Apple plans to release a larger 15-inch MacBook Air in 2023, but a previously rumored 12-inch MacBook with Apple silicon is no longer expected to launch this year, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman did not share any additional details about the 15-inch MacBook Air, but display analyst Ross Young previously claimed that Apple's suppliers would begin production of 15.5-inch display panels for the new MacBook Air in the first quarter of 2023, leading him to assume that the notebook would be released as early as this spring.
Given that the MacBook Air was just redesigned in 2022, it's likely that the 15-inch model would have a very similar or identical design as the latest 13-inch model, and it will likely be available with M2 and M2 Pro chip options.
As for the 12-inch MacBook, Gurman previously claimed that Apple was considering launching it at the end of 2023 or in early 2024, but today he said that the smaller notebook is no longer on the company's near-term roadmap.
Apple has released both lower-end and higher-end 12-inch notebooks in the past. At the low end, Apple introduced an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook that weighed just two pounds in 2015, but the notebook was discontinued in 2019. And at the higher end, Apple offered a 12-inch PowerBook G4 in the mid-2000s, prior to the original MacBook Pro.
The previous 12-inch MacBook was thermally constrained as a result of using Intel processors, but Apple silicon has superior performance per watt, allowing for Apple to reintroduce an ultra-thin, fanless MacBook if it ever decides to.
Apple plans to expand the Dynamic Island to all four iPhone 15 models launching later this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The hardware-dependant feature is currently limited to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the iPhone 15 series will offer the same four screen sizes as the iPhone 14 series, meaning that customers can expect a 6.1-inch iPhone 15, 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. Following in the footsteps of the Apple Watch Ultra, Gurman previously suggested that the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be named the iPhone 15 Ultra.
The Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped area at the top of the iPhone's display that replaces the notch found on previous models. Aided by software, the Dynamic Island morphs into different shapes and sizes for Live Activities, system alerts, and other information. Display analyst Ross Young previously claimed that the Dynamic Island would be available on all four iPhone 15 models, and this rumor is now backed by Gurman.
As widely expected, all four iPhone 15 models will be equipped with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, according to Gurman. USB-C is a more universally adopted charging standard and offers faster data transfer speeds than Lightning.
Gurman also corroborated rumors claiming that iPhone 15 Pro models will feature a titanium frame with haptic volume buttons. Instead of physically moving, two new Taptic Engines inside the device would simulate the feeling of the buttons being pressed, similar to how the iPhone SE's Home button and newer MacBook trackpads work.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 series in September as usual.
Apple is expected to announce its AR/VR headset this spring, and the imminent launch of the headset has seemingly taken the focus away from other products in Apple's portfolio. According to Gurman, no significant updates for the iPad are expected this year, with the closest major update taking place in the first half of 2024 with OLED 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros. Gurman says Apple may introduce minor spec bumps for the entry-level iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air.
For the AirPods lineup, Gurman says not to expect any updates "of note" this year, which could rule out the possibility of an updated version of the AirPods Max making a debut. Previous reports indicated Apple is not working on a second-generation version of the headphones, but has considered releasing new colors.
For the Apple Watch, Gurman says he does not expect major hardware changes this year, only some minor performance improvements to Apple Watch models. In September, Apple announced the all-new Apple Watch Ultra, so minor updates to that, as well as other models of the lineup, are to be expected. Gurman says Apple has no plans for a new Apple TV in 2023.
iOS 17, the next major update for the iPhone, could be a less significant update than Apple was originally hoping as the company, and its engineers, focus more heavily on the upcoming AR/VR headset.
Apple has been working on its AR/VR headset and its accompanying operating system, xrOS, for several years. With the launch of the headset now expected in 2023, Apple's engineers have been focusing less on other operating systems, including the upcoming iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says iOS 17, which is internally codenamed Dawn, could end up having "fewer major changes than originally planned" due to Apple focusing more on xrOS for the upcoming headset. Gurman says a similar approach is taking place with macOS 14, codenamed Sunburst.
iOS 14, announced in 2020, and iOS 16, announced last June, were two significant updates, bringing redesigned widgets to the iPhone Home Screen, App Library, new features in stock apps like Maps and Safari, a redesigned lock screen, and more. iOS 17, alongside iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and watchOS 10, will be announced during WWDC in June.
Apple's AR/VR headset, likely to be named "Reality Pro," will be announced during an event this spring before WWDC, which is typically held in June, before the product begins shipping this fall.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple's current plan is to announce the headset during an event in the spring, before the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. According to Gurman, Apple plans to announce the product, then have developers introduced to its operating system, xrOS, at WWDC, before shipping it in the fall.
The final postponement, at least for the moment, happened last year. Up until fairly recently, Apple had aimed to introduce the headset in January 2023 and ship it later this year. Now the company is aiming to unveil it this spring ahead of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, I'm told.
With the current plan, Apple could introduce the device to consumers — likely under the name Reality Pro — and then get developers up to speed on its software features in June. On this timeline, the company would then ship the product later in the fall of 2023.
Apple has been rumored to announce its AR/VR headset for the last several years, with 2023 seeming to be the year it finally happens. According to Gurman, Apple is already working with several "high-profile developers" on experiences and apps for the new headset and the xrOS operating system. Apple's first headset is expected to be a high-end and niche product, tailored towards professionals and developers before a more consumer-friendly headset launches in the next several years.
The upcoming high-end Apple silicon Mac Pro will feature the same design as the 2019 model, with no user-upgradeable RAM given the all-on-chip architecture of Apple silicon.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple's upcoming Mac Pro, which is the final product to make the transition to Apple silicon, will feature the same design as the current Mac Pro from 2019. Unlike the current Intel-based Mac Pro, the upcoming model will also not feature user-upgradeable RAM.
In another disappointment, the new Mac Pro will look identical to the 2019 model. It will also lack one key feature from the Intel version: user-upgradeable RAM. That's because the memory is tied directly to the M2 Ultra's motherboard. Still, there are two SSD storage slots and [spaces] for graphics, media, and networking cards.
Gurman has reported that Apple has canceled plans to release a higher-end model of the upcoming Mac Pro with 48 CPU cores and 152 GPU cores given its high cost and likely niche market.
2023 is here, and Apple rumors are already flying about this year's iPhone 15 lineup, the long-rumored mixed-reality headset and more.
This week is also the annual CES event in Las Vegas where all sorts of companies are showing off their latest products, while the first of the year saw Apple finally shut down the much-loved Dark Sky weather app it acquired back in 2020. Read on for all the details on these stories and more from the past week!
iPhone 15 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Titanium Frame, Taptic Buttons, Increased RAM, and More
The solid-state volume and power buttons would be similar to the Home button on the latest iPhone SE. Instead of physically moving, two new Taptic Engines would simulate the feeling of the buttons being pressed.
Apple's AR/VR Headset Said to Feature Digital Crown, Waist-Mounted Battery Pack, and More
The headset is expected to be announced in 2023, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying this week that Apple is likely to reveal it at a spring media event or at WWDC in June as continued development delays have pushed back mass production to late in the second quarter or into the third quarter of this year.
CES Video Roundup: Hyper Find My Backpack, Nanoleaf 4D TV Kit, Withings U-Scan, and More
MacRumors is at CES 2023 in Las Vegas this week for a hands-on look at all of the new Apple-related devices and accessories being announced.
We've shared video recaps of the first, second, and third days at CES 2023, offering a closer look at new products like Hyper's backpack and Ember's travel mug with support for Apple's Find My app, an iPhone-connected urine reader from Withings, and other interesting finds on the show floor.
Apple Shuts Down Popular Weather App 'Dark Sky'
As planned, Apple has shut down popular weather app Dark Sky. The app had already been removed from the App Store in September and it stopped functioning for existing users on January 1.
Apple acquired Dark Sky in March 2020 and it has since incorporated many of the app's features into the preinstalled Weather app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Earlier this month, Apple shared a support document with information on how Dark Sky users can use the Weather app.
AMD Claims Its New Laptop Chip is 30% Faster Than M1 Pro
At CES this week, AMD claimed that its new Ryzen 9 7940HS chip for Windows laptops is up to 34% faster than Apple's M1 Pro chip available in the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
While it appears that Apple silicon competition is increasing, it is worth noting that Apple introduced the M1 Pro chip around 14 months ago and that AMD did not offer a comparison to Apple's faster M1 Max chip.
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.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs introducing Safari on the Mac at the 2003 Macworld Expo in San Francisco. Apple advertised Safari as the "fastest web browser ever created for the Mac" at the time.
Apple said the original version of Safari loaded pages over three times faster compared to Microsoft's Internet Explorer on the Mac. Internet Explorer was the Mac's default browser between 1998 and the release of OS X Panther with Safari in October 2003, as part of a five-year agreement between Apple and Microsoft.
"Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac, and we predict that many will feel it is the best browser ever created," said Jobs, in a January 2003 press release. "We are bringing innovation back into this category with the first all new browser created in many years."
A public beta of Safari was made available for OS X Jaguar in January 2003, with key features including the WebKit rendering engine for faster browsing speeds, Google search capabilities integrated directly into the toolbar, improved bookmark management, optional pop-up ad blocking, a simpler file download process, and more.
A mobile version of Safari was released for the iPhone in 2007 and for the iPad in 2010. The browser continues to use WebKit across all of Apple's platforms.
Safari was eventually overshadowed by Google's Chrome, which was released in 2008 and is now the world's most popular web browser across all PCs and Macs. Nevertheless, Apple says Safari remains the world's fastest desktop browser and is 50% faster on average at loading frequently visited websites than Chrome on the Mac.
The Consumer Electronics Show is taking place this week, and as of yesterday, the show floor is open. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera is attending CES and has been checking out all of the new products this week. Our day three roundup features interesting tech that Dan discovered on the show floor, with highlights from Lenovo, Hyper, Zendure, Targus, Chefling, and more.
Lenovo had a "Tab Extreme" tablet and keyboard folio that's suspiciously iPad Pro like, but it comes with a 14.5-inch OLED display, giving us a preview of what we might expect when Apple opts for OLED technology. Lenovo also had some nifty e-ink color tablets and also the Yoga Book 9i, a laptop/tablet hybrid with two displays instead of one and a detachable Bluetooth keyboard.
Chefling showed off cameras that go in your refrigerator or your pantry for monitoring what foods you're low on, and Hyper had a range of chargers and hubs on display. Hyper's USB-C media hub for the iPad was of particular interest because it puts media controls front and center, which is nice because the iPad Magic Keyboard does not offer media keys. It also has ports available, including a USB-A port, microSD slot, and headphone jack.
Targus had an ambidextrous mouse that can swap between left and right-handed orientation, and Zendure had a massive $4,000 battery charger on display. Nex demoed its NexMonitor, a unique setup that's meant to work with the Mac mini, and Lockly had fingerprint-reading locks.
Victrola featured its Stream and Carbon Onyx turntables, which allow vinyl records to be streamed to Sonos speakers, and Sony and Honda showed off a prototype vehicle.
CES is continuing through the weekend, and we're going to have some additional product clips on the MacRumors Instagram and TikTok channels, so make sure you're subscribed.
Apple has informed suppliers that it has canceled plans to release a fourth-generation iPhone SE in 2024, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo previously said that the fourth-generation iPhone SE would be canceled or postponed, but he now firmly believes that the device has been canceled.
In a post on Medium today, Kuo said that Apple planned to introduce its first in-house 5G chip in the fourth-generation iPhone SE, but that is obviously no longer expected to happen since the device is apparently canceled. Instead, Kuo said it is likely that Apple will continue to rely on Qualcomm for 5G chips in 2024, including for the iPhone 16 series.
Kuo said Apple planned to test the 5G chip in the iPhone SE before rolling it out to iPhone 16 models to ensure that real-world performance was acceptable:
Due to concerns that the performance of the in-house baseband chip may not be up to par with Qualcomm's, Apple initially planned to launch its baseband chip in 2024 and let the low-end iPhone SE 4 adopt it first, and decide whether to let the iPhone 16 use its baseband chip depending on the development status of iPhone SE 4. However, the cancelation of the iPhone SE 4 has significantly increased the chances of Qualcomm remaining the exclusive supplier of baseband chips for the 2H24 new iPhone 16 series, which is better than the market consensus that Qualcomm will start losing iPhone orders in 2024.
Satechi today announced the launch of new accessories designed for Apple's devices, including a 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger and a Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub.
According to Satechi, the 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger is its most powerful charger to date, offering two USB-C PD 3.1 ports and four USB-C PD 3.0 ports, charging up to six devices at the same time. With power distribution management, the power provided to each port changes depending on the number of devices plugged in.
The PD 3.1 ports can provide up to 140W of power, suitable for Apple's largest 16-inch MacBook Pro model, but the power will vary based on what's being charged.
Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub offers three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports for daisychaining up to six Thunderbolt devices, along with a USB-A port and an upstream Thunderbolt 4 port that supports charging at up to 60W for connected devices.
With Thunderbolt 4 support, the hub offers transfer rates up to 40Gb/s. The three Thunderbolt 4 ports offer 15W charging for smartphones and tablets, along with the aforementioned fast transfer speeds, while the USB-A port supports transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s.
The hub is designed for Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 Macs that run macOS 11 and later, and it is able to support two 4K displays at 60Hz, one 8K display at 30Hz, or one 6K display on M1 and M2 Macs. It ships with a 100W power supply, which Satechi says will provide optimal power efficiency and distribution.
The 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger can be preordered from the Satechi website for $150, though there is a 20 percent "CES20" discount code available. It will begin shipping in the second quarter of 2023.
As a sign-up bonus, customers who open an Apple Card account between December 13 and January 31 via the apple.co/wsj promotional page and subscribe to The Wall Street Journal Digital for one year via subscribe.wsj.com/applecard will receive $55 Daily Cash to offset the full cost of the subscription and sales tax, according to Apple.
Customers must subscribe to The Wall Street Journal Digital within 60 days of the Apple Card account being opened in order to qualify for the $55 Daily Cash, which will be reflected on their Apple Cash balance after the transaction has posted to the account. The subscription plan automatically renews for $38.99 per month after the first year's promotional price until cancelled, so make sure to set a reminder to cancel if necessary.
Launched in 2019, the Apple Card remains available in the U.S. only. Apple's credit card can be managed completely through the Wallet app on the iPhone, with a physical version available for use at stores that do not accept contactless payments. The card has no fees beyond interest and offers up to 3% cashback in the form of Daily Cash.
It's been weeks since we tracked solid discounts on the Apple Watch Series 8, and today Amazon has introduced the first of such deals for 2023. Below you'll find sales on both 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 models, as well as a few Apple Watch Ultra markdowns.
Apple Watch Series 8
Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8, you can get the PRODUCT(RED) Aluminum version for $349.00, down from $399.00. This is a match for the all-time low price on this watch, and it's only available in (PRODUCT)RED as of writing.
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.
Moving to the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8, you can get (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum for $379.00, down from $429.00. Shipping on this one has been delayed into February, but it is another record low price that you can lock in today.
Lastly, the 45mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 8 is on sale for $479.00, down from $529.00 in a few colors: Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), Midnight, and Silver. This is another best-ever price, and most models are available to ship and deliver this month.
Numerous models of the Apple Watch Ultra have dropped to $749.00 today on Amazon, down from $799.00. This is just about $10 higher compared to the all-time low price we saw during the holidays on the Ultra, so it's a solid second-best price for January.
You'll find sales on Apple Watch Ultra with the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, all with various size options available. The best sale you'll find on any Ultra model this week is $50 off.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a tweet thread today that ongoing delays with development of Apple's mixed-reality headset have likely pushed mass shipment of the device back to the end of the second quarter or into the third quarter of this year.
As a result, Apple probably will not hold a January event to introduce the device as Kuo had predicted last June. Kuo now believes it is "more likely" the headset will be introduced at a spring media event or at WWDC in June.
(2/3) As a result, it is increasingly unlikely that Apple will hold a media event for the new device in January. At this point, it seems more likely that Apple will announce the AR/MR headset at a spring media event or WWDC based on the current development progress.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 6, 2023
Kuo says the development delays with the headset currently stem from "issues with mechanical drop testing and the availability of software development tools."
An extensive report from The Information earlier this week detailed a long list of features for the long-rumored device, including a Digital Crown-like dial for transitioning between virtual and physical view modes and potentially a waist-mounted battery pack.
The AirPods have been around since 2016, and at this point, there have been several iterations along with the launch of the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max. With three options available, you might be having some trouble figuring out which you should buy.
This guide walks through the different AirPods models that you can purchase right now, highlighting the similarities and the differences between them to help you pick the best option.
AirPods vs. Sony, Bose and Other Third-Party Options
First off, if you're curious why you should choose AirPods at all when there are so many headphone brands on the market, it's because AirPods offer the best integration with Apple's iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs.
There are features that third-party manufacturers cannot match, such as quick one-tap device pairing, one-tap switching with devices where you're logged in to your Apple ID, Spatial Audio for TV shows, movies, and music, Hey Siri integration, and Find My support for some models. If you have an Apple device, Apple-designed headphones are your best bet.
All AirPods models are wire-free and are designed to connect to your devices using Bluetooth.
Beats Headphones vs. AirPods
Apple owns the Beats by Dre brand, and there are several wireless earbud options that are competitive with AirPods, including the Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds, and Powerbeats Pro. These earbuds offer many of the same quick pairing and automatic switching features as the AirPods, and could be worth checking out if you prefer the Beats style and fit.
Beats earbuds are more fitness oriented than the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, with the Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats both aimed at those who need a more secure in-ear fit.
In-Ear AirPods vs. Over-Ear AirPods
There are two general types of AirPods, including the over-ear AirPods Max and the in-ear AirPods and AirPods Pro that are smaller and designed to fit in the outer ear. If you're looking for ear cups connected by a headband that are worn over the ears and on the head, the AirPods Max are the only option that Apple offers.
AirPods and AirPods Pro have a similar small earbud-like design, and the difference between them is that the AirPods Pro have silicone ear tips for a better sound seal, while the AirPods do not.
AirPods vs. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max - Noise Canceling
Aside from design, the major difference between the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max is noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max offer Active Noise Cancellation, and the lower-cost AirPods do not have noise cancelling capabilities.
AirPods 2 and 3 Overview
The first earbuds that Apple came out with were the AirPods, and as of now, there have been three iterations in total. The AirPods 3 are the most recent version, priced at $179, while the AirPods 2 are a prior-generation version available at a more affordable $129 price point.
When you think of AirPods, it's probably the AirPods 2 and 3 models that come to mind, as they feature Apple's tipless in-ear design with longer white stems that come down. Compared to AirPods 2, AirPods 3 feature a Force sensor for more music control gestures, Spatial Audio support with dynamic head tracking, better water resistance, longer battery life, improved sound quality, a better skin detection sensor for improved accuracy when pulling them out of your ears, and a MagSafe charging case (or Lightning, for a $10 discount).
If you can afford it, the AirPods 3 are enough of an upgrade over the AirPods 2 to justify the extra $50, and these are your quintessential earbuds perfect for yourself, kids, giving as gifts, and more. The AirPods were last refreshed in 2021, which was when Apple introduced the third-generation AirPods.
AirPods 3 Key Features:
In-ear design with vent system
Force sensor controls
H1 chip
MagSafe Charging Case with Find My
Spatial audio
Skin detect sensors
5 hours battery with Spatial Audio
24 hours listening time with charging case
IPX4 water/sweat resistance
Dual-beamforming microphones
Bottom Line: The AirPods 3 are Apple's iconic earbuds that have a universal comfortable fit for everyday use when listening to music, making calls, and more. They're simple, affordable, easy to use, and they pair perfectly with Apple devices.
The AirPods 2 are a more affordable version of the AirPods 3 but without MagSafe charging, and neither version of the AirPods feature noise cancellation, so if that's a feature you're looking for, you need to upgrade to AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro Overview
The AirPods Pro are Apple's newest earbuds, refreshed in September 2022. The second-generation AirPods Pro are Apple's in-ear noise cancelling earbuds, offering the ANC capabilities of the AirPods Max in an earbud size similar to the AirPods. Notably, the AirPods Pro have Adaptive Transparency, which lets you hear what's around you while drowning out extra loud sounds like sirens, noisy concerts, and more, which can damage hearing.
As Apple's newest product, the AirPods Pro feature an updated H2 chip with more advanced noise cancellation technologies, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and longer battery life. If you want small, portable earbuds that have noise cancellation features for everyday use, the AirPods Pro are the way to go. Apple sells the AirPods Pro for $250, a price that includes a MagSafe Charging Case.
Key Features:
In-ear design with silicone ear tips and vent system
Force sensors and touch-based controls
H2 chip
MagSafe Charging Case with Find My
Spatial audio
Skin detect sensors
5.5 hours listening time with Spatial Audio
30 hours listening time with charging case
IPX4 water/sweat resistance
Active Noise Cancellation
Adaptive Transparency
Dual-beamforming microphones
Lanyard loop
Bottom Line: If you want an in-ear form factor with Active Noise Cancellation, the AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds to pick up. Apple improved ANC this year compared to the original AirPods Pro, plus battery life has increased and there's now a MagSafe charging case that can charge via Lightning, MagSafe charger, Qi charger, or even an Apple Watch charger, so it's super versatile. The AirPods Pro are Apple's best in-ear earbuds.
AirPods Max Overview
The AirPods Max are Apple's first and only Apple-branded headphones that are designed to be worn over the ear. Offering higher quality audio than the AirPods or AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max are on par with over-ear options from companies like Sony and Bose.
The AirPods Max feature Active Noise Cancellation and a Digital Crown for volume adjustment, plus they have the longest battery life of any of the AirPods at 20 hours. There is no charging case, though, so there's no extra battery life. For over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are comfortable, but some users find them heavy and tight on the head, and they are not as universally comfortable as the AirPods or AirPods Pro for all people.
Apple has not updated the AirPods Max since 2020, and they are due for a refresh.
Key Features:
Over-ear design with magnetic ear cups
Aluminum build, padded headband
Noise control button, Digital Crown for volume adjustment
Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency
H1 chip
Position and case-detect sensor
Up to 20 hours listening time
Spatial Audio support
Three microphones for voice pickup
Smart Case preserves battery charge
Charges via Lightning
Bottom Line: For those looking for an over-ear headphone solution, the AirPods Max are worth picking up, though it is worth noting that the AirPods Max have not been updated since 2020 and so we could see a refresh soon. AirPods Max are similar to the AirPods Pro with Active Noise Cancellation, but with an over-ear fit. They're much larger than Apple's in-ear options, and have a high-quality aluminum build with comfortable fabric-covered ear cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AirPods Are Cheapest?
The prior-generation AirPods 2 are Apple's cheapest earbud option at $129, but they can sometimes be found on sale for under $100 from third-party retailers. They have many of the same features as the AirPods 3, but lack the Force sensor for additional gestures, Spatial Audio, and MagSafe charging case. Battery life is also lower.
If you don't need bells or whistles like Spatial Audio, the AirPods 2 can save you some money, but the AirPods 3 offer better sound quality, better voice quality for calls, and they work with Spatial Audio for TV shows, music, and movies.
Which AirPods Have the Best Noise Cancellation?
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods Max have Active Noise Cancellation functionality, but it differs somewhat because the AirPods Max are over-ear headphones and the AirPods Pro are in-ear.
The AirPods Pro 2 are newer and Apple introduced a more advanced Active Noise Cancellation technology. Both work to drown out typical noises that you might want to block like airplane sounds, fans, air conditioners, and road noise, but the AirPods Pro 2 require a good in-ear fit for the best noise cancellation, while the AirPods Max don't need much adjustment as over-ear headphones.
The best ANC is a matter of opinion and it's best to pick based on fit preference. If you want in-ear buds, get the AirPods Pro, but if you prefer larger over-ear headphones, it's best to go with AirPods Max.
Which AirPods Are Most Comfortable?
The AirPods Pro and the AirPods are both regarded as highly comfortable for most people with their ergonomic designs and included vents, but the AirPods Pro may have the edge because of the silicone tips.
Ears are all different, so it may be best to try out the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max in the store to see which is the best for you.
Which AirPods Have the Best Microphone Quality?
If you're getting AirPods primarily for phone calls, microphone quality may be a concern. Both the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro 2 have dual beamforming microphones so you sound clear to the person on the other end of the call, and call quality between the two is similar.
Noise cancelation in the AirPods Pro will block out more sound that you're hearing so you may be able to hear the person on the other end better, and the AirPods Pro have Bluetooth 5.3 vs. Bluetooth 5 for the AirPods 3, so there may be some sound improvements because of that. For the best possible sound quality, the most recent AirPods Pro 2 are ideal.
As for the AirPods Max, they have three microphones that are used for voice pickup, including two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and then one additional microphone. There are also multiple microphones for Active Noise Cancellation, so you can count on high quality sound for phone calls.
Which AirPods Have the Most Features?
The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple's newest AirPods and they have the most advanced feature set. There's next-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology, Adaptive Transparency for drowning out loud noises like sirens and construction work, a lanyard loop, a case with built-in speakers for locating them via Find My, and more.
If you want the newest and best AirPods, it's the AirPods Pro you're looking for. The AirPods were last updated in October 2021 and the AirPods Max haven't been updated since their December 2020 launch. We are expecting an AirPods Max update at some point in 2023 or 2024, which prospective buyers should be aware of.
Read More
We have dedicated roundups for all of the AirPods options, which go into much more detail on all of the available features.
Qualcomm today announced plans to bring satellite-based connectivity to next-generation Android smartphones, giving smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Google a way to compete with the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that Apple rolled out alongside the iPhone 14 models.
Snapdragon Satellite is a two-way satellite-based messaging solution provided through satellite company Iridium. Qualcomm says support for messaging using satellite connectivity will be built into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, with smartphones that use the technology set to come out starting in the second half of 2023.
Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon Satellite functionality will be used for emergency messages to begin with, similar to Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that is made available through a partnership with Globalstar. Qualcomm also mentions SMS texting and connectivity in remote, rural, and offshore locations as possible use cases for Snapdragon Satellite, suggesting that it may not be limited to use in emergencies in the future.
While Snapdragon Satellite will launch first in smartphones, Qualcomm says that it can also be used for laptops, tablets, vehicles, and IoT devices, with OEMs and app developers able to differentiate and offer unique branded services that use satellite connectivity.
Snapdragon Satellite will use the Iridium satellite constellation, which uses L-band spectrum that Iridium says is "more resilient to weather" than frequencies used by other networks. Android smartphones that adopt Snapdragon Satellite will still need a clear view of the sky to function, and messages can be sent in as little as 10 seconds with a solid connection.
In addition to working with Iridium, Qualcomm also plans to partner with Garmin to provide emergency response services for users. There is no word yet on how Iridium, Qualcomm, and Android smartphone makers plan to charge customers for satellite access.
The multi-day Consumer Electronics Show is continuing on this week and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera is in Las Vegas to check out all of the new products. Our day 2 roundup features new hardware from Dyson and LG, along with a handful of new Apple products shown off at the Pepcom event.
LG has a fancy new 97-inch TV that uses "zero connect" technology for wireless audio and video transmission. It only needs to be plugged into the wall, with all of the other components like set-top boxes, sound bars, and more able to be located elsewhere and transmitted to the TV wirelessly.
Dyson was showing off its $949 Dyson Zone headphones and personal air purifier, which looks absolutely ridiculous but offers great noise cancellation technology. The air purification visor is detachable and connects to the headphones via magnets, and Dyson intends for it to be used in situations where there's poor air quality, or a lot of crowds, like a subway.
Ember has a new mug with Find My support for tracking the cup down if it gets lost or misplaced, OtterBox demoed a portable MagSafe dock for the iPhone and Apple Watch, Eve showed off new roller shades, and OWC demoed the first Thunderbolt 4 dock with integrated power supply.
Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on the 2022 iPad Air, including all-time low prices on a Wi-Fi and a cellular model. These deals can only be found on Amazon, and stock is fluctuating for most of the tablets.
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.
Shoppers should note that for both of these sales, you will not see the correct deal price until you head to the checkout screen. At that point, Amazon will automatically apply the appropriate coupon so you can get these best-ever prices.
Starting with the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air, this model is back down to $499.99 at checkout, down from $599.00. This one is only available in Purple and Blue, and it's a match for the all-time low price on these colors.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Next is the 64GB cellular iPad Air for $649.99 at checkout, down from $749.00. This one is available in Purple, Blue, and Starlight, and it's another match for the best-ever prices seen on these colors last year.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
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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.
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.
