For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of Apple Watch bands and a Watch Roll that's designed to organize your all of your Apple Watch bands and accessories.
Southern Straps makes a range of Apple Watch bands in nylon and leather, and recently expanded into organization with the launch of the Watch Roll, a clever little roll up pouch that's perfect for Apple Watch.
The Watch Roll, priced at $90, is available in either black suede or brown suede, both of which are soft to the touch but durable enough that it's going to last for years to come.
The Watch Roll has three large pockets for carrying watches or other accessories, while three smaller pockets are sized for carrying additional Apple Watch straps. The Watch Roll is great for Apple Watch and its accessories, but also ideal for watch collectors who have more than one watch.
Southern Straps sells the Watch Roll on a standalone basis, but the company also offers combo packs that combine the Watch Roll with several watch bands at a discount.
Southern Straps makes high-quality nylon bands in a range of colors, along with leather bands in either black or brown, both of which match well with the Watch Roll. The nylon bands are durable and comfortable, while the leather bands are supple and hand stitched.
All of Southern Straps' bands come with a multi-year warranty and are available in multiple sizes and with lugs to match multiple Apple Watch finishes.
There are several discounted band and Watch Roll combos that Southern Straps offers to meet each individual's tastes and needs. All of the combos come with a Watch Roll, two nylon bands, and one leather band for $150.
Combo 1: Brown Suede Watch Roll, Green Nylon Band, Sand Nylon Band, and Brown Leather Band
Combo 2: Brown Suede Watch Roll, Blue/White/Red Nylon Band, Blue/White Nylon Band, and Black Leather Band
Combo 3: Black Suede Watch Roll, Black/Red/Green Nylon Band, Black/Gray Nylon Band, and Black Leather Band
Combo 4: Black Suede Watch Roll, Blue/Green Nylon Band, Blue/Red Nylon Band, and Grown Leather Band
We have five Strap & Roll Combos to give away to MacRumors readers, with winners able to select the combo of their choice along with size and lug color. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. 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 and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. 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 (March 29) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on April 5. The winners will be chosen randomly on April 5 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
AT&T this week is offering customers the chance to buy one iPhone and get another at no extra cost, as long as both are purchased on an AT&T Next installment plan with an eligible wireless line. iPhones eligible for the offer include: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS, or XS Max (priced up to $1,449.99).
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with AT&T. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
With the deal, if you buy one of these iPhones then AT&T will give you up to $750 in credits, which will cover the entire cost of an iPhone 8, 64GB iPhone 8 Plus, or 64GB iPhone XR. You can also choose to put the $750 credit towards a 256GB iPhone 8 Plus, 128GB or 512GB iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max.
The credit will start within three bill cycles, and AT&T will send catch-up credits once it starts. The credit will be applied monthly over the entire agreement term. This includes either AT&T Next for 30 months or AT&T Next Every Year for 24 months.
AT&T's offer ends on Sunday, March 31, so if you're interested head to the carrier's website to browse for a new iPhone. More deals and discounts can be found in our full Deals Roundup.
Texture is a subscription-based magazine service that Apple acquired last year to serve as the foundation of its own Apple News+ magazine and newspaper subscription service launched earlier this week.
As noted by TechCrunch, this news is unfortunate for Texture subscribers who use Android, as Apple News+ is only available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple News+ costs $9.99 per month in the United States, the same price as Texture, and is also available for $12.99 per month in Canada.
In March 2026, Apple updated the iPad Pro with the M4 chip and a few other upgrades, With the iPad Pro having been updated in October 2025 and the base iPad updated in March 2025, the iPad mini is currently the oldest model in the lineup.
In this guide, we're taking a look at how the various models compare to help potential buyers choose which one is right for them.
Which iPad Is Right for You?
If price is your biggest consideration, you'll want to look at the standard 11th-generation iPad, knowing that it contains some older technologies and limitations but is still plenty good enough for many users, especially given its recent update. If you're looking for portability, check out the iPad mini, and if you want a mid-sized iPad with more to offer than the entry-level iPad, check out the iPad Air, which is available in two sizes.
What about the iPad Pro? Apple's high-end iPads are in a class of their own, and it shows in their higher prices. Unless you're a pro-level user or price is no object, you'll probably want to look to cheaper options, but the iPad Pro models deliver cutting-edge technology for those who need it.
With that quick overview out of the way, let's take a look at what each model has to offer.
iPad Models
11-inch iPad
Apple's 11th-generation version of the iPad has an 11-inch display and the A16 chip, and it starts at $349 for the Wi-Fi only model. This is the cheapest iPad currently sold by Apple, and it offers a good mix of features, although it does not support Apple Intelligence features given its lower-end specs.
Apple gave the iPad an entirely updated design with the 10th-generation model in 2022 and that carries over to the 2025 model, ditching the Home button and adopting the slim bezel design of the iPad Air and iPad Pro. It does still have Touch ID, but it's been moved to the power button on the top edge of the device. It also features USB-C instead of Lightning, and it has an improved 12MP Wide rear-facing camera.
This is still on the low end of the iPad family lineup, however, so you won't get support for the Apple Pencil 2 (only the first-generation model or the USB-C model). Thankfully, Apple saw fit to boost storage options with the latest model, and it now starts at 128GB with the ability to upgrade to 256GB or, for the first time in an entry-level iPad, 512GB.
Key specifications include:
An 11-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
Side button with Touch ID
A16 chip
12MP Wide back camera and 12MP Landscape Ultra Wide front camera
First-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility
Magic Keyboard Folio compatibility
USB-C port
Available in Blue, Pink, Silver, and Yellow
iPad mini
Next up is the iPad mini, which was updated in October 2024 and starts at $499 for Wi-Fi only models. Apple similarly doubled the base storage to 128GB with this update, offering a better value for buyers at the low end, while also offering up to 512GB of storage at the high end.
With a display size of 8.3 inches, you can't quite call it pocketable, but the iPad mini is definitely great for having something small on the go that still offers a much larger screen size than even Apple's largest iPhones.
Looking beyond the display size, this is a capable device using an A17 Pro chip to deliver support for Apple Intelligence features, so it's a fairly speedy tablet. You'll get an improved display compared to the entry-level iPad, a 12-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and support for the most advanced Apple Pencil Pro.
Key specifications include:
Fully laminated 8.3‑inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
Touch ID in the power button
A17 Pro chip with 5-core graphics and 16-core Neural Engine
12MP Wide back camera with Smart HDR 4 and 4K video
12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Smart HDR 4 and 1080p HD video
Landscape stereo-speaker audio
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) compatibility
Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
10Gbps USB-C port
Available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight
iPad Air
Moving toward the higher end of the iPad family is the iPad Air, which was updated with the M4 chip in March 2026. As of 2024, the iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with the smaller model starting at $599 for Wi-Fi only connectivity and the larger model starting at $799. The iPad Air is the perfect mid-tier option that offers many of the same features as the top-of-the-line iPad Pro but at a lower price point, and it's a great option for many users.
Apple also offers a Magic Keyboard accessory specifically for the iPad Air, delivering much of the same experience as the version for the iPad Pro with a cantilever design, function keys and, a large trackpad, but stripped down a bit to hit a lower price point.
Key specifications of the iPad Air include:
Fully laminated 11‑inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
Touch ID in the power button
M4 chip
12MP Wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 for photos and 4K video at up to 60 fps
Landscape 12MP FaceTime HD front camera with Smart HDR 4
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility
Magic Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
USB-C port
Available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight
iPad Pro
If you're looking for true portable workstation power, then the last two iPads in the lineup, the iPad Pro models, could be what you're interested in. These tablets were updated in October 2025 with the M5 chip, Apple's custom N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7 support, and faster storage. Cellular models also received Apple's custom C1X modem, delivering up to 50% faster cellular data performance. Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model.
While coming in at the same two sizes as the iPad Air, the iPad Pro models are a step up in almost every way, from the crisp OLED displays with 120Hz ProMotion technology for smoother display responsiveness and a USB-C connector with Thunderbolt support to a more powerful M5 chip, Face ID, and a maximum of 2TB of storage.
The iPad Pro is overkill for most users, but if you're a pro-level user or just want the latest technology, the iPad Pro has a lot to offer.
Key specifications of the two iPad Pro models include:
11‑inch or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display
Face ID
M5 chip
12MP Wide rear camera
Smart HDR 4 for photos, 4K video at up to 60 fps
Landscape 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Center Stage, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Smart HDR 4
Four-speaker audio
5G connectivity
Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility
Magic Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
Thunderbolt / USB 4 connector
Available in Silver and Space Black
Customization Options
Now that we've looked at the base specs of each of iPad models, it's time to think about various options like storage, cellular connectivity, and AppleCare+.
Storage: There are several storage options for each iPad, so think about how much you might need. For the 11th-generation iPad, Apple is offering three storage options: 128GB for $349, 256GB for $449, and an all-new 512GB version for $649. The iPad mini also comes in three storage options: 128GB for $499, 256GB for $599, and 512GB for $799.
The two iPad Air models are available in four storage capacity options, with the entry-level 128GB models priced at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. On both display sizes, 256GB is available for an additional $100, 512GB is available for an additional $300 over the base model, and 1TB is available for an additional $500 over the base model.
Lastly, the iPad Pro offers the highest storage capacity options, with the base models of both sizes starting at 256GB. Those base models start at $999 for 11-inch and $1,299 for 13-inch, with additional storage options including 512GB ($200 upgrade from base), 1TB ($600 upgrade from base), and 2TB ($1,000 upgrade from base).
Power-heavy users should always look to the higher-capacity iPad models to ensure they don't have to worry about constantly deleting apps and other files for storage space. Otherwise, Apple's iCloud is a great way to offload files and lets you opt for a cheaper iPad with less storage.
Unless you're storing a large local music library, downloading lots of video for offline playback, have a ton of huge apps, or doing pro-level work requiring lots of large files, mainstream users can usually get away with the lowest-tier storage options, particularly now that all models start with at least 64GB and more expensive models start much higher than that.
Display: Apple is offering a nano-texture display option on an iPad, but only on the iPad Pro and only on the higher-end 1TB and 2TB storage capacity options. This $100 upgrade is intended for users with high-end color-managed workflows or who use their devices in demanding ambient lighting environments such as outdoors. Think real estate agents and home inspectors, but there are plenty of other use cases where the reduced glare could be beneficial.
Cellular Connectivity: If you need to ensure that you can use your iPad at any time, including when you're not near a Wi-Fi connection, you can opt for a Wi-Fi + Cellular option to ensure you're always connected.
Cellular support adds $150–$200 onto the price of all corresponding Wi-Fi iPad models, depending on which iPad and which storage capacity. You'll also have to sign up for a data plan for an additional cost with a supported carrier, like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon in the United States.
All told, it's not a cheap upgrade, and many users prefer using their phone as a hotspot to deliver connectivity to a Wi-Fi iPad while on the go. But if your phone plan doesn't allow for hotspot usage or you just want the convenience of having your iPad connected directly to a cellular network at all times, the option is there.
All current iPad models support sub-6GHz 5G with data speeds that will be plenty fast for most users, but lacking support for the fastest mmWave 5G technology available in some urban areas.
AppleCare+: New iPads come with one year of hardware repair coverage through Apple's limited warranty policy, as well as up to 90 days of complimentary support. But if you want more coverage, Apple offers optional AppleCare+ packages priced at $34.99/year for the iPad and iPad mini, $39.99/year for the 11-inch iPad Air, $49.99/year for the 13-inch iPad Air, $74.99/year for the 11-inch iPad Pro, and $84.99/year for the 13-inch iPad Pro. Monthly pricing options at 10% of the annual rates are also available.
AppleCare+ extends your iPad's coverage for as long as you continue to subscribe and adds unlimited incidents of accidental damage coverage, subject to a service fee of $29 for screen damage and $99 for other types of accidental damage. Prices vary elsewhere.
iPad AppleCare+ plans also cover accidental damage to the Apple Pencil and Apple-branded iPad keyboard accessories with a $29 fee plus tax per incident. AppleCare+ provides 24/7 priority access to support advisors via online chat or phone.
Apple charges high fees for accidental damage to a new iPad without AppleCare+, so as with most forms of insurance, the plan can pay for itself if ever used. AppleCare+ must be added within 60 days of purchasing a device.
Accessories
Each iPad has a plethora of accessories to choose from for protection, style, or usability, many of which Apple creates and sells itself on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores.
Apple Pencil: The Apple Pencil is a stylus most popular with artists but also used by others, providing a comfortable and streamlined way to interact with the tablet. The second-generation Apple Pencil introduced sleek design changes, magnetic charging on the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, and gesture controls, none of which are available on the original Apple Pencil. A USB-C Apple Pencil introduced in late 2023 complicated the situation even further, and then the Apple Pencil Pro expanded the family to four in 2024 with advanced features like squeeze and barrel roll gestures, haptic feedback, and Find My support.
It might be unclear which iPads support which Apple Pencil models, so check out our list below. In short, the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models can use the Apple Pencil Pro and the iPad mini uses the second-generation Apple Pencil, while older iPad models with Lightning ports work with the first-generation Apple Pencil. The USB-C Apple Pencil is the cheapest and most flexible model, supporting a mix of recent devices.
Second-Generation Apple Pencil ($129): 6th-generation iPad mini (2021), 4th-generation iPad Air (2020), 5th-generation iPad Air (2022), 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022)
USB-C Apple Pencil ($69): 10th-generation iPad (2022), iPad (A16: 2025), 6th-generation iPad mini (2021), 7th-generation iPad mini (2024), 4th-generation iPad Air (2020), 5th-generation iPad Air (2022), 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air (M2: 2024. M3: 2025, and M4: 2026), 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022), 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4: 2024 and M5: 2025)
Apple Pencil Pro ($129): 7th-generation iPad mini (2024), 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4: 2024 and M5: 2025), 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air (M2: 2024, M3: 2025, and M4: 2026)
In the end, if you're only looking to purchase an iPad as a convenient app-browsing, email-checking, or FaceTime device, you don't need an Apple Pencil. But if you're an artist or other creative with a penchant for drawing or taking digital handwritten notes, Apple's stylus is definitely an enhancement to the iPad experience.
For a more in-depth look at the differences between the four Apple Pencils, check out our comparison.
Cases: Apple sells Smart Folio cases for all of its iPads, priced depending on the size of the device. You'll pay $59 for an iPad mini Smart Folio, $79 for an iPad (A16) or 11-inch iPad Air or iPad Pro Smart Folio, and $99 for a 13-inch iPad Air or iPad Pro Smart Folio.
These cases magnetically attach to your iPad, offering a degree of protection while also allowing you to place the tablet in numerous angled positions. The Smart Folio cases protect both the front and rear of the tablet.
Keyboards: If you're looking to do a lot of work on an iPad Air or iPad Pro, Apple has several models of the Magic Keyboard that include a trackpad, USB-C port with passthrough charging, and more. They certainly aren't cheap, priced at $269 or $299 for 11-inch versions and $319 or $349 for 13-inch versions, but for pro-level users, it's a serious upgrade to the iPad experience.
Note that there are separate Magic Keyboard models for the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, with the iPad Pro models featuring backlit keys, haptic feedback on the trackpad, and aluminum palm rests.
The 11th-generation iPad (A16) also has its own Magic Keyboard Folio, priced at $249 and available in White. It has a built-in trackpad, a 14-key function row, and a two-piece design with a detachable keyboard and protective back panel that both attach magnetically to the iPad.
These Apple-made cases are compatible with iPads that have a Smart Keyboard connector, which is a special port that magnetically attaches the keyboard to the side or rear of the iPad.
Otherwise, you can also look into popular iPad keyboard manufacturers like Logitech and Belkin, all of which sell Bluetooth keyboards that connect to iPads wirelessly. Keyboard cases are more expensive than your average case due to the added input use, but if you really plan on doing a lot of work and writing on your iPad, the two-in-one keyboard/protection combo is the way to go. The hardware keyboards give a much better typing experience and free up screen space on your iPad by getting rid of the software keyboard.
Cables: With the discontinuation of the 9th-generation iPad in May 2024, Apple has completed the transition of its iPad lineup from Lightning to USB-C, simplifying cable purchases.
All iPads come with their required cables in the box, but if you don't have many around the house it's always a good idea to stock up on more. Apple sells individual cables, but you can always shop around on Amazon for cheap and reliable brands like Anker.
So... Which iPad Should You Buy?
Overall, Apple's iPad Air is a perfect all-encompassing tablet that should hit the checkmarks for many buyers and is available in two sizes to suit. It has many of the most important features of the iPad Pro but starts at $400 less.
If you're on a bit more of a budget or looking for a relatively cheap tablet for a kid, the 11th-generation iPad (A16) saves you an additional $250 compared to the iPad Air while giving you a similar form factor and the same display size as the smaller iPad Air, but with a few compromises. At $349 or even cheaper on sale, it's hard to beat if you're a less-demanding user. Just keep in mind that it won't support current and upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
If you're someone who has preferred the small form factor of the iPad mini over the years, Apple's latest small-sized tablet is a prime candidate for those looking for an e-reader that can perform other tasks while not taking up a huge amount of space. The iPad mini doesn't have a Smart Keyboard connector like the iPad Air or a Smart Keyboard case of its own, but since the iPad mini isn't exactly a workstation device, that's not a bad trade-off (plus, you can still connect it to a Bluetooth keyboard if you want).
For $100 less than the iPad Air at $499 (128GB Wi-Fi), the iPad mini still gives you a nice laminated display with True Tone and antireflective coating, Touch ID in the power button, Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro support, and solid cameras.
And, of course, on the other end of the spectrum are the power users. If you're willing to spend the money to spec out an 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro, you'll get a super reliable mobile workstation with 10-hour battery life in a compact package. If you travel frequently for work, or just like setting up at a coffee shop during the day, the iPad Pro has a chance to become your MacBook replacement with a Magic Keyboard.
Apple today activated in-store pickup for its new iPad mini and iPad Air models in the United States, Canada, Australia, and select other countries.
This feature enables customers to purchase a new iPad on Apple.com and pick it up at a nearby Apple Store at a designated time. The tool can also be used to monitor inventory of the new iPads at Apple Stores based on zip or postal code, with both models currently available for pickup today at many locations.
To view in-store inventory, head to the iPad mini or iPad Air product pages, choose a color and other options, and select "see availability in other stores." To place an order for in-store pickup, proceed with the checkout process as usual and it will be presented as an option along with standard delivery.
The new iPad mini and iPad Air are very similar. Both tablets feature Apple's recent A12 Bionic chip, Retina displays with True Tone, first-generation Apple Pencil support, 64GB or 256GB storage, Touch ID, up to 10 hours of battery life, an 8-megapixel rear camera, two speakers, and optional Gigabit-class LTE.
The new iPad mini's only notable differences versus the new 10.5-inch iPad Air are its smaller 7.9-inch screen and lack of Smart Keyboard compatibility. The new iPad mini also has a lower starting price of $399 versus $499 for the new iPad Air.
Apple is currently quoting an April 15-17 delivery estimate for standard ship-to-home orders, so in-store pickup looks to be a quicker option.
New charging case on left and new AirPods with H1 chip labeled in red on right via iFixit
The repair website also pried open the new wireless charging case, which continues to have a 398 mAh battery capacity, and said there is a new "water-repellent coating" on the circuit board. The teardown notes that the updated charging case "seems designed for increased durability, but not repairability."
Unsurprisingly, the new AirPods earned a zero for repairability, as iFixit says they remain "disappointingly disposable." AirPods are not designed to be serviced, as no hardware components can be accessed without damaging the earphones, and sealed-in batteries make the AirPods a consumable product.
Many of these details were already known, but the teardown still provides an interesting look at the internal differences compared to the first-generation AirPods. More photos and tech specs are available over on iFixit's website.
Serial phone leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) has shared another alleged leak of Apple's next-generation iPhone, presumably scheduled to launch around September this year.
The shared picture, above, depicts handset chassis schematics newly posted to Slashleaks alongside Hemmerstoffer's earlier CAD rendering of an iPhone, all with a large patch on the rear of the device that appears to house three lenses.
Hemmerstoffer says the chassis leak supports his claim that at least one version of the next iPhone will feature a rear triple-lens camera system in a triangular configuration, based on information he has sourced previously.
In January, Hemmerstoffer released renderings of the supposed iPhone 2019 model, with a similar unusual-looking patch on the rear for three lenses, a flash, and a mic.
A few days later, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is planning on introducing a triple-lens camera system in at least one of the iPhones coming in 2019, while Bloomberg seemingly confirmed the rumor later the same month.
@OnLeaks rendering released in January of alleged triple-lens 2019 iPhone prototype
Based on the two reports, the second-generation iPhone XS Max will feature a three-lens camera, while the successors to the iPhone XS and iPhone XR will continue to use dual-lens cameras. However, neither report mentioned how the lenses would be arranged on the rear of the case, and other rumors have suggested Apple is planning to use a horizontal triple-lens camera layout.
At any rate, a triple-lens rear camera would allow for a larger field of view, a wider zoom range, improved low light performance, and it would capture more pixels. Hemmerstoffer has previously claimed that one rear camera will be 10 megapixels, while a second will come in at 14 megapixels. The details of the third sensor are apparently unknown.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is also working on a feature that would use the extra pixel data afforded by three lenses to provide tools for automatically repairing a photo or a video to fit in a subject that "may have accidentally been cut off from the initial shot."
Sony threatened to topple the apple cart in 2016 when it unleashed its flagship MDR-1000X cans on a headphones market which up until then had been dominated by Bose in the premium travel-grade noise-canceling department.
Combining excellent wireless sound with active NC that made even QuietComfort fans sit up and take notice, Sony's awkwardly named headset proved that the Japanese company's extensive acoustic R&D had finally hit on a winner, giving rival NC headphone makers due cause for worry in the process.
Unsurprisingly, Sony has sought to improve upon this winning formula in the intervening years, starting with another tongue-twisting rebrand of its flagship range (the inexplicably named WH-1000X series) and two follow-up models boasting incremental improvements, both of which have been well received.
What's perhaps more surprising about these developments is Bose's lack of response to them, having released in that time only a tweaked version of its flagship QC35 cans with support for Google Assistant. Whether that's down to complete confidence in the quality of its existing noise-canceling smarts or just lack of innovation is a moot point, given that Sony's adaptive NC technology and sonic prowess has essentially overtaken the company, as these latest cans exemplify.
The WHX-1000XM3's are essentially an upgrade to last year's 1000XM2's, featuring a series of minor improvements that Sony believes collectively justify a new model number. Let's take a look at them and see just how far the company's noise-canceling range has come.
Design
On the face of it, Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones boast the same design signature of previous 1000X models. They're available in two understated colors – beige and black – and the ear cups swivel inwards so they pack up neatly in the supplied carry case. The only distinctive marks on the outside of each cup remain the minimal Sony logos and tiny microphone grilles, although they have picked up some neat brass-colored accents.
Sony WH-1000XM3 (left) beside original MDR-1000X headphones
A closer look reveals more notable differences though. Gone is the exposed steel headband, which is now concealed between the adjustable slats under thicker, more comfortable padding than on previous models. The foam urethane ear pads are also slightly larger and cushier, and allow for a deeper ear space inside.
The most obvious ergonomic shift to occur however is in terms of weight. The XM3's are 22 grams lighter than the XM2's (and 10 grams lighter than Bose's QC35 II's) which might not sound like much, but after wearing them for several hours straight it does make a real difference.
Sony WH-1000XM3 (left) beside original MDR-1000X headphones
Like previous cans in the WH-1000X range, the two buttons on the left ear cup control power and noise-canceling/ambient sound features, making blind selection a lot easier than the indistinctive three-buttoned affair on the original MDR-1000X cans. As before, the power button can be quickly pressed for a battery level update, and a long press activates the pairing sequence, while software-based options let you change the function of the ambient sound/NC button (more on those later). Unfortunately, the blue LED next to the power button still continually flashes during operation, which can be vaguely annoying if you're wearing them in the dark.
Sony has also switched up the connectivity in this model: The microUSB port on the right ear cup is gone, replaced with a more up-to-date USB-C connection (the charging cable terminates in USB-A). One thing that hasn't changed is Sony's love for gesture controls: The right ear cup has a touch-sensitive back that responds to taps and swipes to control music playback, skip tracks, change volume, and invoke your preferred virtual assistant. Like most modern headphone gesture pads, it can also be used to take calls. The good news is that the material Sony is now using to coat the pads is a little smoother, which makes the gestures in general a lot more responsive than models past, so kudos for that.
Performance and Features
As we mentioned at the start of this review, Sony pulled something special out of the bag when it released its MDR-1000X headphones, which boasted next-level noise cancelation previously only achieved by the likes of Bose. With the 1000XM3's, Sony has somehow done it again and made these cans four times more effective at damping down sounds from the outside world than the 1000XM2's. After plenty of testing, we can state that they consistently outperform Bose's flagship headphones when it comes to killing external noise in a range of environments and use cases.
This stepwise improvement is partly to do with the ambient sound controls being more flexible and a little smarter than previous models. Fire up the Sony Headphones Connect app and you can manually drag a slider that changes the degree of noise-cancelation, allowing you to select maximum isolation, wind noise reduction, or choose from among 20 levels of varying ambient attenuation. It's great for finding your ideal NC range while you're stationary, but you can also switch to adaptive sound control when you're on the move and the built-in QN1 processor will do just as good a job, automatically adjusting its corresponding inverted frequencies to block out whatever environmental sounds come your way.
As before, the headphones make low-frequency sounds like jet engines and traffic swiftly melt away, but Sony has also improved its proprietary chip in this model to attenuate high-frequency sounds like voices. That doesn't mean you won't hear when someone shouts at you from the other side of the room, but it does make short work of background chatter in a busy coffee shop. On the flip side, the Focus on Voice feature is much better than its earlier incarnation. It aims to let you hear in on important announcements – when you're waiting to be called to a boarding gate, say – while still allowing you to enjoy your music in relative quiet. The old Voice mode had patchy performance and often failed to filter out other ambient sounds, but the WH-1000MX3's are much more discriminating in this regard.
The QN1 chip doesn't just excel at controlled NC either. Sony has also thrown in an onboard DAC and an analog amplifier, along with 32-bit audio signal processing and support for reproducing the full range of frequencies up to 40 kHz. Those smarts allow the cans to consistently deliver a higher signal-to-noise ratio and lower distortion, and allowed me to enjoy clear, crisp audio in all of the supported AAC (iPhone), aptX/aptX HD (Mac/Android), SBC (everything) and LDAC wireless codecs. The mid-range remains wonderfully balanced and the highs sparkle on instrumental tracks, while a powerful yet controlled bass provides a solid foundation.
You'd be forgiven for thinking all the tech in these cans would inevitably be a power drain, but Sony impresses by eking out 30 hours of wired/wireless battery life on a single charge, and you can get five hours' worth of charge after just 10 minutes connected to a power outlet with the optional AC adapter (as opposed to 70 minutes on the WH-1000XM2's). That gave me oodles of time to play with the additional app features, including the sound position controls that let you change the perceived directional source of your audio, not to mention the welcome surround sound modes and EQ sliders.
Digging deeper into the software controls, it's now possible to adjust the automatic power-off feature, which is activated when no audio signal is detected. You can even turn it off, which is super-convenient if you just want to have NC active without listening to audio. You can also optionally change the function of the NC/ambient button on the left ear cup to activate Google Assistant, Siri, and (most recently added) Alexa. It's a neat way to quickly ask general queries, but it also means you can use your virtual assistant of choice to play music and skip tracks on the fly.
Happily, Sony has also carried over all its popular features from previous models. The left ear cup still includes an NFC chip for fast pairing with compatible devices, while Sony's unique innovation in the NC space lives on: Hidden inside both ear cups are the same microphones that Sony's "personal NC Optimizer" uses to sample ambient noise and cancel out a wider range of sounds with corresponding inverted frequencies. Hold down the NC button, and the headphone speakers emit a series of tones that bounce back and forth between the mics to analyze the shape of your head, work out whether you have big hair, wear glasses, and so on.
Sony has actually tweaked the optimizer in this model to include atmospheric pressure, and I found it to work better during flights. This was easy to test thanks to another feature unique to the company's Sense Engine, called "Quick Attention." Cup your fingers over the right ear cup and the volume instantly lowers to let in the outside world – bring your hand back down and the music returns to its prior volume. It's genuinely useful for situations in which you'd usually have to take off the headphones – like when a flight attendant offers you refreshments.
As with previous models, the WH-1000XM3's pack one of the strongest Bluetooth connections I've come across in headphones, and consistently retain a connection in areas where rival Bluetooth headsets regularly falter. By default, the headphones automatically select the highest quality Bluetooth protocol available, but you can still manually switch the priority between most stable connection and highest audio quality, which is now done in the iOS app.
Before we wrap up, it's worth noting that, inexplicably, Sony's 1000X range still doesn't support dynamic switching between audio sources. Bose's QC35's have no trouble pairing with two devices and automatically switching between them based on which one is transmitting an audio signal, so it's baffling that the 1000XM3's lack this ability, and in our Bluetooth saturated age, it's hard to overstate just how convenient the feature is. Having to manually disconnect the 1000XM3's from your iPhone so that you can connect to your Mac and vice versa just feels clunky, yet Sony's cans had no trouble auto-pairing with the last known device whenever I turned them on.
Bottom Line
Sony's ability to continue improving its WH-1000X series of wireless headphones is largely thanks to its dedicated acoustics research, which currently leaves rival makers of premium noise-canceling cans with much work to do to get anywhere near the same quality.
The customizable and adaptive NC smarts prove Sony's tech has come on in leaps and bounds since the original MDR-1000X model, while improvements in battery life and sound quality make for a well-rounded listening experience. If the company can just take a leaf out of Bose's book and add dynamic device switching in the next version, they'll be virtually untouchable for a long while to come.
Pros
Best noise canceling in the business
Exceptional sound in both wired and wireless modes
Superb battery life
Improved design and touch controls
Cons
Lacks dynamic audio device switching
Flashing operating LED can be annoying
How to Buy
The Sony WH-1000MX3 headphones come in beige or black, cost $349.99, and can be ordered via the Sony website or on Amazon. Note: Sony supplied the WH-1000MX3's to MacRumors for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will be heading to San Diego next month to testify in the Apple v. Qualcomm trial that will see Apple challenging Qualcomm's patent licensing practices, reports Bloomberg.
Along with Cook, Qualcomm CEO Steven Mollenkopf will testify, and other Apple witnesses could include former head of Apple hardware Bob Mansfield, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller, and former general counsel Bruce Sewell.
Cook will testify on Apple's business strategy, financial performance, and agreements with other tech companies.
Executives from Foxconn and Samsung are also expected to make an appearance at the trial, as Qualcomm will be attempting to recoup royalty payments from Apple suppliers that stopped paying royalties on Qualcomm patents back in 2017.
The April trial pertains to the first lawsuit that Apple filed against Qualcomm back in January 2017 over Qualcomm's failure to pay royalty rebates. Apple has accused Qualcomm of charging unfair royalties for "technologies they have nothing to do with" and using exclusionary tactics and high patent licensing fees to remain the dominant baseband chip supplier. The trial is set to kick off on April 15.
Apple this summer will introduce the Apple Card, a new credit card that it's offering in partnership with Goldman Sachs. Apple presented the Apple Card at its March 25 event and launched an Apple Card website, but there were still many questions about how it will work.
TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino today shared some new details on the Apple Card that were provided by Apple, giving a little more insight into how it will work and answering a few of the questions we saw from MacRumors readers.
First and foremost, Apple Card is not going to support multiple users. People who use a single account with two shared credit cards at the current time are not going to be able to do the same thing with Apple Card. It's one card per person and one card per account.
There is no cost associated with the physical Apple Card, even though it's made of laser-etched titanium. Apple isn't going to charge you for the card itself and there isn't going to be a penalty fee if you lose it and need a replacement. There is an in-app option to freeze your card in the event that it's stolen.
Speaking of the physical Apple Card, Apple has implemented a neat activation method - you'll just tap it against the iPhone when you get it, without the need to place a phone call for activation like you have to do with existing credit and debit cards. When using the physical card, no signatures will be required.
Though it's tap to activate, the physical card itself isn't going to support contactless payments. You need your iPhone for that.
Paying your balance can be done in the Wallet app using a linked bank account or Apple Pay Cash, and while not mentioned by TechCrunch, there is an option with Apple Pay Cash to get an emailed statement, so Apple will presumably offer the same option with Apple Card. There's no word on whether transactions can be imported into financial software like Quicken as of yet.
As for fees, there are no foreign transaction fees but the exchange rate for foreign transactions is determined by Mastercard. Making a late payment will not result in penalty rates, aka increased interest rates. You're still going to have to pay interest on the outstanding balance, and a late payment will impact credit score, but interest rates won't increase.
TechCrunch says that when it comes to interest rates, Apple will make an effort to sign you up at the lower end of the interest rate tier that you qualify for.
While Apple Card's interest rates fail to break the mold in any major way (they are roughly between 13-24%), Apple will place users who sign up at the lower end of the tier that they land in due to their credit score. This isn't some incredible re-imagining of how to offer credit or an intensely low interest option, but it could shift you to the bottom of a tier when you qualify instead of paying a few points higher at your 'exact' score.
As Apple announced on Monday, there are no credit card numbers or other information on the physical titanium Apple Card. This data is instead available in the app, leaving some questions about online purchases where you often need a number and a CVV.
Apple Card is able to generate virtual card numbers for these kinds of purchases. The Wallet app will provide a virtual card number and a virtual confirmation code, with the number being semi-permanent and able to be regenerated whenever you want. This info can be used for non-Apple Pay online purchases, over-the-phone purchases, and other similar situations.
There is not, however, support for single-use numbers or single-merchant numbers for having separate card numbers for different merchants. Purchases will be further protected by a one-time use dynamic security code, and two-factor authentication will need to be turned on for you to use Apple Card.
When it comes to privacy, Apple said on stage that it won't know what you're buying or how much you spent, and its partner, Goldman Sachs, will not be selling or using data for external or internal marketing or advertising.
There's one other neat tidbit about Apple Card that's worth pointing out, which, while wasn't included in TechCrunch's details, has been circulating on Twitter. Apple Card uses different colors to categorize and code your purchases for labeling purposes, with entertainment in pink, food in orange, shopping in yellow, and so on.
It appears that when you use Apple Pay, the color of your card in the Wallet app will have a rainbow gradient based on your spending habits, so if you're buying a lot of food and purchasing a lot of movie tickets, it'll trend toward orange and pink.
TechCrunch has some additional details on privacy and security that are well worth reading through for those interested in the Apple Card, and our own Apple Card guide also has more information on what you can expect when it launches.
Geekbench's John Poole this afternoon shared a series of 2019 iMac benchmarks, giving us a look at the performance boosts offered by Intel's 8th and 9th-generation Coffee Lake chips.
All of the new 27-inch 5K models offer superior performance compared to their 2017 counterparts, with single-core performance up an average of 6 to 11 percent and multi-core performance up 43 to 49 percent for six-core models. The higher-end models with 3.6GHz 8-core Core i9 chip offer the biggest boost in multi-core performance, with speeds up 66 percent.
The highest-end iMac earned a single-core score of 6157 and a multi-core score of 32293, compared to the 5864/1971 single and multi-core scores of the equivalent high-end machine.
Even the base model 2019 27-inch iMac with a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-gen chip saw notable gains, earning a single-core score of 5222 and a multi-core score of 20145, compared to the 4767/13682 scores the low-end 2017 models earned.
These chips are two years apart, so it is no surprise that even the mid-level chips are outperforming the higher-end chips from 2017.
6-core and 8-core chips in the 27-inch models are now competitive with the 2017 iMac Pro models with 8 and 10-cores. The high-end 8-core iMac offers 16 percent higher single core performance and just 10 percent lower multi-core performance than the 10-core iMac Pro.
Gains are more modest for the 21.5-inch 4K iMac models, but still significant. Single-core performance is up 5 to 10 percent, while multi-core performance has increased by 10 to 50 percent.
As Poole points out, the performance gains in the 2019 iMac models are due to higher frequencies and core counts as the underlying architecture hasn't been updated.
Poole says that while there's a significant boost when it comes to multi-core performance in the new iMacs, along with a decent boost in single-core performance, the increase isn't enough to "justify upgrading from a 2017 iMac."
Apple's newest iMac models were announced last week and have been arriving to customers this week. Aside from Intel's new 8th and 9th-generation Coffee Lake chips, Radeon Pro Vega graphics options, and faster RAM, there have been no other improvements to the 2019 iMac models.
Expercom has launched a new coupon code that's discounting new models of the iMac, including standard configurations and configurations that Expercom has upgraded with additional RAM. Expercom offers custom-configured models with either standard Apple RAM or Expercom-branded RAM that can in some cases save you substantial amounts of money.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Expercom. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To see the discounts, head to Expercom's iMac section and browse to add one of Apple's desktops to your cart. In the checkout screen, enter the coupon code "newimac" in the relevant field and click apply. This code works with iMacs only on Expercom's website, and will expire on Monday, April 1.
Configurations with Apple RAM are also available, but discounts are smaller. Expercom is an Apple Premium Partner, so all RAM upgrades performed by Expercom staff are certified and do not affect your warranty.
You can view the full list of available iMacs compatible with the coupon code by visiting Expercom's website. Remember that the code "newimac" will last all weekend and expire on Monday, April 1, so be sure to browse and place your order soon if you're interested.
More sales and bargains can be found in our full Deals Roundup.
As promised earlier in March, Apple today introduced major updates for all of its iWork for iOS apps, including Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
Today's update brings enhanced Apple Pencil functionality, coinciding with the addition of Apple Pencil support on the new iPad Air and the fifth-generation iPad mini.
The new version of Keynote allows you to draw paths with your finger or with the Apple Pencil to animate an object, and there are options to add action build effects, like new move, rotate, and scale animations.
You can create and share animated GIFs by exporting one or more slides, and there's an option to edit presenter notes while presenting or rehearsing a slide show. With Keynote and the other iWork apps, you can also save custom shapes. Keynote's full release notes are below:
- Draw a path with your finger or Apple Pencil to animate an object across the slide. - Add emphasis to presentations with action build effects, including move, rotate, and scale animations. - Create and share an animated GIF by exporting one or more slides. - Edit presenter notes while presenting or rehearsing a slideshow. - Save custom shapes for use in other presentations and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create themes to use as a model for new presentations, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Slides with custom wider aspect ratios now display better in the slide navigator, light table, and presenter display. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your slide. - Improved performance while collaborating on presentations. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - Support for vertical text in shapes and text boxes in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.
In the Numbers app, there's a new feature for making precise changes to table row and column counts with the format pane, the maximum zoom level has been increased to 400 percent, collaboration features have been improved, and there's an option to create templates to use as a model for new spreadsheets. The full Numbers release notes are below:
- Make precise changes to table row and column counts and sizes with the format pane. - Performance and usability improvements to Smart Categories. - Save custom shapes for use in other spreadsheets, then access them on any device using iCloud. - Create templates to use as a model for new spreadsheets, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Increased maximum zoom level to 400%. - Enhancements to Excel and comma separated value file import. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your spreadsheet. - Improved performance while collaborating on spreadsheets. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - Support for vertical text in shapes and text boxes in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.
Pages features a new table of contents view to navigate through a document or book, and a table of contents can be inserted into a page. Custom shapes can be saved and used in other documents, and image placeholders can be added to replace images without affecting page formatting. Release notes for the Pages update are below:
- Use the new table of contents view to easily navigate your document or book. - Insert a table of contents onto a page in a word-processing document. - Save custom shapes for use in other documents and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create templates to use as a model for new documents, and access them on any device using iCloud. - Create image placeholders to easily replace images without affecting the formatting of your page. - Switch your document between word processing and page layout. - Improved performance while collaborating on documents. - Edit grouped objects while collaborating. - In Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, you can now type vertically in your entire document or in an individual text box.
Apple has also updated its iWork for macOS apps with some of the same features that have been added to its iOS apps. All of Apple's iWork apps for both macOS and iOS are free for you to download.
Apple first announced all of these updates on Monday, March 18, when debuting the new iPad mini and the new iPad Air models. All of Apple's iPads now support either the original Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil 2 (iPad Pro models), both which can be used in all of the iWork apps.
Google today announced that its Gmail for iOS app has been updated with customizable swipe actions that can be set to do the following things: Archive, Trash, Mark as read/unread, Snooze, and Move To.
These are the actions that will be enabled when you use the left and right swipe gestures on emails in your inbox in the recently redesigned Gmail for iOS app.
You can customize the gestures by opening up the Gmail for iOS app, selecting the Settings section, and choosing Swipe Actions.
Google says that the same swipe actions can now be used for notifications. On an incoming Gmail notification on iOS, if you long press or 3D Touch, you can get your swipe options to interact directly with emails without opening up the app.
Google says that the customizable Gmail swipe actions are rolling out to users today, but it could take up to 15 days for the option to become available to everyone.
Verizon, one of the four major cellular carriers in the United States, today announced the launch of a new free version of its Call Filter service that will identify, filter, and block incoming spam phone calls.
Verizon has offered its Call Filter service for some time now, but prior to today, all of the filtering technology required a $2.99 per month fee.
As of today, the spam detection, filtering, and number reporting features of the service are free, but there continues to be a $2.99 per month fee for Caller ID, a personal spam list, a personal block list, a risk meter, and spam lookup functionality.
For Verizon customers, the free call filtering option will provide alerts when an incoming call is likely a spam caller, it will report unsolicited numbers, and, if the option is selected, automatically block incoming robocalls.
All of Verizon's postpaid wireless customers with a compatible device are able to enroll, but the service is not available to prepaid customers.
Verizon says that in addition to making Call Filter free for all customers, it has made advancements towards blocking spoofed phone numbers. STIR/SHAKEN technology will verify that the phone number displayed on Caller ID is the phone number that has actually placed the call.
Verizon says this new call authentication standard will be deployed on the Verizon network in conjunction with other major carriers in the coming months.
"Far too frequently, customers tell me they want relief from the bombardment of bothersome robocalls," said Ronan Dunne, president of Verizon's consumer unit. "I'm confident that our new, free version of Call Filter and STIR/SHAKEN will put a big dent in the problem."
Verizon customers that want to sign up for the Call Filter service can do so through the Verizon website. The Call Filter app for iOS will need to be downloaded to unlock the full functionality.
Twitter today announced that the Twitter app for iOS devices has been updated with a new "Lights Out" feature that makes the existing Dark Mode option even darker.
The new Lights Out toggle is available in the Settings section of the Twitter app and it can be used in conjunction with the current Dark Mode feature to make Dark Mode just a bit darker for OLED displays.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in January that Twitter was working on a new Dark Mode option in response to complaints suggesting that the existing Dark Mode was more of a dark blue than a black.
It was dark. You asked for darker! Swipe right to check out our new dark mode. Rolling out today. pic.twitter.com/6MEACKRK9K
— Twitter (@Twitter) March 28, 2019
The Dark Mode that existed before today's update is now the "Dim" Dark Mode in a blue/gray color, while Lights Out uses a pure black color palette. Twitter has also added an Automatic Dark Mode feature on iOS for turning on Dark Mode automatically based on timezone.
👋 Twitter, welcome to the dark(er) side.
We’re excited to finally share the updated dark mode, and @design will talk about it from (you guessed it) a *design* perspective on behalf of @sofo, @bhaggs, @davidk, and many other awesome teammates who brought this to life. pic.twitter.com/JCNhZ365I6
— Twitter Design (@design) March 28, 2019
Right now, the new Lights Out option is limited to iOS devices, but it should be expanding to the desktop and Android devices in the near future.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 12.3 update to its public beta testing group, one day after providing the beta to developers and a few days after releasing tvOS 12.2.
The tvOS 12.3 public beta can be obtained by going to the Settings app on the Apple TV and navigating to the Software Updates section under "System." "Get Public Beta Updates" will need to be toggled on, and once it is, the Apple TV will download the beta software.
tvOS 12.3 includes the revamped Apple TV app that Apple debuted at its services-focused event on Monday. The new TV app is a better version of the original TV app, offering up access to TV shows, sports, news, and more in one spot.
There's still a "Watch Now" section with an "Up Next" feature for keeping track of what you're in the middle of watching, but there's a new "For You" feature that recommends new content based on what you've previously watched.
A new "Channels" option lets you subscribe to third-party services like Showtime, Starz, and HBO right within the TV app, and you can even watch all of the content from the services included in Channels right in the TV app without having to open a third-party app.
Channels will include CBS All Access, Starz, Showtime, HBO, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, and Comedy Central Now, but during the beta, only Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian, and Tastemade are accessible. You can subscribe in the TV app and get a one-week free trial before you're charged.
The TV app is on the Apple TV and iOS devices, and it's even available on the third-generation Apple TV through an upcoming software update that Apple plans to release.
Apple has said the new TV app is coming in May, so we can expect tvOS 12.3 to be released then.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with AT&T. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: Sony supplied the WH-1000MX3's to MacRumors for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.
