This week saw notable discounts on a few Apple products, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirTag 4-Pack at Amazon. For accessories, if you're on the hunt for Apple Watch bands or USB-C charging accessories, we're also still tracking big deals from Woot and Anker today.
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.
Woot brought back its big Apple Watch band sale this week, with up to 70 percent off Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop band styles. You can find the full list of bands on sale in our original post.
Anker this week introduced new high-power chargers and they're already available with a $10 discount. You can also find a big collection of Anker devices marked down in the New Year's sale, including the popular Power Station with Display and Lantern for $89.99 on Amazon.
Samsung kicked off a big winter sale this week with savings on monitors, storage, smartphones, home appliances, and more. During this event, you can also sign up to receive a $50 credit to be applied to the upcoming Galaxy smartphones by entering your name and email on this landing page.
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's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect.
With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight shift in Apple's approach to low-cost devices, moving beyond entry-level hardware to introduce features once reserved for premium models, such as OLED displays, Face ID, and advanced wireless technology.
Indeed, Apple's first custom modem and Bluetooth chip is coming to entry-level devices first. Similarly, the company is focusing on lower-end smart home devices such as the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and Command Center, before devoting attention to higher-end models. We're expecting a total of eight new or refreshed low-cost Apple devices this year:
The MacBook Air will finally be upgraded to the M4 chip, delivering up to 25% faster multi-core CPU performance than the current model. It could also gain support for two external displays and a 12MP webcam with Center Stage. Launching in spring 2025, the new models will likely maintain their current starting price of $1,099. All models now start with 16GB of memory as standard.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, and a 48MP rear camera. It will likely be powered by the A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence and will debut Apple's first in-house 5G modem. Expected to launch in March 2025, the new iPhone SE is expected to be priced between $400 and $500, with a slight increase from the current $429 due to significant upgrades.
The 11th-generation iPad will retain the 10.9-inch display and Touch ID power button but will likely upgrade to an A17 Pro or A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to enable Apple Intelligence. Expected in spring 2025, the device may continue to start at $349, with the possibility of a base storage upgrade to 128GB.
The AirTag 2 will include an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for a threefold increase in tracking range, better Vision Pro integration, and a tamper-proof speaker for enhanced anti-stalking measures. Launching in mid-2025, it is expected to maintain the current $29 price point.
Apple's Command Center will serve as an all-new smart home hub product with a 7-inch display, built-in speakers, a camera for FaceTime, and proximity sensors for dynamic interface adjustments. It will run a new "homeOS" with widget-focused controls and Siri integration. Expected to launch around March 2025, the price is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be competitive with similar products like Amazon's Echo Show, which is priced at $90. A higher-end version of the device on a robotic arm is expected to debut in 2026, so the initial Command Center is likely to be an entry-level device akin to the HomePod mini.
The second-generation HomePod mini is expect to gain a new in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supporting Wi-Fi 6E, improved audio quality, and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for better handoff. Likely to launch in mid-2025, the device will likely retain its $99 price point.
A new Apple TV 4K is rumored to feature an updated A-series chip, likely the A16 or newer, Wi-Fi 6E support, and possibly a built-in camera for FaceTime. Expected to launch in 2025, the device could see a starting price drop to $99 from the current $129, aligning better with competitors like Amazon's Fire Stick.
The Apple Watch SE 3 will likely feature larger displays, a faster chip, the S10 or S11 chip, and may adopt a more affordable plastic casing. The current model will be three years old this fall. Expected in late 2025, the device could maintain its $249 starting price or potentially decrease slightly to compete with rival devices and appeal to parents purchasing for children.
If you have regular access to an iPhone charger during the day and a healthy battery, you probably don't need to worry much about extending your iPhone's battery. For days when you're away from home for long periods of time, though, you might need to take some steps to make sure you get the most out of your battery.
We've rounded up 10 tips that will help ensure your battery lasts all day.
1. Disable iPhone Mirroring
iPhone Mirroring lets you control your iPhone from your Mac, and when it's turned on, you'll get iPhone notifications on your Mac display even when your iPhone is tucked away.
When it's in active use it can be helpful, but there is a connection between the Mac and the iPhone to relay notifications. Notifications can show up on the Mac even when the iPhone Mirroring app is closed, and there is anecdotal evidence from MacRumors readers suggesting this can be a notable battery drain.
If you're not using iPhone Mirroring, it's worth turning it off. To do so, go to Settings > General > AirPlay and Continuity and tap on Edit. From there, delete the Macs that your iPhone connects to.
In a test, a little over an hour of making emojis with the Genmoji feature drained an iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery 50 percent, so keep that in mind. If you're in a situation where your battery needs to last for a long time, stay away from generating images with Apple Intelligence.
3. Use Dark Mode When Possible
On OLED iPhone displays, activating Dark Mode preserves battery life because there's less power draw when darker colored pixels are displayed. Activating Dark Mode when outside on a sunny day can save you a ton of battery, according to a 2021 Purdue study.
Lower levels of brightness in Light Mode use the same battery as higher levels of brightness in Dark Mode, so Dark Mode can save battery even when brightness is turned up when you're in a sunny location.
When you're somewhere that has dimmer lighting and screen brightness is lower, turning on Dark Mode won't save as much battery life, but it still draws a bit less power.
As of iOS 18, you can set a Dark option for your icons that turns them darker when Dark Mode is enabled (or all the time, if you prefer). Dark icons are easier on the eyes when Dark Mode is on, and it might save just a little extra battery life.
Along with Dark Mode, keep your screen brightness as low as is comfortable, because that's also going to preserve battery. You can quickly adjust brightness using the Control Center.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi When It's Available
This tip is straight from Apple. Whenever you're somewhere that has a Wi-Fi connection available, it's a good idea to use it over cellular.
Wi-Fi uses less power than cellular, and a cellular connection can be one of the biggest battery drains.
When in a place with low signal that's constantly cutting out or no signal, go even further and turn on Airplane mode. When your iPhone is constantly searching for a better cellular signal, it impacts battery life.
5. Turn Off Haptic Keyboard Feedback
Haptic feedback on the iPhone's keyboard is satisfying to feel when you tap on the on-screen keys, but it does drain your battery.
You can turn it off by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and toggling off Haptic.
6. Set Up Focus Modes and Scheduled Summary
Most of us have tons of notifications coming in throughout the day, and constantly getting alerts and activating the iPhone's display can cost you battery life.
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to set up Focus modes to tailor the notifications you're getting to what you need for any given activity. If you're at home, for example, you can set up a "Personal" mode that filters work notifications, or at work, a mode that filters notifications from games and other apps you don't need while working.
Focus modes are entirely customizable, so you can choose which apps and people can contact you in each mode, and there are even options for filtering out select emails, messages, calendars, and more.
On iPhones that support Apple Intelligence, Apple added a "Reduce Interruptions" Focus mode that intelligently filters what's not important while delivering what you need to see immediately. If you don't want to hassle with Focus modes, this is a good option.
Note that when you use a Focus mode, you'll still get all of your notifications when the Focus mode ends, but in a single alert rather than multiple. Focus modes can be set up in the Focus section of the Settings app.
On a related note, set up Scheduled Summary for any app that sends you unimportant notifications. Scheduled Summary aggregates all of your notifications and sends them to you just once or twice a day.
You can toggle on Scheduled Summary for apps in the Notifications section of the Settings app.
7. Use Offline Maps
In an off-grid area or a place with low cellular signal, Offline Maps can be a real help. When driving or hiking somewhere where signal is low, download a map so you can have full maps access and turn-by-turn directions without a cellular connection.
Offline Maps is a good option to pair with Airplane mode in areas where cellular signal is hit or miss.
8. Automate Low Power Mode
Turning on Low Power Mode is the most obvious way to preserve battery life on your device, and it's a good idea to automate it so it can be set to turn on at a specific battery percentage.
Apple will prompt you to turn on Low Power Mode when your battery is at 20 percent, but it's often helpful to turn it on even earlier. To set up a Low Power Mode shortcut, open up the Shortcuts app, and create a new Automation. From there, search for Battery Level and choose a target battery percentage. Hit the "Next" button, search for Low Power Mode, and select it. That will cause Low Power Mode to activate automatically when your battery hits your target level.
9. Turn Off Fitness Tracking
Your iPhone has a Fitness Tracking feature that stores motion data to estimate your body movements, mobility, step counts, stairs climbed, and more. If you have an Apple Watch or another fitness tracker, you don't need this setting and it could be contributing to unnecessary battery usage.
To turn it off, open up the Settings app and go to Privacy and Security > Motion and Fitness and then toggle off the Fitness Tracking setting.
10. Check App Access Settings
Many apps request access permissions that they don't need and probably shouldn't have access to. Apps that don't need but use Bluetooth or Location can drain your battery life, so it's best to check all of your app settings for both battery preservation and privacy purposes.
Location - Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services.
Bluetooth - Settings > Privacy and Security > Bluetooth.
In each of these sections, toggle off access for apps that don't need this data. An app that connects to something in your home via Bluetooth does need Bluetooth, but apps like Waze, Facebook, and YouTube often don't need it.
It's also a good idea to turn off background refresh for apps that don't need to be updating in the background. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh to check your settings.
Have a useful battery saving tip that we didn't mention here? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple CEO Tim Cook earned $74.6 million in 2024, up from $63.2 million in 2023, Apple said in its annual proxy filing.
Cook's earnings included a $3 million base salary, $58 million in stock awards, $12 million in performance-based awards, and $1.5 million in other compensation, such as 401(k) contributions, life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses. Cook is required by Apple to use private aircraft for both business and personal travel.
Apple set a target compensation of $59 million for Cook, but Cook earned more through the cash incentive payout that executives receive when Apple performs well.
Though Cook's 2024 compensation exceeded what he earned in 2023, it was still down from the $99 million that he was awarded in 2022. Cook and the Board of Directors opted to decrease Cook's total compensation after his 2022 earnings reached almost $100 million.
Other Apple executives, including Luca Maestri, Kate Adams, Deirdre O'Brien, and Jeff Williams, earned $27.2 million.
Apple's 2025 shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, according to an SEC filing that was released today.
Apple shareholders of record as of January 2, 2025 can attend, vote, and submit questions during the meeting by logging in to Apple's virtual meeting website 15 minutes before it kicks off. A control number included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that's provided to shareholders is required to join.
At the meeting, shareholders will vote to re-elect the Board of Directors, approve executive compensation, and ratify Ernst & Young LLP as Apple's public accounting firm. There will also be votes on shareholder proposals.
Most of Apple's shareholder meetings are not of interest to the public. Tim Cook and other executives share little about Apple's future plans at these meetings, but sometimes there are a few interesting tidbits. Last year, for example, Tim Cook spoke about the potential of artificial intelligence before Apple Intelligence features were highlighted in June 2024.
Woot has brought back a massive sale on the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop bands for Apple Watch, which we last tracked before the Christmas holiday. All bands are in brand new condition and 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.
You can get the Solo Loop for just $19.99 ($29 off) and the Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 ($69 off) in this sale. Woot says the sale will run through January 17, but it'll probably end sooner when stock runs out, so make your purchases soon if you're interested.
Shoppers should note that this sale is focused on colors of the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop that Apple has stopped selling, and it doesn't include any of the new band colors. That being said, all of the bands in this sale are in new condition.
The entire sale is focused on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, so you'll need to know the size that works best for you before you buy. Apple has a measurement tool on its website that you can use to determine your exact size.
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 Intelligence hasn't convinced people to buy an iPhone 16, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuosaid today. According to Kuo, a supply chain survey suggests Apple Intelligence is not pushing people to upgrade their devices.
The delay between the Apple Intelligence introduction in June 2024 and a launch even after iPhone 16 models came out was a contributing factor, and Apple Intelligence "appeal has significantly declined" compared to cloud-based services like ChatGPT.
There is also no indication that Apple Intelligence will drive Services revenue, as Apple CEO Tim Cook said in December that Apple has never discussed charging for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple could start charging for Apple Intelligence in 2027 or beyond, but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
All in all, Kuo does not feel that Apple Intelligence is going to benefit Apple in terms of user upgrades or revenue, but there's some hope for the long-term prospects.
I'm not bearish on Apple Intelligence's long-term prospects; however, given the points discussed above, there is no evidence of Apple Intelligence's ability to benefit hardware replacement cycles or service business. As such, it should be cautious of potential downside risks created by earlier market over-optimism.
Apple Intelligence was the main focus of iOS 18, but when the iPhone 16 models launched in September, there were no Apple Intelligence features available. Writing Tools and other capabilities came in the first update to iOS 18 in October, but Image Playground and Genmoji didn't roll out until December.
There are still Apple Intelligence features that have not been implemented, including major changes to Siri that are rumored to be coming in April.
A December survey suggested that many iPhone users feel that Apple Intelligence has added little or no value to their iPhone experience, though that sentiment could change as Apple Intelligence matures.
TikTok is likely to be banned in the United States on January 19, after the United States Supreme Court indicated that it's leaning toward upholding the sell or ban law.
As highlighted by Bloomberg, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the case today, and it didn't go well for TikTok. Most of the justices indicated that worry over U.S. national security overrides free speech, and there were concerns about the personal data that TikTok collects from users, content manipulation, and the influence that China has over ByteDance.
Justice Elena Kagan wasn't a fan of TikTok's argument that its constitutional rights were being violated. "The law is only targeted at this foreign corporation, which doesn't have First Amendment rights," she said.
Justice John Roberts said that "Congress is fine with the expression," but "not fine with a foreign adversary ... gathering all this information about the 170 million people who use TikTok." He also questioned China's influence on ByteDance. "Are we supposed to ignore the fact that the ultimate parent is in fact subject to doing intelligence work for the Chinese government?" he asked TikTok's lawyer.
The Supreme Court could give a ruling on TikTok before January 19, or postpone the date that the law goes into effect to give more time for consideration. TikTok asked the court to halt the ban while it waits for the appeals process to play out, but the court elected to hear the case ahead of January 19.
If the court upholds the law, U.S. app stores will not be able to distribute the TikTok app as of January 19. TikTok users who already have the app will be able to continue using it, but it will stop functioning over time because updates weren't be permitted.
ByteDance can opt to sell TikTok to an approved company, which would allow TikTok to continue to operate. A sale won't happen before January 19, but if TikTok is banned, it could be reinstated after a sale. ByteDance has claimed that a sale is not possible, and that China would not approve the divestiture of TikTok and its algorithm.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
CES 2025 is wrapping up today, and attendees are preparing to head home after a long week of exploring the latest tech products. MacRumors Dan Barbera spent the last few days checking out what's new, and we're wrapping up the week with our Best of CES 2025 list.
LG showed off a new UltraFine 6K display with Thunderbolt 5 support, and it's a serious Pro Display XDR competitor. The 32-inch display has a sleek stand with adjustable height, and almost no bezels at all. Launch date and price aren't available just yet. Samsung also had the Smart Monitor M9, a 4K OLED display with an AI Picture Optimizer feature that makes adjustments based on what's on the screen.
TP-Link's Tapo brand had some interesting security cameras and locks, including one that's able to verify your identity by reading the veins in your palm before unlocking the door. The cameras aren't HomeKit or Matter-enabled, but Tapo has detailed notifications that give you insight into what's going on rather than just a standard motion detected alert.
As for Apple-related accessories, Satechi's 3-in-1 magnetic travel chargers in bright colors were a win and SanDisk showed off a MagSafe SSD with USB-C that's perfect for transferring content from your iPhone or recording video directly to the external drive.
OhSnap demoed a MagSafe wallet that has a super strong grip and can hold up to eight cards, and for HomeKit users, Flic Duo had a Matter-compatible button that supports gesture control for controlling your devices.
Other highlights included Honda and Sony's Afeela electric vehicle, the cord-free Displace TV, and a spoon that zaps your tongue to make you taste salt so you can cut down on sodium.
Synchrony is now available as a buy-now, pay-later option when checking out with Apple Pay online and in apps on iPhone and iPad.
Synchrony was added to a list of Apple Pay installment providers in the U.S. in an Apple support document that was updated today, joining Affirm and Klarna. The addition was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users can select "Other Cards & Pay Later Options" when checking out with Apple Pay to access payment plans available from Synchrony.
Apple discontinued its own buy-now, pay-later service called Apple Pay Later last year, and started partnering with third-party providers. Apple Pay Later let qualifying customers split a purchase made with Apple Pay into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees. Affirm, Klarna, and now Synchrony offer similar financing options.
Update: Apple removed Synchrony from the support document after we published. This integration is not yet live.
Apple today announced that it will be opening an all-new retail store at the Miami Worldcenter complex, near the city's downtown core, on Friday, January 24. A grand opening time has not been disclosed, but it will likely be 10 a.m. local time.
The store incorporates a biophilic garden that is designed to make vistors feel more connected with nature, according to Apple.
"Our brand-new store in downtown Miami is opening soon," says Apple. "Get ready to discover an oasis in the heart of the city, where nature thrives and creativity flourishes. We can't wait to see what blooms in you."
To celebrate the occasion, Apple has shared a specially-designed, garden-themed wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In addition, the store has an Apple Music playlist featuring some of Miami's most popular Latin music artists.
"Created from the ground up to reflect Apple's values, Miami Worldcenter is Apple's most sustainable store-centred on universal design principles, while creating an inviting space where everyone is welcome," says Apple. "In that spirit, we've put together a playlist featuring some of Miami's favorite Latin music stars to help us celebrate the store's opening."
Apple Miami Worldcenter will be the company's 10th store in the Miami area.
Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing.
The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be released this March or April, just like all previous models of the device.
One leaker recently claimed that the device will launch with iOS 18.3, which is expected to be released in late January. However, that rumor was quickly shot down by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said Apple is aiming to release the device "by April." Kuo's timeframe also suggests that a March or April release is more likely than January.
The new iPhone SE is said to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14. Rumored features for the device include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a newer A-series chip and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence support, and the first Apple-designed 5G modem. It is not entirely clear if the device will have an Action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
The current iPhone SE looks similar to the iPhone 8, with outdated features such as a Touch ID button, Lightning port, and thick bezels around the display. Pricing starts at $429, but at least a slight price increase seems probable for the next model.
The so-called "iPhone 17 Air" model expected to launch later this year will have an ultra-thin design that is 5.5mm at its thinnest point, according to the latest information shared by reputable Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
If the 5.5mm measurement ends up being accurate, the "iPhone 17 Air" would become the thinnest iPhone ever, topping the current 6.9mm record set by the iPhone 6. It also means the device would be around 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and around 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The device measuring 5.5mm only at its "thinnest point" likely means it will have an ultra-thin chassis with a thicker rear camera bump. The device is expected to have only a single 48-megapixel rear camera.
There have been conflicting rumors about the device's exact thinness, but several sources have agreed on around a 5mm to mid-6mm range.
The latest 13-inch iPad Pro model measures just 5.1mm thick, so the "iPhone 17 Air" could be approaching that impressive territory.
Kuo said the ultra-thin iPhone 17 model will enter mass production in the second half of 2025. The device is expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There is no iPhone 17 Plus expected, with the "iPhone 17 Air" effectively set to become a replacement for the Plus model in this year's lineup.
Due to its thin design, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to have some reduced specifications compared to the Pro models. In addition to the single rear camera, the device is rumored to have a standard A19 chip instead of the A19 Pro chip, and only a single speaker. However, Kuo believes Apple will still charge a "high price" for the device.
Apple today announced that ten new games are coming to Apple Arcade, including the service's first officially licensed PGA TOUR game, while updating several existing titles.
The year begins with the launch of seven titles available immediately, accompanied by announcements of three additional games debuting on February 6, 2025. The new games include:
Skate City: New York: A skateboarding game set in iconic real-world New York City skate spots, offering detailed environments.
Gears & Goo for Apple Vision Pro: A spatial computing game combining tower defense and base-building mechanics with immersive 3D gameplay for the Vision Pro.
Three Kingdoms HEROES: The latest installment in Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, focusing on strategy and dynamic storytelling based on Chinese history.
FINAL FANTASY+: A remastered version of the original entry in the iconic RPG series, containing enhanced 2D visuals and mobile-optimized features.
Trials of Mana+: A mobile port of SQUARE ENIX's action RPG, delivering console-quality gameplay on Apple devices.
Rodeo Stampede+: A Wild West adventure game where players tame animals and create their own zoo.
It's Literally Just Mowing+: A relaxing game where players can enjoy the simple, zen-like task of mowing lawns.
PGA TOUR Pro Golf: An immersive golf simulation game featuring iconic PGA TOUR courses, competitive tournaments, and cross-platform gameplay.
Doodle Jump 2+: A sequel to the popular platforming game, featuring new environments, challenges, and characters.
My Dear Farm+: A customizable farming simulator where players design their dream farm, grow crops, and manage their agricultural empire.
Apple Arcade also sees significant updates for several of its most popular games. "WHAT THE CAR?" has received new levels and gameplay refinements to enhance its racing mechanics, while "Game Room" has been expanded with additional game modes and challenges. "Hello Kitty Island Adventure" now includes fresh content such as new quests, customization options, and interactive features. Updates are also coming this month for "NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition," "Outlanders 2: Second Nature," "Wheel of Fortune Daily," "Snake.io+," "Ridiculous Fishing EX," and more.
Apple Arcade is Apple's subscription-based gaming service that offers unlimited access to a curated library of premium games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All games on the platform are ad-free and do not include in-app purchase.
Apple Arcade is available as a standalone subscription for $6.99 per month, with a one-month free trial for new users. Alternatively, it can be bundled with other Apple services, such as iCloud+, Apple Music, and Apple TV+, through the Apple One subscription plan. Apple One starts at $19.95 per month for the Individual plan.
Amazon today has Apple's AirPods Pro 2 for $179.99, down from $249.00. This is the first time in 2025 that the headphones have dropped under their typical sale price of $189.99, and Amazon is providing a mid-January delivery date for most United States residences.
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.
Of course, we saw a better deal over the holiday season, but it's very unlikely that all-time low price will return any time soon. Amazon's price today is still a solid deal on the AirPods Pro 2, which feature USB-C charging and Active Noise Cancellation.
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 CEO Steve Jobs announced the MacBook Pro 19 years ago today at the 2006 Macworld Conference & Expo.
Jobs unveiled the MacBook Pro as the first Mac notebook to transition from PowerPC processors to Intel's Core Duo architecture. Designed to be an Intel-based replacement for the PowerBook line, the MacBook Pro took a similar aluminum chassis and added an Intel Core processor, a webcam, and the MagSafe power connector. Its display was 67% brighter than its predecessor, matching the luminance of Apple's standalone Cinema Displays.
Apple claimed that the Intel processors delivered "up to four times the performance of the PowerBook G4." The transition was supported by Rosetta, a software translation layer that allowed PowerPC applications to run on Intel-based Macs.
The original MacBook Pro came in two configurations, both with 15.4-inch widescreen displays offering 1440 x 900 resolution. The entry-level model featured a 1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, and an 80GB hard drive, while the higher-end model boasted a 1.83 GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 100GB hard drive. Both models included ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics cards. The 15-inch model weighed just 5.6 pounds and was only one inch thick.
It also featured two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an ExpressCard/34 slot for expandability. The exclusion of FireWire 800 in the initial 15-inch models drew criticism from some users, but this port was later restored in subsequent revisions. Initially only available with a 15-inch display, Apple introduced a 17-inch variant in April 2006.
Over the years, the MacBook Pro line evolved through various design and technological iterations, including the unibody construction in 2008, the Retina display in 2012, and the controversial Touch Bar in 2016. The transition from Intel to Apple Silicon in 2020 marked the end of the Intel-based MacBook Pro era, as Apple moved to its proprietary M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips.
While the iPhone 17 series is still more than eight months away from launching, there are already rumors about the iPhone 18 models coming next year.
Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes today reported that Samsung is developing a new three-layer stacked camera sensor that is targeted for the iPhone 18. This advanced image sensor would make the iPhone 18's camera more responsive, with other benefits including reduced noise in photos, increased dynamic range, and more.
The exact technology is called "PD-TR-Logic," according to the report, and it refers to a camera sensor with three layers of circuitry affixed to it. A leaker known as "Jukanlosreve" first revealed Samsung's alleged plans for the sensor last week.
Sony has long been the exclusive supplier of image sensors for iPhone cameras, so Samsung entering the fray would be notable.
In July 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected Samsung to begin shipping 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera sensors to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, which is when iPhone 18 models are expected to be released. It is unclear if Samsung's sensor will also be used for the Fusion and/or Telephoto cameras on iPhone 18 models, and it is unclear if the sensor will be limited to iPhone 18 Pro models.
With at least three sources having revealed Samsung's plans to become an iPhone camera sensor supplier, this rumor seems to be quite solidified. iPhone 18 models are still more than a year and a half away, though, so the plans could change.
Apple today started selling refurbished iPhone 15 Pro models in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, offering the discontinued iPhones at a discount for the first time since their 2023 launch.
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in the above countries with a 15% discount compared to the equivalent brand new models. Apple began selling standard refurbished iPhone 15 models in select European countries earlier this week, despite them having not yet arrived on the domestic US market.
All refurbished iPhones from Apple are unlocked and compatible with any carrier. Each refurbished iPhone is equipped with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a USB-C to USB-C cable, making them virtually indistinguishable from brand-new devices.
Refurbished iPhones also come with Apple's standard one-year warranty, and buyers have the option to extend coverage with AppleCare+.
With the launch of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max in September 2024, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple continues to sell new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models on its main online storefront.
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