Canon's new stereoscopic RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL camera lens for spatial video recording recently became available for pre-order. In the U.S., pricing is set at $449.99, and orders are estimated to be delivered in mid-November.

Canon Vision Pro Lens
Apple and Canon announced the lens at WWDC in June. The lens attaches to Canon's EOS R7, enabling the mirrorless camera to record 3D videos for playback on AR/VR headsets like Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's Quest 3. More details about the lens are available on Canon's website, and in our coverage of the WWDC announcement.

After recording spatial videos with the Canon EOS R7 and this lens, Apple said users would be able to edit the videos in Final Cut Pro on the Mac, and upload them to Vimeo. Final Cut Pro will likely be updated with spatial video editing capabilities in mid-November, and Vimeo released a Vision Pro app with spatial video support last month.

Spatial video can also be recorded on both iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, with no additional hardware required.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tag: Canon
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Apple last week debuted its latest M4 Pro and M4 Max chips in the Mac mini and MacBook Pro, and the highest-end M4 Ultra chip should follow next year.

M4 Mac Pro Feature Cool 2
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the M4 Ultra chip in the next Mac Pro will "probably" have up to a 32-core CPU and up to an 80-core GPU, which would be double the M4 Max's up to 16-core CPU and up to 40-core GPU. That would be unsurprising, as the M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra chips both have up to double the number of CPU and GPU cores compared to the M1 Max and M2 Max chips, respectively.

Not all patterns at Apple carry on forever, so it is still noteworthy that the M4 Ultra chip will likely follow the same doubling scheme as usual.

When will the M4 Ultra chip be available? In a report last month, Gurman said the next Mac Studio will likely "debut between March and June" next year, and higher-end configurations of that computer should be available with the M4 Ultra chip. He expects a new Mac Pro desktop tower with the M4 Ultra chip to follow in the second half of next year.

Given the Mac Studio and Mac Pro were never updated with M3 series chips, the M4 Ultra chip would give these computers an improved Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence and ray tracing for improved graphics rendering for the first time.

A few years ago, Gurman said that Apple had tested a so-called "M2 Extreme" chip that would have offered even greater performance than the M2 Ultra chip, but he later said that the chip's release was canceled. Apple could choose to revisit an "Extreme" chip for the Mac Pro in the future, but there are no "M4 Extreme" chip rumors as of now.

Related Roundups: Mac Studio, Mac Pro
Related Forums: Mac Studio, Mac Pro

Apple plans to release an updated Vision Pro headset with its as-yet-unannounced M5 chip in 2025, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The current Vision Pro is equipped with the M2 chip, which debuted in 2022.

Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Blue Magenta
Kuo did not say if the updated Vision Pro will have any other new features or changes compared to the current model that launched earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Apple has delayed production of a cheaper version of the Vision Pro until "beyond 2027" for "a while now," according to Kuo. In the U.S., the current Vision Pro starts at $3,499, and this expensive price has surely limited sales.

"At $3,500, it's not a mass-market product," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, when asked about the Vision Pro in a recent interview. "Right now, it's an early-adopter product. People who want to have tomorrow's technology today—that's who it's for. Fortunately, there's enough people who are in that camp that it's exciting."

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also touched on Apple's future plans for its Vision line of products.

Like Kuo, Gurman said that Apple is planning a "chip upgrade" for the Vision Pro, but he did not say if that will happen in 2025. He also believes that Apple continues to develop a cheaper version of the Vision Pro headset with "scaled-down technologies," but he did not provide a release timeframe for that product either.

Gurman added that Apple is "seriously considering" an iPhone-connected, glasses-like device.

"I also continue to hear that Apple is seriously considering a device that offloads the computing components to an iPhone and serves as an accessory for watching movies," he said. "That's something that would be roughly akin to the glasses offered by companies like Xreal. The benefit for Apple is that it would reinforce the iPhone as the center of its product ecosystem and offer something that could be a much more popular option than the $3,500 Vision Pro."

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

While the new MacBook Pro lineup features faster M4 chip options, Thunderbolt 5 support for higher-end configurations, a nano-texture display option, and more, most of the previous MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon chips still offer the latest overall design, and fast performance, which might lead you to avoid upgrading this year.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero
If you are planning to skip the new MacBook Pro, here are two bigger changes that are rumored to come to the laptop in a few years from now.

First is an OLED display. Previous rumors have claimed the MacBook Pro will switch to OLED display technology as early as 2026. In the meantime, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and display industry analyst Ross Young both recently predicted that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro will continue to have mini-LED displays in 2025.

Compared to current MacBook Pro models with mini-LED screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more. The switch to OLED displays could also contribute to future MacBook Pro models having a thinner design.

Second is the just-mentioned thinner design. Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working to make the MacBook Pro thinner over the "next couple of years." He said that Apple is aiming to create a class of devices that "should be the thinnest and lightest products in their categories across the whole tech industry."

A more vivid OLED display and a much thinner design would be more compelling upgrades that might finally drive existing Apple silicon MacBook Pro users to upgrade.

Update — November 3: In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that the MacBook Pro will "probably" get a "true overhaul" in 2026, with an OLED display and a thinner design. He expects only a small performance boost for the 2025 MacBook Pro models, with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips that are "already near completion."

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Apple is aiming to release iOS 18.2 for iPhones during the first week of December, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today, in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter. Apple had already confirmed that the update would be released at some point in December, and now we have a slightly more specific timeframe.

Generic iOS 18
The software update includes additional Apple Intelligence features for iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, including Genmoji for generating custom emoji, Image Playground for generating custom cartoon-like images, Image Wand for transforming a rough sketch into a full image in the Notes app, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more. Read our list of all new features included in the iOS 18.2 beta so far.

iOS 18.2 also expands Apple Intelligence to localized English in the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

iOS 18.2 adds a few features beyond Apple Intelligence, including a new "Default Apps" section in the Settings app, daily Sudoku puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers in the U.S., an iMessage nudity reporting option in Australia, and more.

Gurman expects iOS 18.4 to be released in April with additional Apple Intelligence features for Siri, such as personal context and on-screen awareness.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Apple plans to sell a Belkin head strap that can be used with the Vision Pro's Solo Knit Band, for added comfort and stability while wearing the headset, according to a product listing spotted by Brad Lynch of EOZ VR (reposted by @M1Astra).

Belkin Head Strap for Vision Pro
The adjustable strap features a "secure locking mechanism for additional stabilization," and it offers a "precise fit for a wide range of head sizes and shapes."

"Designed with aesthetics that make a great addition to the Solo Knit band, the Head Strap features a secure locking mechanism and additional stabilization points to keep Apple Vision Pro in place, even during vigorous movement," the product listing says.

The band will cost $49.95 on Apple's online store in the U.S., but it is not yet available to order. It is unclear when the head strap will be released.

When the Vision Pro was unveiled at WWDC 2023, Apple showed someone wearing the headset with both a Solo Knit Band and a head strap, and it even offered members of the press that combination when they demoed the device. However, that head strap was never made available to the public. In addition to the Solo Knit Band, the Vision Pro ships with the Dual Loop Band, which has a pair of upper and lower slimmer straps.

vision pro over head strapApple showed the Solo Knit Band with a head strap at WWDC 2023

Some customers find the Vision Pro to still feel heavy on the face even with the Dual Loop Band. In response to this feedback, it seems likely that Apple partnered with Belkin to come up with a head strap for use with the Solo Knit Band after all.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tag: Belkin
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Now that we're in November, early Black Friday deals have begun appearing online. For AirPods, this includes a near all-time low price on the popular AirPods Pro 2, as well as record low prices on the new AirPods 4.

airpods early black friday gold 2Note: 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.

Best AirPods Deals

airpods pro early black friday
Starting with the overall best early Black Friday AirPods deal: you can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $179.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This model has been at $199.00 for a few weeks now, and today's price is just about $10 higher than the all-time low price.

airpods 4 early black friday
If you're looking for the newest models, Woot has new all-time low prices on both models of the AirPods 4. You can get the AirPods 4 (without ANC) for $114.00 and the AirPods 4 (with ANC) for $159.00. These deals are as much as $10 lower when compared to the previous low prices tracked at Amazon, and both are in new condition and come with an Apple limited warranty.


You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundups: Apple Black Friday, Apple Deals
Related Forum: Community Discussion

Following the iPad mini launch last week and a tease about Mac announcements for this week, Apple indeed made three key Mac product announcements: new iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models.

top stories 2nov2024
These machines bring the M4 chip series to Apple's Mac lineup for the first time, but each in its own way offers several new features and changes that go beyond processors, so read on below for details on all of the hardware announcements plus the release of iOS 18.1 and related updates with Apple Intelligence!

Apple Announces MacBook Pro Models With M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips, Thunderbolt 5 Support, and More

Apple saved the biggest news as a wrap-up for the three-day flurry of announcements, and that's the MacBook Pro.

M4 MacBook Pro Thumb 3
The entry-level 14-inch machine with the M4 chip got a major upgrade bringing it closer in line with higher-spec models with features like a space black color option, a third Thunderbolt port, and more.

The higher-end models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chip options take things to the next level with Thunderbolt 5 ports and up to 40 graphics cores for maximum portable performance.

Apple Announces Redesigned Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Chips, Two Front USB-C Ports, and More

As expected, the Mac mini not only received an upgrade to M4 and M4 Pro chip options, but it also got its first design overhaul since 2010 with a significantly smaller form factor.

M4 mini Thumb 2
Other improvements include a pair of USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front for easy access, as well as three Thunderbolt ports on the rear with M4 Pro models featuring cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5.

Apple Announces iMac With M4 Chip, Center Stage Camera, Nano-Texture Display Option, and More

Kicking off the week was an update to the iconic iMac, with the all-in-one desktop getting an upgrade to the M4 chip, a new Center Stage camera, and optional nano-texture display glass to reduce glare.

Apple iMac M4 hero feature
Apple also finally updated its Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard accessories to feature USB-C charging ports, moving Apple tantalizingly closer to ending its use of Lightning. But in case you were wondering, yes, the Magic Mouse charging port is still on the bottom.

Apple Announces MacBook Air Now Starts With Increased 16GB of RAM With No Price Increase

In a bit of a surprise move, Apple this week announced that it has boosted the memory on all M2 and M3 MacBook Air configurations at no extra charge, bumping the starting memory to 16GB on all models.

MacBook Air 15 Inch Feature Purple
With that change and the rest of this week's announcements, Apple's entire Mac lineup now starts with at least 16GB of memory, which will help support new and future Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Releases iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence

This week wasn't just all about hardware, as Apple also released iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and other related updates to deliver the first Apple Intelligence features.

iOS 18
Apple Intelligence features are currently available only in U.S. English, but they can be used in most countries as long as the device's region and language are set to the United States. Support for English localizations in several other countries is coming in December, with many other languages rolling out in 2025.

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 announced the launch of a new repair program for the iPhone 14 Plus, which addresses a camera issue. According to Apple, a "very small percentage" of ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus devices do not show a preview of an image that is taken with the rear camera.

iPhone 14 Plus Thumb
Affected devices were manufactured between April 10, 2023 to April 28, 2024, and Apple has a serial number checker so that users can check to see if they have an iPhone that might be impacted with this problem.

‌iPhone 14‌ Plus models that have the camera bug will be fixed for free by Apple. Apple says that affected users can visit an Apple retail store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for help, with a mail-in option available as well.

The new program covers eligible ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus models for three years after the first sale of the unit, and those who already paid to have the rear camera repaired can contact Apple for a refund.

If you've ever wanted an obscure emoji that the Unicode Consortium just hasn't gotten around to adding to the emoji lineup, Genmoji in iOS 18.2 offers a solution. In the iOS 18.2 beta right now, Genmoji lets you create custom emoji characters that can be used just like regular emoji.

Genmoji Feature 2

Creating Genmoji

To use Genmoji, open up the Messages app or another app like Notes where you see the emoji keyboard. If you don't already have access to Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand, you'll need to request it here and wait to be given permission. You'll get a notification when it's ready.

ios 18 2 genmoji
If you do have access to Genmoji, you can tap directly on the multicolored emoji face with a "+" to get into the Genmoji interface, or tap on the "Describe an Emoji" option. Either option gets you a text bar where you can start typing in a description of what you want to create, and the interface is similar to the ‌Image Playground‌ interface.

As you start typing your idea, a Genmoji will automatically be generated, and you can swipe through different options to find the best representation of what you're aiming for. Unlike ‌Image Playground‌, Apple does not provide suggestions like costumes and themes to add, so you're basically on your own.

ios 18 2 genmoji large
If you want to change what you're seeing, you can tweak your text description until you get it right. You can generate unlimited images because it's done directly on device using the built-in A-series or M-series chip.

Once you have the Genmoji that you want, tapping "Add" will add it to your document in Notes or the text bar in Messages. Genmoji can be sent in a large size when standalone much like an emoji, or as a small character inline with text.

genmoji inline
Genmoji can be created in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 right now, with support coming to macOS Sequoia at a later date.

Genmoji With People

You can make Genmoji that look like your friends and family members using their images. To do so, you'll want to start with a description of an emoji that would include a person.

genmoji person 18 2
You can type in something like "Eric sky diving with a rainbow parachute" or "doing a hula dance in Hawaii." One has a name, the other doesn't, but both are a descriptions that need a subject and don't have a specified object. When you use a Genmoji description like this, you'll see a "Person" box that you can tap into to select your subject.

Genmoji can only use people that are saved in your People album in the Photos app. When you select a person, the Genmoji feature uses a specific image as a base to create your emoji character.

If you don't want to use a specific person, you can use a base emoji that you've created with a customized skin tone and hair style. That way you can make an emoji that has a generic person figure without having to use someone that you know.

generic person genmoji 18 2
There are some instances where you want a Genmoji without a person but the feature keeps insisting that you add one. If that happens, you'll need to try rephrasing.

Copying, Pasting, and Sharing Genmoji

You can copy and paste Genmoji across devices and in different apps, but it won't paste if the app doesn't support Genmoji. It generally works in places that support pasting images, but not in text bars.

ios 18 2 share genmoji
You can paste an emoji into a text bar, so there is a difference in how an emoji works vs. how a Genmoji works for copy and paste, at least right now while Apple is still working on Genmoji.

Genmoji can also be shared or saved to stickers by tapping on the three dots under the Genmoji after it's created.

Getting Genmoji Details

If someone sends you a Genmoji, you can long press on it and tap on the "Emoji Details" option to see the prompt that was used to create it. From that interface, you can download it to your own device if you want to use it.

genmoji details

How Genmoji Work

Apple started laying the groundwork for Genmoji with the initial iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ launches. Emoji characters appear on Apple devices as little images, but they're actually pictographs that are encoded in the Unicode Standard and rendered by each platform.

genmoji vs emoji
Traditional emoji are added by the Unicode Consortium, and platform makers like Apple simply make the art that shows up when a device renders one of the pictographs. Because emoji work this way, Apple had to devise a new system for Genmoji.

There is a new NSAdaptiveImageGlyph API that Apple created for Genmoji, and it also happens to allow stickers, Animoji, and Memoji to also be used as emoji characters, functionality that came out earlier this year. The API makes stickers, Animoji, Memoji, and Genmoji behave like emoji characters.

ios 18 2 genmoji stickers emoji
NSAdaptiveImageGlyph uses a standard image format in a square aspect ratio with support for multiple resolutions, and it is augmented with metadata. This format allows Genmoji to be used with and formatted alongside regular text, much like an emoji.

ios 18 2 genmoji vs emoji bees
Like emoji, Genmoji can be copied, pasted, and sent as stickers. They can be used inline with text, and respect line height and formatting. Anywhere that supports rich text supports Genmoji.

ios 18 2 genmoji vs emoji skulls
Genmoji are not supported as widely as emoji. Earlier versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, as well as other software platforms and apps that do not support rich text will show Genmoji as a standard inline image or as a text description.

Where You Can Use Genmoji

Genmoji display as proper inline emoji on devices running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1, as well as iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2. It's clear that Apple started adding support with the .1 updates.

If you send a Genmoji to someone running ‌iOS 18‌, ‌iPadOS 18‌, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15 or the .0.1 versions, they will see a square with a question mark along with an attached full-sized image. This is also what Genmoji will look like for older versions of iOS and macOS.

ios 18 2 genmoji older device
Apple might change how Genmoji appear on older devices with a software update at some point in the future, but it's a feature that's going to require the latest software for the most part.

On Android devices, Genmoji show up as an image rather than as an emoji, so they won't behave exactly like traditional emoji. Android friends will see Genmoji as a larger, standalone picture, unless Android smartphone makers adopt some kind of support for Genmoji in the future.

ios 18 2 genmoji android

Genmoji in Apps

In apps like Notes, Genmoji appear as tiny emoji characters rather than as full-size images like they can in Messages. Developers have an API to add support for Genmoji, ‌Image Playground‌, and Image Wand to their apps.

ios 18 2 genmoji notes app
Genmoji won't be available through the emoji keyboard in an app until support is added, but some apps can display Genmoji. The Pages app, for example, does not allow for creating emoji at the current time, but if a Genmoji is pasted into it, it shows up as a tiny emoji-like character.

Genmoji can't be pasted into third-party apps that don't have Genmoji support. Pasting simply won't work in these situations.

In apps where there's a small Genmoji, double tapping on it will sometimes show it in a larger size, but that's not a feature that works in all apps.

Genmoji Restrictions

As with ‌Image Playground‌, there are some restrictions. Apple does not let you create questionable content with Genmoji, so there's no violence or nudity allowed. Apple also restricts political content and copyrighted content, so you can't create emoji with copyrighted characters, people, or products.

ios 18 2 genmoji restrictions
If you try to create something that's not allowed, you'll simply see a "No Results" response, which suggests that you try describing something different.

Supported Devices

Genmoji will be available on devices that support Apple Intelligence. That includes the iPhone 15 Pro, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, all Apple silicon Macs, the iPad mini with A17 Pro chip, and all iPads with an Apple silicon chip.

Availability

Genmoji is only available in the iOS 18.2 beta, and the beta is limited to developers at the current time. There is no word yet on when a public beta might be released.

Waitlist

You need to opt in to a second waitlist to get access to ‌Image Playground‌, Image Wand and Genmoji in iOS 18.2, which can be done by requesting access in the Settings app, in ‌Image Playground‌, or through the emoji keyboard.

Apple says that it is rolling out access to the feature set "over the coming weeks," so some users may need to wait for a week or two to be able to use the image generation capabilities. Apple will send a notification when the features are ready to test.

Apple Intelligence Feedback

Apple is collecting feedback from developers who have access to Genmoji. Feedback can be sent by tapping the thumbs up or thumbs down icons that appear with each result, with more information able to be entered when you give a thumbs down.

ios 18 2 feedback genmoji

Read More

We have several other in-depth guides on features coming in iOS 18.2.

Launch Date

Genmoji will be included in the release version of iOS 18.2 that will be available to the public in December.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Apple enthusiast @StellaFudge today shared photos of USB-C to Lightning cables in six "unreleased" colors, including what appears to be teal, blue, purple, yellow, red, and orange. He said Apple allegedly planned to include the cables with Apple silicon Macs, but the cables have never been released in these exact shades.

iMac Cables StellaFudgeImage Credit: @StellaFudge

"They're darker, more vibrant, and the normally white plastic has a matching color tint," he said.

Given the cables have a Lightning connector, that means they would have been included with iMac models with the M1 chip or M3 chip, if they are authentic. The latest iMac with the M4 chip comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable for use with the new USB-C Magic accessories.

The wording of the social media post makes it sound like these cables were designed by Apple, and ultimately never released, but there is a possibility that they could be knockoff cables created by a third party. A similar photo of colorful USB-C cables surfaced last year, but the rumor that they would be included with iPhone 15 models proved to be inaccurate. It is possible that those cables were counterfeit too, but we cannot say for sure.

Apple has included color-matching cables with the iMac since the M1 model launched in 2021, but they have brighter, pastel colors.

Considering that Apple never released these deeper-colored cables, at best, or they are knockoffs, at worst, their existence does not really mean too much in the end. However, it's a fun look at something that might have been.

@StellaFudge has also shared various unreleased Apple Watch bands in the past.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iMac

All four iPhone 17 models launching next year will be equipped with low-power LTPO displays, according to an industry source cited by South Korea's ETNews this week. While the report does not mention this, the use of LTPO technology suggests that the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature ProMotion displays with a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz.

iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux
ProMotion has been limited to the Pro models since it debuted on the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021, so the feature's expansion to the iPhone 17 and the rumored, tentatively-named "iPhone 17 Air" would be notable. Samsung and LG will supply the LTPO displays for all iPhone 17 models, according to the report.

LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) is a low-power backplane technology for OLED displays that allows for a variable refresh rate with reduced power consumption, ensuring that ProMotion does not significantly impact battery life.

iPhone displays with ProMotion have smoother-looking scrolling and video content. ProMotion would also allow the iPhone 17 and "iPhone 17 Air" displays to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate. iPhone 13 Pro models can ramp down to 10Hz, while iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 16 Pro models can go as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that shows various Lock Screen elements even when the device is locked. It is unclear if the iPhone 17 and the "iPhone 17 Air" would ramp down to 10Hz or 1Hz.

Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young previously informed MacRumors that the iPhone 17 and "iPhone 17 Air" will likely support ProMotion, and the feature's expansion to the entire iPhone 17 lineup has been rumored multiple times.

The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus still have 60Hz displays.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September 2025.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17

After a busy October in which Apple announced new Macs and Apple Intelligence launched, the calendar has now turned to November. Below, we outline what to expect from Apple this month as the slower-but-still-busy holiday season approaches.

imac video apple feature
After seeding the first betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 with additional Apple Intelligence features last month, Apple will likely release other software betas, such as watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, and HomePod Software 18.2 in November. Public betas should begin rolling out this month too.

tvOS 18.2 should add some of the remaining tvOS 18 features that Apple promised were coming to the Apple TV later this year, such as support for ultra-wide 21:9 projectors, screen savers for Snoopy and other Apple TV+ content, and more.

Snoopy Screen Saver Apple TVThe upcoming Snoopy screen saver for the Apple TV

visionOS 2.2 is expected to introduce an ultra-wide version of the Mac Virtual Display feature on the Vision Pro headset. Apple said this will be equivalent to two physical 4K displays sitting side by side on a desk. After this rolls out, Mac Virtual Display will be available in three sizes: Normal, Wide, and Ultrawide. The overall feature debuted as part of visionOS 1, allowing the Vision Pro to be used as an external display for a Mac.

visionOS 2 Ultra Wide Mac Virtual DisplayvisionOS 2.2 should add an ultrawide mode to Mac Virtual Display on Apple Vision Pro

Apple will likely expand availability of the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas to older iPhones and iPads that lack Apple Intelligence support this month too, with a later beta version. Apple confirmed that iOS 18.2 will be released in December, and that means the other updates should be released then too.

final cut pro captionsAn upcoming Final Cut Pro update will add auto-captions and more

An update to Final Cut Pro that Apple teased earlier this year should be available this month. Apple said Final Cut Pro will gain support for spatial video editing on the Mac, built-in caption generation for videos, and more, and the update will likely arrive on Wednesday, November 13, the first day of the annual Final Cut Pro Creative Summit.

As for hardware, the new iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models with M4 series chips will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on Friday, November 8. And the Vision Pro launches in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates on Friday, November 15, nine months after the headset launched in the United States.

Last, the second season of hit Apple TV+ sci-fi series "Silo" begins on Friday, November 15.

Of course, these are only the things that we know to expect, and Apple could have some other announcements in store this November. It's typically the month that Apple announces its extended return policy for the holiday season, announces year-end awards for services like Apple Music and the App Store, and more. Plenty to come, still!

Apple this week refreshed the MacBook Pro with its latest Apple silicon chips, but what exactly do the latest machines bring to the table and is it worth upgrading from the previous generations?

M4 MacBook Pros Thumb
The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 chip starts at $1,599, replacing the previous M3 model as the entry-level machine in Apple's pro notebook lineup. Equipped with the higher-end M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, the 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ starts at $1,999 and the 16-inch model starts at $2,499.

Upon the launch of the latest models, previous-generation ‌MacBook Pro‌ models have been discontinued and are no longer available from Apple's main storefront. Units of slightly older machines such as the 2023 models may, however, still be available via Apple's refurbished store and third-party retailers for significantly reduced prices. Buying a second-hand model is also an option.

First-time ‌MacBook Pro‌‌ customers or those upgrading from a much older device may be wondering whether it is worth buying a 2021 or 2023, so it will be important to weigh up exactly what was added with the latest version. Likewise, existing users of the 2021 or 2023 MacBook Pros may be wondering if it is worth upgrading to the latest model or sticking with their current device.

See the detailed breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with the late 2024's ‌14- and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models compared to their predecessors:

‌MacBook Pro‌
(14- and 16-inch, 2021)
‌MacBook Pro‌
(14- and 16-inch, early 2023)
‌MacBook Pro‌
(late 2023)
‌MacBook Pro‌
(late 2024)
M1 Pro
M1 Max
M2 Pro
‌M2‌ Max
M3
M3 Pro
M3 Max
M4
M4 Pro
M4 Max
5nm node (N5)
Based on A14 Bionic chip from iPhone 12 (2020)
Enhanced 5nm node (N5P)
Based on A15 Bionic chip from ‌iPhone‌ 13 (2021)
3nm node (N3B)
Based on A17 Pro chip from iPhone 15 Pro (2023)
Enhanced ‌3nm‌ node (N3E)
Based on A18 chip from iPhone 16 (2024)
3.20 GHz CPU clock speed 3.49 GHz CPU clock speed 4.05 GHz CPU clock speed M4: 4.4 GHz CPU clock speed
M4 Pro and M4 Max: 4.5 GHz CPU clock speed
M1 Pro: Up to 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores
M1 Max: 10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores
M2 Pro: Up to 12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
M2 Max: 12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
M3: 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
M3 Pro: Up to 12-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
M3 Max: Up to 16-core CPU with 12 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
M4: 10 CPU cores with 4 performance and 6 efficiency cores
M4 Pro: Up to 14 CPU cores with 10 performance and 4 efficiency cores
M4 Max: Up to 16 CPU cores with 12 performance and 4 efficiency cores
M1 Pro: Up to 16-core GPU
M1 Max: Up to 32-core GPU
M2 Pro: Up to 19-core GPU
M2 Max: Up to 38-core GPU
M3: 10-core GPU
M3 Pro: Up to 18-core GPU
M3 Max: Up to 40-core GPU
M4: 10-core GPU
M4 Pro: Up to 20-core GPU
M4 Max: Up to 40-core GPU
Updated GPU architecture Updated GPU architecture with improved efficiency
Dynamic Caching Dynamic Caching
Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Hardware-accelerated mesh shading Hardware-accelerated mesh shading
Neural Engine 40% faster Neural Engine 15% faster Neural Engine Neural Engine
Video decode engine Higher-bandwidth video decode engine Same video decode engine as M2-generation Same video decode engine as M2-generation
Support for AV1 decode Support for AV1 decode
LPDDR4X memory LPDDR5 memory LPDDR5 memory LPDDR5X memory
M1 Pro: 200GB/s memory bandwidth
M1 Max: 400GB/s memory bandwidth
M2 Pro: 200GB/s memory bandwidth
M2 Max: 400GB/s memory bandwidth
M3: 100GB/s memory bandwidth
M3 Pro: 150GB/s memory bandwidth
M3 Max: 300GB/s or 400GB/s memory bandwidth
M4: 120GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Pro: 273GB/s memory bandwidth
M4 Max: 546GB/s memory bandwidth
M1 Pro: 16GB or 32GB unified memory
M1 Max: 32GB or 64GB unified memory
M2 Pro: 16GB or 32GB unified memory
M2 Max: 32GB, 64GB, or 96GB unified memory
M3: 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB unified memory
M3 Pro: 18GB or 36GB unified memory
M3 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, 96GB, 128GB unified memory
M4: 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory
M4 Pro: 24GB or 48GB unified memory
M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB unified memory
16-core Neural Engine, 11 trillion operations per second 16-core Neural Engine, 15.8 trillion operations per second 16-core Neural Engine, 18 trillion operations per second 16-core Neural Engine, 38 trillion operations per second
M1 Pro: Support for up to two external displays
M1 Max: Support for up to four external displays
M2 Pro: Support for up to two external displays
M2 Max: Support for up to four external displays
M3: Support for one external display
M3 Pro: Support for up to two external displays
M3 Max: Support for up to four external displays
M4 or M4 Pro: Support for two external displays
M4 Max: Support for up to four external displays
High-Power Mode available on 16-inch model with ‌M1 Max‌ only High-Power Mode available on 16-inch model with ‌M2‌ Max only High-Power Mode available on any model with M3 Max High-Power Mode available on any model with M4 Max
500 nits max SDR brightness 500 nits max SDR brightness 600 nits max SDR brightness 1,000 nits max SDR brightness
Nano-texture display option
Dedicated display engine
1080p FaceTime HD camera 1080p ‌FaceTime‌ HD camera 1080p ‌FaceTime‌ HD camera 12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View
Image signal processor (ISP) Advanced image signal processor (ISP) with computational video Advanced image signal processor (ISP) with computational video Advanced image signal processor (ISP) with computational video
Wi‑Fi 6 Wi‑Fi 6E Wi‑Fi 6E Wi‑Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3
Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports M3: Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
M3 Pro or M3 Max: Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
M4: Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
M4 Pro or M4 Max: Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
HDMI 2.0 port HDMI 2.1 port HDMI 2.1 port HDMI 2.1 port
14-Inch: Integrated 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
16-Inch: Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
14-Inch: Integrated 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
16-Inch: Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
M3 14-Inch: Integrated 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
M3 Pro or M3 Max 14-Inch: Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
16-Inch: Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
14-Inch: Integrated 72.4-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
16-Inch: Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
14-Inch: 17-hour battery life
16-Inch: 21-hour battery life
14-Inch: 18-hour battery life
16-Inch: 22-hour battery life
M3 14-Inch: 22-hour battery life
M3 Pro or M3 Max 14-Inch: 18-hour battery life
16-Inch: 22-hour battery life
M4 14-Inch or M3 Pro 16-Inch: 24-hour battery life
M3 Pro 14-Inch: 22-hour battery life
M3 Max 14-Inch: 18-hour battery life
M3 Max 16-Inch: 21-hour battery life
Fast charging on 14-inch (MagSafe 3 and USB-C) and 16-inch model (‌MagSafe‌ 3 only) Fast charging on 14-inch (‌MagSafe‌ 3 and USB-C) and 16-inch model (‌MagSafe‌ 3 only) Fast charging on 14-inch (‌MagSafe‌ 3 and USB-C) and 16-inch model (‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C via 240W cable) Fast charging on 14-inch (‌MagSafe‌ 3 and USB-C) and 16-inch model (‌MagSafe‌ 3 or USB-C via 240W cable)
Available in Space Gray and Silver Available in Space Gray and Silver M3: Available in Space Gray and Silver
M3 Pro or M3 Max: Available in Space Black and Silver
Available in Space Black and Silver

The latest ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are a relatively significant update over their predecessors, offering more new features and capabilities than either of the 2023 refreshes, including Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage and Desk View, and a nano-texture display option.

The late 2023 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are relatively minor improvements over their direct predecessors that primarily focus on performance improvements. Beyond their chips, the early 2023 ‌MacBook Pro‌ introduced support for Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and HDMI 2.1, and added an extra hour of battery life. The late 2023 ‌MacBook Pro‌ added an extra 100 nits of SDR brightness, AV1 decode, and a Space Black color option. Accumulatively, this made for quite a small upgrade for existing users of the 2021 ‌MacBook Pro‌.

Choosing which 14- or 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ model to buy ultimately comes down to what level of performance you require. For example, the M4 series of chips feature a significantly more powerful Neural Engine, which may be an attractive upgrade for some users, but it is far from essential for the vast majority. Generally, unless you need peak performance for demanding professional workflows, it will not be worth upgrading from a 2023 ‌MacBook Pro‌ to a 2024 model, or from an early 2023 machine to a late 2023 model. Only those who need absolute peak performance with the M4 Max chip will really benefit.

For those who have not yet made the leap to an Apple silicon machine, the 2023 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are still very good options if you can get them for a significantly lower price. It is only worth paying more to get the latest model if you want a future-proof device to keep for the long term, where better performance, Thunderbolt 5, battery life, and AI capabilities are likely to be more beneficial through successive software updates and as connectivity needs with other devices evolve. Even then, it is difficult to recommend buying a late 2024 ‌MacBook Pro‌ at full price over an equivalent, heavily discounted 2023 model.

The 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M4 chip effectively replaces the previous 13- and 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, which featured the M1 chip in 2020 and the M3 chip in 2023, adding 16GB of memory as standard, longer battery life, and an additional Thunderbolt port. For users of older ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, the new low-cost 14-inch model represents a relatively significant upgrade. Given the improvements to Apple silicon over recent years, with redesigned GPUs, improved connectivity and external display support, and more, some ‌M1 Pro‌ and ‌M1 Max‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ users may be considering an upgrade. While the ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are still highly capable machines, there are now just enough accumulative upgrades with the latest models that some users may find upgrading worthwhile.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Apple has reached an agreement to acquire Pixelmator, the company behind popular photo and image editing apps Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, according to an announcement made by the Pixelmator team on Friday.

pixelmator
Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, Pixelmator has developed a suite of well-regarded creative tools that compete with Adobe's offerings while maintaining a focus on ease of use and performance. The company's apps have been exclusively available on Apple's platforms, including Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

In their announcement, the Pixelmator team expressed enthusiasm about joining Apple, noting that they've been "inspired by Apple since day one" and have aimed to craft their products with a similar focus on design and user experience. The team believes the acquisition will help them reach a broader audience and increase their impact on creative professionals worldwide.

For current Pixelmator users, the company stated there will be "no material changes" to their existing apps at this time, though they teased "exciting updates to come." Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The deal marks Apple's latest investment in professional creative tools, following previous acquisitions in the space such as Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro.

We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 29 in 2024. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more.

best early black friday dealsNote: 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.

Specifically, in this article we're sharing all of the Apple products that currently have all-time low prices, or discounts that are at least very close to their record-low prices. Of course, these are early Black Friday deals, so even better discounts could emerge later in the month, but if you're shopping right now these are all the best prices around.

Best Early Deals

AirPods

airpods early black friday

Starting with AirPods, you'll find a wide selection of solid deals across the AirPods lineup on Amazon this week. This includes a $70 discount on the popular AirPods Pro 2 at $179.00, as well as all-time low prices on the AirPods 4.



iPad mini 7

ipad mini 7 early black friday

Amazon this week introduced the first major discounts on Apple's new iPad mini. All of the deals on the iPad mini 7 require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.


iPad

ipad early black friday

You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi 9th generation iPad for $199.99 in both colors, down from $329.00. This is a match of the record low price on this version of the 2021 tablet.

Moving to the newer models, Amazon has the 64GB Wi-Fi 10th generation iPad for $297.00, down from $349.00. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $444.00, down from $499.00. Both of these represent all-time low prices on each tablet.

Cellular models are also seeing all-time low prices right now. The 64GB Cellular 10th generation iPad has hit $449.00 ($50 off), while the 256GB Cellular model is available for $598.00 ($51 off).

M2 iPad Air

ipad air early black friday

Amazon today has a big selection of discounts on Apple's M2 iPad Air, with savings of about $100 across nearly every model. Only Amazon is offering these deals right now, and you'll find early November delivery dates for most of the tablets.

11-inch iPad Air

13-inch iPad Air

M2 MacBook Air

macbook air early black friday

Although a few years old at this point, Amazon has a steep discount on the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air this week. You can get the 256GB model for $699.99 with an on-page coupon, down from $999.00. This is a match of the record low price on this computer.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.

M3 MacBook Pro

macbook pro early black friday

Apple just launched the new M4 MacBook Pro, which means you can find great deals on previous generation models this season. This includes all-time low prices on the 512GB and 1TB models of the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro.


Apple Watch

apple watch early black friday

Series 10

There are a few different discounts across the Apple Watch Series 10 right now, with the best priced at $359.28 for the Rose Gold Aluminum model with Plum Sport Loop. Additionally, you can find a few of the other colors within just a few dollars of this deal price on Amazon right now.

Secondly, the 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 has hit $392.00 in Rose Gold Aluminum with Light Blush Sport Band, down from $429.00. Similar to the smaller model, you'll find a few other models on sale at just a few dollars higher if you'd prefer a different color.

Ultra 2

Amazon has further discounted the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black this week. You can get a few models of the Black Titanium watch for $726.89, down from $799.00. This beats the sale price we previously tracked by about $2, and marks a new all-time low price for the Black Apple Watch Ultra 2.

SE

Apple's 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE is available for $189.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is a solid second-best price on the wearable. This deal is available in all three aluminum color options, and only Amazon has the discount.


You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE on sale right now, available for $219.00 on Amazon, down from $279.00. This is another second-best price on the Apple Watch SE.

Apple Pencil

apple pencil early black friday

You can get the Apple Pencil Pro for $92.99, down from $129.00. This is just $2 higher compared to the record low Prime Day price we saw last month. Amazon also has the USB-C Apple Pencil available for $69.00, down from $79.00.


Magic Keyboard

magic keyboard early black friday

Moving to the new 2024 Magic Keyboards, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $249.99, down from $299.00. This is a new all-time low price on this version of the accessory, and it beats the previous deal price by about $10.

Amazon also has the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard on sale, available for $259.99 in White, down from $349.00. This is another record low price on the Magic Keyboard.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.


MagSafe Charger

magsafe charger early black friday

This week, you can get the 1-meter MagSafe Charger for $27.00, down from $39.00, and the 2-meter model for $35.00, down from $49.00.


AirTag

airtag early black friday

Amazon has both the AirTag 1 Pack and 4 Pack on sale this week at solid second-best prices. You can get the 1 Pack for $24.99 and the 4 Pack for $73.99.


We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about top deals as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundups: Apple Black Friday, Apple Deals
Related Forum: Community Discussion

Jon Prosser joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through all of Apple's major Mac announcements from this week.


Over the first three days of the week, Apple unveiled the new iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. The chips offer significantly better CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine performance, improved efficiency, higher amounts of unified memory, and more.

The new ‌iMac‌ features USB-C Magic accessories and a refreshed palette of color options. The new ‌Mac mini‌ has been completely redesigned for the first time in over a decade with a radically smaller enclosure and two front-facing USB-C ports. Finally, the new ‌MacBook Pro‌ has a bolstered base model, longer battery life, and a brighter display.

The new ‌iMac‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ gain a nano-texture display option and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage and Desk View for the first time. Models with the M4 Pro or M4 Max support Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and almost all of the new Macs feature better external display support. All of Apple's Macs now start with 16GB of unified memory as standard, including the MacBook Air, with no increase in price.

See more of Jon's work over on his YouTube channel FrontPageTech or the Genius Bar podcast. The MacRumors Show also has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the first beta version of iOS 18.2 – a significant update that continues the rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

Apple's new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are impressively fast in terms of CPU performance, topping the M2 Ultra, but what about graphics performance?

M3 Pro Max vs M4 Pro Max Feature
The first Geekbench 6 results for GPU performance are now available for the M4 Pro and M4 Max, and the Metal scores reveal some impressive year-over-year gains. Based on the Metal scores that are available so far, the M4 Pro and M4 Max are up to around 40% and 25% faster for graphics than the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, respectively.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro with the highest-end M4 Max with a 40-core GPU has up to 85% as fast graphics as the Mac Studio with the highest-end M2 Ultra chip with a 76-core GPU, despite having 36 fewer GPU cores, according to the results.

Here is a comparison of the average Metal scores:

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, Mac mini
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, Mac mini