Apple's all-new HomeView smart home hub has been available for pre-order since Tuesday, with the earliest orders set to be delivered on Friday, November 13. If you did not place a pre-order yet though, you may face a longer wait now, with Apple's estimated delivery dates pushing into early December for select colors of the tabletop HomeView.


Estimated delivery dates in the U.S. vary by ZIP code right now. For example, the tabletop HomeView in silver has a November 23-December 1 delivery range in New York, but a later November 30-December 7 range in some other locations.

The tabletop HomeView is still available for Friday, November 13 launch day delivery in some colors and locations in the U.S., and the wall-mounted HomeView is not facing any delays at all as of the time this article was published.

Apple TV 4K delivery estimates are nearly identical: November 23-December 1 in some parts of the U.S., and November 30-December 7 in others.

If you have yet to pre-order a HomePod mini 2, do not worry, as the speaker is still widely available for delivery on its Friday, October 30 launch day throughout the U.S. in all five color options. Keep in mind that Siri AI will not be available on the HomePod mini 2 until support arrives in a future software update, according to Apple.
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Apple's iPhone Duo Case uses adhesive to attach to the device, according to people who have picked one up.


The case comes in two pieces and uses adhesive strips along the inside edges to attach securely to an ‌iPhone Duo‌. An included insert instructs users to peel off the adhesive's protective film, put each half on the Duo, and then press down to make sure it's well-adhered.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ Case is made from polycarbonate and comes in Sand and Navy Blue. It is designed to protect the back of the iPhone where the camera bump is located and the front around the outer display. It has a cutout for the front display, and no protection for the inside of the device when it's unfolded.


Apple also sells the ‌iPhone Duo‌ Folio with Kickstand, and that case does not use adhesive. It attaches to the ‌iPhone Duo‌ magnetically, but it does not offer protection for the sides of the device and it covers the front display when in use. It uses magnets to make it easy to fold back if the outer display is needed.

‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders began today, and the first devices won't arrive to customers until next Friday, but cases are in stores today. Initial ‌iPhone Duo‌ stock sold out, and shipping estimates are now at January 25 for all colors and capacities.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ Folio is priced at $129, and the ‌iPhone Duo‌ Case is priced at $79.
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Daring Fireball's John Gruber shared his first impressions of the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 this week, and he concluded that the price increases the devices received are "much more striking" than any of the new features introduced.


Prior to receiving price increases in late June, the previous Apple TV 4K started at $129 in the U.S., while the previous HomePod mini was priced at $99. The new Apple TV and the HomePod mini 2 are priced at $299 and $149, respectively, so both devices are now significantly more expensive than they were just four months ago.

Since the new Apple TV is only available in a single configuration with 128GB of storage and an Ethernet port, it is more fair to compare it to the equivalent previous-generation 128GB model, which was initially $149 and went up to $249 in late June. This means the new model is technically only $50 more expensive, but the reality is that the minimum you can spend on a new Apple TV 4K is now $299, up significantly from $129.

The price increases stack up if you want to use a pair of HomePod mini speakers as the default audio output on an Apple TV 4K. As noted by Gruber, it now costs nearly $600 to buy all of those devices, up from nearly $350 before late June.

"At the old pre-June prices, you could buy a 128 GB Apple TV and a pair of HomePod Minis for $350 ($150 + $100 + $100)," said Gruber. "Four short months later, with today's new models, that combination would cost $600 ($300 + $150 + $150). That price difference is much more striking than any of the new and improved features in the products."

To be clear, Gruber said he still thinks the new Apple TV 4K is "worth it" to him at its current price, and he believes the HomePod mini 2's price is "reasonable." However, he acknowledges that the "general consumer market thought the old prices were too high," and now Apple has made even more price increases on top.
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Apple's HomeView software license agreement refers to the HomeView as a "HomePodDevice" in one section. This is surely a placeholder name from a draft version of the agreement that Apple forgot to replace in the final version, and it reveals that Apple unsurprisingly views the HomeView as a HomePod-like device.

On a related note, Apple's legal website has two other agreements titled "HomePodOS 26" and "HomePodOS 27," even though Apple refers to the platform as simply "HomePod software" in those documents and elsewhere. It may be the closest we get to homeOS.
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Apple this week finally announced the HomePod mini 2, a new Apple TV 4K, and its "HomeView" smart home hub. On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through our reactions to the announcements.


Apple's HomeView costs $299 and combines a 7-inch square display with Siri AI, FaceTime, music playback, and smart home controls. It has had something of a mixed reception from YouTubers and the wider Apple community, with some of the criticism centering on what it adds for someone who already owns an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or HomePod.

A screen for timers, photos, music, and home controls will be useful for many, but it is harder to explain why someone wearing an Apple Watch would reach across a kitchen counter to set a timer, or why they would type a message on HomeView instead of taking out their iPhone. Apple's promotional video puts some of those less convincing uses front and center.

There are many details to like about the design. The display can show photos and customizable faces, dim to just 0.3 nits in the dark, and adjust its interface as someone approaches. In the kitchen, guided recipes turn webpages into step-by-step instructions, with voice-controlled timers available while cooking.

HomeView makes more sense as a replacement for an Echo Show or Nest Hub, particularly for anyone tired of poor ecosystem integration and ads on their smart display. For people who have never wanted one, it may be less obvious what Apple has added to change their minds.

HomeView recognizes up to six people and switches to their apps and personal information. Its privacy protections mean personal content normally appears only when the user is recognized and their paired device is nearby and recently unlocked. ‌Siri‌ AI can answer general questions without an Apple Intelligence-compatible device, but personal requests still require one.

There is no App Store, either. Compatible third-party audio and video apps appear through a connected iPhone or ‌iPad‌, using a CarPlay-like system. For services such as Spotify and Audible, that means relying on another device rather than installing an app directly on HomeView.

The wall-mounted version costs the same $299 despite losing the tabletop model's speaker base, woofer, and passive radiators. Mounts start at $59.95, and the box includes no power adapter or cable. It could be a welcome replacement for an ‌iPad‌ mounted on a wall, but putting several around a home quickly becomes expensive.

Six years after the original ‌HomePod‌ mini, the HomePod mini 2 adds an S10 chip, Sound Glow lighting, and support for ‌Siri‌ AI while retaining the same basic speaker hardware. Its $149 price is roughly 50% higher than the original's $99 launch price, following a June increase to $129.

The new model can serve as a default Mac speaker on models with Wi-Fi 6E or later. ‌Siri‌ AI is likely to make a bigger difference to everyday use, but it will arrive later, after the speaker launches on October 30.

The new Apple TV 4K also asks buyers to pay more for a familiar product. At $299, it adds the A19 chip, built-in microphones, and an updated ‌Siri‌ Remote. ‌Siri‌ AI is also coming to older models, while the new remote can be bought separately for $59.

The starting price is now more than twice the $129 entry point available before June's increases. The new model includes 128GB of storage, Ethernet, and Thread, and the equivalent outgoing model had already reached $249. Even so, $299 is a substantial outlay for a streaming box when many existing owners have little reason to replace theirs.

Support for four HomePods is one reason to upgrade. The new ‌Apple TV‌ can use matching front and rear pairs of ‌HomePod mini 2‌ or second-generation full-sized HomePods for surround sound. Buying the box, two full-sized HomePods, and two ‌HomePod mini 2‌ speakers at Apple's U.S. prices totals $1,295. These are products people can keep for years, but that also makes keeping an existing setup an attractive option.

The Apple Home Collection, developed with LG and Schneider Electric, adds another set of expensive purchases. One-tap setup and a lock that uses Ultra Wideband to unlock as someone approaches are useful features. Whether they justify paying more than for other HomeKit accessories is another matter, especially when buying equipment for an entire home.

Apple is reportedly still working on a robotic home display and its own camera, separate from the LG and Schneider products. The camera is said to detect activity and presence without recording video.

We also look ahead to the rumored OLED MacBook, where a lighter design and a new display could matter more than the touchscreen. It is expected to be announced later this month. We also briefly return to the iPhone Duo, including whether its folding display and software changes make a more convincing case for trying a new kind of Apple device.

The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our predictions about the HomeView, ‌HomePod mini 2‌, and new ‌Apple TV‌ 4K prior to their official announcement.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by familiar guests such as Tyler Stalman, Michael Fisher, Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
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Pre-orders are now live on Apple's newest devices, including the HomeView and Apple TV 4K, and Amazon has the first-ever discounts on these devices. We're also tracking great deals on MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Apple Watch SE 3 in this week's best Apple deals.

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.

Apple Pre-Orders

• What's the deal? Get early pre-order discounts on HomeView, Apple TV 4K, and iPhone Duo


• Where can I get it? Amazon and cellular carriers


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

It's pre-order week for Apple's newest devices, with the HomeView, Apple TV 4K, and iPhone Duo all now available to be pre-ordered. On Amazon, you can get a small discount on the HomeView and Apple TV 4K, while cellular carriers like AT&T have up to $1,200 off with trade-in credit on the iPhone Duo.

Mac Mini and Mac Studio

• What's the deal? Get record low prices on Mac mini and Mac Studio


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Apple's M5 Max Mac Studio with 36GB RAM and a 512GB SSD is still on sale for $2,299.00, down from $2,499.00. Regarding the Mac mini, you can get the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD Mac mini for $779.99, down from $899.00, and the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model for $949.99, down from $1,099.00.

Apple Watch SE 3

• What's the deal? Get $49 off Apple Watch SE 3


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon is discounting one model of the Apple Watch SE 3 today, with a price that matches the Prime Day low we saw earlier in the month. You can get the 40mm GPS model for $199.99, a $49 discount.

MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Get record low prices on 2026 MacBook Pro


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon has introduced a giant $800 discount on the 36GB/2TB 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, now priced at $3,299.00. This is the steepest discount on the 14-inch models right now, but you'll also find a few entry-level options on sale below.

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.

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As spotted by Vadim Yuryev of the YouTube channel Max Tech, the iPhone Duo has already been resold on eBay for as much as $5,000 after shipping estimates for the device slipped into 2027 on Apple's online store within minutes of pre-orders beginning today.


The listing that is marked as sold is for an iPhone Duo in the Night Sky color with 2TB of storage. Apple sells this configuration for $3,199 in the U.S., so the device has apparently fetched an $1,800 premium on eBay.

A separate eBay listing for a "confirmed pre-order" of an iPhone Duo in Night Sky with 1TB of storage is also marked as sold for $4,400. Apple sells this configuration for $2,599, so this device has also been resold at a $1,800 premium.

Apple's online store in the U.S. showed an estimated shipping date of January 25 for all iPhone Duo configurations when this article was published.
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Developers are questioning whether a settlement of the U.S. government's antitrust case against Apple would meaningfully loosen the company's control over the iPhone, according to The Information.



The report highlights PayPal and Epic Games among the companies that have raised concerns with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Officials have reportedly indicated that they favor a negotiated resolution and have asked developers to suggest improvements to how the iPhone works with other companies' products.

These discussions largely center on interoperability, including access for competing accessories and payment services. The concern among developers and antitrust lawyers cited in the report is how much Apple would actually have to change. Rival smartwatches, for example, lack much of the integration available to the Apple Watch, while competing payment apps reportedly still face disadvantages despite gaining access to near-field communication (NFC) technology for contactless payments.

When the DOJ filed its lawsuit in March 2024, it alleged that restrictions affecting messaging, digital wallets, smartwatches, cloud gaming, and multipurpose apps helped Apple unlawfully protect its smartphone monopoly. Apple rejected these allegations and argued that the government's proposed intervention would threaten its ability to design integrated products.

Some of the capabilities at issue have changed since the lawsuit began. Apple added Rich Communication Services (RCS) support to Messages with iOS 18, improving communication with Android phones. It also expanded access to the iPhone's NFC capabilities for third-party contactless transactions starting with iOS 18.1.

According to The Information, Apple offered interoperability concessions during an earlier attempt to avert the lawsuit. The company could still resist the broader changes developers want, leaving the current negotiations without an agreement. Proton said it doubted Apple would accept terms developers would regard as satisfactory.
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Today we're tracking a trio of major discounts on Apple's newest MacBook Pro models, including $500 off a 16-inch model and up to $800 off 14-inch models on Amazon.

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.

The 15-Core M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 2TB SSD has hit $2,399.00 on Amazon, down from $2,999.00. This one is only available in Space Black, and it's a new record low price on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, now priced just $100 more than the 1TB model on Amazon.





Additionally, Amazon has now sweetened the deal on the 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro with 36GB RAM and 2TB SSD, available for $3,299.00, down from $4,099.00. This is now a massive $800 discount on the new price of the MacBook Pro, and it beats the previous discount we saw earlier in the month by $200.

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.

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This article, "Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro With Up to $800 Off" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you were hoping to surprise someone with an iPhone Duo for Christmas, you might be out of luck, as Apple's online store in the U.S. is already showing an estimated shipping date of January 25 for all configurations following the start of pre-orders today.

It is possible that some Apple Stores will have the iPhone Duo available for walk-in customers on Friday, October 23 launch day, but it seems likely that inventory will be very tight. For customers interested in reserving an Apple Store pickup slot, Apple's online store now says to check back on Saturday, October 24 for this.
This article, "iPhone Duo is Sold Out for Christmas as Shipping Estimates Slip to 2027" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone Duo pre-orders began today in the U.S. and select other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order, however, wait times at Apple are longer now.


The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time today will have their iPhone Duo delivered on Friday, October 23 launch day. By just 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time though, Apple's online store in the U.S. was already showing a shipping date of January 25 for all iPhone Duo configurations.

• iPhone Duo / Star White / 256GB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Star White / 512GB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Star White / 1TB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Star White / 2TB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Night Sky / 256GB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Night Sky / 512GB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Night Sky / 1TB: January 25


• iPhone Duo / Night Sky / 2TB: January 25

As always, Apple's shipping estimates are based on a combination of supply and demand, and we do not know how much supply was available on day one of pre-orders. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iPhone Duo supply would be limited, following earlier reports of potential manufacturing challenges resulting in low production yield.

With shipping times now into 2027, the iPhone Duo is no longer available in time for delivery before Christmas through Apple's online store.

It may still be possible to secure an iPhone Duo far earlier than January by visiting an Apple Store on October 23 launch day. However, based on how quickly shipping times slipped, it seems likely that most locations will have extremely tight inventory for walk-in customers. iPhone Duo is also available at resellers like Best Buy.

Apple Store pickup was briefly an option when placing an iPhone Duo pre-order on Apple's online store, but the pickup system has now been disabled, with Apple now informing customers to check back on Saturday, October 24 for this.
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Following in the footsteps of a small pre-order discount on the HomeView, Amazon is now offering the first cash discount on the brand new A19 Apple TV 4K. You can get this model for $289.99, down from $299.00.

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 is a pre-order discount on the new Apple TV 4K, and Amazon provides an estimated delivery on launch day, which is November 13. Although only a $9 discount, this is now the best price we've tracked on the device, and as of writing Amazon is the only place offering any sort of markdown.



For anyone who just wants to upgrade their existing Apple TV 4K with the new Find My-enabled Siri Remote, Amazon has that accessory for pre-order at $59.00. There's no discount on the Siri Remote, but if you purchase this without spending on an entirely new Apple TV 4K, you'll definitely be saving yourself some money.



If you're looking to save on the HomeView, Amazon has the home hub device for $289.99 as well, down from $299.00. This one is available in Space Gray and Rose Pink colors, and it's also set to launch on November 13.

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.

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Apple today launched pre-orders for the iPhone Duo. If you're looking to place a pre-order on one of these models at a cellular carrier, we've rounded up all of the best deals and offers you can find from the major carriers in the United States.

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.

AT&T

At AT&T, new and existing customers can get up to $1,200 off the iPhone Duo with an eligible trade-in. If you're switching to AT&T, the carrier will give you up to $800 to pay off your current device balance, and you can save $200 per line when ordering the smartphone online.



In regards to the main offer of up to $1,200 off the iPhone Duo, AT&T says this requires an eligible trade-in of $230 or more, alongside activation of a new line or upgrading an existing line. You'll get this credit over the course of 36 months on your AT&T bill.

You can find the breakdown of each plan tier from AT&T below, and remember that they each require a trade-in as well.

• Up to $1,200 off iPhone Duo: requires AT&T Premium 2.0 plan or higher / trade-in value of $230 or more


• Up to $930 off iPhone Duo: requires AT&T Extra 2.0 plan or higher / trade-in value of $130 or more


• Up to $500 off iPhone Duo: requires Value 2.0 plan / trade-in value of $130 or more


• Up to $350 off iPhone Duo: requires any eligible unlimited plan / trade-in value of $35-$129

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering up to $1,000 off the iPhone Duo with any condition trade-in on an Experience Beyond plan. This discount will appear in the form of bill credits over the course of 36 months.



Similarly if you're on the Experience More or Experience Beyond plan, you can get up to $830 off with a trade-in, and up to $730 off with a new line on most other plans. All of these offers have the same payout schedule over the course of 36 months.

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.

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Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the iPhone Duo through its online storefront and Apple Store app. If you don't see the option to order, refresh both the website and the app until the store loads.


Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ are launching in more than 70 countries and regions. Customers who used the "Get Ready" option to set up a purchase should be able to check out with a couple of taps.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is Apple's first foldable smartphone. It features a 5.4-inch display when closed and a 7.6-inch display when open. It has an iPad-like aspect ratio and at 5.2mm when unfolded, it is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date.

Apple designed the ‌iPhone Duo‌ with an aluminum and titanium frame, complete with ceramic fiber antenna inserts and support ribs. It has a hinge with more than 100 components, and can be used in multiple orientations and positions. It lacks Face ID and adopts Touch ID instead, and it has a two-lens camera system without a telephoto lens.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is priced starting at $1,999 for 256GB of storage, and it comes in star white and night sky colors. Apple says its specialists are available to help users find ways to save and pay, including with Apple Upgrade, a Klarna-run lease program. With a 24-month lease, ‌iPhone Duo‌ pricing starts at $57.99 per month. Apple says customers can save from $175 to $885 by trading in an eligible iPhone 13 or newer.

If you're ordering an ‌iPhone Duo‌, it's a good idea to opt for AppleCare+. Some ‌iPhone Duo‌ repair fees are as high as $1,499 without a protection plan.

Along with Apple, carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are accepting ‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders. Carriers have trade-in deals and discounts available, but make sure to read all of the fine print ahead of time.

Rumors suggest ‌iPhone Duo‌ supplies are limited due to production issues. The new iPhone could sell out quickly, so order right away if you want one on launch day.

Customers who successfully pre-order an ‌iPhone Duo‌ for launch day delivery will get their devices on Friday, October 23.
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Apple's new iPhone lineup presents an unusual choice: Pay more for a folding display, or spend less on a phone with more advanced cameras and fewer hardware compromises.



Alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, Apple now offers the $1,999 iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. All three feature the A20 Pro chip, but their different designs and capabilities make the decision more complicated than simply choosing a screen size.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌'s $700 premium over the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max buys a 7.6-inch folding display, Split View multitasking with two apps side by side, and a design that can stand on its own for watching video and making FaceTime calls. It also supports StandBy without being connected to a charger. These capabilities, alongside the appeal of a radically new kind of iPhone, are its strongest reasons for consideration.

The Pro models offer a more versatile camera system, Face ID, the Action button, and substantially lower prices. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these iPhones is best for you.

All three models still share a large amount of hardware. The shared features include:

• A20 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, dual 16-core Neural Engine, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing


• Apple C2 modem (except on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in the United States), N1 wireless networking chip, and the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip


• Super Retina XDR OLED displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On display, Dynamic Island, and 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness


• Ceramic Shield 2 on the Pro models' front displays and the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s outer display, Ceramic Shield backs, and IP68 water and dust resistance to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes


• Camera Control, a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera at 13mm and f/2.2, Photographic Styles 3, Dual Capture, smart focus tracking, and 48MP macro photography


• iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI support, subject to feature, language, and regional availability


• Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite, plus Crash Detection


• USB-C with USB 3 speeds, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W, and eSIM support


• 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage options

The comparison below outlines the key differences between the Pro models and the ‌iPhone Duo‌:

Display

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9-inch display	7.6-inch inner folding display and 5.4-inch outer display
iPhone 18 Pro: 2622-by-1206 resolution at 460 ppi iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2868-by-1320 resolution at 460 ppi	Outer display: 1398-by-2034 resolution at 460 ppi Inner display: 1878-by-2670 resolution at 430 ppi
Approximately 2.17:1 aspect ratio (19.6:9)	Outer display: Approximately 1.45:1 Inner display: Approximately 1.42:1
Rigid display without a folding crease	Folding inner display with a replaceable polymer cover layer and a crease that can be visible in certain lighting
	Nano-texture finish and wide-angle OLEDs on the inner display
	Split View multitasking with two apps side by side
	Apple Pencil (USB-C) support coming later in 2026

Design and Build

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
Aluminum unibody	Polished titanium frame with a 3D-printed hinge cover
Fixed body	Hinge supports partially open positions for watching video, taking photos, and making calls
Action button
‌Face ID‌ enabled by TrueDepth technology	Touch ID in the side button
Dual ambient light sensors	Four ambient light sensors
‌MagSafe‌ accessory compatibility listed by Apple: cases, wallets, and wireless chargers	‌MagSafe‌ accessory compatibility listed by Apple: cases and wireless chargers
eSIM-only in the United States; nano-SIM and eSIM in selected other markets, including the UK	eSIM-only worldwide
Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy options	Night Sky and Star White options
Made with 40% recycled content, including 85% recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, 80% recycled steel in the battery enclosure and vapor chamber chassis, and 100% recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine	Made with 35% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the internal structural frame, 85% recycled titanium in the enclosure, and 100% recycled titanium in the 3D-printed hinge cover
50% of manufacturing electricity sourced from renewable electricity	60% of manufacturing electricity sourced from renewable electricity

Dimensions and Weight

	‌iPhone 18 Pro‌	‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
Height	5.91 inches (150.0 mm)	6.43 inches (163.4 mm)	4.64 inches (117.8 mm), open or closed
Width	2.83 inches (71.9 mm)	3.07 inches (78.0 mm)	3.31 inches (84.1 mm) closed 6.48 inches (164.6 mm) open
Depth	0.34 inch (8.75 mm)	0.34 inch (8.75 mm)	0.44 inch (11.3 mm) closed 0.21 inch (5.2 mm) open
Weight	7.44 ounces (211 grams)	8.78 ounces (249 grams)	8.96 ounces (254 grams)

Rear Cameras

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
48MP Pro Fusion camera system	48MP Dual Fusion camera system
48MP Fusion Main camera: 24mm, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and 100% Focus Pixels	48MP Fusion Main camera: 26mm, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and Hybrid Focus Pixels
Variable aperture on Main camera: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, and f/4.0	Fixed f/1.6 aperture on Main camera
12MP optical-quality 2x sensor crop at 48mm from the Main camera	12MP optical-quality 2x sensor crop at 52mm from the Main camera
48MP Fusion Telephoto camera: 100mm (4x), f/2.8, tetraprism, and 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilization and autofocus
12MP optical-quality 8x sensor crop at 200mm, f/2.8, from the Fusion Telephoto camera
LiDAR scanner
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x lens and optical-quality zoom options	0.5x, 1x, and 2x lens and optical-quality zoom options
8x optical-quality zoom in and 2x optical zoom out, for a 16x optical-quality zoom range	2x optical-quality zoom in and 2x optical zoom out, for a 4x optical-quality zoom range
Digital zoom up to 40x for photos and up to 24x for video	Digital zoom up to 10x for photos and up to 6x for video
Adaptive True Tone flash	True Tone flash
Four studio-quality microphones	Microphone configuration not specified by Apple
	Smart Take and Duo Preview

Pro Capture Features and Formats

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
Pro controls for lens aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and viewing histogram	Manual controls including white balance and focus
ProRAW
Apple Reference Image, using the Fusion Main camera only; availability varies by region
Spatial photos
Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording
ProRes RAW video recording
Apple Log 2
Academy Color Encoding System (ACES)
Genlock with supported accessories
Image formats captured: HEIF, JPEG, and DNG	Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
Video formats recorded: HEVC, H.264, ProRes, and ProRes RAW	Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
Video playback formats listed by Apple include HEVC, H.264, AV1, and ProRes	Video playback formats listed by Apple include HEVC, H.264, and AV1

Front Cameras

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
18MP Center Stage front camera, f/1.9	12MP Center Stage outer camera, f/2.2
Autofocus with Focus Pixels on the front camera	Outer front camera autofocus not specified by Apple
Front camera Pro controls, ProRAW, ProRes, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and Academy Color Encoding System
	Kid Cue on the outer display
	Under-display ‌FaceTime‌ camera on the inner display, f/1.8, limited to 1080p video at 30 or 60 fps, without Night mode, portrait photography, or Photographic Styles
	Duo ‌FaceTime‌
Optical zoom with the rear camera in ‌FaceTime‌	Zoom with the rear camera in ‌FaceTime‌

Battery and Charging

‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
Built-in rechargeable battery	Dual built-in rechargeable batteries
iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 24 hours typical use iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 30 hours typical use	Up to 24 hours typical use
iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 36 hours video playback iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 45 hours video playback	Up to 44 hours video playback using the outer display Up to 31 hours using the inner display
iPhone 18 Pro: Up to 33 hours streamed video playback iPhone 18 Pro Max: Up to 40 hours streamed video playback	Up to 37 hours streamed video playback using the outer display Up to 26 hours using the inner display
Up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes	Up to 50% charge in around 20 minutes

The figures above are Apple's U.S. battery ratings. These wired fast-charging figures require a compatible 60W-capable adapter or higher, sold separately.

Price

	‌iPhone 18 Pro‌	‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max	‌iPhone Duo‌
256GB	$1,199	$1,299	$1,999
512GB	$1,399	$1,499	$2,199
1TB	$1,799	$1,899	$2,599
2TB	$2,399	$2,499	$3,199

For many buyers, the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ or ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max is the better choice. They offer the same A20 Pro chip as the ‌iPhone Duo‌, a more versatile camera system, and a substantially lower price. Choose the Pro if you prefer a smaller, lighter phone, or pay $100 more for the Pro Max if you want a larger screen and longer battery life.

The camera system is the clearest reason to choose a Pro model. Its variable aperture adjusts automatically during everyday photography, while also giving photographers greater control over depth of field. The dedicated Telephoto camera provides much more flexibility for distant subjects, from performances and sporting events to travel photography. These advantages matter even if you never use professional capture formats.

Buyers who rely on ProRAW, ProRes, Apple Log 2, or the Pro models' full manual-control suite have an even stronger reason to choose an ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌. While the ‌iPhone Duo‌ does offer some manual camera controls, its selection of tools and formats is much more limited.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is worth considering if you would regularly unfold it for reading, documents, viewing photos, watching video, or using two apps side by side. Think through a typical day and identify your specific tasks that would benefit from the inner display, such as keeping a reference document open while writing an email. ‌Apple Pencil‌ support could also make it useful for handwritten notes and annotations, but that support is coming later in 2026.

Being able to prop the phone up for a call or video, give someone a live preview while photographing them, or use StandBy away from a charger may be useful throughout the day. Buyers who want to experience Apple's first foldable may also value the novelty and flexibility of the design, even without a specific productivity need.

You still need to be comfortable with the changes to everyday features. ‌Touch ID‌ replaces ‌Face ID‌, and there is no Action button for a customizable shortcut. The outer front camera has a lower resolution than the Pro models' camera, while the inner camera is designed around ‌FaceTime‌ and lacks several photography features. If selfies or front-camera video are important to you, those differences deserve consideration alongside the rear cameras.

Try to assess the ‌iPhone Duo‌ when it is closed as well as open. Despite its smaller outer display, it is wider and thicker than either Pro model and slightly heavier than the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max. Handling it in person in an Apple Store should help establish whether its width, folded thickness, and weight suit the way you normally carry and use your phone.

Battery life also depends on how you use the two displays. Apple's U.S. figures put the ‌iPhone Duo‌ level with the smaller Pro for typical use, below the Pro Max. Its long outer-display video playback rating does not carry over to the inner display, so buyers planning to spend much of the day unfolded should pay particular attention to those separate figures.

The price gap remains significant at every storage tier. A 1TB ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max costs $100 less than the entry-level ‌iPhone Duo‌, which has 256GB of storage. At the same capacity, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ costs $700 more than the Pro Max or $800 more than the Pro. Buyers who need substantial local storage therefore have another reason to favor a Pro model.

The premium can also extend to repairs and coverage. In the United States, Apple's estimated inner-display repair fee is $999 without AppleCare+, compared with $329 for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s display and $379 for the Pro Max's. Battery service costs $229, compared with $129 for either Pro model. A separate replacement of the inner display's cover layer is listed at $49 without coverage or $19 with ‌AppleCare‌+.

Standalone ‌AppleCare‌+ with Theft and Loss also costs more for the ‌iPhone Duo‌, at $19.99 per month in the United States rather than $14.99 for either Pro model. Buyers planning to insure their phone should include that recurring difference when comparing ownership costs.

Choose the ‌iPhone Duo‌ if its inner display would meaningfully improve the things you do on your phone, or if experiencing Apple's latest radical rethink of the iPhone is itself worth the premium and compromises to you. If you expect to spend most of your time on the outer display, the Pro models are easier to justify: You would otherwise be paying substantially more while making limited use of the feature that most distinguishes the ‌iPhone Duo‌.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are available now. ‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders begin at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16, ahead of launch on October 23.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone Duo pre-orders, which begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16.


"We love that early energy," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "Almost ready for you. Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PT. See you soon." Apple has been opening pre-orders at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time for several years, rather than the 12:01 a.m. start time it previously used.

Customers in more than 70 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order the ‌iPhone Duo‌ when the store comes back online.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is Apple's first foldable iPhone and comes in Star White and Night Sky. It is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities. Here's what to know before placing an order:

• iPhone Duo: Pre-Order Time and Release Date


• How to Prepare for iPhone Duo Pre-Orders


• iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?


• Apple's New 2026 iPhone Lineup: Prices for Every Storage Tier


• iPhone Duo Compromises: Everything You Have to Give Up

In the United States, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ starts at $1,999. The device launches on Friday, October 23, when deliveries to customers and in-store availability begin. Availability will expand to 28 additional countries and regions on Friday, October 30.
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Apple has an unreleased iPad mini Smart Folio listed on its French regulatory website, hinting that a new ‌iPad mini‌ is coming. The case's A3632 model number doesn't match current or past ‌iPad mini‌ cases.


Apple appears to have added the case to its website recently, and it's listed alongside iPhone 18 Pro accessories added in September.

The listing doesn't include any ‌iPad mini‌ specs, but it does suggest design changes to the device it's meant for as a new Smart Folio may mean current cases won't fit the next ‌iPad mini‌.

Rumors suggest the ‌iPad mini‌ 8 with an OLED display and a more water-resistant design will be introduced on October 27 or 28 alongside an ‌OLED‌ MacBook Pro. The A3632 Smart Folio could be for the ‌OLED‌ ‌iPad mini‌.
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Apple is "pretty much done" with M6 chips, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated today on his podcast. Apple debuted the M6 chip in the Mac mini and has plans for an M6 iMac and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, but the company is not planning to make M6 Pro, M6 Max, or M6 Ultra chips.


Apple will instead go from the M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra to the M7 lineup. The upcoming OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will use the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips Apple uses in the current ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, with no chip upgrade planned until 2027. The M5 Pro and M5 Max came out in March.

Gurman says the high-end touchscreen ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will get M7 Pro and M7 Max chips "at the end of next year." A refreshed low-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ with an M7 chip will launch next year, and an M7 Ultra chip is slated for the first half of 2028. It's unlikely we'll get a new Mac Studio in 2027 with the next Ultra chip planned for 2028.

Apple is reportedly skipping the rest of the M6 line to focus its resources on the M7 chips, which have technologies for artificial intelligence workloads.
This article, "OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple pledged $25 million for Trump's White House ballroom, according to a list of donors obtained by The Washington Post.


Chipmaker Nvidia also committed $25 million, making Apple and Nvidia two of the top donors. Other donors include Microsoft, Comcast, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, T-Mobile, HP, Google (from a lawsuit settlement), Palantir, Salesforce, and Micron. Private donations on the list totaled $333 million, with some donors paying in full and some paying in installments.

The White House has not publicly disclosed donation amounts, even though political giving typically requires public disclosure and adherence to campaign finance rules. The Trump administration is collecting ballroom donations through a nonprofit and moving the funds into a White House account controlled by Trump.

A White House spokesperson said the administration will "relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the leaked list.

The ballroom's final cost hasn't been released, but a June contractor estimate suggested it would cost around $600 million and that more than half of the money would come from taxpayer funds.

Trump says the ballroom will be around 90,000 square feet and will seat 1,000 guests. The White House's East Wing was demolished to construct the ballroom.
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Apple is planning to introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models on October 27 or October 28, and the machines could launch on Friday, November 6, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said during his latest podcast.


Apple retail stores apparently have a "big floor reset" scheduled for the evening of Thursday, November 5, and into Friday, November 6, which Gurman says could be in preparation for the new Macs. The store reset will follow a debut in late October, with Apple planning a creator-focused gathering in Los Angeles to introduce the new products.

Along with the ‌OLED‌ touchscreen ‌MacBook Pro‌, Apple is rumored to be launching the ‌OLED‌ iPad mini, M6 iMac, and M6 entry-level 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌. Gurman did not say whether there would be a classic Apple event, but suggested Apple will "do something" and will "have those videos" at the "very least."

Gurman previously said Apple might name the new ‌OLED‌ Macs the "MacBook Ultra," but he more recently walked that back and suggested they would be part of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ line. He also said the foldable iPhone could be the iPhone Ultra and that Apple would debut AirPods Ultra, but so far Apple has not embraced the Ultra naming.

The ‌OLED‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ models could be sold as a higher-end option alongside the current mini-LED models, but new chips are not expected. Apple is said to be using the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that are in the existing ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

If the ‌MacBook Pro‌ models do launch on November 6, Apple will have several weeks of product launches. The iPhone Duo is coming out on October 23, while the HomePod mini 2 launches October 30. The HomeView and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K will be released on November 13.
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Withings, the maker of smart scales for measuring body weight, has announced that customers who create an account on October 13, 2026 or later must have a Withings+ subscription for automatic syncing of data to third-party apps, including Apple's Health app. In the U.S., Withings+ costs $99.50 per year.

If you created your account on or before October 12, 2026, automatic syncing to third-party apps remains free. Since this change is tied to the account creation date, existing customers who buy a new Withings scale or other device are unaffected.
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On the latest episode of his Power On podcast, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he heard that Apple has tested both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion displays for the next iPad mini. However, he has not yet learned which option Apple has chosen.

Apple is expected to announce the new iPad mini on October 27 or October 28, with rumored features including an OLED display, A20 Pro chip, landscape front camera, redesigned speaker system, and water-resistant design.
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Meta today announced the release of Muse Spark Open, which it says is the "most capable U.S. open-weight model to date."


‌Meta‌ worked with Apple to bring Muse Spark Open to the Mac, and the model can run on a desktop setup with two 512GB Apple M5 Ultra Mac Studios running the latest MLX framework. ‌Meta‌ CEO Mark Zuckerberg thanked Apple CEO John Ternus for working with Meta.


Muse Spark Open has 816 billion total parameters with 42 billion active parameters and a 1 million-token context window. It is meant for coding and agentic work, and ‌Meta‌ says it excels at extended tasks, multi-step reasoning, and software engineering.

The new Muse model was tuned to run on Mac Studio, and ‌Meta‌ says the ‌Mac Studio‌ paired with Muse Spark Open is the "best way to run a powerful model on your own desktop." From ‌Meta‌:

Apple's unified memory architecture lets the M5 Ultra's integrated GPU use up to 512 GB per Mac Studio, so two machines can hold an entire model. And the chip's 1.2 TB/s of memory bandwidth is fast enough to read the small slice each token needs. The result is two Mac Studios behave like one supercomputer with a terabyte of unified memory.

Apple hasn't released the 512GB ‌Mac Studio‌ as of yet, but it's supposed to be coming later this month. It won't be cheap, because the 256GB ‌Mac Studio‌ is already priced over $10,000.

The model is available through API platforms at Baseten, Fireworks AI, Groq, Modal, Nebius, OpenRouter, and Together AI, with model weights downloadable from Amazon SageMaker AI, Google Cloud Model Garden, Hugging Face, and Microsoft Foundry Models. Muse Spark Open is free to download and has a license allowing limited commercial use.

Apple and ‌Meta‌ often argue more than they work together, so it is something of a surprise to see the two companies partnering for Muse Spark Open. "We're excited for mommy and daddy to be playing nice again," ‌Meta‌'s AI chief Alexandr Wang told Axios.
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Apple announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K earlier this week, introducing the A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri, four-speaker HomePod surround sound, and an updated ‌Siri‌ Remote. It replaces the third-generation model introduced in 2022, bringing a number of internal changes while retaining the same basic design and most of the same entertainment features.


The new model costs $299 and comes with 128GB of storage. ‌Siri‌ AI is also coming to the third-generation model, and the new remote can be purchased separately for existing devices. Apple says the assistant will be available in beta with tvOS 27.2 on second-generation and later ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models, including conversational entertainment searches, follow-up questions, and personal context through a compatible paired device.

The new model's distinctive hardware benefit is direct voice input through the box's microphones; access to the voice assistant itself is shared. Whether you should upgrade therefore comes down to which hardware changes you will actually use.

Configurations, Connectivity, and Price

The differences in configurations, connectivity, and pricing between the third- and fourth-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K are as follows:

‌Apple TV‌ 4K (3rd Generation)	‌Apple TV‌ 4K (4th Generation)
64GB model: Wi-Fi only 128GB model: Wi-Fi and Ethernet	Single 128GB configuration with Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 6
Gigabit Ethernet on the 128GB model only	Gigabit Ethernet as standard
Thread networking on the 128GB model only	Thread networking as standard
Original U.S. launch prices: $129 for 64GB; $149 for 128GB	U.S. launch price: $299 for 128GB
Final prices before replacement: $199 for 64GB; $249 for 128GB	$299 for 128GB
Now discontinued	Available to pre-order
Released November 4, 2022	Available November 13, 2026

Apple raised the older model's prices in June 2026, so comparing the new model exclusively with its predecessor's original launch pricing misses an intervening increase. Against the final price of the equivalent 128GB model, the new ‌Apple TV‌ costs $50 more. Against the previous entry-level configuration, it costs $100 more and includes twice the storage, Ethernet, and Thread connectivity.

A15 Bionic vs. A19

The A19 chip brings a substantially newer chip architecture to the ‌Apple TV‌. Apple says the fourth-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K delivers the following improvements over the third-generation model:

• Up to 50% faster CPU performance.


• Up to twice the GPU performance.

The table below lists capabilities of two chip architectures.

A15 Bionic Chip	A19 Chip
Made with TSMC's 5nm (N5P) process	Made with TSMC's third-generation 3nm (N3P) process
	Dynamic Caching
Software-based ray tracing	Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Mesh shading without the newer dedicated hardware acceleration	Hardware-accelerated mesh shading
	Dedicated Neural Accelerators in each GPU core
16-core Neural Engine	Updated 16-core Neural Engine architecture
Display engine and image signal processor	Updated display engine and image signal processor
	Dedicated AV1 hardware decoder
Up to 4x multisample anti-aliasing	Up to 8x multisample anti-aliasing
Maximum 1D, 2D, and cube-map texture dimensions of 16,384 pixels	Maximum 1D, 2D, and cube-map texture dimensions of 32,768 pixels
	Universal texture compression
	MetalFX denoised upscaling capability
	Depth bounds testing

The A19 chip has a substantially better GPU than the A15 Bionic. Dynamic Caching manages fast on-chip GPU memory according to the workload. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading provide more advanced graphics-processing capabilities, while GPU Neural Accelerators supply dedicated hardware for machine learning calculations.

While GPU improvements will be particularly useful for gaming, it is unclear just how much the full breadth of the chip architecture improvements will make a meaningful difference to the ‌Apple TV‌.

Hands-Free Siri and HomePod Audio

The new microphones and expanded ‌HomePod‌ support provide some of the clearest functional differences between the two devices:

‌Apple TV‌ 4K (3rd Generation)	‌Apple TV‌ 4K (4th Generation)
No built-in microphone array in the box; microphone only in the ‌Siri‌ Remote	Three built-in far-field microphones with voice isolation, alongside the microphone in the ‌Siri‌ Remote
‌Siri‌ voice input through the remote or another compatible device	Direct hands-free activation using "‌Siri‌" or "Hey ‌Siri‌," with echo cancellation while audio is playing
‌HomePod‌ TV audio through a single speaker or stereo pair	Four-speaker ‌HomePod‌ surround sound using matching front and rear pairs
	Automatic positioning, timing, and level calibration for the four-speaker setup
	Whole Room Audio mode distributes sound across four ‌HomePod‌ speakers

The four-speaker configuration requires HomePod mini 2 or second-generation full-sized ‌HomePod‌ speakers. You can use four matching speakers or combine two matching front speakers with a different matching rear pair. For example, two full-sized HomePods can serve as the front speakers and two ‌HomePod mini 2‌ units as the rear speakers.

First-generation full-sized HomePods and original ‌HomePod‌ mini speakers are excluded from this new four-speaker configuration. Existing owners should account for any speaker replacements or additions when considering the cost of upgrading.

Whole Room Audio serves a different purpose from directional home theater sound, distributing audio more evenly around the room for music, sports, and more.

Hands-free ‌Siri‌ support also has its own language requirements. Apple lists Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Norwegian, and Swedish, subject to regional availability.

Siri Remote Differences

The fourth-generation ‌Siri‌ Remote retains the familiar design and controls while making a misplaced remote easier to find:

‌Siri‌ Remote (3rd Generation)	‌Siri‌ Remote (4th Generation)
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 6
Nearby finding through iPhone, with proximity guidance	Find My with Precision Finding on a compatible iPhone
	Bluetooth Channel Sounding for precise location tracking
	Built-in speaker for playing a sound to locate the remote
66 grams	69.6 grams

The older remote already supported nearby finding with an iPhone. The new remote's additional benefits are precise location guidance and an audible alert. Precision Finding uses Bluetooth Channel Sounding, providing precise tracking without requiring a UWB chip.

Precision Finding requires an iPhone 17 or later, excluding the iPhone 17e, or an iPhone Air or iPhone Duo running the latest software. You can also ask ‌Siri‌ to find the remote through the ‌Apple TV‌'s built-in microphones and have the remote play a sound.

The new ‌Siri‌ Remote is available separately for $59 and works with the third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, every earlier ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, and even the ‌Apple TV‌ HD.

Design, Dimensions, and Weight

Both generations retain the compact black enclosure and Apple logo. The principal visible changes are the microphone hardware and the repositioned front light.

	‌Apple TV‌ 4K (3rd Generation)	‌Apple TV‌ 4K (4th Generation)
Width	93 mm	93.24 mm
Depth	93 mm	93.24 mm
Weight	Wi-Fi: 208g Wi-Fi + Ethernet: 214g	217g
Status light	Positioned toward the right	Positioned in the center
Packaging	At least 90% fiber-based packaging	100% fiber-based packaging

The new box weighs three grams more than the previous Ethernet model and nine grams more than the Wi-Fi-only model. The centered front light also indicates when the built-in microphones are listening for commands.

Should You Upgrade From the Third-Generation Apple TV 4K?

Most third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K owners should keep their existing device. For ordinary streaming through television speakers, a soundbar, or an AV receiver, the new model does not add new capabilities. The maximum viewing resolution and HDR support remains the same. ‌Siri‌ AI's availability on the older hardware further reduces the need to replace a working device.

The strongest reason to upgrade is a planned four-speaker ‌HomePod‌ system. If you already own two second-generation full-sized HomePods and want dedicated rear speakers, the new ‌Apple TV‌ enables a specific setup your existing model cannot provide. Include the cost of additional or replacement speakers when judging the upgrade.

Hands-free control is another practical reason if you regularly use ‌Siri‌ and want to speak directly to the device. It is likely to be more useful when the ‌Apple TV‌ is directly in the viewing room than when it is installed in a separate equipment cupboard or rack.

AV1 hardware decoding may justify the upgrade for a particular media library or playback workflow. Gaming enthusiasts may also value the newer GPU architecture, but the benefit depends on the games available for tvOS and how developers use the hardware.

If locating the remote is a source of frustration, buying the $59 ‌Siri‌ Remote separately costs $240 less than replacing the entire ‌Apple TV‌. That purchase supplies the new remote features while retaining your existing device.

Should You Buy the Third- or Fourth-Generation Model?

For a new purchase, the fourth-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is the stronger choice when the price difference is modest or you intend to use its exclusive features. Compared with the older 128GB model's final $249 Apple price, the $50 premium is easier to justify than the much larger difference suggested by comparing original launch prices.

That being said, a discounted third-generation model remains a sensible purchase. The older model is particularly appealing when the saving is substantial and you are not interested in a four-speaker ‌HomePod‌ sound system.

If you need Ethernet or want the ‌Apple TV‌ itself to provide Thread networking, choose the third-generation 128GB model or the fourth-generation model. A sufficiently large saving on the older 128GB configuration can outweigh improvements with the latest model that you would rarely use.
This article, "Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In a recent interview with TIME, Apple CEO John Ternus described some early foldable smartphones as feeling "kind of cheap and crappy." Samsung released its first foldable in 2019, but Apple opted to take its time and has now developed the iPhone Duo with a premium design and a barely-noticeable display crease.

The interview touches on how Ternus gave Apple's design team "the confidence to really push the boundaries on innovation and manufacturing" with the iPhone Duo, which is available to pre-order starting this Friday at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
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In an interview with TIME's Andrew R. Chow, Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak said Apple Intelligence is meant for "everyday people" as opposed to the "lunatic fringe."


The full sentence: "In the midst of a populist AI backlash, they contend that they are building a modest but personalized and privacy-preserving form of AI that will actually help ordinary people as opposed to merely dazzling Silicon Valley's 'lunatic fringe,' as Greg Joswiak, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, puts it."

Joswiak apparently believes Apple Intelligence is not for "die-hard AI believers chasing superintelligence," as Chow described it.

"We love them, and they can use it too, but that's not our target," said Joswiak. "It's how to make it better for everyday people."

Joswiak added that "we don't feel threatened" in regards to Apple facing competition in the AI industry. "The fact that we can do the integration that we can means we can create just a better experience than anybody else," he said.
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Amazon has a few notable markdowns on AirPods models this week, including the AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Pro 3. In regards to the AirPods Max 2, Amazon's deal today is matching the Prime Day low price we saw earlier this month.

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.

You can get the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $429.00, down from $549.00. This is one of the lowest prices we've ever seen on the AirPods Max 2, and the sale is available in Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight colors.



For the AirPods Pro 3, you can get this model for $199.00, down from $249.00. This is a second-best price on the AirPods Pro 3, but if you missed the all-time low price during Prime Day and want a model now, it's still a solid $50 discount.



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.

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Apple CEO John Ternus has been featured on the cover of TIME Magazine's "Best Inventions of 2026" edition, available October 26.


Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and was formerly its senior vice president of hardware engineering, succeeded Tim Cook as the company's CEO on September 1. This paved the way for Ternus to unveil the iPhone Duo just eight days later.

Ternus believes the iPhone Duo stands apart from other foldable smartphones.

"The other examples in the world felt kind of cheap and crappy," said Ternus, in an interview with TIME's Andrew R. Chow.

Ternus was eight years old when his father purchased an Apple II computer. "I started playing games on it and fell in love with Apple," he said.

Cook remains at Apple as executive chairman, with his primary focus being engaging with policymakers around the world. "He has great relationships and loves Apple," Ternus said of Cook. "So wherever he can help, he is happy to help."

In a separate interview, Cook said he is "not meddling" with Ternus.

Apple's large language models that power Siri AI are "based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology," according to a joint announcement from Apple and Google earlier this year. When asked about this, Ternus said Apple does not always have to make the whole widget, with the company focused on areas it can provide "differentiation."

"There's not really a goal that we have to make every single thing in a product," he said. "We make the things where we can really bring differentiation."

Apple also tries to remain focused.

"You can't do everything," Ternus added. "So we kind of try to constrain ourselves to the stuff that matters most—and then put all of our effort into those things."

The full magazine cover is below.


This article, "Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today announced that customers have until 9 p.m. Pacific Time today to "get ready" for their iPhone Duo pre-order.

By completing this process via Apple's online store or the Apple Store app, Apple said customers can "check out with a single click" when iPhone Duo pre-orders go live on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. The device launches on Friday, October 23.
This article, "Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple this week introduced an all-new HomeView smart home hub, but popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee is "not convinced" about it.


In his HomeView impressions video on his YouTube channel MKBHD, Brownlee said "I cannot figure any group that this is actually ideal for."

HomeView has a lot of overlap with other Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and HomePod. Brownlee said the HomeView does not provide enough "extra value," leading him to believe that the device should be "a skip for most people."


HomeView lacks an App Store, which limits its usefulness, but it can also display CarPlay-enabled audio and video apps from a paired iPhone.

Do you think the HomeView is a useful addition to the Apple ecosystem? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
This article, "MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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