With an ultra-thin design that measures just 5.6mm at its thinnest point, Apple's new iPhone Air tops the iPhone 6 as the thinnest iPhone ever released.
With a 6.9mm frame, the iPhone 6 was prone to bending, although the most egregious examples were often seen in YouTube videos that used excessive force.
The big question: Will the iPhone Air bend?
In a video that Apple provided to Tom's Guide, Apple subjected the iPhone Air to a machine that simulated "130 pounds of pressure" on the middle of the device. The publication said the video shows the device "springs back remarkably well and doesn't show any lasting curve from the experience." You can watch it for yourself in their report.
It appears the iPhone Air should be bend-proof in most if not all real-world scenarios, but we still have to wait for independent, third-party tests.
It does seem pretty safe to say that the iPhone Air will not bend in the same way the iPhone 6 did, and a big reason for that is the device has a titanium frame, whereas the iPhone 6 was made with aluminum. Apple said the iPhone Air "exceeds" its "stringent bend strength requirements," and touted it as the most durable iPhone ever.
The report also includes a few other durability test videos from Apple, including one that tests the Ceramic Shield 2 front cover on iPhone 17 models, which is promised to offer 3× better scratch resistance compared to the previous generation. Another video subjects the iPhone 17 Pro to simulated drop tests. Unsurprisingly, given these videos are from Apple, the results are favorable. Real-world tests will confirm things soon.
The first reviews of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have now been published by selected media outlets and YouTube channels, offering a closer look at the device ahead of Friday's launch.
The iPhone 17 Pro models feature one of the biggest design changes to the device in years, moving to an aluminum unibody frame and a full-width rear camera plateau. New color options include Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange.
A completely new front-facing camera features an 18-megapixel square sensor, facilitating automatic rotation and Center Stage. There is also a 48-megapixel telephoto camera for the first time, enabling 4x and 8x optical zoom.
The A19 Pro chip enables better performance with Neural Accelerators. A vapor chamber cooling system is built-in for even better heat dissipation.
Other new features include noticeably longer battery life, an improved anti-reflective coating, Ceramic Shield 2, a brighter display, Genlock support, and more.
The two key advantages the Pro models have over the ultra-thin iPhone Air include roughly 20% to 40% longer battery life, and a Telephoto rear camera with 4x and 8x optical zoom. The devices also have an Ultra Wide camera, if you use it.
The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max can be pre-ordered now. Below, we have rounded up some of the reviews.
This results in a longer battery life for the iPhone 17 Pro according to our battery drain test, reaching a time of 15 hours and 32 minutes. That's a marked improvement over the iPhone 16 Pro’s average run of 14 hours and 7 minutes.
I'm also seeing solid all-day battery life with my real world use. Most of my time on the phone has been spent surfing the web, taking tons of photos with all its cameras, watching videos on YouTube, and getting in a few sessions with Diablo Immortal and Age of Origins throughout my day. I've made a point to not top off its battery during the day, only to find it at about 20% battery life by the end of the night.
CNET took a closer look at the new Telephoto camera:
I thought I'd notice the difference between 4x and 5x, but unless I had the phones side-by-side, I was unaware. The 17 Pro Max's telephoto images are brighter and have better details and resolution than ones from the 16 Pro, which is likely the result of the larger sensor.
And similar to the wizardry Apple uses to make 2x photos look good, the telephoto camera is able to achieve 8x images. Telephoto images at 4x taken under good lighting (like a nice sunny day) can stand toe-to-toe with images from the main camera. But when I took telephoto images in less than ideal lighting, the 4x images held up OK, whereas the 8x images had more noise and softness.
I played one of the most demanding games on the iPhone right now—Assassin's Creed Mirage—and performance was significantly smoother than when I played it on the iPhone 16 Pro last year. The iPhone 17 Pro still got hot, but the heat was spread out over the entire back of the phone, so it didn't feel as uncomfortable to hold while gaming (unlike the iPhone 17 and Air). I maxed out the graphical settings, and the frames per second were noticeably more stable, and I rarely saw stutters at all.
Engadget said the A19 Pro's Neural Accelerators make a meaningful difference to AI tasks:
I do want to commend Apple for the improved performance in Image Playground and Genmoji. It used to take ages for AI-generated pictures or emoji to appear (especially those based on a picture of someone in my photo album), but on the iPhone 17 Pro I was able to get several options in succession before things slowed down. Pictures where I opted to use ChatGPT’s more realistic styles took a lot longer, but by and large I saw a marked improvement in speed here. Those neural accelerators in the A19 Pro’s six-core GPU are certainly pulling their weight.
The first set of reviews are out for the new 6.3-inch base iPhone 17 model ahead of the full iPhone 17 lineup launching on Friday.
As noted in our buyer's guide, the iPhone 17 features Apple's biggest display upgrade to a non-Pro model in years, with a larger 6.3-inch display (up from 6.1 inches) and a 120Hz ProMotion display for refresh rates up to 120Hz. There are also some major camera improvements, faster performance, and big battery life gains. So what do these enhancements mean for users in real terms?
According to The Verge's Jacob Kastrenakes, the new display is a game changer:
In size, resolution, and specs, the iPhone 17's display is the same as what you’ll find on this year's Pro. And the most notable thing about the change is that the iPhone 17 finally has an always-on display. The feature works exactly the same as it does on the Pro phones, too. When you set the iPhone 17 down, the screen dims, showing a faint version of your wallpaper, widgets, clock, and notifications.
Being able to quickly glance at your phone for information is extremely handy and instantly makes the device a whole lot more useful.
TechRadar's Jacob Krol also had only positive things to say about the new 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, calling it "the star of the show."
Yes, the iPhone 17's 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display now supports ProMotion, meaning it delivers a buttery-smooth experience for scrolling, swiping, gaming, streaming, and even general navigation, as it will adjust on the fly from 1Hz all the way up to 120Hz depending on what you're doing. The iPhone 16, 15, and 14 before it were all locked at 60Hz, which wasn't a big deal if you weren’t coming from a 120Hz device, but this is a really nice upgrade.
The iPhone 17's display story is really about the sum of its parts. ProMotion, Always-On, and a slightly larger screen make for a great experience, and there's a serious amount of value to be found through this display alone. Oh, and it's also coated in Ceramic Shield 2, which makes it three times as scratch-resistant as the screen on the iPhone 16 – that's a win, especially if you're prone to dropping your iPhone.
The iPhone 17 features two rear cameras consisting of a 48-megapixel Wide camera and a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide – an upgrade over the 12-megapixel Ultra Wide lens on the iPhone 16.
CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti particularly welcomed the camera upgrades and noted how the new features allow the iPhone 17 to punch above the iPhone Air:
It's interesting to have more photo-taking flexibility on a less expensive iPhone model, since the iPhone Air can't take 0.5x photos or Cinematic mode videos. It's another way this baseline device makes a case for itself. Like the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 takes 12-megapixel 2x telephoto images, which maintain a solid level of detail as you punch in. Photos default to 24 megapixels, but you can switch to 48 megapixels to capture a bit more detail.
The iPhone 17 features 8GB of RAM – the least of all new iPhones – and Apple's base A19 processor, including a six-core CPU, a five-core GPU, and Apple's Neural Engine. The GPU cores also each have their own Neural Accelerator, which Apple says boosts the chip's ability to process AI calculations.
PC Mag's Eric Zeman put the phone through its paces and came away impressed:
I ran the phone through the typical battery of benchmark tests to see how it fares against the competition. Surprisingly, it runs a bit faster than the iPhone Air, which becomes much hotter than the 17 under load. Meanwhile, the Pro iPhones are about 10% faster, which isn't as big a difference as I expected.
The iPhone 17 buries the Pixel 10's Tensor G5 processor in testing, though Google tells us it designs its chips to run AI calculations, not perform well on benchmarks. The iPhone 17's A19 also bested the Galaxy S25's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip in CPU performance, though it fell behind in GPU calculations.
Ultimately, the iPhone 17 and its combination of memory and A19 power are more than enough to handle all your apps, daily tasks, and Apple Intelligence requests. In my tests, the phone had no trouble generating AI images, conjuring up new Genmoji, and powering Apple Photos' editing tools.
Apple claims that the iPhone 17 offers an additional 8 hours of video playback compared to the iPhone 16. But how does that translate to real world gains? Tom's Guide's John Velasco reported a subtle improvement in his tests:
Our battery drain test reveals an improvement, albeit a small one. It reaches a time of 12 hours and 47 minutes, an improvement of 34 minutes over the iPhone 16. That might not sound like a whole lot, but it's worth remembering that the iPhone 17 has a larger 6.3-inch display this time.
I can affirm that I'm getting all-day battery life with a full charge. Roughly speaking, I'm seeing 15% battery life right before bed time. Most of my time was spent on checking emails, watching a few videos on my break at work, and looking through all of my social feeds. It's undoubtedly nowhere as close to offering the endurance I’ve been having with my iPhone 16 Pro Max for just about the last year, but most people will suffice getting through a work day.
I'm excited to report that Apple also upgrades the iPhone 17's charging speeds, with its 35W wired charging getting its battery to 39% in 15 minutes — and then to 71% in 30 minutes. That's a marked improvement over the iPhone 16, but Apple didn't stop there as it also adds 25W Qi 2.2 charging support.
Like the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models, the base iPhone 17 can be pre-ordered now, starting at $799.
The first reviews of the iPhone Air have been published by selected media outlets and YouTube channels, offering a closer look at the device ahead of its launch on Friday.
The main attraction of the iPhone Air is its ultra-thin 5.6mm design, but the device has a handful of compromises compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models, so is it still worth buying? The reviews set out to answer that question.
The compromises compared to the Pro models include shorter battery life, no Telephoto camera with up to 8× optical zoom, one speaker instead of two, a slower USB-C port for wired data transfer speeds, slightly lower maximum USB-C and MagSafe charging speeds, and a slightly slower 5-core GPU instead of a 6-core GPU.
On the other hand, the iPhone Air has some Pro features, including a ProMotion display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and an A19 Pro chip with the same 6-core CPU. The device also has a sleek, premium design with Ceramic Shield glass and titanium.
iPhone Air can be pre-ordered now. Below, we have rounded up some of the reviews.
Apple says the iPhone Air offers up to 27 hours of video playback per charge, compared to up to 33 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro and up to 39 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Now for the less-good news: battery life is just okay. And honestly, that's a pretty good outcome for the Air; the situation could have been worse. If you're a light user and you spend most of your time on Wi-Fi, you might never have a problem with the battery.
Personally, it makes me a little too anxious to see that battery indicator drop into the 20s before dinnertime, though in fairness I was going pretty hard on the battery with around five hours of screen-on time. On a much lighter day on my home Wi-Fi, three hours of screen-on time took the battery down to around 40 percent by bedtime. I'd call that within the bounds of acceptable, if a little on the low end for a $1,000 phone.
The battery life of the iPhone Air is better than I expected.
The Air was generally able to last a full day with average use for me. I hit around five hours of screen-on time with around 18 percent left by 10:30 pm. This worked for me, but my expectations were also very low. I had to baby the battery so much on the last ultrathin phone I tested, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and I was surprised to find that this was not the case with the Air.
Heavy users will undoubtedly need to top up this phone during the day. On one travel day, I took the phone off the charger at 5:30 am and used it extensively for navigation, music streaming, phone calls, and Instagram Reeling, and I hit 2 percent by 4:30 pm. If that sounds like a very normal day for you, you'll most certainly feel the limits of this phone's battery life. For the most part, I didn't feel as battery anxious as with Samsung's thin phone.
Like the iPhone 17 Pro models, the iPhone Air has an A19 Pro chip, with the same 6-core CPU but a slightly reduced 5-core GPU. Geekbench results for the chip already surfaced last week, and now one review has subjected it to additional testing.
How about sustained performance? To test that, we used the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, which simulates gaming for about 20 minutes. We ran it once and recorded the results, then did a second run right after that to really stress test these phones.
The iPhone Air performed quite well, with stability scores that beat the Galaxy S25 Edge by a fair margin in both rounds.
More surprisingly, the iPhone Air turned in cooler temperatures than the Pro Max when we measured the back of the phones using a laser thermometer in 5 locations and averaged the results. Though the S25 Edge was even cooler.
CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti tested the iPhone Air's single 48-megapixel rear camera — the review contains a gallery of photos shot with the device:
It felt surprisingly limiting to not have an ultrawide camera, especially when I wanted to capture more sweeping landscapes. Not to turn this into a thin phone showdown, but I couldn't help but think of how the Galaxy S25 Edge does have a 12-megapixel ultrawide-angle camera, alongside a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera, which makes it feel like less of a compromise in that regard.
Otherwise, the rear camera on the iPhone Air consistently delivered. In the many pictures I took of waterfalls, tea times and urban landscapes, shadows and highlights are well balanced, colors are true to life, and there's an overall sharpness and clarity. Portrait shots (my go-to camera mode) capably blur backgrounds to help subjects -- whether it's a decadent tea tray, an art installation or CNET's talented Jesse Orrall -- stand out.
iOS 26's new Liquid Glass interface has been criticized for making some content illegible in certain circumstances, and now the UI design is reportedly causing another unusual visual problem for some users.
Liquid Glass adds subtle glowing effects to the corners of app icons, creating a dynamic glass-like appearance with depth and parallax effects. However, as noted by Gizmodo, this design choice can produce an optical illusion that makes icons appear tilted. Users impacted by the phenomenon report feeling disoriented, with some experiencing dizziness from the perceived slanting effect.
The issue has gained attention on Reddit, with one post receiving over 3,000 upvotes. "The frame glow effect makes apps look tilted, and it's really distracting," complained one user, while another said the update made them "feel drunk."
"All of iOS 26 is an optical nightmare," added another user. "It's horrible."
The tilting effect is most pronounced when icons are set to "Dark," "Clear," or "Tinted" modes against dark or black backgrounds, while colorful wallpapers seem to help mask the illusion by drawing attention away from the refractive corners.
Apple's transparency reducing options and the "Reduce Motion" setting (Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Motion ➝ Reduce Motion) don't seem to help minimise the illusion, with reports indicating most users fail to see a difference. Hopefully, Apple adds a dedicated control in a future update to adjust the icon effect that's causing the issue.
Are you suffering from the Liquid Glass optical illusion? Let us know in the comments.
Apple's first OLED MacBook Pro, set to enter mass production next year, will feature a touch screen display, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest post on X (Twitter), Kuo writes that Apple's much-rumored OLED MacBook Pro will incorporate a touch panel using on-cell touch technology. On-cell touch technology integrates the touch sensors directly into the display panel's top layer (the "cell") rather than requiring a separate, dedicated touch layer.
Kuo says that the shift "appears to reflect Apple's long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience."
Unsurprisingly, the analyst believes that the recently rumored low-cost MacBook, slated for mass production in the fourth quarter of this year, will not feature a touch panel, though specifications for a second-generation model could include touch support. Kuo anticipates the second-gen affordable MacBook model to arrive in 2027.
According to a recent report by Korea's The Elec, Samsung will supply the displays for Apple's first OLED MacBook Pro. What's less certain right now is the chip architecture that Apple will adopt for its OLED models.
It was previously rumored that MacBook Pro models with M5 chips would launch in late 2025. In July, however, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was "considering" pushing back the release of the next MacBook Pro models with the M5 series of chips until early 2026.
That would mean Apple updating the MacBook Pro line twice in the same year. However, there is precedent for such a scenario. Apple released models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January 2023, followed by models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips in October 2023. So we could get the M5 generation in January 2026, followed by the OLED panel-equipped M6 generation in October 2026.
Either way, the OLED MacBook Pro models are expected to feature more significant changes, including a thinner design and a smaller notch. Apparently we can now add touch screen support to that list, too.
The AirPods Pro 3 use an Acoustic Seal Test to check the fit of ear tips, according to a new Apple support document. Apple says that the Acoustic Seal Test will ensure that you're using the proper ear tip size for the best sound quality and noise cancellation.
The AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2 have an Ear Tip Fit Test, but Apple updated the process for the AirPods Pro 3. Apple suggests starting with the medium size ear tip. If you can't achieve a good seal, switch to the larger tip. If the ear tip feels too large, switch to a smaller tip.
Apple designed new foam-infused silicone ear tips for the AirPods Pro 3, which it says are softer and less stiff than the AirPods Pro 2 ear tips. AirPods Pro 3 ear tips come in five sizes, including XXS, XS, S, M, and L. XXS is new for this generation.
For heart rate sensing, the AirPods Pro 3 need skin contact. Apple warns that the best ear tip size for heart rate sensor accuracy could differ from the best size for acoustic seal. The AirPods Pro 3 should be positioned toward your face at a 45-degree angle, with the heart rate sensor resting against the ear.
If heart rate recordings seem inconsistent, Apple recommends trying a different ear tip size.
The Acoustic Seal Test can be initiated by connecting the AirPods Pro 3 to an iPhone with iOS 26 or an iPad with iPadOS 26, going to the AirPods Settings, and selecting the Acoustic Seal Test option.
watchOS 26 includes a feature that lets you know if you're using an Apple Watch charger that is not optimized for the fastest charging speeds.
According to a new Apple support document, if your Apple Watch detects a charging experience that could be improved, a Slow Charger message will be displayed in the Battery section of the Settings app. Instances of slow charging are shown in orange, while fast charging speeds are displayed in green.
Apple says that the Slow Charger warning simply means that you could get faster charging speeds with a higher-wattage charger, and it does not mean there is something wrong with a slower charger.
Apple recommends a USB-C Power Delivery charger and the USB-C Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable that came with the watch for the fastest charging.
Amazon today is hosting massive discounts across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, with deals that represent all-time lows across every model of the computer. In total, you'll find $200 off the M4 MacBook Air notebook right now, with both 13-inch and 15-inch models on sale.
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.
Starting with the 13-inch models, Amazon has $200 off all three configurations of this notebook. Prices start at $799.00 for the 256GB model, then rise to $999.00 for the 16GB/512GB model and $1,199.00 for the 24GB/512GB model. Every deal represents an all-time low price on the M4 MacBook Air.
Moving to the larger display models, Amazon has both 512GB versions of the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week, as well as the 256GB model. The 16GB/512GB model is available for $1,199.00 and the 24GB/512GB model is on sale for $1,399.00. Across the board, these are all record low prices on the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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macOS Tahoe 26 includes support for automatically joining your iPhone's Personal Hotspot when no Wi-Fi network is available, so you no longer need to manually connect.
To set up automatic joining in macOS Tahoe, you can click on the Wi-Fi button in the menu bar or Control Center to open up Wi-Fi Settings. From there, scroll down to the bottom where it says "Ask to join hotspots" and click to select the Automatic option.
With Auto-Join Hotspot turned on, when your Mac doesn't have Wi-Fi available and is near an iPhone or iPad providing a Personal Hotspot, it will automatically attempt to join it.
Auto-Join works with Family Sharing, so you can set up your Mac to automatically connect to a family member's Personal Hotspot, or allow their Mac to automatically connect to yours.
Apple released watchOS 26 yesterday, and if you have a Series 9 or later or an Ultra 2 or later, there are a surprising number of useful new features. Apple could have limited new additions like Sleep Score and Hypertension notifications to the newest Apple Watch models, but now you don't need to buy a new watch to get helpful features.
Design
Liquid Glass - watchOS 26 adopts Liquid Glass, with translucent, glass-like buttons and interface elements. It's most visible with select watch faces, the Smart Stack, and Control Center.
Control Center - Control Center is customizable, and you can rearrange it and add third-party app controls. If you don't like your changes, you can revert to the original design.
Smart Stack - The Smart Stack uses a new prediction algorithm and it will prompt you if there is a suggestion that's immediately useful.
Widgets - Widgets in the Smart Stack are customizable, so you can rearrange them to show what's most important to you first. Third-party apps are supported.
Gestures
Wrist Flick - There's a wrist flick gesture for things like silencing incoming calls and dismissing notifications one-handed.
Health
Hypertension Notifications - watchOS 26 adds hypertension notifications based on heart rate, letting you know if high blood pressure is detected over time. It's available on the Series 9 and later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.
Sleep Score - Sleep Score gives you a number-based evaluation of your sleep quality. It takes into account sleep duration, the number of times you woke up in the night, and when you went to bed.
Fitness
Workout Buddy - There's an AI-powered Workout Buddy that motivates you during workouts and provides helpful insights.
Workout app - Apple redesigned the Workout app with an updated layout that makes options like custom workout, Workout Buddy, and Pacer easier to get to.
Media - There's an Autoplay Media option that will automatically play music that matches your workout. You can also select your own media to have autoplay when a workout is started.
Messages
Smart Actions - The Messages app can suggest smart actions like location sharing, providing an address, and more based on the context of a text.
Smart Replies - Smart replies have been improved so you should get more relevant one-tap responses for incoming messages.
Live Translation - The Messages app supports Live Translation, so incoming texts in another language can be translated to your language.
Backgrounds - Personalized backgrounds that you create for conversations on iPhone sync to the watch.
Phone
Call Screening - Call Screening asks callers for more information before your phone or Apple Watch rings.
Hold Assist - You can use the Hold Assist feature on the Apple Watch. It waits on the line for you so you can do other things.
Watch Faces
Photos - The Photos watch face uses Liquid Glass for the time, and the size and location of the time adjust based on the image that's being displayed. The shuffle option also uses Featured content from Photos.
Flow - Flow is a watch face designed for Liquid Glass. It features an orb of color with Liquid Glass numbers.
Exactograph - Exactograph has hour, minute, and second dials for precise time keeping. If you tap on the face, it zooms in on the minutes and seconds dials so you can measure in even smaller increments of time.
Waypoint - Waypoint is only for the Apple Watch Ultra, but it shows points of interest in relation to where you are.
Hermes - There's a Hermes Faubourg Party watch face for Hermes watches. It displays different animations based on the time of day.
Ticking Seconds - More watch faces support the 1Hz refresh rate on the Apple Watch Series 10 and later, showing a ticking second hand even when your wrist is down.
Gallery - The watch face gallery has a new design that groups faces into collections.
Other Features
Volume Adjustment - The volume of incoming calls and notifications adjusts based on the ambient sound around you. So if you're in a quiet room, your watch won't have a super loud ring.
Live Listen - When using Live Listen on a connected iPhone, a transcript of what's being said is displayed on the watch.
Notes - The Notes app is available on the Apple Watch, so you can view existing notes and create new ones.
If your Mac experiences an issue that prevents it from starting up properly, macOS Tahoe includes a new Recovery Assistant that can attempt to identify the issue and resolve it, according to an Apple support document published this week.
If your Mac experiences certain behaviors during startup, Apple says the computer might automatically restart and open Recovery Assistant. To use the utility, click on the "Continue" button in the window and follow the on-screen steps.
When the recovery process is complete, Recovery Assistant will indicate that it recovered your Mac successfully, or that it was unable to recover your Mac, or that no known issues were found. Click on "Restart Mac" to complete the process.
If your Mac starts up successfully, Apple says you might be notified to recover your iCloud data.
If your Mac does not start up successfully, it has an issue that Recovery Assistant cannot resolve, and you can then move on to other troubleshooting steps.
Recovery Assistant is also available from the Utilities menu in macOS Recovery mode.
As we reported on earlier this year, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 add a similar Recovery Assistant tool to the iPhone and iPad, and Apple published a support document this week with more details about how the feature works on those devices.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 are among the latest additions to the Apple Watch lineup, so how do they compare?
Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 feature hypertension detection, Sleep Score, sleep apnea detection, speaker playback, an Always-On Retina display, IP6X dust resistance, and more, but there are still significant differences between the two devices. The Apple Watch Ultra focuses on withstanding extreme environments, a high level of durability, extended battery life, and additional features to aid activities like diving and exploration.
With as little as $50 between the 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, some prospective customers will be weighing up whether it is worth spending a little extra to get the 49mm Ultra model. While there is a $400 difference between the GPS-only 42mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, the high-end model offers a set of features to address specific challenges, so it may even be worth it for some of these buyers.
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Rounded design with a thinner casing, display with rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio
Same design as first-generation Apple Watch Ultra
Anodized or polished aluminum and polished titanium casing options
Blasted titanium casing
42mm and 46mm casing size options (vertical)
49mm casing size (vertical)
9.7mm thickness
14.4mm thickness
Weighs 29.3 grams to 41.7 grams depending on casing size and material
Weighs 61.4 grams
Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casing
Corrosion resistant case with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal
Aluminum: Ion-X front glass Titanium: Sapphire crystal front glass
Sapphire crystal front glass
Curved display with refractive edge
Flat display
42mm: 1.79-inch display 46mm: 1.99-inch display
2.04-inch display
42mm: 374 by 446 pixel display 46mm: 416 by 496 pixel display
422 by 514 pixel display
42mm: 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 1,220 sq mm display area
Triple-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
Aluminum: Wi-fi only and cellular connectivity options Titanium: Cellular connectivity
Cellular connectivity
Satellite connectivity
Emergency SOS via satellite
GPS (L1)
Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5)
Water resistant to 50m
Water resistant to 100m
Swimproof to 6m
Swimproof and recreational scuba dive to 40m
Tested to MIL-STD 810H
EN13319 certification
Always-on altimeter
Always-on altimeter with expanded operating range from –500m to 9000m
1.245–1.403 watt-hour battery
2.313 watt-hour battery
Up to 24 hours normal battery life
Up to 42 hours normal battery life
Up to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Up to 72 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes
Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes
Natural Titanium or Black Titanium finish
Aluminum: Starts at $399 Titanium: Starts at $699
Starts at $799
The Apple Watch Ultra offers specific capabilities to address the requirements of those who need their Apple Watch to provide assistance in challenging environments. If you need a more durable Apple Watch with features like louder speakers, a more reliable GPS, better water resistance, and more, the Apple Watch Ultra is undoubtedly the best choice. The Apple Watch Ultra is clearly better equipped to handle tasks like hiking, diving, and navigation.
The Apple Watch Ultra is also biggest and most feature-rich Apple Watch option available, not to mention that the Ultra form factor offered the first major redesign of the device since its introduction in 2015. For technology enthusiasts, Apple Watch Ultra represents a way to get a new Apple Watch experience with top specifications in several key areas. Features like longer battery life and the Action button are also highly accessible, and will be beneficial to all users. As such, some customers may still be inclined to choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 over the Apple Watch Series 11, even if they do not need it for use in challenging environments.
As the largest Apple Watch model to date, the size of the Apple Watch Ultra will not be for everyone. If you already prefer the 42mm Apple Watch casing size, the Apple Watch Ultra may be far too large for you. If in doubt, it may be worth heading to an Apple Store and trying on the Apple Watch Ultra in person to get to grips with the size and determine if it is too big and bulky for you. It is worth noting that while the 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 has a display size that is very similar to that of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, it is a much smaller device physically.
Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra's look may not appeal to some buyers. One of the most important differences between the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 is their designs, with the latter boasting a much chunkier, aggressive look with a flat display. The Apple Watch Series 11 has a much subtler appearance and is available in wider range of finishes, but which look you prefer is ultimately a matter of personal preference. If you prefer the idea of a polished finish and are looking for a more fashion-focused smartwatch that pairs well with premium bands, the more aggressive, rugged design of the Apple Watch Ultra may not be for you.
The Apple Watch Series 11 continues to be thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra. It also charges more quickly, but with a considerably shorter battery life.
If the Apple Watch Ultra is out of your price range but you still want to use your Apple Watch in challenging environments, it is worth bearing in mind that the Series 11 still offers a durable design with a strong front crystal, water resistance, and many of the Apple Watch Ultra's software features like waypoint marking.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a lot to offer, especially for the subset of users who can take advantage of all of its capabilities, so it is certainly worth considering when purchasing a new model, but the Apple Watch Series 11 is still a compelling all-around option that comes in at a lower price point with a subtler design.
Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, and it's now available for all iPhone users with a compatible device. There are a lot of changes and features to learn about, so if you want a quick, easy-to-read list that outlines what's new, we've got you covered.
Design
Liquid Glass design that reflects light and refracts what's underneath. It's system wide, with dynamic tab bars and toolbars that morph to provide more tools or let you view more of what's on the screen.
There are new animations for when accessing the Control Center, Lock Screen, and more.
Buttons, sliders, switches, and other controls have new animations and a reflective Liquid Glass look.
App icons have a layered glass look, plus there's an option for clear glass-like icons.
The Time on the Lock Screen adapts to iPhone wallpaper and notifications, and you can make it larger or smaller.
Buttons, the keyboard, menus, navigation bars, and other UI elements have a more rounded look.
Apple Intelligence
Live Translation available for calls and texts in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.
Two or more emoji can be mixed together to create a new emoji.
Customize Genmoji based on people with expressions that show emotion like happy, sad, and more.
You can change the hairstyle of Genmoji created based on people from your Photos Library.
Customize Image Playground creations with expressions and emotion using emoji.
Generate images in any style using ChatGPT.
When you ask Siri for help with a device, Siri knows on-screen and on-device context, such as settings, model, and software.
Siri can take action on responses from ChatGPT, such as playing a song in Apple Music when you ask ChatGPT for recommendations.
The Siri ChatGPT integration feature now uses GPT-5 instead of GPT-4.
Visual Intelligence
Ask questions about what's on your screen, from finding products to figuring out what you're looking at. It uses the screenshot interface.
Summarize, read aloud, or translate text on your screen.
Add an event to your Calendar from your screen.
Visual Intelligence can identify more types of objects, including art, books, landmarks, and sculptures.
Music
AutoMix can smoothly transition from one song to the next using time stretching and beat matching. Apple says it's like a DJ in your pocket.
Your favorite albums, songs, and playlists can be pinned to the top of the Music app.
Playlists can be organized into Folders directly on the iPhone.
You can get monthly replay insights rather than just a yearly report.
There are Translation and Pronunciation guides for lyrics.
When you AirPlay audio to a HomePod, everyone else in your house can see what's playing, control the music, and change which HomePod speakers are playing.
The iPhone works as a microphone for karaoke on the Apple TV.
Safari
Any website can be added to the Home Screen as a web app and will open as a web app.
New Compact design option for tab bar, but Bottom and Top remain available.
Advanced Fingerprinting Protection now automatically obscures browser and device data in all browsing modes.
Camera
Simplified two-button navigation.
Panoramic photos are captured faster with less motion blur.
Alert to clean camera lens if it's dirty.
AirPods work as a Camera remote.
AirPods can be used to record high-definition audio.
Photos
The Tab design separating Library and Collections is back.
You can add 3D movement to 2D photos with Spatial Scenes.
When searching, you'll now see video thumbnails in search results so you can find a specific video that matches your search term.
Messages
A custom background can be set for every conversation. You can choose built-in options, use a photo, or generate an image with Image Playground.
Messages supports polls, and Apple Intelligence can suggest a poll when it might make sense.
There's new on-device spam detection that filters out spam messages. The model that determines what's considered spam is regularly updated with user feedback.
Unknown Numbers can be filtered into a new list that's out of view. The feature separates out spam, transactions, promotions, and general unknown.
You can copy and paste just a part of a text message instead of the whole thing.
Group chats support typing indicators.
Group chats support Apple Cash payments.
Search understands natural language and can also show results based on related terms. So if you search for "sand," you might also see results with ocean or beach.
Unfinished messages are saved in a Drafts filter section.
When dictating a message or other text, the dictation feature supports spelling out names.
Phone
Unified layout that aggregates Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into one screen.
Hold Assist waits on the line for you.
Call Screening can ask unknown callers for their name and reason for calling so you can decide whether to answer. You can also ask for more information with Live Reply.
Filter out spam calls and calls from Unknown Numbers. Unknown Numbers go into a separate list, but you can mark them as known.
SharePlay works for Phone calls.
There's an option to report voicemails as spam.
Incoming voicemails are summarized.
When traveling, eSIM setup is easier, and travel eSIMs turn off automatically when you return home.
There's a SIM-based Focus Mode, so if you have two SIMs, you can change your Focus filter options.
Using the eSIM Quick Transfer feature requires Face ID or Touch ID when Stolen Device Protection is turned on.
There are seven new ringtones in iOS 26, including six variants of the Reflection ringtone and a ringtone called Little Bird.
You can set a new custom ringtone by saving it to the Files app and using the Share Sheet.
Battery
Adaptive Power conserves battery when you're using more power than normal. It adjusts performance, background activities, and screen brightness. Adaptive Power is available for Apple Intelligence iPhones.
You can see how long it will take your iPhone to charge when it's plugged in.
The Battery UI has been overhauled to provide more information about your battery life from day to day and which apps drain the most battery.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts can incorporate Apple Intelligence models to summarize text, create images, organize documents, compare documents, and more.
There are pre-set options to use Image Playground and Writing tools in Shortcuts.
FaceTime
FaceTime has a new main page with Contact Posters from recent callers.
Use Unknown Callers filter to block people you don't know from calling you.
FaceTime calls can detect nudity and blur it out when Communication Safety options are turned on.
Files
The Files app now has a list view option.
File folders can be customized with emoji and colors, with changes syncing across devices.
You can select which app to use to open different file types by tapping and holding then choosing the Open With option.
CarPlay
Live Activities support.
Messages supports tapbacks for quick responses, and you can pin important conversations.
Compact call UI that doesn't block the entire screen.
Support for getting glanceable information from widgets on the Home Screen.
There's an option to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen over AirPlay when parked, though this requires car manufacturers to implement support.
Maps
If you have a commute, the iPhone can learn your routine and let you know if there's something that will make you late.
Your iPhone can also let you know about severe weather alerts for your destination or significant location.
You can automatically keep a list of all of the places that you've visited for later reference.
Maps supports natural language search.
Wallet
The Wallet app supports U.S. passports, and the digital document can be used at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. This isn't live yet, but is coming soon.
Boarding passes now support Live Activities and have information like airport maps.
You can track all of your orders, with data pulled from the Mail app.
Challenges let you compete with friends in single-player games, and you can also team up for multiplayer games.
Games Overlay lets you adjust settings and see what your friends are doing without leaving a game.
Clock
You can customize the interval between alarms when using the snooze feature, choosing between 1 minute and 15 minutes.
Home
HomeKit-enabled thermostats have an Adaptive Temperature option to adjust the temperature when you're on your way home, when you're away, and when you're sleeping. The feature uses on-device intelligence to save energy when you're away.
Notes
The Notes app supports Markdown import and export, so you can import Markdown formatted files or save and download your notes as Markdown files.
Math Notes supports three-dimensional graphs when writing an equation starting with z=.
Reminders
Reminders can suggest items you might want to add to your to-do list from emails, notes, and more.
There's an option to pull ingredients out of a recipe in Safari and add it to Reminders by sharing text on a page to the Reminders app.
Reminders can categorize related tasks into sections that are grouped together, such as sorting a grocery list into logical categories.
Podcasts
Podcasts supports Enhance Dialogue to cut down on background sounds on a per-show basis.
There's an option to change your listening speed from 0.5x to 3x.
Passwords
Passwords supports autofilling verification codes from notifications received from apps.
There's now a timeline of changes you've made in Passwords, so you can see your previous passwords.
Preview
The Mac Preview app is now available on the iPhone.
PDF AutoFill can fill out PDF forms automatically with your information.
PDFs can be marked up, resized, and rotated, plus scanned images can be opened in Preview as a PDF.
Feature Notes
Some of the features on this list are limited to newer iPhones, including anything that requires Apple Intelligence. Wallet order tracking, Messages polls suggestions, Live Translation, Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, Reminders suggestions and categorization, and Adaptive Power all require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, for example.
Spatial Scenes requires an iPhone 12 or later, and lens cleaning reminders require an iPhone 15 or later.
In-person Live Translation requires AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3. Supported languages are limited, and include English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Compatibility
iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and later and the iPhone SE 2.
Read More
For more on all of the new features in iOS 26, we have a dedicated iOS 26 roundup that walks through all of the changes. We also have an iOS 26 ultimate guide that includes feature breakdowns and instructions on how to use all of the new additions.
Apple today released new firmware for the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds that came out earlier this year. The updated firmware has a version number of 8A353, an update to the prior 7B30 firmware that came out in March.
The updated firmware adds new functionality when combined with the iOS 26 update. The heart rate monitoring feature in the Powerbeats Pro 2 is now compatible with the Fitness app, and wearers will be able to see real-time performance metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and the Burn Bar, features that previously required an Apple Watch.
Both the Apple Watch and Powerbeats Pro 2 can be used simultaneously to provide data to the Health app, and Apple added a new algorithm that improves heart rate reading speeds. If there's a poor fit that's impacting heart rate monitoring, a new alert will suggest adjustments.
Heart rate monitoring in iOS 26 can be done with just a single earbud, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 can be used for step tracking even when the iPhone is not nearby. Apple also added support for Siri head gestures, so there is now an option to nod your head yes or shake your head no to accept or decline calls, hear or decline text messages, and more.
Most of these features are designed for iPhone users, but the improved heart rate tracking algorithm and fit notifications are also available on Android devices.
The updated firmware can be installed on the Powerbeats Pro 2 by connecting them to power and ensuring that they are in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi. Firmware can be checked on the iPhone by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping the Info button next to the Beats headphones in the list. Android users can download new Beats firmware through the Beats app for Android.
iOS 26 was finally released on Monday, but the software train never stops, and the first developer beta of iOS 26.1 will likely be released soon.
iOS 18.1 was an anomaly, as the first developer beta of that version was released in late July last year, to allow for early testing of Apple Intelligence features. The first betas of iOS 15.1, iOS 16.1, and iOS 17.1 were all released in the second half of September, so it is likely the iOS 26.1 beta cycle will begin this month.
The following new features are expected to be added in future updates, ranging from iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4. These are only the features that are known about so far, so there will obviously be many others added over the course of the next year.
Digital Passport
A future version of iOS 26 will let you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app. Unfortunately, the feature has been delayed.
The so-called "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be available in a "software update," according to Apple's fine print on its iOS 26 page. Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully it arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.
After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.
Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.
It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.
RCS Upgrades
Earlier this year, Apple said it planned to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates, and we are still waiting for that to happen. As of the first official version of iOS 26 released this week, the upgrade has yet to be implemented on iPhones.
End-to-end encryption for RCS was announced in March, as part of version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profile, a global standard for RCS features and specifications. This means that Apple has indirectly confirmed that it will support RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which includes not only end-to-end encryption for RCS, but several other iMessage-like enhancements for RCS that were originally introduced in RCS Universal Profile 2.7.
Apple has to wait on carriers to implement RCS Universal Profile 3.0 too, so it is understandable why the process is taking time.
Here are five new capabilities to expect for RCS conversations on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, once Apple rolls out support for RCS Universal Profile 3.0:
End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices, as has always been the case with iMessage
In-line replies
Edit messages
Unsend messages
Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, with no special workarounds
RCS support as a whole was added to the iPhone with iOS 18, which supports RCS Universal Profile 2.4. It is effectively a modernized version of the SMS standard, which remains available as a fallback option for text messages over a cellular network.
RCS will be playing catch up with iMessage in many ways. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have already supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. In addition, iMessage has supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16.
It seems likely that Apple will roll out these RCS upgrades at some point during the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 software cycle.
Personalized Siri
In late July, Apple CEO Tim Cook said his company was making "good progress" on a more personalized version of Siri, and he reiterated the features were on track to launch next year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the new Siri to launch in the U.S. in spring 2026, so Apple is likely aiming for an iOS 26.4 launch.
Apple first announced the personalized Siri features during its WWDC 2024 keynote, but in March it announced that they were delayed. The new capabilities will include better understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
Weather via Satellite
A little more than three months ago, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered references to an unreleased "Weather via satellite" feature in the code for the first iOS 26 developer beta. However, the feature has yet to be released or even announced by Apple, so it is unclear if it is still coming or if it was scrapped.
The references have not been removed from the code, as of the iOS 26 Release Candidate, so it is possible that Apple will introduce the feature eventually. Perhaps the feature will be added in a follow-up update, such as iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.
The feature would let you view the forecast and other weather information in the Weather app, in supported areas without Wi-Fi and cellular range. Apple's other satellite features include Emergency SOS via satellite, Messages via satellite, Find My via satellite, and Roadside Assistance via satellite, with availability varying by country.
Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.
In celebration of World Emoji Day on July 17, the Unicode Consortium previewed some of the new emoji that will be coming with Unicode 17.0.
Here are some of the new emoji:
Trombone
Treasure Chest
Distorted Face
Hairy Creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)
Fight Cloud
Apple Core
Orca
Ballet Dancers
Landslide
Notably, Distorted Face is a popular emoji in Discord servers. It is essentially a distorted version of the embarassed face emoji, also known as Flushed Face.
It typically takes Apple several months to design new emoji in its own style, so the emoji listed above will likely be added to the iPhone in iOS 26.4.
Apple most recently added new emoji to the iPhone with iOS 18.4, an update that came out in late March. iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4 also introduced new emoji over the years, so the timing has become predictable by this point if it holds up.
Mophie today announced the launch of four new Qi2 wireless chargers that can charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones at up to 15W.
The $60 Powerstation Wireless Slim has an ultra-thin design that's meant to provide extra power without adding too much bulk. It has a 5,000 mAh battery and also includes a 20W USB-C power delivery port for wired charging. It's just 9mm thick, so it pairs well with the iPhone Air or any of Apple's new iPhone 17 models.
Mophie also has a version of the Slim with a built-in stand that is able to rotate 180 degrees, making it ideal for watching videos in either portrait or landscape mode. It is priced at $70, and is 11mm thick to accommodate the stand.
The $80 Powerstation Wireless has a larger 10,000 mAh capacity, but a thicker design than the slim model at 15mm. It too includes a 20W USB-C port for faster wired charging. The $90 Powerstation Wireless with Stand is 2mm thicker, coming in at 17mm, plus it supports 30W wired charging.
Apple released macOS Tahoe on September 15, which means it's now available for all Macs that support it. If you didn't download the new software yet, here are some features that might entice you to upgrade.
Liquid Glass - macOS Tahoe has a whole new design, and it matches the Liquid Glass that Apple brought to iOS 26. Buttons, navigation bars, widgets, the Dock, menus, side bars, and more all have a more translucent look that reflects the background underneath and refracts light. There are new icon options, including tinted and entirely clear.
Customizable Control Center - You can rearrange the Control Center in macOS Tahoe, putting what you access most often front and center. You're also able to use multiple Control Center pages, and add third-party app controls like on iOS.
Customizable Menu Bar - You can also rearrange the Menu Bar, plus add Control Center controls to it. Live Activities from the iPhone will also show up in the Menu Bar now through iPhone Mirroring.
Spotlight Redesign - Spotlight is very different in macOS Tahoe, and it might take some getting used to. There's no more Launchpad, because the new Spotlight functionality has replaced it. There are four main Spotlight options to access apps, files, complete actions, and access the Clipboard History.
Clipboard - Spotlight now saves what you copy and paste, so you have a log of what you've been doing that you can go back and reference. You can see your entire history for the day, but it is limited to 24 hours.
Spotlight Actions - You can use Spotlight Actions to do all kinds of things without opening an app. You can send texts, emails, create shortcuts for features in apps, set timers, create Calendar events, make reminders, and much more, plus there's integration with the Shortcuts app to take things even further. There are quick access phrases you can assign to launch tasks quickly, like CH for bringing up ChatGPT.
Folder Customization - You can assign colors to folders, and also add an emoji or character to help you better organize your files. Folders get a color tag, which is a useful way to group things together.
Widgets - You can move widgets from the Notification Center to the desktop for quicker access. This works with widgets from Apple apps and from third-party apps.
Shortcuts - The macOS Shortcuts app supports creating automations, much like the Shortcuts app in iOS 26. You can make Shortcuts that run at a specific time of day, with a trigger action, when an accessory connects, when an action in an app takes place, when the battery drains to a certain level, when activating a Focus mode, and more. It's super powerful when paired with Spotlight's new functionality.
Phone App - Apple brought the Phone app to the Mac, so you can make calls, accept calls, and use features like Hold Assist and Call Screening. You still need a connected iPhone with Wi-Fi Assist turned on.
Journal App - The Journal app is new to the Mac, and it makes a lot of sense on a platform that has a full keyboard. It works just like the iOS version of the app, but there are also some added features like the option to create multiple journals.
Games App - The Games app is also new to the Mac. It's a cross-platform app that aggregates Mac App Store games and Apple Arcade games with your own games library, plus it provides options for playing with friends. There's a new Game Overlay that lets you adjust game settings and connect with friends without exiting the game, and if you're on battery, there's a Low Power Mode so you can play longer.
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