Top Stories: iPhone SE 3 in Early 2022, macOS Monterey Tips, AirPower Revival, and More

The rush of Black Friday deals has passed, and while there's likely still some holiday shopping to be done, attention is also turning back to rumors with a look ahead to what we can expect in 2022.

Top Stories 87 Thumbnail
Rumors this week included the next iPhone SE reportedly coming early next year and a multi-device charger similar to Apple's canceled AirPower, while we also took a look at what we might see for a redesigned MacBook Air next year. Read on for details on these stories and more!

New iPhone SE Reportedly on Track for Release Early Next Year

As the holiday season gets underway, things have been relatively quiet in the world of Apple, but we are starting to hear some rumors about products that we can expect to launch in 2022, including a third-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter of the year.

iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean
According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, a key new feature of this iPhone SE will be support for 5G networks, while the device is also expected to be equipped with an A15 chip like iPhone 13 models.

The current iPhone SE was released in April 2020 and features a similar design as the iPhone 8, with a 4.7-inch display, Touch ID home button, and thick bezels. The new iPhone SE is expected to remain the most affordable iPhone model in Apple's lineup.

Apple Still Working on AirPower-Like Charger, Also Long-Range Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging

While it has been nearly three years since Apple announced that its AirPower wireless charging mat was canceled due to quality issues, rumors have suggested Apple is still working on a similar accessory.

AirPower With AirPods and iPhone Charging Feature
The latest word came from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who believes that Apple still intends to create a wireless charging accessory that could charge multiple devices like an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once.

macOS Monterey: 40 Tips, Tricks, and Features You Might Have Missed

Apple released macOS Monterey in late October with several new features like AirPlay to Mac and Live Text, and others coming soon, including SharePlay for FaceTime and Universal Control.

20 monterey tips feature
This week, we shared a helpful list of 40 tips, tricks, and features that are worth checking out in macOS Monterey, including some lesser-known settings that are available in apps and across the operating system.

Five Features to Look Forward to in the 2022 MacBook Air

While the latest MacBook Air is already a fan favorite thanks to the impressive performance of the M1 chip, rumors suggest that a new version of the notebook is already in development with an even faster Apple silicon chip and a significant redesign.

mba colorful blue feature
In addition to our MacBook Air roundup, we've put together a list of five features to look forward to in the 2022 MacBook Air based on everything that we've heard so far.

How to See 'Spotify Wrapped' for Apple Music

Towards the end of each year, streaming music service Spotify provides a "Spotify Wrapped" recap of each user's listening habits and favorite songs. Spotify Wrapped is a highly anticipated year-end feature that Spotify users love, and Apple Music listeners may be wondering how to get their own "Wrapped" rundown.

apple music replay iphone feature
The closest equivalent to "Spotify Wrapped" for Apple Music subscribers is "Apple Music Replay," and we've shared step-by-step instructions on how to access this feature.

Apple Introduces New MacBook Upgrade Program for Business Partners

Apple has launched a new MacBook Upgrade Program that allows small business partners in the U.S. to finance MacBook Air and MacBook Pro purchases, with monthly payments starting at $30 per month.

Mac Notebook Upgrade Program
Unlike the iPhone Upgrade Program, this program is not available to consumers at this time. For small businesses, make sure to read our coverage of the program for additional details, including how to sign up.

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!

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...

Top Rated Comments

blcamp Avatar
47 months ago
I want to see the original HomePod revived and updated. Put an A12 or greater chip in it, then come and take my money!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seanmills1020 Avatar
47 months ago
The SE in iPhone SE stands for “Self-Employed”, since many are on a budget. ;)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
47 months ago
No post from MR about the AirPods 2 for $79.00 at AT&T? Lowest price so far, I believe.

https://www.att.com/buy/accessories/headphones/apple-airpods-with-charging-case-white.html



Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
47 months ago
Another week has gone by. 3 more weeks year 2021 is over.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
47 months ago

The Top Story this week was never covered by macrumors.

The Top Story was the Appeal that Apple submitted to the 9th Circuit on Tuesday, for a Stay of the Epic vs Apple Dec 9th requirement.

Dec 9th could be the single-most-important day in the history of the App Store !

The App Store is about to be Broken Up, & it starts on Dec 9th, OR Jan 9th if Apple gets a 30-day Stay.

How is this NOT the Top Story right now ?
Not personally even aware of that motion but Apple’s request to delay has been rejected before: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/11/09/judge-delays-apple-stay-request-epic-case/

So not sure I’d call Apple asking again to be big news — seems more of the same — but if it gets delayed it’s newsworthy sure.

arn
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shinkansenwarrior Avatar
47 months ago

cant wait for SE3, it is time to upgrade my 6s
SE3 = a turbocharged revamped 6S !!
Wish Spring 2022 would come tomorrow but guess we have to wait it out a bit more.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)