Apple also refreshed AirPods with better noise cancellation as Meta launched its free Muse AI agent.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro alongside updated AirPods, and Meta introduced a free AI agent called Muse. The iPhone 18 Pro adds a variable-aperture main lens, a new chip, improved battery life, and new color options, while the base AirPods gain stronger active noise cancellation.

Sony also launched a surprise second generation of its discontinued WH-1000XM4 headphones, keeping the same look but updating the sound profile and Bluetooth support. Apple’s starting prices climbed by $100, and older iPhone models saw increases as well.

For teams that manage device fleets, the $100 increase changes refresh math, so staged rollouts and longer replacement cycles become more attractive. Meta’s Muse agent is free with usage limits, which lets operators test conversational search and app connections without new spend.

Meta’s agent hallucinated frequently in early hands-on testing, including invented lyrics for a song, so teams evaluating it should verify outputs before shipping anything to users. Watch how Apple prices the next refresh and whether Sony expands the revived XM4 line.

What matters

• Apple raised iPhone starting prices by $100 while adding a variable-aperture lens and longer battery life.
• The $100 increase matters for teams that manage device fleets and refresh budgets yearly.
• Watch whether Apple holds the higher price tier through the coming refresh cycle.

Why it matters

Watch whether Apple holds the higher price tier through the coming refresh cycle.

This GenAI News article was prepared in original wording using reporting and materials published by The Verge. Source reference: https://www.theverge.com/tech/994218/apple-iphone-18-pro-airpods-5-meta-muse-ai-sony-headphones.

Drafted by the GenAI News review pipeline.