Apple once again made the news in a single week, announcing refreshed MacBook Pro models, an OLED-equipped iPad mini, and a major update to its creative software bundle. The company also addressed ongoing reports of inner display problems on the iPhone Duo, while rolling out iOS 27.2 with a large set of fixes and new capabilities. Beyond Apple, the week brought the global debut of the Poco X8s, fresh leaks for future Apple and Motorola devices, and a new long-form video test from Instagram.
Apple brings OLED and touchscreens to the MacBook Pro
The biggest announcement of the week was Apple's new MacBook Pro lineup, which adds tandem OLED displays and touchscreen support to the Mac family for the first time. Apple is calling the panels PROLED XDR, and they support variable refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz with peak brightness reaching up to 2,000 nits. The new models also feature a smaller, lighter design and improved speakers.
The machines keep Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, while the familiar notch is replaced by a Dynamic Island. Pricing starts at $2,899, and the models are set to go on sale on November 6.
A new OLED iPad mini arrives, but with an important catch
Apple also updated the iPad mini with an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip, and IP67 ingress protection. The display is paired with acoustic display speakers, adding another touch of modern hardware to the compact tablet.
There is one notable limitation, though. The 128GB and 256GB versions reportedly use a binned chip with one fewer CPU core and about half the NPU performance of the 512GB model. The display also remains capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, which could be a missed opportunity given the move to OLED.
iPhone Duo display damage and quality-control questions
The iPhone Duo also remained a major talking point this week after reports of damage affecting the inner display on a number of units. Apple acknowledged the issue and said affected owners should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Separately, an unnamed Foxconn employee alleged that Apple relaxed quality inspection standards to push more units into retail ahead of the holiday season. The same report claimed a batch of components had already been replaced, while overall quality-control standards had not been changed. The story added fuel to broader speculation that Apple may have been aware of the Duo's fragile hinge but decided not to redesign it.
iOS 27.2 rolls out with security fixes and expanded Siri AI support
Apple also began rolling out iOS 27.2, an update that fixes more than 160 security vulnerabilities. The release expands Siri AI support to French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese on supported iPhone models and adds Apple Pencil USB-C support to the iPhone Duo.
The update also brings additional improvements to Messages, Photos, FaceTime, and Apple TV, making it one of the more feature-heavy updates of the week.
Apple Creator Studio gets its biggest update since launch
Apple's creative subscription bundle also received a major update. Final Cut Pro for Mac now integrates MotionVFX tools, including templates, graphics, transitions, rotoscoping, tracking, and color grading features. The app also gains Apple's Content Hub, new Pixelmator Pro integration, and support for 23 additional transcription languages.
The update strengthens Apple's push into professional and semi-professional creative workflows, giving the bundle more depth and practical utility for video editors, designers, and content creators.
Poco X8s debuts globally with OLED display and Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
Xiaomi's Poco brand launched the X8s for global markets, positioning it as a feature-rich midrange option. The phone features a 6.35-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,500 nits of peak brightness.
Under the hood, it is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The device also includes a 6,330mAh battery, 100W charging, an IP68 rating, and a triple rear camera setup made up of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide camera.
Fresh leaks point to the iPhone 18e and Motorola's next devices
Leaks also continued to shape the conversation this week. One report claimed the iPhone 18e will feature a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and Apple's A20 chipset. Based on the timing of the iPhone 17e's launch, a spring 2027 debut is possible, though all of these details remain unconfirmed. The same leak also pointed to a sharper selfie camera.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese retailer listed the Motorola Signature 27 with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for €1,594.90, though it was marked as out of stock. The listing described the phone with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, a 200MP periscope camera, and a 50MP main camera. It also mentioned the upcoming Razr Flex, which had an unusual description and a price that many may view as unrealistic.
Instagram tests long-form videos called Features
The final notable development came from Instagram, which is testing a new format called Features. The system allows users to upload horizontal videos up to 90 minutes long, with the initial rollout aimed at select creators, including podcasters.
For now, clips are expected to appear in Explore with an option to watch the full video. Instagram also plans to bring the format to its TV app at a later date, signaling a broader push into longer-form content.
