Apple is considering switching production of micro-OLED displays for future versions of the Vision Pro headset from Sony to Chinese manufacturers like BOE and SeeYa amid supply chain challenges, The Information reports.
Sony, the current supplier of micro-OLED displays for Vision Pro, has apparently shown reservations about expanding its production capabilities for the components amid Apple's effort to ramp up mass production of the headset. Chinese technology firms BOE Technology and SeeYa Technology, on the other hand, are showing significant commitment to the technology, supported by local government initiatives. Apple is currently testing displays from these two suppliers for both a next-generation Vision Pro model and a future low-cost mixed-reality headset device.
If BOE and SeeYa can meet Apple's rigorous quality standards, there is the potential for them to outright replace Sony as the principal Vision Pro display supplier in the future. Even so, Apple's increased engagement with Chinese entities presents different potential operational challenges, evidenced by recent legal issues between Samsung and BOE, as well as various labor concerns.
Regardless, Chinese companies are already deeply integrated in Apple's current production processes for Vision Pro, with firms like Lens Technology and Genius Electronic Optical being key contributors to the headset's production. Likewise, Luxshare Precision Industry has replaced Taiwan's Pegatron as the primary assembler for the device.
China in the second quarter became the biggest iPhone market in the world, overtaking the United States for the first time in history, based on data analyzed by global market research company TechInsights (via The Elec).
According to the research firm's Global Shipment Report, China accounted for 24% of all iPhone shipments in Q2 2023, while the U.S. market accounted for 21%.
The sluggish U.S. smartphone market in the second quarter is said to have been due to the psychology of consumers delaying the purchase of new phones in anticipation of new iPhone models launching in the second half of this year. However, TechInsight said its results at the same time reflected "China's [growing] economic power, the burgeoning middle class, and the premium phone preferences of Chinese consumers."
iPhone 14 Pro Max Was Best-Selling Model
Asian consumers have long been known to prefer larger-sized smartphones, and a separate analysis suggests this factor may have boosted overall sales of iPhone 14 Pro Max models. According to Omdia's Smartphone Model Market Tracker for 2Q23, in the January-to-June period, Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max shipped 26.5 million units globally — the most out of any model from any manufacturer. The iPhone 14 Pro came in second place with 21 million units.
There were no devices from Chinese manufacturers in the top 10, following double-digit declines from 2022 due to a slump in the mid- to low-end smartphone market. Last year, the iPhone 13 was the bestselling device on the market, indicating a preference among consumers for entry-level rather than top-end devices. The landscape appears to have changed since then, with successive smartphones offering incremental upgrades over wholesale changes and a growing malaise among consumers pushing them to higher-end models.
That trend is expected to continue, and Apple will likely milk the situation this year by further differentiating between its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineup. Not only is Apple expected to make its new, more powerful A17 processor exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, the company is also expected to segment its higher tier options by reserving periscope zoom lens technology for the top-end iPhone 15 Pro Max as a standout feature.
Apple will receive all of TSMC's first-generation 3-nanometer process chips this year for upcoming iPhones, Macs, and iPads, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes.
As early as May, Apple was known to have booked nearly 90% of the Taiwanese pure-play foundry for its upcoming next-gen devices. However, Apple is now projected to take 100% of TSMC's capacity in 2023, due to delays in Intel's wafer needs owing to later modifications to the company's CPU platform design plans.
Intel's lack of orders means TSMC's sales of 3nm chips will be significantly lower this year. While TSMC is still expected to experience significant growth in the fourth quarter as it starts mass producing 3nm chips for Apple's needs, they too have been downgraded, according to DigiTimes' industry sources.
The report suggests TSMC's 3nm process output may be reduced to 50,000-60,000 wafers monthly in the fourth quarter, down from the 80,000-100,000 units previously anticipated, due to a cutback in Apple's orders. The current monthly output of TSMC's 3nm process is estimated at approximately 65,000 wafers, the outlet's sources said.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature the A17 Bionic processor, Apple's first iPhone chip based on TSMC's first-generation 3nm process, also known as N3B. The 3nm technology is said to deliver a 35% power efficiency improvement and 15% faster performance compared to 4nm, which was used to make the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
Apple's M3 chip for Macs and iPads is also expected to use the 3nm process. The first M3 devices are expected to include an updated 13-inch MacBook Air and 24-inch iMac, both of which could arrive as early as this October.
New OLED iPad Pro models coming early next year are also likely to be powered by M3 chips, while Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models coming in 2024 will feature M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.
According to an App Store developer log obtained by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing a new chip with a 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 36GB of memory, which could be the base-level M3 Pro for the next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launching next year.
Apple may also be actively testing an M3 version of the Mac mini, according to Gurman. The Mac is said to be carrying the model identifier "Mac 15,12" and includes eight CPU cores (consisting of four efficiency cores and four performance cores), 10 graphics processor cores, and 24GB of RAM.
According to The Information, future Apple silicon chips built on the 3nm process will feature up to four dies, which would support up to 40 compute cores. The M2 chip has a 10-core CPU and the M2 Pro and Max have 12-core CPUs, so 3nm could significantly boost multi-core performance. At minimum, 3nm should provide the biggest performance and efficiency leap to Apple's chips since 2020.
TSMC is also working on an enhanced 3nm process called N3E. Apple devices will eventually migrate to the N3E generation, which is expected to enter commercial production in the second half of 2023, but actual shipments will not ramp up until 2024, according to DigiTimes.
With Apple's iPhone 15 series announcement likely now just two weeks away, a concept render has been shared online that is said to be based on the iPhone 15 Pro packaging, or more specifically, the box that the devices will be sold inside.
Concept render of iPhone 15 Pro box
The above render shared on X (now Twitter) by @chandlerbongzz shows a familiar white box on top of which is a front-facing image of the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, with an "S" curve showing on an otherwise black display.
The render is based on a hand-drawn illustration of the alleged box shared by Weibo sources and subsequently described by several leakers. It is vaguely reminiscent of Apple's iPhone 14 Pro packaging, however there are reasons to remain skeptical about its accuracy.
Since the iPhone XS was released, Apple has annually alternated the topside graphics on its Pro packaging so as to show the front display of the device one year, then the back of the iPhone the next. Last year's iPhone 14 Pro box showed the front display, so this year Apple would be expected to highlight the back of its iPhone 15 Pro models. If the render is accurate, Apple will have broken a pattern it has stuck to for half a decade.
iPhone 14 Pro packaging
That in itself isn't beyond the realm of possibility – Apple can change up its packaging as it chooses and need not necessarily be wedded to any particular design timeline. Another point of concern however is that it seems reasonable to assume that Apple would want to make the rumored thinner bezels of its Pro devices more noticeable by using a more impactful image, rather than concealing the edges of the screen with a largely black wallpaper.
As such, we're sharing this image with the requisite grain of salt. Besides, it won't be long before we know for sure what kind of packaging Apple has chosen for its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. Apple is expected to announce the new lineup at an event likely to be held on Tuesday, September 12. All being well, pre-orders would therefore likely take place on Friday, September 15, with a launch to follow on Friday, September 22.
Apple is aiming for the highest-end iPhone 15 Pro Max to account for roughly 35–40% of initial shipments for the iPhone 15 series when it launches next month, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. That would give Apple's most expensive model the highest share among the four models in the lineup, with Apple planning for Pro Max shipments to be 10–20% higher than for the iPhone 14 Pro Max last year.
One of the main features pushing users toward the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be the periscope lens camera, which will allow for higher optical zoom of 5x–6x compared to the 3x optical zoom available in the current models. The new periscope lens camera will be exclusive to the Pro Max model this year before expanding to the smaller iPhone 16 Pro next year.
iPhone 15 Pro Max, the most expensive iPhone, accounts for 35–40% of iPhone 15 series shipments, the highest share. iPhone 15 Pro Max shipments in 2H24 also grew 10–20% YoY compared to iPhone 14 Pro Max in the same period. It means Apple is optimistic about the selling point of the periscope, which is only available in iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The staged rollout to the Pro lineup will allow Apple and its exclusive supplier of periscope lenses, Largan, to start with production of 15–20 million iPhone units equipped with the component this year before growing by 70–80% to around 30 million next year.
Kuo notes that the periscope lens costs about three to four times more than a traditional high-end lens, meaning Largan will benefit significantly from its partnership with Apple to provide the component. The new lens for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and other improvements could see Apple increase the cost of the Pro models by at least $100 compared to the current lineup.
The iPhone 15 lineup will be debuting in just a few weeks, with rumors pointing to an event on Tuesday, September 12. Pre-orders should begin a few days later, with a launch following on Friday, September 22.
Some rumors had indicated the Pro Max model could see a delayed launch by a few weeks, but Kuo reported earlier today that mass shipments of that model are beginning this week, so while there may be some early supply constraints, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is likely to become available alongside the rest of the new lineup.
The latest version of the Google Maps app for the iPhone includes hidden code-level references to Live Activities, according to MacRumors contributor Steve Moser. The feature remains in development and it is not yet functional in the app.
Live Activities will allow Google Maps users to view turn-by-turn directions and the ETA in a single live-updating Lock Screen notification, and in the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple is expected to expand the Dynamic Island to all four iPhone 15 models, which should be unveiled on September 12.
Apple has allowed third-party iPhone apps to offer the feature since the release of iOS 16.1. In February, the Google Maps team announced that it would roll out Live Activities support "in the coming months," but the feature is still not available.
Apple will begin receiving mass shipments of the iPhone 15 Pro Max this week, according to information shared today by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in September, despite concerns over a production delay, but customers might need to order one quickly if they want launch-day delivery.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. All four models are expected to be equipped with a USB-C port and the Dynamic Island, while many additional new features are rumored for the Pro models, such as a titanium frame, customizable Action button, faster A17 Bionic chip, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to have a 6.7-inch display like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but with slimmer bezels around the screen. Next year, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to be equipped with an even larger 6.9-inch display.
One feature expected to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year is an upgraded telephoto lens with periscope technology. Kuo previously said this lens would offer up to 5-6x optical zoom, compared to the current 3x limit.
Multiple reports have indicated that the iPhone 15 Pro models may be more expensive than iPhone 14 Pro models, with a $100 to $200 price increase possible in the United States. On social media, there has been speculation that Apple might increase the base storage of the devices to 256GB to help justify the higher prices.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in recognition of this important cause, well-known podcast network Relay FM has launched its annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Since 2019, the Relay FM community has raised over $2.2 million for the hospital.
St. Jude's mission statement:
The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
Relay FM has multiple Apple-related podcasts, such as Connected, hosted by Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley, and Federico Viticci. Hackett's son received treatment at St. Jude as an infant, so this initiative is near and dear to him.
Donations can be made on the Relay FM for St. Jude website, with rewards such as Relay FM stickers, exclusive wallpapers, and a macOS screensaver available above certain dollar amounts. The page outlines other ways you can get involved, such as starting your own campaign, and sharing the page also helps to raise awareness.
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 is one of the few 27-inch 5K displays on the market, going head-to-head with the Apple Studio Display in offering ideal pixel density for full Retina quality.
The ViewFinity S9 is priced at $1,599.99, essentially the same as the Apple Studio Display, although Samsung includes a tilt- and height-adjustable stand while Apple charges $400 for that upgrade. The ViewFinity S9 can also be pivoted to a portrait orientation using the included stand.
The ViewFinity S9 features a Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C ports, and a Mini DisplayPort, and it includes 90 watts of power for machines connected through the Thunderbolt 4 port. A removable 4K SlimFit webcam supports tilt adjustments, as well as Auto Framing of subjects in the shot, similar to Apple's Center Stage feature. Built-in speakers with an Adaptive Sound+ option to automatically adjust noise levels are also included.
Built-in Smart TV apps and a remote control allow the display to function as a TV without being connected to a computer, with support for popular streaming apps and the Samsung Gaming Hub for playing cloud-based games from Xbox, NVIDIA, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Just a few weeks ahead of Apple unveiling new iPhones, rumors continue to circulate about new color options for the devices. The latest information comes from established leakers @MajinBuOfficial and @URedditor, who today said the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will be available in a new light green finish.
@MajinBuOfficial said it appears the new color option will be very similar to the green finish available for the iPhone 12 and the discontinued iPhone 12 mini. However, the leaker is unsure if the color will be available when the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus launch in September, or introduced as an additional color option in spring 2024.
Other color options rumored for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus include black, blue, yellow, and pink. Apple typically also makes the standard iPhones available in (PRODUCT)RED, a deep red color that benefits The Global Fund, an organization fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invitations will likely go out within the next week or two.
Apple is expected to hold its annual fall event this year on Tuesday, September 12, when it will announce its new flagship iPhone 15 lineup, but there are a few more products expected to be unveiled as well.
Keep reading to learn everything we know about what else Apple is expected to announce at the event beyond the iPhone 15.
Apple Watch Series 9
This year, Apple is expected to release the Apple Watch Series 9, an iterative update on the current Series 8. The refresh is expected to focus on updating the cores within the device's S-series chip, delivering a notable performance improvement, but the rest of the device is likely to be effectively the same as the Apple Watch Series 8.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the S9 chip will be based on the A15 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and other devices. The new chip could bring significantly improved performance and efficiency, boosting app launch speeds and potentially improving battery life. Apple reportedly plans to introduce a new pink color option for the Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's top-of-the-line Apple Watch, priced at $800. At 49mm, it is also the largest, designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need more durability and a wider range of niche features than those who wear the standard Apple Watch.
A refreshed version of the Apple Watch Ultra will come out this fall, and it is expected to get the same S9 processor upgrade that is coming to the Apple Watch Series 9, along with new 3D printed components.
The second-generation version of the Apple Watch Ultra could potentially be lighter than the first-generation model. A rumor from Weibo user Setsuna Digital claims that the new Apple Watch Ultra will have a reduced weight, which could be due to the 3D printed parts Apple is rumored to be using.
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra could also potentially come in a new darker color option, such as a black titanium shade.
New iPhone Cases and Apple Watch Bands
As is typical of September Apple events, it's likely that new iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands will be released in a variety of fresh colors. The new cases and bands sometimes become available to order on Apple's online store just minutes after the event ends.
According to one rumor, Apple is planning to release a new band for the Apple Watch Series 9 that will be made out of a woven fabric material and feature a magnetic buckle, similar to the existing Modern Buckle band.
Meanwhile, several sources have claimed that Apple will not offer leather iPhone 15 cases this year, as it has done for annual iPhone releases since 2013. Instead, it has been suggested the company will offer leather-like cases that use more eco-friendly materials.
This year, Apple is expected to ship iPhone 15 models with a color-matched braided USB-C to USB-C cable in the box rather than a plain white cable. Rumors suggest that each cable would be available in a color that would match with the shade of the iPhone 15 model.
Rumors suggest that it will measure in at 1.5 meters instead of one meter. With the braided design, it is also expected to be more durable. If the rumors are accurate, as we believe they are, expect Apple to sell additional color-matching USB-C cables as accessories to match the colors of its new smartphone lineup.
Apple may offer a USB-C data transfer accessory cable for iPhone 15 Pro models that is capable of Thunderbolt or USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps, according to leakers. The length of the cable is said to be 0.8 meters, which is shorter than Apple's existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (1.8m). Apple will allegedly sell the cable separately.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro models will support "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. However, the leaked USB4 cable is based on the Thunderbolt 4 protocol, allowing it to offer equivalent speeds of 40Gbps, or twice the preceding USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard.
New Software for Apple Products
iOS 17 for the iPhone, iPadOS 17 for iPad, watchOS 10 for the Apple Watch, and tvOS 17 for the Apple TV are all expected to be released in September following several months of beta testing, and Apple will likely provide release dates for these software updates. Sometimes the updates are released within days of the event.
For all the details on the new software features you can expect, check out our dedicated roundups for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17.
Rumors suggest Apple will not release leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, and today images were shared online claiming to show what an alternative leather-like case from Apple may look like, with leakers again suggesting they will use vegan materials instead of leather, but with a different feel and texture.
Serial leakers @MajinBuOfficial and @DuanRui both shared case images on Twitter (now X) separately sourced from Weibo and allegedly based on Apple's official leather-alternative cases. The woven fabric cases are said to be made of a patchwork of two materials that are more eco-friendly with a smaller carbon footprint than cowhide leather, although there is little other information available at the current time. The colors shown are not believed to be representative of any official Apple case.
Claims that Apple will not offer new leather iPhone cases this year have previously come from three separate sources, so the rumor appears to be worth taking seriously. Apple first released a series of leather cases in 2013 alongside the iPhone 5S. A refreshed selection of colors has accompanied every new iPhone model since then, featuring minor design refinements, such as the addition of aluminum buttons and MagSafe.
Apple is likely to release its new lineup of official iPhone 15 cases alongside the iPhone 15 series, which is expected to be announced at an event set to occur on September 12.
Apple's next-generation iPad Pro will launch alongside a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory that makes the device more laptop-like, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the next-generation iPad Pro will be the first major update to the product since 2018, introducing "fundamental changes." The new models, apparently codenamed "J717," "J718," "J720," and "J721," will feature the M3 Apple silicon chip, OLED displays, and 11- and 13-inch size options.
Along with the significant overhaul of the tablet itself, the updated version of the Magic Keyboard for iPad will offer a larger trackpad, addressing criticisms of the current model, and "makes the iPad Pro look even more like a laptop than the current setup."
The new iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard are not expected to debut until the spring or early summer of 2024, and anything other than minor updates to the other iPad models are not anticipated to arrive before then. The significant refresh to the product line could boost Apple's sluggish tablet sales next year.
The Apple rumor mill remains busy, as reports about the iPhone 15 lineup are continuing to fly with only a few weeks until Apple officially introduces the new models. Apple is also wrapping up work on iOS 17 to release it to the public right around the same time.
While the iPhone reliably gets annual updates, this week we also took a look at a number of other Apple products that are quite a bit longer in the tooth and offered our recommendations on whether they're still good purchases right now, so read on for all the details on this week's top stories!
iPhone 14 Pro vs. 15 Pro: 20+ Upgrades and Changes to Expect
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series and new Apple Watch models at an event that is currently said to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invites should go out at some point over the next week or two.
iPhone 15 Pro to Come in Blue and Gray Titanium, No Gold Expected
The report said that Gold will no longer be a color option for the iPhone 15 Pro models, which are expected to have a brushed titanium frame in a departure from polished stainless steel. The full lineup of colors expected for the devices this year consists of Blue, Gray, Space Black, and Silver.
iPhone 15 Pro Models Expected to Be $100 to $200 More Expensive
Multiple other sources already indicated that price increases are possible for the iPhone 15 Pro models. It would be the first time that Apple raised the starting price of its highest-end iPhones since the iPhone X launched in 2017.
iPhone 15 Could Come With Color-Matched Braided USB-C Cables
iOS 17 beta releases are now occurring on a weekly basis as the software update nears its public release next month. This week saw the release of iOS 17 beta 7, and we've rounded up everything new.
iOS 17 should be released in September alongside new iPhones. The update is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer and includes many new features, with complete details available in our iOS 17 roundup.
These Are Apple's Oldest Products Still Sold Today
For over two decades, the MacRumors Buyer's Guide has served as a valuable resource for keeping track of when Apple products were last updated.
This week, we highlighted five current-generation Apple products and accessories that have not received hardware upgrades in several years. The list excludes products that are unlikely to be updated ever again, such as the USB SuperDrive for the Mac.
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.
Apple Music in iOS 17 includes several long-requested features, such as collaborative playlists and an option to enable crossfade for a non-stop music experience. This guide highlights everything new that Apple added to the Apple Music app in iOS 17.
Crossfade
Crossfade allows songs that are playing to smoothly transition into one another, eliminating any dead air time between songs.
Collaborative Playlists
With collaborative playlists, friends and family members can add to, reorder, and remove songs from a single Apple Music playlist. You can set up a playlist with several people, and each person can contribute songs and react to songs in the playlist with emoji.
Collaborative playlists are not yet implemented and will be coming to an iOS 17 update a bit later this year.
Apple Music SharePlay for CarPlay
iOS 17 brings an Apple Music SharePlay experience to CarPlay, so everyone in the car can play their favorite songs and contribute music. The car owner that has their iPhone connected to the car needs to have an Apple Music subscription for this feature to work, but passengers do not.
The Apple Music interface provides a QR code that each person can scan to get access to a playlist where songs can be added to the in-car Apple Music queue.
Interface Updates
Full-screen animated artwork is available for albums that support the option, and album art is also now designed to blend seamlessly into the music player where the controls are located.
When the music player is minimized, there is now a hovering effect that adds depth.
Non-synced Lyrics
Song lyrics that are not synced to the music that's playing are shown in a larger, more legible font. This brings the lyric size in line with the lyrics that are synced to an Apple Music song.
Song Credits
Tapping on the three-dot icon next to a song that is playing or in a playlist shows song credits. The credits show the performing artists, composition artists, and those who were involved in production and engineering.
Apple Music Sing on Apple TV
With an iPhone running iOS 17 and an Apple TV 4K running tvOS 17, the iPhone can serve as a camera for the Apple TV, showing you on the screen as you perform. You can also do this with an iPad, and it is the same feature that enables FaceTime on Apple TV.
Apple Music Sing is integrated into Apple Music. It uses the built-in follow-along lyrics and turns down vocals so you can sing along with your favorite songs.
An Apple-1 advertisement that was written by Steve Jobs recently sold for $175,759 at an auction hosted by RR Auction. The ad is a rough draft with specifications for the Apple-1 machine, along with information on the details that Jobs wanted to include.
"Board only + manual, $75. A real deal" reads a part of the advertisement that Jobs wrote out. Jobs' signature is included, and the address listed is his parents' house, which is where Apple started out.
The handwritten draft matches the original advertisement for the Apple-1, with the first ad published in the July 1976 edition of Interface Magazine. The ad is accompanied by two Polaroid photos of Apple-1 machines taken at The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. Jobs annotated one of the images, noting that it was "fuzzy because camera wiggled."
The ad copy was put up for sale by a close friend of Steve Jobs that was present during the Apple-1's developmental phase. He was gifted the items as cherished keepsakes.
Separately, an operational Apple-1 Computer signed by Steve Wozniak sold for $223,520, and a 1976 Apple Computer check signed by Jobs and Wozniak sold for $135,261.
It's nearly September, meaning that new iPhones are just around the corner. All four upcoming iPhone 15 models are widely expected to be equipped with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, but there may be speed differences across the lineup.
In November 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would support at least the USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 specifications for data transfer speeds up to 20 or 40 Gbps. Kuo said the USB-C port on the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models would remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is the same speed as Lightning on existing iPhones.
All current-generation iPad and Mac models already have USB-C ports with varying speeds:
Device
USB-C Specification
All current Mac models
Thunderbolt (Up to 40 Gbps)
iPad Pro (2021 and 2022)
Thunderbolt (Up to 40 Gbps)
iPad Pro (2018 and 2020)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Up to 10 Gbps)
iPad Air (2022)
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Up to 10 Gbps)
iPad Air (2020)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Up to 5 Gbps)
iPad mini (2021)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Up to 5 Gbps)
iPad (2022)
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
The rumored speeds for the iPhone 15 lineup:
Device
USB-C Specification
iPhone 15 Pro Max
USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt (Up to 20 or 40 Gbps)
iPhone 15 Pro
USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt (Up to 20 or 40 Gbps)
iPhone 15 Plus
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
iPhone 15
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
iPhones with Lightning
USB 2.0 (Up to 480 Mbps)
Higher speeds allow for faster data transfer over a USB-C or Thunderbolt cable, such as when exporting photos from an iPhone to a Mac.
Rumors suggest that Apple will include a new braided USB-C cable with all iPhone 15 models, but the cable might remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds. This means that customers purchasing an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max would need to purchase a higher-spec cable separately to take advantage of the faster speeds that are rumored.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series at an event that is rumored to be planned for Tuesday, September 12. Apple has yet to officially announce the event, but invites will likely go out in the next week or two.
This week, all-time low prices arrived for the Apple Watch Ultra, 15-inch MacBook Air, and Beats Studio Pro at various retailers, and we're recapping all of these deals and more below. In addition to the Apple product discounts, we're still tracking great deals on various Anker accessories.
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.
One of the most notable deals of the week is on the Apple Watch Ultra, which hit a new all-time low price on Amazon of $699.99. That's $99 off the regular price of the wearable, and it's available in multiple colors and band styles.
The new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones got their first discount this week, available for $249.99 at Best Buy and Amazon, down from $349.99. You'll find all four colors on sale at both retailers: Sandstone, Navy, Deep Brown, and Black.
The second generation HomePod has a small discount right now on B&H Photo, on sale for $284.99, down from $299.00. This is about $5 higher than the record low price we tracked back in May, so although it's not a steep discount it's the best sale around online for anyone in the market for Apple's smart speaker.
15-Inch MacBook Air
What's the deal? Take $200 off 15-inch MacBook Air
Apple's new 256GB 15-inch MacBook Air returned to its record low price of $1,099.00 this week on Amazon, down from $1,299.00. You'll also find a best-ever price on the 512GB model, available for $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00.
Anker's collection of discounts this week centered around the Eufy SmartDrop Package Box, available for $199.99, down from $399.99. You can also save on portable batteries, USB-C cables, charging stations, and more if you visit our original deal post.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
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.
