AirPods Pro will gain a new "hearing aid mode" with the release of iOS 18 later this year, according to the latest report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in the subscriber edition of his regular Power On newsletter, Gurman claims that the "big news" for AirPods Pro in the near term will be support for a hearing aid-style function when iOS 18 drops in the fall.
To be clear, this isn't the first time we have heard a potential hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro. The first rumor appeared in a 2021 Wall Street Journal report, but it was previously framed as a feature that would be exclusive to a next-generation model of AirPods Pro. However, Apple in September 2022 released the second-generation AirPods Pro, while the company more recently released a refreshed model with a USB-C port.
AirPods Pro already offer a Conversation Boost feature, which boosts the volume and clarity of people directly in front of the wearer, but Apple has not advertised the earbuds as a hearing aid device, because this would require FDA regulatory approval.
As per the FDA, a hearing aid is defined as "any wearable device designed for, offered for the purpose of, or represented as aiding persons with or compensating for, impaired hearing." This definition encompasses both air-conduction and bone-conduction devices in a variety of styles (for example, behind-the-ear, in-the-canal, or body worn).
Notably, in August 2022 the FDA approved a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids that do not have to adhere to the same strict legal requirements. The new category is called Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs). PSAPs are defined as any "electronic product that is intended for non-hearing impaired consumers to amplify sounds in certain environments, such as for hunting or other recreational activities, and is not intended to aid persons with or compensate for impaired hearing."
Unlike hearing aid devices, PSAPs are "not intended to treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent disease, and are not intended to affect the structure or function of the body." As such, there is no regulatory classification or product code for these products, and there are no requirements for legal registration by manufacturers or listing of these products with the FDA.
It is not yet clear whether Apple will need FDA clearance in order to make explicit or implicit claims about the rumored "hearing aid mode," which may not even adopt this exact name. If, for example, Apple subsequently suggests that AirPods Pro are for users with certain types or severity of hearing loss/impaired hearing, or for use as an alternative to a hearing aid, then they will require FDA regulatory approval to be marketed as such.
Apple is set to preview iOS 18 in June at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, and will inevitably release the major software update when the iPhone 16 series is launched, which is likely to be sometime in September.
This weekend, we're tracking a new sale at Samsung with savings on the company's best smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops. These discounts are part of Samsung's larger Discover Samsung Spring Sale, which we started covering last week with deals on monitors, storage, audio, and more.
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 best monitor deal from our original post is still live today: you can get the ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $899.99, down from $1,599.99. At $700 off this a very solid second-best price on the 2023 display, which has a matte display, modular 4K SlimFit camera, and support for Thunderbolt 4.
Additionally, when you sign up to learn more about Samsung's upcoming TV and audio product lineup, you can get $100 off your purchase. The new slate of Samsung TVs and audio equipment is set to be unveiled on March 21, and this $100 discount offer will be available through that date.
Smartphones
Samsung's newest smartphones launched back in January and you can get some pretty big discounts on the devices right now. Most of these offers do require you to trade in an existing smartphone and will be applied as credits on your bill, and Samsung covers discounts from carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular.
In terms of smartwatches, Samsung has the Galaxy Watch6 and the Watch5 on sale, with up to $400 in savings. You can get these smartwatches with a straight cash discount, or opt for a cellular plan and gain access to more savings with an eligible trade-in.
Similar to the Galaxy smartphones, Samsung is offering discounts on both cellular and Wi-Fi models of the Galaxy Tab line. If you go with the Wi-Fi models, you can get about $100 off the base price of Galaxy Tab S9 Series, depending on the model.
If you opt for the cellular devices from participating carriers, you can get more in savings in the form of bill credits after eligible trade-ins.
Samsung has a few laptop deals with solid discounts shared below, but it's worth again noting that if you have a device to trade in you can get even bigger markdowns on these computers. For the Galaxy Book 4, Samsung is also offering a free 2TB portable SSD ($219.99 value) with purchase of select models.
Apple in March 2024 announced new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, the first Mac updates of the year featuring M3 series chips. But there are other Macs in Apple's lineup still to be updated to the latest M3 processors.
So, where do the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro fit into Apple's M3 roadmap for the year ahead? Here's what the latest rumors say.
Mac Mini
Apple announced M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models in January 2023, which at the time of writing is over 400 days ago.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in July that he believes a new Mac mini won't emerge until late 2024 at the earliest, and we haven't heard any other rumors that move the dial since then. On the other hand, Apple may choose not to upgrade the Mac mini this year and skip the M3 entirely. Approximately 26 months passed between the launch of the M1 Mac mini and the update to the M2 Mac mini. Going forward, perhaps the company has an 18-month upgrade cycle in mind, which would mean we could see an M4 Mac mini in the spring of 2025.
Mac Studio
Apple updated the Mac Studio with M2 series chips in June 2023. Mac Studio models come with either the M2 Max or M2 Ultra chip, so logic would suggest we should expect equivalent M3 variants.
However, according to a January report by Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, a new Mac Studio model will launch in mid-2024 with a more powerful M3 Ultra chip than we might otherwise expect.
According to the report, the M3 Ultra chip will be fabricated with TSMC's N3E node, just like the A18 chip that is expected to debut in the iPhone 16 lineup later this year. This means it would be Apple's first N3E chip. N3E is an enhanced version of TSMC's 3nm process, offering slightly better performance and higher production yield.
A couple of days after the TrendForce report, Gurman said he believes Apple is working on a new Mac Studio that is likely to be offered with the as-yet-unannounced fourth variant of the M3 chip. This will, like previous generations, double the components of the "Max" version, meaning that it will feature up to 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores. Gurman says that it is likely to launch in the second half of 2024.
Mac Pro
Along with the Mac Studio, Apple updated the Mac Pro with M2 series chips during WWDC in June 2023. The Mac Pro is only available in a single chip configuration, and currently ships with the M2 Ultra chip that's used in the Mac Studio.
Logically then, we should expect the next Mac Pro to receive an update to add the same M3 Ultra chip alongside the Mac Studio, just like it received the M2 Ultra chip last year. Like previous generations, this will likely double the components of the "Max" version, meaning that it will feature up to 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores.
Indeed, Gurman thinks Apple is likely to refresh the Mac Pro with this new high-end chip in the second half of the year. Notably, he does not believe that Apple is likely to again abandon the machine after only one year.
MacBook Pro – Already Updated
Apple in November 2023 updated its MacBook Pro lineup with M3 and M3 Pro chips, so the company's work is already done in that regard.
Apple has so far adopted an 18-month cycle of M1 to M2, and M2 to M3, so it would be reasonable to assume a 2025 launch for M4 MacBook Pro models if Apple sticks with the same tempo. Incidentally, such a roadmap tallies with rumors of the first MacBook Pro with an OLED display and possibly even a touchscreen.
Best Buy this weekend has a big sale on Apple MacBooks and iPads, including some of the first notable M2 iPad Pro discounts in months, alongside the best prices we've ever seen on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and more. Some of these deals require a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total membership, which start at $49.99/year. In addition to exclusive access to select discounts, you'll get free 2-day shipping, an extended 60-day return window, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
iPad
Starting with the cheapest iPad in this sale, you can get the 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad at $249.99, down from $329.00. For a more recent model, Best Buy has the 64GB Wi-Fi 10th generation iPad at $349.00, which is an all-time low price at $100 off. You'll find every model of the 10th generation iPad on sale at a record low price during this sale. This includes all Wi-Fi and cellular tablets, in all colors.
Best Buy has every model of the 5th generation iPad Air on sale at an all-time low price right now, starting at $449.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $599.00. These are $150 off across the board, and also include best-ever prices on both cellular models.
Best Buy has the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 for $399.99 this weekend, down from $499.00, and the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini is available for $549.99, down from $649.00. Both of these are solid second-best prices on the iPad mini 6.
Best Buy has some of the first major discounts on the M2 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro that we've tracked in months, starting as low as $699.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch tablet. You will need a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership to see these low prices, but even if you don't have one you can still find a few solid second-best prices in this sale.
The cheapest MacBook Air deal you'll find this weekend at Best Buy is on the now-discontinued 256GB 13-inch M1 MacBook Air for $749.99, down from $999.00. If you want a model with a larger display, the 256GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air is priced at $999.00, down from $1,299.00. You can also get the 512GB M2 model on sale at $1,199.00, down from $1,499.00. Across the board these are the best prices we've ever seen on the M1 and M2 MacBook Air.
Unlike the MacBook Air deals, Best Buy's MacBook Pro sales all require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership in order to see the all-time low prices. If you don't have one, you can still get solid second-best prices on these computers at Best Buy this weekend.
These deals are focused on the 14-inch models of the MacBook Pro, but you can also find a few 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro deals.
Note: My Best Buy Plus/Total membership required to see final deal price.
The base model 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM has significantly faster SSD speeds compared to the equivalent model with the M2 chip, according to benchmark results shared today by YouTube channel Max Tech.
Max Tech's teardown video confirms that Apple has returned to using two 128GB storage chips for the new 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, compared to a single 256GB chip in the equivalent model with the M2 chip. This change results in faster SSD read and write speeds in tests, as the two chips can process requests in parallel.
Max Tech ran Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test tool with a 5GB file size test on both the M2 and M3 models of the 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, and they found the SSD in the M3 model achieved up to 33% faster write speeds and up to 82% faster read speeds compared to the SSD in the M2 model.
The change very likely extends to the base model 15-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip, although Max Tech has yet to tear down that model.
Apple's decision to switch to a single 256GB chip for the base model MacBook Air in 2022 was controversial, even though the slower SSD speeds are unlikely to be noticed by the average MacBook Air user working on common day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, customers who purchase an M3 model no longer need to worry about configuring the laptop with at least 512GB of storage in order to avoid the slower speeds.
Two 128GB storage chips in the new base model 13-inch MacBook Air (via Max Tech)
The new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip launched Friday. Apple continues to sell a 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip and 256GB of storage for $999, so customers who want maximum SSD performance should avoid that model.
We heard some last-minute rumblings that an Apple product launch might be coming this week, and indeed it did with the debut of new MacBook Air models based on Apple's M3 chip.
Alongside the new MacBook Air, we got the usual spring refresh with new Apple Watch band and iPhone case colors, while this week also saw the release of iOS 17.4 and related operating system updates, so read on below for details on these stories and more!
Apple Announces New MacBook Air Models With M3 Chip
The new MacBook Air models became available to order immediately after the announcement on Monday, with a launch following on Friday, March 8. Apple has discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M1 chip and the 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip as part of this refresh, while the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip now starts at $999 in the U.S.
iOS 17.4 include major App Store, Safari, and Apple Pay changes in the EU, as a result of the Digital Markets Act. Other key new features include Apple Podcasts transcripts, an iMessage security upgrade, new emoji, and Apple Cash virtual card numbers. The update also further prepares for the launch of next-generation CarPlay this year.
Later in the week, Apple released macOS Sonoma 14.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, HomePod software 17.4, and visionOS 1.1.
Apple Refreshes iPhone Case and Apple Watch Band Colors
In response, Apple said EU officials failed to "uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm," and said its decision "ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast."
Spotify said the decision "marks an important moment in the fight for a more open internet for consumers."
Apple to Let EU iPhone Users Delete Safari and More Easily Transition to Android
Apple already introduced several changes to the App Store and more on iOS 17.4 in the EU, in response to the Digital Markets Act.
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.
iOS 18 is still months away from being unveiled, but there are already several rumors and expectations for the software update, as outlined below.
iOS 18 is rumored to include new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features for Siri and many built-in apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also rumored to have some design changes, but details remain slim.
iOS 18 is expected to be announced at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June, and widely released in September.
Smarter Siri and Generative AI
iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and The Information's Wayne Ma.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details "later this year."
Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos.
In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting "later" in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:
Higher-resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users
These modern features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, via iMessage, and many of the features are also available in third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.
Design Changes
In a February edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working to update the design of iOS as "early as this year."
Gurman has yet to reveal any specific design changes planned for iOS. In a November edition of his newsletter, however, he said Apple's senior management described iOS 18 as "ambitious and compelling," with "major new features and designs."
Gurman does not expect iOS 18 to receive a "total overhaul that mirrors visionOS."
Apple's M3 MacBook Air models are in stores as of today, so we picked one up to test it out, see what's new, answer reader questions, and determine whether it's worth buying or upgrading to.
The MacBook Air is available in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch sizes, just like the prior-generation versions. Apple did not introduce notable design changes this time around, so most of what's new is on the inside.
An M3 chip is the main upgrade, and this is the same chip that Apple already used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro. When we benchmarked our test unit with an 8-core GPU and 10-core GPU, we got a Geekbench single-core score of 3106 and a multi-core score of 11690. For comparison's sake, the M1 MacBook Air scored 2335/8314 and the M2 MacBook Air scored 2595/9745, so that's a decent boost in CPU performance.
Compared to the M1, single-core M3 performance is up 28 percent, and multi-core performance is up 34 percent. Compared to the M2, both the single-core and multi-core CPU tests came in at 18 percent higher. As for Metal GPU scores, the M1 earned a score of 32117, the M2 was at 45651, and the M3 was at 46920.
Overall, CPU and GPU performance have improved notably over the M1 and more modestly over the M2. It's worth noting that the M3 also has hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading that are of use for 3D rendering and will eventually make games on the Mac more realistic. AV1 decode should improve streaming from services that support the codec.
There are a couple of other improvements to note, including Wi-Fi 6E support for connecting to 6GHz networks. You might not see too many 6GHz networks just yet, but it's a good future proofing feature if you don't already have a 6E router. The M3 models support two external displays in clamshell mode rather than just one, call clarity is better than before, and there's a new finish on the midnight model to cut down on fingerprints.
Pricing on the 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1099 and pricing on the 15-inch model starts at $1299. It's not worth upgrading to the new machine if you already have an M2 MacBook Air because those machines already have the 2022/2023 design, but if you have an M1 or any Intel model and are looking for a new solution, the M3 MacBook Air is worth considering.
In terms of upgrades, if you're just using the MacBook Air for day-to-day tasks like web browsing and email, you don't need to shell out extra money for more memory, a better GPU (13-inch model), or more storage, but if you plan to use it for more system intensive tasks, it's worth looking at some of those upgrades.
Did you pick up one of the new M3 MacBook Air models? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Apple today reversed a decision to shut down Epic Games' developer account in the European Union, and the account has now been reinstated. In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that Epic Games has committed to following the rules, allowing Epic Sweden to be reaccepted into the Apple Developer Program.
Following conversations with Epic, they have committed to follow the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program.
When Apple terminated the Epic Games Sweden developer account earlier this week, it effectively prevented Epic Games from developing an alternative app marketplace for iPhone users in the European Union. Apple claimed that the account had been terminated because Epic Games had previously breached its contractual obligations, and that the court decision in the Epic Games v. Apple legal battle gave it the right to shut down any Epic Games account at any time.
Apple's Phil Schillerengaged in a conversation with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney where he asked Sweeney for written assurance that Epic Games would adhere to the new rules for alternative app marketplaces, but Apple did not feel that Sweeney's response was thorough enough. Apple claimed that Epic is "verifiably untrustworthy," with the Cupertino company also citing negative comments from Tim Sweeney about Apple's Digital Marketplace Act (DMA) compliance.
There was immediate public blowback from Apple's decision to kill the account, especially because the emails from Apple made it look like the Epic Games account was terminated because of Sweeney's criticism. From Schiller's email:
In the past, Epic has entered into agreements with Apple and then broken them. For example, you testified that Epic Games, Inc. entered into the Developer Program with full understanding of its terms, and then chose to intentionally breach the agreement with Apple. You also testified that Epic deliberately violated Apple's rules, to make a point and forfinancial gain. More recently, you have described our DMA compliance plan as "hot garbage," a "horror show," and a "devious new instance of Malicious Compliance." And you have complained about what you called "Junk Fees" and "Apple taxes."
Your colorful criticism of our DMA compliance plan, coupled with Epic's past practice of intentionally violating contractual provisions with which it disagrees, strongly suggest that Epic Sweden does not intend to follow the rules.
The European Union quickly stepped in and asked Apple for "further explanations" on why it had shut down the EU Epic Games developer account, a move that likely led Apple to reconsider its decision. Epic Games in a statement to MacRumors said that Apple's response demonstrates that the European Commission plans to act swiftly to enforce the DMA, and that the Epic Games store is coming to Europe.
Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account. This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable. We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe. Onward!
Epic Games announced plans for an alternative app marketplace shortly after Apple introduced support for alternative app stores in the iOS 17.4 beta. Epic Games has pledged to bring Fortnite and other games to the iPhone through its own dedicated storefront, but specific timing for the launch of the Epic Games Store for iOS has not yet been provided.
Though Epic Games is working on an alternative app marketplace, the company has criticized Apple's compliance with the DMA. Sweeney has called Apple's plan a "devious new instance of Malicious Compliance" and has said that Epic Games will continue to "argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law."
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with GRID Studio to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 256GB 10.9-inch iPad with WiFi and cellular connectivity. GRID Studio is a company that creates framed wall art by recycling Apple products.
GRID Studio buys old iPhones, taking them apart and arranging each component carefully under glass to turn a hodgepodge of parts into something new. Each piece of the iPhone is labeled, with interesting device details and facts about Apple's history added in for art that's sure to appeal to Apple enthusiasts.
This week, GRID Studio is having a spring sale, and the GRID 4S is available for just $99, down from $170. It's a good price on a pivotal part of Apple's past, featuring all of the components from the 2011 iPhone 4S.
The iPhone 4S was the last iPhone introduced during Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' lifetime, and it was the first iPhone Apple CEO Tim Cook released without Jobs. It was the fifth iPhone that Apple came out with, and in the name, the "S" stood for Siri. The iPhone 4S was the first iPhone that included Apple's personal assistant.
Compared to the iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S included an upgraded A5 chip, an 8-megapixel camera, and up to 64GB of storage. It ran iOS 5, a major operating system update that brought features like iCloud and iMessage. All of the internal components from the iPhone 4S are thoughtfully arranged in GRID Studio's piece, and there's even a look at the default app arrangement that was available at the time.
The GRID 4S measures in at 11.7 by 16.5 inches, the same size as an A3 sheet of paper. It features a white background with a black frame, which allows it to match with any decor. GRID Studio also has a range of other iPhone pieces available, with a 15 percent discount on everything this week.
We have one 256GB 10.9-inch iPad with WiFi and cellular connectivity for a lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (March 8) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 15. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after March 15 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
We delve into the new machines' features, exploring upgrades such as the M3 chip, improved microphones, and more versatile external display support. We discuss the MacBook Air's ideal configurations and key buying decisions, weighing the new machines up against the MacBook Pro, and take a look at where the MacBook Air could be headed next amid reports of an significant upgrade to OLED display technology in the future. We also discuss the rest of Apple's rumored announcements for March, which include new OLED iPad Pro models, a new Apple Pencil, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's decision to cancel its long-rumored electric vehicle project.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Apple's MacBook Air has undergone some major changes in recent years, including the switch to Apple silicon, a complete redesign, and the introduction of a 15-inch model, making it all the more important to consider if now is a good time to upgrade or if an older model will suffice for your needs.
Following its latest refresh, Apple discontinued the M1 13-inch MacBook Air from 2020 and the M2 15-inch MacBook Air from 2023. Now, customers can choose between the M2 13-inch MacBook Air from 2022 for $999, and the M3 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs that were just introduced for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.
See the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with each MacBook Air model since 2018 compared to its direct predecessor:
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
M3 Chip
15% faster Neural Engine
Support for AV1 decode
New GPU architecture
Dynamic Caching
Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Hardware-accelerated mesh shading
Support for up to two external displays when the lid is closed
Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
Enhanced voice clarity in audio and video calls
Wi-Fi 6E
Anodization seal to reduce fingerprints with Midnight finish
MacBook Air (M2, 2022/2023)
Thinner design with flat lid, rounded bottom edges, and uniform thickness
13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display
Apple M2 chip
Up to 10-core GPU
Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW
Fast-charge capable with available 70W USB‑C Power Adapter
Available in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight
1.24 kg (2.7 pounds) or 1.51 kg (3.3 pounds)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Apple M1 chip
8-core CPU
Up to 8-core GPU
Media engine
Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC
Video decode engine
Video encode engine
16-core Neural Engine
Up to 16GB unified memory
62.5GB/s memory bandwidth
Wide colour (P3)
Image signal processor with computational video
Up to 18-hour battery life
MacBook Air (Intel, 2020)
Up to Intel Core i7 processor
Intel Iris Plus Graphics GPU
Up to 2TB storage
Magic Keyboard
Bluetooth 5.0
1.29 kg (2.8 pounds)
MacBook Air (Intel, 2018)
Tapered "wedge" design
13.3-inch Retina display
Up to Intel Core i5 processor
Up to 4-core CPU
Intel UHD Graphics 617
Up to 16GB memory
Up to 1.5TB storage
Butterfly Keyboard
400 nits brightness
Full standard colour (sRGB)
720p FaceTime HD camera
Stereo speakers
3.5mm headphone jack
Wi‑Fi 6
Bluetooth 4.2
Up to 12-hour battery life
Available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold
1.25 kg (2.75 pounds)
M2 MacBook Air users have very little reason to upgrade to an M3 model unless they need absolute peak performance and don't want to buy a MacBook Pro, or perhaps if they purchased the 13-inch machine in 2022 and are now interested in the 15-inch M3 model.
Most M1 MacBook Air users will stand to benefit from upgrading to the M3 model, especially if they are looking for a bigger screen and opt for the 15-inch model. These users would gain a much more modern design, a larger and brighter display, better performance, faster memory, a 1080p camera, improved speakers, MagSafe 3, fast-charging, and more. Nevertheless, some M1 MacBook Air users may be better off waiting for the next major refresh if they are still happy with the machine, and upgrading is not essential.
For those who have an Intel-based MacBook Air, either of the generations currently on sale represent a highly worthwhile upgrade spearheaded by Apple silicon for a major performance improvement and upgrading is recommended, with many of the above upgrades quickly stacking up.
Apple's upcoming redesigned iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models could include a front-facing camera positioned on the side of the device so that it is upright when in a landscape orientation, individual rumors suggest.
Currently, the iPad Air and both iPad Pro models in Apple's lineup feature a FaceTime camera on the top of the device, which puts the camera off-center when taking a FaceTime call in landscape mode.
Seemingly recognizing the issue, Apple on the 10th-generation iPad relocated the front-facing camera to the side of the device so that it would be usable in landscape mode rather than portrait mode. Apple has not launched an iPad since, but it appears that Apple could be making this change on future iPads as well.
In January of this year, code discovered in iOS 17.4 suggested the next iPad Pro could adopt a similar design for the FaceTime camera. "During Face ID setup, iPad needs to be in landscape with the camera at the top of the screen," read the code.
Now, occasional leaker Instant Digital on the Chinese social platform Weibo has claimed that this change is also coming to the two rumored new versions of the iPad Air, in both 10.9 and 12.9-inch sizes.
How Apple has achieved this switch to a landscape FaceTime camera on the new iPad models is unclear, since the second-generation Apple Pencil connects to both the iPad Air and iPad Pro using an inductive magnetic charger along the same side.
But with Apple rumored to be launching a new Apple Pencil alongside the updated iPads, Apple may have come up with a solution to the issue. Either way, we should find out soon. Both the new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models are expected to launch as soon as this month.
This week saw the launch of Apple's latest notebook, the M3 MacBook Air, and Best Buy has the first discount for My Best Buy Plus/Total members. You can also find record low prices on HomePod, HomePod mini, MacBook Air, and the MagSafe Duo Charger in this week's best deals.
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.
Samsung
What's the deal? Get $750 off Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor
Early in the week, Samsung introduced a discount on the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor, and today it's been discounted even more during the Discover Samsung sale. You can get this monitor for the new all-time low price of $849.99, down from $1,599.99. There are also deals on other monitors, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and more in Samsung's sale.
Additionally, when you sign up to learn more about Samsung's upcoming TV and audio product lineup, you can get $100 off your purchase. The new slate of Samsung TVs and audio equipment is set to be unveiled on March 21, and this $100 discount offer will be available through that date.
Following the introduction of the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 MacBook Air this week, Best Buy became the first retailer with discounts on the new notebooks. The only caveat is that you'll need a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership to take advantage of the sales, which have $50 off these models.
M1 MacBook Air
What's the deal? Get $250 off 13-inch M1 MacBook Air
Apple discontinued the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air this week, but Best Buy has it at the all-time low price of $749.99 in all colors today, down from $999.99. Although nearly four years old, this version of the MacBook Air still has an Apple silicon chip and should be perfect for anyone who wants to prioritize saving money over having the latest and greatest product.
MagSafe
What's the deal? Get $54 off MagSafe Duo and $12 off MagSafe Charger
You can get Apple's MagSafe Duo Charger for the all-time low price of $74.99 right now at Woot, down from $129.00. Woot also has the MagSafe Charger for $26.99, which is a solid second-best price. Both chargers are in new condition and come with a one year Apple limited warranty, and the MagSafe Charger comes in bulk packaging.
HomePod
What's the deal? Get up to $30 off HomePod and HomePod mini
Finally, Best Buy today introduced the first discounts on the HomePod mini and HomePod that we've seen in months, and both are at all-time low prices. You can get the HomePod mini for $79.99 in all colors and the second generation HomePod for $269.99 in both colors.
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.
The alleged design of the iPhone 16 Pro was today showcased in new CAD renders shared by 91Mobiles.
The drawings show a design that is similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro, with a small number of changes relating to some of the buttons. The Action button is slightly longer, now resembling a similar length to one of the volume buttons, but with a slightly wider shape to distinguish it. The all-new "Capture" button is present on the left-hand side of the device where the mmWave antenna was located on previous models. While it is a similar length to the Side button, it is completely flush with the device.
In January, MacRumors provided the first look at the design of the iPhone 16 Pro, including a Capture button that is flush with the side of the device, which was today broadly corroborated by 91Mobiles' CAD file. MacRumors subsequently obtained information suggesting that while Apple tested a longer Action button design, it has since scrapped the idea and the Action button is now expected to look virtually the same as on the iPhone 15 Pro.
The main change to the design of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to be larger displays, increasing from 6.1- to 6.3-inches and 6.7- to 6.9-inches, respectively. Following a significant redesign with the switch to a titanium frame and more rounded edges on the iPhone 15 Pro last year, little else is expected to change with the look of the new devices this year this year. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to launch in the fall.
Google Chrome will soon let you install any webpage as a desktop app on your Mac, just like Apple's Safari browser does in macOS Sonoma (via Android Police).
The new feature was spotted by X (Twitter) user Leopeva64 in the latest Chrome Canary build, which includes a new option called "Install page as app," which can be found in Settings ➝ Save and share. Websites such as YouTube and Reddit which already have their own web apps will also automatically appear as optional installs in this menu.
Selecting the "Install page as app" option invokes a prompt to "Install app," as shown in the image below. Web apps are automatically saved in an Applications subfolder called Chrome Canary Apps, where they can be optionally dragged to the Dock in macOS.
Currently, Chrome's implementation of web apps is more sophisticated than Safari's, as it provides not only a simplified toolbar with navigation buttons, but also a pared down settings menu with options including Copy URL, Open in Chrome, Uninstall, Zoom, Print, Find and Edit, and Cast.
The feature is thanks to Chrome's long-standing support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which Google originally embraced as a replacement for Chrome apps on the Google Play store.
Users can try out the feature before it goes live in the stable build of Chrome by downloading the latest Canary 124 update and enabling two new flags. To do so, copy and paste the following links into the address bar:
chrome://flags/#web-app-universal-install
chrome://flags/#shortcuts-not-apps
Chrome 123 is currently in beta and is expected to be released to the public imminently, so PWA support for webpages won't be in the upcoming version, but the next stable build after that.
Apple today announced the imminent opening of its eighth retail store in central Shanghai, China, which will be named Apple Jing'an.
Located on Nanjing West Road in the Jing'an District (named after its famous ancient Jing'an Temple), Apple Jing'an will become the 57th Apple store in mainland China and Apple says it's the company's second-largest flagship store after the Fifth Avenue location in New York City.
Embracing a floral theme, the storefront is currently draped in a veil of blooming flowers. To celebrate the opening, Apple has also made a special wallpaper for Apple devices available to download on its China website.
Apple has not yet revealed when the store will begin to welcome customers, but local reports suggest it will open its doors later this month.
Apple is currently grappling with a significant slump in demand for iPhone sales in the country, with a recent report by CounterPoint Research suggesting iPhone sales dropped by 24 percent in the first six weeks of 2024 alone.
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
