🌅 Tekin Morning May 19: PS5 Lawsuit, iPhone 18 Pro Date & $97 Walmart Tablets

⚖️ PlayStation Owners Launch Class-Action Lawsuit Against Sony Over Tariff Refunds

In an unprecedented move that could set a precedent for the entire consumer electronics industry, PlayStation 5 console owners have filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment in California federal court. The case, officially titled Walker et al v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, was filed on May 6, 2026, and alleges that Sony violated consumer protection and unfair competition laws by retaining what plaintiffs call a "substantial windfall" from tariff-related price increases.

The story begins in August 2025, when Sony announced it would raise prices for all PS5 models (standard, digital, and Pro) by $50, citing the "challenging economic environment"—a direct reference to President Donald Trump's tariffs on electronics imported from China. The company justified the increase as necessary to offset the additional import costs imposed by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs. However, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down these tariffs as unconstitutional in February 2026, it raised a critical question: should companies that raised prices due to tariffs now refund consumers?

The Legal Theory: Double Recovery Windfall

The plaintiffs' legal strategy centers on the concept of "double recovery windfall"—the allegation that Sony profited twice from the same tariff situation. Here's how the argument works:

First profit: When Sony raised PS5 prices by $50 in August 2025, the company collected an estimated tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue from consumers who purchased consoles during the eight-month period between the price increase and the Supreme Court ruling. Even if Sony's actual tariff costs were lower than $50 per unit, the company kept the full price increase.

Second profit: After the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs in February 2026, companies that had paid tariffs became eligible for refunds from the U.S. government. According to reports from Engadget and Kotaku, some companies have already begun receiving these refunds. If Sony receives tariff refunds while maintaining the higher consumer prices, the plaintiffs argue, the company profits twice—once from consumers, once from the government.

The lawsuit cites California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), arguing that Sony's retention of both the price increase and potential government refunds constitutes unfair business practices. The plaintiffs, Amorey Walker and Bryce Foster-Quarles, seek to represent all U.S. consumers who purchased PS5 consoles between August 20, 2025, and April 20, 2026.

Sony's Potential Defense Strategy

While Sony has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit, legal experts anticipate several possible defense strategies:

1. Legitimate business costs: Sony may argue that the $50 price increase reflected not just tariff costs, but also other supply chain expenses, currency fluctuations, and inflation. The company could present evidence that even without tariffs, price increases were justified by rising manufacturing and logistics costs during 2025.

2. No actual refunds received: Sony could argue that it has not received, and may never receive, tariff refunds from the government. The Supreme Court ruling made tariffs unconstitutional going forward but didn't automatically trigger refunds for past payments. Companies must apply for refunds through a complex administrative process, and approval is not guaranteed.

3. Voluntary price adjustment: Sony might point out that it has the right to set prices based on market conditions and business judgment. The company could argue that even if tariffs were the initial trigger for the increase, maintaining those prices afterward is a legitimate business decision not subject to legal challenge.

4. Lack of standing: Sony's legal team might challenge whether individual plaintiffs can prove they were personally harmed, especially if they would have purchased a PS5 at the higher price regardless of the tariff situation.

📱 iPhone 18 Pro Release Date: September 2026 with Apple's New Strategy

Apple is preparing to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and companion models in September 2026, following the company's well-established annual release pattern. However, this year brings a significant strategic shift that could reshape Apple's product lineup for years to come: the base iPhone 18 model has been pushed to spring 2027, making room for the premium iPhone Ultra foldable to debut alongside the Pro models in fall 2026.

According to comprehensive reporting from 9to5Mac and MacRumors, Apple's September event will likely occur on either Wednesday, September 9 or Monday, September 14, 2026. The exact date depends on how Apple navigates Labor Day, which falls unusually late this year on September 7. Historically, Apple avoids launching the day after Labor Day because it needs time to fly press and special guests to Cupertino from around the world.

The Strategic Shift: Premium-First Approach

Apple's decision to delay the base iPhone 18 until spring 2027 represents a fundamental shift in product strategy. For over a decade, Apple has released four iPhone models simultaneously each fall: a base model, a Plus/Max variant, and two Pro models. This year, that changes. The September 2026 lineup will consist exclusively of premium devices:

• iPhone 18 Pro (6.3-inch) — The standard flagship with advanced features
• iPhone 18 Pro Max (6.9-inch) — The largest Pro model with maximum battery life
• iPhone Ultra (foldable, ~5.5-inch closed / ~7.8-inch open) — Apple's first foldable iPhone
• iPhone Air 2 (possibly) — An ultra-thin, lightweight premium model

The base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e (entry-level) will follow in spring 2027, likely around March or April. This strategy allows Apple to capture maximum revenue during the critical holiday shopping season (October-December) by offering only high-margin premium products. Budget-conscious consumers will either purchase older models (iPhone 17, 16, or SE) or wait until spring.

iPhone 18 Pro: Expected Features and Upgrades

Based on extensive reporting from MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and supply chain analysts, the iPhone 18 Pro will feature several significant upgrades over the iPhone 17 Pro:

The A19 Pro Chip: Apple's 2nm Breakthrough

Perhaps the most significant upgrade in the iPhone 18 Pro is the A19 Pro processor, which will be manufactured using TSMC's cutting-edge 2-nanometer process. This represents a major leap from the 3nm A18 Pro, delivering substantial improvements in both performance and efficiency.

According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the A19 Pro will feature:

• 30% faster CPU performance compared to A18 Pro, with improved single-core and multi-core scores
• 40% faster GPU performance, enabling console-quality gaming and advanced AR/VR applications
• 25% better power efficiency, translating to longer battery life despite the more powerful hardware
• Enhanced Neural Engine with 50% more AI processing power for on-device machine learning
• 12GB RAM (up from 8GB), crucial for running advanced AI models locally

The increased RAM is particularly significant. Apple Intelligence features in iOS 20 will require substantial memory for on-device AI processing. With 12GB, the iPhone 18 Pro will be able to run large language models, advanced image generation, and real-time translation without relying on cloud processing—a major privacy and performance advantage.

💰 Walmart's Budget Android Tablets: The $97 Revolution

Walmart has disrupted the tablet market with the launch of six new Onn-branded Android tablets, with prices starting at an astonishing $97. All models ship with Android 16 out of the box, making them among the first devices to feature Google's latest operating system. The entire lineup costs less than a single iPad Pro, demonstrating that advanced technology no longer requires premium pricing.

The Star: Onn Pro 13.2 at $288

The flagship Onn Pro 13.2 represents extraordinary value. For $288, you get a 13.2-inch 2400×1600 IPS LCD display, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, a 2.6GHz MediaTek processor, and—crucially—a stylus and folio case included in the box. Compare this to the iPad Pro 13-inch, which starts at $1,299 and requires an additional $129 for Apple Pencil and $349 for Magic Keyboard. The total iPad Pro package costs $1,777—over 6x the price of the Onn Pro.

🔧 Apple Might Replace Aluminum with Titanium in Future iPhones Again

In a surprising reversal, new rumors from Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggest Apple may return to titanium for future iPhone models after the aluminum iPhone 17 Pro proved vulnerable to dents and scratches. The aluminum switch was intended to solve overheating issues that plagued the titanium iPhone 15/16 Pro, but user complaints about durability have apparently convinced Apple to develop an improved titanium alloy with better thermal conductivity.

📲 iPhone Ultra: Crease-Free Display Breakthrough But Hinge Challenge

Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, has achieved a genuinely crease-free display that maintains visual perfection over long-term use—a breakthrough that Samsung and Huawei have yet to accomplish. However, according to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the device's Liquid Metal hinge is consistently failing Apple's quality control standards under prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing.

The good news: Apple has solved the crease problem. Test results show the display achieves a "visually crease-free state with long-term stability," with crease depth under 0.15mm and crease angle under 2.5 degrees—imperceptible to the human eye.

The challenge: The hinge's mechanical reliability remains problematic. The leaker states it "must be resolved with absolute perfection; otherwise, progress will simply have to be stalled." However, a follow-up post reiterates that a September 2026 launch remains likely if Apple resolves the issue by June.

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