Apple Pay

Apple's push to sell ever more expensive iPhones is being put to the test as the company looks to move beyond its most loyal early adopters. Commentators question whether mainstream buyers will keep paying premium prices as the lineup grows costlier. Analysts are watching whether demand from ordinary consumers can sustain the strategy.

A US jury has ruled that Apple must pay a record $5.7 billion in a patent dispute over haptic technology, the vibration feedback used in iPhones and other devices. The verdict, reported by Reuters and other outlets, is described as one of the largest patent damages awards against Apple, which is expected to appeal.

Discounts on the iPhone 17 are drying up as Apple's price increases spread across markets. Reports from Forbes and other outlets indicate retailers are pulling back promotional pricing, meaning buyers who waited for deals may now pay closer to full price. The story has been picked up widely, fuelling discussion about rising smartphone costs and whether consumers should buy now or hold off for future promotions.

Apple is paying out up to $95 to iPhone buyers in the United States after its much-publicised promise of a smarter, AI-powered Siri failed to materialise on schedule. Eligible US customers can now file claims for the payout, and coverage is walking them through the process as the company faces criticism over unfulfilled artificial intelligence features.

Apple's new iPhone XS Max, the company's largest iPhone to date, will start at $1,449 for the 512GB storage version, making it the most expensive iPhone ever sold. The pricing has drawn wide attention and commentary, with many noting how far flagship phone prices have climbed and debating whether buyers will pay a premium for the bigger screen and storage.