MacRumors

Later this week, Apple will launch the Apple Watch Ultra, a more rugged, capable smartwatch aimed at explorers, adventurers, and athletes. One of the many unique features of the $799 watch is the addition of a third button called the Action button. This article previews what you'll be able to do with it.

Location of the Action Button

Colored in "International Orange," the indented, pill-shaped Action button is located beside the display on the left side of the Apple Watch Ultra's titanium case, in between the dual speakers and the siren.

Activating the Siren

Pressing and holding the Action button will activate the built-in 86-decibel siren, which can be heard from up to 600 feet (180 meters) away, and is meant to be used to attract help during an emergency.

Custom Actions

The Action button is also customizable, meaning it can perform whatever function the user configures for it. Apple Watch Ultra users are able to choose an initial function for the Action button when they set up their device. Later, they can adjust this choice in Settings, where a new section lists apps that support the button.

Apple's examples of what the button can be configured to do include starting Backtrack (which uses GPS data to create a path of where you've been so you can retrace your steps), starting a workout, and beginning a dive.

The Action button can also be assigned to system-level functions, like turning the Flashlight on and off, marking a Compass Waypoint, or starting the Stopwatch. In addition, Apple Watch Ultra users can pause the current function by pressing the Action and Side buttons together.

Assigning Shortcuts

Because the Action button is powered by the new App Intents APIs that Apple released at WWDC in June, Apple Watch Ultra users will be also able to assign Shortcuts to it, bringing huge potential for customization, like the ability to control smart home accessories.

Assigning a dedicated Shortcut to the Action button could also pave the way for additional, adaptive functionality. For instance, Shortcuts with location- or time-based actions could allow the Action button to perform different functions throughout the day.

Multifunction Use With Subsequent Presses

Depending on what app the Action button is being used to control, Apple Watch Ultra users will in some cases be able to choose additional actions for subsequent presses.

Apple envisions people using the Action button without looking at the screen, so a subsequent button press should flow logically from the first press, while also making sense in the current context.

For example, a workout app might let the user start a triathlon with the first button press and switch to another segment with a subsequent press.

It's worth noting however that apps won't be able to assign functions to a long press of the Action button, since watchOS 9 reserves this interaction for the emergency SOS feature.

Final Thoughts

Apple's decision to add a third physical control to the Apple Watch Ultra in the form of the Action button doesn't just allow quick access to a range of system-provided functions. It also hands a new tool to third-party developers that will enable them to bring key app features to users at the press of a button.

Whether Apple intends to bring the Action button to its more affordable Apple Watch Series models in the future is an intriguing question, the answer to which may depend on just how versatile and indispensable it proves to be in the hands of Ultra users.

Priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra is available in a single 49mm size, with Trail, Ocean, and Alpine band options available. The new smartwatch can be pre-ordered now and launches alongside the second-generation AirPods Pro this coming Friday, September 23. For more on the Apple Watch Ultra's design and features, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.

The iPhone 14 Pro features faster 5G speeds on the T-Mobile and Verizon networks in the United States compared to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, largely thanks to a new 5G modem in the latest iPhones.

The test by SpeedSmart shows that the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro reached average 5G speeds of 255.91 Mbps for downloads on T-Mobile compared to 173.81 Mbps on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro. On Verizon, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro reached average 5G download speeds of 175.56 Mbps versus 126.33 Mbps for last year's ‌iPhone‌.

The improvements in average 5G speeds on ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models are thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X65 modem, offering faster speeds, improved latency, and lower energy consumption.

Apple today announced that, as early as October 5, prices of App Store apps and in-app purchases will increase in all countries and territories that use the euro. The increases are the result of the euro's weakness against the U.S. dollar currently.

Prices of apps and in-app purchases will also increase in Chile, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, and Vietnam, according to Apple.

For those unfamiliar with how App Store pricing works, Apple provides developers with preset tiers that they can price their app at, and these tiers will be increasing for the euro next month. For example, tier one will be rising from €0.99 to €1.19, while the maximum tier is set to increase from €999 to €1,199, according to Apple.

Apple periodically adjusts its App Store price tiers around the world and more information about this increase can be found on Apple's developer website. Some developers may adjust the price tier of their app to adjust for the increases.

Auto-renewable subscriptions are not affected by the price increases.

iOS 16 introduced a new privacy feature that requires apps to receive a user's permission before accessing their iPhone's clipboard to paste text from other apps, but some users have experienced an issue that causes the prompt to appear excessively.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple said it plans to address this issue in a software update that will be released next week. This news comes after an Apple executive informed a MacRumors reader that the clipboard permission prompt appearing every time that a user attempts to paste text from one app to another is "not expected behavior."

The report states that the software update will also fix an issue with some iPhone 14 Pro models freezing following a data transfer from another iPhone.

Apple has not provided a version number for the upcoming software update, but it will likely be iOS 16.0.2. Earlier today, an Apple spokesperson confirmed that the update will fix an issue causing the rear camera to shake and vibrate on some iPhone 14 Pro models in third-party camera-enabled apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.

"We're aware of the issue and a fix will be released next week," an Apple spokesperson informed MacRumors earlier today. Apple did not provide any further details, but it's likely that the fix will be included in an iOS 16.0.2 software update.

All in all, this means the software update will have at least three major bug fixes.

(Image Credit: Pawan Nagar)

A strange issue causing the rear camera to vibrate on some iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models does not necessitate a repair, according to Apple.

When asked if customers who already experienced the issue on their new iPhone should visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple said users simply need to update their iPhone once a software update with a fix is released next week, suggesting that the issue does not cause permanent hardware damage to the device.

"We're aware of the issue and a fix will be released next week," an Apple spokesperson informed MacRumors earlier today. Apple did not provide any further details, but it's likely that the fix will be included in an iOS 16.0.2 software update.

Following the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, some users have noticed that the rear camera's main/bottom lens vibrates uncontrollably when the camera is opened in apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, resulting in the lens making a rattling sound and shaky video appearing within the viewfinder on the device.

YouTuber Luke Miani claimed that the issue resulted in the main lens on an iPhone 14 Pro Max that he was testing being unable to focus properly in subsequent usage, even in the Camera app. Miani said that he took the iPhone to an Apple Store and was able to exchange the device for a new one, but it's unclear if there was any permanent damage.

Apple has not revealed the underlying cause of the issue. The main lens on both iPhone 14 Pro models features new "second-generation" sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and it is possible that the stabilizer is acting up for reasons unclear, but this is only speculation. In any case, the problem should be fixed in a matter of days.

It's unclear if next week's update will address a few other camera and AirDrop bugs that have been uncovered on iPhone 14 models since they launched on Friday.

Apple is aware of a bug that is causing the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max cameras to shake and vibrate, and a fix is set to come next week, according to an Apple spokesperson that spoke to MacRumors.

Following the release of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models, users noticed almost right away that there was a shaking issue with third-party camera apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. The bug causes the camera to vibrate uncontrollably, which results in noticeably shaky video.

The issue appears to be widespread given the number of complaints that we've seen so far. That Apple is able to address it in a software update confirms that it is indeed a software issue and isn't something related to the hardware.

Apple's own Camera app is not affected by the vibration bug, and it is a problem limited to third-party apps. At the current time, there is no workaround and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and Pro Max users should avoid using the camera in apps like Instagram and TikTok until Apple is able to address the issue next week.

iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are set to launch in over 20 additional countries and territories on September 23, including Malaysia, Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and others. Apple has not provided a complete list of the countries.

In Mexico, pre-orders for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will begin on September 23 and the devices will launch September 30.

In some of the countries, including Malaysia and Turkey, the iPhone 14 Plus will be available starting October 7. This is the same date that the device launches in the United States and more than 40 other countries and territories.

September 23 is the same day that the Apple Watch Ultra and second-generation AirPods Pro will launch in the United States and many other countries.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have improved cameras, longer battery life, more repairable designs, and more, while the Pro models exclusively feature the Dynamic Island, the ability to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, an optional always-on display, and a faster A16 Bionic chip. The entire iPhone 14 lineup features a new car crash detection feature, while emergency texting via satellite launches in the U.S. and Canada in November.

Some iPhone 14 Pro owners are having problems with the Camera app, with multiple complaints on the MacRumors forums suggesting that the camera can take several seconds to load when it is opened.

Affected users are seeing the Camera app take four to five seconds to activate after the Camera app icon is tapped, with the problem occurring after the camera has been opened once already. From MacRumors reader Sephiroth0:

I have the same issue with my iPhone 14 Pro (non Max). When restarting the phone and starting the camera app the camera turns on immediately. After closing and opening the camera app it always takes 4 - 5 seconds for the camera to turn on. I've tested other apps using the camera and there it it turns on instantly. I assume this is a SW bug.

The problem does not happen if the Camera app has been manually closed and reopened, or after a software restart. It seems to exclusively occur when the Camera app has been running in the background, and this is not a problem that appears to be affecting all users. The complaints are primarily from ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and Pro Max users, and it happens in all photo modes.

In our own testing, we ran into the same issue with the Camera app taking several seconds to open, but it did not happen every time that we opened the app, just on occasion. MacRumors readers have noticed that the issue is limited to the Camera app and does not affect third-party camera apps, and it also does not appear to happen when the Camera app is set to video mode instead of photo mode.

The iOS 16.0.1 update does not appear to fix the issue for those who are impacted. Restarting the ‌iPhone‌ does not provide a permanent fix, and neither does factory resetting the device. Some MacRumors readers have speculated that it could be a RAM management issue. From MacRumors forum member xyz2610, who also shared a video:

I've just discovered that it may be a RAM management issue with the camera app. When I clear my iPhone 14 Pro's RAM by first enabling Assistive Touch in the Accessibility Settings, then press Volume Up, Volume Down and hold the Power Button until the shutdown menu comes up and then long press the Home Button on the Assistive Touch menu to clear the RAM, the Camera App always launches quickly on the first try. For subsequent camera app launches, however, the app still takes around 5 seconds to open.

Slow loading is not the only issue affecting the Camera. ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models have also run into a static or clicking noise coming from the camera, and there is a major problem when recording video using third-party apps. In apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, the camera vibrates uncontrollably, causing shaky footage. Unlike the slow loading Camera app, this issue is limited to third-party apps.

Multiple MacRumors readers have reported camera issues to Apple, and it is likely that a fix is in the works. We could soon see an iOS 16 update that will address the multitude of bugs that the new devices appear to be experiencing.

AirDrop is not functioning as intended on some iPhone 14 models, according to numerous reports on the MacRumors forums and from MacRumors readers about the issue. When attempting to send a file from an ‌iPhone‌ 14 to the ‌iPhone‌ of a contact, affected users are not able to get the transfer to complete.

A file sent to a contact shows a "Waiting" message indefinitely, with the person on the other end not receiving a message to accept the AirDrop transfer. From MacRumors forum member Bexx:

Yes! Having the exact same issue. Tried to send my husband a photo earlier and it said it was connecting but his iPhone X did nothing. But if I enable "everyone" so he shows up as just anyone, it lets me send no problem. I can, however, Airdrop to my own devices. Just not contacts.

The problem appears to be with the ‌iPhone‌ 14 models rather than iOS 16, but it is possible that some people running iOS 16 could also be experiencing issues. At the current time, we've only heard reports from ‌iPhone‌ 14 owners.

As noted on the forums, there is a partial workaround that can be used. To send a file to a contact, AirDrop settings must be changed to "Everyone" rather than "Contacts." AirDrop settings can be accessed by opening up the Control Center and long pressing on the top left block. Tap on "AirDrop" and then choose the "Everyone" option.

Unfortunately, this workaround is not compatible with password sharing, as sending a password to another person requires both participants to have each other's contact information saved in the ‌iPhone‌. From MacRumors reader Patrick:

Contacted Apple today through support as Airdrop not working between the two new 14 PM. They has me reset carrier settings change to everyone instead of contacts and finally got it to work. The odd thing is the normal airdrop person emoji I would use doesn't work, I have to be on "everyone" and then I can see my spouse's phone under "other". I tried sharing a password through Apple passwords and get a message stating the person isn't in my contacts. I assume iCloud contacts are not matching possibly?

Apple is aware of the issue, according to multiple readers who contacted Apple Support, so a fix is likely going to be coming in the near future.

References to two unannounced iPad Pro models have been spotted ahead of a rumored event set to place as soon as next month, where new iPads and Macs are expected to be revealed.

The references, spotted by 9to5Mac on Logitech's website, include a sixth-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and a fourth-generation 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, two models expected next month. The references offer no details on the new products but state they're "coming soon."

Logitech includes the unannounced iPads in its list of supported iPads for its Crayon Digital Pencil, which is the only third-party stylus that can offer similar integration as the Apple Pencil. As 9to5Mac notes, given the close nature between Logitech and Apple, the references could have some merit as being legitimate.

The new 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pros are not expected to receive any major redesign but will instead benefit from the M2 Apple silicon chip. Early rumors suggested that the 11-inch model would get a new mini-LED display; however, that is no longer expected. Other rumors have suggested some form of MagSafe charging coming to the ‌iPad Pro‌.

Apple has advised manufacturing partner Foxconn to increase production of iPhone 14 Pro models due to strong demand for the devices, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

"Due to strong demand for the iPhone 14 Pro models, my latest survey indicates that Apple has asked Hon Hai to switch the production lines of the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 14 Pro models," said Kuo in a tweet today. Foxconn is formally known as Hon Hai.

Kuo said Foxconn will convert some of its iPhone 14 assembly lines to iPhone 14 Pro assembly lines as a result of the move, adding that the conversion will be equivalent to about a 10% increase in the shipment forecast of iPhone 14 Pro models. The analyst noted this will help to increase the average selling price of iPhones in the fourth quarter.

In the United States, most iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max configurations ordered today on Apple's online store are estimated for delivery in mid-October or later, while the standard iPhone 14 is more readily available. iPhone 14 Plus launches October 7 and currently remains available for delivery on that date.

Key new features of iPhone 14 Pro models include the Dynamic Island, an upgraded rear camera system that can shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, an always-on display option, a faster A16 Bionic chip, new Deep Purple and Space Black color options, and more.

Amazon is kicking off the week with an assortment of deals across a wide variety of products, including Samsung earbuds, Anker accessories, computer software, and more.

Samsung Galaxy Buds

There's a big sale on the Samsung Galaxy Buds line of earphones, starting between $89.99-$104.18 for the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, down from $149.99-$169.99.

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.

You can also get the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earphones for $149.99, down from $199.99. This model is available in a Phantom Violet color option as well.

Anker Soundcore Accessories

Anker's Soundcore brand has a few discounts today, starting with the Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Outdoor Speaker for $134.99, down from $179.99. This speaker features an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, 20 hour playtime, and comes with a detachable strap and USB-C to USB-C cable.

There are quite a bit more Soundcore discounts on Amazon today, including up to 20 percent off Anker's popular wireless earbuds and headphones. We've listed a collection of these promotions below, and note that some require you to clip an on-page coupon to see the discount at checkout.

• P2 True Wireless Earbuds - $36.79, down from $45.99
• Soundcore Boost Bluetooth Speaker - $49.99, down from $59.99
• Q20+ Active Noise Canceling Headphones - $59.49, down from $69.99
• P3 Noise Canceling Earbuds - $71.99, down from $79.99

Anker Charging Accessories

In addition to deals on its Soundcore brand, Anker itself is offering its usual array of steep markdowns on its own products. This week, that includes savings on USB-C wall chargers and portable chargers, including one MagSafe-compatible accessory.

Wall Chargers

• 40W 2-Port USB-C Wall Charger - $19.99, down from $27.99
• Magnetic Wireless Charger with 20W USB-C Wall Charger - $20.99 for Prime Members, down from $25.99

Portable Chargers

• 10,000 mAh PowerCore Slim - $31.99, down from $39.99
• 5,000 mAh MagSafe-Compatible MagGo - $44.99, down from $59.99

Beats Flex

Over on Woot, the Amazon-owned website has Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds for $34.99 with code FLEXIT entered at checkout, down from $69.99. Color options include Black and Smoke Gray, and these are in new condition with an estimated delivery around September 30 and free standard shipping for Prime members.

Microsoft 365 Family

Lastly, you can get $10 off a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, priced at $89.99 for the first 15 months. Following the end of this initial subscription term, you'll be charged the regular $99.99 price for the service.

Microsoft 365 Family can be shared with up to six people and includes Microsoft Office apps Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Each individual on the plan has 1TB OneDrive cloud storage, and this service is compatible with macOS and iOS.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Repair website iFixit today shared a video teardown of the standard iPhone 14. In a blog post, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens praised the device's more repairable internal design, calling it the most substantial iPhone redesign since the iPhone X.

As was mentioned in a few reviews, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are the first iPhone models that can be opened from the back side of the device since the iPhone 4S. iFixit says the display and back glass panel are secured with simply two screws and one or two connectors, making both components easier to remove and replace.

"This is such a big deal that it should have been Apple's big announcement—the iPhone has been redesigned from the inside out to make it easier to repair," said Wiens.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models are essentially a sandwich consisting of the display, a mid frame housing most of the internal components, and the back glass panel. According to internal documentation seen by MacRumors, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can replace the mid frame by affixing a new one to a customer's existing display, back glass, and rear camera, so long as those parts are not damaged.

"The new metal midframe that supports the structure required an entire internal redesign, as well as an RF rethink and an effective doubling of their ingress protection perimeter," added Wiens. "In other words, Apple has gone back to the drawing board and reworked the iPhone's internals to make repair easier."

The new internal design results in significantly lower $169 to $199 repair fees for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models with cracked back glass.

Apple's documentation indicates that a software calibration process known as System Configuration is required after back glass is replaced on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. It's unclear what happens if System Configuration is not completed, but possibilities could range from a non-genuine part warning being displayed on the device to issues with wireless charging, the LED camera flash, and/or rear-facing microphone.

iFixit said it is still working on a teardown of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Other teardowns have already shown that both iPhone 14 Pro models continue to open from the front side as usual, as the internal redesign does not extend to those devices.

Beyond improved repairability, iFixit noted that U.S. models of both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro have a "large gap" where the SIM card tray slot used to be located (and still is on international models). The teardown also provides a close-up shot of the standard iPhone 14's logic board with components like the A15 Bionic chip and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X65 modem for both 5G and satellite connectivity via a new n53 band.

Apple has responded to user complaints regarding an annoying pop-up in iOS 16 that asks for user permission if an app wants to access the clipboard to paste text, images, and more.

The new prompt was added to iOS 16 as a privacy measure for users, requiring that apps ask for permission to access the clipboard, which may have sensitive data. The prompt, however, has become an annoyance for users as they install iOS 16, as it constantly asks for permission whenever they wish to paste something into an app.

As user annoyance with the behavior boils high, Apple has finally responded, saying the constant pop-up is not how the feature is intended to work. MacRumors reader Kieran sent an email to Craig Federighi and Tim Cook, complaining about the constant prompt and advocating for Apple to treat access to the clipboard the same way iOS treats third-party access to location, camera, microphone, and more.

Ron Huang, a senior manager at Apple, joined the email thread saying the pop-up is not supposed to appear every time a user attempts to paste. "This is absolutely not expected behavior, and we will get to the bottom of it," Huang said. Huang added that this behavior is not something Apple has seen internally but that Kieran is "not the only one" experiencing it.

Responding to the suggestion that clipboard access should be added within the Settings app on a per-app basis, Huang said it would make a "good improvement" and added that Apple "certainly need to fix and make apps like Mail just work even without this setting, but it's nonetheless helpful for apps which users want to share data with even if they didn't initiate it." "Stay tuned," he added.

Huang is listed as one of several inventors of the feature in a patent application dated January 29, 2021.

Apple is currently beta testing iOS 16.1 with developers and public beta testers, but it'll likely be weeks before the update is ready to ship. The latest iOS 16 update for the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max is iOS 16.0.1, which addressed, among other things, a bug impacting iMessage and FaceTime activation. All other compatible devices are still running the initial version of iOS 16 released last week.

The clipboard access bug is one of several features Apple could fix in an update to iOS 16, including reports of excessive battery drain and an issue facing iPhone 14 Pro models becoming unresponsive after data is transferred from an older ‌iPhone‌.

Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro launch this Friday with many new features, including improved audio quality, longer battery life, up to 2x as much active noise cancellation, Find My support for the charging case, an extra small ear tip option, the ability to swipe up and down on the stem to adjust volume, and more.

Ahead of launching, the new AirPods Pro are now facing a 2-3 week shipping delay on Apple's online store in the U.S. and Canada. Availability varies in other countries, with the AirPods Pro facing a shorter 4-6 business day shipping delay in Australia and still available for September 23 launch day delivery in the U.K.

The second-generation AirPods Pro had remained available for September 23 launch day delivery in the U.S. for several days after pre-orders began.

The new AirPods Pro are priced at $249 in the United States. For more details about new features and changes, read our announcement coverage.

The first reviews of the new AirPods Pro are expected later this week.

The new second-generation AirPods Pro will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 23. For customers still using the first-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ or older AirPods models, there are several new features and changes you can look forward to using.

We've outlined six new significant features, changes, and improvements that the new second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ offer compared to older models. Read on to learn more.

Better Active Noise Cancellation

Building on a feature introduced in the first-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌, the new ‌AirPods Pro‌ now feature up to 2x better Active Noise Cancellation. The improvement will mean less ambient noise making its way into the user's ears when using Active Noise Cancellation, thanks to improved noise-canceling microphones, a new driver, and improved algorithms.

Improved Sound Quality With Richer Bass

The new ‌AirPods Pro‌ feature a custom-built driver and amplifier that works with the H2 chip to provide low distortion, deeper bass, and crisp and clear high notes for music, videos, and more. The H2 chip also powers a new algorithm that processes sound in real-time more quickly, custom-tuning it to your ears for high-fidelity sound.

Adaptive Transparency Mode

Alongside Active Noise Cancellation, ‌AirPods Pro‌ feature Transparency Mode, which uses outward-facing microphones to let you hear the world around you. The second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ take this further with Adaptive Transparency Mode, which can minimize loud noises, like sirens and power tools, while letting you hear other sounds.

Better In-Ear Detection

The first-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ feature IR optical sensors to detect when a user places them in their ears. Like the third-generation AirPods, the new ‌AirPods Pro‌ feature skin-detection sensors for even better in-ear detection, longer battery life, and more reliable performance that will prevent the AirPods from being accidentally activated in a bag or pocket.

Longer Battery Life

The second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ get up to six hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, which is one and a half hours longer than the original ‌AirPods Pro‌. With the new MagSafe Charging Case, the new ‌AirPods Pro‌ can get up to 30 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation — six hours more than before.

Case With Speaker, Find My, and Lanyard Loop

The new ‌AirPods Pro‌ come with a redesigned ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case that now has a built-in speaker for enhanced Find My, support for Precision Tracking, and an opening on the side for attaching a lanyard for easy carrying. In addition to Lightning and ‌MagSafe‌, customers can now charge the new charging case using an Apple Watch charger.

Following the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, some early adopters of the devices have noticed that the rear camera's main lens vibrates uncontrollably when the camera is opened in apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, resulting in shaky video. The issue does not appear to affect the built-in Camera app.

The issue has been reported by users across Twitter, Reddit, TikTok, and the MacRumors Forums since the iPhone 14 Pro models launched on Friday, but it is unclear how widespread the problem is or what the underlying cause is. The main lens on iPhone 14 Pro models features "second-generation" sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and it is possible that the stabilizer is acting up due to a software bug, but this is merely speculation.

YouTuber Luke Miani said he experienced the issue on one of the iPhone 14 Pro Max units that he was testing. Miani shared a video of the issue that shows the main lens on the device vibrating uncontrollably, and he said the incident resulted in the lens being unable to focus properly in subsequent usage, even in the Camera app. Miani said that he took the iPhone to an Apple Store and was able to exchange the device for a new one.

If the issue is due to a software bug, Apple could implement a fix in the iOS 16.1 beta. We have reached out to Apple asking if it is aware of and/or investigating the issue, but the company has yet to respond to our request for comment.

Until the matter is resolved, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max owners should avoid opening the camera in apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram if they are concerned about potential damage to the rear camera system. We will share any additional information about this issue, including any response from Apple, as it becomes available.

Chinese website Chongdiantou has tested a variety of Apple power adapters with the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, providing useful data about charging speeds and revealing which charger is the most valuable for fast charging.

The short answer is to choose Apple's 30W USB-C power adapter, which at $39 is the company's lowest-priced charger that can charge the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max at their maximum supported charging speeds of 25W and 27W, respectively. All other higher-priced Apple chargers, such as the new 35W adapter with dual USB-C ports for $59, charge the devices at equal to negligibly faster speeds at best.

The chart below is in Chinese, but it shows that all 29W or higher Apple adapters charged the iPhone 14 Pro Max at 26W to nearly 27W.

While charging speeds for the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro remain to be seen, the 30W adapter should be the best choice for those devices too.

Interestingly, Chongdiantou found that the iPhone 14 Pro Max can briefly achieve peak charging speeds of nearly 29W with Apple's older 29W power adapter, which was designed for the 12-inch MacBook and discontinued in June 2018.

By comparison, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max are capable of up to 23W and 27W charging speeds, respectively, according to Chongdiantou's sister website ChargerLAB, so Lightning charging speeds for all iPhone 14 models are largely the same this year ahead of Apple's expected switch to USB-C for iPhone 15 models next year.

Apple no longer includes a charger in the box with any iPhones. For all four iPhone 14 models, the company says users can charge the devices to 50% in around 30 to 35 minutes with a supported 20W or higher power adapter.

Update: Chongdiantou sister website ChargerLAB has shared a video of its iPhone 14 Pro Max charging speed test.