New MacWhisper CLI lets users automate AI transcriptions from the Terminal
Command-line interfaces are having a moment, and the great MacWhisper transcription app is here for it. MacWhisper CLI has arrived, giving Mac users a new way to run AI transcription workflows from the Terminal. more…

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Anker’s 4-in-1 charge-anywhere kit is a massive 55% off—grab it all for just $45
Macworld Anker 4-in-1 Charging Kit View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); Sometimes, you need an all-in-one kit that will get you charging things at home, in the car, or anywhere else you might be. This Anker 4-in-1 kit is a jaw-dropping 55 percent off at Woot right now, which brings the price down to $45. I don’t know about you, but something’s always charging in my car, be it the phone I forgot to plug in overnight, my watch, or the kid’s gadgets. Well, this kit comes with an amazing 67W car charger that features a USB-A port and not one, but two USB-C ports. That’s absolutely amazing, as everyone in the car will get to recharge things in an emergency. There’s also a 45W USB-C wall charger in this pack, enough power to fast-charge your iPhone, your iPad, AirPods, and even fill up your MacBook Air. What else is there in this kit? Well, two USB-C cables. One of them is a shorter 3ft cable that will serve you well when charging things at your desk, for instance, and a longer 6ft model that will definitely reach the back seat when you’re traveling. This versatile combo eliminates the need to purchase separate adapters or cables, and at $45, it’s such a smart purchase! Grab this deal sooner rather than later because Woot deals aren’t here for a long time. Since Woot is an Amazon company, your Prime Free Shipping perk will apply here, too.

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Future MacBook notch may get replaced with removable cameras on a rotating screen
The FaceTime camera on a MacBook Pro is famously not as good as one on an iPhone, but research shows Apple keeps working on it and may have decided that the answer involves mounting larger cameras on a rotating display.The notch could be replaced by a protruding camera — but one which could also be repositionedMaybe you don't give the camera notch on the MacBook Pro a second thought. But even if you do and you loathe it, and you believe it's taking up screen real estate, the one thing you can't say is that it is thick.It's quite wide, wide enough that you wonder why it doesn't include Face ID yet. But it doesn't add to the thickness of the MacBook Pro lid, and presumably it's this thinness that limits how good a camera system Apple can fit in there. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Savings APY hits record low of 3.50% in first 2026 cut
Apple Card users are seeing returns shrink once more as Apple Savings lowers its APY following continued rate pressure from the Federal Reserve.Apple Savings sees yet another APY decreaseOn Thursday, Apple advised customers of a 0.15% annual percentage yield (APY) decrease on Apple Savings accounts. Before this drop, the Apple Savings APY was 3.65%, a rate set in May 2025.This decrease affects all Apple Savings customers. It comes after the Federal Reserve reduced its rates in December 2025. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Music exec said the thing about lossless audio that we were all thinking
Apple vice president Oliver Schusser, who leads Apple Music, was recently interviewed by Billboard and had some interesting things to share about Apple Music, lossless audio, and more. more…

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Apple Maps brings Miami F1 Grand Prix to life with stunning 3D experience
Racing fans will get 3D Apple Maps for the Miami F1 Grand Prix starting May 3 -- and similar immersive content for upcoming F1 races. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple investors barely blinked after Tim Cook was nudged out – and many seem positively thrilled
Apple dropped the news after market close on April 20, 2026: After 15 years as CEO, Tim Cook would step down effective September 1st… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Best places to buy a refurbished iPhone and where to get the best deals
Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be if you shop in the right places. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable and trusted source for second-hand iPhones. The latest Apple iPhone is the iPhone 17 series (17e, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max in that price order), but you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 16/15/14/13 series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 16 model, but has discontinued the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older the iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. You can also save money in some stores by selecting a phone with visible signs of use. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Know what you need? Quick links to trusted refurbished iPhone sellers Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (US) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (UK) Music Magpie iPhone deals (UK) Why buy a refurbished phone? Refurbished phones are much cheaper than new ones, and you can still buy a premium model. Shop from a one of a reputable store and you can trust that the refurbished phone has undergone professional testing and quality control before being sold, and should come with a warranty for peace of mind. Buying refurbished is also kinder on the environment as reducing electronic waste means less unnecessary landfill. Trusted retailers ensure that the iPhone has been fully data wiped and factory reset. Battery life must be a minimum of 80%. Start with your budget and see which model you can afford. You might be able to be a later iPhone if you don’t mind it having some visible signs of use, or you may prefer to own an earlier model that’s pristine. Buy from a trustworthy source where you get a warranty. Which older iPhones are still worth buying? It really isn’t worth buying any iPhone older than the series 12 as before then none included Apple’s MagSafe wireless-charging technology, instead relying on painfully slow Qi. And we’d start with at least the iPhone 13 as it had a much better battery life than the 12, and the 12 will lose Apple software support in 2027. The iPhone 13 should ensure at least two more years of iOS updates. The best older iPhones worth buying are the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. The 16 and 16 Pro are great but the 15 will be cheaper and has the same USB-C charging port as the 16 and 17 and so helps you consolidate on charging cables with your other Apple devices. The iPhone 14 series should still represent excellent value with a lot of the latest features, and look at the iPhone 13 Pro for a balance of premium features on the tightest budget. For smaller iPhones, the compact iPhone 13 mini remains a top choice, while the 13-14 series provides the best balance of price and performance if you don’t mind sticking with the Lightning connector rather than move up to USB-C.  Refurbished iPhone quality You can save money buying a trusted refurbished iPhone from Apple’s Refurbished Store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. Except for the Apple Refurbished Store, where all refurbished iPhones are top quality, the prices listed below from BackMarket are rated as Fair (“Visible signs of use”), but Good (“Light signs of use”), Excellent (“Almost no signs of use”) and Premium (“Almost signs of use” and “Best quality”) are also available for a bit extra. The Amazon Renewed Store rates its refurbished iPhones as either Acceptable (“Scratches visible”), Good (“Light scratches”), Premium or Excellent (“No signs of cosmetic damage”). If you don’t mind a few scratches you will save the most money, but for higher-quality it is often worth paying the extra for the fewest visible marks. That’s where Apple Refurbished Store comes out tops, but also at the highest prices. Best Refurbished iPhone deals We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Prices below: Stock as of 04/23/26—can change day by day, including different iPhone models available. Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $699 (save up to $170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $759 (save up to $210) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $526 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $541 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $605 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $791 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $569 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $569 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $529 (save up to $140) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $619 (save up to $160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $679 (save up to $300) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $849 (save up to $310) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $386 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $495 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $564 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, from $408 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $519 Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.K. Stock as of 04/23/26, can change day by day. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £589 (save up to £160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £669 (save up to £170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £779 (save up to £220) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £949 (save up to £240) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £480 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £504 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £580 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £621 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-256GB, from £465 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £712 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £599 (save up to £150) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £679 (save up to £320) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £849 (save up to £330) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from £310 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £356 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £388 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £445 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, £555 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, £555 Apple They’re the links to the most recent iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 series on the refurb store but see the main links at the top of this article to see all the current refurbished deals from iPhone 13 and later. You can find more of the best deals on iPhone handsets in our main feature. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max but that may well be different when you visit. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Take careful note of the phone’s quality rating as the cheapest will have more visible signs of wear (stratches and scuffs) than the more expensive Excellent and Premium buys. Premium-quality iPhones also have the highest-rated batteries and only Apple parts. Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within a year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. See above for more details on Back Market’s quality rankings. Music Magpie: A good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones with a one-year warranty. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones, with a one-year Return to Base warranty. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good or Great. 90-day warranty. AT&T – 14-day return and 90-day warranty. T-Mobile – 20-day return and 90-day warranty. UK carriers GiffGaff – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good, Excellent or Like New. 12-month warranty. Mobiles.co.uk – phones are rated as either Good (Grade C), Very Good (Grade B) or Excellent (Grade A). 12-month warranty. O2 Like New – call all its refurbished phones Like New. 12-month warranty. Vodafone – phones are rated as either Good, Great, or Pristine. 14-day return and lifetime warranty. Carphone Warehouse – phones are rated as either Good or Excellent. 12-month warranty. Fonehouse  Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Many of the iPhones on eBay will second-hand, direct from owners so won’t be properly refurbished, quality-checked or come with a warranty. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new.  The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing or even disingenuous.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device.  Pay attention to refurbished warranties  Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac

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Best places to buy a refurbished iPhone and where to get the best deals
Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be if you shop in the right places. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable and trusted source for second-hand iPhones. The latest Apple iPhone is the iPhone 17 series (17e, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max in that price order), but you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 16/15/14/13 series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 16 model, but has discontinued the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older the iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. You can also save money in some stores by selecting a phone with visible signs of use. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Know what you need? Quick links to trusted refurbished iPhone sellers Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (US) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (UK) Music Magpie iPhone deals (UK) Why buy a refurbished phone? Refurbished phones are much cheaper than new ones, and you can still buy a premium model. Shop from a one of a reputable store and you can trust that the refurbished phone has undergone professional testing and quality control before being sold, and should come with a warranty for peace of mind. Buying refurbished is also kinder on the environment as reducing electronic waste means less unnecessary landfill. Trusted retailers ensure that the iPhone has been fully data wiped and factory reset. Battery life must be a minimum of 80%. Start with your budget and see which model you can afford. You might be able to be a later iPhone if you don’t mind it having some visible signs of use, or you may prefer to own an earlier model that’s pristine. Buy from a trustworthy source where you get a warranty. Which older iPhones are still worth buying? It really isn’t worth buying any iPhone older than the series 12 as before then none included Apple’s MagSafe wireless-charging technology, instead relying on painfully slow Qi. And we’d start with at least the iPhone 13 as it had a much better battery life than the 12, and the 12 will lose Apple software support in 2027. The iPhone 13 should ensure at least two more years of iOS updates. The best older iPhones worth buying are the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. The 16 and 16 Pro are great but the 15 will be cheaper and has the same USB-C charging port as the 16 and 17 and so helps you consolidate on charging cables with your other Apple devices. The iPhone 14 series should still represent excellent value with a lot of the latest features, and look at the iPhone 13 Pro for a balance of premium features on the tightest budget. For smaller iPhones, the compact iPhone 13 mini remains a top choice, while the 13-14 series provides the best balance of price and performance if you don’t mind sticking with the Lightning connector rather than move up to USB-C.  Refurbished iPhone quality You can save money buying a trusted refurbished iPhone from Apple’s Refurbished Store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. Except for the Apple Refurbished Store, where all refurbished iPhones are top quality, the prices listed below from BackMarket are rated as Fair (“Visible signs of use”), but Good (“Light signs of use”), Excellent (“Almost no signs of use”) and Premium (“Almost signs of use” and “Best quality”) are also available for a bit extra. The Amazon Renewed Store rates its refurbished iPhones as either Acceptable (“Scratches visible”), Good (“Light scratches”), Premium or Excellent (“No signs of cosmetic damage”). If you don’t mind a few scratches you will save the most money, but for higher-quality it is often worth paying the extra for the fewest visible marks. That’s where Apple Refurbished Store comes out tops, but also at the highest prices. Best Refurbished iPhone deals We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Prices below: Stock as of 04/23/26—can change day by day, including different iPhone models available. Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $699 (save up to $170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $759 (save up to $210) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $526 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $541 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $605 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $791 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $569 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $569 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $529 (save up to $140) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $619 (save up to $160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $679 (save up to $300) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $849 (save up to $310) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $386 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $495 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $564 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, from $408 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $519 Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.K. Stock as of 04/23/26, can change day by day. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £589 (save up to £160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £669 (save up to £170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £779 (save up to £220) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £949 (save up to £240) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £480 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £504 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £580 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £621 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-256GB, from £465 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £712 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £599 (save up to £150) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £679 (save up to £320) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £849 (save up to £330) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from £310 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £356 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £388 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £445 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, £555 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, £555 Apple They’re the links to the most recent iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 series on the refurb store but see the main links at the top of this article to see all the current refurbished deals from iPhone 13 and later. You can find more of the best deals on iPhone handsets in our main feature. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max but that may well be different when you visit. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Take careful note of the phone’s quality rating as the cheapest will have more visible signs of wear (stratches and scuffs) than the more expensive Excellent and Premium buys. Premium-quality iPhones also have the highest-rated batteries and only Apple parts. Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within a year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. See above for more details on Back Market’s quality rankings. Music Magpie: A good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones with a one-year warranty. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones, with a one-year Return to Base warranty. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good or Great. 90-day warranty. AT&T – 14-day return and 90-day warranty. T-Mobile – 20-day return and 90-day warranty. UK carriers GiffGaff – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good, Excellent or Like New. 12-month warranty. Mobiles.co.uk – phones are rated as either Good (Grade C), Very Good (Grade B) or Excellent (Grade A). 12-month warranty. O2 Like New – call all its refurbished phones Like New. 12-month warranty. Vodafone – phones are rated as either Good, Great, or Pristine. 14-day return and lifetime warranty. Carphone Warehouse – phones are rated as either Good or Excellent. 12-month warranty. Fonehouse  Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Many of the iPhones on eBay will second-hand, direct from owners so won’t be properly refurbished, quality-checked or come with a warranty. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new.  The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing or even disingenuous.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device.  Pay attention to refurbished warranties  Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac

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New Apple TV space-race thriller series is coming soon, trailer here
Star City is a new space-race thriller series coming to Apple TV next month, and the full trailer has just dropped. more…

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Here’s one thing John Ternus must not screw up as Apple CEO
There's a critical mistake John Ternus must avoid to ensure Apple's continued success in the tech industry. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Tim Cook regrets 2012 Apple Maps launch, hails Apple Watch as proudest achievement
In an internal Apple town hall meeting held shortly after the announcement of his planned departure as CEO, Tim Cook addressed employees… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Hands-on: Satechi’s ChargeView brings real-time power monitoring to your tech
Last year’s charger trend was the built-in retractable cable. It seemed like overnight, every charger had one. But now, there seems to be a new growing trend in the charging market: diagnostic displays. I have seen more and more chargers add small LED or LCD displays to show simple stats like charging speeds. The nerd in me absolutely loves this. The fact that I no longer need a separate tool to test out charging speed claims has been great. The latest charger to join this trend is Satechi’s new ChargeView 140W charger. It does what you expect from a high-end desk charger, like charge up to four devices via USB-C, and it, of course, adds a display, but it does much more than just give you the charging speed. Here is what you should know! more…

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John Ternus’ promotion to Apple CEO may have claimed its first casualty
Macworld Following this week’s surprise announcement that Tim Cook will step down from his role as Apple CEO in September, analysts are busy working out all the ramifications. Most obviously the Cook-shaped gap at the top of the company will be filled by a promoted John Ternus, but that in turn will lead to a succession of other changes, including both promotions and departures. One senior member of staff who is weighing up his options, according to a report this week, is Mike Rockwell. In an article for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman warns that the new CEO faces an “exodus of top talent” and names Rockwell as one key employee who has been considering either leaving the company entirely or moving into an advisory role. (Such roles can be a fig leaf for departures which could spook the shareholders, as seems to have been the case with Jony Ive.) In both cases, the change would reportedly take place next year. Rockwell became known to Apple fans through his supervisory work on Vision Pro. While it was something of a commercial flop, the success of this project (at least from a logistical and technical point of view), coupled with Siri’s ongoing failures, meant Rockwell was then tasked with improving Apple’s troubled voice assistant, an assignment that has conspicuously not been achieved at the time of writing. According to Gurman, however, the magnitude of this task is not what has prompted Rockwell to think about leaving. Rather, the issue is about the new structure of Apple under Ternus, and Rockwell’s ability to advance within that. “He has had reservations about reporting to his new boss, software chief Craig Federighi,” Gurman explains, “and desires a larger role.” He doesn’t doubt his ability to fulfil the responsibilities currently assigned to him. He wants more of them. Ternus doesn’t take up the CEO mantle until the fall, which leaves plenty of time for him to convince Rockwell of the merits of his vision for Apple. He may not even know yet how he wants to structure and run the company, although by all accounts, this is a transition that’s been in the works for some time. It’s also possible that Rockwell’s ambivalence about staying is a negotiating position intended to leverage his importance to the Siri project into a better role and job title. We’ll find out more later in the year, but Gurman feels it’s unlikely Rockwell will leave before the Siri revamp is complete. Cook and Ternus will hope that’s true. But one thing’s for sure: Cook’s announcement is sure to spur some changes to key roles at Apple this year. John Ternus just has to ensure that acceptable churn doesn’t turn into a succession crisis.

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Adobe Positions Itself as the AI Control Layer for CX
Adobe is targeting the AI control layer for customer experience, linking creative tools, data, and workflows as enterprises face scaling challenges. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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iPhone 18 Pro Max camera thicker, iPhone Ultra dummy unit compared to iPad mini
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to be thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max due to increased depth around the camera plateau. YouTuber Vadir Yuryev behind the Max Tech channel shared numbers based on iPhone 18 Pro Max dummy units. Yuryev also compares an iPhone Ultra dummy unit to iPhone 17 Pro Max. more…

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How Apple protects designs & marketing materials before a product launch
Apple goes to great lengths to ensure that its pre-release artwork doesn't leak ahead of launch. Here's why those efforts are usually successful.Apple goes to great lengths to protect its artwork.Box art and marketing materials for an unannounced iPhone or iPad rarely reach the general public, thanks to Apple's strict security protocols.The company has a comprehensive set of requirements in place for its own employees, third-party personnel, and for the areas where design work is conducted. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Maps was Tim Cook's biggest mistake
Speaking to employees, outgoing CEO Tim Cook talked about his time leading Apple, citing both the successes he is most proud of, and admitting to the one main failure.Screenshot of an unfortunately typical Apple Maps failure in its early daysAs announced, Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus held an Apple Town Hall meeting for employees on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. It was specifically to answer questions about the handover to Ternus, but Cook also addressed his own time as CEO.According to Bloomberg, Cook described the 2012 launch of Apple Maps as his "first big mistake" after taking over from Steve Jobs. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Longtime leaker gives a peek behind the curtain of Apple rumor reporting
Macworld Believe us when we here at Macworld tell you that there is very little actual news from Apple Park each month. The news that you see on a more frequent basis is usually part of the rumor mill, a leak from Apple of a product or technology that hasn’t been released yet. Apple rumors are a huge business and a regular part of Apple culture. Filipe Esposito has established himself as a journalist who regularly and reliably reports on leaked Apple information. His first discovery was made by digging into iOS code and discovering that Apple was building 4K/60 fps video recording into the iPhone X, a big deal in 2017. Most recently, Esposito reported on the colors for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. On this week’s Macworld podcast, Esposito had a wide-ranging discussion with Macworld’s Michael Simon and Jason Cross about reporting on Apple leaks: working with sources, verifying information, getting it right (or wrong), dealing with Apple’s ire, and much more. Check out the clip to find out more–the interview was part of a longer episode of the latest Macworld Podcast.

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How I’m taking much better photos with my iPhone
Macworld For years, the iPhone has been my go-to camera. It’s fast, reliable, and consistently delivers good results in most situations, which makes it much more convenient than carrying a DSLR around. But over time, I started to notice something frustrating: my photos looked less natural and more like something a computer thought would look good. The problem here isn’t the hardware, but everything that happens after you press the shutter button. As phones get smarter, the companies that makes them are using more technology to post-process images and make them look “better.” But sometimes the result is far from ideal, which led me to look for alternatives to take photos that actually look like photographs. If you’re an iPhone user who isn’t a fan of the default camera app’s image processing, here’s how I’ve been taking much better photos with the help of a few apps and even some built-in tools available on iOS. The problem with iPhone photos today Essentially, photography is all about light. The more light you have, the better the photo will look. But smartphones have significantly smaller lenses and sensors than regular cameras, so companies have to use some tricks to make the photos look brighter and less grainy. The solution is something we know as computational photography, and modern iPhones rely heavily on it. Features like Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and Apple’s Photonic Engine combine multiple exposures, adjust tones, boost brightness, and sharpen details, all in the name of improving image quality. And to be fair, this works most of the time. You get a bright, detailed, ready-to-share photo. But as this processing becomes too excessive, some photos end up looking completely unrealistic. Highlights are often pushed too far. Shadows are lifted to the point where contrast disappears. Skin tones can look off. And perhaps most noticeable of all, there’s an aggressive level of sharpening that gives photos an almost crunchy texture. Unedited photo shot with the iPhone’s Camera app. Everything looks unnaturally sharp and oversaturated.Foundry It’s not uncommon to see people online claiming that photos taken with older iPhones look more natural than those taken with newer models. In particular, I’ve noticed that Apple’s post-processing techniques have become more aggressive since the iPhone 13 Pro. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t let users turn off all that image processing in the iPhone’s native Camera app. Even shooting in ProRAW still involves a significant amount of computational photography. You get more flexibility, but not necessarily a more natural photo. Where third-party apps come in For users like me who have been unhappy with the iPhone’s built-in Camera app, there are plenty of other photo apps with manual controls available on the App Store. One app of note is Halide, one of whose developers was recently hired by Apple. Halide has a feature called Process Zero, and it has become one of my all-time favorites. Instead of stacking multiple exposures and applying Apple’s entire imaging pipeline, Process Zero captures a single frame with minimal intervention. No Smart HDR. No Deep Fusion. No aggressive sharpening. Foundry At first glance, photos taken with Process Zero don’t stand out as much as typical iPhone photos usually do. They’re flatter, grainier, sometimes darker, and definitely less vibrant. But they look more like a photo you’d take with a good old analog camera. Highlights behave the way you expect. Bright skies can actually blow out instead of being artificially toned down. Shadows stay dark instead of being lifted into a gray haze. Colors are more restrained and more accurate. And most importantly, textures look more natural. Skin doesn’t have that over-sharpened, processed look. Fine details aren’t exaggerated. Foundry One unexpected benefit of shooting this way is how much more enjoyable editing becomes. Instead of worrying about correcting the iPhone’s decisions, I now edit a neutral image to give it the look I want. Personally, I love using the Darkroom app to edit Process Zero photos. Process Zero photos can be edited with greater precision without drastically modifying the overall look of the image.Foundry There are other iOS apps that also let users take photos with no processing, such as Zerocam and Moment. Make older iPhones feel new again One thing I’ve learned since I started taking photos with no post-processing is that this technique can also breathe new life into an older iPhone, or even an iPad. Here’s an example of a Process Zero photo I took with an iPhone 11 Pro Max, compared to a photo from the Camera app. You can see that the sensor is still quite capable of taking good photos without all that unnecessary post-processing. Foundry If you take a closer look at the details, you can see how the image from the Camera app is unnaturally sharp. Foundry You can actually take some great photos with your iPad (just don’t be that person who takes photos with an iPad at a concert or event). Without heavy processing getting in the way, the results are surprisingly usable. Foundry Yes, there are some trade-offs Of course, there are some trade-offs when you choose to take photos with zero processing using third-party apps. Photos taken in low-light conditions will look extremely grainy and the dynamic range is more limited. In addition, you lose features like Live Photos. For those who just want to snap a quick photo to share, the default Camera app is still much more convenient. Apple’s processing exists for a reason. It makes photography effortless for most people. But if you care about how your photos actually look, those trade-offs start to feel unacceptable. An option in between If you don’t want to buy a third-party app for taking photos or still want some computational photography features, there’s an alternative in between. If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or later, you can try taking HEIF photos at 48 megapixels. This will make the iPhone save your photo with slightly less compression and processing at the sensor’s full resolution, while still preserving features like HDR. Foundry To do this, open the Camera app on your iPhone and tap the “HEIF 12” button in the upper-left corner of the screen. Change the settings to the HEIF 48MP option. This feature is only available on iPhones with a 48-megapixel camera (such as the 14 Pro, or the 15 and later). A better way to use the iPhone camera For me, switching away from Apple’s default image processing completely changed how I use the iPhone camera. I take fewer photos, but I care more about each one. Instead of relying on the iPhone to fix everything, I pay more attention to light and composition. Things that actually make a good photo. And when it comes time to edit, I’m working with an image that feels natural. The iPhone still has one of the best camera systems in any smartphone. But if you’re not happy with how your photos look lately, the answer might not be upgrading your hardware. Instead, you should try a new way of taking photos using different software.

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How Apple solved the RAM crisis before it even arrived
Macworld Over the decades, the evolution of computers has been easy to follow: They’ve become steadily more powerful to keep pace with the need for more advanced applications. We’ve seen computers equipped with faster processors, more storage, and, most of all, more RAM. This trend has accelerated even further recently, with companies pushing on-device AI capabilities into their devices, and Apple is no exception. However, the increasing demand for RAM is having another effect on the market. While once plentiful and affordable, RAM is more expensive than ever, and it’s becoming harder to get, even at exorbitant prices. But instead of dealing with constraints by upping prices, Apple is showing the industry how its years-long effort to control every component inside its devices has given it a unique advantage over every other PC maker, evidence no clearer than the recent launch of the MacBook Neo. The importance of RAM in today’s world First, let’s take a closer look at why RAM or memory is so important. Essentially, RAM is a type of short-term memory with ultra-fast speeds, much faster than SSDs. When you open an app on your phone or laptop, it’s stored in RAM to ensure that the processor can handle it more quickly as you continue to use it. That’s why, generally speaking, having more RAM means your devices can run faster, enabling more apps and tasks to operate at the same time without slowing down. As such, RAM has also become extremely important for artificial intelligence. Since RAM is much faster than internal storage, devices also store AI parameters in RAM for quicker access. In other words, the more and faster the RAM, the greater the device’s ability to handle AI tasks locally. That’s why AI companies have been buying up as much DDR5 RAM, the same that’s used in Apple devices, as they can for their servers. It’s also why we’ve seen consumer desktops and laptops gaining more RAM in recent years, including Apple, which only recently increased the base RAM for Macs to 16GB and the iPhone and iPad to 8GB. The AI boom has put more pressure on chips to increase RAM limits.Apple More RAM isn’t a viable option anymore For years, the strategy of adding more hardware resources to handle software demands was a simple solution to complexity. But as modern workloads have become increasingly memory-intensive in recent years, suppliers have been unable to keep up with demand. As a result, RAM has become much more expensive, and PC makers have been forced to shift their strategy. The situation became so dire that Apple had to discontinue the highest-end Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM, while other versions with higher amounts of RAM are also facing significant shortages. And it’s hard not to conclude that the timing of the Mac Pro’s discontinuation wasn’t tied to the RAM crisis as well. The RAM crunch has also been affecting the 16GB Mac mini, which is currently sold out at the Apple Store and unavailable at Amazon. Higher-end models with more memory are severely constrained as well. This situation would (and has) put tech companies in a bind. They need better hardware to meet the growing demand for AI tasks, but there simply isn’t any more RAM on the market. Fortunately for Apple, it had already found the solution years before. Apple chips were made for a RAM-scarce world In theory, there’s no way to simply replace RAM with something else. However, Apple has found the next best thing: a way to optimize both its hardware and software to run smoothly even on devices with the bare minimum of RAM. When Apple introduced the first Mac with the M1 chip, it wasn’t a mere swap from Intel to its own chips, but also a radical change to how its computers work. That’s because Apple silicon chips are classified as a system on a chip, which means key components, including the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, SSD, and even the RAM, are all on the same pool, sharing the same resources. And that makes a big difference in everyday use. The M-series chips have a complete package right on the chip.Apple Thanks to the SoC’s unified memory, all components can quickly access the same data without having to copy it between different modules. This drastically reduces latency and improves performance when running resource-intensive tasks without needing loads of additional memory. At the same time, Apple leverages its hardware and software integration to further optimize memory usage. For instance, macOS features a very aggressive memory compression system that significantly reduces the amount of RAM used by inactive apps running in the background. The chips also utilize something called “memory swapping.” Admittedly, this isn’t a term Apple invented, but nowhere else is it used so seamlessly thanks to the way Apple silicon chips are designed. If your Mac runs out of RAM, the system can temporarily store memory data directly on the SSD. Because both the RAM and the SSD are connected to the same SoC, data transfer is nearly instantaneous, allowing the computer to run smoothly even when you’re using all available RAM. When it comes to AI, the built-in Neural Engine also helps macOS process machine learning parameters and tasks, freeing up RAM. Essentially, this makes a Mac with 8GB of RAM feel like it has twice that. While pro users will still need more, which Apple happily sells, the MacBook Neo proves once and for all that for everyday users, 8GB of unified memory delivers much more than the same 8GB of RAM in a traditional PC laptop. The ‘RAM tax’ is already here The timing couldn’t be better. In March, Apple introduced its most affordable laptop ever, the $599 MacBook Neo, while the rest of the industry struggles to stay afloat due to the RAM crisis.  Microsoft recently announced significant price increases for the Surface lineup, with some flagship models now costing $500 more than they did at launch due to increased costs for memory and other components. For instance, the 13-inch Surface Laptop now starts at $1,149 with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. That’s $50 more expensive than the base 13-inch MacBook Air model with similar specs. Unlike the MacBook Neo, Microsoft doesn’t even offer an option with 8GB of RAM. The MacBook Neo arrive at a time when PC makers are raising prices.Foundry Meta also recently raised the prices of its Quest headsets by up to $100. The company likewise blamed the “global surge in the price of critical components.” Apple isn’t immune to price increases for components, of course. The M5 MacBook Air, which was introduced last month, is in fact more expensive than the M4 model, starting at $1,099 with 512GB of storage rather than $999 with 256GB of storage. Still, it’s unlikely Apple has any plans to change the MacBook Neo’s starting price of $599 anytime soon. That, of course, is because Apple has established that an entry-level Mac can run just fine with only 8GB of RAM thanks to its system-on-chip architecture. And even in the higher-end models, Apple silicon chips are so efficient that Apple is under less pressure to keep raising baseline RAM—and prices—as aggressively as competitors. Even with just 8GB of RAM, the MacBook Neo performs better than PC laptops with twice the memory.Eugen Wegmann Efficiency will become a growing priority As expected, Apple’s competitors finally seem to be catching on. Last month, Microsoft pledged to improve the quality of Windows with a series of improvements that will make Windows faster and more reliable by scaling back AI and freeing up RAM for other parts of the system, which should definitely improve performance on less powerful devices. Whether by coincidence or not, the announcement came about a week after Apple unveiled the MacBook Neo. Apple isn’t reacting to this shift. It’s already there. Not because Apple devices don’t benefit from more RAM, they absolutely do, but because they rely less on memory specs to deliver a consistent experience. It’s no longer just about how much RAM a device ships with, but how well it uses every gigabyte. Apple might not have designed the M1 chip with a RAM shortage in mind, but all this technology is now proving more useful than ever. This gives Apple a significant advantage over its competitors, who are unable to achieve the same level of integration with separate parts.

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This $114 deal gets you a lifetime of Microsoft Office plus the training you wish you had years ago
Macworld TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business plus a full training bundle for $114 — no subscription, just skills and software that stick. If you’ve ever opened Excel, stared at a spreadsheet, and immediately forgotten everything you’ve ever known, you’re not alone. Most people have Microsoft Office, but far fewer actually know how to use it beyond the basics. That’s where this bundle pulls ahead. With Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business + The Premium Microsoft Office Training Certification Bundle, you’re not just getting the apps — you’re getting the know-how to actually use them. For $114 (MSRP $409.99), you get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus a deep library of courses that walk you through everything from beginner basics to advanced workflows. The software itself brings faster performance, smarter AI-powered suggestions, and better tools for collaboration and content creation. The training fills in the gaps, covering everything from Excel formulas and data analysis to polished presentations and efficient document workflows — even using AI tools like ChatGPT alongside Excel. It’s a rare combo: tools you’ll use every day, paired with skills you’ll actually keep using. Skip the subscription cycle and get Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business and The Premium Microsoft Office Training Certification Bundle for $114. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business + The Premium Microsoft Office Training Certification BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Macworld Podcast: iPhone 18 Pro colors and the art of reporting Apple leaks
Macworld The iPhone 18 Pro is just a few months away. We talk about the latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors and what’s involved in reporting Apple leaks on this episode of the Macworld Podcast. This is episode 980 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross, Filipe Esposito, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 980 on YouTube Listen to episode 980 on Apple Podcasts

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Apple’s $599 Mac mini is no longer available
Apple’s most affordable Mac -- the $599 Mac mini — is no longer on sale, likely due to ongoing DRAM and NAND shortages. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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NASA shares iPhone video capturing Earthshine from Orion during Artemis II
The iPhone footage, captured on the mission’s second day, shows Earth’s reflected light illuminating the Orion cabin. Watch it below. more…

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Experience F1 tracks with 3D art in Apple Maps ahead of each race
Apple Maps has been updated with a new "2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World" guide that showcases each racing location. Updated 3D art has been added throughout the season.Apple Maps gets F1 guideThe first F1 season distributed by Apple TV has been off to a strong start. Apple is known for its vertical integration and brand synergy, and it hasn't wasted any time with F1 either.Apple is promoting the F1 season in Apple Maps with a guide. It is titled "2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Maps adds in-depth F1 experience for Miami Grand Prix
The first F1 Grand Prix in the United States of the this season takes place this weekend in Miami. Ahead of that, Apple is rolling out a detailed Apple Maps experience with immersive 3D landmarks, racetrack details, navigation information, and more. more…

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iOS 26.4.2 and iOS 18.7.8 Address Notification Privacy Flaw Highlighted by FBI Case
The FBI extracted Signal messages from an iPhone by exploiting a notification database flaw. Apple has now released iOS 18.7.8 and iOS 26.4.2 to fix a bug that allowed deleted notifications to persist on devices.

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Report shares new details from Tim Cook’s town hall, including career highs and missteps
A new report from Bloomberg adds fresh details to Tim Cook’s town hall at the Steve Jobs Theater, following Monday’s CEO transition announcement. Here are the details. more…

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Apple Pay and MLS Season Pass earn Apple two Webby Awards
Apple picked up two wins at this year’s Webby Awards, which will hold its ceremony on May 11, recognizing work across apps, video, and digital media. Here are the details. more…

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