Apple today announced that four additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library throughout October, including NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition.
On Thursday, October 2, three existing App Store games will be added to Apple Arcade, including the classic tile-matching game Dominoes by MobilityWare, puzzle game Piffle by Hipster Whale, and kids game Thomas & Friends: Let's Roll by StoryToys.
NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition arrives to Apple Arcade on Thursday, October 16, ahead of the NBA's 2025-26 regular season, which begins Tuesday, October 21. In the latest version of the game, you can relive the greatest eras in the NBA's history with the new "NBA Eras" option in The Association mode. And in MyCAREER mode, there are new player templates, so you can build players that look just like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or other stars.
As always, team rosters have been updated, too.
Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.
The iPhone 16e joined the lineup as a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 16 earlier this year. Despite sharing most of their features, there are still more than 25 differences between the devices to be aware of.
Following the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup and the iPhone Air, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and bumped the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus down in price by $100.
This means that the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 now represent the two cheapest iPhone options available directly from Apple, with just $100 between them. To justify this, the iPhone 16e misses out on features such as the Dynamic Island and MagSafe connectivity. However, it still features the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, the same main rear camera, and more. Here's everything that's different:
iPhone 16e (2025)
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus (2024)
"Notch"
Dynamic Island
Ceramic Shield front
Latest-generation Ceramic Shield front
6.1-inch display
6.1- or 6.7-inch display
800 nits max brightness (typical)
1,000 nits max brightness (typical)
1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR)
2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
1 nit minimum brightness
Glass back
Color-infused glass back
Available in White and Black
Available in White, Black, Ultramarine, Teal, and Pink
Camera Control
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera
1x or 2x optical zoom options
0.5x, 1x, or 2x optical zoom options
Optical image stabilization
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Portrait mode with Depth Control
Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
Photographic Styles
Latest-generation Photographic Styles
Macro photography
Spatial photos and videos
Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)
Action mode
A18 chip with 4-core GPU
A18 chip with 5-core GPU
Apple C1 modem
Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem
mmWave 5G connectivity
Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
Thread connectivity
Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding
26-hour battery life
22 or 27-hour battery life
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Qi 2 wireless charging up to 15W
MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher
Compatible with MagSafe cases, wallets, wireless chargers, and more
128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
iPhone 16: 128GB iPhone 16 Plus: 128GB or 256GB
Starts at $599
Starts at $699
At a markedly more accessible price point, the iPhone 16e will be the go-to iPhone for many customers, especially those buying on a budget. Unlike the iPhone SE that came before it, the iPhone 16e has very few compromises and offers almost all of the iPhone 16's most important features. In fact, it has considerably better battery life, partly thanks to Apple's custom modem technology, which is also now used in the iPhone Air.
Some customers will not care about the lack of an Ultra Wide camera, camera control, additional color options, or Wi-Fi 7. The iPhone 16e is a newer device and many will not be able to justify the extra $100 to upgrade to the
However, the lack of MagSafe, a brighter display, the Dynamic Island, and a large array of camera capabilities may be a dealbreaker for some. Those who want a little more out of their iPhone, especially when it comes to the rear camera, should consider the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e.
That being said, most prospective customers should likely opt for the iPhone 16e over the pricier iPhone 16, unless the larger display of the iPhone 16 Plus is essential.
Amazon and Best Buy are both discounting Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro to record low prices this week, offering $300 off select models of the computer. In this article we're focusing on the 10-core configurations of the computer, but you'll also find sales on other M4 MacBook Pros at both retailers.
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.
Starting with the 10-core 16GB RAM/512GB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,299.00 [Amazon/Best Buy], down from $1,599.00. This is the entry-level model of the M4 MacBook Pro, and it's never dropped below this price.
You can also get both 1TB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro models on sale this week. The 10-core 16GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,499.00 [Amazon/Best Buy] and the 10-core 24GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,699.00 [Amazon/Best Buy]. Both of these are also $300 discounts and record low prices on each computer.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple today announced a new investment in the restoration and sustainable management of California's Gualala River Forest, expanding its global Restore Fund initiative.
The project is conducted in partnership with The Conservation Fund and seeks to protect and manage coastal redwoods in Mendocino County while generating carbon credits that contribute to Apple's climate goals.
The Restore Fund launched in 2021 with Goldman Sachs and Conservation International. It has since grown to include Climate Asset Management and direct investments from Apple in projects across the U.S. and Latin America. Apple suppliers TSMC and Murata also back the fund, which now supports two dozen conservation and regenerative agriculture initiatives spanning six continents.
The Gualala River Forest project is part of Apple's push to reach carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by 2030. The company aims to cut emissions by 75% from 2015 levels and offset the remainder through nature-based carbon removal, targeting 9.6 million metric tons annually. Apple says it has already surpassed 60% of its emissions reduction target.
Apple previously partnered with The Conservation Fund to protect 36,000 acres of forest in Maine and North Carolina and has invested in a temperate rainforest in Washington.
A grand reopening date has been set for Apple Ginza.
The new Apple Ginza
Apple today announced the store will reopen on Friday, September 26, at 10 a.m. local time, at its original corner in Tokyo's shopping district. The store has returned to the Sayegusa Building, which was demolished and rebuilt in recent years.
The original Apple Ginza opened in 2003, becoming Apple's first retail location outside of the United States. Initially, the five-floor store featured a 27-foot-long Genius Bar, an 84-seat theater, and even an internet cafe for customers.
In 2022, Apple moved to a temporary store in Ginza, while the Sayegusa Building was rebuilt. With the new store ready to open, that location is now closed.
The new store features an updated design that spans four floors of the Sayegusa Building. It offers an Apple Pickup station for customers to collect online orders, a Genius Bar with varied table and seating heights for accessibility, a seating area for one-on-one Apple Vision Pro demos, free Today at Apple creativity sessions, and more.
The four-story store has stairs and an elevator
Apple says customers can celebrate the grand reopening with a special-edition Apple Gift Card, set to be offered exclusively at this store for a limited time.
Apple also shared a special wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, on the store's page.
A seating area for one-on-one Apple Vision Pro demos
"This reopening is another incredible milestone on our journey here in Japan, and a symbol of our strong ties to customers and communities across the country," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "We couldn't be more excited to open the doors to this beautifully redesigned space, share our latest products, and build on the incredible history we share."
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max come in just three color options, so which should you choose?
With a new aluminum unibody design, glass cutout, two-tone design, and full-width camera plateau, the iPhone 17 Pro models look very different to their predecessors. Unlike previous years, there are no gray, black, or gold options for this year's iPhone lineup. The good news is that with just three options to choose from, making a decision should be a little easier.
You should also consider if you plan to use a case with your device and, if so, which one. The iPhone 17 Pro's large, full-width camera plateau stands out on most cases, exposing more of the device's color. Choosing a complimentary color should be your first priority.
Silver
Silver is the most classic, versatile, and timeless option, but also the most practical. The finish gives off a clean and bright look that pairs well with virtually any case or wallpaper, and it reflects light more than the other two, enhancing its neutrality.
The color is likely to age well since it goes well with any case and embodies Apple's most traditional colors. It is also the only finish of the three that pairs well with Apple's own clear case.
Unlike Cosmic Orange or Deep Blue, Silver minimizes the appearance of damage. When the anodized layer chips or scratches, the raw aluminum underneath is very close in tone, so imperfections blend in far better. For users who prioritize long-term durability of appearance, Silver is the most forgiving finish. It may not be as dramatic as Cosmic Orange or as sleek as Deep Blue, but it is the safest choice for maintaining a "like-new" look over years of use.
Choose Silver if you want a classic, neutral look that mitigates the signs of damage.
Deep Blue
Deep Blue is the most understated of the three colors, often appearing almost black until light strikes it to reveal the blue depth. If you normally choose a dark gray or black device, this will be the best choice.
It is sleek and modern, giving the iPhone 17 Pro a more professional aesthetic, but this sophistication comes at a cost. Scratches and chips on Deep Blue stand out sharply because the anodized finish contrasts heavily with the lighter silver aluminum beneath.
Early handling reports and durability tests suggest this model shows wear faster than the others, particularly on high-stress edges and corners of the camera plateau. Even micro-scratches from keys or coins in a pocket can be visible. Anyone using the device without a case should be prepared for noticeable damage.
Choose Deep Blue if you want a dark, stealthy, and professional look, but be willing to accept signs of wear and tear.
Cosmic Orange
Cosmic Orange is the standout shade in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, designed to be bold and attention-grabbing. It is the most distinctive iPhone 17 Pro color, and the most likely to indicate that you have the latest generation device—there has never been an iPhone color option like it before.
The anodized aluminum frame and the raised camera plateau are coated in a deep orange finish, while the ceramic glass back takes on a slightly lighter hue, creating a subtle contrast between surfaces. In daylight it leans toward a warm amber, while in artificial lighting it shifts closer to a burnt metallic orange.
The finish tends to hide small scratches and light scuffs better than Deep Blue, since the raw aluminum beneath the anodized layer is not drastically different in tone. That said, chips along sharp edges—especially around the camera plateau—will still reveal bare metal if struck or scraped. The look is essentially more durable than Deep Blue, but less durable than Silver.
Choose Cosmic Orange if you want a bold, eye-catching look that is unique to the iPhone 17 Pro.
In iOS 26, Apple has introduced several new features for its Messages app, and this one in particular is long overdue. The ability to create polls in conversations has been a mainstay of rival messaging platforms. And now, Messages finally has it too.
You can add up to 12 choices in a poll, and then send it to people in a conversation to vote on. If you send a poll and someone thinks an option is missing, they can even edit it and add in another choice.
For chats where you want to ask people to choose one of multiple options, you can create a poll in the following way:
Tap the + button next to the message input field.
Select Polls in the vertical list.
Fill in your poll's choices (you can have up to 12).
Add a message to accompany your poll, then tap the Send button.
People need only tap on an option in the poll to vote for it. An "Add Choice" option also appears below the poll, allowing anyone to add their own choices. In addition, if you long press on a poll, there's an option in the dropdown menu to see Poll Details, where you can view a breakdown of who voted for what.
On devices that support Apple Intelligence, the Messages app will also suggest a poll in relevant conversations. If you're asking the group whether to get pizza, burgers, or pasta, for example, you might see a suggestion to create a poll.
Note that users need to have a device with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 installed in order to interact with polls in Message conversations. If they're running an older version of iOS, the poll simply won't appear for them in the chat thread.
Apple for its 20th anniversary iPhone will adopt a Samsung-made OLED technology called COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) to make the display brighter and thinner than previous panels, reports ETNews.
In a traditional OLED panel, a polarizing film sits above the display to cut reflections and improve contrast. The drawback is that this film also absorbs some of the OLED's own light, reducing brightness and efficiency. With COE, Apple would remove the polarizer entirely and instead apply the color filter directly onto the OLED's protective encapsulation layer.
The result would be a thinner display stack that lets more light through, delivering higher brightness without requiring more power. Removing layers would also mean less thickness overall, potentially contributing to a slimmer iPhone design.
However, Apple's challenge is that without a polarizer, reflections and glare control become trickier, so Apple will likely have to rely on advanced coatings and pixel-level materials to maintain outdoor readability.
If Apple brings COE to its 2027 iPhone – the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X – it would be the first use of the technology in a non-foldable device from the company. Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to expand COE to its Galaxy S26 Ultra in 2026. Samsung first rolled out COE in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 back in 2021 to contribute to the device's thinness.
Apple is reportedly considering a radical redesign for the 20th anniversary iPhone that could feature a completely bezel-less display that curves around all four edges of the device. The model is expected to be preceded in 2026 by Apple's first foldable iPhone.
Apple today announced that Tap to Pay on iPhone is available in Estonia, Lavia, Lithuania, Monaco, and Norway, providing a way for independent sellers, small businesses, and larger merchants in these countries to use an iPhone as a contactless payment terminal.
Tap to Pay first arrived in February 2022 in the US, and allows iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets. All transactions are encrypted, and Apple has no information about what is purchased or the person who made the purchase.
No additional hardware or credit card machine is required to use Tap to Pay on iPhone. The feature uses NFC technology to securely authenticate the contactless payments, plus the feature also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.
The following payment services will support Tap to Pay on iPhone:
Estonia: SumUp and Revolut
Latvia: SumUp
Lithuania: SumUp and Revolut
Monaco: Adyen and BNP Paribas
Norway: Adyen, Nexi, PayPal, Stripe, SumUp, Surfboard Payments, and Viva.com
Tap to Pay on iPhone requires iPhone XS or newer models, and works for customers as any normal Apple Pay transaction would. Sellers just need to open up the app, register the sale, and present their iPhone to the buyer, who can then use an appropriate contactless payment method.
Apple's website maintains a list of countries where Tap to Pay on iPhone is available.
Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, which means that if you've upgraded to iOS 26, you're no longer able to downgrade to a version of iOS 18. Apple released iOS 26 a week ago.
When software is "signed," it means that it has passed a server-side verification check that Apple performs when a new version of iOS is downloaded on an iPhone. An update can't be installed unless it passes the verification check.
Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS.
Apple isn't forcing users to install iOS 26, and there is an option to continue using iOS 18, but once a device has been upgraded to iOS 26, there's no going back.
Apple has also stopped signing iPadOS 18.6.2 and tvOS 18.6, so there's also no downgrade option available for iPads.
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about.
New Apple Intelligence Languages
Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.
AirPods Live Translation Languages
AirPods Live Translation works with additional languages in iOS 26.1, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).
Phone
The Phone keypad now uses Liquid Glass for the numbers.
Apple Music
You can swipe on the music player in Apple Music to switch songs. Just slide a finger over where the song title is listed, and it'll go to the next song or back to the previous song.
Photos
The slider for scrubbing through videos in the Photos app has been updated.
The navigation bar also has a slightly more frosted look that makes it easier to see on light backgrounds.
Calendar
In the Calendar app, some of the views now show events from different calendars with a full color background.
iOS 26 on left, iOS 26.1 on right
Safari
The Tab Bar (Bottom) in Safari is wider with less padding around the edges.
Background Security Improvement
Apple appears to have changed the name of Rapid Security Updates to Background Security Improvement, which is mentioned in the iOS 26.1 code.
"Background Security Improvement improves the security of your iPhone by installing security improvements and system files before they are available in iOS Software Updates. In rare instances of compatibility issues, these deliveries may be temporarily removed and then improved in a feature software update."
More Features
Know of something new in iOS 26.1 that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.
Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with Apple Intelligence last year, and now the added language support is here. Apple Intelligence is now available in the following languages:
English (U.S.)
English (Australia)
English (Canada)
English (New Zealand)
English (U.K.)
English (South Africa)
English (India)
English (Singapore)
Chinese (Simplified)
French
Japanese
Spanish
German
Italian
Korean
Portuguese (Brazil)
Danish (iOS 26.1)
Dutch (iOS 26.1)
Norwegian (iOS 26.1)
Portuguese (Portugal) (iOS 26.1)
Swedish (iOS 26.1)
Turkish (iOS 26.1)
Chinese (Traditional) (iOS 26.1)
Vietnamese
The iOS 26.1 update also adds more languages that work with AirPods Live Translation, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).
iOS 26.1 is available for developers right now, but Apple will likely expand it to public beta testers in the coming weeks.
Woot today has Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C for $449.00 in four colors, down from $549.00. These are in new condition on Woot, and they come with a one-year Apple limited warranty.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Colors available include Purple, Orange, Blue, and Starlight. Although this isn't an all-time low price on the AirPods Max, it's been a few weeks since we last saw that discount, and Woot's is a solid second-best offer.
In other Apple deals at Woot, you can also still get 70 percent off a huge collection of Apple Watch bands right now. This includes Solo Loop options for just $14.99 and Braided Solo Loop for $29.99, with many colors to choose from on Woot's storefront.
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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Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The new betas are the first updates to the iOS, iPadOS, macOS 26, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS releases that came out last week.
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.
We don't yet know what's included in the beta software, but there are a couple of features that didn't make it into the launch version of iOS 26, like Wallet support for passports. We'll share details when we learn what's new.
The iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, betas are limited to developers right now, but Apple will likely release some of the updates to public beta testers in the future.
Wi-Fi 7 has increased bandwidth, in part because it allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, with a supported device and router. Wi-Fi 7 is theoretically up to 4× faster than Wi-Fi 6, but real-world speeds are typically bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.
In the latest iPhones, the N1 chip also supports Bluetooth 6, which would offer lower latency and other benefits compared to the current Apple TV's Bluetooth 5.
A17 Pro Chip
The current Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which debuted in all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models in 2022.
Other devices with the A17 Pro chip include the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPad mini 7, and all of those devices support Apple Intelligence.
With the A17 Pro chip, the Apple TV should get an increased 8GB of RAM.
Other Rumors
FaceTime Camera and Gesture Controls?
tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for video calls with the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.
In April 2024, Gurman said Apple had "discussed" offering an Apple TV with a built-in camera for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, but it is unclear if Apple is moving forward with that plan for the next model in particular. He did not elaborate on the gesture aspect, but it sounds like the Apple TV would recognize various hand movements.
Apple says tvOS 26 enhances FaceTime in several ways — fitting for an Apple TV with a camera:
With tvOS 26, users can enjoy a more personalized FaceTime experience that's consistent with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it easier and more personal by displaying a contact's customized photo and name when starting a FaceTime call on Apple TV. Live Captions expand to include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to use on-device intelligence to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations, so users can follow what's being said in even more languages. Additionally, FaceTime audio and phone call notifications will appear onscreen for the active profile, allowing users to answer on connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone, and ensuring that communication with loved ones remains at the forefront.
Lower Price?
On the same day as the current Apple TV was announced in October 2022, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected the next Apple TV to be "more affordable." He said that a sub-$100 price would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but he did not say if Apple will actually achieve that price point.
Both the 2010 and 2012 versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the 2012 model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Other companies like Amazon and Roku offer low-priced streaming sticks, with sale prices going as low as $19.99.
In the U.S., the current Apple TV starts at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB model with an Ethernet port for wired internet is priced at $149.
Timing
The next Apple TV will be released "toward the end of the year," according to Gurman. At this point, it is likely the device will be announced in October, but November is also a possibility. December is less likely, historically.
Here is when the previous four Apple TV models were announced:
Apple and its content partners are working on new immersive films designed for the Vision Pro headset, including sports, travel, music, and nature-themed films. Immersive video is a major selling point of the Vision Pro, because it makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action.
Tour De Force from CANAL+ and MotoGP is available today through the Apple TV app, and can be watched on the Vision Pro. Apple retail locations will be providing an extended preview starting next month, so if you don't have a Vision Pro, you can visit an Apple Store to watch.
Tour De Force follows MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, documenting his win of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May 2025. It was filmed using four of Blackmagic Design's URSA Cine Immersive cameras, paired with ambisonic microphones for spatial audio.
Later this year, Apple will debut World of Red Bull, a new sports-themed series. The first episode coming in December will feature backcountry skiing, while the second coming in 2026 will highlight big-wave surfing.
This October, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to watch Julaymba, a documentary that features the Daintree Rainforest of North Tropical Queensland, Australia. A new series from CNN's Bill Weir will feature a scientific expedition to Antarctica to find emperor penguins next spring.
Experience Paris, a travel film, will include visits to a three-Michelin-star kitchen, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre's historic streets. For music-related content, Apple this fall will debut a film on BBC Proms, a classical music festival, and a film featuring K-pop boy band CORTIS.
Several of Apple's existing Immersive Video series are also getting new updates, including Wild Life and Elevated.
Apple Vision Pro can be purchased in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.
Apple's latest iPhone models launched on Friday, and some early adopters of the devices are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi issues.
Affected customers say Wi-Fi connectivity periodically cuts out on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, with hundreds of comments about the issue posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community over the past four days. It is unclear how widespread the problem is.
Specifically, affected users said Wi-Fi briefly disconnects and then reconnects after they unlock the iPhone. And since Apple's CarPlay system in vehicles relies on a Wi-Fi connection, the issue can result in CarPlay disconnecting too.
Many users said the issue occurs while they are wearing an Apple Watch that is paired and unlocked, but it is unclear if that is always a contributing factor.
MacRumors has been unable to reproduce the problem, but it has reached out to Apple for comment on the matter. This story will be updated if Apple responds.
It is unclear if this is a hardware or software problem, but Apple is often able to fix these sorts of issues with a software update. iOS 26.0.1 is coming soon, but it is unclear if Apple will have identified and implemented a fix in time for that version.
All four of the new iPhone models are equipped with Apple's first-ever custom-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity, whereas previous iPhone models rely on a Broadcom chip for wireless networking.
"One of the things people may not realize is that your Wi-Fi access points actually contribute to your device's awareness of location, so you don't need to use GPS, which actually costs more from a power perspective," said Arun Mathias, Apple's vice president of wireless software technologies. "By being able to do this more seamlessly in the background, not needing to wake up the application processor as much, we can do that significantly more efficiently."
In its press releases for the new iPhones, Apple said the N1 chip also improves the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
Unfortunately, though, it appears the N1 chip is not so reliable for Wi-Fi for some users right now.
The Apple Watch SE starts at $249, providing an accessible, low-cost option for those interested in owning an Apple smartwatch. The company also now offers the Apple Watch Series 11, which starts at $399, so what exactly do you get by spending an additional $150 and is it worth it? Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is designed to be a low-cost option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years, while the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a more feature-rich experience with additional health monitoring capabilities.
With the latest generation, the Apple Watch SE has a lot more in common with Apple's higher end watches, offering an always-on display, body temperature sensing, sleep apnea detection, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, 64GB of storage, and the S10 chip.
There are still some significant differences between the two devices. Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6
Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case size
42mm or 46mm case size with edge-to-edge display
Aluminum casing
Aluminum or titanium casing
IP6X dust resistant
Ion-X glass front
Ion-X glass (aluminum) or sapphire crystal (titanium) front
Thicker borders around the display
Thinner borders around the display
40mm: 1.57-inch display 44mm: 1.78-inch display
42mm: 1.79-inch display 46mm: 1.99-inch display
LTPO display
LTPO3 display (faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces)
Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels with 759 sq mm display area 44mm: 368 by 448 pixels with 977 sq mm display area
42mm: 374x446 pixels 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 416x496 pixels 1,220 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits of brightness
Up to 2,000 nits of brightness
2 nits minimum brightness
1 nits minimum brightness
Color-matched nylon composite back case
Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna
Second-generation optical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor
Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
Hypertension detection
Cycle tracking
Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Water temperature sensor
Depth gauge to 6m
Depth app
Oceanic+ app for snorkelling (available on the App Store)
Precision Finding for iPhone, providing distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone
HomePod integration (when a user gets within four meters of a playing HomePod, the Apple Watch launches Now Playing to control playback. If nothing is playing, media suggestions appear at the top of the Smart Stack.)
Up to 18 hours battery life
Up to 24 hours battery life
Up to 32 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Up to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes
Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes
Midnight and Starlight finishes
Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes
Starts at $249
Starts at $399 (aluminum) or $699 (titanium)
The Apple Watch Series 11 is minor improvement over the previous Series 10 model, offering 5G connectivity on cellular models, a slightly bigger battery, and stronger glass on aluminum models. Yet compared to the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a considerably more feature-rich device with advanced capabilities.
With its larger display, additional health monitoring features, and range of colors and finishes, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the model of choice for those who want more out of their smartwatch. If you feel that the added health monitoring features (such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring) or more advanced display would be particularly useful to you, or simply like a specific casing and color combination that is not available with the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the best model for you.
If you are on a budget and are not particularly attracted to the additional features of the Series 11, the Apple Watch SE is a highly compelling option. It now features an always-on display, fast charging, and several new health features such as sleep apnea detection and body temperature sensing, and there are surprisingly few drawbacks. Both devices have the S10 chip and 64GB of storage, and are equally future-proof.
The biggest flaw of the Apple Watch SE 3 is its design, which is based on the Apple Watch Series 4 from 2018 and is now quite outdated. Nevertheless, as it shares many key features with the Apple Watch Series 11, many customers will be happy choosing the more inexpensive model, unless you particularly value features such as the larger display or advanced health monitoring and can justify the added cost.
The Apple Watch SE is an ideal device for kids and senior citizens who do not have an iPhone thanks to Family Setup, but it is also the go-to model for most customers who are new to the Apple Watch and those who are upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 4, SE 1, or older due to its competitive pricing and generous feature set, allowing users to get a balanced Apple Watch experience at a low price.
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The new Apple Ginza
The four-story store has stairs and an elevator
A seating area for one-on-one Apple Vision Pro demos
iOS 26 on left, iOS 26.1 on right
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