MacRumors

Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, including both the Lightning and USB-C versions. The firmware has a build number of 7A294, up from 6F8, and it is available for all ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 users. Apple has been beta testing this update, but it is launching ahead of when iOS 18 becomes available next Monday.

There are multiple features that Apple is adding to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 as part of ‌iOS 18‌, and these features are included in the firmware update.

With head gestures, users can control Siri on the ‌AirPods Pro‌ with a shake or a nod of the head. If you get a phone call, for example, you can shake your head no if you don't want to answer it, or nod to accept the call. ‌Siri‌ interactions can be used for responding to incoming messages, calls, and notifications.

Apple is adding Voice Isolation to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ to cut down on loud background sounds to make you easier to hear, and there is a new Personalized Spatial Audio feature specific to gaming. Game developers will be able to incorporate spatial audio into their games for a more immersive audio experience.

Apple doesn't have a way to manually upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air when the AirPods are in a charging case and connected to an iOS device or Mac.

Though there were rumors that the Apple Watch Series 10 would get a new heart and ECG sensor, that does not appear to have happened. According to the technical specifications for the Apple Watch Series 10, it is equipped with a third-generation optical heart sensor, which is the same sensor that was used in the prior-generation Series 9.

Apple also made no mention of the heart rate sensor during yesterday's event, and there is no information about any kind of upgrade on the Apple Watch Series 10 product page.

The rumor, shared by 9to5Mac, said the alleged upgraded heart sensor would "unlock new features and provide more accurate results." The site said that it would enable sleep apnea detection, but as Apple explained yesterday, sleep apnea detection actually uses the accelerometer. Sleep apnea detection did not require an upgrade to the heart sensor, and it is in fact also being added to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which have the same third-generation heart sensor as the Series 10.

Apple was working on blood pressure monitoring for the Series 10, but the feature was not ready in time for the device's launch. Apple did not introduce health features other than the ability to detect sleep apnea.

A new design is the main focus of the Series 10, and it is thinner and lighter than prior Apple Watch models. It does have a new water temperature sensor, depth sensor, Oceanic+ app for snorkeling, and Tides app, which brings it closer in functionality to the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌.

There were rumors of improved water resistance that would allow the Series 10 to be used with high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep, but Apple did not update the Apple Watch Series 10's water resistance. It continues to have a water resistance rating of 50 meters, and while it can be used for shallow-water activities like snorkeling or swimming in a pool, Apple still warns against using it for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

The Apple Watch Series 10 models are available for pre-order right now and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 20.

Apple has been gradually transitioning its products from Lightning to USB-C in recent years. For example, the charging cases for both new AirPods 4 models unveiled this week, and the revised AirPods Max, are now equipped with a USB-C port. In addition, Apple discontinued the iPhone 13 this week, and that device has a Lightning port.

The list of Apple devices and accessories that are still sold with the 12-year-old Lightning port or connector continues to shrink, and it is now as follows:

• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE
• Magic Keyboard (Mac)
• Magic Mouse
• Magic Trackpad
  

• First-generation Apple Pencil

A new iPhone SE with a USB-C port is rumored to launch next year, while the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus should be discontinued next September. The first-generation Apple Pencil will likely be discontinued at some point too, and the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad trio of accessories for the Mac should be updated with USB-C ports eventually. Beyond legacy cables and adapters, the Lightning era will then finally be over at Apple.

The iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are Apple's latest flagship devices, offering over 45 changes and improvements compared to their predecessors. Here's everything that's changed.

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is an incremental update in some respects, but there are still some important improvements to consider. Key enhancements include larger displays with thinner borders, faster and more efficient chips, and camera advancements like the new Camera Control button. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ also boasts extended battery life, faster MagSafe charging, and improved audio recording capabilities.

This comparison guides you through each area of improvement, from design changes to technical enhancements, helping you decide if the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is worth the upgrade.

Design and Displays

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ builds on the iPhone 15 Pro's design by introducing several key enhancements, particularly in the display and materials. While both models feature a premium titanium frame, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ comes with a new blasted titanium finish that offers a more refined texture. One of the most noticeable changes is the larger display size, with the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ increasing to 6.3 inches and the Pro Max to 6.9 inches, while also reducing the borders by 30%. The minimum brightness has been improved to just 1 nit, making the display better suited for low-light environments.

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ also features a next-generation Ceramic Shield front glass that's twice as strong as the one on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. Apple has improved thermal management in the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌, leading to a 20% boost in heat dissipation, which helps sustain performance during demanding tasks. A new Desert Titanium color replaces the previous Blue Titanium option, and the other colors are slightly tweaked too.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
Brushed titanium frame	Blasted titanium frame
iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch display iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7-inch display	iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch display
	30% thinner borders around the display
~2–4 nits minimum brightness	1 nit minimum brightness
	More power efficient display
Ceramic Shield front glass	Next-generation Ceramic Shield front glass (2x stronger)
	Camera Control capacitive button with sapphire crystal cover
	Improved thermal design for 20% improvement in heat management and better performance
Available in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Blue Titanium finishes	Available in darker Black Titanium, brighter White Titanium, lighter Natural Titanium, and new Desert Titanium finishes
	Slimmer, fully recycled packaging

The design and display changes between the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ are subtle. The most significant difference is perhaps 30% thinner bezels, which enables a slightly larger screen without making the device feel significantly bigger. For everyday users, these design and display changes may not feel like a game-changer, but some may appreciate better durability, lower brightness for nighttime use, or the new Desert Titanium finish.

Dimensions

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models introduces slight increases in height, width, and weight compared to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models. The changes in size are minimal, with the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ being 2.05% taller and 1.27% wider, while the Pro Max version sees similar small adjustments. The biggest change is in weight, where the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is 6.42% heavier than the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, which may be noticeable in hand, especially for users sensitive to weight.

	‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
Height	iPhone 15 Pro: 146.6 mm (5.77 inches) iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 mm (6.29 inches)	iPhone 16 Pro: 149.6 mm (5.89 inches) (+2.05%) iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163 mm (6.42 inches) (+1.94%)
Width	iPhone 15 Pro: 70.6 mm (2.78 inches) iPhone 15 Pro Max: 76.7 mm (3.02 inches)	iPhone 16 Pro: 71.5 mm (2.81 inches) (+1.27%) iPhone 16 Pro Max: 77.6 mm (3.06 inches) (+1.17%)
Weight	iPhone 15 Pro: 187 grams (6.60 ounces) iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 grams (7.81 ounces)	iPhone 16 Pro: 199 grams (7.03 ounces) (+6.42%) iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams (7.99 ounces) (+2.71%)

The dimension changes are unlikely to be significant for most users, but those who prioritize portability and lightweight design may find the added 12 grams on the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ more noticeable. That said, the slightly larger frame does accommodate a bigger display and better heat management, which could be worth the trade-off for users who value those enhancements. If you're upgrading from an older, smaller device, these changes may stand out more, but for ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro users, the physical differences are minor.

Chip and Connectivity

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌'s A18 Pro chip is a moderate upgrade over the A17 Pro in the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, thanks to its use of TSMC's N3E enhanced 3nm process. This newer process improves both performance and power efficiency, making the A18 Pro 15% faster in CPU performance and 20% faster in GPU tasks. The real leap comes with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which is now 2x faster, allowing for more realistic lighting and reflections in games and other graphic-intensive applications. Additionally, the 16-core Neural Engine in the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ benefits from 17% more memory bandwidth, improving AI tasks.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
A17 Pro chip (TSMC's "N3B" first-generation ‌3nm‌ process)	A18 Pro chip (TSMC's "N3E" second-generation, enhanced ‌3nm‌ process)
6-core CPU	6-core CPU (15% faster performance)
6-core GPU	6-core GPU (20% faster performance and 2x faster hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
16-core Neural Engine	16-core Neural Engine (17% more memory bandwidth)
	Enhanced video encoding capabilities, supporting twice the data processing
Wi‑Fi 6E	Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO
Snapdragon X70 5G modem	Snapdragon X75 5G modem

In terms of connectivity, the jump to Wi-Fi 7 offers faster speeds and lower latency, especially in crowded networks, while the newer Snapdragon X75 5G modem improves signal strength and power efficiency, ensuring better connectivity in various conditions.

The A18 Pro is built to handle more intensive tasks such as video encoding. While the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro remains extremely powerful for everyday use, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is simply more capable and future-proof for the demands of upcoming advancements in AI and connectivity.

Cameras

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ brings a series of targeted improvements to its camera system, focusing on refining both hardware and software to enhance performance in specific areas. Key upgrades include faster sensor technology, increased ultra wide resolution, expanded video capabilities, and the dedicated Capture Control button.

Rear Cameras and Photography Capabilities

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ takes photography to the next level with several significant enhancements over the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. While both models feature a 48-megapixel main camera, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ introduces a Fusion camera with a second-generation quad-pixel sensor, providing faster readout speeds and zero shutter lag for quicker, more responsive shooting. The biggest leap is in the Ultra Wide camera, which now matches the main sensor's resolution with 48 megapixels, offering better detail and low-light-performance, especially in macro shots.

The optical zoom options have been standardized across both models with 5x zoom available on the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ as well, not just the Pro Max. This benefits users who rely on long-range photography, providing more flexibility. New features like enhanced depth mapping improve overall image clarity and background separation, particularly in portrait photography and augmented reality experiences. For the first time, Apple has also introduced JPEG-XL format support, which provides higher-quality images with better compression.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
48-megapixel Main camera	48-megapixel Fusion camera
First-generation quad-pixel sensor	Second-generation quad-pixel sensor with faster readout speeds and zero shutter lag
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera	48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera
iPhone 15 Pro: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x optical zoom options iPhone 15 Pro Max: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom options	0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom options
Macro photography	48-megapixel macro photography
	Support for new JPEG-XL format
Photo­graphic Styles	Next-generation Photo­graphic Styles
Depth mapping for AR and portrait photography	Enhanced depth mapping for AR and portrait photography, allowing for more accurate background and subject separation, more realistic bokeh, and better AR experiences.
	Visual Intelligence, allowing users to pull up contextual information about objects or scenes in front of the camera (such as restaurant details or product info)
	Camera Control button features: Launch the Camera App: Pressing the Camera Control button immediately opens the camera app. Capture Photos: A single press of the button captures a photo, providing a quick and tactile way to take pictures. Record Videos: A press and hold action allows you to start recording a video. Half-Press for Focus and Exposure (upcoming feature): A light, half-press will lock focus and exposure, allowing you to reframe the shot without losing focus. Trackpad-Like Control: The capacitive sensor on the button acts like a trackpad, enabling gestures to control zoom, cycle through filters, or switch between lenses by sliding your finger across the button. Third-Party App Integration: The Camera Control button can also be used to trigger third-party camera apps, giving more flexibility to users who prefer other photography tools. Camera Function Overlay: A light touch gesture reveals a clean preview and quick access to key camera controls like zoom or exposure settings. Visual Intelligence Activation: The Camera Control button is integrated with Visual Intelligence, allowing users to pull up contextual information about objects or scenes in front of the camera

The improvements in the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌'s camera system make it a compelling option for photography enthusiasts. The new Fusion camera and zero shutter lag will be particularly appreciated by users who need to capture fast-moving subjects or quickly switch between shots. The 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera brings much better low-light and macro capabilities. Features like the Camera Control button and Visual Intelligence add new levels of interactivity, letting users pull up information about objects in the scene and gain easier, more intuitive control over how they capture and frame their photos. For those who rely heavily on their camera, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ offers some meaningful upgrades, even though the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro remains highly capable.

Video Recording

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ brings substantial upgrades to video recording, particularly in terms of frame rates and video quality. While the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro supports 4K recording at standard frame rates of 24, 30, and 60 fps, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ introduces 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 120 fps. This provides far smoother motion and more detailed slow-motion effects. For those who work with high-quality video content, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌'s ability to record in 4K ProRes at 120 fps (with external storage) offers a significant leap over the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro's 4K at 60 fps.

Another standout improvement is the support for slo-mo video at 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps, offering both sharper and more dynamic slow-motion footage. The 1080p slo-mo capabilities have also been improved to support frame rates up to 240 fps.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, with playback speed controls	4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, 100 fps (Fusion) or 120 fps (Fusion)
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps	1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps, or 120 fps (Fusion)
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording	ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording
Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps	Slo-mo video support for 1080p up to 240 fps and 4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fps (Fusion)

The video recording upgrades on the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ are especially relevant for content creators and videographers. The addition of 4K at 120 fps allows for more professional-grade slow-motion and cinematic video effects, which is a significant improvement over the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. With the ability to shoot in Dolby Vision across a wider range of frame rates and resolutions, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is now an even more versatile video production tool. However, for casual users, these improvements may be less meaningful.

Front Camera

While both the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ support 4K video recording at 24, 25, 30, and 60 fps, the latest model upgrades to 4K Dolby Vision recording across all frame rates, delivering more dynamic range and color accuracy for front-facing videos. This makes the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ a better option for users who frequently shoot high-quality video content like vlogs, video calls, or social media clips.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps	4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps
1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps	1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps
Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps	Cinematic mode up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps
QuickTake video	QuickTake video (up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision HDR)

Audio Recording

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ introduces some significant upgrades in audio recording capabilities, designed to complement its camera system. While the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro offered stereo recording, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ elevates this with Spatial Audio support, which enhances sound depth and immersion, especially for playback in Apple Vision Pro. Additionally, the inclusion of a studio-quality four-mic array improves overall sound clarity, making it a more capable device for capturing professional-level audio.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
Stereo recording	Spatial Audio and stereo recording
	Studio-quality four-mic array
	Wind noise reduction
	Audio Mix

Battery and Charging

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ sees a meaningful increase in battery life compared to its predecessor, with the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ offering up to 27 hours of battery life, a 17.39% improvement over the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. The new Pro Max follows a similar trend, providing 33 hours, which is 13.79% more than its predecessor. In addition to extended battery life, ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging has been enhanced from 15W to 25W, delivering a 66.67% increase in charging speed when using a 30W adapter or higher.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro	‌iPhone 16 Pro‌
iPhone 15 Pro: Up to 23 hours of battery life iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to 29 hours of battery life	iPhone 16 Pro: Up to 27 hours of battery life (+17.39%) iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to 33 hours of battery life (+13.79%)
‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 15W with 20W adapter or higher	‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher (+66.67%)

Release Date

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will be available for pre-order starting on Friday, September 13, 2024, with the official launch and availability in stores beginning Friday, September 20, 2024.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

When comparing the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, it's clear that the upgrades are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The changes, while meaningful in specific areas like display size, processing power, and camera capabilities, may not offer a compelling reason to upgrade for all users, particularly those who already own the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro.

Many of the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌'s improvements, such as the slightly larger display with thinner borders and more efficient A18 Pro chip, are beneficial but incremental. For users who are deeply invested in mobile gaming, AI, or content creation, the processing boost and video capabilities will be welcome, especially for future-proofing. Similarly, the addition of the Camera Control button offers more granular control and improved responsiveness in photography, making it a worthy upgrade for photography enthusiasts or professionals.

However, for the average user who just relies on their iPhone for day-to-day tasks, these upgrades may feel less impactful. The increase in battery life and faster ‌MagSafe‌ charging are practical improvements, but likely not substantial enough to drive most users toward upgrading from the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro.

In essence, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is a solid refinement of an already exceptional device, but for users with the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, the differences might not be significant enough to justify an upgrade. Those who will benefit most from the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ are users who are still using older models, content creators who need the best mobile video and audio tools, or those looking to future-proof their device for AI and graphics-heavy applications. For ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro owners, unless you fall into these categories, holding off for a more substantial leap in future models may be the more practical decision.

AirPods Max received a disappointingly minor update this week, to the point that many customers who already own the headphones might not see the value in spending another $549 just for a USB-C charging port and new color options.

If you want to change up your AirPods Max at a lower cost, however, ear cushion sets in the new Blue, Orange, Purple, Midnight, and Starlight color options are available to purchase on a standalone basis for $69 on Apple's online store. Apple says the ear cushions are compatible with both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Max.

This will inevitably lead to some quirky color combinations, such as AirPods Max with a red headband and purple ear cushions. Have fun!

Samsung is hosting a new Discover Samsung sale to celebrate the impending fall season. The popular Smart Monitor M80D is being discounted during this sale, but you'll also find sales on storage, audio, TVs, smartphones, and wearable tech.

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

Samsung has its new 32-inch Smart Monitor M80D on sale today for $499.99, down from $699.99, which is a second-best price on the monitor. The display retains key features of the previous model, like USB-C charging connectivity, AirPlay 2 support, an integrated webcam, and several smart TV features that enable it to be used when not connected to a PC.

In terms of new features, the M80D includes a Multi Control feature that allows images and text to be moved between the display and a Galaxy Book, Tablet, or Phone. You can also pair Galaxy Buds to the monitor for a spatial audio experience with head tracking, as well as guided workouts when paired with a Galaxy Watch.

Monitors

• 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,299.99
• 34-inch OLED Curved Smart Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,199.99
• 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,099.99, down from $1,799.99
• 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,799.99, down from $2,999.99
• 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,599.99, down from $2,499.99

TVs

• The Frame TV - Save up to $1,700
• 70-inch QLED 4K QE1C TV - $989.99, down from $1,799.99
• 55-inch Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $1,099.99, down from $1,499.99
• 55-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV - $1,099.99, down from $1,999.99
• 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,499.99, down from $2,599.99
• 85-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $2,599.99, down from $4,799.99

Galaxy Products

• Galaxy Z Fold6 - Save up to $1,500 with trade-in credit
• Galaxy Z Flip6 - Save up to $800 with trade-in credit
• Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $350
• Galaxy Buds3 Pro - Save up to $130

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

While the AirPods Max were updated this week, some fans of Apple's over-ear headphones have expressed disappointment about the lack of major changes.

There are only two changes with the updated AirPods Max: a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning, and new color options, including Blue, Orange, Purple, Midnight, and Starlight. The headphones did not receive Apple's H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 a few years ago, meaning that they will continue to miss out on Adaptive Audio features, and there are no improvements to active noise cancellation either.

Apple first released the AirPods Max in December 2020, so the headphones are nearly four years old and continue to have the H1 chip from 2019.

The updated AirPods Max can be pre-ordered now and launch on Friday, September 20, with U.S. pricing remaining set at $549. Competing over-ear headphones include the Sony XM5, Sonos Ace, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, for customers who may consider alternatives after the AirPods Max failed to receive any major changes this week.

While it has been rumored that the MacBook Pro will eventually get an OLED display, two analysts believe that change won't happen next year.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and display industry analyst Ross Young today both predicted that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will continue to use mini-LED displays in 2025. This lines up with previous rumors that have claimed the MacBook Pro will switch to OLED display technology as early as 2026.

Compared to current MacBook Pro models with LCD screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more. The switch to OLED displays could also contribute to future MacBook Pro models having a thinner design.

The next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips are rumored to be announced in October, with no design changes expected. Apple last redesigned the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2021, and the latest models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips were released last October.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today predicted that an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and an Apple Watch SE 3 will be released in 2025.

Nearly a year ago, Kuo predicted that there might not be an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, and that prediction appears to be accurate. The only new Apple Watch announced during Apple's event yesterday was the Apple Watch Series 10, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 received a Satin Black color option and the Apple Watch SE was not updated.

All in all, it looks like customers will have to wait until next September for the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE models.

The European Union's Court of Justice today said it has confirmed the European Commission's 2016 decision that Ireland had given illegal tax benefits worth €13 billion to Apple from 1991 to 2014. This is a final ruling, so Ireland is now required to recover these funds, which were placed into an escrow account by Apple around six years ago.

In 2020, the European Union's General Court reversed the Commission's decision, as it found that the Commission had not sufficiently established that Apple had received preferential treatment in Ireland. On appeal, the Court of Justice has now set aside the General Court's judgment, meaning that the Commission's decision is now upheld.

Ireland's government had sided with Apple in its attempt to appeal the decision, but today it said it will "respect" the Court of Justice's findings and recover the €13 billion from Apple that is considered to be illegal state aid.

“We are disappointed with today's decision as previously the General Court reviewed the facts and categorically annulled this case," said Apple, in response to the Court of Justice's ruling. "There has never been a special deal," added Apple.

"Today is a big win for European citizens and for tax justice," said the European Union's competition chief Margrethe Vestager.

The 2016 Decision

Following a three-year inquiry, the European Commission in 2016 found that Apple paid between 0.005% and 1% in taxes in Ireland between 2003 and 2014, compared to the country's headline 12.5% corporate tax rate during that period.

Here is how Vestager explained the scheme in her remarks today:

These tax rulings attributed the bulk of taxable profits - of two Irish subsidiaries of Apple - to stateless "head offices". These head offices existed only on paper. No tables, no chairs, no activities. The profits were thus not taxed anywhere. As an example, in 2011, one of Apple's Irish subsidiaries recorded profits of approximately 16 billion euros. Of these, thanks to the tax rulings, only around 50 million euros were taxable in Ireland. So, this subsidiary paid less than 10 million euros of taxes in Ireland in 2011 - an effective tax rate of about 0.05% of these overall annual profits.

At the time, Apple CEO Tim Cook described the accusations as "total political crap," and he said the 0.005% tax rate was a "false number."

Ireland's government today said it has already changed its laws regarding the attribution of profits to branches of non-resident companies operating in the country. It said the laws that applied to Apple are no longer in force.

Update - 6:09 a.m. Pacific Time: In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today, Apple said it "expects to record a one-time income tax charge in its fourth fiscal quarter ending September 28, 2024, of up to approximately $10 billion."

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple today held the "It's Glowtime" fall event to debut new iPhone 16 models, a new version of the Apple Watch, new AirPods, and more. It took Apple more than an hour and a half to introduce the new devices, but we've recapped everything in a quick 13 minute video for our readers who want a short but detailed overview of what's new.

We've also rounded up our full event coverage, so make sure to take a look at our articles to avoid missing any key details about Apple's updated devices.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

• Apple Announces iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with Larger Displays, New Camera Control, and More
• iPhone 16 Models Can Charge at Up to 25W Using MagSafe
• iPhone 16 Pro Max Has Longest Ever iPhone Battery Life at 33 Hours
• iPhone 16 Pro Models Weigh Slightly More Than iPhone 15 Pro Models
• iPhone 16 Pro Still Starts at 128GB Storage, Maxes Out at 1TB
• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Pre-Orders Start Friday, September 13
• Here's What the New iPhone 16 Camera Control Button Can Do
• iPhone 16 Pro Supports JPEG-XL Format
• iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Have Same Feature Set Aside From Display Size and Battery

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

• Apple Announces iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus With Action Button, Camera Control, and More
• All iPhone 16 Models Support Wi-Fi 7
• All iPhone 16 Models Sold Outside U.S. Still Have Physical SIM Card Tray
• All iPhone 16 Models Equipped With 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence
• Faster mmWave 5G Still Limited to U.S. iPhone 16 Models
• iPhone 16 USB-C Limited to USB 2, No Change for 16 Pro Either
• You Can Now 'Get Ready' for iPhone 16 Launch With Pre-Order Setup

Apple Watch Series 10

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

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 Gets Satin Black Finish, Titanium Milanese Loop, and Hermès Model
• Apple Today Announced These Four New Features Are Coming to Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2
• No Refresh for Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch SE as Apple Focuses on Series 10

AirPods 4

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

Software

• iOS 18.1 Available in October With Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro and Newer
• iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and More Launching on September 16
• Apple Seeds iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Release Candidates to Developers
• Apple Seeds macOS Sequoia Release Candidate to Developers
• Apple Seeds watchOS 11 Release Candidate to Developers
• Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of tvOS 18 to Developers
• Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of visionOS 2 to Developers
• iOS 18 Has New Option to Pause Video Recording

Cases and Accessories

• Apple Discontinues FineWoven Cases, Offers Silicone and Plastic for iPhone 16 Models
• Apple's Beats Brand Debuts New Cases for iPhone 16 Lineup
• Apple's New Powerbeats Pro 2 Will Measure Heart Rate From Your Ears
• Apple Introduced These Six New Apple Watch Bands and Almost 40 New Band Colors Today
• Apple Continues to Sell EarPods Following iPhone 16 Event Contrary to Last-Minute Rumor
• AirPods Pro 2 to Gain Hearing Protection, Testing, and Aid Features

Other Announcements

• Apple Discontinues iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 13
• Apple Updates AirPods Max With USB-C Port and New Colors
• Apple Announces Expanded Satellite Services for UK and Canada

The Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 can be pre-ordered as of today. Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will start on Friday, September 13. All of the new devices will launch on Friday, September 20.

Following the debut of the iPhone 16, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max, Apple has started letting customers prepare for pre-orders, which are set to begin on Friday, September 13 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

If you plan to buy an ‌iPhone 16‌, you can use the Apple Store app or Apple's website to choose a preferred phone, confirm your status with your carrier, add accessories, choose an AppleCare+ plan, and add a preferred payment method ahead of when pre-orders go live. Payment in full and other payment options are supported.

iPhone Upgrade Program members are able to choose their preferred ‌iPhone 16‌ model and complete pre-approval steps that include checking upgrade eligibility, securing credit lines, and confirming shipping details.

Apple has offered a "Get Ready" feature for several years now, providing customers with a streamlined way to pre-order their iPhones with the tap of a button.

Pricing on the ‌iPhone 16‌ starts at $799, while the ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus is priced at $899. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is available starting at $999, and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max is available starting at $1,199.

Following the September 13 pre-orders, the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will launch on Friday, September 20.

Though pre-launch Apple Watch rumors suggested that Apple would update its entire Apple Watch lineup this year, Apple ended up focusing primarily on the Apple Watch Series 10. We didn't get a new Apple Watch SE or a new Apple Watch Ultra 3, with Apple only adding a new color option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

As late as last Friday, rumors pointed toward refreshes for the standard Apple Watch, the ‌Apple Watch SE‌, and the Apple Watch Ultra. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, for example, said in his Friday "Everything to Expect" article that all three models would get an update.

For the first time in two years, the company is preparing to update all of its Apple Watch models at once. There will be a new low-end Apple Watch SE, a mid-level Series 10 model and an Ultra 3.

Late last night, Gurman changed his prediction and said that Apple would not introduce an Apple Watch Ultra 3 model, and he suggested there could be a "delay" for a new ‌Apple Watch SE‌.

It's likely the addition of a new black color for the Ultra 2 was mistaken for an Ultra 3, as Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also flip flopped on the possibility of a new Ultra model earlier in the year.

Though the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌ is Apple's most expensive Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 10 now has a superior LTPO3 OLED display with wider-angle viewing and a faster S10 chip, plus it gained the previously Ultra exclusive temperature sensor, depth gauge, and Depth app. Apple also released a titanium version of the Series 10, using the material that once made the Apple Watch Ultra unique.

The new sleep apnea detection health feature is not a Series 10 exclusive, and it will be available on the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌ and the Apple Watch Series 9, with Apple also bringing the new Tides app to the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌. The changes mean the Ultra 2 and Series 10 are much closer in terms of feature set, though there are still some areas where the Ultra has an edge, such as diving and battery life. The Ultra 2 still has twice the battery life of the Series 10.

With the new Apple Watch Ultra color, it's likely we're not going to see a new version of the device until September 2025. As for the ‌Apple Watch SE‌, it's possible Apple could release that earlier, timing it with the iPhone SE 4 launch instead of waiting until September of next year to debut it.

Apple discontinued the Series 9 when it introduced the Series 10, so the Apple Watch lineup now includes the Series 10, the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌, and the ‌Apple Watch SE‌.

With iOS 18, Apple is adding a new option that will let you pause a video in the middle of a recording, providing an option for capturing multiple shots in a single video rather than having to start and stop new videos each time.

When you start a video in ‌iOS 18‌, you'll see a new pause button on the left side. Pressing it pauses the video, and pressing the button again unpauses. You can still stop a video at any time using the middle stop button.

Apple added the new video pausing feature in the ‌iOS 18‌ release candidate that was provided to developers and public beta testers today.

It's likely that pausing and recording video will be a feature of the Camera Control button that's included on all of the iPhone 16 models.

‌iOS 18‌ is set to be released on Monday, September 16, while the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will launch on Friday, September 20.

There are no major differentiating features between the two Pro iPhone models this year, with Apple aiming for feature parity between the iPhone 16 Pro and the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max.

Last year, the iPhone 15 Pro Max was updated with a 5x Telephoto lens that used Tetraprism technology, but the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro was limited to 3x zoom. This year, Apple has made improvements that allow both models to offer the 5x Telephoto lens.

Some pre-launch ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ rumors suggested that Apple might introduce a new camera sensor that was exclusive to the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max, or a new super zoom feature, but that did not happen. Both models have the same 48-megapixel "Fusion" camera with f/1.78 aperture, as well as the same 12-megapixel Telephoto lens with f/2.8 aperture. Both models were also upgraded with a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera that lets in more light and supports better quality macro photos.

With the same camera technology included in both ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models, the only difference comes down to display size, starting storage capacity, and battery life. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ starts at 128GB of storage, while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max starts at 256GB of storage with no 128GB option available. Both can be upgraded to 1TB of total storage.

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ has a 6.3-inch display, while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max has a 6.9-inch display. As for battery life, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ lasts for up to 27 hours when playing video, while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max lasts for up to 33 hours.

Both of the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models will be available for pre-order this Friday.

The iPhone 16 Pro models will support the JPEG-XL file format, according to code found in iOS 18. Compared to JPEG, JPEG-XL has improved compression for smaller file sizes.

Apple did not mention JPEG-XL support during today's event, but this feature was rumored ahead of the iPhone 16 launch. It appears that the Pro models will support capturing images in JPEG-XL.

Compared to the HEIC format that Apple introduced several years ago, JPEG-XL supports both lossy and lossless compression. HEIC is a lossy format, and while it retains better quality than JPG images, pros will likely prefer JPEG-XL for zero image degradation. HEIC has never gained wide support, which has hindered its usefulness.

HEIC will still be available alongside JPEG, JPEG-XL, and other formats.

Apple began transitioning to USB-C instead of Lightning with the launch of the iPhone 15 lineup, and USB-C is also used for charging for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple did not improve connectivity speeds with the USB-C port in any of the new models, maintaining the status quo.

The ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus continue to have USB 2 transfer speeds of up to 480Mb/s, while the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max feature USB 3 transfer speeds up to 10Gb/s. 480Mb/s is the same transfer speed that the Lightning port supported.

During today's event, Apple mentioned faster USB 3 speeds when discussing the A18 Pro, which implied that it would be faster than the A17 Pro. It looks like Apple instead was comparing the A18 Pro to the A18 in that instance, ultimately highlighting a feature that was already present in the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models.

Despite the confusing wording, technical specifications for the new ‌iPhone 16‌ models suggest Apple has not made changes to any USB-C transfer speeds. Note that taking advantage of the 10Gb/s transfer speeds in the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max requires an appropriate 10Gb/s USB-C cable.

Apple's iPad Pro models, which also have a USB-C port, support Thunderbolt transfer speeds of up to 40Gb/s.

Apple today announced the latest lineup of iPhones, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Pre-orders for these devices begin September 13, and if you plan on ordering from a cellular carrier in the United States, there will be plenty of options for discounts from the major carriers.

AT&T is offering the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at no cost with eligible trade-in, and the iPhone 16 Plus for up to $830 off with eligible trade-in. Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available at up to $1,000 off with eligible trade-in.

If you plan on signing up for AT&T Fiber you'll also be eligible to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max at no extra cost. AT&T will also have the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 available for order this Friday, but the carrier hasn't detailed any offers on those devices yet.

T-Mobile's offers are nearly identical to AT&T. You can get the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro at no cost when you trade in an old device and purchase the new device on an eligible unlimited plan. Otherwise, you can get the iPhone 16 Plus for up to 830 off and the iPhone 16 Pro Max for up to $1,000 off, both with eligible trade-in on unlimited plans.

Additionally, customers can get $200 back for every new line added to a Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plan (up to four times). Families can also get four iPhone 16 models at no cost and four new voice lines for $25/line when trading in four eligible devices.

For Apple Watches at T-Mobile, if you buy any new Apple Watch device, you can get $300 off a second model when adding a new watch line to your plan.

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.