Apple this week introduced a redesigned sixth-generation iPad mini that looks much closer to the current iPad Air, with slimmer bezels, a Touch ID power button, a USB-C port, compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and more.
The new iPad mini is equipped with the same A15 Bionic chip as iPhone 13 models, and while Apple doesn’t advertise the amount of RAM in the device, MacRumors can confirm that the new iPad mini has 4GB of RAM, an increase from 3GB of in the previous iPad mini. We can also confirm the ninth-generation iPad has the same 3GB of RAM as the eighth-generation model. These amounts were revealed in strings contained within the Xcode 13 beta.
The same type of Xcode strings accurately revealed the amount of RAM in iPhone 12 models last year and in several previous iPhone generations. Teardowns and regulatory filings should provide further confirmation in the coming days.
The new iPad mini and iPad models are available to order now on Apple's website and launch on Friday, September 24.
Contrary to some recent media reporting, MacRumors can confirm that the new Apple Watch Series 7 is powered by a new S7 chip, although the S7 is based around the same CPU found in the S6 chip from the Series 6.
Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 7 during its event yesterday, but the watch will not be available until "later this fall." As a result, Apple has so far offered relatively little detail about the new watch, not even publishing a specifications page on its website detailing the specific features of the Series 7.
Nonetheless, MacRumors can confirm several details about the Series 7 not currently shared by Apple. First, the Apple Watch Series 7 is indeed powered with an S7 branded chip, which Apple indicates will offer the same 20% advantage in performance compared to the S5 chip found in the Apple Watch SE and Series 5 as the Apple Watch Series 6 did.
As noted by Steve Troughton-Smith, the CPU in the S7 chip carries the same t8301 identifier as the CPU in the previous S6 chip, which explains why Apple's performance claims are unchanged relative to the S6.
There is more to an Apple Watch chip than just the CPU, however, and that's where there have apparently been a few changes that have led Apple to brand it with a new name despite offering the same performance. With the larger display on the Series 7, the S7 chip is likely to have been tweaked to continue providing customers with all-day battery life while still powering the larger, more advanced display.
This isn't the first time Apple has done something like this. For example, with the Apple Watch Series 5, Apple included the S5 chip that carried the same CPU as its predecessor but with the addition of a gyroscope.
As far as internal storage, the Apple Watch Series 7 includes 32GB, the same as on the Series 6 and SE models.
We can also share a number of details about the weight of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 compared to the Series 6:
Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Aluminum: 4.9% heavier than 40mm Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Stainless Steel: 6.5% heavier than 40mm Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Titanium: 6.9% heavier than 40mm Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Aluminum: 6.6% heavier than 44mm Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Stainless Steel: 9.3% heavier than 44mm Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Titanium: 9.2% heavier than 44mm Series 6
With the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple includes faster charging, claiming that it can charge to 80% in just 45 minutes and that 8 minutes of fast charging will provide sufficient battery life for 8 hours of sleep tracking. To support the new fast charging, Apple will be offering a new 1-meter USB-C magnetic fast charging cable.
We can confirm that Apple will be including the new fast charging cable in the box with the Apple Watch Series 7. Using the older USB-A cable with the Series 7 will still charge the device at normal, non-fast charging speeds.
On the connectivity front, the Series 7 includes the same Bluetooth 5.0 protocol as the Series 6, but, unlike the Series 6, the new Apple Watch Series 7 also has built-in support for Beidou, China's satellite navigation system. The Series 7 also includes the U1 chip, with no apparent improvements compared to the ultra wideband chip found in the Series 6 or last year's iPhone 12.
With the upcoming launch of new iPhones, we're starting to see accessory companies introduce cases for the latest Apple smartphones. Nomad today announced its own iPhone 13 cases and Apple Watch bands, all of which can be pre-ordered today.
All of the new iPhone 13 cases from Nomad include a new feature called the Digital Business Card. With this, you can customize a digital card that includes your phone number, name, social media, and other information, and it's all stored within an NFC-enabled chip in the case. This way, another iPhone user can simply tap the back of your iPhone and receive all of your information.
To start, the Sport Case for iPhone supports all four iPhone 13 models and is priced at $39.95. It comes in five colors: Black, Lunar Gray, Dune, Ash Green, and Marine Blue. Pre-orders placed today will ship on October 18.
The Sport Case is Nomad's first foray into non-leather iPhone cases, and it's made up of a scratch resistant PET-coated polycarbonate frame, high grip TPE bumpers, metal buttons, and a microfiber interior. It's also compatible with MagSafe.
For a traditional leather case, Nomad is also selling the Modern Leather Case for iPhone at $59.95. It's available for all four models of the iPhone 13, and comes in Natural, Rustic Brown, and Black. Orders placed today will ship between September 20 and 25. This accessory is also MagSafe compatible and has 10ft drop protection.
Lastly for iPhone cases, the Modern Leather Folio for iPhone supports all iPhone 13 models and comes in Black and Rustic Brown at $79.95. This accessory is similar to the Modern Leather Case but includes a folio with three card slots and one cash slot. It also supports MagSafe and has a similar shipping estimate as the Modern Leather Case.
Nomad also has a few new Sport Bands for Apple Watch. These are lightweight and breathable bands built from a soft, flexible rubber and they're 100% waterproof. You can buy them for $59.95 for a late October shipping estimate. Be sure to head to Nomad's website to check out all of the new accessories.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple never advertises the amount of RAM in iPhones, but based on strings contained within the Xcode 13 beta, MacRumors can confirm that iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models are equipped with 6GB of RAM, while the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have 4GB of RAM. These amounts are unchanged from the iPhone 12 lineup.
The same Xcode strings accurately revealed the amount of RAM in iPhone 12 models last year and in several previous iPhone generations.
iPhone 13 models feature a more power efficient A15 Bionic chip based on TSMC's advanced 5nm+ process, but Apple has not indicated how much faster the chip is compared to the A14 chip. The A15 chip also has a new 5-core GPU in iPhone 13 Pro models — up from 4 cores — that Apple says delivers the "fastest graphics performance in any smartphone."
All four iPhone 13 models will be available to pre-order starting Friday, September 17 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in the U.S. and over 30 other countries and regions. The devices are set to launch one week later on Friday, September 24.
Amazon has a pair of solid deals on Apple's AirPods Pro and AirPods Max today, starting at $179.99 for the AirPods Pro, down from $249.00. This is the second-best price we've seen on the AirPods Pro since launch, and one of the best prices we've tracked in 2021.
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.
AirPods Pro are Apple's high-end Bluetooth headphones, offering active noise cancellation and many more features. The included charging case also supports Qi wireless charging, so you can recharge the headphones via any compatible Qi mat.
Secondly, the AirPods Max in Space Gray are down to $489.99 on Amazon, from $549.00. These have been as low as $455 in previous sales, but we haven't seen a price like this since early in the summer, so if you're shopping for AirPods Max this week Amazon's sale will be the best around online.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones. 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.
While third-generation AirPods were not announced at the Apple Event this week, suppliers have already kicked off shipments of the long-awaited headphones, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese website DigiTimes.
In a paywalled preview of its report, DigiTimes said the shipments have been "slow," but production being underway is a good sign that the third-generation AirPods will likely be released before the end of the year. There will likely be another Mac-focused Apple Event this year, and the new AirPods could be unveiled then, or they could be announced with a press release through the Apple Newsroom at any point this fall.
The third-generation AirPods are expected to feature a design language similar to the AirPods Pro, but without active noise cancellation. However, rumors have conflicted as to whether the new design will include silicone ear tips.
The second-generation AirPods were released in March 2019, priced at $159 with a wired charging case or $199 with a wireless charging case.
Apple's MagSafe Charger has dropped to $27.14 on Amazon, down from $39.00. This is a new all-time low price on the accessory, and it's also being matched at Walmart.
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.
The MagSafe Charger perfectly aligns with the magnets on the iPhone 12 and upcoming iPhone 13 family of devices and provides wireless charging. It also maintains compatibility with Qi charging, so any iPhone 8 or later device can still use it, as well as AirPods with a Wireless Charging Case and AirPods Pro.
For the 2021 iPhones, the MagSafe Charger will be compatible with the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
Apple has expanded AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage, which includes up to two incidents of theft or loss of an iPhone, to the United Kingdom and Australia.
Offered as an additional plan to customers in the United States, Japan, Germany, and now also the United Kingdom and Australia, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage can help customers who unfortunately have had their devices stolen or lost get a replacement without having to pay the full cost of a new device. The plan requires customers to have to Find My iPhone enabled on their device when it was lost or stolen.
In the United Kingdom, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage will cost £11.99 a month or £239 per year, with an additional excess fee of £109 to replace an iPhone. In Australia, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss costs $15.99 per month or $319 per year, with an additional $229 for specific incidents of theft or loss.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is offered alongside the standard AppleCare+ package, which lacks coverage for theft and loss incidents.
Following the announcement of the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, and the new sixth-generation iPad mini, Apple gave YouTuber iJustine a chance to talk to Apple CEO Tim Cook about the new announcements, including some tidbits about Fitness+.
In the nearly 15 minutes' long interview, Cook describes the new camera features of the iPhone 13, specifically Cinematic Mode, as a "mindblowing" addition to the iPhone that places it on par with professional high-end video equipment. The interview doesn't heavily touch on the new Apple Watch Series 7, but Cook notes how the device has become an integral part of his workout routine thanks to its integration with Fitness+.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are incremental upgrades compared to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, featuring a smaller notch, improved performance thanks to the A15 Bionic, new camera features, and more. Catch up on everything Apple announced yesterday using our event recap.
Center Stage is a feature that automatically keeps users perfectly framed during video calls, and it does this by using the much larger field of view of the Ultra Wide front camera.
As users move around, Center Stage automatically pans to keep them in the shot. When other people join in on the call, the camera detects them too, and smoothly zooms out to fit everyone into the view and make sure they are part of the conversation.
Apple debuted the feature in April with the latest iPad Pro. At the time, it was thought the machine learning capabilities of Apple's M1 chip were required to power the feature, but given that the new iPad and iPad mini use A13 and A15 Bionic chips, respectively, that's patently not the case.
The current iPad Air, which debuted in September 2020, has an A14 Bionic processor, but only a f/2.0, 7-megapixel front-facing FaceTime HD Camera for selfies and video calls, making it incompatible with Center Stage. The iPad Air is in its mid-product cycle, however, so it's likely to get the 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera in a refresh, perhaps early next year.
Despite a smaller notch, the iPhone 13 lineup will not show users their battery percentage in the status bar, or at least, not by default, according to the iPhone 13 simulator embedded within Xcode.
The entire iPhone 13 series features a smaller notch, allowing for more area to display content. While many customers may have hoped that a smaller notch would lead Apple to show the battery percentage in the status bar, that doesn't seem to be the case, at least for now.
As noted on Twitter, the Xcode 13 simulator for the iPhone 13 Pro Max shows the status bar without a battery percentage, despite ample room to shift the signal and Wi-Fi bars to the left. While the simulator in the release candidate of Xcode 13, released after yesterday's event, shows no battery percentage, Apple may offer it as an option within Settings.
According to the Xcode Simulator, even though there’s enough space on iPhone 13 Pro Max, it still doesn’t show the battery percentage #AppleEventpic.twitter.com/TOc7mz48EL
— Apple Software Updates (@AppleSWUpdates) September 14, 2021
Apple is unlikely to place the battery percentage in the status bar with no way for users to turn it off. With older iPhones that feature no notch, Apple includes an option within settings to toggle the percentage on or off, and a similar play could be in-store with the iPhone 13. Although it's worth noting that none of the iPhone 13 or updated iOS 15 marketing images depict that as a possibility.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro will begin shipping to customers on Friday, September 24, but we do expect reviews and hands-on impressions of the devices to be released before that. Those reviews and impressions will give us a definitive answer on whether Apple will finally allow customers to show their battery percentage in the status bar, rather than having to drag down on the right corner of the screen.
The new iPhone 13 Pro models support 4K ProRes video recording, but there's a catch if you want to capture video at the highest quality - you need an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max with at least 256GB of storage space.
On Apple's tech specs page for the new devices and in the press release announcing the new iPhone 13 Pro models, Apple says that if you have an iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max with the base 128GB of storage, you'll be limited to shooting 1080p ProRes video at 30 frames per second.
For recording ProRes video at 4K at 30 frames per second, higher 256, 512, or 1TB storage capacities are required.
iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max support ProRes video recording in the Camera app at 1080p 30 fps with the 128GB storage option and up to 4K 30 fps with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.
Aimed at professionals, the ProRes codec offers higher color fidelity and less compression, and it is often used for commercials, feature films, and TV broadcasts. With ProRes support, iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max users can capture, edit, and share professional quality video right on their devices.
ProRes support will not be available when the iPhone 13 Pro models launch and will be coming in a future iOS 15 update.
Along with ProRes, the new iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max offer much improved Wide, Wide Angle, and Telephoto lenses with better low light performance, macro capabilities, Night Mode, Cinematic video recording for depth-of-field transitions, and Photographic Styles for enhancing images.
Apple today held its annual iPhone-centric event, introducing the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. We also got a look at the new Apple Watch Series 7 and were surprised with the new ninth-generation low-cost iPad and the iPad mini 6.
It took Apple an hour and twenty minutes to introduce the new devices during the "California Streaming" event, but we've recapped all of the announcements in a seven-minute video for our readers who want a no-frills but thorough overview of everything that's new.
All of our event coverage is also available below. Make sure to check out our articles so you don't miss any details about Apple's newest products.
The iPad mini 6 and the low-cost iPad can be pre-ordered starting today, while the iPhone 13 models will be available for pre-order this Friday with launches of both to follow on September 24. The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available later this fall.
Following the announcement of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple is allowing customers to get ready for pre-orders, which are set to take place on Friday, September 17 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Existing and new iPhone Upgrade Program members can use the Apple Store app on the iPhone or Apple's website to go through all of the pre-approval steps to get ready to purchase a new iPhone, including checking upgrade eligibility, securing credit lines, and confirming other necessary information.
Those who are not members of the iPhone Upgrade Program can also select their preferred iPhone, confirm their status with their carrier, add accessories, choose an AppleCare+ plan, and add a preferred payment method to prepare for the iPhone launch. Both payment in full and other payment options are supported.
With this setup process, all customers who go through the "Get Ready" steps will be able to pre-order their devices with the tap of a button on launch day.
Apple has always had the pre-approval process for iPhone Upgrade Program customers, but the new streamlined pre-order preparation for other customers appears to be a new addition.
The iPhone 13 models are priced starting at $699, while the iPhone 13 Pro models are priced starting at $999. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 17 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
While it was rumored by multiple sources that iPhone 13 models would support mmWave 5G in additional countries, it turns out that mmWave remains limited to iPhone 13 models sold in the U.S., as was the case with iPhone 12 models.
Apple's cellular compatibility page confirms that only U.S. models of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro support mmWave 5G bands. In addition, on Apple's product pages for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, the devices are only shown with a mmWave antenna window on the company's U.S. website, with no mmWave antenna window shown in any other countries.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted that iPhone 13 models supporting mmWave 5G would be available in additional markets, such as Canada, Japan, Australia, and select European countries. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce had also expected iPhones with mmWave 5G to be available in more countries, citing its own investigations.
mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. All four iPhone 13 models support sub-6GHz outside of the United States, and sub-6GHz networks are more common in countries that have rolled out 5G.
iPhone 13 models do support additional 5G bands overall, according to Apple, resulting in the devices having greater 5G coverage around the world.
All four iPhone 13 models will be available to pre-order starting this Friday, September 17 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in over 30 countries and regions, and all of the devices will launch one week later on Friday, September 24.
With the launch of the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple introduced several updated camera features, some of which are hardware based and some of which are software based.
Notably, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max now have identical camera systems, a departure from the different cameras featured in the iPhone 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max. As usual, the iPhone 13 Pro models have the best camera systems, while the more affordable iPhone 13 models have step-down cameras that lack some of the Pro capabilities.
iPhone 13 and 13 mini Camera Specs
The iPhone 13 and 13 mini feature a dual-lens camera system. The Wide lens features an f/1.6 aperture, while the Ultra Wide features an f/2.4 aperture. The updated Ultra Wide camera offers better low light performance, and the updated Wide camera lets in 47 percent more light.
There is no Telephoto lens in the iPhone 13 and 13 mini, so these models are limited to 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5x.
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a feature once limited to the Pro models, is available across the iPhone 13 lineup.
iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max Camera Specs
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max include a three-lens camera system with an f/2.8 Telephoto lens, an f/1.5 Wide lens, and an f/1.8 Ultra Wide lens.
The Wide and Ultra Wide lenses are upgraded compared to the lenses in the iPhone 13 models and should result in notably better performance in low light conditions. The Wide lens features a wider aperture that lets in 2.2x more light and the largest sensor in an iPhone yet.
The Ultra Wide lens captures up to 92 percent more light, which should bring a drastic improvement in quality.
The 77mm Telephoto lens features 3x optical zoom in, up from 2.5x in the 12 Pro Max, and with the addition of the Ultra Wide lens at 2x zoom out, there is a 6x optical zoom range and support for 15x digital zoom.
There's also a LiDAR Scanner, which is not available on the iPhone 13 and 13 mini.
New Camera Features for All iPhones
Apple introduced several new features that take advantage of the more advanced image signal processor included in the A15 chip.
Cinematic Mode - Uses rack focus to seamlessly shift the focus from one subject to another when capturing video. It holds focus on the subject while blurring the background, and can automatically change the focus when a new subject is about to enter the scene. Blur and focus can be adjusted after capturing video as well through the Photos app.
Smart HDR 4 - Recognizes up to four people in a scene and optimizes contrast, lighting, and even skin tones for each person so everyone looks their best.
Photographic Styles - Photographic Styles are smart, adjustable filters that can do things like boost or mute colors without affecting skin tone. Styles apply selectively to an image, unlike a filter that's applied to the entire image. Photographic Styles include Vibrant (boosts colors), Rich Contrast (darker shadows and deeper colors), Warm (accentuates golden undertones), or Cool (accentuates blue undertones). Tone and Warmth are customizable for each style, so you can get the exact look that you want.
Existing camera capabilities like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Portrait Lighting, and Deep Fusion are also supported.
Pro Camera Features
There are several features that are limited to the Pro models and that won't be available on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini.
Macro Photography - The Ultra Wide camera on the Pro models can focus at 2cm, which makes it ideal for macro photos. You can take macro photos or macro videos, including slow motion and time-lapse.
Telephoto Night Mode - Night Mode is available for the Telephoto lens for the first time. Night Mode is available on all the Pro cameras.
Night Mode Portraits - Night Mode portraits require the LiDAR Scanner, which continues to be limited to Pro models.
Telephoto Cinematic Mode - Since the Pro models are the only models with a Telephoto lens, Telephoto Cinematic Mode is a pro feature. It works with the Wide, Telephoto, and TrueDepth cameras.
ProRes - ProRes, which is coming later this year, lets users record and edit in ProRes or Dolby Vision.
Apple hasn't released full details on the Apple Watch Series 7 as of yet because it's not set to launch until later this fall, but the new Apple Watch bands that came out today confirm that the Series 7 will be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes.
The 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 replaces the 40mm Apple Watch Series 6, while the 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 replaces the 44mm Apple Watch Series 6.
41 and 45mm size updates were rumored, as was the significant redesign for the display, but the design of the Apple Watch itself came as a surprise. Multiple rumors from Jon Prosser, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg, and other sources suggested the Apple Watch Series 7 would see a flat-edged design similar to the iPhone 12 models, but that did not happen.
Instead, Apple highlighted the soft, rounded corners of the Apple Watch Series 7, which looks similar to the Apple Watch Series 6 but with a wraparound design that offers seamless integration with the body of the device.
The new Apple Watch models have an edge-to-edge display with super slim bezels, best illustrated in Apple's image comparison of the Series 7, Series 6, and Series 3.
According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers 20 percent more screen area than the Series 6 with a 40 percent reduction in border size.
Despite the increase in size to 41 and 45mm, the Apple Watch Series 7 is compatible with older Apple Watch bands. New 41mm Apple Watch bands are backwards compatible with the 38mm and 40mm models, so the reverse should be true as well, while the 45mm Apple Watch bands work with the 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch models.
Existing 38mm and 40mm bands should be compatible with the 41mm Apple Watch Series 7, and the 42mm and 44mm Apple Watch bands should be compatible with the 45mm Apple Watch.
Apple today indicated that "back-glass only" damage on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models is now eligible for repair under AppleCare+ for a reduced fee of $29 in the United States, $39 in Canada, £25 in the UK, or the equivalent in other countries.
Prior to this change, cracked or damaged back glass on an iPhone 12 cost $99 to be repaired if the device was covered by an AppleCare+ plan.
In order to qualify for the $29 repair, the iPhone must be covered by AppleCare+ and have no additional damage beyond the damaged back glass that would prevent Apple from replacing the back glass, such as a bent or dented enclosure.
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 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.
