MacRumors

Apple today released visionOS 2, the newest version of the visionOS operating system that launched alongside the Vision Pro back in February.

visionOS 2 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option. To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.

Apple's visionOS 2 update allows users to create 3D spatial photos from 2D images, taking advantage of depth information and machine learning to add natural-looking depth and dimension.

The Home View can now be customized and apps can be moved around, and Apple added a new Bora Bora Environment. Environments have also been updated so that you can see your Magic Keyboard or MacBook keyboard while you're immersed, so it's easier to type, plus you can use them with Safari when watching web-based videos.

Personas have more accurate skin tones and more vibrant clothing color options, plus hand movement animations have been updated to be more fluid and natural. For controlling the Vision Pro, there are new pinch and rotate gestures for getting to the Home View, accessing Control Center, controlling volume, and checking battery level.

You can now use a mouse with the Vision Pro, and Apple improved Guest Mode so the most recent guest's hand and eye data is saved for 30 days for easier access without repeat setups.

Later this year, visionOS 2 will support a larger ultrawide view for a connected Mac, and support for Multiview for MLS and MLB games. Apple's full release notes for visionOS 2 are below.

Photos
- Create a spatial photo from past memories with just the tap of a button
- Share your favorite moments over FaceTime with others who use an Apple Vision Pro with SharePlay for Photos
- Find and enjoy your most precious memories in the redesigned Photos app with Collections, including Featured Spatial Photos
- Trim videos in your Photos library

Home View
- Personalize your Home View by rearranging apps, including those from the Compatible Apps folder
- Start a FaceTime call, send texts, or look up contact information easier with improved People View

Input
- Use new hand gestures for easy access to Home View, see the time, control volume, check the battery level, and open Control Center
- Input text quickly in Messages with Look to Dictate by simply looking at the microphone icon
- Navigate Apple Vision Pro using your favorite Bluetooth mouse
- See your Magic Keyboard or MacBook keyboard in an immersive experience with Keyboard Awareness

Safari
- Immerse yourself in panoramas that wrap around you just like in the Photos app
- Watch web videos from sites such as YouTube.com, Netflix.com and more with a massive screen, including glow and reflection
- Ask Siri to read content on Safari web pages
- Access your most important information quickly with pinned tabs
- Separate browsing topics like work, personal, or school using Profiles

Guest User
- Save your most recent guest's eye and hand data up to 30 days so they can skip setup and get right back into Apple Vision Pro

Travel Mode
- Use Travel Mode on trains to work privately, multitask with multiple apps, and watch your favorite shows on your long commute

Environments
- Explore a new beach Environment, Bora Bora

Persona
- Create Personas with more accurate skin tones, fluid and natural hand movements with effects, improved vibrant clothing colors, and more eyewear choices
- Choose from a variety of backgrounds including your own photos during FaceTime or third‑party video calls

Mindfulness
- Meditate to visual animations that follow your breathing

Privacy
- Turn on Communication Safety which includes protections for sensitive videos and photos that children may receive or attempt to send
- Blur sensitive photos and videos you've received with Sensitive Content Warning

Accessibility
- Use Live Captions for real‑time transcriptions of speech, audio, and video content including FaceTime calls
- Anchor Apple Immersive Video closed captions wherever you like in your space
- Pair Made for iPhone cochlear implant devices
- Invert colors to easily see what's in your view by changing how content is displayed
- Automatically dim video content that depicts flashing or strobing lights
- Reduce the transparency of an object to make it easier to see or read

This release also includes other features and improvements:
- Use Apple Vision Pro as an AirPlay receiver to mirror content from any nearby iPhone or iPad on the same wireless network
- Watch Apple Immersive Video in a new windowed view alongside other apps
- Edit playlists together and join the ultimate sing-along sessions using Sing in Apple Music
- Use Quick Look to anchor objects to a horizontal surface and preview them

Some features may not be available for all regions. For more information, please visit this website:
https://www.apple.com/visionos/visionos-2
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/100100

More information on the new features that are in visionOS 2 can be found in our comprehensive visionOS 2 roundup.

Apple today released tvOS 18, the newest version of the tvOS operating system that runs on the Apple TV 4K and ‌Apple TV‌ HD models.

tvOS 18 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌Apple TV‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18 automatically.

The tvOS 18 update adds InSight, an ‌Apple TV‌+ feature that's like Amazon X-ray. It offers information about actors, characters, and music from ‌Apple TV‌+ movies and shows in real-time. On the iPhone, the ‌Apple TV‌ Remote feature includes InSight information.

Enhance Dialogue is getting better with machine learning and computational audio improvements, plus it now works with HDMI-connected speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth devices. If you have a 21:9 projector, you will be able to use it with tvOS 18 starting later this year.

There's an option for Live Captions for FaceTime calls, and Apple is adding new screen saver options, including Portraits, TV and Movies, and Snoopy. Apple says the Snoopy screen saver is coming later this year.

Alongside iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple today released new HomePod Software 18 that's designed for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini.

The ‌HomePod‌ Software 18 adds the option to choose a Home Hub rather than having HomeKit select one automatically, a useful feature for people with multiple HomePods and Apple TV models.

There is a new SharePlay feature, allowing multiple people to share control of what's playing on a ‌HomePod‌ through Apple Music. To use the feature, bring an iPhone close to another ‌iPhone‌ to add songs to a playlist and control playback.

AirPlay now supports Spatial Audio, providing an immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos when using ‌AirPlay‌ to stream audio from an ‌iPhone‌ or iPad to the ‌HomePod‌. Apple's release notes:

Software version 18 introduces SharePlay so you can share control of your Apple Music playlist on iPhone or iPad and guests can contribute to what’s playing on HomePod. This update also includes bug fixes and stability improvements.

HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Apple today updated its free Sports app for the iPhone with several new features and changes, including Live Activities support.

The latest version of the Apple Sports app on iOS 18 and watchOS 11 introduces Live Activities support for all teams and leagues available within the app. This feature enables live scores and play-by-play information on the iPhone's Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island on newer models, and on the Apple Watch starting with watchOS 11.

Apple previously said Live Activities are no longer available in the Apple TV app on iOS 18.

Apple Sports provides scores and more for the following leagues:

• NFL
• NCAAF
• MLS
• MLB
• NBA
• WNBA
• NCAA basketball (men's and women's)
• NHL
• NWSL
• Premier League
• Bundesliga
• LaLiga
• Liga MX
• Ligue 1
• Serie A

Here's what else is new in Apple Sports version 2.0, including a new drop-down menu and search page, according to Apple's release notes:

• Added a new drop-down menu that makes it faster and easier to jump between your leagues and a new search page to browse the ones you want to check in on.
• With new optimizations for the WNBA and MLB playoffs, Apple Sports is the best place to stay up to speed all postseason.
• Follow live as last year's MLS and Liga MX champions compete for Campeones Cup.

Apple Sports is a free app available in the App Store.

MacRumors readers have a chance to get 20 percent off a collection of Anker's best chargers, power banks, cables, hubs, and docks this week. In order to get this deal, head to Anker's website and add an accessory to your cart, then enter the code akmacrumors20ch at checkout to see the discount.

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

Our exclusive 20 percent off code works on most accessories sitewide, including Anker's new line of MagSafe-compatible products. Anker does have an offer running to buy two MagGo accessories and get 15 percent off your order, but if you enter our code at checkout you'll be able to override that discount and get a better deal.

We've collected all of the MagGo accessories compatible with our code below, but don't forget that the code works with even more devices sitewide on Anker's website. This also includes Anker's new brand of Prime chargers, which launched last month and include high-capacity portable batteries, USB-C charging stations, and more.

There are some exclusions to the code, including Anker's portable power stations from the SOLIX brand. If you're shopping for those generators, our post from last week has a list of power stations on sale at Amazon from Jackery and Anker.

Prime Chargers

• Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable - $28.00, down from $34.99
• Prime Charger (200W, 6 Ports) - $64.00, down from $79.99
• Prime Charger (100W, 3 Ports) - $68.00, down from $84.99
• Prime Power Bank - $72.00, down from $89.99
• Prime Charging Station (8-in-1) - $124.00, down from $164.99
• Prime Power Bank 27,650 mAh - $136.00, down from $179.99
• Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1) - $184.00, down from $249.99

Wireless Chargers

• MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station - $72.00, down from $89.99
• MagGo Wireless Charger Stand - $28.80, down from $35.99
• MagGo 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand - $40.00, down from $49.99
• MagGo 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Dock Stand - $40.00, down from $49.99

Power Banks

• MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $56.00, down from $69.99
• MagGo Power Bank for Apple Watch - $64.00, down from $79.99

Accessories

• MagGo Magnetic Case with Stand - $26.40, down from $32.99
• MagGo USB-C Adapter - $28.00, down from $34.99
• Easy Fit Screen Protector - $25.60, down from $31.99

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

The first AirPods 4 reviews surfaced today, providing us with a closer look at Apple's latest earbuds before they launch on Friday.

There are two types of AirPods 4, including ones with active noise cancellation for $179 and those without active noise cancellation for $129. As discovered last week, the pairing button and charging status light are now hidden on both AirPods 4 charging cases, and some of the review videos offer a quick demonstration of these changes.

Marques Brownlee showed the new capacitive button starting at the 3:48 mark of his video:

Dave Lee touched on the button starting at the 3:20 mark of his video:

As noted in both reviews, both AirPods 4 charging cases no longer support MagSafe. This means that while the cases can be wirelessly charged, they lack magnets for a precise locked-in position or use with upright charging stands. There is one exception: the cases can still be magnetically attached to the Apple Watch's charging puck.

Read our full AirPods 4 review roundup to learn more about the earbuds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published clearance of sleep apnea detection on newer Apple Watch models, as reported by TechCrunch.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder in which a person's breathing repeatedly stops and starts while they sleep.

Apple last week announced that sleep apnea detection would be available on the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the U.S. and more than 150 other countries and regions later this month. Apple's fine print says the feature is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea for people 18 years old or older who have not already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

The sleep apnea detection feature uses the Apple Watch's accelerometer to "monitor small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns," according to Apple. If these disturbances occur frequently over multiple nights, they may be associated with sleep apnea, according to Apple.

Apple Watch users can view their nightly Breathing Disturbances in the Health app on the iPhone, with disturbances classified as "elevated" or "not elevated."

Apple says the feature was developed using "advanced machine learning" and an "extensive data set of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests," and then validated in a "clinical study."

Apple Watch Series 10 launches on Friday.

Various media outlets and YouTube channels today shared their first impressions of the AirPods 4, reviewing the changes Apple has made to enhance comfort, sound, and functionality.

The ‌AirPods 4‌ introduce a more refined design, improved sound quality, and, for the first time, optional active noise cancellation (ANC). Priced at $129 for the standard model and $179 for the ANC version, the ‌AirPods 4‌ revamp the lineup at two different price points and bridge the gap between Apple's entry-level wireless earbuds and the AirPods Pro.

The ‌AirPods 4‌ are now available for pre-order, with in-store availability starting on Friday, September 20.

Design

The ‌AirPods 4‌ feature a more refined design. The earbuds have a slightly narrower shape for a more secure fit and Apple claims they're designed to fit a wider range of ear shapes. The charging case is also 10% smaller. Despite these tweaks, the ‌AirPods 4‌ retain their signature open-ear design, which means they may still feel less secure compared to models with in-ear tips like the AirPods Pro. Engadget's Billy Steele writes:

The revised shape does indeed lead to a better fit for my ears. The AirPods 4 are more comfortable and stay in place better than their predecessor. I never once felt like they were going to fall out when I was moving around, unless I turned my head completely to the side to lay down. Open-fit earbuds typically don't feel the most secure in my ears, but these do, and one less worry contributed to a better overall experience wearing them. Of course, the most secure fit remains with the AirPods Pro.

Sound Quality

The ‌AirPods 4‌ deliver improved sound performance with an 11mm low-distortion driver and a high dynamic range amplifier. Apple has apparently fine-tuned the audio experience by redesigning the driver's positioning to direct sound more precisely into the ear, reducing internal reflections and enhancing clarity. Reviewers claim that bass is richer, highs are crisper, and overall instrument separation is better compared to the AirPods 3. CNET's David Carnoy:

Apple has upgraded both buds with a new acoustic architecture and amp. Also, it's slightly changed the angle of how the drivers are pointed into your ears, which is supposed to improve sound quality. The combo of the new drivers and the upgraded H2 chip's processing power for Apple's Adaptive EQ -- a feature that optimizes audio quality on the fly as the position of the buds changes ever so slightly in your ears -- gives the AirPods 4 better sound than the AirPods 3. And needless to say, because these are open earbuds, the sound does have an open quality to it.

Overall, the sound is a little cleaner (improved treble), and you get a bit more bass, so there's a touch more depth and fullness to whatever you're listening to. They're still a notch below the AirPods Pro 2's, but they're close, and these are easily among the best-sounding open earbuds out there. You're still not going to get as much bass as you do with the AirPods Pro 2, but the gap has narrowed. I didn't feel as if I was making much of a sound quality sacrifice compared with the AirPods Pro 2, at least when I was listening in a quiet room.

Digital Trends' Caleb Denison:

The AirPods 4 do sound better than the previous generation. And the AirPods 4 with ANC sound even better by nature of the fact that they so successfully remove outside sounds from the sonic canvas… They do indeed have prodigious bass with a significant amount of punch. Vocals were open, clear, uncongested… When an earbud is too sharp, you'll hear it with the consonant T on a lot of recordings, and I didn't get that.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

‌AirPods 4‌ bring ANC to the standard AirPods lineup for the first time, and while it's not as powerful as the AirPods Pro 2, the ANC in the ‌AirPods 4‌ is said to be surprisingly effective for an open-ear design. It excels at reducing lower-frequency noises like engine hums and general city commotion, allowing users to enjoy music at lower volumes without the need for complete ear sealing. However, it does struggle with higher-frequency sounds and may not offer complete silence in very noisy environments. Digital Trends' Caleb Denison writes:

For an earbud that offers far inferior passive noise isolation compared to one with an eartip that seals up your ear, this is straight-up astounding. The ANC in the AirPods Pro is more effective, but if you can't do eartips, I don't think there's better noise-canceling available in an open design like this.

CNN's Mike Andronico:

The AirPods 4 have done a shockingly good job dampening noise. From quieting the hordes of chatty journalists at Apple's recent California launch event to putting up a strong fight against the New York City subway… More difficult-to-muffle noise such as piercing construction drills made me miss the tight seal of my AirPods Pro, but the AirPods 4 largely proved to be a good Pro substitute when it comes to drowning out the chaos.

Videos

It's that time of year again. Apple is about to release iOS 18, which promises to bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime today – Monday, September 16.

Based on past releases, the update is likely to drop at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To give iPhone users globally an idea of when iOS 18 should available as an over-the-air update, below we've compiled a list of time zone conversions for several countries. This list isn't exhaustive, so please verify the exact time for your specific location, and bear in mind that there could always be a delay as Apple prepares its servers for rollout.

Be Prepared to Wait

When iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 become available as an over-the-air update, make sure your device is fully charged before you start the process over Wi-Fi, as it may take some time to complete. To check that the update is available, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, and wait a moment for your device to contact Apple's servers. If you're in no rush, you can wait for iOS 18 to be delivered to your iPhone when you next plug it into your computer.

• 20 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With iOS 18
• Will My iPhone Run iOS 18?
• How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 18

On that note, a word of caution: During the initial rollout of major software updates like iOS 18, Apple users may experience slower download speeds and sluggish performance when trying to update their devices. This is largely due to the high demand on Apple's servers, as millions of users worldwide attempt to download the update simultaneously.

The surge in traffic can overwhelm network capacity, leading to delays in downloading or installing the update. To avoid these potential issues, you may want to wait a day or two before installing the update, allowing server congestion to subside and ensuring a smoother upgrade experience.

Apple's latest iPhone operating system, iOS 18, brings a host of new features and improvements to iPhones new and old. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime on Monday, September 16, likely at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, based on past releases. Keep reading to learn if Apple's upcoming mobile operating system will run on your particular iPhone model.

iOS 18 is compatible with the iPhone XR, and therefore also the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models with the same A12 Bionic chip.

In other words, iOS 18 is compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17:

iPadOS 18 drops support for iPad models with the A10X Fusion chip, therefore iPadOS 18 is compatible with the following iPad models:

Note that iOS 18 will come pre-installed on new iPhone 16 models when they launch on Friday, September 20. If you're unsure which iPhone or ‌iPad‌ model you have, go to Settings -> General -> About, and you'll find the Model Name listed there.

• How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 18

For a detailed rundown of everything we expect in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup by clicking the tag at the bottom of this article.

Apple Intelligence Features

While iOS 18 brings numerous improvements at launch, Apple has also announced several AI-powered features under the banner of Apple Intelligence, which will be released in future updates.

Among these upcoming additions is an AI-powered writing assistant that can help you rewrite text in different styles, proofread your writing, and generate summaries of longer content. A new Image Playground app will allow you to create and edit AI-generated images based on text descriptions or existing photos.

Siri is set to receive a significant upgrade, gaining the ability to understand personal context from your emails, messages, and photos, providing more accurate and personalized responses. Additionally, Apple plans to introduce AI-powered features in the Photos app, including a "Clean Up" tool to remove unwanted elements from your pictures.

The first set of these Apple Intelligence features, while not available in the initial version of iOS 18, should arrive when iOS 18.1 is released in October, with a roll out continuing in iOS 18.2 in December, and beyond.

• Here Are All the Devices That Support Apple Intelligence

It's important to note that Apple Intelligence features require different device compatibility requirements compared to the initial version of iOS 18. For all the devices that support Apple Intelligence, check out our dedicated article on the topic.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said demand for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max has been "lower than expected" since the devices became available to pre-order in the U.S. and dozens of other countries on Friday. Kuo said his data is based on a "supply chain survey" and shipping estimates listed on Apple's online store.

Kuo estimated that sales of all four iPhone 16 models reached about 37 million units in the first weekend after Apple began accepting pre-orders, which is down nearly 13% compared to first-weekend sales of the iPhone 15 series last year. The analyst said a key factor for the decline is the lower demand for the Pro models, with first-weekend sales of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max estimated to be down 27% and 16%, respectively, compared to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max sales during the equivalent period last year.

The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have seen higher demand than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus during the first weekend of sales, but this has not been enough to offset the lower demand for the Pro models, according to Kuo.

Kuo said a major reason for the iPhone 16 Pro models having lower-than-expected demand is that Apple Intelligence will not be available on the devices when they launch on Friday. Instead, the first Apple Intelligence features are rolling out with iOS 18.1 in October. In addition, the analyst said the iPhone is facing "intense competition" in China.

You can get Apple's 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad for the all-time low price of $199.99 this weekend on Best Buy, down from $329.99. This deal is part of Best Buy's ongoing three day sale, which will end later tonight. We've already covered other discounts in the sale, including savings on M2 iPad Pro, M4 iPad Pro, and MacBook Pro.

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.

Best Buy has nearly every model of the 9th generation iPad on sale right now, including the 256GB Wi-Fi model and the 64GB cellular model. All of these devices are being discounted by $130 and represent all-time low prices for each tablet. Amazon does have matching prices, but only for the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad.

The 64GB cellular iPad is on sale for $329.99. Just like the Wi-Fi iPads, this deal represents a $130 discount on this model. Although these iPads are a few years old at this point, today's ultra-low prices should make them perfect for anyone looking for a simple and cheap iPad for daily Internet browsing.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Following over three months of beta testing, iOS 18 was finally widely released to the public on Monday, September 16. The update is available in the Settings app under General → Software Update on the iPhone XS and newer.

Below, we have highlighted eight key new features included in iOS 18, and Apple shared a complete list of new features and changes last week.

Note that Apple Intelligence features are not coming until iOS 18.1 and later.

Customizable Home Screen

iOS 18 allows you to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, and there are new "Dark" and "Tinted" customization options for recoloring app icons. You can also set app icons to appear larger, without text labels below them.

Redesigned Control Center

Control Center has been redesigned on iOS 18. Like the Home Screen, it is now more customizable, allowing you to rearrange and resize controls across multiple pages. You can easily add more controls from the all-new controls gallery.

iMessage Enhancements

iMessage received a wide range of new features on iOS 18, including the ability to use any emoji as a Tapback reaction, text effects like "Shake" and "Explode," formatting options like bold and underline, the ability to schedule messages to be sent later, RCS support for improved messaging with Android devices, and more.

Redesigned Photos App

Apple says the Photos app received its biggest redesign ever on iOS 18, with tabs removed in favor of an all-in-one layout. The changes have been controversial, leading Apple to tweak the app's design throughout the iOS 18 beta testing period.

Locks Apps Behind Face ID

iOS 18 introduces the ability to lock any app behind Face ID, Touch ID, or an iPhone's passcode for privacy and security purposes. In addition, you can now hide an app, which moves it to a hidden apps folder that is locked.

Passwords App

iOS 18 includes an all-new Passwords app that surfaces many features previously available through the iCloud Keychain in the Settings app. The app makes it easier to manage passwords, passkeys, two-factor authentication codes, and more.

Distraction Control

Built into Safari, the new Distraction Control feature can be used to hide some website elements, such as newsletter sign-up forms and cookie permission prompts. However, Apple says the feature is not designed to be an ad blocker. If you hide an ad banner, it will become visible again if and when the content of the ad refreshes.

Game Mode

First introduced on the Mac, Game Mode is now available on the iPhone. Apple says Game Mode "minimizes background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates" during gameplay, "dramatically reduces" audio latency with AirPods, and makes wireless game controllers "incredibly responsive."

Read our iOS 18 roundup to learn about even more features.

Apple has increased its out-of-warranty battery replacement fee for iPhone 16 Pro models, according to its iPhone repair and service page.

Apple Stores can replace the battery inside an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max for $119 in the U.S., which is up from $99 for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is a 20% increase to the fee, which includes the cost of a new battery and service by an Apple Store. The fee may vary at third-party Apple Authorized Service Providers.

The fee remains $99 for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

Customers with AppleCare+ can still get an iPhone 16 Pro battery replaced for free, but only if the battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity.

Apple says all four iPhone 16 models are equipped with larger batteries, and all of the devices received an internal redesign for improved heat dissipation, according to the company. A metal enclosure was rumored for at least some iPhone 16 batteries, but we are still waiting for teardowns to get a proper look inside of the devices.

Apple had already increased its battery replacement fee from $69 to $99 starting with all four iPhone 14 models, so this is the second increase in recent years.

A comparison of Apple's current iPhone battery replacement fees in the U.S.:

• iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max: $119
• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: $99
• All four iPhone 15 models: $99
• All four iPhone 14 models: $99
• All four iPhone 13 models: $89

iPhone 16 models can be pre-ordered now and launch on Friday.

Thanks, Jacob Harvey!

Remember the "unapologetically" plastic iPhone 5c from 2013? The next version of the lower-cost Apple Watch SE might look similar.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said a new Apple Watch SE with a plastic casing "remains in development" ahead of a potential release next year. Apple has apparently faced some "cost and quality challenges" with the shift from aluminum to plastic, but he believes the project is still moving forward.

An even more affordable Apple Watch SE with a colorful plastic design could be appealing to parents who are looking to purchase an Apple Watch for their children. In the U.S., the current Apple Watch SE from 2022 starts at $249.

The next Apple Watch SE is also likely to offer a new chip with faster performance.

Apple will likely hold another event in October this year to announce new Macs and iPads. If so, it would be the fourth time in the last five years that Apple has held an event in October. Last year, Apple held a virtual event on Monday, October 30 to announce new MacBook Pro and iMac models with the M3 series of chips.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple plans to announce the first M4 Macs and new lower-end iPads at its next event "in the coming weeks." He expects the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini to be updated with the M4 series of chips this year, followed by the MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro throughout 2025. He said some of the first M4 Macs are already shipping from factories.

Gurman expects the following products to be updated at Apple's next event, which he previously said would take place in October.

MacBook Pro

Apple plans to announce updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips at its next event, according to Gurman. No design changes have been rumored for the laptops this year, with improvements such as an OLED display and thinner design not expected until 2026 at the earliest.

Apple last redesigned the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2021, and the latest models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips were released last October.

iMac

Apple also plans to update the iMac with the M4 chip at the event, according to Gurman.

Will the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad trio of accessories for the iMac finally switch from Lightning to USB-C this year?

Mac mini

Gurman expects the Mac mini to be updated with M4 and M4 Pro chips at the event, and he previously said the desktop computer will be redesigned to become nearly as small as an Apple TV. The new Mac mini will apparently lack USB-A ports.

iPad mini

Gurman previously said he expects a seventh-generation iPad mini to be unveiled at the event.

Rumored features for the next iPad mini include a faster chip, upgraded front and rear cameras, a fix for "jelly scrolling" screen tearing in portrait orientation, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support, and new color options.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the next iPad mini would enter mass production in the second half of 2024, so there is agreement from multiple credible sources about the device being updated later this year.

Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power button, the A15 Bionic chip, 5G support on cellular models, a 12-megapixel rear camera with Center Stage support, compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and more.

Entry-level iPad

Gurman today said "new, lower-end iPads" plural will be unveiled at the event, so there may be an iPad 11 too.

One of the busiest weeks of the year for Apple news has drawn to a close following Monday's event that saw the unveiling of new iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods models and Friday's start of iPhone pre-orders in dozens of countries around the world.

Read on below for the biggest announcements of this week as we take a brief break ahead of a flood of software updates early next week and all of the new hardware making its way into customers' hands a few days later!

Everything Apple Announced at Monday's Event in 13 Minutes

Apple's "It's Glowtime" event on Monday was a ~100-minute whirlwind of announcements, but we've condensed it down to a 13-minute highlight reel to give you a quick way to catch up on everything.

We've also pulled together all of our news coverage from the big day in one place, so make sure to check it out and read up on your favorite Apple products that got some fresh updates.

Apple Announces iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with Larger Displays, New Camera Control, and More

Apple on Monday announced the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max—its latest flagship smartphones—featuring larger displays, an all-new Camera Control button, and the A18 Pro chip.

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ has a 6.3-inch display, while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max features a 6.9-inch display—the biggest iPhone display ever. The borders around the display are the thinnest of any Apple device, while the titanium frame now features a new blasted finish and comes in a refreshed selection of color options: a darker Black Titanium, brighter White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and a new Desert Titanium.

Apple Announces iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus With Action Button, Camera Control, and More

Apple also announced the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 and 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, with a key new feature being the Camera Control on the side of the devices. As rumored, the Camera Control is positioned below the power button, and you can control various features in the Camera app by pressing or swiping on it.

Other features include the Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, a "big boost" in battery life, brighter and more durable screens, Wi-Fi 7 support, and an A18 chip with up to a twice as fast 16-core Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence. The devices have color-infused back glass, with vibrant Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black finishes available.

Apple Announces Thinner Apple Watch Series 10 With Bigger Screen Than Ultra

Apple at its event announced the Apple Watch Series 10, featuring a wide-angle OLED display that is larger than the Apple Watch Ultra's, with the company describing the new Series 10 as the "biggest display and thinnest design ever."

The Series 10 is 9.7 mm thick, which is nearly 10% thinner than Series 9, and it weighs 20% less than the Stainless Steel Series 9. The Aluminum cases also weigh up to 10% less, while the Series 10 also comes in Grade 5 titanium, replacing stainless steel.

While we didn't get updated Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch SE models, we did get a new black finish for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as well as an Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2. Apple also introduced a new Titanium Milanese Loop for both colors of the Ultra.

Apple Unveils AirPods 4 With Two Models Featuring Improved Fit, USB-C, and More

As expected, Apple introduced two AirPods 4 models on Monday, a base model at $129 to replace the AirPods 2 and a higher-end model with Active Noise Cancellation and a case that supports wireless charging and features a speaker for Find My capabilities.

Apple also revealed updated AirPods Max headphones at the event, but the only changes are new colors and a move from Lightning to USB-C for charging and connectivity. No other hardware updates are included.

iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and More Launching on September 16

With all of Apple's new hardware set to become available on Friday, September 20, the company is sticking to tradition and releasing its major new operating system versions a few days earlier.

iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and more will all be available on Monday, September 16. It's important to note, however, that Apple Intelligence features will not be coming in this round of updates and will instead start rolling out in follow-on updates likely targeted for late October.

MacRumors Newsletter

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

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Today we're tracking big discounts across the entire M4 iPad Pro lineup as part of Best Buy's new weekend sale, with a few additional discounts available at Amazon. At Best Buy, My Best Buy Plus/Total members can get $150 off nearly every M4 iPad Pro model right now, with many hitting new all-time low prices because of this member exclusive discount.

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.

Amazon's discounts are mainly focused on the high-capacity 1TB and 2TB models for both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro. The biggest discount in the entire sale is the 13-inch 2TB M4 iPad Pro with Nano-Texture Glass for $2,214.00 at Amazon, down from $2,599.00.

11-Inch

Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,449.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,549.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Wi-Fi - $1,849.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,949.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]

Cellular

• 256GB Cellular - $1,049.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Cellular - $1,249.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Cellular - $1,649.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,749.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Cellular - $2,049.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $2,099.00 at Amazon ($200 off)

13-Inch

Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,149.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,349.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,749.00 ($150 off) [matched at Amazon]
• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,849.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,099.00 at Amazon ($200 off)
• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $2,199.00 at Amazon ($200 off)

Cellular

• 256GB Cellular - $1,349.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Cellular - $1,549.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Cellular - $1,899.00 at Amazon ($200 off)
• 1TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,999.00 at Amazon ($200 off)
• 2TB Cellular - $2,304.00 at Amazon ($195 off)
• 2TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $2,214.00 at Amazon ($385 off)

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.