MacRumors

Ahead of Apple events expected over the next two months, there are now ten Apple devices that customers currently should not buy, with replacement models fast approaching.

The fall is always a very busy period for Apple, often with at least two special events to launch new products and the release of major software updates for all of the company's platforms. This year looks to be no different, with significant hardware updates rumored to reach Apple's AirPods, iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac lines.

AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro launched over 1,000 days ago and are the oldest current-generation Apple device still on sale.

Apple announced the AirPods Pro on Monday, October 28, 2019. The earbuds went on sale immediately and orders started arriving to customers on Thursday, October 31. Apple went on to release the AirPods Max in December 2020 and the third-generation AirPods in October 2021. After the discontinuation of the iPod touch earlier this year, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ became the oldest current-generation Apple device still on sale.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes have repeatedly said that the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 will launch in the second half of 2022, so the new model is now likely just a matter of weeks away. According to reports from a range of sources, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 are expected to feature:

• The same design as the current model.
• Skin-detect sensors instead of IR sensors.
• "Significantly upgraded" wireless chip.
• Support for Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) playback.
• Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with LE Audio support
• Updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking.
• A sound-emitting charging case for location-tracking purposes.

It has also been suggested that the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 will feature an updated chip, self-adaptive noise cancellation capabilities, heart rate and temperature sensors, hearing aid capabilities, and a USB-C port, but Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have cast doubt over this information.

Kuo has narrowed down the launch of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 to the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December of the year. This means the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 could arrive around three years after their predecessors. Given their age and seemingly imminent repalcement, customers should hold off on buying ‌AirPods Pro‌ until the new model launches.

Apple Watch Series 3

The Apple Watch Series 3 was released in September 2017, making it almost five years old. It is the oldest device to support the latest version of watchOS 8, but its S3 chip significantly lags behind the Apple Watch SE's S5 chip and Apple Watch Series 7's S7 chip in terms of performance. The Apple Watch Series 3 is also the only remaining Apple Watch to feature the older, thicker Apple Watch design with large bezels and angular corners around the display.

Following the iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5 updates last year, Apple Watch Series 3 users have to unpair and re-pair the device from its linked ‌iPhone‌ when updating watchOS because the Apple Watch does not have enough internal storage to complete an update independently.

In June, Apple previewed watchOS 9, the next-generation operating system for the Apple Watch. The new OS drops support for the Apple Watch Series 3, meaning that the device will be left running watchOS 8. Despite this, the Apple Watch Series 3 is still on sale. Apple is expected to discontinue the device when new Apple Watch models launch next month, and since it will not support the latest version of watchOS, potential customers should no longer buy the device.

Apple Watch SE

The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ debuted in 2020 as a low-cost option for customers. As it nears two years since launch, sources like Gurman and Kuo expect the the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ to be to be replaced by a second-generation model alongside the Apple Watch Series 8 next month.

Little is known about the new ‌Apple Watch SE‌, but Gurman says that it may feature the "S8" chip. The S8 chip will reportedly feature the same specifications as the S6 and S7 chips, which may explain why Apple could upgrade the ‌‌Apple Watch SE‌‌ to its latest processor. Indeed, since all of the chips that are newer than the ‌‌Apple Watch SE‌‌'s current processor are effectively the same, it will make no material difference whether it has the S6, S7, or S8 – all of which offer a moderate performance improvement over the S5.

Coming two years after the previous model, the new ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is likely to bring some other features and improvements, and will almost certainly support the latest version of watchOS for longer, so buyers looking for a lower-cost Apple Watch should wait until the new model arrives next month.

Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 is almost a year old. While it shipped later than usual due to delays, its successor, the Apple Watch Series 8, is expected to be unveiled next month.

While the Series 8 will likely feature the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7, it is expected to offer an updated chip, software enhancements, and new health monitoring features thanks to a body temperature sensor, with updates including:

• S8 chip
• Body temperature sensor for enhanced sleep tracking and fertility planning
• Low Power Mode to prolong battery life

Simultaneously, Apple is also said to be planning to launch a high-end Apple Watch "Pro" model that could replace the Apple Watch Edition, featuring:

• 47mm casing size
• Five to seven percent larger display to show more on-screen fitness metrics
• Larger battery to enable longer workout times
• New design with a ruggedized titanium alloy casing, potentially with a flat display

As such, with the entire Apple Watch lineup set to be overhauled in a matter of weeks, Apple Watch buyers should now wait for new models to arrive.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 13

Early September is expected to see the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup in one of the most important Apple releases of the year.

After lackluster sales for the iPhone 12 mini and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, which both feature a 5.4-inch display, Apple is reportedly planning to discontinue its small form-factor iPhone and replace it with a comparatively gargantuan 6.7-inch display on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max – making it the same size as the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max. While there will reportedly be no "‌iPhone‌ 14 mini," the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max will provide a cheaper option for users who want a new ‌iPhone‌ with a larger display, but do not need "Pro" features like a ProMotion display and the telephoto camera. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max are expected to feature modest upgrades, including:

• A15 Bionic chip with minor performance improvements
• 6GB of LPDDR 4X memory, a 50 percent increase
• New, more efficient 5G chip that could prolong battery life
• Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
• Satellite-based emergency features to allow users to send messages in emergency situations and report major emergencies
• ƒ/1.8 Ultra Wide camera
• Upgraded front camera system with autofocus and a wider ƒ/1.9 aperture

The devices are also rumored to come in a range of color options, including Black (Midnight), White (Starlight), Blue, PRODUCT(RED), and Purple.

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini and ‌iPhone‌ 13 are expected to see a price drop when they are replaced by the ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max this year, while the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ and ‌iPhone‌ 12 could be discontinued, so now is not a good time to buy any of these mid-level ‌iPhone‌ models.

iPhone 13 Pro

At the high-end, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max are expected to be replaced by the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, headlining with features such as thinner bezels and a "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array design in place of the notch.

For the first time, the standard ‌iPhone‌ models are also expected to miss out on Apple's latest chip, with the "A16" reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro only. According to rumors so far, ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models are expected to feature:

• A16 Bionic chip
• Always-on display mode optimized for iOS 16's redesigned Lock Screen
• "Pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array in place of the notch
• Taller display with thinner bezels
• Larger corner radii for a more rounded front and rear appearance compared to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro
• 48-megapixel Wide camera with 8K video recording and pixel-binning
• 7-element Telephoto lens
• Ultra Wide camera with larger 1.4µm pixels
• Front-facing camera with ƒ/1.9 aperture and autofocus
• 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage options

The ‌‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro‌ Max will allegedly come in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Purple color options. While the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models could see a slight price increase this year, the new models offer significant upgrades and price rises could be justified if the devices start with more storage.

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max are likely to be discontinued upon the release of the new models, which will subsequently slash prices with third-party resellers – so it is clearly preferable to avoid purchasing either of these devices at the current time.

iPad (Ninth-Generation)

Apple released the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ in September last year, and it typically updates the entry-level ‌iPad‌ annually. An all-new, tenth-generation ‌iPad‌ is on the cards for an Apple event in October, but it could be announced even sooner at Apple's "Far out" event on September 7.

The ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ released last year features a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. Reports from display analyst Ross Young, alleged leaked renders, and various other rumors indicate that the tenth-generation ‌iPad‌ will offer:

• Slightly wider and thinner new design with flat sides and a rear camera bump
• A14 Bionic chip
• 10.5-inch display
• USB-C port
• 5G connectivity for cellular models

A questionable report also said that the ‌iPad‌ will feature a Touch ID power button and a landscape FaceTime camera. The tenth-generation ‌iPad‌ is shaping up to be a major update over the previous model, so ‌iPad‌ buyers should no longer buy the ninth-generation model if possible. Mass production of the next-generation ‌iPad‌ is believed to already be reportedly underway.

iPad Pro

Apple's current 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models launched in April 2021, making them the longest-lasting iPad Pro models to date. The company is now expected to launch updated ‌iPad Pro‌ models at an event in October.

According to sources like Mark Gurman and Mac Otakara, the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models are expected to feature the same design with at least four additions:

• M2 chip
• Glass back with MagSafe wireless charging, potentially with reverse functionality to charge other devices
• Two new four-pin connectors on the top and bottom side edges
• Camera system upgrades

While the ‌iPad Pro‌ update could be one of Apple's smaller hardware refreshes this year, the age of the current device and comparatively short wait for new models means that it is not a good time to buy an ‌iPad Pro‌ at present.

Mac mini

Apple has been believed to be working on a new Mac mini for some time. It updated the entry-level Mac mini with the M1 chip in November 2020, and the high-end offering is still the Space Gray model with an Intel processor from 2018. The potential of replacing this older high-end model with an Apple silicon machine was previously at the center of rumors related to new Mac minis, but now it looks like both the entry-level and the high-end model may be refreshed simultaneously.

Now, Apple is believed to be working on two versions of the ‌Mac mini‌, one with the standard "M2" chip and a second higher-end model with the "M2 Pro" chip.

The ‌Mac mini‌'s design is now well over a decade old, and despite the long wait for a high-end Apple silicon-based ‌Mac mini‌, Apple reportedly has no plans to refresh its design. According to a claim from Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year, the next-generation ‌Mac mini‌ is likely to retain the same form factor as the current model, which is an aluminum unibody design that Apple has used for every new ‌Mac mini‌ since 2010.

Kuo's claim runs contrary to a rumor from leaker Jon Prosser, who last year said that Apple was working on a complete redesign for the small desktop computer, moving to a smaller chassis with a "plexiglass-like" top.

In line with rumors about the cancelation of the 2022 ‌Mac mini‌ refresh, Kuo has also said that the new ‌Mac mini‌ will not launch until 2023. Even so, given that the ‌M1‌ ‌Mac mini‌ is one of the oldest Apple silicon Macs still on sale, most customers should wait for a new model to arrive next year.

The Intel-based ‌Mac mini‌ is a relic from the period before Apple began to transition the Mac lineup to its own custom silicon, which offers massive performance and efficiency benefits. For this reason, and since it is effectively four years old, those interested in the high-end Intel ‌Mac mini‌ should not buy it under almost any circumstances.

Mac Pro

The Mac Pro is one of the last Intel-based Mac models still on sale and the only remaining Mac product line with no Apple silicon chip options. An all-new model that finally brings Apple silicon to Apple's top-tier Mac for professionals has now been anticipated for over two years. At its "Peek Performance" event earlier this year, Apple even teased the launch of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, saying "that's for another day."

Multiple reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman about the Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌'s chip options and specifications provide a fairly straightforward picture of what to expect from the new flagship Mac. The device's configurations are likely to look as follows:

The ‌M2‌ Extreme is expected to surpass the top-tier Intel Xeon W CPU option with 28-cores offered in the current Intel-based ‌Mac Pro‌. The ‌M2‌ Extreme's known specifications effectively double the capabilities of the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio, but if it is based on the more advanced 5nm fabrication process behind the current ‌M2‌ chip, it is likely that there will be a range of other improvements in terms of core technologies, efficiency, and clock speed.

The current ‌Mac Pro‌ is available with up to 1.5TB of memory, a $25,000 configuration option available to $11,999 and $12,999 ‌Mac Pro‌ models with 24- and 28-core CPUs. Since Apple silicon Macs use a shared pool of unified memory rather than the conventional DDR4 ECC memory sticks used in the current ‌Mac Pro‌, it seems probable that it will be available with considerably less memory.

The ‌Mac Pro‌ currently starts at $5,999, with the potential to price it up to over $52,000 in custom configurations. The base model Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ with the ‌M2‌ Ultra is almost certain to cost more than the high-end ‌Mac Studio‌ with the ‌M1 Ultra‌, which starts at $3,999. It seems likely that the new base model ‌Mac Pro‌ will continue to start at a price point similar to the current model, but there is no further information about pricing at this time.

Beyond its basic specifications, little is currently known about the device's design, ports, and modularity. Apple is expected to introduce the Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ later this year, and it could be followed by a "Pro" version of the Studio Display with a mini-LED panel and support for ProMotion in early 2023.

Customers who are confident they will be reliant on a powerful, modular Intel-based system for the foreseeable future could still benefit from buying the current ‌Mac Pro‌, but prices are sure to come down when the Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ is released later this year. Even so, the majority of Pro customers will see considerable benefits from waiting for the most powerful Apple silicon system to date.

Woot today introduced a new flash sale on Apple's MagSafe Charger, available for $29.99, down from $39.00. The MagSafe Charger is in new condition and includes a one year Apple limited warranty.

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.

Woot's sale is about $2 higher than the all-time low price on this accessory, and it's the first time in months that we've seen a notable markdown. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get free standard shipping on Woot.

The MagSafe Charger supports magnetic alignment with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 family of devices. Otherwise, it supports regular wireless charging with any Qi-compatible device, including AirPods Pro.

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

Apple is now accepting orders through its Self Service Repair Store website for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, as per its announcement on Monday.

The online store briefly became unavailable on Tuesday morning while the website was updated to reflect the expansion of Apple's Self Service Repair program to Macs.

Owners of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with chips from the M1 family are now able to obtain repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools via the store. There are no manuals or parts available for Macs with the M2 chip or desktop Macs yet.

Apple launched Self Service Repair for the iPhone earlier this year for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. For the Mac, the program works the same as with the iPhone, obligating customers to first review the repair manual before visiting the Self Service Repair Store to order parts and tools.

Self Service Repair for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro offers more than a dozen different repair types for each model, including the display, top case with battery, and trackpad, with more to come in the future, according to Apple.

Apple will offer rental kits for $49 for customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair, providing them with access to a tool kit for one week with free shipping. Customers can send replaced parts back to Apple for refurbishment and recycling, often receiving credit for their repair purchase in the process.

The program currently only operates in the United States, but Apple says it will be expanding to Europe later this year. Apple also plans to make repair parts and manuals available for additional Apple silicon Mac models later this year.

Amazon is discounting the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini tablet to $439.99 in all colors today, down from $499.00. There's a slight shipping delay for the tablet, with the fastest delivery estimate set for around August 30.

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 isn't the best price we've seen on the iPad mini 6, but given that all-time low prices have been extremely rare over the summer and stock has been fairly low, Amazon's new deal is still a solid second-best option.

Shoppers should note that this is one of Amazon's sales that require you to head to the checkout screen to see the deal price. Once the tablet is in your cart and you head to checkout, you'll see an automatic coupon worth $19.99 applied to the order.

You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini on sale for $599.00, down from $649.00. This is another second-best price on the miniature tablet, and it's seeing delivery estimates around the same late August timeframe.

For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

A device believed to be the iPhone 14 has been spotted in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), MySmartPrice reports.

The device is filed under the model number "A2882," which is believed to correspond to one of the standard ‌iPhone‌ 14 models. The ‌iPhone‌ 13 has the model numbers A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, and A2633, making this seemingly the first time that the ‌iPhone‌ has been officially seen, providing the model number correlates with the correct device.

New Apple devices being spotted in regulatory databases often indicate that launch is imminent. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to unveil the ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup at an event on Wednesday, September 7.

Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that Apple will begin iPhone 14 production in India around two months after the first wave of devices are shipped out of China as manufacturing partners attempt to replicate the complex ‌iPhone‌ supply chain operation in another country for the first time.

Apple will begin iPhone 14 production in India about two months after the first wave of devices are released out of China as manufacturing partners try to replicate the complex ‌iPhone‌ supply chain operation in another country for the first time.

Bloomberg reports that Apple has been working with suppliers to ramp up manufacturing in India and "shorten the lag in production of the new ‌iPhone‌ from the typical six to nine months for previous launches, according to people familiar with the matter."

However, Apple and primary ‌iPhone‌ assembler Foxconn have "ultimately determined a simultaneous start in India and China isn't realistic this year, although it remains a long-term goal," according to the report's sources.

Apple is said to be seeking alternatives to China amid the country's clashes with the U.S. government and strict lockdowns that have disrupted supply chain operations. To that end, Foxconn has reportedly been studying the process of shipping components from China and assembling the ‌iPhone‌ 14 devices at its plant outside the southern Indian city of Chennai.

Aside from the massive issue of organizing coordination between hundreds of suppliers, one of the big challenges the manufacturer is said to have faced involves finding ways to maintain Apple's high standards for secrecy.

Local executives in India reportedly looked at the possibility of "entirely cornering off one of Foxconn's multiple assembly lines, sequestering workers and scrutinizing all possible ways in which the security around the device could be compromised."

Apple is also said to be concerned about Indian customs officials who often unseal packages to check if imported materials match their declarations, which could jeopardize the company's stringent product secrecy controls.

Given the high possibility of leaks and other operational challenges, Apple and Foxconn therefore have this year decided against a simultaneous launch in China and India, and the first ‌iPhone‌ 14 models from India are likely to be finished in late October or November, following the initial September release.

Apple is aiming to announce the ‌iPhone‌ 14 on Wednesday, September 7, with retail employees said to be preparing for a new product release on Friday, September 16, which suggests the new ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and Apple Watch models could see a release on that date. Apple plans to release a total of four ‌‌iPhone‌ 14‌ models, including a 6.1-inch ‌‌iPhone‌ 14‌, a 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌ 14‌ Max, a 6.1-inch ‌‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro‌, and a 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro‌ Max.

Former Apple employee Xiaolang Zhang today pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets, which could get him up to ten years in prison, reports CNBC. Zhang was first hired by Apple in December 2015 to work on Project Titan, developing software and hardware for autonomous vehicles.

As part of the Compute Team, Zhang designed and tested circuit boards to analyze sensor data, and he was given access to Apple's secure and confidential internal databases. In April 2018, Zhang left Apple for Chinese startup XMotors, and shortly after, Apple found that he had stolen sensitive Apple Car development data and hardware.

In July 2018, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation charged Zhang with theft of trade secrets, and he was arrested shortly after for attempting to leave the country. Zhang this week took a plea bargain, which is under seal with the U.S. government.

Along with up to 10 years in prison, Zhang could have to pay up to $250,000 in fines. Sentencing is scheduled for November 14.

Apple today released a new version of Boot Camp, the software that allows Windows to be run on Intel-based Macs. Boot Camp 6.1.16 is a bug fix update that addresses minor issues, and it is replacing the prior 6.1.12 update that fixed stability issues with Bluetooth and WiFi drivers.

According to the release notes for the update, the software introduces WiFi WPA3 support and it fixes a Bluetooth driver issue that sometimes occurred when resuming from Sleep or Hibernation.

Apple back in March introduced a Boot Camp 6.1.17 update that is available to Intel Mac owners who run a Studio Display.

Boot Camp users can navigate to the Start menu in Windows and open the Apple Software Update app to install the new Boot Camp drivers.

Boot Camp is a feature that is only available on older Intel-based Macs. It is not compatible with Apple silicon Macs, and these machines are not able to run Windows except with virtualization software.

Apple's next lower-cost iPad could feature a Touch ID power button and a repositioned FaceTime camera, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

The report cites multiple Chinese sources who claim that alleged renders of the 10th-generation iPad shared earlier this month do not accurately depict the position of Touch ID or the front-facing FaceTime camera on the device.

First, while the renders showed the iPad with a traditional Touch ID home button in the bottom bezel, the report suggests the device could have a Touch ID power button on the top edge of the chassis, like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models.

Second, the report claims that the FaceTime camera could be positioned in the right bezel of the device for landscape usage. The report says that Apple's Center Stage feature that helps to keep you centered within the frame during video calls works better when an iPad is placed in landscape orientation, and says that the FaceTime camera's new position in the right bezel would accommodate this usage scenario.

The report's sources did claim that the previous renders of the 10th-generation iPad accurately showed the device's overall dimensions. Previous rumors have suggested the 10th-generation iPad will feature a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, an A14 Bionic chip, 5G support on cellular models, thinner bezels, and flat edges. By comparison, the ninth-generation iPad features a 10.2-inch display and an A13 Bionic chip.

Mass production of the 10th-generation iPad is reportedly underway. Apple is expected to announce the device at an October event, partly because iPadOS 16 has reportedly been delayed until October, although it's worth noting that the ninth-generation iPad was unveiled in September last year alongside the iPhone 13 and a new iPad mini.

The new 6.7-inch non-pro "iPhone 14 Max" could be in shorter supply than some of the other ‌iPhone‌ 14 models, according to display panel shipment and production estimates that were provided today by display analyst Ross Young.

In the period between June and September, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max has the highest share of panel production, comprising 28 percent of shipments. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro are close behind at 26 percent each, but the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max trails behind at 19 percent. Production numbers are similar with the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max accounting for 29 percent of production and the 14 Max accounting for 21 percent of production.

Young says that ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max display panel shipments will "make up a lot of ground in September," which suggests that any initial supply issues at launch should clear up quickly.

During the ‌iPhone‌ 14 development cycle, there were rumors that the new 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max that replaces the 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ mini was behind schedule due to lockdowns and production issues. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said at the time that suppliers would work overtime to catch up and that we could see little impact on device availability.

Next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a tweet, Kuo said that given TSMC's guidance indicated that revenue from 3nm chip production will not begin until 2023, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models may still have chips based on TSMC's latest 5nm process.

Kuo's information seems to conflict with a report from Taiwan's Commercial Times that claimed the M2 Pro chip may be Apple's first 3nm chip.

While the situation is a little confusing right now, it's clear from reports that TSMC plans to begin production of 3nm chips for Apple in the near future, so we'll have to wait and see which Macs they appear in first. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has M2-based MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models in development.

The current 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models were released in October 2021 and have 5nm-based M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options.

Moment, known for its range of accessories for Apple's devices, today announced a new partnership with Sara Dietschy, which will see the launch of several new stands designed for the iPhone and iPad. Dietschy helped create the products and was aiming to develop the best possible desk accessories.

Releasing on Kickstarter under Dietschy's new LAB22 brand, the stands are designed feature a premium build, versatility, and adjustability. The Infinity Adjust Stand for the ‌iPad‌ attaches to Apple's modern iPads using a magnetic connection.

Made from aluminum, it has a triple pivot design that can adjust between 5 degrees and 90 degrees to meet multiple workflow needs. There are four hinges to hold the ‌iPad‌ in a stable position, and it can pivot between landscape and portrait orientations. The ‌iPad‌ stand comes in two sizes and is compatible with 12.9-inch iPad Pro models (third-generation and later), the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, and the iPad Air (fourth and fifth-generation).

There's also a Magnetic Phone Stand with Dual Wireless Charging. As the name suggests, it uses magnets to attach to an ‌iPhone‌, but it is not MagSafe so charging speeds are limited to 7.5W for iPhones. The charging base offers 5W speeds for AirPods or a secondary ‌iPhone‌.

As with most magnetic stands, the ‌iPhone‌ can be positioned in landscape or portrait orientation, and it features a USB-C charging plug. There's a pivot for adjusting the viewing angle from 5 degrees to 45 degrees, and it uses strong magnets to keep the ‌iPhone‌ secure. The stand is compatible with ‌MagSafe‌ iPhones.

To go along with the ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ stands, LAB22 has also designed a matching headphone stand. Made from aluminum, the headphone stand is designed to hold most over-ear headphone models like the AirPods Max, with a plush microfiber pad offering a cushioned holder.

All three stands can be pre-ordered from Kickstarter for $199 total starting today. The ‌iPad‌ stand is priced at $119, the ‌iPhone‌ stand is priced at $89, and the headphone stand is priced at $59. Shipping is set to begin in January 2023.

Today we're tracking a deal on Apple's Mac Studio desktop computer, as well as a new markdown on the 32-inch Pro Display XDR. These deals are available from Amazon and B&H Photo, and offer all-time low prices on the devices.

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.

Starting with the Mac Studio, B&H Photo has the custom configuration M1 Max Mac Studio (32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 32-core GPU) for $1,999.00, down from $2,199.00. Deals on the new Mac Studio have been rare following the launch in early 2022, and this is one of the first notable markdowns on any configuration this year.

Secondly, both Amazon and B&H Photo are offering $300 off the 2019 32-inch Pro Display XDR. It's available for $4,699.00, down from $4,999.00 with the standard glass option, and this is another all-time low price. Shoppers should remember that the Pro Display XDR does not come with a stand.

The Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K Retina display with a 6016 x 3384 resolution, a superwide viewing angle, and it offers 1,600 nits of peak brightness and a sustained 1,000 nits of brightness. Alongside the Mac Studio, Apple released the Studio Display in 2022, which is a smaller 5K display that lacks the same HDR capabilities as the Pro Display XDR and sits at a more affordable price.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Another report today claims that TSMC plans to begin volume production of 3nm chips later this year for use in upcoming MacBook models and other products.

"Backend firms are upbeat about demand for the upcoming MacBook chips, which will be built using TSMC's 3nm process technology, with production set to kick off later this year, according to industry sources," reads a paywalled preview of a DigiTimes report.

TSMC is unlikely to generate substantial revenue from 3nm chip production overall until at least the first quarter of 2023, according to DigiTimes.

This information lines up with a report last week from Taiwan's Commercial Times, which said TSMC would begin production of 3nm chips for Apple by the end of 2022. That report claimed that Apple's first 3nm chip may be the M2 Pro chip for Macs and added that the A17 Bionic chip in next year's iPhone 15 Pro models would also be a 3nm chip.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the M2 Pro chip to be used in the next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, and in a new high-end Mac mini that would replace the current Intel-based configuration. Gurman believes that Apple plans to announce multiple new Macs at an October event, but it's not entirely clear if this would include new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models or if Apple will wait to announce its first Macs with 3nm chips in 2023.

The entire M1 series of chips and the standard M2 chip are built on a variation of TSMC's 5nm process. Apple's transition to 3nm chips would unsurprisingly result in improved performance and power efficiency in upcoming Macs and iPhones, as Apple seeks to preserve its performance-per-watt lead over competitors like Intel.

This week, Nomad is offering our readers an exclusive 20 percent off discount code, which is good on any full-priced product across Nomad's entire site. You'll need to use the code MR2022 at checkout to see the sale, which will last through Friday of this week.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you haven't shopped on Nomad before, the company is well-known for selling high-quality products that protect and accessorize the iPhone, iPad, AirPods, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch. Nomad also sells Lightning and USB-C cables, leather wallets, keychains, and more. Nomad offers free standard shipping on all orders placed in the United States over $150.

Below we've rounded up a small collection of Nomad products that you can purchase at a discount this week, but remember that the new code applies to Nomad's entire website. When you're shopping, just use the code MR2022 on full-priced items and not on anything already marked down.

• 65W Power Adapter - $55.96, down from $69.95
• Lightning to USB-C Kevlar Cable - $35.96, down from $44.95
• 20W Power Adapter - $15.16, down from $18.95
• Base One MagSafe Charger - $79.96, down from $99.95
• AirPods Rugged Case - $23.96, down from $29.95
• iPhone 13 Series Modern Leather Case - $55.96, down from $69.95
• iPhone 13 Series Sport Case - $31.96, down from $39.95
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro Rugged Case - $95.96, down from $119.95
• 11-inch iPad Pro Rugged Folio - $119.96, down from $149.95

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.

Apple today announced that it is celebrating 106 years of the U.S. National Park Service with donations for purchases and ways to learn about and support America's parks.

Starting today, Apple is donating $10 to the National Park Foundation for every Apple Pay purchase on apple.com, the Apple Store app, or at an ‌Apple Store‌ in the U.S. Last year, Apple's support for the National Park Foundation helped young people participate in a service corps program at national parks.

As part of the celebration, Apple is showcasing relevant content and educational resources across its services, such as a curated Native American history guide in Apple Maps and collections of episodes centering on Indigenous voices in the Podcasts app.

Apple Watch users can earn a limited edition National Parks Activity Challenge award later this week. On August 27, users can earn the award by completing a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile or more.

Woot today introduced a new deal on Apple's Magic Trackpad 2, available for $84.99 in new condition, down from $129.99. This is one of the best prices we've ever tracked on the accessory.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The Magic Trackpad 2 is in new condition and is in stock and ready to ship from Woot, with free shipping options available for Amazon Prime members. The Magic Trackpad 2 is compatible with Macs and iPads (running iPadOS 13.4 or later), and only the white color option is on sale today.

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 today announced that it is expanding the Self Service Repair program to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Starting tomorrow, users of ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with chips from the M1 family will be able to obtain repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools via the Apple ‌Self Service Repair‌ Store. Apple says that ‌Self Service Repair‌ for ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ will offer more than a dozen different repair types for each model, including the display, top case with battery, and trackpad, with more to come in the future.

Apple launched ‌Self Service Repair‌ for the iPhone earlier this year for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13. For the Mac, the program will work the same as with the ‌iPhone‌, obligating customers to first review the repair manual before visiting the ‌Self Service Repair‌ Store to order parts and tools.

Apple will offer rental kits for $49 for customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair, providing them with access to a tool kit for one week with free shipping. Customers can send replaced parts back to Apple for refurbishment and recycling, often receiving credit for their repair purchase in the process.

Apple reaffirmed that the program will expand to additional countries later this year, starting in Europe. "For the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair," the company added.