MacRumors

While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always significant, new features begin to stack up over multiple generations. For this reason, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a two-year-old iPhone 13 Pro.

If you are still using an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max and will consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max when the devices launch later this year, we have put together a list of features to expect below. The list includes major changes introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro last year, as well as new features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models.

We also shared an iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro

• A17 chip vs. A15 chip: The 5nm-based A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is already up to 17% faster than the A15 chip in the iPhone 13 Pro, according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark. The iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with the A17 chip, which is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process for even faster performance and improved power efficiency over the previous generation.
• USB-C port: With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is finally expected to switch from Lightning to a USB-C port. This change will provide a more universal charging standard and allow for faster wired data transfer speeds.
• Titanium frame: Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have a titanium frame instead of stainless steel. The back glass and display bezels are also expected to have slightly curved edges.
• Action button: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra. The button would replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. Users would likely be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Low Power Mode, and more.
• Dynamic Island: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area surrounding the Face ID sensors and front camera. The Dynamic Island displays system alerts and integrates with iOS 16's Live Activities feature to show live NBA scores, the status of an Uber ride, and more.
• Always-on display option: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced an always-on display option that dims the entire Lock Screen, but still shows the time and date, widgets, wallpaper, and notifications. Once you raise the iPhone, tap the screen, or press the side button, the display returns to normal brightness.
• Thinner bezels: Similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have even thinner bezels around the display.
• Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 14 Pro lasts up to 23 hours for offline video playback, compared to 22 hours for the iPhone 13 Pro. With components like the A17 chip and the LiDAR Scanner expected to be more power efficient this year, the iPhone 15 Pro could have even longer battery life.
• Numerous camera improvements: iPhone 13 Pro users upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro will get access to a wide range of camera upgrades, including a 48-megapixel Wide lens, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, Action mode, and more. Increased optical zoom is also expected for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• eSIM only in U.S.: Apple removed the physical SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S., meaning the devices work with eSIMs only. The devices are still compatible with physical SIM cards in other countries.
• Increased RAM: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 13 Pro. Increased RAM can benefit multitasking on the iPhone by allowing more apps to be open in the background simultaneously without reloading.
• Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which supports the 6GHz band for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference compared to standard Wi-Fi 6.
• Emergency SOS via Satellite: iPhone 14 models can connect to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years after activation, and is currently available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the U.K., Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and select other countries.
• Crash Detection: New for the iPhone 14 series, Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car crashes and contact emergency services via Emergency SOS if the user does not respond. The feature is enabled by default.
• 5G improvements: iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X70 modem for improved 5G performance.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in September, and the devices could have additional features that have yet to be rumored.

Apple has increased the price of iCloud storage in several regions around the world, including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

Every Apple ID receives 5GB of free cloud storage, but users can upgrade to a paid ‌iCloud‌+ storage subscription plan to get 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of storage. The price hike, first spotted by 9to5Mac, represents an increase of around 25 percent.

‌iCloud‌+ Subscription	Previous UK Price	New UK Price
50GB	£0.79/month	£0.99/month
200GB	£2.49/month	£2.99/month
2TB	£6.99/month	£8.99/month

Similar increases have occurred in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tanzania, South Africa, Colombia, Peru, Brazil. Pricing in the United States, Canada, and European Union remains the same.

All paid ‌iCloud‌+ storage plans include features like ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay, Hide My Email, and Custom Email Domains.

The iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates include a number of privacy and security improvements that make your devices safer than ever, with Apple restricting access to photos and calendar events and cutting down further on how websites track you across the web.

Private Browsing Upgrades in Safari

In Safari, Private browsing windows are now locked and require secondary authentication to unlock and access. If you hand your phone over to someone and they attempt to open your Safari private browsing tab, access will be denied without a Face ID/Touch ID scan or a passcode.

The Private tab is locked automatically.

Tracking URL Removal

Opening up a URL in a private browsing window automatically strips all tracking information added to the URL, plus unknown trackers are completely blocked so companies aren't able to track your browsing across multiple sites.

URLs can also be stripped when browsing in non-private browsing mode if the functionality is enabled. Here's how to remove URL-based tracking for all browser windows:

1. Open up the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to Safari.
3. Tap on Advanced.
4. Tap on Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection.
5. Toggle on "All Browsing."

Turning this on will ensure that all URLs opened in Safari will strip additional tracking information that's pasted on to the end of a URL.

Shared Passwords

With iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, you can securely share passwords and passkeys with friends and family members using a new shared password function. Using this feature, passwords for shared media accounts, utilities, bills, and more can be provided to multiple people.

Each person can access, add to, and change passwords that are shared, with setup available by going to the Passwords section of the Settings app and choosing "Get Started" under the "Family Passwords" heading.

Passcode Resets

If you change the passcode on your iPhone and then accidentally forget the new passcode that you chose, you now have a 72-hour grace period to fix it without getting locked out of your device.

Apple lets you use your old passcode within 72 hours of setting a new one, which is handy if you're someone who is likely to forget a newly created passcode.

When you enter an incorrect passcode after making a change, you can tap on the "Forgot Passcode?" option at the bottom of the display to use the "Try Passcode Reset" option. Tapping it allows you to use your old passcode to create yet another new passcode.

For protection in case someone has learned your passcode, there is an "Expire Previous Passcode Now" setting that you can turn on.

Photo Library Access

The Photos picker in iOS 17 is designed to allow users to share specific photos with apps while the rest of the Photo Library stays private. Apps must ask to access the user's entire photo library, and users will be shown additional information on the photo information they are sharing, such as number of photos and videos and the metadata included like location and captions.

You can give apps the following access:

• Limited Access - Apps can see only the images that you can select, and you can review the selected images anytime either in the app or by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > ‌Photos‌.
• Full Access - Apps can see all of the images and videos in your Photo Library, and your device will tell you exactly how many photos and videos you're giving access to.
• None - No access to the Photo Library at all.
• Add ‌Photos‌ Only - The app can add images to your library, but not view them. This setting depends on the app, and is not available for all apps.

If you open up the Settings app and then go to the Privacy and Security section and choose ‌Photos‌, you can see the ‌Photos‌ access that all apps have access to. You can change the settings from here, and it's a good idea to go through the list to see exactly which apps can see your images. You can also opt to remove information like location and caption, and change photo format.

Downloading a new app that wants Photo Library access will bring up options to give limited or full access. In the past, apps had the option to just ask for blanket Photo Library access, which gave them the entire library, rather than just chosen images. There's much more control over what apps can see in terms of photos in iOS 17.

Your ‌iPhone‌ will also periodically remind you about apps that have access to your full Photo Library, offering up the option to change access to limited.

Calendar Access

Apps can add an event to the Calendar app without being able to view your Calendar through the "Add Events Only" option.

Calendar access can be managed by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Calendars. You can give apps Full Access, choose Add Events Only, or use the None option to revoke access. This section of the Settings app also details how many calendars you have and how many accounts you're signed in to.

Apps that have full Calendar access can see location, invitees, attachments, and notes, according to Apple.

Passkeys

iOS 17 automatically assigns a passkey to an Apple ID, which is a more secure password alternative. With a passkey, users can sign into an ‌Apple ID‌ with ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌ instead of their password, with the feature available on icloud.com, appleid.apple.com, and other Apple websites.

Passkeys use a key pair, one that is public and registered to the website or app and one that is private, held only on device. There is no way for a third party to intercept and access a passkey, so a passkey can't be stolen.

With iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and iPadOS 17, when you sign into an Apple website, you'll use biometric authentication rather than your password. Passkeys will eventually be adopted by many sites, replacing passwords.

Home Activity History

The Home app now includes an activity history for up to 30 days, so you can see who accessed door locks, garage doors, contact sensors, and alarm sensors, and when. It can be accessed by tapping on the "Security" button at the top of the Home app and then choosing "Activity History."

Read More

More information on all of the new features in the iOS 17 update can be found in our iOS 17 roundup.

New Hampshire resident Guangwei "William" Wu recently pled guilty to transporting stolen Apple property valued at $2 million, according to the United States Attorney's Office in the District of New Hampshire.

Wu owned the Hai Xing Qiao shipping company in Manchester, New Hampshire. In the fall of 2022, a Hong Kong-based company purchased a range of Apple products that Wu was meant to forward to them in Hong Kong. The order included iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and MacBooks.

Rather than shipping the goods, Wu accepted a bribe of more than $700,000 from a different Hong Kong company to redirect the $2 million worth of products to that company instead of the company that originally made the purchase.

Wu told the original company expecting its shipment that U.S. law enforcement officials had seized the Apple devices, and he forged a "Disclaimer of Ownership" that was supposedly issued by the United States Postal Office, complete with a fake federal agent signature.

Wu's scheme was discovered after a joint investigation by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Wu could receive up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, plus he will be repaying $2 million in restitution to the company he stole from.

Samsung today announced that its ViewFinity S9 external monitor is now available to pre-order in South Korea, and will launch in the country on July 3. The monitor is priced at 1.7 million won, which is equivalent to approximately $1,300 USD. Samsung has yet to reveal pricing or availability details for the U.S. market.

Unveiled at CES 2023 in January, the ViewFinity S9 has similar specs as Apple's Studio Display, including the same 27-inch size, 5K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits peak brightness, support for one billion colors, and support for 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. The monitor's metal stand and slim bezels also resemble the Studio Display.

The back of the ViewFinity S9 is equipped with a Thunderbolt 4 port that can provide up to 90W of pass-through charging to a computer, which is enough power to charge any MacBook. The monitor also has three USB-C ports and a Mini DisplayPort.

If the ViewFinity S9 ends up being priced around $1,300 in the U.S., that would be around $300 cheaper than the Studio Display, which starts at $1,599. However, the ViewFinity S9 offers a matte finish and a height-adjustable stand as standard features, whereas the Studio Display costs $2,299 when configured with these options, so the savings could potentially be up to $1,000. Samsung's monitor also comes with an attached 4K webcam that offers higher-resolution video than the Studio Display's built-in webcam.

The monitor has a "Smart Calibration" feature that allows it to be calibrated with the SmartThings app. Users can point a compatible iPhone or Galaxy smartphone's camera at the center of the ViewFinity S9 screen to calibrate the monitor.

Samsung uploaded a ViewFinity S9 introduction video in English on its YouTube channel on Sunday, so U.S. availability may be around the corner. The monitor will provide much-needed competition to the Studio Display, as there are very few 27-inch 5K displays on the market that offer an ideal Retina-quality experience for macOS. The monitor also offers far better value for customers willing to look past the Apple logo.

YouTube appears to be developing a new gaming service called "Playables," according to The Wall Street Journal. The service allows users to play games on mobile devices or desktop computers, and it is being tested with Google employees internally.

Playables appears to offer instant-play games through the YouTube website or YouTube mobile apps, offering an alternative to video content. In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that "gaming has long been a focus at YouTube" and that the company is "always experimenting with new features," but the spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Playables.

Google previously had the Stadia cloud gaming service, but announced plans to shut it down last September. Google said that the service was not able to gain the traction that Google had been expecting, and Stadia was officially shuttered in January 2023.

Playables does not offer the same cloud based gaming as Stadia, focusing on simple games rather than console titles. One of the available games is Stack Bounce, an arcade game where players smash bricks with a ball.

There is no word on when Playables could see a public launch.

Emergency SOS via Satellite, a feature introduced with the iPhone 14 models, over the weekend saved a hiker who was injured on a trail. As reported by ABC7, Juana Reyes was hiking a remote part of the Trail Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest when she suffered an accident.

A part of the trail collapsed underneath her, breaking her leg. She had no cellular service, nor did the people who were with her, but she did have an ‌iPhone‌ 14. "Thankfully, my phone has that SOS satellite feature I was able to connect to... I'm assuming satellites," she said.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section was able to get to Reyes after receiving a satellite call. She was successfully air lifted to safety using a helicopter.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, three ‌iPhone‌ rescues have been conducted over the course of the year, one of which was in the same general area. Last December, a vehicle went over the side of a mountain on the Angeles Forest Highway in the Angeles National Forest, with Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite used to contact rescuers.

Emergency Satellite via SOS is available to all ‌‌‌iPhone‌ 14‌‌ users, and it can be activated when an emergency situation occurs and there is no WiFi or cellular connection available. Emergency SOS via Satellite works in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK.

Apple is in the early stages of developing a new iMac with over a 30-inch display, which would be the largest-ever size for the all-in-one computer, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman said this iMac remains "further out," suggesting that it might be at least a year or two away from launching.

"The company is also conducting early work on an iMac with a screen over 30 inches," wrote Gurman. He did not share any additional details at this time.

Excluding refurbished models, the iMac is currently only available in a 24-inch size, as Apple discontinued the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro over the last few years. Despite occasional rumors about the iMac Pro making a comeback, there is still no larger iMac with Apple silicon available. One solution is to purchase a 27-inch Studio Display and connect it to a Mac with Apple silicon, but this is not an all-in-one setup.

Released in April 2021, the 24-inch iMac features a colorful, ultra-thin design and is equipped with the M1 chip. Gurman expects the 24-inch iMac to be updated with the as-yet-unannounced M3 chip by early next year. All current Apple silicon chips are manufactured based on TSMC's 5nm process, while the M3 chip is expected to move to a 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements.

A larger iMac is one of many products on Apple's product roadmap, according to Gurman. He also expects a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra to launch later this year, suggesting that the high-end watch might be updated on an annual basis like other models.

The iPhone 15 Pro models will feature slightly repositioned power and volume buttons, among other small design changes, according to newly shared images of pre-release accessories.

The images, some of which were posted on Weibo, show that the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro's power and volume buttons will be positioned slightly lower than on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro's USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port on current models, also appears to necessitate a slightly larger bottom cutout.

Most noticeably, the cases accommodate the new mute button that is set to replace the long-standing mute switch above the volume buttons. Since the button does not need to be gripped from the side and slid across like a switch, it appears to require less space and can utilize a smaller cutout.

One of the cases features some kind of insert that is placed over the mute button when the device is in the case, similar to the other buttons on most ‌iPhone‌ cases. The button is also expected to serve as a multi-purpose Apple Watch Ultra-style Action Button, likely allowing users to perform functions like running Shortcuts in addition to activating or de-activating mute.

Another case shared by Twitter user "Majin Bu" may indicate that the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro will feature larger camera lenses and a bigger microphone. This accessory also seems to retain allowances for a unified volume rocker, but this design change is no longer expected to arrive this year.

Other design updates rumored for the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models include a titanium chassis, slightly curved front and rear edges, slimmer bezels, and a thicker camera array. The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max are expected to launch alongside the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus as usual in the fall.

Amazon Prime Day doesn't start for another two weeks, but you can already get a few solid discounts on select Amazon products right now. We aren't expecting sales on Apple devices to appear until the week of Prime Day.

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

The majority of the deals in this sale are Amazon branded products, including Fire Tablets, Echo speakers, Fire TVs, Ring Doorbells, and more. We've collected some of the best devices on sale this week in the list below, but you can find the full list on Amazon.

As with all Prime Day sales, only Amazon Prime members can take advantage of today's deals. If you aren't a member, you can join Prime via a free 30-day trial to participate in this year's Prime Day. Once your trial is over, Prime membership will run for $14.99/month or $139/year. For students, that's $7.49/month or $69/year.

• Amazon Kids Fire Tablets - From $54.99 (up to 54% off)
• Echo Dot (5th Gen) Kids Devices - $27.99 (53% off)
• Ring Video Doorbell - From $34.99 (up to 62% off)
• Eero Wi-Fi Routers - From $44.99 (up to 69% off)
• Amazon Fire 4K Smart TVs - From $259.99 (up to 31% off)

We'll have plenty more Prime Day coverage once the event gets nearer, so be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page and social media. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Apple's annual Back to School promotion is now available in Canada and Mexico after launching in the U.S. earlier this month. Now through October 2, college and university students in these countries can receive a free Apple gift card or accessory with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, in addition to Apple's standard educational discount on these products. Students can also receive 20% off AppleCare+ plans for eligible devices.

In Canada, Apple is offering a $200 gift card with any new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac, and a $150 gift card with any new iPad Pro, iPad Air, or Mac mini. The gift card can be used towards purchases of Apple products and accessories, App Store apps, subscriptions to services like Apple Music, iCloud+ storage, and more.

In Mexico, Apple is offering third-generation AirPods with any new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac, second-generation AirPods with any new Mac mini, and a second-generation Apple Pencil with any new iPad Pro or iPad Air. There are various AirPods upgrade options available for an additional cost, such as second-generation AirPods Pro.

The offer is available through Apple's online education store and at physical Apple Store locations for students attending or accepted to a higher-education institution, faculty and staff of higher-education institutions, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, employees of a K-12 institution, and select others. The full terms and conditions for the promotion are available on Apple's regional websites for Canada and Mexico.

Apple likely will launch a similar Back to University promotion in the U.K. and other European countries within the next few weeks.

Apple is working on at least a dozen new devices set to launch between late 2023 and early 2024, according to an updated product roadmap shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is planning to launch two Apple Watch Series 9 models and a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra alongside the iPhone 15 lineup this fall.

Substantial updates to the Mac lineup will launch starting later this year or in early 2024, encompassing new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, a refreshed 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M3 chip, two new MacBook Air models, and new 24-inch iMac models. In addition, Apple is said to be "conducting early work" on an all-new ‌iMac‌ model with a display larger than 30 inches in size.

Gurman reiterated that an updated iPad Air to replace the current M1-based device and two new iPad Pro models with OLED displays are on the way for 2024. Third-generation AirPods Pro, a refreshed Apple TV with improved specifications, and other "home equipment" such as smart displays are also in early development. A new generation of Apple's Vision Pro headset is unlikely to arrive until 2025, he added.

It's been two weeks since WWDC wrapped up, and this week saw Apple release the second round of betas of its upcoming operating system updates introduced at the conference, plus the initial release of developer tools and a simulator needed to allow developers to build apps for the Vision Pro headset.

This week also saw another iPhone 15 rumor while we continue to dig into all of the changes in iOS 17, so read on below for a few tidbits we've seen over the past week!

Vision Pro Developer Tools Now Available With New visionOS SDK

Apple this week released a visionOS SDK, allowing developers to start creating apps for the Vision Pro headset ahead of its launch in early 2024. Apple has also made a visionOS simulator available in Xcode 15 beta 2 on the Mac that offers an emulated Vision Pro experience.

The visionOS developer tools are available for Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com.

Starting in July, developers will also be able to apply for a Vision Pro developer kit and have the opportunity to attend developer labs in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Video: A First Look at visionOS for the Apple Vision Pro

On our YouTube channel, we have shared a video offering a first look at the visionOS simulator in Xcode. The simulator provides access to apps like Safari and Settings, Control Center, and more.

The simulator offers a much more limited visionOS experience than will be available on the actual Vision Pro, but it provides a preview of what to expect when the device launches to the public early next year.

Everything New in iOS 17 Beta 2

Apple made the second beta of iOS 17 available to developers this week for testing. As usual, there are a handful of smaller changes in the beta, so check out our list of everything new.

iOS 17 developer betas are available to anyone with a free Apple developer account, and a public beta will be available in July. The software update will be released later this year for the iPhone XS and newer.

Kuo: iPhone 15 to Have Upgraded Ultra Wideband Chip for Enhanced Vision Pro Integration

Apple's next-generation iPhone 15 models coming later this year will be equipped with an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for enhanced compatibility with the Vision Pro headset.

iPhone 11 models and newer are equipped with a U1 chip for spatial awareness. The chip helps to power features such as Precision Finding for AirTags, directional AirDrop, handing off music to a HomePod, and more.

iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma Add Passkey Support to Your Apple ID

Starting with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, users with an Apple ID will automatically be assigned a passkey, allowing them to sign into their Apple ID with Face ID or Touch ID instead of their password on various Apple sign-in pages, like iCloud.com.

Passkey support for Apple IDs will also be available for third-party apps and websites that support the "Sign in with Apple" feature, according to Apple.

5 New AirDrop Features Coming in iOS 17

Since its introduction in iOS 7, AirDrop has become the favored way for iPhone users to instantly share photos, videos, documents, and more to nearby Apple devices with relative ease.

Given its widespread popularity, the feature hasn't changed all that much over the years. But this year, Apple is stepping things up a gear by bringing several new capabilities to AirDrop that make it even more useful.

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!

Popular accessory maker Hyper this week announced the launch of its HyperPack Pro backpack, which has built-in Find My functionality. Hyper has been working on the backpack since last year, launching it via a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, but it now has wide availability from the Hyper website.

The HyperPack Pro is similar in design to the Targus Cypress Hero Backpack that launched earlier this month, as Targus now owns the Hyper brand. It uses the same type of ‌Find My‌ location module, which is located at the top of the backpack and has an easy-access replaceable battery. With ‌Find My‌ integration, the HyperPack Pro can be located in the ‌Find My‌ app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the items tab.

There is a dedicated pocket for up to a 16-inch laptop, and the backpack has a total of 22L of storage. There are six individual pockets, including pockets for camera gear, gym clothes, sunglasses, tech accessories, and a 1L water bottle. There is an RFID pocket for credit cards and a hidden back pocket, plus interlocking zippers for security.

Passthrough charging pockets allow laptops, tables, phones, and more to be charged while still inside the backpack, and the backpack itself is made from a water resistant Cordura fabric.

We reviewed the HyperPack Pro last December and were impressed with the storage capabilities and the utility of the ‌Find My‌ integration.

The HyperPack Pro can be purchased from the Hyper website for $200.

LG today announced that LG Smart TV owners in the United States can sign up for two free months of Major League Soccer Season Pass using the Apple TV app, allowing access to every live Major League Soccer match, including Leagues Cup, All-Star games, and playoffs.

A compatible LG Smart TV from 2016 to 2023 is required, with customers able to sign up for the MLS Season Pass offer in the LG Content Store or by clicking on the MLS Season Pass ad banner on the LG TV home menu.

The offer must be redeemed by July 26, 2023, and there is one subscription available per TV and Apple ID. Both new and qualified returning customers of MLS Season Pass can sign up.

This week we got news about Amazon's upcoming Prime Day 2023 sale and tracked a few deals on Apple products including the 10.2-inch iPad, M2 MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch Series 8. We also have an exclusive promo code running at Satechi through the end of the weekend.

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.

Prime Day

The biggest deals-related news of the week was Amazon's announcement of this summer's Prime Day dates, which will run from July 11 through July 12. Amazon is already offering a few early Prime Day deals, mainly focusing on Amazon-branded products like Kindles and Fire TVs.

Like previous years, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member to take part in Prime Day. If you aren't, you can join Prime and get a free 30-day trial to participate in this year's Prime Day. Anyone who chooses to keep Prime after the free trial will pay $14.99/month or $139/year; students pay $7.49/month or $69/year.

We'll be covering all of the best tech and Apple-related discounts during this year's Prime Day, so be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page once the event starts July 11.

Satechi

• What's the deal? Take 25% off sitewide at Satechi
• Where can I get it? Satechi
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

We kicked off the week with a new exclusive sitewide discount at Satechi, offering our readers 25 percent off Satechi's best hubs, chargers, desktop accessories, and more. Just enter the code MR25 at checkout to get the discount, which will expire this Sunday, June 25. The only exclusion in this sale is Satechi's Thunderbolt products.

10.2-Inch iPad

• What's the deal? Take $79 off the 10.2-inch iPad
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

A rare deal returned for the 10.2-inch iPad this week, with Amazon offering the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet for $249.99, down from $329.00. You'll need to add the tablet to your cart on Amazon in order to see the final deal price, which is a markdown that we haven't tracked since March.

M2 MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take $249 off M2 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

In the middle of the week, we tracked a big collection of discounts on the M1 and M2 MacBook Pro, and a few of these are still live. These current deals mainly focus on the M2 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro, including the 512GB notebook for $2,249.00 and the 1TB notebook for $2,449.00, both of which are best-ever prices.

Apple Watch Series 8

• What's the deal? Take $70 off Apple Watch Series 8
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Lastly, solid deals reappeared on the GPS models of the Apple Watch Series 8 this week, starting at $329.00 for the 41mm and rising to $359.00 for the 45mm. These are both all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 8, and they're available in multiple colors and sizes.

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

After spending two weeks using the beta versions of watchOS 10, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and tvOS 17, we discuss our experiences and highlight our favorite new features from each of the updates on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show.

watchOS 10 is a major update for the Apple Watch, overhauling its entire user interface. The update refocuses the Apple Watch around a scrollable view of widgets, remaps the buttons, and rearranges the Home Screen of apps. Almost all of Apple's stock apps have received complete redesigns centered around a vertically scrollable view of pages. The update also brings Time in Daylight tracking to Apple Health and adds mood logging to the Mindfulness app.

iOS 17 introduces features like StandBy mode, Contact Posters, and Live Voicemail, while iPadOS 17 makes some meaningful enhancements to Stage Manager, introduces external camera support, and brings over Lock Screen customization, Live Activities, and the Health app from the iPhone.

macOS Sonoma adds an integrated video screen saver and wallpaper experience, desktop widgets, Safari web apps, and Game Mode. tvOS 17 is a modest update that redesigns the Control Center and introduces FaceTime via Continuity Camera.

A large number of new features, like interactive widgets, improved autocorrect, the Messages redesign, offline maps, authentication code autofill, Apple Music crossfade, Note links, support for multiple timers, video call reactions and presenter overlays, and improved PDF support, come to several of Apple's updated operating systems.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, listen to our deep dive into the experience of using Apple's Vision Pro headset and what to expect when it goes on sale next year.

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The A17 Bionic chip initially used in the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max later this year will fundamentally differ from a version of the same chip set to be manufactured in 2024, a new rumor claims.

The A17 Bionic is expected to be Apple's first chip manufactured with a 3nm fabrication process, resulting in major performance and efficiency improvements over the 5nm technique used for the A14, A15, and A16 chips. The initial version of the A17 Bionic chip will reportedly be manufactured using TSMC's N3B process, but Apple is planning to switch the A17 over to N3E sometime next year. The move is said to be a cost-cutting measure that could come at the expense of reduced efficiency.

N3B is TSMC's original ‌3nm‌ node created in partnership with Apple. N3E, on the other hand, is the simpler, more accessible node that most other TSMC clients will use. N3E has fewer EUV layers and lower transistor density than N3B, resulting in efficiency tradeoffs, but the process can provide better performance. N3B has also been ready for mass production for some time longer than N3E, but it has much lower yield.

N3B was effectively designed as a trial node and is not compatible with TSMC's successor processes including N3P, N3X, and N3S, meaning that Apple will need to redesign its future chips to take advantage of TSMC's advancements. Apple was originally believed to be planning to use the N3B for the A16 Bionic chip, but had to revert to N4 because it was not ready in time. It may be the case that Apple is using the N3B CPU and GPU core design originally designed for the A16 Bionic for the initial A17 chips, before switching to the original A17 designs with N3E later in 2024. This architecture will presumably be iterated on through TSMC's successor nodes for chips like the "A18" and "A19."

It seems highly unlikely that Apple would make such a drastic change to the A17 Bionic during the product cycle of the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, so the N3E version of the chip may instead be destined for next year's standard iPhone 16 and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus models. The A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus is a higher binned variant with one additional GPU core than the A15 used in the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, so some cross-generational differences despite outwardly featuring the same chip would not be unheard of.

The rumor comes from a Weibo user who claims to be an integrated circuit expert with 25 years of experience working on Intel's Pentium processors. Earlier this year, they were first to claim that the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro's USB-C port and accompanying charging cables will feature a Lightning-like authenticator chip, potentially limiting their functionality with Apple-unapproved accessories — a rumor that went on to be corroborated by more established sources. They were also first to say that the standard ‌iPhone‌ 14 models would retain the A15 Bionic chip, with the A16 being exclusive to the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models.