Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers are able to individually repair the bottom-right microphone on the lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, according to information obtained by MacRumors today from multiple sources.
The new procedure of replacing this microphone on its own should make these repairs cheaper for customers, and also less wasteful, as part of Apple's focus on environmental responsibility. As for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and other iPhone models, repairing this microphone still requires replacing the entire mid-frame chassis.
For repairs of all other microphones on iPhones, including next to the earpiece and rear camera, a mid-frame replacement is still required.
Popular new roleplaying game Baldur's Gate 3 is available to play on the Mac starting today. The title can be downloaded through the Steam platform and it is playable on Apple silicon Macs.
The game's minimum requirements include the M1 processor and 8GB RAM, but the recommended requirements suggest an M1 Pro or better Apple silicon chip and at least 16GB RAM. With the M1 chip, the game can be run on low to medium settings, but the recommended requirements support high or ultra settings.
Baldur's Gate 3 was initially released on Windows in August, and it is the third game in the Baldur's Gate series. Players can choose one of six pre-made characters or create a custom character to play. The game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, and it uses turn-based combat.
There are 12 classes and 11 races to choose from, along with options to play solo or online with up to four people.
Gather your party and return to the Forgotten Realms in a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Mysterious abilities are awakening inside you, drawn from a mind flayer parasite planted in your brain. Resist, and turn darkness against itself. Or embrace corruption, and become ultimate evil.
Baldur's Gate 3 has received almost universally positive reviews, and it is available from Steam for $60.
Following the launch of the iPhone 15 series today, a few readers of our website have reached out to highlight that the devices support USB-C to Ethernet adapters, allowing for a wired internet connection with faster download speeds than Wi-Fi.
Apple confirmed this information in a support document last week, with USB to Ethernet adapters listed as compatible with iPhone 15 models. When an iPhone is connected to an Ethernet cable, an otherwise hidden Ethernet menu appears in the Settings app with IP-related information and various configuration options.
One reader informed us that their iPhone 15 Pro connected to Ethernet achieved a peak download speed of over 800 Mbps in a speed test.
While this is one of the various clever ways that the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 models can be used, it should be known that previous iPhones with the Lightning connector also supported Ethernet with an adapter. Nevertheless, we have decided to highlight this information as a helpful tip since it is getting attention.
All four iPhone 15 models launched today in the U.S. and more than 40 other countries.
Alongside the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, Apple introduced a new case material called "FineWoven" as an alternative to leather, and unfortunately, it has not proven popular with some customers.
Image of FineWoven case under microscope from iFixit
Given the criticism of the FineWoven case, teardown site iFixit obtained one of the accessories and decided to take it apart to get a closer look.
Using a digital microscope, iFixit viewed the FineWoven fabric at 52x and 490x magnification, confirming that it is indeed made up of bundles of tightly woven fibers. Each fiber is much smaller than a strand of hair, measuring in at about six microns thick.
Groups of the individual fibers make up threads that are around 150 microns thick, and iFixit says the microtwill material that Apple is using is not too far off from high-end jackets from companies like Patagonia and Arc'teryx.
When the FineWoven fabric is scratched, the fibers don't break, but the scratch does cause the affected fibers to reflect light irregularly, which means there's a visual mark. The softness of the material also means that items in the pocket with the case can leave an indentation.
Because the FineWoven case is made from fabric, it did stain when exposed to hot sauce and oil, though it was able to resist coffee. When exposed to certain foods or liquids, FineWoven case owners can expect to see the case become stained, and iFixit wasn't able to get the oil or the hot sauce stain out.
iFixit cut the case open to see how it was assembled. The FineWoven fabric is on the outside, with a gray foam inside. Beyond the gray foam, there's a rigid plastic sheet, the MagSafe hardware, white foam, another rigid plastic sheet, and an inner layer of FineWoven fabric. All of the layers are thin, and the FineWoven fabric itself is about 0.17mm.
The sides of the case feature the same FineWoven fabric that appears to have been coated in a resin-like material, producing a hard, non-porous surface.
iFixit suggests that those with FineWoven cases protect it with a Durable Water Repellent spray to make the case more resistant to staining and liquid.
Apple's new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models are heading out to customers all over the world, including us here at MacRumors. Our videographer Dan Barbera just got his new iPhones in, and over on YouTube, he's unboxed the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The blue and gray titanium models look fantastic with the new brushed finish, and to go along with them, Dan got the black iPhone 15. That model also has a sleek new look thanks to the frosted glass back.
The more contoured corners of the new devices make them more comfortable to hold, and the weight reduction for the 15 Pro models is definitely noticeable. As for the display, the iPhone 15 display is brighter than before in the sun, and for the 15 Pro and Pro Max, that slimmed down bezel looks great.
Make sure to watch Dan's video to get a first look at all of the new iPhones, and stay tuned because we'll have device comparisons, deep dives into the camera, and more content coming over the next week.
There were numerous great Apple-related deals over the past week, with our pick of the best being the new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C for $199.99 at Amazon. This isn't the only brand new Apple product already getting a discount as you'll find out below, where we're tracking sales on both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
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 2 (USB-C)
What's the deal? Take $49 off the USB-C AirPods Pro 2
One of the biggest deals of the week came from Amazon, which already has $49 off the all-new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case. It's available for $199.99, down from $249.00.
iPhone 15 Accessories
What's the deal? Take 23% off iPhone 15 accessory bundles
Anyone who has a new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro arriving today should take a look at Verizon's accessory bundles. You can get an official Apple-made iPhone 15 case, 35W charger, and USB-C cable for $99.97, down from $127.00.
Apple Watch Ultra 1 & 2
What's the deal? Take $100 off Apple Watch Ultra (gen 1) and $19 off Apple Watch Ultra 2
With the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 this week, we're tracking steep discounts on the original model at Amazon. You can get the Apple Watch ultra for as low as $698.99, down from $799.00. If you want the latest model, Amazon has it for $779.99, down from $799.00. For Apple Watch Series 9 shoppers, be sure to check out our full post for even more deals.
Anker
What's the deal? Save on USB-C accessories from Anker
We saw a new all-time low price hit the 512GB 15-inch MacBook Air this week, now available for $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00. This is $50 lower than the previous record low that we tracked consistently over the summer.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new FineWoven accessories, some of our favorite iPhone 15 features, and who should consider upgrading.
Apple's FineWoven material replaces leather across iPhone cases, AirTag accessories, and Apple Watch bands. Many early reviews of the FineWoven items have been negative, criticizing the material's feel, quality, and durability, so we talk over our early thoughts on the new accessories. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro introduce over 30 new capabilities and improvements, including USB-C and Dynamic Island across the lineup, as well as a new titanium design and Action button on the high-end models. We dive into some of our favorite standout features and weigh up who should consider upgrading to the latest devices.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Lululook to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro from Apple. Apple's new iPhone 15 Pro models just launched today, and Lululook has a range of accessories that are designed to go with it.
For some extra power while on the go, the Lululook 10,000mAh Power Bank for $38 offers an extra charge for your iPhone 15. It has a USB-C port and can also charge the iPhone 15 wirelessly, holding it in place with magnets. Up to three devices can be charged at one time, and it charges at up to 22.5W. If you want to use it as a desktop charger or to hold up your iPhone for a FaceTime call or a video, there's a built-in stand. Lululook has a deal right now that drops the price by 40 percent.
Lululook will soon be launching another 10,000mAh Power Bank for the iPhone, and this one features a unique silver design. It has the same 22.5W Max, but a more stylish kickstand that holds the iPhone up for watching videos and making calls in vertical or horizontal orientation. There's an LED display that shows you the current charge level, and with its slim size, it fits easily into a pocket.
If you need an affordable stand for video calls, watching movies, and using StandBy mode, Lululook has the $22 Magnetic Stand for iPhone. With its sleek, slim design, the Magnetic Stand fits anywhere on your desk, and the arm rotates 180 degrees so you can put your iPhone in at the exact angle that's most useful to you. Lululook has a 10 percent off coupon for the iPhone Stand right now.
For an affordable multi-device charging solution, Lululook has the $50 Ultra-Nano 2-in-1 Portable Charging Station for iPhone and Apple Watch. There's a magnetic charging interface for the iPhone that charges it at 7.5W, and a 5W charger for the Apple Watch. The Charging Station is able to fold in half so that it can be used for travel, plus it has a 360-degree adjustable angle so you can do things like orient it in a position for vertical charging. Lululook has the charger for 50 percent off right now, dropping the price to $25.
Lululook has other accessories as well, like power adapters, iPad stands, Apple Watch bands, laptop stands, and more, which can be found on Amazon or the Lululook website.
We have one 256GB iPhone 15 Pro to give away, with the winner able to pick the color of their choice. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 22) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 29. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after September 29 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you.
Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:
Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. The devices are expected to have taller aspect ratios as part of this change. By comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively.
48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera lens for higher-resolution photos with more detail when shooting in 0.5× mode, according to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities.
Wi-Fi 7 support: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will also support Wi-Fi 7, according to Pu. This would enable the devices to send and receive data over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, resulting in faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 is expected to offer peak data transfer speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E.
iPhone 16 Pro models should launch in September 2024, so there is still plenty of time to go, and additional details will surface over the coming months.
Today is the launch day of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, and we're already tracking the first discounts on both wearables. Available at Amazon, you can get $9 off the Apple Watch Series 9 and $19 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with no coupon code required.
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.
Although not particularly steep discounts, given that it's launch day these are pretty solid deals for anyone who planned on picking up one of the new Apple Watch models today. If you want a bigger markdown, and are okay with buying a previous generation device, Amazon has the original Apple Watch Ultra at $99 off in select colors right now.
A few of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 models are temporarily out of stock right now, but Amazon notes that you can place your order at the discounted price and they will email you when they have an estimated delivery date. Otherwise, most models of both the Ultra 2 and Series 9 will deliver between September 24 and September 27.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in a range of color options and finishes, with an entirely new hue available alongside some popular classics.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in a total of nine colors, one of which is a brand new shade, and two distinct finishes. With an aluminum casing, the Apple Watch Series 9's five available color options are:
Pink
Starlight
Silver
Midnight
(PRODUCT)RED
Starlight, Silver, Midnight, and (PRODUCT)RED were all available on last year's Series 8 models. The only difference with this year's aluminum models is a new soft pink color.
Apple's Silver anodized aluminum finish has been available on the company's devices for well over a decade, while Starlight is a warmer shade of silver that subtly angles toward gold or champagne. Midnight is effectively black with a hint of dark blue or navy. Each of the color options has a matching Apple Watch band, except for silver, since it is easily matched with so many other Apple Watch bands.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is also available with a polished stainless steel casing in four different color options:
Silver
Gold
Graphite
Space Black (Apple Watch Hermès only)
This selection of stainless steel finishes is identical to the previous generation's offerings. While stainless steel is heavier than aluminum, it is much harder and more durable. It may be more liable to scratch due to its polished finish, but they can be buffed out like a conventional watch or an item of jewelry.
The stainless steel Apple Watch offers a more high-end, fashion-forward aesthetic, especially when paired with a premium band like the Modern Buckle. The Apple Watch Hermès takes the stainless steel Apple Watch to the next level with exclusive watch faces and ultra-premium bands.
The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, while the stainless steel model costs $699. The only difference between the casings other than their material and weight is the front crystal, which is upgraded from Ion-X strengthened glass to sapphire crystal on the stainless steel model.
How to Decide on an Apple Watch Color
It is important to consider which band you plan to use with your Apple Watch to ensure that they complement each other. You may prefer more neutral tones such as Midnight or Silver, and then use a more colorful band. Alternatively, you could choose a more striking device color like Pink, and then use a more neutral band. This is also a key consideration if you plan to switch bands regularly.
Silver on both the aluminum and stainless steel models may age better over time as new devices are released since they are more neutral, monochrome shades, and have been offered across multiple Apple Watch generations.
Pink could be a good choice, especially when combined with the Pink Sport Band, for a bold look, especially if you also have a Pink iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus. If you want an Apple Watch in a brand new shade, Pink is also the only option. It is the color that is most noticeably new and indicates that you have the latest-generation device.
Your choice of color may also be dependent on how often you upgrade your Apple Watch. If you upgrade every year or two, you may be more confident in buying a more striking new color. If you upgrade more often, it can be a good idea to get a different color every time since a new color can certainly add some novelty to purchasing a new Apple Watch and make it feel more different from your previous device. Alternatively, if you plan to keep your Apple Watch for many years and upgrade less often, it may be wiser to consider a neutral color or one that is more similar to one you have enjoyed previously.
Customers with multiple Apple devices may also want to get an Apple Watch color that complements their other devices. For example, if you have a Midnight HomePod and MacBook Air, it will be best complemented by the Midnight Apple Watch Series 9. If you already have a Gold iPhone 14 Pro, it will likely be best accompanied by a Gold stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9. Likewise, if you have a Starlight Apple Watch, it will obviously match the Starlight iPhone 14 and iPad mini.
Anker has returned today with a collection of discounts on Amazon that offer sales on USB-C accessories perfect for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. These deals can only be found on Amazon and many of them require you to clip an on-page coupon before you'll see the savings.
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.
Accessories on sale include a few of Anker's portable batteries with USB-C ports, a MagSafe-compatible charger stand, and a few USB-C wall chargers. This includes a Compact Power Strip with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and two AC outlets.
Another highlight of the sale is Anker's MagSafe Charger Stand, which includes space to simultaneously charge an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. This one includes a 30W USB-C wall charger and a 1.5m USB-C to USB-C cable.
Earlier in the week, we tracked a few other Anker discounts on Amazon, many of which are still live. This includes sales on Eufy Bluetooth trackers, Bluetooth speakers, USB-C hubs, and more.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Huang revealed that the H2 chip in the USB-C AirPods Pro supports the 5GHz band of wireless frequencies for ultra-low latency and less interference, while the H2 chip in the original second-generation AirPods Pro with a Lightning case is limited to the 2.4GHz band. Apple says it is this 5GHz support that enables the updated AirPods Pro to support lossless audio with the Vision Pro, which is slated for release in the U.S. in early 2024.
The topic is briefly discussed at around the 26-minute mark of the video, as highlighted by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall earlier today:
The updated second-generation AirPods Pro began arriving to customers and launched in stores today. The earbuds are regularly priced at $249 in the U.S., but they are already on sale for $199.99 on Amazon with the USB-C charging case.
Amazon has all-time low prices on Apple's new 15.3-inch MacBook Air notebooks, with the highlight of the sale being a new $250 discount on the 512GB model. You can get the 512GB 15.3-inch MacBook Air for $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This sale is available in all four colors: Space Gray, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. All models are in stock and have an estimated delivery date between September 24 and September 28. These notebooks debuted in June and this is a new all-time low price on the 512GB model.
Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB 15.3-inch MacBook Air on sale for $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is available in two colors (Midnight and Starlight), and has an estimated delivery date between September 24 and September 28 as well. At $250 off, it's another all-time low price.
The new MacBook Air features a large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, M2 processor, six-speaker system, two Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe. The 15.3-inch MacBook Air is mostly similar to the 2022 13.6-inch MacBook Air, but there are some key differences that we highlighted in our buyer's guide.
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.
Update: Amazon has further discounted the 256GB 15-inch MacBook Air, now available for $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00, and this article now reflects that price change. This is a new record low price.
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues.
iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone during the device setup process, so installing it is very important. The update should appear during the setup process, or it can be installed via the Settings app under General → Software Update if you proceeded to set up the device as new and transfer data later.
If you already attempted to transfer data from another iPhone before updating to iOS 17.0.2, and your iPhone 15 is now stuck showing an Apple logo, Apple has shared a new support document with steps on how to restore the iPhone:
1. Connect your new iPhone to a computer with a cable. 2. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button. 3. Continue to hold while the Apple logo appears and don't let go until an image of a computer and cable appears. 4. On your computer, locate your new iPhone in the Finder or in iTunes. 5. Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update.
After restoring the iPhone 15 and updating it to iOS 17.0.2, the process of transferring data from another iPhone can be restarted.
PSA for anyone picking up their 15 today: Update to iOS 17.0.2 before doing a direct iPhone to iPhone data transfer
Apple warns that you shouldn’t do it on the installed build out of the box, although technically possible pic.twitter.com/TTm2uIWmau
— Michael Burkhardt (@mbrkhrdt) September 22, 2023
Happy launch day! The new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max devices are in the hands of Apple customers as of today. We'll have a full unboxing coming later, but we thought we'd take a quick look at the star of today's launch, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Of the four new iPhones that Apple made available today, the 15 Pro Max has the best feature set and it's the device to choose if you want top-of-the-line capabilities. Here's why it stands out:
USB-C Port - With USB-C, you can charge your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the same USB-C to USB-C cable. The iPhone can also be used to charge devices like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, and on the Pro and Pro Max, you can transfer content at up to 10Gb/s with an appropriate cable.
Action Button - The Action Button replaces the mute switch on the Pro models. It can be set to do all kinds of things like activate a Focus mode, turn on the camera, turn on the Flashlight, activate a Shortcut, and more.
A17 Pro Chip - The A17 Pro chip enables console gaming on the iPhone for the first time with support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. You'll be able to play games like Resident Evil 4 and Death Stranding, and it's going to be just blazing fast for checking email, sending text messages, and scrolling social networks.
Titanium - The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a titanium chassis that's lighter than the stainless steel chassis, so even though these iPhones are the same size as last year's iPhones, they'll feel less weighty in the hand. As a bonus, Apple changed the design to make them more repairable so it's less expensive if you break the back glass. Other design changes include more contoured edges and slimmer display bezels.
5x Telephoto Lens - The 5x telephoto lens is a Pro Max exclusive feature, with the standard 15 Pro limited to 3x optical zoom. 5x optical zoom was made possible with Apple's new tetraprism technology so you can zoom in further than ever before. You'll get 25x zoom in total, and Apple also made a bunch of other improvements to the camera that you can see detailed in our iPhone 15 Pro roundup.
With all of the features available in the iPhone 15 Pro plus a larger battery because of more physical space, a larger 6.7-inch display, and the 5x Telephoto lens, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is hard to beat. Did you get a Pro Max? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple's iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max launched today in markets around the world. If you're the new owner of one of Apple's latest models, then keep reading. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or completely new to the devices, this article will help you get the most out your iPhone 15.
With the first round of pre-ordered devices now being delivered to customers and availability in stores, MacRumors has put together the following series of dedicated iPhone 15 how-to articles explaining all the new features that can be found on Apple's newest models.
All iPhone 15 models come with iOS 17 pre-installed. During the iOS 17 beta testing process from June to September, MacRumors wrote a series of in-depth feature guides highlighting every major new addition, plus how tos that walk you through using the new features. Be sure to refer to our ultimate walkthrough, and our special AirPods Pro 2 guide for iOS 17, to get yourself up to speed.
For customers who forgot to pre-order one of the new models or simply decided to wait, most configurations ordered online are now estimated for delivery in October, but the good news is that same-day or next-day pickup is now an option at select Apple Store locations around the world.
Apple's retail employees are receiving raises between two and five percent this year, which is a smaller pay increase than Apple provided during the pandemic, reports Bloomberg. Annual raises are at about four percent on average, with the increases applying to retail employees and AppleCare technical support employees.
Raises are provided alongside employee reviews, which are done in the fall. Last year, Apple was offering bigger raises of eight to 10 percent to combat labor shortages and employee unionization efforts, but as Bloomberg notes, unionization campaigns have not gained traction and wage growth in the United States is down.
Most of Apple's retail employees in the United States earn now $22 to $30 per hour, and are given restricted stock units valued at up to $2,000 annually.