Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles this week.



Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

AirPods

The best AirPods discount so far this Prime Day is on the AirPods Pro 3, available for the record low price of $179.00, down from $249.00. We haven't seen a deal this good since over the summer, during the first Prime Day event in June.

MacBook Air

Amazon is taking $200 off nearly every M5 MacBook Air model for Prime Big Deal Days, including both 13-inch and 15-inch models. These are the best prices we've seen on the M5 MacBook Air in the wake of Apple's summertime price hikes.

In terms of 13-inch models, Amazon has the 16GB/512GB 13-inch MacBook Air for $1,099.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is available in three colors on Amazon, and it's accompanied by the 16GB/1TB and 24GB/1TB model for $200 off as well.





For the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models, prices start with the 16GB/512GB model for $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00. You can also get the 16GB/1TB model for $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00, all $200 off and the best prices we've seen in months.

Apple Watch

Rare deals have hit the Apple Watch SE 3 for Prime Big Deal Days, with prices now starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model and increasing to $229.00 for the 44mm GPS model. Both of these are $50 discounts and matches for the record low prices on each device.




For the Apple Watch Series 12, you can get the 42mm GPS model for $349.99 and the 46mm GPS model for $399.99, both of which are $49 discounts and new all-time low prices. Both of these models have two colors available at these all-time low prices, and you'll find a few cellular options on sale as well.




For the Apple Watch Ultra 4, you can get the Natural model with the Translucent Gray Ocean Band for $699.99, down from $799.00. This is another new all-time low price for Prime Day, and as of writing it's the only color we're tracking at this price. Additionally, there are a few Milanese Loop models on sale for $99 off ahead of Prime Day.

M4 iPad Air

Amazon this week has multiple discounts on the M4 iPad Air, providing up to $149 off these 2026 models. These remain the best prices we've seen in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes, and many deals are being matched at Best Buy.




The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, C1X modem, and N1 networking chip, which brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In terms of design, the 2026 models are identical to the 2025 iPad Air tablets, with an edge-to-edge display, slim bezels, and aluminum chassis.

11-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $649.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $749.00 ($100 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Cellular - $899.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Cellular - $1,399.00 ($100 off)

13-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,449.00 ($100 off)

iPad Mini 7

Amazon has low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $499.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $599.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this early Prime Day sale.





If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

---

This article, "Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Amazon has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $179.00 this week, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which we haven't tracked since around June.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.



Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

---

This article, "AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Things are getting crazy in the Apple rumor world, as even though the iPhone 18 Pro and several other products have only just launched and the iPhone Duo is right around the corner, there's even more to come imminently.


October 13 looks to be the date for an introduction of Apple's revamped smart home portfolio, including the home hub device we've been hearing about for ages. This week also saw word that Apple's supply chain is struggling to meet production yield goals for the iPhone Duo ahead of its launch, while iPhone 18 Pro owners are now getting a chance to put the devices through their paces, so read on below for all of the details!

Top Stories

Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13

A couple of those leaked products above could be arriving very shortly, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple will be introducing a trio of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13.


Apple will reportedly debut its long-rumored smart home hub product, as well as the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models, and while he didn't specify how Apple will introduce them, signs are pointing to some sort of event.

Apple retail stores have reportedly also received confidential boxes that are marked "Do Not Open Until October 8" and which are likely to contain merchandising materials. It's unclear, however, if they are for the upcoming iPhone Duo launch or something related to the smart home product introduction.

Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design

Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.


The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base.

Leaks suggest the hub may be available in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink colors, and will be able to display user-customizable Photo Faces pulled from your photos library, memories, and shared albums, a feature that appears similar to what will be available for StandBy mode on the iPhone Duo.

iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch

The iPhone Duo is reportedly facing production difficulties ahead of its October launch, with early output expected to be limited.


A person said to be close to Foxconn's supply chain told China's Jiemian News that final assembly yields for Apple's first foldable iPhone were only slightly above 60% as of September 17. The source said that, under Apple's current quality standards, it could take another six months to a year for the assembly line to reach a mature yield.

According to the source, Foxconn is repeatedly adjusting equipment, assembly processes, and production settings as it makes the iPhone Duo at scale. The source also said suppliers were waiting to see whether Apple would ease any quality requirements to accelerate production.

iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?

It's been almost two weeks since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones? If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far?


MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through. For early reviews and hands-on images, make sure to check out the first impressions and photos thread.

Not everything has been perfect, however, as some users have been experiencing issues such as speaker crackling or popping while some iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T in the U.S. have been having issues with cellular connectivity or eSIM provisioning.

Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often

John Ternus is marking one month as Apple CEO, and he is apparently undertaking efforts to restructure the company to accelerate product development and introduce new products more frequently, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Ternus apparently wants Apple to "broaden its range of devices and create a leaner organization with a greater focus on engineering." One proposal under consideration is to rely less on Apple's traditional spring and fall product release cycles, and introduce new devices more quickly and throughout the year. Ternus has also purportedly indicated that Apple must become "more experimental" to remain competitive in the era of artificial intelligence.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
This article, "Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today confirmed that a "small number" of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network have experienced an issue that causes the device to lose cellular service, thereby preventing phone calls, text messages, and data from working. Thousands of users complained about the issue across the Apple Support Community and other platforms.


Apple said it released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and an AT&T carrier settings update earlier today to help prevent more iPhone 18 Pro Max users from being impacted by this issue going forward. In a statement shared with MacRumors, Apple strongly encouraged all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update to iOS 27.0.1 now. To install the update, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General → Software Update.

The carrier settings update for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will automatically download for AT&T users over the next 14 days, according to Apple. To manually trigger the update, users can open the Settings app and tap on General → About.

Apple's full statement:

We have identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls. We released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and strongly encourage all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and are also issuing a carrier settings update today. These updates together are meant to help prevent this issue from occurring.

Notably, Apple said that iPhone 18 Pro Max devices that have been affected by this cellular issue on the AT&T network cannot have service reactivated with a software update. Instead, Apple said the device must be replaced entirely, and it advises affected customers to contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location.

Apple said it has only observed this issue with iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network. No other iPhone models or carriers are known to be impacted.

Apple did not disclose the underlying cause of the issue. U.S. models of the iPhone 18 Pro Max rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem for cellular connectivity, while variants of the device sold in all other countries are equipped with Apple's custom C2 modem. It is unclear if this modem difference is a factor in this AT&T issue.

It is also unclear if there will eventually be an Apple Service Program dedicated to this issue. In the meantime, it sounds like Apple Stores will replace affected iPhone 18 Pro Max devices for free, so book an appointment with the Genius Bar if necessary.
This article, "Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

In a post on its developer news website today, Apple announced that it will be introducing "additional controls" for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS due to new risks posed by AI agents. This announcement comes amid the rise of always-on AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots, which have prompted privacy concerns.


"Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users' full knowledge and understanding," said Apple.

"As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially," it added.

Here is the full text of Apple's announcement:

We give developers powerful APIs to build incredible capabilities into their apps for Apple products, backed by a set of controls designed to protect users' private data. Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac. Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users' full knowledge and understanding. For communication apps, this can also compromise the privacy of the people users are communicating with.

Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action. Addressing this is critical. As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially. We are committed to ensuring users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make informed decisions about their own data and privacy.

Apple did not say when the new "Full Disk Access" controls will be implemented.
This article, "Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

AT&T and Apple are taking action today as they try to resolve iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular issues, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.


Thousands of iPhone 18 Pro Max users have been unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, and data. The underlying cause has yet to be disclosed, but AT&T and Apple continue to work toward a resolution.

First, Apple today released an AT&T carrier settings update (version 72.1, up from 72.0.2) for iPhones. Given the timing of this update, it presumably includes some optimizations related to iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular connectivity, but it is unclear if AT&T has fully resolved the issues or if further tweaks will be necessary.

When a carrier settings update is available on your iPhone, you will be prompted to install it. If you dismiss the notification or do not see it, open the Settings app, tap General → About, and the update should appear there. You can see your iPhone's current carrier settings version in the same About menu, next to your carrier's name.

Second, Apple today started requiring iPhone 18 Pro Max users to install iOS 27.0.1 in order to set up the device, even though most if not all affected users have said that the update does not resolve the issues. A leaked AT&T email said iOS 27.0.1 is meant to help mitigate future impacts, so it may still help in some way.

In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is "working with Apple" on this.

Apple did not respond to our request for comment.

It is not yet clear if a follow-up update like iOS 27.0.2 will be required as part of a fix, or if the carrier update alone will be sufficient.
This article, "AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is "working with Apple" to resolve iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular issues.


"Apple has released a software update to address an issue that may affect calls, data, texts, and 911 calls on a small number of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max phones," an AT&T spokesperson said. "AT&T customers with an iPhone 18 Pro Max should update their phones now to the latest available software. Our top priority is ensuring customers can stay connected when they need it most, and we are working with Apple to make it right."

As we reported last week, affected iPhone 18 Pro Max users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data either persistently or intermittently, and their devices typically enter SOS mode as a result. The underlying cause has not been confirmed, and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Thousands of users have experienced this problem since the iPhone 18 Pro Max launched on September 18, according to discussion threads across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, MacRumors Forums, and other online platforms.

Notably, the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new iPhone unveiled last month that is equipped with a Qualcomm cellular modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries. However, it is unclear if this is a contributing factor.

AT&T said iPhone 18 Pro Max users who have experienced or continue to experience issues can return to an Apple or AT&T store for additional support.

Yesterday, AT&T sent a text message to some customers advising them to update to iOS 27.0.1 immediately, even though that update does not appear to resolve the issues, according to comments shared by affected users.

In an alleged internal email shared on Reddit today, AT&T clarified that its guidance about updating to iOS 27.0.1 is meant to help mitigate future impacts, but it is unclear if or how the update actually helps. Apple's release notes for iOS 27.0.1 only mentioned fixes for other bugs, including a Face ID issue affecting iPhone 18 Pro models.

The alleged email added that customers can visit an Apple or AT&T store for a replacement device, but some customers said their request for a replacement under warranty was declined. With this issue becoming more widespread, hopefully Apple and AT&T are working to inform employees about the issue and implement a formal process.

iPhone 18 Pro Max users should be aware that today is the final day to return the device to Apple under the company's standard 14-day return policy in the U.S., for customers who purchased or received it on September 18 launch day.

Typically, Apple is able to address issues like these with software updates, so hopefully it will be able to fix the issue in iOS 27.0.2 or later. Hardware issues are more rare, but when they do happen, Apple sometimes launches a free repair program. We will continue to provide further updates on this topic as more information becomes available.
This article, "AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

We're just a few days out from Prime Big Deal Days on October 6, and Amazon is already offering some savings on accessories including Anker chargers, Samsung monitors, and 4K TVs. We're also tracking deals on the new Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 this week.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Early Prime Day Deals

• What's the deal? Shop early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories and more


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon's fall Prime Day, called Prime Big Deal Days, is nearly upon us, and early discounts have already started appearing online. We're tracking big markdowns on TVs, monitors, charging accessories, and more in our original article, and be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page for more Prime Big Deal Days news as the event gets closer.

Beats 360

• What's the deal? Save on Beats 360 cushion kits and more


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The new Beats 360 headphones were announced last week, and they're now available to order on Amazon and other retailers. They're available in Black, Cloud, plus a bundle where you can style the headphones however you'd like thanks to interchangeable ear cushions and headbands.

Alongside the launch, Beats announced that its Cushion Kits compatible with the Beats 360 are available for just $9.99 for the next month, down from $49.99. Stock on these has begun to dwindle since launch, so be sure to get in soon before they disappear.

Mac Mini and Mac Studio

• What's the deal? Take up to $50 off Mac mini and Mac Studio


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon recently introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini and Mac Studio, with discounts reaching up to $50 off original prices. All of these deals represent the first discounts on the new computers, which just launched last month.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

• What's the deal? Take $19 off Apple Watch Ultra 4


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The new Apple Watch Ultra 4 just launched last month, and Amazon is offering the first cash discounts on select models for the first time since their launch. You can get the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for $779.99, down from $799.00.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

---

This article, "Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple Watch has received some incremental updates in recent years, with significant upgrades becoming fewer and farther between as the device has progressed. Since the Apple Watch's generation-over-generation enhancements are relatively small, it is all the more important to consider when an upgrade is justified and whether an older model could suffice for your needs.


The Apple Watch Series 12 brings a more substantial set of changes than the Series 11, which was one of the smallest refreshes in the device's history. While Apple has discontinued previous Series models, older watches may still be available at lower prices from third-party retailers or secondhand.

Read on to see the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with each Apple Watch model compared to its direct predecessor. Viewing each generation's changes in this way helps weigh up the accumulative upgrades one receives by skipping multiple generations when buying a new device, as well as get a sense of which generations offered the biggest overall upgrades.

Apple Watch Series 12 (2026)

• S11 chip (based on A20 Pro)


• 4GB of RAM


• New Health Sensing System


• Second-generation electrical heart sensor


• Fourth-generation, always-on optical heart sensor


• Background heart rate measurements every five seconds throughout the day


• Heart rate variability measured up to 24x more often


• Recovery HRV metric


• Readiness app


• Daytime view in the Vitals app


• More accurate step tracking


• Steps and real-time heart rate watch face complications


• Audio Intelligence with Sound Recognition and automatic Shazam detection


• Live Rewind and Siri Recap


• Ceramic Shield 2 front glass, 60% tougher than Series 11's Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)


• Aluminum or titanium and zirconia back replaces metal and sapphire crystal back


• Up to 10 hours of outdoor workout tracking (25% longer than Series 11)


• 15 minutes of charging provides up to 12 hours of normal use (up from eight hours)


• Five minutes of charging provides up to 10 hours of sleep tracking (up from eight hours)


• Aluminum and titanium cases are 1mm wider and around two grams heavier


• Slightly larger bezels and display area is approximately 2% smaller despite unchanged screen resolutions


• Ceramic case option introduced in Pearl White and Night Blue, with slightly larger dimensions than aluminum and titanium models


• Dark Bronze, Light Gold, and Black aluminum finishes replace Silver, Rose Gold, and Jet Black; Space Gray remains available


• Radiant Gold titanium replaces Gold and Slate; Natural titanium remains available

Apple Watch Series 11 (2025)

• 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)


• 5G connectivity (cellular models only)


• 7–10% larger battery


• Space Gray aluminum option reintroduced

Apple Watch Series 10 (2024)

• Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
  
• 42mm and 46mm case sizes


• Larger displays


• LTPO3 display for faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces


• Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)


• S10 chip (same CPU as S9, but more compact)


• Water temperature sensor


• Depth app and Depth gauge to 6m


• Microphone with voice isolation


• Redesigned speaker with media playback


• Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna


• Faster charging (0–80% in about 30 minutes)


• Titanium casing replaces stainless steel option, now in Silver (matches previous stainless steel casing, Apple Watch Hermès only), Gold, Slate, and Natural


• Starlight, Midnight, Pink, and (PRODUCT)RED finishes discontinued, replaced with Silver, Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)

• Retina display with up to 2,000 nits of brightness


• Display can get dimmer in dark rooms and at night (down to 1 nit of brightness)


• Double tap gesture


• Wrist flick gesture


• Sleep apnea detection


• Hypertension detection


• S9 chip (based on A15 Bionic)


• 2GB of RAM


• 4-core Neural Engine (2x faster than Series 8)


• ‌Siri‌‌ processed on-device for requests that do not need information from the internet


• ‌‌Siri‌‌ can access health and fitness data


• 25% more accurate dictation


• Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip


• Precision Finding for iPhone 15 models


• HomePod proximity integration


• 64GB storage


• Pink aluminum casing introduced

Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)

• S8 chip (same CPU as S6)


• More powerful gyroscope and high dynamic range accelerometer


• ‌Crash Detection


• Body temperature sensor


• Wrist temperature sensing during sleep
mem

• Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates


• Blue and Green aluminum casings discontinued, Silver aluminum reintroduced


• Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)

• 41mm and 45mm case sizes


• 1.7mm display borders for almost 20% more screen area than Series 6


• QWERTY keyboard


• Up to 70% brighter display than Series 6 indoors when wrist is down


• S7 chip (Same CPU as S6)


• Crack-resistant front crystal (50% thicker)


• IP6X dust resistance


• Fast charging for up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes (33% faster than Series 6)


• Silver and Space Gray aluminum casings discontinued, Midnight, Starlight, and Green introduced

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

• Up to 2.5x brighter always-on display


• Access Notification Center, Control Center, and Complications when display is asleep


• S6 chip (based on A13 Bionic, 20% faster than S5)


• 1.5GB of RAM


• Always-on altimeter


• First-generation Ultra Wideband chip


• 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi


• Blood oxygen sensor


• Faster charging for a full charge in under 1.5 hours


• Improved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runs


• Blue and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum casing options introduced


• Space Black stainless steel casing available with Apple Watch Hermès only, Graphite option introduced


• Ceramic Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

• Always-on Retina display


• Force Touch removed


• S5 chip


• Compass


• 32GB storage


• Apple Watch Edition reintroduced with White Ceramic, Natural Titanium, and Space Black Titanium casing options

Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)

• 40mm and 44mm case sizes


• Over 30% larger display with curved corners


• 3.0mm display borders


• S4 chip (2x faster than S3)


• Gyroscope and accelerometer


• Barometric altimeter


• Fall detection


• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi


• Optical heart sensor and electrical heart sensor for ECG


• 16GB storage


• Digital Crown with haptic feedback


• 50% louder speaker


• Relocated microphone for reduced echo and better sound quality


• Faster charging for a full charge in 1.5 hours


• Gold stainless steel casing introduced


• Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)

• S3 chip (70% faster than S2)


• Barometric altimeter


• Bluetooth 4.2


• ‌Siri‌ able to speak through the onboard speaker


• LTE cellular model available with red Digital Crown


• Rose Gold aluminum casing discontinued


• Gray Ceramic Apple Watch Edition model introduced

Apple Watch Series 2 (2016)

• Retina display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness (2x brighter than previous generation)


• S2 chip (dual‑core)


• 1GB of RAM


• GPS and GLONASS receiver


• Water resistant up to 50 meters


• Gold and Rose Gold aluminum casing options added


• 18K Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition discontinued, Ceramic model introduced in White


• Apple Watch Nike+ variant introduced

The Series 12 has a stronger case than the Series 11 as an upgrade in general, but most Series 11 owners still have little reason to get a new device. Its new heart sensors, more frequent HRV measurements, Readiness app, and longer workout battery life matter most if you rely on your Apple Watch for training and recovery insights. Sound Recognition may also appeal to deaf or hard of hearing users, while the ceramic case offers a finish unavailable with the Series 11.

Upgrading from a Series 10 brings these changes alongside the Series 11's 5G connectivity on cellular models and longer rated everyday battery life. From a Series 9, you would also gain the thinner Series 10 design, larger display, depth gauge, and water temperature sensor.

The cumulative upgrades become more compelling for Series 8 users and older, particularly if battery wear is affecting daily use. Series 7 owners gain Crash Detection and temperature sensing as well as the newer design and Series 12 health features. The biggest differences will be felt by those with a Series 6 or older, though the condition of your current watch and the cost of replacing it still matter.

watchOS 27 supports Series 9 and later, leaving the Series 8 and older without the latest major software release. That does not mean they will immediately stop working or receiving all security updates, but they are now considered old devices. If you are shopping for a replacement, a discounted or secondhand Series 11 may offer better value if you do not need the Series 12's health features, providing you can find it at a sufficiently low price. watchOS 26 is not supported by the Series 5 or older, so anyone with one of these devices should definitely consider upgrading soon.

Looking to the future, it looks like next year's Apple Watch Series 13 could offer some major upgrades including a redesign and new sensors. This could make it a great upgrade for those with a Series 11 or older.
This article, "Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Following more than three months of renovations, the Apple SouthGate store in Bath, England will be reopening on Friday, October 23, just in time for iPhone Duo launch day.

Last year, Apple permanently closed its store in the heart of nearby Bristol, but Apple Cribbs Causeway remains open inside a shopping center on the outskirts of the city. In other UK store news, Apple Lakeside in Essex was also renovated and reopened in September.
This article, "Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

In a text message sent to customers today, AT&T acknowledged that some iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on its network are experiencing cellular issues.


AT&T said that customers should immediately update to iOS 27.0.1, despite the fact that many affected users have said that the update does not resolve the issues. There are now at least thousands of users that have experienced this problem, according to discussion topics across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, and MacRumors Forums.

Here is what the text message says:

Hi, it's AT&T. Action needed: An important Apple software update for your iPhone 18 Pro Max is available. Some phones may be unable to complete calls/text/data, including to 911. Update to iOS 27.0.1 immediately — Settings > General > Software Update. Please contact AT&T or Apple if you have questions.

Apple's release notes for iOS 27.0.1 did not mention a fix for AT&T cellular issues. Rather, the update fixed a Face ID issue on the iPhone 18 Pro models.

As we reported last week, affected iPhone 18 Pro Max users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data either persistently or intermittently, and their devices typically enter SOS mode as a result. The underlying cause has not been confirmed, and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Notably, the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new iPhone unveiled last month that is equipped with a Qualcomm cellular modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries. However, it is unclear if this is a contributing factor.

If a software issue is identified, then another update such as iOS 27.0.2 may be required. If there is a hardware issue, though, then this would obviously be a much bigger problem. We will provide further updates as new information becomes available.
This article, "AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Twelve South, a well-known accessory maker for Apple products, has released a new AirFly Drive accessory that turns wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay.


AirFly Drive uses Wi-Fi to establish a connection between your iPhone and vehicle, eliminating the need to use a USB-C cable for CarPlay.

Priced at $39.99 in the U.S., the AirFly Drive plugs into a USB data port in your vehicle. The accessory is essentially a compact aluminum cube with a USB-A port on it, with a USB-C adapter included in the box. It is designed to stay plugged in, so that you can get in your vehicle and use wireless CarPlay right away every time.

You only need to pair your iPhone with the AirFly Drive once, and then it will offer fast automatic reconnection every time the vehicle starts, with no app, account, or charging required. A button on the accessory allows for one-press switching between two paired iPhones, which is useful if two people share the same vehicle.


Before first-time setup, you must disconnect your iPhone from your vehicle by choosing "Forget This Device" in the vehicle's Bluetooth settings.

Twelve South says the AirFly Drive works with any iPhone running iOS 10 or newer and any vehicle that already has factory support for wired CarPlay.

Similar wired-to-wireless CarPlay dongles from other brands are available on Amazon, but Twelve South is a reputable maker of accessories for Apple products. AirFly Drive is available to order now in white or black.
This article, "New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple on Instagram today shared a curated gallery of six photos shot on the iPhone Duo. The photos were shot by American photographers Jake Michaels and Jason Nocito, as part of a project commissioned by Apple.


iPhone Duo is equipped with four cameras:

• A rear 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera


• A rear 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera


• A front 12-megapixel Center Stage camera in the outer display


• A front camera under the inner display

iPhone Duo lacks a dedicated Telephoto camera, which is a dealbreaker for some customers. The main camera does have "optical-quality 2× Telephoto" capabilities, but this pales in comparison to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro models, which can achieve up to 8× optical zoom. Still, the photos shared by Apple prove that the iPhone Duo is still very capable for photography, at least in the hands of skilled photographers.

You can pre-order the iPhone Duo starting Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.


This article, "Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

In a recent interview with content creator Angelica Siciliani Fendi, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering Kate Bergeron revealed that the iPhone Duo's nano-texture cover layer above the inner display can be removed and replaced.


"It's actually replaceable, which is a really nice thing for the customer that you can peel off that layer and get a new one," said Bergeron.

In the U.S., customers who purchase AppleCare+ coverage for the iPhone Duo can get the cover layer replaced for $19, according to Apple's website. The cost to replace the cover layer without coverage has yet to be disclosed.

The cover layer helps to hide the crease in the middle of the foldable inner display. Bergeron said Apple did a "significant amount of engineering work" to ensure that this layer remains in good condition for as long as possible, but customers will have the option to replace it if it wears down or the crease becomes more visible over time.

Officially, the ability to replace the iPhone Duo's cover layer will likely be limited to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers. It remains to be seen if customers will be able to easily remove the layer themselves.

iPhone Duo pre-orders begin on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and the device will launch in stores on Friday, October 23.
This article, "Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On his new Power On podcast, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple's smart home camera will have "no video recording."

Instead, he described the rumored product as a sensor that will be capable of "analyzing your environment in your home" using AI. "This is going to be the first mainstream video camera that's a home video security camera that doesn't give you any footage," he said.
This article, "Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Starting today, the Apple TV streaming service is offering a new selection of "bonus" movies in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and some other countries.


While competitors like Netflix offer an extensive catalog of movies from various studios, Apple TV primarily offers its own original films produced by Apple. Over the past few years, however, Apple has offered a "Great Movies Now on Apple TV" section with a limited rotation of iconic movies that subscribers can watch at no additional cost.

The selection changes each month, with the following 13 movies added in the U.S. today:

• 28 Days Later


• American Gangster


• Black Hawk Down


• Blood Diamond


• Fallen


• Fury


• Going The Distance


• Good Will Hunting


• Insomnia


• Jurassic World


• Taxi Driver


• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo


• Tropic Thunder

In the U.S., seven more movies remain available as holdovers:

• A Beautiful Mind


• A League of Their Own


• Definitely Maybe


• I Robot


• Master and Commander


• The Rookie


• The Sixth Sense

The selection varies in other countries. For example, here are the movies available in Canada:

• Catch Me If You Can


• Ford v Ferrari


• Godzilla


• Inception


• Jurassic Park


• Jurassic World


• Little Miss Sunshine


• Rocketman


• Spider-Man: Far From Home


• Spider-Man: Homecoming


• The Martian


• The Proposal


• The Social Network


• The Town


• War of the Worlds

In the Philippines, one of the movies included is Ready Player One.

In the U.S., Apple TV now costs $14.99/month, up from $4.99/month when it launched in 2019.
This article, "Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Amazon is hosting another Prime Day event this year, called Prime Big Deal Days and offering shoppers the first chance to save on holiday shopping from a major retailer. Similar to last year's fall Prime Day, it will last for two days (October 6-7) and you can already find a large selection of early deals across Amazon's storefront, covering savings on tech, clothing, video games, groceries, and much, much more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

For our coverage, we're focusing on Apple and Apple-related discounts that can be purchased during the lead-up to this event on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals from popular accessory makers like Anker, Belkin, JBL, Jackery, and more.



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles as the event gets closer.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

Charging Accessories

Wall Chargers

• Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99


• UGREEN 100W GaN 4-Port Charger - $42.99, down from $54.99


• Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $89.99


• Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $115.99, down from $149.99


• Anker Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station - $169.99, down from $269.99

Wireless Chargers

• Anker 3-in-1 MagGo Qi2 Charging Stand - $71.99, down from $89.99


• Belkin 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station - $74.99, down from $99.99


• Anker 3-in-1 MagGo UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99


• Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $79.99, down from $109.99


• Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $119.99, down from $149.99


• Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $159.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers

• Anker SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $199.99, down from $249.00


• Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $499.98, down from $599.00


• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station - $499.00, down from $799.00


• Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $899.99, down from $1,499.00

TVs

• 55-inch Amazon Ember 4-Series Fire TV - $279.99, down from $459.99


• 75-inch Insignia F50 LED 4K Fire TV - $359.99, down from $399.99


• 65-inch Roku Smart 4K TV - $449.99, down from $649.99


• 65-inch Hisense E7 Mini-LED 4K Fire TV - $597.99, down from $999.99


• 65-inch Toshiba QLED 4K Fire TV - $1,097.99, down from $1,297.99


• 75-inch TCL Mini-LED QLED Smart TV - $1,197.99, down from $1,297.99


• 100-inch Hisense E6 QLED 4K Fire TV - $1,399.99, down from $1,749.99


• 100-inch Toshiba Mini-LED 4K Fire TV - $1,997.99, down from $2,499.99

Audio

• Belkin SoundForm Nano 2 Kids Earbuds - $29.59, down from $36.99


• JBL Tune Buds - $49.95, down from $99.95


• Skullcandy Crusher Headphones - $199.99, down from $279.99


• Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds - $199.99, down from $229.99


• Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones - $298.00, down from $399.00

Samsung Monitors

You can find up to 42% off select monitors this week, plus deals on storage, tablets, and more on this sale page.

• 27-inch Essential Monitor - $99.99, down from $149.99


• 27-inch Essential Monitor S4 - $129.99, down from $179.99


• 32-inch Flat Essential Monitor - $142.49, down from $199.99


• 27-inch ViewFinity S6 Monitor - $143.99, down from $229.99


• 32-inch S3 Curved Monitor - $169.99, down from $232.17


• 32-inch Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $189.99, down from $329.99


• 34-inch ViewFinity Monitor - $209.99, down from $329.99


• 34-inch ViewFinity Curved Monitor - $349.99, down from $589.99


• 32-inch Movingstyle Essential Smart Monitor - $499.99, down from $699.99

Anker SOLIX

Anker's SOLIX brand is hosting an early Prime Day sale with early bird deals, free gifts, and more. This sale is focused on Anker's high-end SOLIX portable power stations, with options that range from 1-2 days of backup to 3-5 days of backup.



For cheaper options, Amazon has notable markdowns on lower-cost SOLIX batteries, like the popular SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station with Lantern for $199.99 ($50 off). If you're shopping on Anker's website, be sure to make your purchases before October 5, when the sale ends.

• SOLIX C200 - $129.98, down from $169.99


• SOLIX C300 with Lantern - $199.99, down from $249.99


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 - $499.99, down from $599.00


• SOLIX S2000 - $679.99, down from $1,199.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 - $899.99, down from $1,499.00


• SOLIX F3000 - $1,399.99, down from $1,699.00


• SOLIX E10 Whole-Home Backup System - $4,299.00, down from $4,599.00

Jackery

Over on Jackery's website, you'll find up to 65% off a wide array of portable power stations, solar generators, add-on batteries, and more. This is another Prime Big Deal Days early access event, and is set to run through October 3.

• Explorer 300D - $209.00, down from $249.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 - $899.00, down from $999.00


• Battery Pack 2000 Plus - $799.00, down from $1,399.00


• Battery Pack 3600 - $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator - $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,399.00, down from $1,639.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,799.00, down from $2,139.00


• HomePower 3600 Plus Solar Generator - $2,469.00, down from $2,729.00


• Explorer 5000 Plus - $4,639.00, down from $5,159.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

---

This article, "Early Prime Big Deal Days: Best Discounts on Accessories, TVs, and More at Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max models come in four distinct color options, so which should you choose?


The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models come in Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. The aluminum and glass backs are more closely matched than on the iPhone 17 Pro, although the different materials remain somewhat visible.

You should also consider if you plan to use a case with your device and, if so, which one. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s large, full-width camera plateau stands out on most cases, exposing more of the device's color. Choosing a complimentary color should be your first priority.

Burgundy

Burgundy is the most distinct and expressive ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ finish, and it is much darker than the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro's equivalent Cosmic Orange. It looks closer to wine or plum than a vivid red.


Burgundy is the standout shade in the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ lineup, designed to be bold and attention-grabbing. It is the most noticeable ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ color, and the most likely to indicate that you have the latest generation device—there has never been an iPhone color option like it before.

Apple offers Burgundy Silicone and TechWoven cases if you want the phone and case to look closely coordinated. With a contrasting case, the large, exposed plateau becomes a prominent patch of red-purple. That is worth considering if you like to change between bright case colors: Burgundy will remain part of every combination.

A clear case shows more of the finish, although Apple's white MagSafe ring covers part of the back. Burgundy is the clearest way to distinguish this generation by color, but anyone hoping for a bright red iPhone may be disappointed.

Choose Burgundy if you want a distinctive, dark color that remains noticeable even when the phone is in a case.

Glacier

Glacier is a cool, pale blue that gives the iPhone a much softer look than Burgundy. It is much lighter than the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro's Deep Blue, yet it does not disappear into Silver; in-person, it still looks distinctly blue.


Glacier is a useful middle ground if you want gentle color with some saturation, without making it the strongest feature of the phone. The exposed camera plateau gives an opaque case a light blue accent, while a clear case reveals most of the finish. Apple's clear case has a large white ‌MagSafe‌ ring, however, so it does not leave the back completely unobstructed.

Apple sells blue cases in shades such as Crisp Blue and Chambray Blue, but neither is named Glacier. If you want the case and phone to match precisely, it may be best to compare them in person; otherwise, a clear or neutral case lets Glacier stand on its own.

Choose Glacier if you want an iPhone with a fresh, subtle, and light appearance.

Silver

Silver is the most classic, versatile, and timeless option, but also the most practical. The finish gives off a clean and bright look that pairs well with virtually any case or wallpaper, and it reflects light more than the other three colors, making it quite neutral.


Its aluminum has a metallic sheen that leans toward white in some lighting conditions. This year, the two rear materials are the same tone, making the new model look much more cohesive than the two-tone Silver ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro.

Silver is also the most adaptable color for cases. The exposed silver plateau provides a crisp, light accent against a dark case and sits more quietly beside a pale one. The color is likely to age well since it goes well with any case and embodies Apple's most traditional colors.

It is also the only finish of the three that pairs well with Apple's own clear case. The clear case's white ‌MagSafe‌ ring is less of a visual interruption here than it is against Black or Burgundy. If you frequently change cases, Silver is unlikely to compete with your next choice.

Unlike Burgundy or Black, Silver minimizes the appearance of damage. When the anodized layer chips or scratches, the raw aluminum underneath is very close in tone, so imperfections blend in far better. For users who prioritize long-term durability of appearance, Silver is the most forgiving finish. It may not be as dramatic as Burgundy or as sleek as Black, but it is the safest choice for maintaining a "like-new" look over years of use.

Choose Silver if you want a classic, flexible look that mitigates the signs of damage.

Black

Black returns after the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro offered Deep Blue as its darkest option. It offers a dark, neutral look without Deep Blue's blue cast.



A black case makes the exposed camera plateau blend into the rest of the phone. A light or colorful case has the opposite effect, framing a broad dark section across the top. Apple's clear case also makes its white ‌MagSafe‌ ring particularly noticeable against Black, so it is less suited to an uninterrupted all-black look.

If a deep chip or scratch exposes bare aluminum, its lighter color would stand out against this finish, especially on the plateau that Apple's cases leave uncovered. Anyone using the device without a case should be prepared for more noticeable damage. If visible marks would bother you and you plan to go without a case, Silver may be a better fit.

Choose Black if you want a dark, stealthy, and professional look, but be willing to accept signs of wear and tear.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On his first-ever Power On podcast today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he believes Apple will introduce its long-rumored 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays in October or November this year.


"Apple, I believe, will introduce its first touchscreen MacBook Pro this fall, as early as October," he said. "It could slip to November, but as early as October."

Apple is testing the laptops with macOS 27.2, which is currently in beta, he added. The software update is expected to be released towards the end of October, so the touch-screen MacBook Pro models might be announced later this month.

Other rumored features beyond an OLED touch screen include Apple's existing M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a thinner design, and a Dynamic Island instead of a notch.

A few years ago, Gurman reported that Apple was looking into the idea of cellular Macs that would be able to connect to a 5G or LTE network without relying on an iPhone's hotspot. For this reason, some Apple fans are hopeful that the touch-screen MacBook Pro models will be equipped with the company's custom-designed C1X or C2 modem.

The touch-screen models are expected to be positioned above the regular 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which will reportedly jump to the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips next year. It is unclear if the touch-screen models will still have MacBook Pro branding, or if Apple will opt for something unique like MacBook Ultra.
This article, "MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple reportedly plans to unveil its long-rumored smart home hub on Tuesday, October 13, and a proven leaker known as "pdfu" has revealed that the device may be available in up to four finishes: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink.


MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris uncovered the same four colors within the code for the macOS 26.7 Release Candidate back in August.

On the home hub, users will be able to create a Photo Face, and the leaker said Apple's preview art for this will correspond with the color of the device.


Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the home hub will come in "Apple's standard gray aluminum finish." He did not mention any other color options for the device, so we shall see if the other three colors materialize.

According to Gurman, the home hub will have a roughly 6-inch square display and will be available in tabletop and wall-mounted versions. He said the tabletop model's screen has a polished metal arm that connects to a metal, round base with perforated speaker holes, similar to the iMac G4 that Apple released back in 2002.
This article, "Apple's All-New Home Hub Rumored to Launch in These Four Colors" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Award-winning camera app Halide Mark III has been updated to version 3.2, bringing dedicated support for iPhone 18 Pro by broadening user control over the device's new variable aperture camera system.


Apple's stock Camera app lets iPhone 18 Pro owners choose from a four-stop variable aperture ranging from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0, delivering around 50 percent better low-light performance and giving users more optical control over depth of field.

Halide 3.2 does away with that four-stop limitation and instead lets you select any ƒ-stop setting within the camera's full range.

There are two styles of aperture control in the app. The first is Aperture Priority mode, where you can set the ƒ-stop and the app handles the shutter speed and ISO to properly expose the shot.

The other style is Manual mode, which gives users full control over all three settings. This includes ISO settings – something that Apple's stock Camera app doesn't offer manual control over. Halide has said it is also considering adding f-stop presets in future updates, based on user feedback.

Elsewhere in this update though, Halide 3.2 adds two new film simulations, or photographic looks: Dawn and Quicksilver. Dawn features "filmic warmth in mid-tones and highlights, paired with rich yet gentle shadows and subtle complementary cool colors."

Quicksilver is described as a "high contrast and muted color" that simulates a "silver-retention alternative process." Halide's developers call it an "excellent midpoint between color and stark black-and-white."

Lastly, version 3.2 introduces a new 16:9 aspect ratio shooting mode for those who want to use a wider framing.

• iPhone 18 Pro: Using the New Variable Aperture Lens

Halide 3.2 is available to download on the App Store, and costs $69.99 as a one-time purchase price, or $19.99 for an annual subscription.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Aperture Control Goes Fully Manual in Halide 3.2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Stores around the world are preparing to install new product presentations starting on Thursday, October 8.


Apple retail stores received confidential boxes earlier this week featuring "Do Not Open Until October 8" stickers on them. They are believed to contain new visual merchandise, which enables workers to update labels, graphics, and product layouts in stores around the release of new products. MacRumors received a tip-off about the boxes earlier this week, which it has now independently verified.

There is a possibility that the materials relate to the iPhone Duo, but it seems more likely given their confidentiality and timing that they relate to the rumored launch of Apple's smart home hub, alongside a new Apple TV 4K, and the HomePod mini 2. Yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple plans to introduce these three long-awaited new devices on Tuesday, October 13.

If Apple announces the new devices sometime in the week of Monday, October 5, Apple Stores would need to update their displays for launch on October 13. For now, the exact timing of the announcement of the trio is unclear. Gurman's report used indeterminate wording, simply saying that Apple would "push into the smart-home market on October 13." This could be either announcement or launch.
This article, "Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Sales of iPhone 18 Pro models in China were 12% higher in the three days after launching than sales of iPhone 17 Pro models were during their entire first week last year, according to Counterpoint Research.

The strong start helped Apple claim the top spot in the country's smartphone market for the week of September 14 to 20, handing it a 33% share. But the news could get even better for Apple's China market prospects this month: The iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23, and Chinese consumers have a much stronger appetite for foldable devices compared to the rest of the world.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Sales Jump in China Ahead of iPhone Duo Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple TV appears to be unavailable for some users, following a recent outage of Apple Services that began on September 30.


The original outage took down the App Store, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, and several other services, but those are all now back online. Only Apple TV is still not working for an unknown number of users.

Apple's System Status page indicates an ongoing issue with Apple TV that started on September 30 at 4:43 p.m. Eastern Time. "Some users are affected," the page says, adding "Apple TV may be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance."

We'll update this article when the situation changes.
This article, "Apple TV Still Down for Some Users Following Apple Services Outage" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

From October 1, 2026, Microsoft began disabling Exchange Web Services (EWS) by default in Exchange Online, which will cut off the protocol that Apple's Mail and Calendar apps on Mac still rely on to sync Microsoft 365 work accounts.


The cutoff has been on the cards for a fairly long time, as Microsoft stopped adding new features to EWS back in 2018, while in 2023 it announced that it would start disabling the protocol in Exchange Online from October 2026.

As Microsoft explains in the blog post linked above, organizations that have chosen to keep EWS running aren't affected for now. As for everyone else, the cutoff may not happen all at once. In a recently updated post from June, Microsoft described the change as a "phased rollout," so some Mac users could lose access sooner than others.

It's still possible for IT administrators to restore access. However, Microsoft plans to shut down EWS in Exchange Online permanently on April 1, 2027, and no extensions are currently planned.

As you'd expect, Apple is aware of the situation. In an Apple Platform Deployment support document, the company says it is "actively working with Microsoft" to move Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, and Reminders apps on Mac to the newer Microsoft Graph API in a future macOS 27 update.

Except, that update hasn't arrived yet. Apple skipped macOS 27.1 betas entirely, while release notes for the macOS 27.2 betas have yet to make any mention of Graph support.

Meanwhile, affected organizations can just keep EWS running or move Mac users to a Graph-compatible client, such as Microsoft's Outlook app.

Note that the change will only affect Microsoft's cloud-hosted email server. In other words, companies that run their own Exchange servers aren't affected. Neither will iPhone and iPad be impacted, since they use Exchange ActiveSync rather than EWS.

(Thanks, Jonathan!)
This article, "Microsoft 365 Work Accounts May Stop Syncing in Apple Mail" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is working on a new smart home accessory that will serve as a hub for interacting with Siri AI, controlling HomeKit devices, watching videos, checking the calendar and the weather, and generally offering up useful information to everyone in the household.


This guide aggregates everything that we know about Apple's smart home hub.

Design

Apple's smart home device will somewhat resemble an iPad, and it will have a display-focused design. It is expected to be square rather than rectangular, and it will measure in at 6 inches with quarter-inch black bezels around the edges.

In terms of size, it will look similar to two iPhones that are side-by-side, and it will be about as thick as an iPhone. Apple imagines people having multiples of the hub in different rooms of the house. The device will support touch input for opening apps and controlling connected devices.


Apple is making two versions of the home hub. One will have a 6-inch display and is meant to be mounted on the wall, and the second version has the same 6-inch display and a hemispherical speaker base that looks similar to the iMac G4. The display attaches to the base with a polished metal arm that holds the small screen and allows it to be tilted forward or backward. The base features speaker hole perforations and a rubber bottom for stability.


The wall-mounted version will have a thin square base for the speakers and the mics, and it will sit flush against the wall. Both models will have a 1080p camera on the front for FaceTime calls, authenticating users, and recognizing different people in the home. Apple is planning to release the hub in a gray aluminum finish.

The device has no internal battery and is instead meant to be used while connected to power via USB-C.

Sensors

The smart home hub will be able to determine how close a person is standing to it, adjusting features from there. When no one is nearby, for example, it might show the temperature, but as someone approaches, it could shift to an interface for adjusting the thermostat.

Person detection will likely allow it to be used in smart home automations for doing things like turning on the lights when someone enters a room. The sensor will be able to tell one person from another, and it could recognize hand gestures for longer-range control.

Facial recognition

The home hub will use a Face ID-like feature along with voice for authentication and to identify who is in a room. With the recognition features, the home hub will be able to switch to the profile for the person in the home who is interacting with the device. Each user will have a customizable profile and interface with options to change profiles through the Control Center.

The camera won't be as accurate as Face ID, so voice is an alternative. Apple's HomePod also uses voice recognition for some personalized features. Users will be able to set up secondary authentication with an iPhone for more security, and a visitor mode will hide personal information.

Rumors suggest there is a Mac-style edge light around the screen to offer lighting so the device can identify people in the dark.

Chip

Apple's smart home accessory is expected to use an A18 chip or better for Apple Intelligence support. Given that ‌Apple Intelligence‌ requires 8GB RAM minimum, it will have at least 8GB RAM.

Operating System

Apple's home hub will run an operating system that Apple refers to as "Charismatic" internally, though it could be called homeOS when it launches. It's going to use elements from tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, and it will sync with the iPhone for setup purposes.

Interface

Apple does not plan to create a dedicated App Store for the home hub, but it will come with several apps pre-installed. The main view will be a customizable home screen with widgets that can show the weather, important home controls, photo slideshows, upcoming events, and more. A built-in camera will scan the face of each user, bringing up different apps and a Home Screen for each person.

The interface is something like a cross between watchOS and the iPhone's StandBy mode, with a heavy focus on clock faces and photo slideshows when the device is idle. The ‌Home Screen‌ will feature Apple Watch-like icons, but the apps will have an iPad-like design with a two-panel layout. There will be familiar customization options like pressing and holding to rearrange icons and swiping up to get to the app launcher.

There will be a Widget Gallery that suggests widgets from a linked iPhone. Widgets shown on the device from an iPhone that's connected will only display widget content when the primary user is in the home. A Smart Stack will be available to intelligently rotate through different widget options throughout the day, and the clock will be customizable with a Face Gallery.

The hub will adopt the visual aesthetic of ‌Siri‌ AI, with darker design elements. A software-based dock will be available for launching apps, and the hub will be built around ‌Siri‌ AI.

Apps

Several Apple apps will be installed even though there won't be a dedicated ‌App Store‌. Apps that are rumored:

• Safari


• Apple News


• Apple Music


• Apple Podcasts


• Notes


• Calendar


• Photos


• Home


• Messages


• Reminders


• ‌FaceTime‌

The hub will support integration into ‌HomeKit‌ scenes alongside other smart home products, and it will play videos, so it can be used for things like following along with a recipe when in the kitchen.

Intercom

More than one of the devices can be used throughout the home, and two or more can serve as room-to-room intercoms.

AirPlay

With its built-in speakers, the device will support music playback and it will be able to work as an AirPlay receiver.

homeOS Trademark

Apple appears to be using a shell company to trademark "homeOS" in several countries around the world, with the trademarking kicking off in October 2024. Apple has secured the homeOS trademark in Liechtenstein, and trademarks are pending in the U.S., Argentina, Peru, and more.

Future Smart Home Accessories

Apple is creating an indoor security camera that will connect to the home hub, and it's rumored for 2027. Privacy would be a focus, providing an alternative to cameras from companies like Ring and Nest.

Pricing

Apple's home hub could be priced somewhere around $350, which would make it more expensive than competing products like the Amazon Echo Show.

Launch Date

Apple's smart home hub is rumored to be debuting on October 13 alongside a new Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini.

This article, "Apple's Smart Home Hub: Everything We Know So Far" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's rumored smart home hub will have different faces users can choose from, some of which are similar to StandBy screens planned for the iPhone Duo. Leaker pdfu shared setup screens of the Photo Face said to be for Apple's upcoming home product.


Based on the images, users can select from different photo collections, memories, or shared albums for the Photo Face, and those photos will be shown on the device's display. Photos are pulled from iCloud, so iCloud Photos needs to be turned on for it to work. Users will be prompted to set up the Photo Face when activating the device.

Pdfu says the Photo Face for the hub is the same as the Photo Face coming to the ‌iPhone Duo‌, and that could explain why Apple hasn't made the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s StandBy mode available in the Xcode simulator yet.

This is the first visual of a home hub face we've seen. The hub is expected to have a 6-inch screen, and it will look similar to an iPad except for the square shape and the base. The hub is rumored to have an iMac G4-like half-dome metal base that connects to the display with an arm.

Prior rumors have said the home hub won't have a full App Store, but it will support apps and widgets like Calendar, Weather, Music, Messages, Reminders, and more. The device will be able to tell when someone is approaching it, and can distinguish between people in the home to show different widgets for each user. It makes sense for the hub to display a StandBy-like interface when it is not in active use.

There will be multiple idle display options to choose from, just like there are now when using the iPhone in StandBy mode. Earlier today, Bloomberg said the home hub interface is "built heavily" around clock displays and photo slideshows, so the Photo Face will likely be an integral part of the device's software.

The home hub is rumored to be debuting on October 13.
This article, "Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The free Apple Invites app for the iPhone was updated today with three new features: shared albums now support full-resolution photo sharing, Image Playground now lets you create photorealistic backgrounds for invites, and guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code.


Released in February 2025, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. The ability to create an event in the app requires subscribing to an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage for $0.99 per month, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free on any device.

Apple's full release notes for version 1.12.0 of the app:

• Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing, so you can relive every moment in stunning detail right in the app. Anyone, including users without an Apple device, can join and contribute.

• Image Playground now lets you create high quality backgrounds in pretty much any style, including photorealistic, so your invite captures exactly the vibe you have in mind.

• Guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code, making it even easier to get into an event.

• This update contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

The update is available now in the App Store.
This article, "Apple Invites App Updated With Three New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Earlier this week, Daring Fireball's John Gruber floated Tuesday, October 13 as a potential date for Apple to hand out iPhone Duo review units to selected reviewers in person, and it appears that he might have been on to something.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple plans to unveil its all-new smart home hub, a second-generation HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K model on October 13, the same date that Gruber mentioned in his speculative piece a few days ago.

In a separate post, Gruber opined that there is "no way" that Apple would unveil the home hub through an Apple Newsroom announcement only, given it is an all-new device with an all-new interface. "If this is coming, it has to be unveiled with a keynote video and some sort of media event with hands-on demos," he said.

If Gruber is right that the home hub "has to be unveiled with a keynote video," that would set the stage for an online-only Apple Event that would be streamed on Apple's website and YouTube on October 13. Afterwards, Apple would likely hold a hands-on experience for the media, allowing them to demo the products that were announced.

The same thing happened in October 2023. On October 24 that year, Apple announced that it would be holding an online-only Apple Event on October 30, which was streamed on Apple's website and YouTube. Later that day, Apple allowed selected journalists and content creators to go hands-on with the Macs unveiled during the event in person.

During the hands-on experience, selected individuals could also receive an iPhone Duo review unit in hand, allowing Apple to avoid a first-of-its-kind iPhone getting lost in the mail before it launches on Friday, October 23. Apple typically gives out review units around a week before a device launches, so the timing would line up.

In any case, mark your calendars, as it sounds like October 13 will be a big day for Apple.

If there is an October 13 event, expect Apple to announce it by next week.
This article, "Apple Event on October 13?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249, while the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. The $150 difference buys a more advanced health sensing system, a larger display, longer battery life, and more options for tracking training and recovery.


The two watches still share many features, including an always-on display, wrist temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, retrospective ovulation estimates, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, and 64GB of storage. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you. The differences between the two models are as follows:

‌Apple Watch SE 3‌	Apple Watch Series 12
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6	Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case	42mm or 46mm case
Aluminum case	Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic case
40mm: 40 by 34 by 10.7mm 44mm: 44 by 38 by 10.7mm	42mm aluminum/titanium: 42 by 37 by 9.7mm 46mm aluminum/titanium: 46 by 40 by 9.7mm 42mm ceramic: 43 by 37 by 9.85mm 46mm ceramic: 47 by 41 by 9.85mm
Aluminum GPS weight: 26.3 grams (40mm) or 32.9 grams (44mm)	Aluminum GPS weight: 32.2 grams (42mm) or 39.5 grams (46mm)
Ion-X front glass	Ceramic Shield 2 front on aluminum models; sapphire crystal front on titanium and ceramic models
No published IP6X rating	IP6X dust resistance
LTPO OLED display	LTPO3 display with a 1Hz always-on refresh rate, allowing a live ticking seconds hand on supported watch faces
‌OLED‌ display	Wide-angle ‌OLED‌ display
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels 44mm: 368 by 448 pixels	42mm: 374 by 446 pixels 46mm: 416 by 496 pixels
40mm: 759 sq mm display area 44mm: 977 sq mm display area	42mm: 970 sq mm display area 46mm: 1,196 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits brightness	Up to 2,000 nits brightness
2 nits minimum brightness	1 nit minimum brightness
Nylon composite and sapphire crystal back	Aluminum or titanium and zirconia back; ceramic and zirconia back on ceramic models
S10 chip (2024)	S11 chip (2026)
2GB RAM	4GB RAM
Second-generation optical heart sensor	Always-on optical heart sensor
Standard background heart rate tracking	Background heart rate readings every five seconds
Heart rate variability tracking	Recovery HRV and more frequent overall HRV readings
Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration	Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, HRV, and a daytime view
	Readiness app
	Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
	Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
	Hypertension notifications
Standard step tracking	Improved step tracking
	Real-time heart rate and steps watch face complications
	Water temperature sensor
	Depth gauge to 6 meters and Depth app
	Oceanic+ app for snorkeling to 6 meters, available on the App Store
	Audio Intelligence features including Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and Shazam
	Live Rewind and ‌Siri‌ Recap, due in beta in late 2026
Microphone	Microphone with Voice Isolation
Single, elongated speaker openings	Individual speaker holes
2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4	2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi 4
L1 GPS	Precision L1 GPS
	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Find iPhone	Precision Finding for iPhone, with distance and direction guidance
HomePod playback controls	‌HomePod‌ playback controls and proximity-based media suggestions with a compatible Ultra Wideband ‌HomePod‌
Up to 18 hours of normal use	Up to 24 hours of normal use
Up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode	Up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 7 hours of workout tracking	Up to 10 hours of workout tracking
Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes	Charges from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes
15 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of normal use	15 minutes of charging for up to 12 hours of normal use
8 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of sleep tracking	5 minutes of charging for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
Midnight and Starlight aluminum finishes	Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray aluminum finishes
	Radiant Gold and Natural titanium finishes
	Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic finishes
	Silver and Radiant Gold titanium Hermès models
40mm: $249 GPS or $299 GPS + Cellular 44mm: $279 GPS or $329 GPS + Cellular	Aluminum 42mm: $399 GPS or $499 GPS + Cellular Aluminum 46mm: $449 GPS or $549 GPS + Cellular
	Titanium models start at $699; ceramic models start at $899

If you mainly want a smart watch for notifications, standard workout and sleep tracking, and an always-on display, the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ remains the better value. Although it is now a year old, it still represents excellent value for money at $249, offering most of the Apple Watch's core features for $150 less than the entry-level Series 12.

The Apple Watch Series 12 has a much stronger case for anyone who uses their device to follow health and recovery trends. Its new Health Sensing System enables frequent heart rate readings, Recovery HRV, and a Readiness score that draws on recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep. ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and hypertension notifications add further capabilities unavailable on the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌.

Battery life may be a decisive factor. The Apple Watch Series 12 is rated for six more hours of normal use and three more hours of outdoor workout tracking. It also charges faster, which is particularly useful if you wear your watch overnight for sleep tracking.

The Series 12 also offers a larger and brighter display, which makes a noticeable difference in daily use, along with 5GHz Wi-Fi, Precision Finding for a misplaced iPhone, and premium titanium and ceramic case options. Its Audio Intelligence features include ‌Siri‌ Recap, Sound Recognition, and always-on Shazam.

If you prefer the Series 12's broader health tracking capabilities, longer battery life, display advantages, or luxury case options, the extra cost is justified. If those features are unlikely to change how you use or appreciate your watch, the ‌Apple Watch SE 3‌ is the more economical choice.
This article, "Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums