MacRumors

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The sixth beta comes over two weeks after Apple provided the fifth beta to developers.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.

macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.

Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.

The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.

Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.

For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release this fall.

Now that Apple has officially announced it will hold a special in-person event on September 7, widely expected to be for the iPhone 14 and the brand new Apple Watch Series 8, we can begin to map out all the important dates for Apple customers for September.

The Event Itself

The event, which is expected to be a hybrid between a digital and in-person event, will take place on September 7 at 10 AM PT. The event, which will run for around two hours, will include the announcement of the iPhone 14, the standard Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE, and a new Apple Watch "Pro." Apple may also announce other products during the event, including the second-generation AirPods Pro.

iPhone 14 Pre-Orders

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was the first to report Apple was planning an event for September 7 earlier this month. In that same report accurately reporting the event date, Gurman also said the iPhone 14 would go on sale on September 16.

With a release on Friday, September 16, and pre-orders typically happening a week before launch, customers can expect to be able to pre-order the new iPhones on Friday, September 9. Due to possible supply constraints, pre-order and launch dates for the Apple Watch Series 8 remain unknown, so we'll have to wait and find out.

iOS 16 Launch

iOS 16 was previewed during Apple's WWDC in June of this year with major new features, including a completely redesigned Lock Screen, the ability to unsend and edit messages in iMessages, and so much more. iOS 16 has been in testing over the summer, and the new iPhone 14 will ship with the new iOS version pre-installed.

Like in previous years, Apple will release iOS 16 to the general public before the new iPhones begin shipping, which means we could see iOS 16 launch between Monday, September 12, and Wednesday, September 14. Apple will confirm iOS 16 and watchOS 9's release date during the event in two weeks. macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 will be released later in October.

iPhone 14 Arrives to Customers

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who accurately reported an event on September 7, the iPhone 14 will be available to customers on Friday, September 16. Learn more about what we're expecting for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro with our roundups.

Back to School Promotion Ends

Towards the end of the month, on September 26, Apple's annual back-to-school promotion will come to a close. The promotion, which started in late June, gives students a free Apple gift card with certain purchases.

Recap

To recap, here's a quick rundown list of all the important dates for the month of September to mark off your calendar:

• iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 Event - Wednesday, September 7
• Most Likely Date for iPhone 14 Pre-Orders - Friday, September 9
• iOS 16 Public Release with watchOS 9 - Monday, September 12 to Wednesday, September 14
• iPhone 14 Launches - Friday, September 16
• Back to School Promotion Ends - Monday, September 26

In a new wide-ranging interview with Popular Mechanics, Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses product innovation and how it drives Apple to make better products, allowing customers to repair their iPhones and Macs with the self-service repair program, Steve Jobs and his legacy, and more.

During the interview published in a special edition of Popular Mechanics, Cook describes Apple's philosophy of creating innovative new products and how Apple has fostered an environment of innovation.

They don't take any singular route, they can come from everywhere in the company. We believe in putting groups of people together focused on solving some problem for a user. You pick diverse teams that look at the problem through different lenses.

We debate about things that we do and do not do, because we know we can only do a few things well. You have to debate and say no to a lot of great ideas so that you can spend your time on the ones that are truly unbelievable.

Answering whether there was ever a time Cook first heard an idea and said, "that's cool," he recalls talking to staff about the M1 and M2 Apple silicon chips and Apple's rich history of creating chips for its products.

Oh, they happen all the time. I feel like that every day—like a kid in a candy store. We were just talking in the hallway about M2 and M1—the history there goes back well over a decade. It goes back to the genesis of the M chips, or the A chips, from iPhone and really getting in and figuring out, how do you put a powerful chip in something that small and not get it to heat up and burn up?

We found ourselves with a similar issue for laptops: How do you put something in there that is the most powerful computer chip in the world? Out of that was born M1, and now we've taken it further with M2. And Mac is now a totally different product than it was before.

Cook also described Apple as an environment where people don't take no as an answer, saying that claiming something is impossible is a driving force of motivation for Apple engineers.

Well, usually the way that you get people around here to do something is to tell them you're not sure it's doable. That's the red flag in front of the bull because a lot of people here don't take "impossible" as being true. If we convince ourselves it's in the best interest of the user, that's a compelling force for us to power through the problem.

Cook also touched on the subject of privacy, saying that Apple believes privacy is a "fundamental human right" and described the company's work in empowering users with privacy-focused features as a core philosophy.

Touching on Apple's role internationally, Cook said that Apple has a set of core values that's the company's north star, including privacy, education, accessibility, and the environment. Cook also, for the first time publicly, commented on Apple's new self-service repair program, which recently launched for the Mac. The program lets customers order the parts needed to repair their own iPhone or Mac, such as a battery or display replacement. Cook said the program is intended for customers who are technologically capable of handling repairs on their own.

There's actually something in there for everybody. We took a larger view and said, "What do people want?" First of all, they want products that don't break. So we try really hard to make products that last a long time, and that's sort of job one.

But invariably, some people do have to go somewhere for a repair. And you don't want to have to drive two hours to find a repair center. So we've added thousands of independent repair shops.

In addition to that, for the hobbyist and the tinkerer, we said, "We'll sell you certified parts" - parts that we use to repair. You can buy the part itself instead of buying a repair. And if you need a manual that tells you how to do something, you can have the manual. And if some special tools are required or fixtures required, we can give you that, too. I don't know how many people will take us up on it. It's for your reader, clearly.

Towards the end of the interview, Cook was asked what he thinks Steve Jobs would think about Apple today. He responded by saying he thinks Jobs would love some of the things, but admits for other things he might say Apple could do better.

I think about him a lot. I miss him dearly. He would always stop by my office on his way out. And there's never been a replacement for that. We would exchange tidbits on the day and talk about the future. And we try to carry on the mission that he set in place, to build the best products in the world that enrich people's lives. And that hasn't changed. Lots of things change with time. But the reason for our being is the same.

I think he would find things that he loved and things that he would say, "We can do better on that." I think he would do both. As we all do. We are never really satisfied. We're always working on tomorrow.

The full interview can be found here.

Ahead of the expected announcement of the iPhone 14 lineup at Apple's September 7 event, a wave of dummy models originating in Asia claim to show the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro's selection of color options, including new blue and purple finishes.

The images of ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro dummy models were first shared on Weibo earlier today and show similar Gold, Graphite, and Silver color options from recent years. Two other color options depicted in the image would be new to the current "Pro" iPhone lineup: a dark purple and a blue. A separate, heavily cropped image that also emerged earlier today appears to show the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models in the same range of colors.

It is also of note that the antenna bands of the Gold and Purple models contrast with the frame due to being white, unlike iPhones in previous years. It is not clear if the items in the second image are genuine ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models or simply dummy models, although the latter may be more likely given the volume of ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro dummies that are now in circulation.

Earlier this year, a crucial rumor from Weibo said that both the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models will be available in a new Purple finish. It claimed that the color option, likely for ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, is unique finish that shifts tone based on lighting conditions. A purple color option for the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro seems plausible given that Apple introduced a Purple ‌iPhone‌ 12 and iPhone 12 mini in a mid-cycle refresh in April last year to a positive response from customers, and the 24-inch iMac, sixth-generation iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPad Air are all available in Purple.

It is not clear if the unique purple finish is actively supposed to have a new effect to change based on lighting conditions, or if it simply uses the technique behind the iPhone 13 Pro's Sierra Blue, which varies in appearance more than the other color options. This is because Apple adopted a new production process exclusively for Sierra Blue that uses "multiple layers of nanometer-scale metallic ceramics applied across the surface for a stunning and durable finish."

A brief video of an ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro dummy model, showing a larger rear camera bump and a relocated front-facing camera in line with rumors about the device so far, provides a closer look at the striking dark purple color.

While the purple color option first being seen today was previously rumored, the blue color option is new and has not been rumored before.

Dummy models usually do not represent the exact tone of Apple's options with a high level of accuracy since they are often made of plastic, but the selection of colors on show could provide a basic overview of what to expect. Dummy models are used to display, demonstrate, and test accessories like cases, so they strive to provide a relatively accurate overall substitute for the actual physical device. As such, it is reasonable to expect the color options to be based on legitimate information.

Mostly orignating from unverified social media users in China, much of this information still should be regarded with a level of skepticism. Readers can make up their own minds about how believable the above information is.

Following Apple's announcement that it will hold an event on Wednesday, September 7, several alleged leaks coming out of Asia purport to show the iPhone 14 Pro's display cutouts and status bar items.

Twitter user "DuanRui" today shared several images from Chinese social media site Weibo, with one seemingly showing a close-up, real-world image of the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro's "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array cutouts that are expected to replace the notch.

For reference, Twitter leaker known as "Ice Universe" shared an image of the front of an ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro dummy earlier today. In the image, the display cutouts are clearly artificial, which may make the above image much more believable.

At the same time, leaker "ShrimpApplePro" shared a segment of a screenshot allegedly from an ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, overlaid with an identical screenshot from an iPhone 13 Pro Max, to show how Apple is purportedly planning to enlarge and realign the status bar's items to account for the new "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array design.

Another alleged screenshot from ShrimpApplePro shows how the entire status bar is arranged on the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, repositioning the cellular signal, Wi-Fi, and battery indicators slightly lower and to the right.

The standard ‌iPhone 14‌ models are expected to retain the same notch used on the ‌iPhone 13‌ linep, with the "pill and hole-punch" being one of the main selling points of the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. The devices are also expected to feature the A16 chip, an always-on display, a 48-megapixel Wide camera, and more.

Update: Apple concept graphic designer Ian Zelbo has cast doubt on the initial "real-world" image, claiming that it is simply an edited image of an ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro.

Starting today through November 28, owners of 2018-2022 Samsung smart TV models worldwide can receive a three-month subscription to Apple TV+ for free.

In an announcement spotted by 9to5Mac, Samsung said eligible customers can redeem this limited time offer by opening the Apple TV app on the Samsung TV home screen and following the on-screen instructions. It's not clear from the press release if the offer is available to existing Apple TV+ subscribers or limited to first-time subscribers.

Roku is also offering three months of Apple TV+ for free on Roku devices starting today, according to a tweet. Fine print says the offer is for new subscribers only.

Apple TV+ is normally priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. The service provides access to Apple's original series and films, ranging from the award-winning comedy series "Ted Lasso" to the hit workplace thriller "Severance."

Anker has introduced a trio of discounts on its newest USB-C chargers on Amazon today, offering up to 25 percent off these accessories. Shoppers should note that all three products require you to click an on-page coupon on Amazon, and afterwards you'll see the deal prices at checkout.

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.

The sale starts with the GaNPrime 65W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $44.99, down from $59.99. This one includes two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and it supports iPhone fast charging.

Secondly, Anker has its GaNPrime 120W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $75.99, down from $94.99. This device also has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, with PowerIQ 4.0 technology for optimal fast charging.

Lastly is Anker's 140W USB-C Charger for $74.99, down from $99.99. This one only has one USB-C port and is aimed at MacBook Pro and MacBook Air charging.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Following the launch of iOS 15.6.1 last Wednesday, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.6, the previously available version that came out in mid-July. Since iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing iOS 15.6.1.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed.

iOS 15.6 was minor in scale, introducing an option to restart, pause, rewind, and fast-forward a live sports game that's in progress, plus it addressed an issue that could cause the Settings app to continue to display that device storage is full even when it's not.

Released on August 17, iOS 15.6.1 had no new feature additions, but it does include a critical security fix that addresses kernel and Webkit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

To raise awareness for its events, Apple uses an #AppleEvent "Hashflag" on Twitter, and now that the September 7 "Far Out" event has been announced, Apple has updated its hashflag.

The new Far Out hashflag features a dark blue Apple logo with multi-colored stars, which is in line with the tagline of the event and the invites that went out earlier today.

Apple has been using custom hashflags since 2020, with Apple using the Twitter icons to boost event visibility and build hype on social media networks.

The "Far Out" Apple event is set to take place on Wednesday, September 7.

Apple appears to be preparing for future devices with Bluetooth 5.2 support, according to a filing in the Bluetooth SIG products database earlier this month. Among other possibilities, this could serve as evidence of future AirPods Pro with LE Audio support.

Apple's filing references a Bluetooth 5.3 host subsystem that is likely intended for future products. However, in actuality, the filing likely refers to Bluetooth 5.2, as the Bluetooth versions listed in Apple's filings in the database are often one version number higher than the version that ends up being supported on a device, for reasons unclear.

For example, the Beats Studio Buds are listed with Bluetooth 5.3 when they actually support Bluetooth 5.2, according to reviews of the headphones, while many iPhone and iPad models are listed with Bluetooth 5.1 despite supporting Bluetooth 5.0.

With all of that confusion surrounding version numbers aside, Apple adopting Bluetooth 5.2 would be especially beneficial for AirPods, as the specification includes support for LE Audio with several improvements to wireless audio streaming.

LE Audio is part of the low-energy Bluetooth LE standard. According to The Verge, benefits of LE Audio for wireless headphones like AirPods could include improved audio quality, longer battery life, the ability to connect more than two pairs of AirPods to a single iPhone, and the ability for each individual left and right AirPod to have its own Bluetooth connection to an iPhone to prevent desynchronization during audio playback.

In July, the Bluetooth SIG said it anticipates availability of products with support for LE Audio to ramp up by the end of 2022. Apple is expected to launch second-generation AirPods Pro by the end of the year, but it remains to be seen if they support Bluetooth 5.2 or LE Audio. It also remains to be seen if Apple would add LE Audio support to the Beats Studio Buds with a firmware update given those earbuds already support Bluetooth 5.2.

Apple is preparing for its first fall event that is set to take place on Wednesday, September 7, and the company today launched a YouTube live stream where viewers can sign up to get a reminder when the event begins. The "Far Out" event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 7.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said earlier in August that Apple has already prepared a prerecorded version of the September event, but Apple's event invites confirm that there will be an in-person component, with members of the media invited to the Apple Park campus to check out new products.

In addition to streaming the event on YouTube, Apple also plans to make a video stream available through the Events website and the Apple TV app. MacRumors will have full coverage of the September 7 event as well, both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Apple's fall event is expected to see the unveiling of the iPhone 14, ‌iPhone 14‌ Max, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Pro, Apple Watch SE, and perhaps other devices such as second-generation AirPods Pro and new iPads.

Apple today seeded the fifth betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to public beta testers, opening up the iOS 16 beta testing process to the general public. Today's beta comes one week after the fourth public beta, and it corresponds with the seventh developer beta.

Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the second iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 betas over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.

iOS 16 brings an overhauled Lock Screen with customizable wallpapers, time, and widgets, plus notifications have been updated to roll in from the bottom of the display. Multiple Lock Screens are supported and can be linked with Focus modes.

The Messages app supports editing and deleting messages as well as marking messages unread. SharePlay is no longer limited to FaceTime, so Messages can be used for communication between people sharing content with one another. ‌FaceTime‌ calls can be handed off from one device to another, and the Health app gains a new Medications feature for tracking the vitamins and medicine that you take.

Apple is replacing passwords with Passkeys, and Safari now supports Shared Tab Groups for collaborating. In the Mail app, you can schedule emails, cancel sending, and receive follow-up reminders, and the Maps app supports multi-stop routing.

iCloud Shared Photo Library offers a convenient way to share a photos with family members, and Apple Pay Later will let users pay for ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases in fee-free installments. For the iPad, iPadOS 16 brings a Weather app and a new multi-tasking system called Stage Manager, but it's only for iPads with Apple silicon chips.

There are tons more features in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, with a full rundown available in our dedicated roundups.

Apple will hold its first fall event on Wednesday, September 7, and the event is now featured on Apple's website. As with all Apple events, if you visit the page on an iPhone or iPad, you can see an interactive augmented reality easter egg.

For the September 7 event, which is titled "Far Out," Apple has designed a space-themed Apple logo and a black hole-style experience. Initiating the AR experience puts a black hole in the center of the room, which then shows stars in the shape of an Apple logo as you approach.

The stars continue to coalesce in and out of an Apple logo shape, and you can use pinch gestures to adjust the size of the black hole.

To view the AR experience, open up the Events website on an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ and tap on the Apple logo. From there, you can scan the area around you to see the logo in real time, or view it in "Object" mode to get a clearer picture of what it looks like without having to navigate your physical environment.

Apple's event will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 7. In addition to being streamed on YouTube, the event can be watched through the events webpage and in the Apple TV app. If you're unable to watch, you can tune in to the MacRumors live blog on the site or follow along with our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Apple today announced that it will be holding a special event on Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. The event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, and there will be an in-person component with members of the media invited to Apple's campus.

The September event will focus on the new iPhone 14 models, and we are expecting a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌, a 6.7-inch iPhone Max, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. There will be no 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ "mini" this year, with Apple instead opting for larger devices.

While no huge changes are coming to the standard ‌iPhone 14‌ models, the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models will get a pill-shaped cutout and hole-punch cutout that replaces the notch, an A16 chip, a new 48-megapixel camera, and another of other improvements, with full details available in our iPhone 14 Pro roundup.

The ‌iPhone 14‌ models will still use an A15 chip and won't get the same impressive camera technology, but you can count on new colors, an updated Ultra Wide lens, faster 5G, and WiFi 6E. A full rundown on what's coming to the ‌iPhone 14‌ and 14 Max can be found in our iPhone 14 roundup.

To go along with the new ‌iPhone‌ models, Apple is working on updated Apple Watches. There's a new Apple Watch Series 8 in development that could feature an updated low power mode, longer battery life, temperature sensing, an S8 chip, and other possible features like car crash detection.

Apple is also coming out with a higher-end "Apple Watch Pro," which will feature a new design, a larger size, and a much more durable display and build. The "pro" Apple Watch is aimed at athletes and those who subject their watches to more abuse than the standard user.

We're also waiting on second-generation AirPods Pro, a new 10th-generation iPad, a refreshed iPad Pro, an Apple silicon Mac Pro, and more, but beyond the ‌iPhone 14‌ models and the Apple Watch, we will likely see these other devices at a second October event.

Apple will stream the fall event live on its website, on YouTube, and on the Apple TV through the ‌Apple TV‌ app.

For those unable to watch, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account, both during the event and in the weeks following.

With no iPhone 14 mini expected to feature in Apple's upcoming ‌iPhone 14‌ series lineup this September, we look at the best possible alternative iPhone options for those who prefer smaller form factor devices.

‌iPhone‌ sizes are changing this year, and Apple is widely believed to be eliminating the 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ mini from the ‌iPhone 14‌ lineup, as the iPhone 13 mini was not popular enough with customers. That leaves fans of the smaller devices who are looking for a new ‌iPhone‌ with a purchase dilemma. So what are your options likely to be?

Consider the Next iPhone 14 Size Up

If you're considering buying an ‌iPhone 14‌ in lieu of a "mini" device, here's what you need to know. Apple is focusing on larger ‌iPhone‌ sizes for its flagship devices going forward, and this year we're expecting to see a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌, a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Max, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. That means there will be non-Pro and Pro variants of both phone sizes, something Apple hasn't done before.

As far as the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ series goes, users who prefer the dimensions of a 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ mini are unlikely to jump to the 6.7-inch models, which leaves either the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ or the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro as potential alternatives.

6.1-inch iPhone 14 Design Changes

Design-wise, the two 6.1-inch models will look different to each other, with the non-Pro model retaining the notch that houses the Face ID components on the iPhone 12 mini and ‌iPhone 13‌ mini.

In contrast, the Pro models are expected to feature a circular hole-punch cutout for the camera paired with a pill-shaped cutout to house the ‌Face ID‌ components.

With new camera technology expected to feature, the camera bumps for the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro could also get thicker, with the Pro's bump growing in size more notably. Aside from that, there are no other major design changes expected for the 2022 ‌iPhone‌ models when compared to ‌iPhone‌ Mini models.

6.1-inch iPhone 14 Hardware Features

Apple is further differentiating its non-Pro and Pro model iPhones this year, therefore many of the headlining features of its 6.1-inch devices are likely to be exclusive to the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro model, which is going to make it more expensive.

With Apple looking to cut costs, rumors suggest non-Pro ‌iPhone 14‌ models are likely to continue to use the same A15 chip that was introduced in the ‌iPhone 13‌ series, while the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models will receive an updated A16 chip.

The other Pro features expected include an always-on display mode, a triple-lens camera system with a 48-megapixel Wide camera and a seven-element telephoto lens.

With the ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro models, Apple introduced an improved six-element Ultra Wide lens with an improved ƒ/1.8 aperture, with these improvements expected to come to the dual-lens systems on the standard ‌iPhone 14‌ models.

Otherwise, all of the ‌iPhone 14‌ models coming this year are expected to feature an upgraded front camera with a wider ƒ/1.9 aperture and autofocus capabilities.

The ‌iPhone 14‌ is expected to be priced starting at $799, which is the starting price for the ‌iPhone 13‌. For more details, be sure to check out our dedicated iPhone 14 roundup.

The iPhone 13 Mini May Yet Stick Around

While there's no evidence pointing once way or the other, Apple could conceivably continue to offer the ‌iPhone 13‌ mini alongside the ‌iPhone 14‌ series when it launches.

Apple still offers 2020's ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ alongside the latest ‌iPhone 13‌ series, so it could well do the same and continue to sell the ‌iPhone 13‌ mini at a reduced price when the new flagship devices go live.

Keep an Eye on Apple's Refurb Store

Apple in July began selling certified refurbished ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ devices for the first time since the device was released in October 2020. While Apple's refurb store doesn't currently have the model in stock and its successor has yet to be listed, the long wait between launch and refurb availability suggests that Apple could yet begin selling ‌iPhone 13‌ mini models on the site, or perhaps re-stock ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ models.

If you're in the market for an ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ or ‌iPhone 13‌ mini, it's worth keeping tabs on the refurb store shortly after Apple launches the ‌iPhone 14‌ series, as Apple often reshuffles the site with new stock in the following weeks.

Refurbished iPhones come unlocked and SIM-free. All refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new white box that includes all manuals and a USB-C to Lightning cable. All refurbished iPhones are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple says its refurbished iPhones are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in our view, they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPhones. One of the only notable differences with a certified refurbished ‌iPhone‌ is that it comes in a plainer box.

Consider the iPhone SE 2022

Announced in March, the third-generation iPhone SE is Apple's most inexpensive ‌iPhone‌ starting at $429, and also the second smallest device Apple still sells. Compared to Apple's flagship models, however, there are design differences to be aware of.

As it is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8 and prior ‌iPhone SE‌, the 2022 ‌iPhone SE‌ continues to feature thick top and bottom display bezels. The ‌iPhone SE‌ is also Apple's only ‌iPhone‌ that comes with a Touch ID Home button, as all other iPhones now feature ‌Face ID‌.

The ‌iPhone SE‌ features a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, with True Tone to match the ambient lighting in a room, Wide color, Dolby Vision, and HDR10. It is also powered by an A15 chip and includes 5G connectivity.

To keep costs low, the ‌iPhone SE‌ has a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera, featuring an ƒ/1.8 aperture with optical image stabilization, wide color capture, Deep Fusion for improved textures, and Smart HDR 4 for improved highlights and shadow details.

The 7-megapixel front-facing camera features an ƒ/2.2 aperture with Portrait mode and Depth Control support despite the lack of a TrueDepth camera system. For more details, check out our dedicated iPhone SE roundup.

Wait for the Next-Generation iPhone SE

Apple is planning to release a fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ with a larger 5.7-inch display as early as 2023, according to display industry consultant Ross Young, who has proven to be a reliable source of information for future Apple products.

It's not yet clear if such a model would retain the Home button and top and bottom bezels or adopt a notched screen with ‌Face ID‌, but a 5.7-inch display would seem to put it closer to the dimensions of the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and ‌iPhone 13‌ mini, so it may be worth holding out for.

Amazon is offering discounts across a wide selection of Apple Watch SE models today, including both GPS and cellular models. Some of these devices are seeing delayed shipping estimates into September.

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.

While we're seeing record-low prices on nearly all Apple Watch SE models, it's worth remembering that we're expecting new models in just a few weeks. Those new models likely won't see significant discounts for some time, however.

Starting with the 40mm cellular Apple Watch SE, this model is available for $229.99, down from $329.00. Similarly, the 44mm cellular Apple Watch SE is on sale for $259.99, down from $359.00. Both of these $99 discounts are all-time low prices.

Secondly, the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE is down to $209.99, from $279.00. This is an all-time low price on the device, but note that Amazon has an estimated delivery of mid September for this one.

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.

Apple this week expanded its Self Service Repair program to MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models equipped with the M1 series of chips, providing customers in the U.S. with access to select parts, manuals, and tools to repair the notebooks.

While the program's expansion is good news for the right-to-repair movement, repair guide website iFixit is not entirely pleased with the implementation. (It's worth noting that Apple is now a competitor to iFixit in this area of business.)

In a blog post, iFixit's Sam Goldheart said Apple's program manages to make the MacBook Pro seem "less repairable," primarily because Apple's current procedure for replacing a MacBook Pro's battery is prohibitively expensive and time consuming.

The issue is that Apple's program does not yet allow a customer to order a standalone replacement battery for the MacBook Pro. Instead, a customer must order a part known as the "top case," which includes a glued-in battery. Then, the customer must follow Apple's exhaustive 162-page repair manual to replace the "top case" in their MacBook Pro, as the procedure involves removing every other component from the case.

Top cases are an expensive part given that they include the keyboard, battery, speakers, and more. For example, Apple's self-service parts store charges $527 for a top case for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, making it significantly more expensive to replace a MacBook Pro's battery through the program in comparison to having an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider complete the job for $199.

"Apple is presenting DIY repairers with a excruciating gauntlet of hurdles: read 162 pages of documentation without getting intimidated and decide to do the repair anyway, pay an exorbitant amount of money for an overkill replacement part, decide whether you want to drop another 50 bucks on the tools they recommend, and do the repair yourself within 14 days, including completing the System Configuration to pair your part with your device," wrote iFixit. "Which makes us wonder, does Apple even want better repairability?"

Apple says a "battery replacement part" will be available for the MacBook Pro at some point "in the future," which could make the replacement procedure easier, although details remain slim. But even if Apple releases a standalone replacement battery, it will likely remain cheaper and easier to have Apple handle the task.