Another fast-moving week of tech news is behind us, with Apple at the center of the action once again. The company announced new MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens, refreshed the iPad mini with an OLED display, and shared a major update for Apple Creator Studio. At the same time, reports of inner display problems with the iPhone Duo put a different strain on Apple’s headlines. Outside of Apple, Poco launched the X8s, Instagram tested long-form video content, and several new leaks and retailer listings added to the mix.
Apple’s new MacBook Pro models bring OLED displays and touchscreens
Apple has introduced a new pair of MacBook Pro models that mark a major step for the Mac lineup by adding tandem OLED displays and touchscreen support for the first time. Apple is branding the panels PROLED XDR, and they support adaptive refresh rates from 10Hz to 120Hz along with peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits.
The new machines continue with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, but they also replace the traditional notch with a Dynamic Island. The updated design is said to be smaller and lighter, and it also includes improved speakers. Pricing starts at $2,899, with the models going on sale on November 6.
The OLED iPad mini arrives with the A20 Pro chip
Apple’s latest iPad mini gets a significant display upgrade, moving to an 8.5-inch OLED screen and adding the A20 Pro chip. The update also brings acoustic display speakers and IP67 ingress protection.
There is one notable catch, though. The 128GB and 256GB versions are said to use a binned chip with one fewer CPU core and half the NPU performance of the 512GB model. The display is still capped at 60Hz, which keeps this update from feeling as fully upgraded as the headline panel might suggest.
iPhone Duo display issues prompt Apple response and new scrutiny
The iPhone Duo also remained a major topic this week, after reports emerged that the inner display was damaged on a small number of units. Apple acknowledged the issue and advised affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement.
The story took a more complicated turn after a report alleged that Apple lowered its quality inspection standards in an effort to get more units to retailers before the holiday season. The claim came from an unnamed Foxconn employee, though the same report also said a batch of components had been replaced while overall quality control standards had not changed.
Poco X8s debuts with OLED display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, and big battery
In the Android space, Poco launched the X8s for global markets. The phone comes with a 6.35-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display that runs at 120Hz and offers up to 3,500 nits of peak brightness. Under the hood, it is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
The X8s also packs a large 6,330mAh battery with 100W fast charging, along with an IP68 rating. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide camera.
iOS 27.2 rolls out with major security fixes and new features
Apple is also rolling out iOS 27.2, an update that addresses more than 160 security vulnerabilities. The release expands Siri AI support to French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese on compatible iPhone models, and it adds Apple Pencil USB-C support for the iPhone Duo.
Additional changes arrive in Messages, Photos, FaceTime, and Apple TV, making this one of the more substantial updates Apple has shipped in recent weeks.
Apple Creator Studio gets its biggest update yet
Apple’s creative app subscription bundle, Apple Creator Studio, is receiving its largest update since launch. Final Cut Pro for Mac now integrates MotionVFX tools, including templates, graphics, transitions, and utilities for rotoscoping, tracking, and color grading.
The update also introduces Apple’s Content Hub, new Pixelmator Pro integration, and 23 additional transcription languages, giving creators a more complete and connected editing ecosystem.
New iPhone 18e leak points to OLED display and A20 chip
Looking ahead, a new leak suggests that the iPhone 18e will feature a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and Apple’s A20 chipset. The report also hints at a sharper front camera.
A spring 2027 launch is considered possible based on the timing of the iPhone 17e, but all details remain unconfirmed.
Motorola Signature 27 and Razr Flex surface at a European retailer
On the leak and retailer front, a Portuguese store listed the Motorola Signature 27 with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for €1,594.90, though it is currently marked out of stock. The listing also mentions the upcoming Razr Flex, along with a description that appears odd and a price that seems difficult to take at face value.
The Signature 27 is described as featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, a 200MP periscope camera, and a 50MP main camera.
Instagram tests long-form videos called Features
Finally, Instagram is testing a new long-form video format called Features. The system allows select creators, including podcasters, to upload horizontal videos up to 90 minutes long. The rollout will begin by showing clips in Explore with an option to watch the full video, and Instagram says it plans to bring the format to its TV app later.
