iPhone 18 Screen Sizes Revealed Alongside New Apple Display and Gemini Deal

Today's 9to5Mac Daily podcast reveals significant developments across Apple's product pipeline and corporate partnerships. Host Seth Kurkowski discusses four major stories impacting Apple users and investors.

Verizon Offers $20 Credit Following Network Outage

Following yesterday's nationwide service disruption, Verizon announced affected customers will receive a $20 account credit. This automatic credit applies to both individual and business accounts that experienced connectivity issues during the outage period. While Verizon hasn't disclosed specific cause details, the compensation acknowledges the disruption's severity affecting cellular and internet services across multiple states.

New Apple External Display Surfaces in Regulatory Database

A previously unannounced Apple display has appeared in Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) database. Identified by model number A2947, the filing confirms this is a "display product" manufactured by Apple. While specifications remain undisclosed, regulatory approvals typically precede product launches by 2-4 months. Industry analysts suggest this could represent either a Pro Display XDR successor or a more affordable companion display for Mac users.

iPhone 18 Lineup Details Leaked

Reliable sources provided 9to5Mac with specifications for next year's iPhone 18 series:

• Screen Sizes: The standard iPhone 18 will maintain 6.1-inch displays while Pro models increase to 6.3 inches (iPhone 18 Pro) and 6.9 inches (iPhone 18 Pro Max)
• Dynamic Island Evolution: Apple plans to shrink the Dynamic Island cutout significantly across all models using advanced under-display sensor technology
• Camera Upgrades: Pro models will feature enhanced main sensors with larger pixels for improved low-light performance

This represents Apple's largest screen size adjustment since 2020 and demonstrates continued refinement of the Dynamic Island implementation.

Apple Secures Gemini AI Deal After OpenAI Talks Collapse

In a strategic AI partnership, Apple will pay Google billions annually to integrate Gemini's AI capabilities across iOS, macOS, and future Apple products. This agreement follows failed negotiations between Apple and OpenAI regarding financial terms and data control. The Gemini integration is expected to power core system features including Siri enhancements, content generation tools, and advanced photo editing capabilities starting with iOS 19.

These developments highlight Apple's concurrent hardware innovation and strategic partnerships. The display filing suggests imminent visual workstation upgrades, while the iPhone 18 leaks indicate continued refinement of Apple's smartphone formula. The Gemini deal positions Apple to compete aggressively in generative AI without developing foundational models internally.

Listen to the full discussion on today's 9to5Mac Daily podcast.