MacRumors

A new open-source tool is making waves in the Mac community by helping users reclaim valuable storage space taken up by Apple's AI models. Called "RemoveMacAI," the command line tool disables Apple Intelligence on macOS 27, removes its downloaded models, and prevents them from being downloaded again.

In macOS 27, Apple removed the toggle to disable Apple Intelligence wholesale, and simply disabling individual features doesn't remove the models from your Mac's drive. As explained by the developer, RemoveMacAI gets around this by using a configuration profile to switch off Apple's own asset management service and remove the models.

It then configures the system so attempts to download the removed models are redirected to a closed local port, preventing them from immediately coming back. And it does all this without disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) or manually deleting files from protected system locations, unlike some older tools have.

The tool can free up roughly 12GB of space depending on which models are present on your Mac. That said, some users are reporting cases of Apple Intelligence models having taken up a lot more space, which they've now reclaimed.

With the Apple models gone, you lose all Siri-related AI features, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, summaries, smart replies, inline predictions, Photos Clean Up, Spatial Photos, and Xcode predictive completion. Even so, plenty of users appear happy to make the sacrifice to free up space, especially on non-upgradeable Macs with 256GB of storage. The profile reportedly persists across updates. And if you're wondering, dictation still works. There's also a revert command to restore everything AI-related.

The project has attracted hundreds of GitHub stars since its release last week, and there's lots of discussion on Reddit and Hacker News about the need for such a tool. Just be aware that MacRumors isn't endorsing RemoveMacAI, and anyone using it does so at their own risk.

The developer has mentioned one caveat, and it's that some of the configuration-profile restriction keys that the tool relies on were deprecated by Apple in macOS 26.4. While they still work in macOS 27.0.1, a future version could always change that. Something to keep in mind.

(Thanks, Ben!)

Code explorer pdfu has shared a new feature tidbit for the upcoming iPhone Duo. Apple is reportedly introducing new Focus mode controls on the device's Lock Screen.

When a Focus mode is active, a new button appears above the bottom controls that lets you toggle it off and on while you remain on the Lock Screen. The active Focus also appears in the status bar above the clock when you unlock the device.

Apple has rebuilt iOS 27 to adapt in real time to the company's first foldable iPhone, reshaping the interface as the device folds, unfolds, and switches between its two displays.

• iPhone Duo Launch: Be First in Line With These 8 Tips

Pre-orders for ‌iPhone Duo‌ open at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23.

Apple's upgraded Siri AI could remain unavailable in the European Union for several months yet, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said a delay of around five months would be the "absolute best-case scenario," with European users potentially facing an even longer wait while Apple negotiates its compliance with the bloc's digital rules.

Gurman reckons Apple is withholding the upgrade to pressure the European Commission, hoping that frustrated customers will push for changes to its approach, and he compared the situation with Apple Intelligence's delayed EU rollout. Note that Siri AI is not available in the EU on iPhone or iPad, but EU users have access to it on Mac. ‌

15 years ago today, Steve Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 56. It was the day after Apple executives introduced the iPhone 4s at a media event on the company's Infinite Loop headquarters campus.

In the days following his passing, Apple began posting comments from fans on its "Remembering Steve" webpage. Apple continues to maintain the page, highlighting some of the over one million submissions from people around the world who "shared their memories, thoughts, and feelings about Steve."

The company marked the first anniversary of his passing with a photo and audio slideshow on its website, and we are expecting something similar this anniversary. Throughout his tenure as Apple CEO, Tim Cook traditionally shared words of remembrance on social media and with Apple staff on this day. In his new role as executive chairman, he is continuing that tradition.

This year we have also seen a tribute from the new chief executive, John Ternus.

On iPhone 18 Pro models, Apple slimmed down the cutout where the Dynamic Island lives, allowing the latter to support up to three simultaneous Live Activities. But it turns out there's a catch.

As noted by code explorer pdfu, the third Live Activity in iOS 27 is only ever a system activity, such as Now Playing or navigation – it can't be another app. So if you own a new iPhone 18 Pro and were wondering why you hadn't seen as many Live Activities in the Dynamic Island as perhaps you were expecting, that's why.

Since becoming Apple's CEO last month, John Ternus has made product design a "major priority," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

"Ternus already had some involvement with the design studio as Apple's head of hardware engineering, given the close coordination required between the two functions," he said, in his Power On newsletter today. "Since becoming CEO, however, he has immersed himself in the industrial design and human interface teams."

Ternus goes "hands-on" in Apple's design studio "several times a week, sometimes visiting multiple times in a single day," whereas Apple's former CEO Tim Cook typically visited the studio for "about an hour once a month, at most," according to Gurman.

Unlike Cook, who is better known as a supply chain expert, Ternus comes from an engineering background. As such, Gurman said that Ternus is largely leaving Apple's finances to financial chief Kevan Parekh and its supply chain to operations chief Sabih Khan, giving him more time to focus on engineering and design.

All in all, Apple now has a product person running the show.

Apple recently posted a job listing for an "iCup Supply Specialist" who would be responsible for ensuring that "all Apple employees have access to freshly brewed coffee in their break room."

MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris highlighted the job listing this weekend, but it turns out that Apple has been using the "iCup" name since at least 2014. The individual hired will be required to drive between locations and "sanitize, clean, restock, and manage up to 90 bean-to-cup coffee machines."

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new MacBook Pro models with OLED displays will be "significantly lighter" than the existing MacBook Pro models.

"Apple has reengineered the machine's interior, miniaturizing parts and rearranging components to make the computer much easier to carry," he said, in his Power On newsletter. Currently, the MacBook Pro weighs up to 4.7 pounds, while the MacBook Air weighs up to 3.3 pounds and the MacBook Neo weighs 2.7 pounds.

With this newly-reported detail, the new models are now rumored to have six new features:

• OLED display
• Touch-screen capabilities
• Dynamic Island instead of a notch
• M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
• Thinner design
• "Significantly lighter" design

Thinner and lighter go hand in hand.

Apple plans to release the MacBook Pro models with OLED displays in October or November this year, according to Gurman. In his newsletter, he reiterated that Apple is testing the laptops with macOS 27.2, which is currently in beta.

The OLED models are expected to be higher-end, higher-priced models that sit above the existing MacBook Pro models in Apple's lineup.

Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to unveil an all-new smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, October 13.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman specified that "Apple is planning to hold an event" that day.

Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far.

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.

As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles this week.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

AirPods

The best AirPods discount so far this Prime Day is on the AirPods Pro 3, available for the record low price of $179.00, down from $249.00. We haven't seen a deal this good since over the summer, during the first Prime Day event in June.

MacBook Air

Amazon is taking $200 off nearly every M5 MacBook Air model for Prime Big Deal Days, including both 13-inch and 15-inch models. These are the best prices we've seen on the M5 MacBook Air in the wake of Apple's summertime price hikes.

In terms of 13-inch models, Amazon has the 16GB/512GB 13-inch MacBook Air for $1,099.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is available in three colors on Amazon, and it's accompanied by the 16GB/1TB and 24GB/1TB model for $200 off as well.

For the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models, prices start with the 16GB/512GB model for $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00. You can also get the 16GB/1TB model for $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00, all $200 off and the best prices we've seen in months.

Apple Watch

Rare deals have hit the Apple Watch SE 3 for Prime Big Deal Days, with prices now starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model and increasing to $229.00 for the 44mm GPS model. Both of these are $50 discounts and matches for the record low prices on each device.

For the Apple Watch Series 12, you can get the 42mm GPS model for $349.99 and the 46mm GPS model for $399.99, both of which are $49 discounts and new all-time low prices. Both of these models have two colors available at these all-time low prices, and you'll find a few cellular options on sale as well.

M4 iPad Air

Amazon this week has multiple discounts on the M4 iPad Air, providing up to $149 off these 2026 models. These remain the best prices we've seen in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes, and many deals are being matched at Best Buy.

The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, C1X modem, and N1 networking chip, which brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In terms of design, the 2026 models are identical to the 2025 iPad Air tablets, with an edge-to-edge display, slim bezels, and aluminum chassis.

11-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $649.00 ($100 off)
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $749.00 ($100 off)
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)
• 256GB Cellular - $899.00 ($100 off)
• 1TB Cellular - $1,399.00 ($100 off)

13-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($100 off)
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,449.00 ($100 off)

iPad Mini 7

Amazon has low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $499.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $599.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this early Prime Day sale.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Amazon has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $179.00 this week, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which we haven't tracked since around June.

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.

This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.

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.

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Things are getting crazy in the Apple rumor world, as even though the iPhone 18 Pro and several other products have only just launched and the iPhone Duo is right around the corner, there's even more to come imminently.

October 13 looks to be the date for an introduction of Apple's revamped smart home portfolio, including the home hub device we've been hearing about for ages. This week also saw word that Apple's supply chain is struggling to meet production yield goals for the iPhone Duo ahead of its launch, while iPhone 18 Pro owners are now getting a chance to put the devices through their paces, so read on below for all of the details!

Top Stories

Three New Apple Smart Home Products Coming on October 13

A couple of those leaked products above could be arriving very shortly, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple will be introducing a trio of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13.

Apple will reportedly debut its long-rumored smart home hub product, as well as the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models, and while he didn't specify how Apple will introduce them, signs are pointing to some sort of event.

Apple retail stores have reportedly also received confidential boxes that are marked "Do Not Open Until October 8" and which are likely to contain merchandising materials. It's unclear, however, if they are for the upcoming iPhone Duo launch or something related to the smart home product introduction.

Apple Smart Home Hub to Feature iMac G4-Style Design

Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base.

Leaks suggest the hub may be available in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink colors, and will be able to display user-customizable Photo Faces pulled from your photos library, memories, and shared albums, a feature that appears similar to what will be available for StandBy mode on the iPhone Duo.

iPhone Duo Reportedly Facing Production Problems Ahead of Launch

The iPhone Duo is reportedly facing production difficulties ahead of its October launch, with early output expected to be limited.

A person said to be close to Foxconn's supply chain told China's Jiemian News that final assembly yields for Apple's first foldable iPhone were only slightly above 60% as of September 17. The source said that, under Apple's current quality standards, it could take another six months to a year for the assembly line to reach a mature yield.

According to the source, Foxconn is repeatedly adjusting equipment, assembly processes, and production settings as it makes the iPhone Duo at scale. The source also said suppliers were waiting to see whether Apple would ease any quality requirements to accelerate production.

iPhone 18 Pro First Impressions: What Do You Think So Far?

It's been almost two weeks since the iPhone 18 Pro models launched, and we want to hear from MacRumors readers. What do you think of Apple's newest iPhones? If you upgraded from an older phone, was it worth it? What about upgrading from an iPhone 17 Pro? What problems are you running into? Anything you love so far?

MacRumors readers have already been sharing early opinions on the MacRumors forums, and there are interesting discussion threads to read through. For early reviews and hands-on images, make sure to check out the first impressions and photos thread.

Not everything has been perfect, however, as some users have been experiencing issues such as speaker crackling or popping while some iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T in the U.S. have been having issues with cellular connectivity or eSIM provisioning.

Apple Planning to Launch Products Faster and More Often

John Ternus is marking one month as Apple CEO, and he is apparently undertaking efforts to restructure the company to accelerate product development and introduce new products more frequently, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Ternus apparently wants Apple to "broaden its range of devices and create a leaner organization with a greater focus on engineering." One proposal under consideration is to rely less on Apple's traditional spring and fall product release cycles, and introduce new devices more quickly and throughout the year. Ternus has also purportedly indicated that Apple must become "more experimental" to remain competitive in the era of artificial intelligence.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Apple today confirmed that a "small number" of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network have experienced an issue that causes the device to lose cellular service, thereby preventing phone calls, text messages, and data from working. Thousands of users complained about the issue across the Apple Support Community and other platforms.

Apple said it released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and an AT&T carrier settings update earlier today to help prevent more iPhone 18 Pro Max users from being impacted by this issue going forward. In a statement shared with MacRumors, Apple strongly encouraged all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update to iOS 27.0.1 now. To install the update, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General → Software Update.

The carrier settings update for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will automatically download for AT&T users over the next 14 days, according to Apple. To manually trigger the update, users can open the Settings app and tap on General → About.

Apple's full statement:

We have identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls. We released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and strongly encourage all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and are also issuing a carrier settings update today. These updates together are meant to help prevent this issue from occurring.

Notably, Apple said that iPhone 18 Pro Max devices that have been affected by this cellular issue on the AT&T network cannot have service reactivated with a software update. Instead, Apple said the device must be replaced entirely, and it advises affected customers to contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location.

Apple said it has only observed this issue with iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network. No other iPhone models or carriers are known to be impacted.

Apple did not disclose the underlying cause of the issue. U.S. models of the iPhone 18 Pro Max rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem for cellular connectivity, while variants of the device sold in all other countries are equipped with Apple's custom C2 modem. It is unclear if this modem difference is a factor in this AT&T issue.

It is also unclear if there will eventually be an Apple Service Program dedicated to this issue. In the meantime, it sounds like Apple Stores will replace affected iPhone 18 Pro Max devices for free, so book an appointment with the Genius Bar if necessary.

In a post on its developer news website today, Apple announced that it will be introducing "additional controls" for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS due to new risks posed by AI agents. This announcement comes amid the rise of always-on AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots, which have prompted privacy concerns.

"Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users' full knowledge and understanding," said Apple.

"As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially," it added.

Here is the full text of Apple's announcement:

We give developers powerful APIs to build incredible capabilities into their apps for Apple products, backed by a set of controls designed to protect users' private data. Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac. Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users' full knowledge and understanding. For communication apps, this can also compromise the privacy of the people users are communicating with.

Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action. Addressing this is critical. As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially. We are committed to ensuring users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make informed decisions about their own data and privacy.

Apple did not say when the new "Full Disk Access" controls will be implemented.

AT&T and Apple are taking action today as they try to resolve iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular issues, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Thousands of iPhone 18 Pro Max users have been unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, and data. The underlying cause has yet to be disclosed, but AT&T and Apple continue to work toward a resolution.

First, Apple today released an AT&T carrier settings update (version 72.1, up from 72.0.2) for iPhones. Given the timing of this update, it presumably includes some optimizations related to iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular connectivity, but it is unclear if AT&T has fully resolved the issues or if further tweaks will be necessary.

When a carrier settings update is available on your iPhone, you will be prompted to install it. If you dismiss the notification or do not see it, open the Settings app, tap General → About, and the update should appear there. You can see your iPhone's current carrier settings version in the same About menu, next to your carrier's name.

Second, Apple today started requiring iPhone 18 Pro Max users to install iOS 27.0.1 in order to set up the device, even though most if not all affected users have said that the update does not resolve the issues. A leaked AT&T email said iOS 27.0.1 is meant to help mitigate future impacts, so it may still help in some way.

In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is "working with Apple" on this.

Apple did not respond to our request for comment.

It is not yet clear if a follow-up update like iOS 27.0.2 will be required as part of a fix, or if the carrier update alone will be sufficient.

In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is "working with Apple" to resolve iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular issues.

"Apple has released a software update to address an issue that may affect calls, data, texts, and 911 calls on a small number of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max phones," an AT&T spokesperson said. "AT&T customers with an iPhone 18 Pro Max should update their phones now to the latest available software. Our top priority is ensuring customers can stay connected when they need it most, and we are working with Apple to make it right."

As we reported last week, affected iPhone 18 Pro Max users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data either persistently or intermittently, and their devices typically enter SOS mode as a result. The underlying cause has not been confirmed, and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

Thousands of users have experienced this problem since the iPhone 18 Pro Max launched on September 18, according to discussion threads across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, MacRumors Forums, and other online platforms.

Notably, the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new iPhone unveiled last month that is equipped with a Qualcomm cellular modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries. However, it is unclear if this is a contributing factor.

AT&T said iPhone 18 Pro Max users who have experienced or continue to experience issues can return to an Apple or AT&T store for additional support.

Yesterday, AT&T sent a text message to some customers advising them to update to iOS 27.0.1 immediately, even though that update does not appear to resolve the issues, according to comments shared by affected users.

In an alleged internal email shared on Reddit today, AT&T clarified that its guidance about updating to iOS 27.0.1 is meant to help mitigate future impacts, but it is unclear if or how the update actually helps. Apple's release notes for iOS 27.0.1 only mentioned fixes for other bugs, including a Face ID issue affecting iPhone 18 Pro models.

The alleged email added that customers can visit an Apple or AT&T store for a replacement device, but some customers said their request for a replacement under warranty was declined. With this issue becoming more widespread, hopefully Apple and AT&T are working to inform employees about the issue and implement a formal process.

iPhone 18 Pro Max users should be aware that today is the final day to return the device to Apple under the company's standard 14-day return policy in the U.S., for customers who purchased or received it on September 18 launch day.

Typically, Apple is able to address issues like these with software updates, so hopefully it will be able to fix the issue in iOS 27.0.2 or later. Hardware issues are more rare, but when they do happen, Apple sometimes launches a free repair program. We will continue to provide further updates on this topic as more information becomes available.

The Apple Watch has received some incremental updates in recent years, with significant upgrades becoming fewer and farther between as the device has progressed. Since the Apple Watch's generation-over-generation enhancements are relatively small, it is all the more important to consider when an upgrade is justified and whether an older model could suffice for your needs.

The Apple Watch Series 12 brings a more substantial set of changes than the Series 11, which was one of the smallest refreshes in the device's history. While Apple has discontinued previous Series models, older watches may still be available at lower prices from third-party retailers or secondhand.

Read on to see the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with each Apple Watch model compared to its direct predecessor. Viewing each generation's changes in this way helps weigh up the accumulative upgrades one receives by skipping multiple generations when buying a new device, as well as get a sense of which generations offered the biggest overall upgrades.

Apple Watch Series 12 (2026)

• S11 chip (based on A20 Pro)
• 4GB of RAM
• New Health Sensing System
• Second-generation electrical heart sensor
• Fourth-generation, always-on optical heart sensor
• Background heart rate measurements every five seconds throughout the day
• Heart rate variability measured up to 24x more often
• Recovery HRV metric
• Readiness app
• Daytime view in the Vitals app
• More accurate step tracking
• Steps and real-time heart rate watch face complications
• Audio Intelligence with Sound Recognition and automatic Shazam detection
• Live Rewind and Siri Recap
• Ceramic Shield 2 front glass, 60% tougher than Series 11's Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)
• Aluminum or titanium and zirconia back replaces metal and sapphire crystal back
• Up to 10 hours of outdoor workout tracking (25% longer than Series 11)
• 15 minutes of charging provides up to 12 hours of normal use (up from eight hours)
• Five minutes of charging provides up to 10 hours of sleep tracking (up from eight hours)
• Aluminum and titanium cases are 1mm wider and around two grams heavier
• Slightly larger bezels
• Ceramic case option introduced in Pearl White and Night Blue, with slightly larger dimensions than aluminum and titanium models
• Dark Bronze, Light Gold, and Black aluminum finishes replace Silver, Rose Gold, and Jet Black; Space Gray remains available
• Radiant Gold titanium replaces Gold and Slate; Natural titanium remains available

Apple Watch Series 11 (2025)

• 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)
• 5G connectivity (cellular models only)
• 7–10% larger battery
• Space Gray aluminum option reintroduced

Apple Watch Series 10 (2024)

• Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
  

• 42mm and 46mm case sizes
• Larger displays
• LTPO3 display for faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces
• Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
• S10 chip (same CPU as S9, but more compact)
• Water temperature sensor
• Depth app and Depth gauge to 6m
• Microphone with voice isolation
• Redesigned speaker with media playback
• Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna
• Faster charging (0–80% in about 30 minutes)
• Titanium casing replaces stainless steel option, now in Silver (matches previous stainless steel casing, Apple Watch Hermès only), Gold, Slate, and Natural
• Starlight, Midnight, Pink, and (PRODUCT)RED finishes discontinued, replaced with Silver, Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)

• Retina display with up to 2,000 nits of brightness
• Display can get dimmer in dark rooms and at night (down to 1 nit of brightness)
• Double tap gesture
• Wrist flick gesture
• Sleep apnea detection
• Hypertension detection
• S9 chip (based on A15 Bionic)
• 2GB of RAM
• 4-core Neural Engine (2x faster than Series 8)
• ‌Siri‌‌ processed on-device for requests that do not need information from the internet
• ‌‌Siri‌‌ can access health and fitness data
• 25% more accurate dictation
• Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
• Precision Finding for iPhone 15 models
• HomePod proximity integration
• 64GB storage
• Pink aluminum casing introduced

Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)

• S8 chip (same CPU as S6)
• More powerful gyroscope and high dynamic range accelerometer
• ‌Crash Detection
• Body temperature sensor
• Wrist temperature sensing during sleep

mem


• Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
• Blue and Green aluminum casings discontinued, Silver aluminum reintroduced
• Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)

• 41mm and 45mm case sizes
• 1.7mm display borders for almost 20% more screen area than Series 6
• QWERTY keyboard
• Up to 70% brighter display than Series 6 indoors when wrist is down
• S7 chip (Same CPU as S6)
• Crack-resistant front crystal (50% thicker)
• IP6X dust resistance
• Fast charging for up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes (33% faster than Series 6)
• Silver and Space Gray aluminum casings discontinued, Midnight, Starlight, and Green introduced

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

• Up to 2.5x brighter always-on display
• Access Notification Center, Control Center, and Complications when display is asleep
• S6 chip (based on A13 Bionic, 20% faster than S5)
• 1.5GB of RAM
• Always-on altimeter
• First-generation Ultra Wideband chip
• 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi
• Blood oxygen sensor
• Faster charging for a full charge in under 1.5 hours
• Improved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runs
• Blue and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum casing options introduced
• Space Black stainless steel casing available with Apple Watch Hermès only, Graphite option introduced
• Ceramic Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

• Always-on Retina display
• Force Touch removed
• S5 chip
• Compass
• 32GB storage
• Apple Watch Edition reintroduced with White Ceramic, Natural Titanium, and Space Black Titanium casing options

Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)

• 40mm and 44mm case sizes
• Over 30% larger display with curved corners
• 3.0mm display borders
• S4 chip (2x faster than S3)
• Gyroscope and accelerometer
• Barometric altimeter
• Fall detection
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
• Optical heart sensor and electrical heart sensor for ECG
• 16GB storage
• Digital Crown with haptic feedback
• 50% louder speaker
• Relocated microphone for reduced echo and better sound quality
• Faster charging for a full charge in 1.5 hours
• Gold stainless steel casing introduced
• Apple Watch Edition discontinued

Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)

• S3 chip (70% faster than S2)
• Barometric altimeter
• Bluetooth 4.2
• ‌Siri‌ able to speak through the onboard speaker
• LTE cellular model available with red Digital Crown
• Rose Gold aluminum casing discontinued
• Gray Ceramic Apple Watch Edition model introduced

Apple Watch Series 2 (2016)

• Retina display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness (2x brighter than previous generation)
• S2 chip (dual‑core)
• 1GB of RAM
• GPS and GLONASS receiver
• Water resistant up to 50 meters
• Gold and Rose Gold aluminum casing options added
• 18K Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition discontinued, Ceramic model introduced in White
• Apple Watch Nike+ variant introduced

The Series 12 has a stronger case than the Series 11 as an upgrade in general, but most Series 11 owners still have little reason to get a new device. Its new heart sensors, more frequent HRV measurements, Readiness app, and longer workout battery life matter most if you rely on your Apple Watch for training and recovery insights. Sound Recognition may also appeal to deaf or hard of hearing users, while the ceramic case offers a finish unavailable with the Series 11.

Upgrading from a Series 10 brings these changes alongside the Series 11's 5G connectivity on cellular models and longer rated everyday battery life. From a Series 9, you would also gain the thinner Series 10 design, larger display, depth gauge, and water temperature sensor.

The cumulative upgrades become more compelling for Series 8 users and older, particularly if battery wear is affecting daily use. Series 7 owners gain Crash Detection and temperature sensing as well as the newer design and Series 12 health features. The biggest differences will be felt by those with a Series 6 or older, though the condition of your current watch and the cost of replacing it still matter.

watchOS 27 supports Series 9 and later, leaving the Series 8 and older without the latest major software release. That does not mean they will immediately stop working or receiving all security updates, but they are now considered old devices. If you are shopping for a replacement, a discounted or secondhand Series 11 may offer better value if you do not need the Series 12's health features, providing you can find it at a sufficiently low price. watchOS 26 is not supported by the Series 5 or older, so anyone with one of these devices should definitely consider upgrading soon.

Looking to the future, it looks like next year's Apple Watch Series 13 could offer some major upgrades including a redesign and new sensors. This could make it a great upgrade for those with a Series 11 or older.

We're just a few days out from Prime Big Deal Days on October 6, and Amazon is already offering some savings on accessories including Anker chargers, Samsung monitors, and 4K TVs. We're also tracking deals on the new Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 this week.

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.

Early Prime Day Deals

• What's the deal? Shop early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories and more
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon's fall Prime Day, called Prime Big Deal Days, is nearly upon us, and early discounts have already started appearing online. We're tracking big markdowns on TVs, monitors, charging accessories, and more in our original article, and be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page for more Prime Big Deal Days news as the event gets closer.

Beats 360

• What's the deal? Save on Beats 360 cushion kits and more
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The new Beats 360 headphones were announced last week, and they're now available to order on Amazon and other retailers. They're available in Black, Cloud, plus a bundle where you can style the headphones however you'd like thanks to interchangeable ear cushions and headbands.

Alongside the launch, Beats announced that its Cushion Kits compatible with the Beats 360 are available for just $9.99 for the next month, down from $49.99. Stock on these has begun to dwindle since launch, so be sure to get in soon before they disappear.

Mac Mini and Mac Studio

• What's the deal? Take up to $50 off Mac mini and Mac Studio
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon recently introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini and Mac Studio, with discounts reaching up to $50 off original prices. All of these deals represent the first discounts on the new computers, which just launched last month.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

• What's the deal? Take $19 off Apple Watch Ultra 4
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

The new Apple Watch Ultra 4 just launched last month, and Amazon is offering the first cash discounts on select models for the first time since their launch. You can get the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for $779.99, down from $799.00.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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