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ZDNET Highlights
- The new iPad Pro is in the pre-order phase with a launch scheduled for October 22.
- The MacBook Pro has also been redesigned with its launch on October 22.
- The Vision Pro headset also gets a performance boost thanks to the M5 chip upgrade
Although Apple’s biggest update of the year is the iPhone, it wasn’t Apple’s Last Update of the year. The iPad Pro and MacBook Pro needed a refresh before the holidays.
ipad pro The M5 chip gets a boost, and it also includes some new Apple chips – the N1 networking chip and the C1X modem chip for cellular models. Prices start at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, and Both are available for preorderThe tablets will hit shelves on October 22nd.
Also: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more
There are also new and updated macbook pro laptopThe new 14-inch base model gets the M5 treatment, while the higher-end 14- and 16-inch models come with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 model starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now.
Other than this, Vision Pro gets M5 update (And a new “dual-knit” band). Prices still start at $3,499, so it remains to be seen what impact this will have on sales.
While this all sounds like one big update, many more Apple updates are rumored for 2025 and early 2026. These could include a budget iPhone 17e, an updated Home Hub, a HomePod mini 2, an Apple TV, a MacBook Air, and an updated AirTag.
There is a lot left to update.
So, what is safe to buy now, and what is better to avoid?
‘do not buy’ list
These are the Apple devices I recommend giving a pass for now, as we’ll likely see refreshed versions soon:
- Apple TV: Last updated in October 2022, this device is due to be refreshed. Rumors suggest that the fourth generation Apple TV 4K will be announced before the end of the year.
- homepod mini: Released in October 2020, it is officially Apple’s oldest product. While there’s nothing technically wrong with the device, it’s hard to recommend paying full price for such old hardware, and rumors of an imminent update are circulating.
‘Buy’ list
These Apple devices are worth buying now, as it will be some time before we see significant hardware upgrades.
1. iPhone 17 series
iPhone 17 Now available, the A19 and A19 Pro with faster processors, better cameras and better batteries…
Also: Should you upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro from last year’s model? I am – here’s why
The reviews almost write themselves by now. For those with a lot of money, Apple is now offering the iPhone 17 Pro Max 2 TB storage for $1,999There’s also a new iPhone model, ultra-thin (well, except for the big camera bulge at the top). iPhone AirWhich appears to replace the iPhone Plus line and attempts to unify Apple’s buzzwords.
2. Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3
full line of apple watches Health metrics have been upgraded, particularly focusing on high blood pressure warnings (a feature that’s also coming to older Apple Watches). Again, these are in preorder status at the time of writing.
Plus: I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE — what the keynote didn’t tell you
There’s a new Apple Watch available at every price point, starting at $249 SE 3 for $899 Ultra 3 with neat titanium Milanese band,
3. AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 get some big upgrades, including better noise cancellation, better audio quality, increased battery life, and a new feature – heart rate detection. This is an interesting change for Apple as it moves some of the core functionality found in the Apple Watch to another device.
Also: I replaced my AirPods Max with the AirPods Pro 3 for flights, and it’s been a game-changer
Are you excited to get your hands on the new AirPods Pro 3? Me too, but you can save a few bucks by waiting until the Black Friday deals start. Traditionally, this is a product that gets a discount.
Who knows? You can save yourself $50.
4. iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro
ipad airEquipped with the M3 chip, received a refresh in March. Prices start at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. That time, ipad Performance also got a boost thanks to the A16 chip. The price of this tablet starts from $350.
update M5-powered iPad Pro tablet They are also now available for preorder, and prices start at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model.
5. MacBook Pro
macbook pro line Get a somewhat confusing refresh. The new 14-inch base model gets the M5 treatment, while the higher-end 14- and 16-inch models come with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 model starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now.
6. Mac Studio
Apple’s Pro-grade option for the Mac mini sees a serious boost in processing in March 2025 m4 max And m3 ultra Offered in a range of configurations. Prices start at $1,999 but can reach $14,099 for a fully powered system.
7. iMac
m4 imac It received a refresh in October 2024 to bring it up to speed with Apple Intelligence. Ranging from a price of $1,299 with an eight-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage to a 10-core CPU and GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s an iMac to suit most workloads and budgets.
8. Mac Mini
Apple’s smallest Macs get an upgrade to M4 and M4 Pro processors in October 2024. It’s also the cheapest Mac you can buy mac mini The 10-core CPU and GPU model, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage costs only $599.
9. iPad Mini
2024 ipad mini Introduced in October 2024, replacing the three-year-old model with a model powered by the A17 Pro chip that is ready for Apple Intelligence. The device comes in multiple colors – blue, purple, starlight and space gray – and multiple storage capacities – 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Prices range from $499 to $799.
Upcoming Apple Products to Watch
1. Apple TV
It’s coming, we’re just not sure when. The device is rumored to use Apple’s new networking chip, adding support for Wi-Fi 6E, and will be powered by an A15 chip, which will open the door to Apple Intelligence features.
2. AirTag Update
I’m a big fan of AirTag, and since Apple released them, there has been a flood of third-party offerings on the market. While only Apple can offer precise locating, smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable Finder tags are now available.
Also: Should you buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17? How to decide which model to buy
The new AirTags are expected to use the new Ultra Wideband chip, which is expected to improve range and accuracy. Apple is reportedly making it more difficult to disable the speaker, which is a countermeasure to prevent people from using the tag to stalk them.
Given how easily AirTags can be modified and how they can even be purchased pre-modified, this update will be a welcome change.
Tariff costs and trade war
Tariffs still dominate the news. One moment they are on; Further they are closed; Then they come together again with a list of ifs and buts and exceptions that may or may not hold.
CNET: As inflation looms large from Trump’s tariffs, I’m keeping an eye on 11 key products for inflation
According to Apple’s July 31 earnings call, the tariffs cost the company about $800 million last quarter, a figure expected to rise to $1.1 billion in the current quarter.
Is Apple bearing the burden of that tariff? Probably not.
Apple has added $100 to the price of the iPhone 17 lineup, but has tried to make things more opaque by increasing storage capabilities. But storage prices are cheap – roughly, the industry average price is around $16 for 128GB, and around $35 for 256GB – so it doesn’t account for the entire price tag. Additionally, Apple changed the chassis from titanium to aluminum, and titanium is significantly more expensive than aluminum, about 2.5 to 3 times more per pound depending on the alloy – so that’s quite a savings for a company that makes millions of iPhones.
So, is Apple swallowing the tariff costs? I would say no, the consumer is paying.
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