MacBook Pro Reviews: One 'Astonishing' Upgrade Beyond M5 Pro and M5 Max
The first reviews of the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max chips were published today by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the laptops launching on Wednesday. In addition to the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the new MacBook Pro models offer up to twice as fast SSD speeds compared to the previous generation, and storage now starts at 1TB. Battery life has increased slightly on all of the new models, and the N1 chip extends to the MacBook Pro now for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. Geekbench 6 benchmark results already surfaced for the M5 Pro and M5 Max last week. In line with Apple's advertised figures, the chips offer up to approximately 15% faster CPU performance and up to approximately 20% faster GPU performance compared to the previous-generation M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. Mac Model Multi-Core CPU Score MacBook Pro (M5 Pro and M5 Max)28,500 to 29,500 Mac Studio (M3 Ultra)27,726 MacBook Pro (M4 Max)25,702 MacBook Pro (M4 Pro)22,490 Mac Studio (M2 Ultra)21,410 MacBook Pro (M3 Max)20,960 Mac Studio (M1 Ultra)18,434 MacBook Air (M5)17,073 MacBook Pro (M3 Pro)15,260 MacBook Pro (M2 Max)14,740 MacBook Air (M4)14,731 MacBook Pro (M2 Pro)14,451 MacBook Pro (M1 Max)12,345 MacBook Pro (M1 Pro)12,345 MacBook Air (M3)12,020 MacBook Air (M2)9,709 MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)8,668 MacBook Air (M1)8,342 The Verge said the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Max and a 4TB SSD sustained a 13.6 GB/s read speed and a 17.8 GB/s write speed, which is an 86% and 123% increase for read and write speeds respectively compared to the equivalent previous model. This is roughly in line with Apple advertising up to twice as fast SSD speeds. Tom's Guide's Tony Polanco said the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro lasted an "astonishing" 21 hours and 10 minutes in a battery life test that involved "continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the laptop's display set to 150 nits of brightness." The previous M4 Pro model lasted 20 hours and 46 minutes in the same test. Additional reviews were published by CNET, Gizmodo, Macworld, and Six Colors, among others. Keep in mind that the MacBook Pro is rumored to receive a major redesign in either late 2026 or 2027. Key new features expected include an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process, a thinner design, and potentially even built-in cellular connectivity. However, it has been rumored that this might be a new highest-end model called the "MacBook Ultra." Video Reviews Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Studio Display XDR Reviews: 'Great Improvement' Over Pro Display XDR, Some Shortcomings Compared to OLED
With the Studio Display and ‌Studio Display‌ XDR set to launch on Wednesday, members of the media have started publishing their reviews of the new display options. According to The Verge, the ‌Studio Display‌ is the same panel as the prior model, but with an upgraded camera, speakers, and ports. The brightness is the same, and there appear to be no other changes to the display quality. The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is the much more exciting update, because it is a replacement for the $5,000 Pro Display XDR. The Verge says that the display is a "great improvement" over the prior model due to the mini-LED backlight, though at this cost, it's only ideal for pros because there are more affordable options for general use. Images and text are "crisp and clear," with minimal light bleed thanks to dimming control, though light bleed is worse than with OLED technology, and viewing angles aren't as wide. Presets are accurate, and the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR was able to maintain up to 2,000 nits peak brightness. It's "very bright at a normal desk sitting distance." The built-in speakers are loud enough for listening to music, watching videos, and taking calls, and the 12-megapixel camera provides clear video. YouTuber Marques Brownlee said the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is "better in every single way" than the Pro Display XDR because it's brighter with improved contrast and less blooming, plus it has an extra Thunderbolt port. Since the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR has a 120Hz refresh rate, it pairs better with the MacBook Pro that has the same refresh rate. "This is about as good as it gets" for a display to use with a ‌MacBook Pro‌. Brownlee said that Apple doesn't appear to be targeting professionals with the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR since it's a small market, with the display serving as more of a mixed use product. There are no displays to compare the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR with because no companies make 27-inch 5K mini-LED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. PetaPixel said the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR's build quality is "phenomenal," but the site wasn't a fan of the integrated power cable, the sharp edges on the stand, or the thick bezels around the display. The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR was color accurate across presets at all brightness levels, but the display was only able to get gamut coverage up to 86 percent with Adobe RGB profiles. PetaPixel also saw some "slightly higher than acceptable contrast deviation" at the upper right corner of the XDR, but most human eyes won't be able to see a difference. HDR content looked spectacular with no "stutter or judder" and limited haloing, but contrast and black levels did not measure up to OLED because mini-LED is still LED. PetaPixel pointed out that few companies are making displays that are super bright, HDR compatible, extremely color accurate, and with Thunderbolt 5 support. The closest match is the Asus ProArt OLED display. Other reviews are below: The ‌Studio Display‌ and ‌Studio Display‌ XDR launch on Wednesday. Pricing on the ‌Studio Display‌ starts at $1,599, while pricing on the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR starts at $3,299.Related Roundup: Studio DisplayTag: OLEDBuyer's Guide: Displays (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac AccessoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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'Apple: The First 50 Years' Book Available Tomorrow
Tech columnist David Pogue's new book Apple: The First 50 Years will be available in hardcover and digital formats starting this Tuesday, March 10. In time for Apple's 50th anniversary on April 1, the 608-page book explores the first five decades of the company's history. Pogue interviewed 150 key people who shaped Apple into what it is today, including the company's co-founder Steve Wozniak, former CEO John Sculley, former design chief Jony Ive, and others. While many aspects of Apple's history are well documented, the book's official description promises "new facts that correct the record":In time for Apple's 50th anniversary, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the iconic company's entire life story: how it was born, nearly died, was born again under Steve Jobs, and became, under CEO Tim Cook, the most valuable company in the world. The book features full-color photos, new facts that correct the record and illuminate its subversive culture, and fresh interviews with the legendary figures who shaped Apple into what it is today.Pogue is a CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, and he spent many years writing about Apple and technology for The New York Times and Macworld. An excerpt from his book, focused on the late Steve Jobs, is available on the CBS News website. Pogue has been on a media tour to promote his new book, so there are lots of interviews and excerpts coming out. He recently sat down for an extended interview with Apple's CEO Tim Cook, and he made an appearance on CBS Mornings today. Pogue will also be interviewing Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller on March 18 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas. Apple was officially founded on April 1, 1976. The company has yet to announce any plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a public-facing manner, but it will likely mark the occasion in some way over the coming weeks. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment.Tag: David PogueThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Likely Won't Launch Until New Siri is Ready
Apple has a new version of the HomePod and a new Apple TV 4K ready to go, but the devices may be tied to the Siri update that's been continually postponed, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report on a planned September launch for new ‌Siri‌ capabilities and the home hub that's reliant on the revamped version of ‌Siri‌, Gurman says the updated ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod‌ are both linked to "new artificial intelligence features." We've been hearing rumors about a new HomePod mini and a refreshed ‌Apple TV‌ 4K since 2024. Gurman said several times in 2025 that Apple was aiming for a launch before the end of the year, but no new Apple TV or HomePod materialized. We also didn't hear a word about the devices at Apple's early 2026 launch event last week, which saw the introduction of the iPhone 17e, MacBook Neo, and more. At this point, it seems like Apple may not introduce the new ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and ‌HomePod‌ until the new version of ‌Siri‌ is ready. Apple was planning to debut the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌ in iOS 26.4, but the revamp has been pushed back because ‌Siri‌ still isn't working reliably. Apple is now aiming to launch all of the new ‌Siri‌ features in iOS 27 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, though it's possible we could see some of the capabilities before September as part of an iOS 26.5 update. Gurman's wording today mentions a "‌HomePod‌" rather than a ‌HomePod mini‌ specifically, but in past reports, he has claimed that Apple has a new version of the ‌HomePod mini‌ ready to go. It's not clear if the larger ‌HomePod‌ is also getting refreshed, or if Apple is only planning to update its smaller speaker. The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K hasn't been refreshed since 2022. Rumors suggest that it will get an A17 Pro chip and Apple's N1 networking chip, but no major design updates. The A17 Pro chip is capable of supporting ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, and it was previously used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini. The ‌HomePod mini‌ is expected to get a newer Apple Watch chip and it could also adopt the N1 and an updated UWB chip.Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod, HomePod miniTag: SiriBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), HomePod (Neutral), HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Smart Home Hub Won't Launch Until September as Siri Remains Unfinished
Apple is postponing the launch of its planned smart home hub until September 2026, reports Bloomberg. Apple has pushed back the debut of the home hub multiple times due to ongoing issues with the revamped version of Siri. The hub has a heavy AI focus and it is tied to the more intelligent ‌Siri‌ that Apple has in the works. Prior to realizing the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌ would not be ready until 2026, Apple planned to launch the home hub in spring 2025. After it became clear ‌Siri‌ would need to be delayed, Apple then aimed for a spring 2026 launch for the home hub because it planned to release ‌Siri‌ in iOS 26.4. ‌Siri‌ is not present in the iOS 26.4 beta because the new version is still not ready, so Apple is now going to hold the home hub until September. Apple is reportedly experiencing issues with ‌Siri‌ accuracy and it hasn't managed to get all of the promised ‌Siri‌ features working reliably. A September launch timeline suggests we are not going to see new ‌Siri‌ capabilities until iOS 27, as September is when iOS 27 will come out. Apple has promised that the new version of ‌Siri‌ will launch in 2026, and as long as it debuts before December, Apple won't miss the timeline that it gave to the public. The smart home hub has apparently been finished and ready to launch for several months, but it can't be released without the ‌Siri‌ update. The device is similar in design to an iPad, but with a 7-inch square display. It can be attached to a wall or used with a speaker base, and there is a camera for facial recognition. The hub can tell when people are in the room and when someone walks up to it, and it will offer content specific to each person in the home. Apple designed it to be an AI hub for controlling smart home products, making calls, viewing apps like Calendar and Reminders, and much more. It is meant to be similar to the Amazon Echo Show, which is an Alexa-enabled speaker with a display. Apple's home hub does not include its own App Store, but it does run Apple apps. It will feature round app icons that are arranged similarly to apps on the Apple Watch, and it will run a version of tvOS 27. Apple first showed off the new version of ‌Siri‌ in June 2024, and planned to launch the features in iOS 18.4. ‌Siri‌ capabilities include personalization, onscreen awareness, and the ability for ‌Siri‌ to do more in and between apps, as well as image generation using Image Playground and a web search feature that summarizes information from web results. The ‌Apple Intelligence‌ ‌Siri‌ updates were meant to be followed by an iOS 27 update that turns ‌Siri‌ into a ChatGPT-style chatbot, but now it seems like all of the new features could come at once in iOS 27. Apple is planning to revamp ‌Siri‌ to make it look and feel more like a chatbot.Tags: Apple Command Center, SiriThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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MacBook Neo Wallpapers Now Available for All Macs in macOS Tahoe 26.4 Beta
The colorful new wallpapers that Apple introduced with the MacBook Neo are available for all Macs in the fourth beta of macOS Tahoe 26.4 that came out for developers today. Featuring bubble-style lines with colorful gradients, the wallpapers come in Mac Purple, Mac Blue, Mac Pink, and Mac Yellow. The design and the colors spell out the word "Mac." Beta testers can use the new wallpapers by opening up the System Settings app, going to the Wallpaper option, and scrolling down to the Pictures section. Apple typically makes all of the wallpapers that it designs for Mac marketing images available to all Macs, so the new Neo wallpapers join wallpapers created for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and other machines. Today's ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 update also adds new emoji characters, like trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, and landslide. The fourth beta of ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 is limited to developers, but it should soon be released for public beta testers as well. The update is expected to launch this spring.Related Roundups: MacBook Neo, macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Latest iOS 26.4 Beta Adds New Emoji Characters
The fourth iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 betas that Apple provided to developers today introduce nine new emoji characters. Trombone Treasure Chest Distorted Face Hairy Creature (aka Bigfoot or Sasquatch) Fight Cloud Orca Landslide There are also new skin tone modifiers people wrestling and dancers with bunny ears, as well as a gender neutral option for the ballet dancer emoji. The emoji characters are part of the Unicode 17 update that the Unicode Consortium previewed in fall 2025. It often takes Apple several months to implement new emoji characters because new art needs to be drawn for each one. Updated emoji are often added to Apple devices in the spring, typically in .4 software updates. Apple last added new emoji characters in iOS 18.4, introducing bags under eyes face, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter. Next year, in iOS 27, we could get a squinting face emoji, a monarch butterfly, left- and right-pointing thumb gestures, a pickle, a lighthouse, a meteor, an eraser, a net with a handle.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 Betas
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality. tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the ‌Apple TV‌ app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output. visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency. Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, watchOS 26Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Vision Pro, Apple WatchThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Fourth macOS Tahoe 26.4 Beta Now Available for Developers
Apple today provided the fourth beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the third beta. Developers can download the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 adds a new Charge Limit feature so Mac users can select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 to 100 percent. Apple also brought back the Compact tab layout in Safari for those who missed the option in earlier versions of ‌macOS Tahoe‌. Apple silicon Macs who are running apps that still rely on Rosetta will see warnings about the upcoming end of support for Rosetta. After ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 27, Apple will phase out Rosetta support, and all apps will need to be updated before that time. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 will be released to the public in the spring after several weeks of beta testing.Related Roundup: macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds Fourth Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers
Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple provided the third betas to developers. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the ‌iPhone‌ and the ‌iPad‌. A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork. Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions. Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS, which will eventually bring full encryption to text conversations between Android and ‌iPhone‌ users. Apple is testing ‌RCS‌ with iPhone-to-iPhone conversations and iPhone-to-Android conversations. Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Has Apparently Already Finalized iPhone 18e
Apple has already finalized plans for next year's entry-level "iPhone 18e" model, according to a known leaker. According to a new post from the Weibo user known as "Fixed Focus Digital," Apple has now locked in plans for the ‌iPhone‌ 18e. This is despite the fact that the iPhone 17e hasn't yet launched. The ‌iPhone 17e‌ features the A19 chip, Apple's C1X modem, MagSafe, and 256GB of base storage. Little is known about the ‌iPhone‌ 18e's features at this stage, but the A20 chip seems highly likely. The Dynamic Island is also a potential feature since it was rumored for the iPhone 17e and many such features seem to trickle down to Apple's entry-level devices over time. The ‌iPhone‌ 18e is rumored to launch alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 in the spring of 2027. The ‌iPhone 17e‌ launches later this week.Related Roundup: iPhone 17eTags: Fixed Focus Digital, iPhoneBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17e (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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MacBook Neo's AppleCare+ Repair Fees Are Lower Than All Other Macs
The new MacBook Neo has a breakthrough starting price of just $599, and AppleCare+ repair fees for the laptop are lower than all other Macs too. AppleCare+ for the MacBook Neo can be purchased for $139 upfront, or customers can opt to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year indefinitely. In the U.S., there is also AppleCare One, which lets you protect multiple Apple products from $19.99 per month. For a MacBook Neo with AppleCare+ coverage, repair fees are as follows: Battery replacement: $0 Screen damage: $49 External enclosure damage: $49 Other accidental damage: $149For all other Macs with AppleCare+ coverage, most of the repair fees are higher: Battery replacement: $0 Screen damage: $99 External enclosure damage: $99 Other accidental damage: $299 All prices listed in this article are in U.S. dollars. Apple began accepting MacBook Neo pre-orders last week, and the laptop launches Wednesday.Related Roundup: MacBook NeoTag: AppleCareThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Studio Display Gets First Pre-Order Discounts at Up to $300 Off
Amazon today has introduced the first big pre-order discounts on the brand new Apple Studio Display lineup, with up to $300 off these monitors. The Studio Display deals join pre-order discounts on M4 iPad Air, MacBook Neo, and more on Amazon and other retailers. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. There are three models of the 2026 Studio Display on sale right now, including two Nano-texture glass models and one Standard Glass model. The biggest discount is on the Nano-texture Glass Studio Display with Tilt- and Height-Adjustable Stand for $1,999.00, down from $2,299.00. $50 OFFApple Studio Display (Nano-texture/Tilt) for $1,849.00 $50 OFFApple Studio Display (Standard/Tilt and Height) for $1,949.00 $300 OFFApple Studio Display (Nano-texture/Tilt and Height) for $1,999.00 The Studio Display is a 27-inch monitor with a 5K Retina LCD display, built-in camera, speaker system, and microphone array. 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. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iPhone 17e Reviews: Two Key Upgrades
The first reviews of the iPhone 17e were published today by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the device launching on Wednesday. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gained Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, and Apple's second-generation C1X cellular modem. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at the same $599 as the iPhone 16e did, but it has a doubled 256GB of base storage. The Verge's Allison Johnson recommended that customers purchase the standard iPhone 17 for an extra $200 over the iPhone 17e, if they can afford to. The standard iPhone 17 has been very popular, and it offers some features the iPhone 17e lacks, including a 120Hz ProMotion display, a Dynamic Island, and an extra Ultra Wide rear camera. If you do opt for the iPhone 17e, though, MagSafe and the 256GB of base storage are the two key upgrades over the iPhone 16e. CNN Underscored's Mike Andronico called MagSafe a "huge" addition:While the iPhone 17e looks and feels just like last year's model, there's one huge change under the hood: MagSafe support. Apple's latest entry level phone works with the wide ecosystem of magnetic accessories out there, including MagSafe wallets, MagSafe battery packs and MagSafe charging stands. It's been so nice being able to plop my iPhone 17e on my Belkin Boost Charge stand while I'm at my desk and snap on my Baseus PicoGo battery pack when I'm on the go, two major conveniences I often have to give up when testing a cheaper phone. MagSafe allows for twice the wireless charging speed at 15W versus 7.5W, and while Google just joined the party with its similar PixelSnap tech, you won't find that feature on the new $500 Google Pixel 10a.Google's budget Pixel 10a smartphone lacks an equivalent MagSafe feature. iPhone 17e benchmarks already surfaced last week, revealing that the device's A19 chip is up to 15% faster than the iPhone 16e's A18 chip and unsurprisingly on par with the standard iPhone 17. In other words, performance is totally fine. iPhone 17e features Apple's latest C1X modem for cellular connectivity. Apple says the C1X is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e. On AT&T's network in New Jersey, PCMag's Eric Zeman said the iPhone 17e achieved a peak download speed of 419 Mbps, but he did not test any other devices for comparison. In a study published in September, Ookla said the iPhone 16e achieved a median download speed of 169 Mbps on AT&T, so it seems like twice-as-fast 5G is roughly accurate. CNET, Engadget, and WIRED also shared iPhone 17e reviews, among others. Video Reviews Related Roundup: iPhone 17eTag: iPhoneBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17e (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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M4 iPad Air Reviews: Faster Chip, Familiar Design
The first reviews of the iPad Air with the M4 chip have been shared by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the device launching this Wednesday. The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, 12GB of memory, the N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity, and Apple's C1X modem on cellular models. Everything else remains unchanged compared to last year's M3 model. M3 vs. M4 iPad Air Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared Many of the reviews noted the small, iterative nature of the M4 ‌iPad Air‌ over last year's M3 model, with many features like the design, 60Hz Liquid Retina display, and Touch ID button lingering unchanged since 2020. Tom's Guide said: I wouldn't go so far to say that the Air's design has calcified, but if you go back several generations, you'll see little has changed from year to year. The M4 Air has the same design as the Air Apple released back in 2020. To be sure, it's a great look — thin, light, and a nice slim bezel all the way around. The main upgrade is the move to the M4 chip, which reviewers agreed is noticeably faster than last year's M3 model, even if it doesn't dramatically change what can be achieved with the device. Now powered by an M4 chip, the iPad Air is modestly faster than last year's iPad Air M3. On our benchmark tests, it scored appreciably faster, both in single- and multicore, as well as in frame rate tests. The most notable difference you'll see is if you go back a couple of generations; the M4 iPad scored nearly two times higher than the M1 Air on our Geekbench test. Mashable highlighted the new chip's better optimization for AI tasks: I tried to test its AI capabilities using apps like Final Cut Pro's auto-captions, Voice Memo's transcription features, and CollaNote's AI image generation. Even with WiFi and cellular data turned off, these processes happened almost instantly, and without any big mistakes. In CollaNote, the popular note-taking app, you can use the Magic Pen to circle a doodle and turn it into an actual graphic. Record a note or interview with Voice Memos, and you'll get an accurate transcription at the push of a button. In Pixelmator, you can upscale images and remove backgrounds from photos practically instantly. I also feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of what you can do with the iPad Air's Neural Engine, particularly when it comes to utilizing Apple Shortcuts and open-source models. Gizmodo noted that while the new ‌iPad Air‌ benefits from the M4 chip, it still falls short of the version of the M4 used in other devices like the MacBook Air: The iPad Air isn't powered by the same M4 chip in the M4 MacBook Air. The tablet chip is a binned version, meaning it contains fewer cores than the maxed-out 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple configured the M4 iPad Air version with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. In practice, you won't see quite the same performance as you would on the M4 MacBook Air. It's also slower for more graphically demanding tasks, like 3D modeling. What may be helping the M4 iPad Air get a leg up is the upgrade to 12GB of unified memory. That's 4GB more than the M3 iPad Air. This will necessarily increase speeds for when you have multiple apps open at once. It will also boost overall performance. Reviewers also looked at the new connectivity chips in the device, noting solid performance with no perceptible drawbacks to moving to Apple's custom hardware. Engadget writes: The other main change is Apple's in-house networking chips are on board here. The N1 covers Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C1X handles cellular connectivity if you buy a 5G-capable model. Again, this doesn't change the experience of using the iPad Air in any major way, but having the newest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth protocols on board is good for future usage, regardless of who built the chip. In my testing, the C1X on Verizon's 5G network was extremely fast around the suburbs of Boston and didn't seem any slower (or any faster) than other devices I have running on the same carrier. That's fine, as other Apple devices I've tried with the C1X (like the iPad Pro) are solid and reliable, which is the most important thing. Video Reviews Related Roundup: iPad Air Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Anker's New Prime 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station Hits Record Low on Amazon, Plus More Anker Deals
Last month, Anker debuted its new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with a launch discount on Amazon. This deal has gotten even better today, with the accessory marked down to $115.99, down from $149.99, and no need for a coupon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device. $34 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $115.99 There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including the Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock back at its all-time low price of $339.99, down from $399.99. Anker's popular 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube is also down to a new all-time low price of $83.68 with an on-page coupon, down from $129.99. $60 OFFAnker Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock for $339.99 Wall Chargers Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99 6-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $79.99, down from $109.99 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $64.99, down from $99.99 14-in-1 Prime Thunderbolt 5 Dock - $339.99, down from $399.99 Wireless Chargers Qi2 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charger 2-Pack - $25.97, down from $39.99 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Station - $85.49, down from $109.99 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $83.68 with on-page coupon, down from $129.99 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station (NEW) - $115.99, down from $149.99 Portable Chargers Prime Power Bank 20,100 mAh - $149.99, down from $179.99 SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $169.99, down from $249.00 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $428.99, down from $799.00 SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.99, down from $1,499.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Tim Cook Says Two Things Matter Most at Apple Ahead of Company's 50th Anniversary
CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue interviewed Apple's CEO Tim Cook ahead of the company's 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026. In the interview, Cook revealed the two things that are "essential" to Apple: people and culture. "Yes, we have a lot of intellectual property and so forth, and that is important, but it's people that create that intellectual property," said Cook. "It's the culture that creates the innovation with the intellectual property." "I think it's very difficult to replicate culture," added Cook. "It takes a long time, because you have to hire the right people. And then those people have to hire the right people, and you have to build a complete organization." That culture then has to be sustained as life changes and technology evolves, he said. Cook concluded that Apple is a "party of one." "I think Apple is such a unique place, it's not possible to replicate it," he said. "I know a lot of different companies, and I think Apple is just in a party of one." Pogue is the author of the new book Apple: The First 50 Years, set to be released this Tuesday. From the book's official description:In time for Apple's 50th anniversary, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the iconic company's entire life story: how it was born, nearly died, was born again under Steve Jobs, and became, under CEO Tim Cook, the most valuable company in the world. The book features full-color photos, new facts that correct the record and illuminate its subversive culture, and fresh interviews with the legendary figures who shaped Apple into what it is today.An excerpt from the book, focused on Steve Jobs and Apple's "Think Different" campaign, is available on the CBS News website.Tag: Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Planning 'MacBook Ultra' With Touchscreen and Higher Price
Apple is planning to launch an all-new "MacBook Ultra" model this year, featuring an OLED display, touchscreen, and a higher price point, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Gurman revealed the information in his latest "Power On" newsletter. While Apple has been widely expected to launch new M6-series MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, touchscreen functionality, and a new, thinner design in the fourth quarter of 2026 for some time, Gurman today turned that rumor on its head with the suggestion that this is an all-new kind of MacBook rather than a ‌MacBook Pro‌. Instead of succeeding the newly announced M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, the "MacBook Ultra" will be a new, top-tier Apple laptop. Gurman added that the device is likely to sit above the current M5 MacBook Pros, rather than replace them, suggesting that they will remain on sale. This would enable a markedly higher price point for the new machines. Gurman noted that when Apple brought OLED displays to the iPhone X in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024, it simultaneously raised price by around 20%. As a result, Gurman believes a similar price increase on account of the MacBook's first ever OLED display may be likely and help move the ‌MacBook Pro‌ further upmarket. Gurman says that this fits into a broader trend at Apple, where the company is seeking to offer more models at more price points, such as the new MacBook Neo at an unprecedented $599 price point to rival low-cost Windows and Chromebook devices. The same is occurring at the high-end, with more premium options available than ever before. That is set to continue this year with the first foldable ‌iPhone‌, featuring a ~$2,000 price tag, large inner display, and under-display sensors, and new AirPods priced above the current AirPods Pro at the top of the lineup with computer-vision cameras to feed Visual Intelligence data to Siri. Gurman even suggested that these products may be called the "iPhone Ultra" and "AirPods Ultra." While the name "MacBook Ultra" is uncertain, Gurman is clearly no longer referring to the device as a ‌MacBook Pro‌, instead referring to it as "the touch-screen and OLED high-end MacBook." He cautioned that Apple "could keep the traditional ‌MacBook Pro‌ name," but a MacBook Ultra moniker would "more clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup." Gurman expects the device to launch around the end of the year. Related Roundup: MacBook ProTags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman, OLEDBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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MacBook Neo 2 Could Feature Touchscreen
Apple's second-generation MacBook Neo will launch in 2027 and could feature a touchscreen, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple this week announced the ‌MacBook Neo‌, an all-new entry-level Apple laptop that starts at $599, with education pricing at $499. The ‌‌MacBook Neo‌‌ is designed to compete with lower-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks, while expanding the Mac lineup with a substantially more affordable option. Unlike every other Apple silicon Mac, the ‌‌MacBook Neo‌‌ is powered by the A18 Pro chip originally developed for the iPhone 16 Pro. The machine features a colorful rounded design, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with uniform iPad-style bezels rather than a notch, a color-matched Magic Keyboard, a mechanical trackpad, two USB-C ports, 8GB of memory, a headphone jack, a 1080p camera, dual mics, dual speakers with Spatial Audio, and a 16-hour battery life. In a report shared last year, Apple analyst ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌ correctly said that the ‌MacBook Neo‌ would enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, but would not feature a touchscreen. In the same report, he revealed some insights into the second-generation version of the device. Crucially, Kuo said that the second-generation ‌MacBook Neo‌ may feature a touchscreen. Apple's first touchscreen Mac is expected to launch later this year in the form of a new, high-end MacBook Pro with an OLED display and a new design. The device is specifically said to incorporate a touch panel that uses on-cell touch technology. On-cell touch technology integrates the touch sensors directly into the display panel's top layer (the "cell") rather than requiring a separate, dedicated touch layer, to reduce thickness. Following the launch of this device and the adoption of touch support in macOS 27, it would make sense for other MacBooks with the feature to follow. Many other laptops from HP, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS that now rival the ‌MacBook Neo‌ already feature touchscreens. As of September 2025, specifications for the second-generation ‌MacBook Neo‌ were still under discussion, according to Kuo. A faster chip such as the A19 Pro is highly likely. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested that Apple may expand "Neo" branding to other low-cost devices such as the Apple Watch SE, making it the "Apple Watch Neo."Related Roundup: MacBook NeoTags: Mark Gurman, Ming-Chi KuoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Hoping to 3D-Print More Products
Apple is hoping to 3D-print aluminum device enclosures in the future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is pushing to move to 3D-printed aluminum enclosures for for future devices. The MacBook Neo relies on a new aluminum manufacturing process that saves as much metal as possible to drive down costs and speed up production. 3D-printing aluminum enclosures would similarly enable Apple to save material and increase efficiency. The process is likely to come to the Apple Watch first, and potentially the iPhone at a later date. The process is a follow-up to Apple's 3D-printed titanium technique, which debuted with the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Apple's manufacturing design and operations departments are collaborating on the project. Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3Tags: Bloomberg, Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral), Apple Watch SE (Buy Now)Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Network Performance Issues in Jakarta
Mar 20, 11:21 UTCIdentified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented.Mar 20, 11:09 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with Network Performance for customers in the Jakarta areaWe are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.

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KIX (Osaka) on 2026-03-24
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 16:00 - 23:00 UTCMar 20, 07:42 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in KIX (Osaka) datacenter on 2026-03-24 between 16:00 and 23:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 13:50 - 18:00 PDTMar 20, 00:02 PDTScheduled - The Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 24 March 2026 at 13:50 PDT until 24 March 2026 at 18:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Sotovaja Svjaz MOTIV Russia handsets.

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United States MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Apr 2, 01:00 - 04:00 PDTMar 19, 16:41 PDTScheduled - Our MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 02 April 2026 at 01:00 PDT until 02 April 2026 at 04:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering MMS to and from T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon United States handsets via United States short codes.

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Latency in System Metrics
Mar 19, 15:52 PDTInvestigating - We are investigating a processing delay affecting system metrics. We are working on a fix and will update you shortly.

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United States SMS and MMS Carrier Maintenance – T-Mobile
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 25, 20:00 PDT  -  Mar 26, 04:00 PDTMar 19, 15:21 PDTScheduled - The T-Mobile network in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 March 2026 at 20:00 PDT until 26 March 2026 at 04:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS and MMS to and from T-Mobile United States handsets when sending via long codes and short codes.

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Functions & Assets API – maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 27, 00:00 - 08:00 PDTMar 19, 10:21 PDTScheduled - We're conducting a planned maintenance starting in IE1, between 12:00 am and 8:00 am Pacific Time 03/27/2026. During the maintenance window, the Functions & Assets APIs may return 5xx errors for about 1 minute during the window. Our engineering team will actively monitor system performance throughout and after the maintenance to ensure stable operations.

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Functions & Assets API – maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 26, 00:00 - 08:00 PDTMar 19, 10:21 PDTScheduled - We're conducting a planned maintenance starting in AU1, between 12:00 am and 8:00 am Pacific Time 03/26/2026. During the maintenance window, the Functions & Assets APIs may return 5xx errors for about 1 minute during the window. Our engineering team will actively monitor system performance throughout and after the maintenance to ensure stable operations.

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Cloudflare Pages API is seeing increased error rate.
Mar 19, 15:57 UTCResolved - This incident has been resolved.Mar 19, 15:54 UTCInvestigating - This affects the Workers & Pages section in the Cloudflare Dashboard, as well as Workers Builds. Deployed Workers and Pages projects are unaffected

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United Kingdom SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 24, 14:30 - 23:00 PDTMar 19, 08:00 PDTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in the United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 24 March 2026 at 14:30 PDT until 24 March 2026 at 23:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from United Kingdom handsets.

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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Three
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 22, 15:30 - 17:30 PDTMar 19, 07:47 PDTScheduled - Our carrier partner Three United Kingdom is conducting an emergency maintenance from 22 March 2026 at 15:30 PDT until 22 March 2026 at 17:30 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Three United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Verify Silent Network Auth, Lookup Identity Match, Lookup SIM Swap, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes

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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 22, 14:00 PDT  -  Mar 23, 00:00 PDTMar 19, 06:12 PDTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 March 2026 at 14:00 PDT until 23 March 2026 at 00:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Lookup Identity Match, Lookup SIM Swap, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes

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Increased HTTP 530 Errors in Atlanta (ATL)
Mar 19, 11:36 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an increased rate of HTTP 530 errors specifically affecting traffic routed through our Atlanta (ATL) data center. We are working to identify the root cause and will provide updates as they become available.

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Network Performance Issues in Mumbai, India
Mar 19, 08:43 UTCMonitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results.Mar 19, 08:37 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating network performance issues that may impact a subset of users in Mumbai, India. Some users may experience increased latency or intermittent errors. We are actively working to mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.

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LHR (London) on 2026-03-26
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 26, 23:30 UTC  -  Mar 27, 06:00 UTCMar 19, 03:29 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LHR (London) datacenter between 2026-03-26 23:30 and 2026-03-27 06:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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