you're waiting, you should definitely not skip the recently released iOS 18.6, as it addresses a total of 24 critical security flaws that are essential for keeping your phone safe and secure, as outlined on Apple's support site.

If you're under the impression that you can ignore this iOS version until the big release, it's time to reconsider that stance and update your phone.

iOS has had this type of feature show up in a less dramatic fashion before, as you can tell from the photos app screenshots above. Comparing these to what's on the horizon, it's hard not to get excited about the small tweaks Liquid Glass has in store, too. 

Those are just a few of our initial findings, and we'll likely add more once we surface them. If you want more about iOS 26, check out three upcoming features that are a bigger deal than Liquid Glass.

It's easy to see the differences that Liquid Glass brings to the iPhone lock screen. The digital clock in iOS 26 dynamically resizes depending on the wallpaper and the number of notifications you have at any given moment, which is pretty cool. The clock itself on iOS 18 can be changed, but it won't change in size in response to content displayed on the lock screen. 

The background on notifications is clearly different between the two OS versions, with iOS 18 providing more opacity and black text versus iOS 26's near-transparent background on white text. The controls at the bottom in iOS 26 also appear more like physical buttons with depth and more of a see-through background. 

The new unlock effect in iOS 26 is that the motion of unlocking your iPhone will appear as though you're lifting a sheet of glass, highlighted by a shiny edge to give it form when you begin to slide your finger up. 

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Air: New Leaks Show Unprecedented Design Changes The next iPhones are less than a month away. A recent report that seemed to relate to the iPhone 17 Air has now been updated to indicate that no, it’s about the iPhone 17 Pro, after all. But there’s something much more interesting hiding in the shadows of the new story. The same leaker has now claimed they have had eyes on the iPhone 17 Air battery, too. More on that below, and what that might mean for the design of the slimmer phone. You can read my original story here, but the new update includes something that no iPhone has ever had before: different battery sizes for the iPhone based on where it will be sold.