Apple just showed off WWDC 2026—and one quiet update will cost you $200 more this fall
If you were hoping the next iPhone or MacBook might get cheaper, WWDC 2026 just dashed those dreams. During the keynote, Apple revealed that the new "Pro" tier of its operating system, coming this fall, will require a new hardware chip that won't be backward-compatible with devices older than two years. Translation: if you want the fastest performance, better AI features, and the redesigned Control Center, you'll likely need to shell out for a brand-new iPhone or Mac—prices starting at $200 more than last year's models. For the average consumer, this means your current device might feel slow sooner than expected, pushing you into an upgrade cycle you didn't budget for. Bottom line: your wallet just took a hit, as Apple is leveraging the WWDC hype to lock in higher hardware sales.