Apple today released watchOS 8.7.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that launched in September 2021. watchOS 8.7.1 comes a month after the launch of watchOS 8.7, and it focuses on bug fixes. The watchOS 8.7.1 update is only available for Apple Watch Series 3 models, and those who have a newer Apple Watch will not see the update.
watchOS 8.7.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8.7.1 fixes a bug that could cause the Apple Watch Series 3 to unexpectedly restart for some users.
watchOS 8.7.1 is expected to be one of the final updates to the watchOS 8 operating system as Apple has now shifted focus to watchOS 9, the latest version of watchOS set to be released this fall.
Stylus-maker Adonit has introduced the Neo Pro, the first iPad stylus that can be magnetically stored and wirelessly charged on the side of an iPad, just like the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Few existing third-party styluses are able to be magnetically attached to the side of an iPad, and the Adonit Neo Pro appears to be the first to also wirelessly charge on the side of an iPad like the Apple Pencil. Most powered third-party stylyses for the iPad have to be charged via a USB-C port.
The Neo Pro costs $44.99, considerably less than the $129 Apple Pencil. While it has similar functionality to the Apple Pencil with features like tilt sensitivity and palm rejection, it does not have pressure sensitivity.
When connected via Bluetooth, the Neo Pro can display its battery status in Apple's iPadOS battery widget. The stylus features a replaceable spiral tip, a click-to-turn-on button on the top, and up to nine hours of battery life.
The Adonit Neo Pro is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro, the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro or newer, the fourth-generation iPad Air or newer, and the sixth-generation iPad mini. The stylus is now available to pre-order in Space Gray and Matte Silver.
Amazon has continued to drop the price of the Apple Watch Series 7 throughout the summer, and today it's hit a new all-time low price in both 41mm and 45mm GPS options. Starting with the smaller model, you can get the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 7 for $289.99, down from $399, thanks to an on-page coupon applied at checkout.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Secondly, the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 7 is available for $319.99 on Amazon, down from $429.00. Both models are only available in the (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum color with the (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
At $109 off, these are now the best prices we've ever seen on the Apple Watch Series 7 in both sizes. Shoppers should note that both of these sales will not appear until you head to the checkout screen and an automatic coupon worth $9.01 is applied to the order.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
British carrier EE today announced that it will soon become the world's first carrier to bundle Apple One as a free perk with a phone plan.
In a press release spotted by 9to5Mac, EE said Apple One will be included with its newly revamped Full Works plan starting August 31. The plan will include Apple One's individual tier, which normally costs £14.95 per month in the UK and includes access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage.
EE's existing Full Works plan already included Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade individually, so the only addition is the complimentary iCloud storage. More importantly, it sets the stage for other carriers to bundle Apple One around the world.
On a standalone basis, Apple One allows customers to subscribe to multiple Apple services through a single plan with unified billing and for less money than subscribing to all of the services individually. More details are available in our Apple One guide.
Thanks to various reports and the launch of the Mac Studio earlier this year, there is an increasingly clear picture of what to expect from Apple silicon Mac Pro configurations later this year.
The Mac Pro is one of the last Intel-based Mac models still on sale and the only remaining Mac product line with no Apple silicon chip options. An all-new model that finally brings Apple silicon to Apple's top-tier Mac for professionals has now been anticipated for over two years. At its "Peek Performance" event earlier this year, Apple even teased the launch of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, saying "that's for another day."
Previously, reports about a smaller Mac Pro model placed somewhere between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro made it difficult to know what to expect from the future of the high-end Mac Pro line, but it is now clear many of these rumors related to the Mac Studio, clarifying what is expected from the next-generation Mac Pro.
Multiple reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman about the Apple silicon Mac Pro's chip options and specifications provide a fairly straightforward picture of what to expect from the new flagship Mac. According to Gurman, users will reportedly be able to configure the new Mac Pro with "M2 Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chip options. The device's configurations are likely to look as follows:
Mac Pro With M2 Ultra
20-core CPU (16 high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores)
Up to a 64-core GPU
32-core Neural Engine
64GB or 128GB of unified memory
Mac Pro With M2 Extreme
40-core CPU (32 high-performance cores and eight high-efficiency cores)
Up to a 128-core GPU
64-core Neural Engine
At least 128GB or 256GB of unified memory
At present, the M1 Ultra is Apple's most powerful custom silicon chip available, featuring a 20-core CPU and up to a 64-core GPU, along with a 32-core Neural Engine. Sitting above the Ultra in the chip lineup, the M2 Extreme would presumably surpass these specs to become the top-tier Apple silicon chip for maximum performance.
According to these rumors, the M2 Extreme would surpass the top-tier Intel Xeon W CPU option with 28-cores offered in the current Intel-based Mac Pro. The M2 Extreme's known specifications effectively double the capabilities of the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio, but if it is based on the more advanced 5nm fabrication process behind the current M2 chip, it is likely that there will be a range of other improvements in terms of core technologies, efficiency, and clock speed.
The M2 chip delivers an 18 percent faster CPU, a 35 percent more powerful GPU, a 40 percent faster Neural Engine, and 50 percent more memory bandwidth compared to the M1 chip. A similar performance delta between the M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra seems likely.
The current Mac Pro is available with up to 1.5TB of memory, a $25,000 configuration option available to $11,999 and $12,999 Mac Pro models with 24- and 28-core CPUs. Since Apple silicon Macs use a shared pool of unified memory rather than the conventional DDR4 ECC memory sticks used in the current Mac Pro, it seems probable that it will be available with considerably less memory.
The M1 family of chips follows a clear system for increasing unified memory options, with the M1 offering 8GB or 16GB, the M1 Pro offering 16GB or 32GB, the M1 Max offering 32GB or 64GB, and the M1 Ultra offering 64GB or 128GB. As such, it seems plausible that any new "Extreme" chip above the Ultra will offer 128GB and 256GB unified memory options. The M2 chip added a 24GB memory option so it is possible that Apple could offer even larger 192GB and 384GB amounts of unified memory with the new Mac Pro.
The Mac Pro currently starts at $5,999, with the potential to price it up to over $52,000 in custom configurations. The base model Apple silicon Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra is almost certain to cost more than the high-end Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra, which starts at $3,999. It seems likely that the new base model Mac Pro will continue to start at a price point similar to the current model, but there is no further information about pricing at this time.
Beyond its basic specifications, little is currently known about the device's design, ports, and modularity. Apple is expected to introduce the Apple silicon Mac Pro later this year, and it could be followed by a "Pro" version of the Studio Display with a mini-LED panel and support for ProMotion in early 2023. For more information about the new Mac Pro, see our detailed guide.
Adobe has launched its back to school promotion this week, offering the Creative Cloud All Apps subscription for 63 percent off for the first year, plus your first month free for students and teachers who prepay for the full year. With this sale, you'll pay $19.99/month for the first year, down from $54.99/month for the full-priced plan.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adobe. 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 choose to pay for the entire year upfront at the price of $219.00/year. After your first year ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard rate of $359.88/year unless you change or cancel the subscription. This sale ends September 5 and is only available to first time subscribers and eligible education customers.
When signing up for Creative Cloud All Apps, you gain access to more than 20 creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, and Acrobat. You also get templates, cloud storage, and thousands of Adobe Fonts.
These programs can be subscribed to individually as well for a monthly fee, but the new offer is only for Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps. Adobe is not discounting individual services. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Apple today announced new in-app Remix Sessions for GarageBand featuring Katy Perry and K-pop group SEVENTEEN, alongside an accompanying Today at Apple Session.
The two new Remix Sessions, available as free downloads in the GarageBand app for iOS and iPadOS, include a range of loops, sounds, and instruments that allow users to put their own spin on the songs "Harleys in Hawaii" by Katy Perry and "Darl+ing" by SEVENTEEN using the Live Loops interface, Remix FX with filters and repeaters, and more.
In addition, Apple is today launching an accompanying Today at Apple session called "Music Skills: Remix Katy Perry" at Apple Stores worldwide, where Retail Creative Pros will teach customers how to remix "Harleys in Hawaii" using GarageBand. Customers can sign up to take part in a session on the Today at Apple website.
iPhone 14 Pro models will "likely" see a $100 price increase compared to iPhone 13 Pro models, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
iPhone 14 Pro render by Ian Zelbo based on rumored design
"While the base iPhone will stay at the same price we believe a $100 price increase on the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max is likely in store given component price increases as well as added functionality on this new release," said Ives, in a research note obtained by MacRumors today.
Last week, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said iPhone 14 Pro models would have "price hikes," suggesting they will be more expensive than iPhone 13 Pro models. Kuo did not reveal exact pricing, but he said that the average selling price of the entire iPhone 14 lineup, including the lower-end models, would increase by about 15% overall.
In the U.S., the iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 and the iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099. If a $100 price increase proves to be accurate, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max would start at $1,099 and $1,199, respectively. Ives said the price increase would be due in part to increased component prices and new features/functionality.
iPhone 14 Pro models are rumored to feature a new pill-shaped cutout and hole replacing the notch, a faster A16 chip, faster RAM, an upgraded 48-megapixel rear camera with support for 8K video recording, and an always-on display that shows the time, date, and iOS 16's new Lock Screen widgets and battery percentage icon.
Today on Amazon you can get the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad for the record low price of $299.00, down from $329.00. Both the Silver and Space Gray colors are in stock at this price, with delivery estimates set for as soon as August 19.
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.
This is a match of the record low price we previously tracked on the 10.2-inch iPad, and right now only Amazon has the sale. Only the 64GB iPad is on sale this time around, and the Space Gray model is starting to see slight shipping delays, so be sure to visit Amazon soon if you're interested.
For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
Apple's special-edition Beats Fit Pro colors, designed in collaboration with Kim Kardashian, have sold out on Apple's online stores in the U.S. and Canada within hours after launching.
All three colors – Moon, Dune, and Earth – have shown as no longer available for online orders since Tuesday afternoon, with no date given for when they will be available again for purchase. Amazon US though does seem to have stock remaining. Over in the U.K., only the Earth color is available to order from Apple online, while all color options remain available in Germany, France, and Japan.
For those eager to get hold of the "Kim K" special edition Beats in person, the new colors will become available at select Apple Store locations starting Wednesday, including The Grove, Tower Theatre, and Third Street Promenade in the Los Angeles area, Fifth Avenue and SoHo in New York City, Aventura in Miami, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Regent Street in London, Champs-Élysées in Paris, and Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.
There are no changes to the $199.99 "Kim K" edition Beats Fit Pro beyond the new color options. The standard color options remain available, including Beats Black, Beats White, Stone Purple, and Sage Gray.
Launched in November 2021, the Beats Fit Pro are ideal for athletes, with flexible wingtips providing a more secure fit in the ear. The wireless earbuds have similar features as AirPods Pro, including silicone ear tips, active noise cancellation with "Transparency" mode, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, an H1 chip for one-tap pairing and automatic switching between Apple devices, and hands-free "Hey Siri" support.
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.
Apple is in the process of relocating Apple Watch and Mac production to the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam as part of a broader push to diversify its supply chain, Nikkei Asiareports.
The report says that Apple's supplier Luxshare has begun trial production of Apple Watch and MacBook models in Vietnam. Vietnam is already the home for production of several Apple productions, including certain iPad and AirPods models.
Alongside Apple Watch and MacBook production possibly moving to Vietnam, the report says that Apple is also mulling potentially moving HomePod production to the country. The report noted that Apple's trial production of MacBooks in Vietnam is progressing slowly due to pandemic-related disruptions.
Apple is working on an updated version of its low-cost iPad, with the new tablet set to come out later in 2022. The entry-level iPad has always been something of an afterthought as it isn't often updated with new features, but rumors suggest there's a big redesign in the works.
This guide highlights everything that we know about the 10th-generation iPad.
Design Changes
Multiple rumors have indicated that the 10th-generation iPad is going to get some notable design changes. Without going into specifics, DigiTimes said that there are "major" design updates in the works, and leaked renders from MySmartPrice said to be of the next-generation iPad have given us some insight on what might be coming.
The upcoming tablet may feature a design that's similar to the iPad mini with flat edges and rounded corners. There could be a power button at the top, but the bezels are not expected to be eliminated. The tablet is expected to measure in at 248.62mm (height) x 179.50mm (width) x 6.98mm (depth), which would make it wider and thinner than the current model. Rumors indicate the 10th-generation iPad will continue to feature a Touch ID Home button rather than Face ID.
A single-lens rear camera is expected, as is a front-facing camera, and Apple may include an LED flash. There is no word as of yet on whether the lens will be improved or if it will use the same 12-megapixel rear camera that's in the existing model.
The 9th-generation iPad continues to feature a headphone jack, but it appears that Apple will remove the headphone jack from the 10th-generation model, bringing it in line with other iPads.
A sketchy rumor from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests that the low-cost iPad could feature a Touch ID power button and a repositioned FaceTime camera. A Touch ID power button would be in line with the iPad Air and the iPad mini, and a repositioned FaceTime camera would be better for Center Stage, but it is now clear if the site's sources are reliable so the information should be viewed with some skepticism.
Display Size
According to respected display analyst Ross Young, the next-generation iPad is going to feature a larger 10.5-inch display, which would be an increase over the existing 10.2-inch display the ninth-generation iPad sports.
USB-C
Apple has been shifting the iPad line from Lightning to USB-C, and it's the iPad's turn for an update. The 10th-generation iPad is expected to feature a USB-C port for charging instead of a Lightning port, similar to the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini.
Apple is planning to update its entire iPhone, iPad, and AirPod product lineup to USB-C starting next year in order to comply with new rules in Europe that require products to have a common charging port for device interoperability.
A14 Chip
The current iPad has an A13 Bionic chip, but Apple is rumored to be planning to upgrade the 10th-generation iPad to an A14 chip, which was first used in the iPhone 12 and the fourth-generation iPad Air. It will bring a moderate increase in performance and efficiency compared to the existing model.
5G?
Apple has added 5G connectivity across its iPhone product lineup and to iPads that include the current iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models, so it stands to reason that the 10th-generation iPad could also get faster 5G connectivity.
Launch Date
The 10th-generation iPad is expected to launch later in the year, in either September or October. DigiTimes has suggested Apple is aiming for a September launch, but in years past, Apple has held a second Mac and iPad-centric event in October, leaving the September event for iPhones and Apple Watches. That said, the ninth-generation iPad did come out at Apple's September 2021 event, so September 2022 is a strong possibility.
Apple's annual National Parks activity challenge is set to take place on Saturday, August 27th, in celebration of national parks worldwide.
Apple will ask Apple Watch owners to complete a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile to earn a special National Parks award.
Let's celebrate the beauty of national parks everywhere. On August 27, earn this award by recording a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile (1.6K) or more with any app that adds workouts to Health.
Like all Activity Challenges, the award will be accompanied by animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.
Apple always celebrates national parks in August, typically introducing an Apple Pay donation program, Apple TV+ content, Apple Music songs, books, podcasts, and more focused on national parks.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 9 update to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to experience the new watch software ahead of its fall release. The new beta comes a week after the third beta, and it corresponds to the sixth developer beta that was released yesterday.
The watchOS 9 update can be downloaded after upgrading your iPhone to the public beta version of iOS 16. After installing iOS 16, the proper watchOS 9 profile from Apple's beta software website must also be installed.
The software can be accessed by going to General > Software Update in the Apple Watch app on iPhone. To update, Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 9 expands the sleep tracking feature to add sleep stages, allowing the watch to track when users are in REM Core, or Deep sleep, plus it supports a Medications app for managing and getting reminders for medications, vitamins, and supplements.
There are four new watch faces, including Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy, and the ECG app supports AFib History for tracking how long a person has been in atrial fibrillation.
Custom workouts have been added to the Workout app, and there are fitness improvements for runners, triathletes, and swimmers. Other new features include a CallKit API that allows VOIP calls to be answered on Apple Watch, Apple Watch Mirroring for controlling the Apple Watch with an iPhone, Quick Actions for doing more with a double pinch gesture, and updates to the Reminders and Calendar apps.
This month marks three years since the Apple Card launched in the United States. Apple's credit card first rolled out to a limited number of customers on August 6, 2019 before expanding to all eligible U.S. residents two weeks later.
Unfortunately for iPhone users living in other countries, however, the Apple Card has still yet to launch outside of the United States.
One country where the Apple Card would especially make sense is Canada, where the iPhone has over 50% market share and 76.2 million Visa and Mastercard cards were in circulation as of January 2021, according to the Canadian Bankers Association. Apple Card's standard 2% cashback on purchases made via Apple Pay and 3% cashback at participating merchants would be competitive with other Canadian credit cards, but it's likely that the Apple Card's rewards would vary on a country-by-country basis.
Launched in partnership with investment bank Goldman Sachs and Mastercard, the Apple Card can be managed completely through the Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch, with key features including color-coded spending summaries, cashback paid out on a daily basis, an interest-free financing option for purchasing new Apple products, and no fees of any kind beyond interest charges on overdue balances. There is also a physical Apple Card available for use at stores that do not accept contactless payments.
The new colors will also be available at select Apple Store locations starting Wednesday, including The Grove, Tower Theatre, and Third Street Promenade in the Los Angeles area, Fifth Avenue and SoHo in New York City, Aventura in Miami, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Regent Street in London, Champs-Élysées in Paris, and Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.
There are no changes to the "Kim K" edition Beats Fit Pro beyond the new color options, and they remain priced at $199.99 in the United States. The standard color options remain available, including Beats Black, Beats White, Stone Purple, and Sage Gray.
The new color options appear to be inspired by Kardashian's shapewear brand SKIMS.
"I wanted to break away from the idea that headphones have to be colorful to make a statement," said Kardashian. "This collaboration is special because it allows you to blend in or stand out, and Beats is known for creating products that showcase individuality."
Launched in November 2021, the Beats Fit Pro are ideal for athletes, with flexible wingtips providing a more secure fit in the ear. The wireless earbuds have similar features as AirPods Pro, including silicone ear tips, active noise cancellation with "Transparency" mode, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, an H1 chip for one-tap pairing and automatic switching between Apple devices, and hands-free "Hey Siri" support.
Update: The new Beats Fit Pro colors are listed as "Sold Out" on Apple's online store as of Tuesday afternoon. Amazon still has stock at the time of writing.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
It's crazy to think about, but next month will mark five years since Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 3. Despite being a severely antiquated smartwatch, the Series 3 has remained at the bottom of Apple's lineup for $199.
Suppose you're still holding on to your Apple Watch Series 3. In that case, this article will list all the major new features and changes you'll get if you decide to upgrade to the newer Apple Watch Series 8 next month or even the current latest-generation Apple Watch Series 7.
We've broken up the changes into categories: hardware, health and fitness, performance, battery life and power, software updates, and features.
Hardware
A completely redesigned display: The Apple Watch Series 3 features an outdated, squared-off display with considerable borders. The upcoming Series 8 is not expected to gain a redesign compared to the Series 7. Either way, Series 3 customers will enjoy a 50% larger display with rounded corners and massively smaller bezels.
More durable and stylish case options: The Series 3 is currently only offered in the aluminum case options, which have an Ion-X front glass. Newer flagship Apple Watches come in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. Stainless steel and titanium models are protected with sapphire front crystals, which is more durable than Ion-X glass.
Larger options to choose from: The Series 3 comes in only 38mm and 42mm case options, with much of the space being taken up by larger bezels around the display. The Series 8 is rumored to come in larger case options than the Series 7, which is already offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Either way, Series 3 customers will benefit from a larger watch with a larger display.
New Digital Crown with haptic feedback: The Series 3, like all Apple Watch models, features a Digital Crown which serves as a primary way of interacting with the device. Newer Apple Watch models, however, have an updated Digital Crown that features haptic feedback. Haptic feedback with the Digital Crown offers subtle vibrations as users scroll a list and make nimble adjustments.
Redesigned speaker layout with louder speakers: The Series 3 has very small speakers on the right side that are stacked on top of each other. Since the Series 7, Apple has redesigned the speaker system to run almost across the entirety of the right side, making the speaker both physically larger and, as a result, up to 50% louder.
An always-on display that's now brighter: A massively larger display is not the only benefit Series 3 customers have to look forward to when upgrading to a newer model. Since the Series 5, Apple Watches have featured an always-on display, which always displays information such as the time and complications, even when a wearer's wrist is down. On newer models, the always-on display is now 70% brighter outdoors.
Health and Fitness Features
How much oxygen is in my blood?: If you've ever wanted to know without taking a trip down to your local clinic, newer Apple Watch models are for you. With the Series 6 in 2020, Apple introduced a blood oxygen sensor into the watch, which reads the amount of oxygen in a wearer's blood by having them stay still for 15 seconds.
Ouch. You've taken a nasty fall: In the unfortunate event you take an unexpected and hard fall to the ground, newer Apple Watch models will be able to notify local authorities and your close friend and family unless you tell the watch you're fine and do not require any assistance. Fall Detection is only available for users 18 years old and above.
Improved heart rate sensor: Newer Apple Watch models have a new and improved heart rate sensor and an electrical heart sensor. Compared to the optical heart sensor in Series 3, newer models, such as the Series 7 and Series 8, can provide more accurate heart rate readings to a wearer.
Hey Siri, do I have a fever?: It may seem like a sci-fi scenario, but it could be a reality. Rumors suggest that the upcoming Series 8 will feature a body temperature sensor, able to measure the temperature of a wearer's body. It's unclear if the watch will provide users a direct temperature reading, like normal thermometers. Still, it may offer insight into whether it believes the wearer could potentially have a fever and if they may need to seek medical attention.
Take an ECG on your wrist: Taking an ECG (electrocardiogram) usually requires a trip to a hospital, paperwork, and a plethora of sensors. Thanks to the Series 4 and newer, users can take an ECG using just their Apple Watch on their wrist by placing their finger on the Digital Crown. The results can be found within the Health app on the paired iPhone and can then be shared with your doctor.
Performance and Battery Life
New processor and faster performance: The dual-core S3 SiP (system in package) of the Series 3 has reached its limit with performance, as customers often complain of laggy performance and jittery animations. The dual-core processor in the Series 7, and expected for Series 8, offers more than double the performance in day-to-day use.
Faster and more reliable Bluetooth connections: The Series 3 is so old it even relies on outdated Bluetooth technology. The Series 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2, while newer Apple Watch models and iPhones use Bluetooth 5.0. The newer Bluetooth standard is more reliable and supports a higher bandwidth for wireless transmission.
U1 chip: The Series 3 does not feature the U1 Ultra Wideband chip, which helps enable close proximity features to the iPhone and other products. The Series 6 was the first Apple Watch to feature the chip.
The same all-day battery life, now with fast charging: On its website, Apple promises the same 18-hour all-day battery life for the Series 3 compared to the latest Series 7, and we presume the Series 8. In practice, however, due to more advanced software and outdated hardware, Series 3 customers may be looking for better battery life. On newer Apple Watch models, Apple supports fast charging, so you can recharge your watch faster even if it doesn't last as long as you'd like.
Software Updates
It's the end of the road for Series 3: With watchOS 9 later this fall, the Series 3 will no longer be supported by the latest watchOS version, which means it will not receive new features and capabilities. Series 3 will still continue to receive security updates, however, for some time to come.
Some additional, smaller features Series 3 customers will enjoy if they upgrade:
Higher 32GB of storage compared to the 8GB in the Series 3
An always-on altimeter, useful for hikers and athletes
Amazon and B&H Photo are offering all-time low prices on Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro lineup today, with discounts available on both the 14-inch and 16-inch models.
14-inch MacBook Pro
Starting with the 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/1TB), this model has dropped to $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00. This is a record low price on this version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and it's available in Silver and Space Gray on Amazon. B&H Photo is matching in Space Gray.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
We haven't seen record low prices on the lower-end 512GB model of the 14-inch MacBook Pro in a few weeks, so as of now the only 14-inch model on sale remains the 1TB model.
16-inch MacBook Pro
For the 16-inch MacBook Pro, we're tracking an all-time low price on the 10-Core M1 Pro/512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro, priced at $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00. This one is available in both colors on Amazon, and B&H Photo is matching in both colors as well.
On the higher end, the 10-Core M1 Pro/1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,399.00, down from $2,699.00. At $300 off, this is another record low price on the 2021 MacBook Pro. B&H Photo is again matching in both colors.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adobe. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
