Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations in China marred by government pressure
We noted yesterday that Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which began in New York, were moving on to China. CEO Tim Cook was spotted at a celebratory event in Chengdu. Unfortunately for the company, the party atmosphere has been rather dampened by a dispute with the Chinese government … more…

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Ikea smart home failings point to a major problem with Matter
Ikea smart home products have long been the preferred choice of those who want to begin or expand a smart home at an affordable price. The company’s use of physical remotes also simplified the process for those new to the technology. But when the company expanded its lineup with some budget Matter-over-Thread devices, things rather quickly headed south – with Apple Home users among those affected … more…

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South Korea hosts K-Pop stars Cortis for Apple anniversary event
Apple's worldwide celebration of its 50th anniversary continued with a Today at Apple special in South Korea, hosted by boy band Cortis.K-Pop band Cortis — image credit: AppleFollowing both the Alicia Keys concert in New York and Li Yuchun in China, Apple's celebrations changed gear to offer a rather different musical performance in South Korea. Instead of solely a concert, South Korean boy band Cortis presented a special Today at Apple talk at Apple Myeongdong in Seoul.In translation, Apple's South Korea site said that the Cortis group were to talk about making their smash-hit chart success. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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M5 Pro/Max MacBooks finally break Apple’s multi-monitor shackles
Macworld Apple still doesn’t support Multi-Stream Transport (MST) on macOS, but with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, that limitation matters far less. For the first time, high-end MacBooks can drive three or even four external displays from a single Thunderbolt connection, up from a long-standing limit of two, bringing them closer to the multi-monitor setups long associated with Windows machines. This matters most for power users who rely on multiple screens, such as developers and creatives, especially those using Thunderbolt docks to simplify their desk setups. In practice, it means fewer cables, less reliance on DisplayLink and other workarounds, and the ability to run larger multi-screen workspaces from a single connection. This article explains what’s changed, how these new display capabilities work in practice, and what it means for anyone using, or considering, a Thunderbolt dock or multi-screen setup with a Mac. How many displays are supported over one cable M5 Pro: Drives three displays over one Thunderbolt cable M5 Max: Drives four displays over one Thunderbolt cable M4 Pro and M4 Max and earlier: Drive up to two external displays over a single Thunderbolt port M1 and M2 chips and A18 Pro: Just one display supported What you need Thunderbolt 5 dock Available ports Three to four monitors (fourth will require daisy-chaining) Macs with an M5 Pro now support up to three external displays, and M5 Max Macs can run four displays over a single Thunderbolt cable. The previous-generation M4 Pro and M4 Max (and earlier chips) supported only up to two external displays over a single Thunderbolt port. (The plain M1 and M2 chips, plus the MacBook Neo’s A18 Pro, can handle just one unless you add DisplayLink software.) This advance in Apple’s new MacBooks also means that certified Thunderbolt 5 Mac docking stations that were previously advertised as supporting just two external displays should now be able to support that same number of monitors as the M5 Pro (three) and M5 Max (four) allow via their single cable connection to the MacBook. The M5 Max MacBook Pro can extend to four external displays via a single Thunderbolt cable, doubling the dock potential of the M4 Max…Simon Jary Docking station display support Thunderbolt 5 docks are where these new display capabilities become most useful. Most now support up to three external displays when paired with an M5 Pro MacBook, while some can handle four with the M5 Max by daisy-chaining an additional monitor. Exactly what you can run, however, still depends on the dock’s available ports and whether your monitors support features like USB-C daisy-chaining. CalDigit has confirmed that its popular TS5 and TS5 Plus docks, as well as the Element 5 Hub, now support up to three displays on M5 Pro MacBooks, and up to four displays on M5 Max. As the docks don’t feature enough ports for the fourth display, the extra monitor for the M5 Max would have to be daisy-chained from one of the others. The monitors involved would need to support USB-C daisy-chaining (like the new Studio Display). On the TS5 Plus, you can add one monitor to the DisplayPort and then two monitors to the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. With the M5 Max, you would need to daisy-chain a fourth monitor to one of the ones connected to a Thunderbolt port—or you can daisy-chain multiple monitors via one port on the TS5 Plus. On the CalDigit TS5 and Element 5 Hub, you would connect three monitors to the Thunderbolt ports, and then daisy-chain the fourth for the M5 Max. Again, you could daisy-chain multiple monitors via one Thunderbolt port. The CalDigit TS5 sees its external screen potential doubled for the M5 Max.CalDigit Satechi tested its forthcoming Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock—currently undergoing testing in the Macworld Labs—and confirmed to Macworld that it now supports three external displays on the M5 Pro/Max—it has only the three downstream Thunderbolt ports to play with. Plugable’s initial testing of its Thunderbolt 5 TBT-UDT3 docking station with the new M5 MacBooks showed positive results. It confirmed that up to three displays work well, but the company is still investigating performance with refresh rates higher than 60Hz. Until it has further clarity and additional test results, it recommends a maximum of three 4K 60Hz displays when using its Thunderbolt 5 dock. After testing its forthcoming Echo 21 Thunderbolt 5 SuperDock—also being tested by Macworld—with an M5 Pro MacBook Pro, Sonnet successfully used the dock to power three 4K 144Hz displays using two downstream Thunderbolt ports and the DisplayPort. It is currently waiting to test an M5 Max with a four-display configuration. Finally, Kensington told Macworld that its Thunderbolt 5 docks all support up to three external displays for M5 Pro and Max, while the Thunderbolt 4 docks will continue to be capped at two displays. Again, testing hasn’t been completed with the M5 Max, but a representative reported that “support for four external displays out of M5 Max is theoretically possible from the laptop’s perspective”. An M5 Pro MacBook Pro can now run three extended external displays from a one-cable connection to Satechi’s Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock, shown here.Satechi Can M5 Macs finally run multiple displays over one cable? In its support document on MacBook Pro displays can be connected to MacBook Pro, Apple states the “MacBook Pro with M5 Pro chip supports … three external displays … up to a native resolution of 6K (6144 x 3456) at 60Hz or 4K (3840 x 2160) at 144Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI” and the “MacBook Pro with M5 Max chip supports … four external displays … up to a native resolution of 6K (6144 x 3456) at 60Hz or 4K (3840 x 2160) at 144Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI.” The previous one- or two-monitor limitation—which continues for any Mac that doesn’t have at least an M5 Pro or M5 Max—is caused by the macOS for daisy-chaining or splitting multiple monitors via a single USB-C/DisplayPort/Thunderbolt cable. Apple limits this functionality at the operating system level (unlike Windows or Linux) by refusing to support Multi-Stream Transport (MST), but has built a proprietary solution into its latest chips: the M5 Max can now support up to 4x DisplayPort tunnels per port, and the M5 Pro three. Thunderbolt docks don’t rely on MST to function, making them the best option for multiple screens on a Mac via a single connection, but until the M5 Pro and M5 Max, docks were still limited to two extended displays—unless you used an accessory such as the iVanky FusionDock Max 2, which can natively support three displays out of the box. The compromise with that dock is that you must use two of the Mac’s Thunderbolt ports to connect to the Max 2. Otherwise, macOS treats multiple connected monitors as a single mirrored display, restricting it to mirroring rather than extending to three or more monitors. Instead, Mac users must connect multiple displays directly to their Mac’s individual ports or use docks that support third-party DisplayLink software, which compresses the video signals to allow more extended displays, but at a possible cost to image quality. See our reviews of the best DisplayLink docks. Satechi How can M5 Macs support more displays without MST? This new ability could be a by-product of Thunderbolt 5’s daisy-chaining prowess, according to Kensington. If the user has four Thunderbolt displays, they could connect the displays to each other and enable up to four external displays. Similarly, CalDigit believes the new M5 Pro/Max limits are by-products of Thunderbolt’s DisplayPort tunnelling, which wraps native DisplayPort video and audio signals into USB4 packets to transport them over a single USB-C cable. It acts as a sort of “repeater” that allows efficient, high-bandwidth transmission of video alongside data and power. How Apple’s latest top-end processors bend this to their will is, as yet, unknown for sure. Apple

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My MacBook Neo handled a week of stress better than I did
Macworld I noted in my MacBook Neo review that benchmarking the Neo as well as using it as a daily computer resulted in an experience that was quite satisfying. But that was only for a few days of very specific testing, and the Neo’s A18 Pro processor and 8GB of RAM, which can’t be upgraded at all, is certainly underpowered compared to the other M5 models. The chip and 8GB of RAM had not been a problem during my evaluation period. You can obviously see the difference in benchmarks, where the mobile chip and limited RAM affected performance, but by “problem,” I mean as a person using the Neo. They weren’t an issue. But the concern is real–after all, Apple only upgraded its base RAM configuration for its other Macs to 16GB nearly two years ago. So I decided to make it a problem–in other words, I used the MacBook Neo in ways to see if usability became problematic because of its low-end chip and 8GB of RAM. This meant I had to break my habits and purposefully push my Mac to its limit–and it left me a little frazzled at times. But what I found is that the Neo still feels capable under heavy loads and handled the “mess” better than I did. Here are some of the tasks I did to push the MacBook Neo as far as I could. I used the MacBook Neo to edit the Macworld Podcast in Adobe Premiere Pro.Foundry Editing 1080p video in Adobe Premiere Pro As a reviewer of Macs, when people ask me for a recommendation, I ask them what kind of stuff they do on their computer, and then I try to fit what they do with a specific Mac. But as Sam Henri Gold points out, that’s a script reviewers like me use out of convenience. A lot of people want to do what they’ve been told not to do on a $599 computer like the MacBook Neo. So I did one of those things you’re not supposed to do. I edited a few videos with Adobe Premiere Pro, a professional-level video editing tool. I edited episode 974 of the Macworld Podcast and a couple of video shorts with the MacBook Neo and its 8GB of RAM. The editing I did on the full podcast episode included basic trimming, adding lower thirds, a basic multi-camera setup, and some audio clean-up. The video shorts involved more editing, but nothing complex. I am by no means an experienced Premiere Pro user (in fact, I only recently started learning how to use it). But that’s exactly the use case a MacBook Neo user could have: they have a budget computer, and they’re just starting to learn higher-end software. They’re not going to go buy a more powerful computer just for this situation. And the whole experience went off without a hitch. I never had to wait for the Mac to catch up to what I was doing, nor did the MacBook Neo stall, hiccup, or churn. The only thing where I noticed a slowdown was in the export of the full podcast episode, where the 67-minute video at 1080p took 31 minutes to complete, about 10 minutes longer than it took on the M5 Max MacBook Pro. Foundry Above is a screenshot of Activity Monitor after I had finished the project and saved it, but did not quit the app. The only other apps that were open were Slack and Microsoft Edge (which I needed to access the online recording tool that we use for the podcast). I used up all of the available memory during these tasks, and macOS used the SSD as swap. When the Mac runs out of available RAM, it resorts to using the SSD. This is called swap memory, or just swap. A drawback of swap is that access speeds are slower than RAM, but Apple has a lot of confidence in its swap implementation. During this task, I ended up with 2.58GB in swap (which isn’t uncommon), but I never noticed a performance hit. Editing 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro My next attempt to stress out the MacBook Neo was to edit 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro. I shot the video using an iPhone 17 Pro Max at 4K and 60 frames per second. I had 20 minutes of footage where I did some basic edits, titles, transitions, and color adjustments. The only other app that was open during editing was Safari. I kept expecting the MacBook Neo to stutter and lag, but it never did. Another experience without any issues. I wasn’t doing anything complicated, but I was working with a large file and doing the kind of stuff someone learning Premiere would do. I could’ve used iMovie, but as I said, I’m learning the software, and I feel like the tasks I did were more easily done in Premiere Pro. Plus, using an Apple app is basically cheating. Foundry When I finished that project, the MacBook Neo used 1.75GB in swap. Not a lot, and it would have been more had the project been more complicated and longer. What I learned from this experience is that as I continue to use Adobe Premiere Pro and develop my skills as an editor, I should be fine with the MacBook Neo for a while. I may never need to create a cinematic video, but I can progress towards that goal on the Neo. I think there are a lot of users who are in a similar situation. Even a pro who already knows what they can do and knows what Macs they want can use a Neo if the situation calls for it. Safari browser tabs This is the task that stressed me more than the MacBook Neo. I have a habit of closing any browser tabs I am not using. I’d rather not risk a hidden tab running in the background, affecting performance, even if that’s not supposed to happen. But I went against my nature and spent an afternoon working in Safari without closing a browser tab. During a four-hour session, I used Macworld’s web-based content tools, visited websites to research articles, and after I was done with work, I did some personal browsing. By the end, I had 41 tabs open in Safari (and just a little freaked out by it). Foundry A lot of users instinctively open new tabs when they start a new search, and many don’t close unused tabs. In case you didn’t know, browsers are RAM-hungry apps, which is why I developed a habit of closing unused tabs. In my experience, the MacBook Neo used over 4GB of swap, which will vary depending on how many Safari tabs you have open. The MacBook Neo handled it all without any issues I could notice. But if you’re using any Mac with 8GB of RAM and it’s starting to feel a littlle sliggish, close a few or those tabs. Google Chrome browser tabs I did the same thing with Google Chrome: a four-hour session without closing any tabs. After a couple of hours, I had 41 tabs open (though not the same sites as in the Safari test). I set Chrome’s Memory Saver to Maximum and did my best to fight the urge to close any tabs until the session was done. As I said, browsers are RAM hungry, and Google Chrome has a reputation as a particularly resource-hungry app. At the end of four hours, the MacBook Neo had a swap that was over 5GB. Again, I didn’t notice any performance hiccups. Foundry But once again, the MacBook Neo didn’t flinch. I could switch between tabs easily, and even when I used an app and kep Chrome open in the background, there was no noticeable performance hit. I wasn’t done, however. I poshed my browser until I had 59 tabs open, stopping only when it became way too difficult to navigate. The swap grew to nearly 8GB–the swap and the installed RAM were the same size. But still, my Neo powered through. Foundry Your milage may very This is all anecdotal. Your video editing project could be much more complex, and the websites you visit could be more or less demanding on your resources. If you’re the type of person who knows 8GB of RAM isn’t enough, then the MacBook Neo isn’t for you, but making a blanket statement that it’s not good for anyone isn’t correct. My experience with the MacBook Neo remains the same as it was during the review. It’s a great Mac for everyday tasks, and will even handle the occasional pro app. I’m sure there’s a ceiling to what you can do with it, but with so much headroom, there’s a good chance you’ll never get anywhere near it. Apple MacBook Neo Read our review Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $595 at Amazon | $597 at Walmart | $599 at Apple

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Is your iPhone too old? This is how long Apple really supports iPhones for
Macworld If you are thinking of buying an older generation or used/refurbished iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your current iPhone to a new one, one important factor to consider is how long Apple will continue to offer support for that handset. The good news is that Apple supports iPhones for a long time. In general, you can get seven to eight years of security-related software updates, while battery and other repairs are often available on five to seven-year-old handsets, according to Apple’s own Vintage and Obsolete categorizations. More on that below. Read on to find out which iPhones are supported with the latest operating systems, and which are supported for servicing and repairs. Macworld’s advice: The iPhone XS and XR and any older iPhone should be avoided as they can’t run the 2025 iOS update: iOS 26. Update: In March 2026 Apple removed the iPhone 4 (8GB) and iPhone 5 from it’s list of vintage products, to the obsolete list, more than 12 years after the company stopped selling them, which goes to show just how long support can last… How long does Apple support iPhones with iOS updates? Seven years: Apple supports some iPhones that can’t run the latest version of iOS with security updates. Currently there is such support for iPhones from 2018. A January 2026 update relating to FaceTime and Messages on iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 included the twelve year old iPhone 5S. Apple generally provides major iOS updates for iPhones for approximately five to six years, though security-related support often extends even longer. While Apple does not officially guarantee a specific duration, its historical track record shows a consistent commitment to long-term device viability, with up to eight years of cover in the past. It is important to distinguish between major iOS version updates (which bring new features and interface changes) and security-only updates, though. Major iOS Updates: You can expect an iPhone to be compatible with the latest version iOS typically for around 5–7 years. The iPhone 11, released in late 2019, can run iOS 26, although not every feature will run on older iPhones. Security Updates: That doesn’t mean older iPhones are not supported by Apple. The company continues to provide critical security patches for older versions of iOS for several years after they stop receiving new features. This can extend the total “safe” lifespan of a device to nearly a decade. The iPhone XR and XS, launched in 2018, did not receive the 2025 update, iOS 26, but Apple has issued security updates for those phones via iOS 18. Device specific security updates: A key change is that with release of the iOS 18 security update in January 2026 was specific to those iPhones unable to run iOS 26. This means that those running iOS 18 on a phone compatible with iOS 26 needed to update to iOS 26 in order to get the security update for their iPhone. Previously the security update to an older version of iOS ran on any device running that version of the software. In January 2026 Apple issued updates to iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 that extended the certificate required by features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working after January 2027. Those updates include the 2013’s iPhone 5S, and 2014’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, just a few days later Apple withdrew these updates after network issues that meant some older iPhones couldn’t make emergency calls. It is unlikely that Apple will issue an iOS 17 specific update because all iOS 17-compatible iPhones can run iOS 18, so Apple would encourage anyone running iOS 17 to update to iOS 18 to get the security update. The last update to iOS 17 was 17.7.2 in November 2024. You should be very cautious if using an iPhone that won’t receive these security fixes for what could be dangerous vulnerabilities. Since we can only guarantee that iOS 18 support will continue we would recommend that you should replace your iPhone if it can’t run iOS 18, which includes the iPhones X, 8 and 8 Plus and iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and the 1st gen SE. Which iPhones can run the latest iOS? Britta O’Boyle The 2019 iPhone 11 is the oldest iPhone able to run iOS 26. iOS 26 is available as a free software update for all iPhone models released from 2019 onwards. This includes the following devices: iPhone 17 Series, including iPhone Air (2025) iPhone 16 Series, including iPhone 16e (2024) iPhone 15 Series (2023) iPhone 14 Series (2022) iPhone 13 Series (2021) iPhone 12 Series (2020) iPhone 11 Series (2019) iPhone SE iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020) iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022) Which iPhones run each version of iOS? The chart below shows each version of iOS and the iPhones it ran on. As you can see, in recent years support for new iOS versions has stretched back for around six years, while, if you include the versions that Apple supports with security updates, the cover goes back a further year. iOS support chart by model Find your iPhone here and check which versions of iOS it can run.Foundry What is the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple? 2018 iPhone XS and iPhone XR – supported by iOS 18 security update As of early 2026, Apple is still supporting the 2018 iPhone XS and iPhone XR with security updates. While the 2019 iPhone 11 runs the latest version of iOS. However, the support on these older iPhones is unlikely to continue for much longer: the iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are already on Apple’s vintage list, which, as explained in more detail below, means that repairs will be limited by whether Apple has the required parts. However, as recent as September 2025 the 2015 iPhone 6S was the oldest iPhone supported with security updates, with Apple updating iOS 15 with a security update that month. Which iPhones to avoid The iPhone 5S. Remember? It’s been a while.IDG We don’t recommend the following iPhone models because they no longer receive regular updates, though some models may occasionally get a critical security update: iPhone 11/11 Pro (2019) iPhone XR (2018) iPhone XS/XS Max (2018) iPhone X (2017) iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017) iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016) iPhone SE (2016) iPhone 6s/6s Plus (2014) iPhone 6/6 Plus (2014) iPhone 5s (2013) iPhone 5c (2013) iPhone 5 (2012) iPhone 4s (2011) iPhone 4 (2010) iPhone 3GS (2009) iPhone 3G (2008) iPhone (2007) For more information, see our list of every version of iOS. When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone? Truth is we don’t know for sure, but on the basis that Apple supports phones for five to seven years after they are removed from sale: iPhone XS (2018-2019) – Approx 2026 iPhone XR (2018-2021) – Approx 2026-2028 iPhone 11 (2019-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone SE2 (2020-2022) – Approx 2027-2029 iPhone 12 (2020-2023) – Approx 2028-2030 iPhone 13 (2021) – Approx 2032 iPhone SE3 (2022) – Approx 2033 iPhone 14 (2022) – Approx 2034 iPhone 15 (2023) – Approx 2035 iPhone 16 (2024) – Approx 2036 iPhone 17 (2025) – Approx 2037 Apple Intelligence: With the arrival of Apple Intelligence AI features and their hardware requirements, the older iPhones are likely to become obsolete faster. When does Apple stop repairing old iPhones? Foundry When it comes to repairs, Apple supports iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago, the company or a third-party service provider will still service it. Apple distinguishes between iPhones (and other devices) that are obsolete and vintage. Vintage Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between five and seven years ago. They are considered old, but there may be limited access to repairs depending on whether Apple has the parts available. Obsolete Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between more than seven years ago. They are considered end-of-life and will no longer be repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Obsolete iPhones The following iPhones are now considered Obsolete, which means sales were discontinued more than seven years ago and Apple has now discontinued all hardware servicing. iPhone iPhone 3G iPhone 3GS iPhone 4 (all models now obsolete from 2026) iPhone 4s iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2026) iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2021) iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2025) iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024) iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2023, obsolete 2025) Vintage iPhones And the iPhones below are listed as Vintage, which means they have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years). Apple will still service these products as long as it has the required parts. So you could say that the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple is now the ten-year-old iPhone 6s, but we don’t expect that Apple will have the required parts. Prior to March 2026, Apple still listed the iPhone 5 and one 8GB model of the iPhone 4 as vintage, more than 12 years on from when they were first sold. iPhone 6s (16GB, 64GB, 128GB) (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2022) iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2022) iPhone 7 (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025) iPhone 7 Plus (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025) iPhone 8 (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024) iPhone 8 Plus (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024) iPhone X (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024) iPhone XS Max (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024) iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max (discontinued in 2020, vintage in September 2025) All iPhones that followed those handsets should be fully supported by Apple. You may also be interested to learn how long Apple supports Macs and how long Apple supports iPads. We also have guides for getting a broken iPhone fixed and how much Apple product repairs cost. Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? Find a great deal on a new iPhone here or check the best prices below and take a look at our round-up to choose the Best iPhone for you. iPhone Air Retailer Price $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket iPhone 17 Pro Retailer Price $1099 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket

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The LiberNovo Omni creates a smarter workspace for Mac users, creators and designers
Macworld Sppring Refresh Sale Get up to 30% off LiberNovo Omni ergonomic chair Building healthier, more human-centered workspaces View Deal For designers and Mac users, the workspace is more than a desk—it’s a creative environment. The balance between aesthetics, comfort, and performance directly affects how ideas take shape. As remote work and digital creation continue to dominate modern workflows, many designers are rethinking not just their tools, but how their bodies interact with those tools for hours every day. This spring, LiberNovo is encouraging that shift through its Spring Refresh promotion, a seasonal initiative focused on building healthier, more human-centered workspaces. At the center of the campaign is the LiberNovo Omni, a dynamic ergonomic chair designed to support movement rather than force the body into a fixed posture. For designers who spend entire days working across apps like Final Cut, Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Cloud on a Mac, the difference between static support and responsive support can be significant. LiberNovo From static seating to motion-driven ergonomics Creative work rarely happens in a perfectly upright posture. Designers lean forward during deep focus, recline when reviewing layouts, and shift positions when sketching ideas or brainstorming. Traditional ergonomic chairs assume the body will stay in one position. But modern ergonomics increasingly recognizes that movement—not stillness—is the key to comfort and productivity. The Omni chair embraces this philosophy through its Bionic FlexFit backrest, engineered with 16 precision joints and eight adaptive panels. Together, they create a dynamic structure that mirrors the spine’s natural S-curve and maintains consistent support as the user shifts position. Instead of adjusting your body to match the chair, the Omni adapts to you. For creative professionals who often experience back fatigue or neck tension during long design sessions, that responsiveness can help reduce the physical friction that interrupts creative flow. LiberNovo Precision support for creative workflows The Omni was designed with highly variable work styles in mind. Designers often transition between different modes of work throughout the day, and the chair supports that shift with four intelligent recline positions: 105° Deep Focus Mode for precise editing and presentations 120° Solo Work Mode for long design sessions 135° Soft Recline for reviewing layouts or watching renders 160° Spine Flow for restorative stretching and recovery Complementing these modes are 4D armrests and 3D neck support, allowing precise adjustments when working with a keyboard, stylus, or tablet. Another thoughtful feature for screen-centric professionals is dynamic screen alignment. The neckrest and backrest tilt independently, helping maintain a consistent gaze angle when reclining—particularly helpful when working with large displays or dual-monitor setups common in design studios. LiberNovo Built-in recovery for long creative sessions Design work often happens in extended bursts of concentration. Over time, static posture can lead to accumulated tension in the spine. The Omni addresses this with OmniStretch, a built-in motorized spinal stretch and massage system powered by an internal chip-driven mechanism. When activated, the backrest provides up to 50mm of controlled spinal extension—essentially offering a physical reset during breaks. For designers who regularly work through multi-hour creative sprints, this feature introduces something rare in office furniture: active recovery during the workday. LiberNovo Biophilic design meets modern technology Spring also introduces a new aesthetic option: Moss Green, inspired by natural environments and biophilic design principles. The subtle green tone reduces visual fatigue and integrates easily into minimalist setups popular among Mac users. Paired with the Omni’s breathable materials and layered seat cushion design, it transforms the workstation into a calmer, more restorative environment. LiberNovo Spring Refresh: a seasonal opportunity to upgrade LiberNovo’s Spring Refresh program runs from March 18 to April 15 across the U.S. and Canada, offering tiered incentives for workspace upgrades. Key highlights include: Omni starting at just $848 Up to 30% off bundle offers $15 instant checkout discount for orders above $800 Orders of $900+ (CA$1,400+) include a complimentary Eco Comfort Set, including an silk eye mask, eco tote bag, and StepSync mat. Orders of $1,000+ (CA$1,500+) unlock the Ultimate Perks Pack that Includes a brand-exclusive cap, creative sticker set, eco tote bag, and limited-edition fridge magnet. Rather than positioning the promotion purely as a sale, LiberNovo frames it as a seasonal reset—an opportunity to rethink how creative professionals work and recover throughout the day. LiberNovo Designing for the designer For Mac users and designers, tools are often evaluated by how seamlessly they integrate into the creative process. The LiberNovo Omni approaches ergonomics the same way good design approaches software: quietly solving problems so creators can focus on their work. When the workspace moves with the body, creative energy can move more freely as well. Get up to 30% off the LiberNovo Omni

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Best iPhone Battery Cases 2026: Mophie vs Newdery Compared (Slim vs High Capacity)
Macworld A battery case is a protective phone case with a built-in power pack, letting you recharge your device without carrying a separate charger. Once popular, battery cases are now less common due to the rise of MagSafe and wireless power banks (see: Best magnetic power banks and MagSafe portable battery packs for iPhone). The choice between the two comes down to convenience versus capacity: battery cases offer an all-in-one solution, while magnetic power banks provide more flexibility and higher charge. Battery cases are ideal if you want a simple, “always there” power source. Because the battery is built in, you don’t need to remember extra cables or accessories – and you get added drop protection at the same time. They’re especially useful for: Forgetful travelers who don’t want to carry separate chargers Users needing protection alongside extra battery Active professionals who want a secure, wired connection Minimalists who prefer one device instead of two The downsides are added bulk and limited longevity, as cases are tied to specific phone models. They also tend to have smaller batteries (around 3000mAh) compared to the 5000mAh+ typical of standalone power banks. Still, their key advantage is convenience: reliable backup power, always attached to your phone. So you can find the best battery case for your iPhone, this article looks at options from our two favorite battery case manufacturers: Mophie and Newdery. There are options for all iPhones from the past few years, because, frankly, it’s the older iPhones that tend to need the battery boost. You may also want to check out our roundup reviews of the best iPhone 15 cases, best iPhone 16 cases and best iPhone 17 cases. Mophie Juice Pack – Slimmest case for iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max & iPhone Air Pros Internal battery in protective case Fast input and passthrough power Slimmer than rival battery cases Robust feel Cons Smaller battery than power banks Price When Reviewed: $99.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $99.95 View Deal Zagg $99.95 View Deal $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 11.55Wh (3000mAh) for iPhone 17 Pro; 3600mAh for 17 Pro Max Input charger: USB-C (45W) Output charger: Wired (45W) passthrough; 10W to iPhone On test charged iPhone to: 55% Weight (Pro): 3.5oz (98g) Dimensions (Pro): 6.3-x-3-x-0.75 inches (160-x-77-x-19mm) Colors: Black Compatibility: iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, Air This Mophie battery case is for the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and Air only (so not the plain iPhone 17). Like the version for iPhone 16 (see below) it feels more robust in its two part design than the version for the 15. It is slimmer and noticeably lighter than the iPhone 16 Juice pack, yet hosts a higher-capacity battery. It will give an empty iPhone a little over half a full charge, which should keep you going until the next recharging opportunity. The back of the case features four LEDs that indicate remaining battery life in the case. To the left of these lights is the Standby/Status button that needs to be pressed to start or pause the charging process. Simon Jary Inside the case is a USB-C connector that slots into the iPhone’s port, see above. Just because the actual charging isn’t wireless doesn’t mean that the Mophie Juice Pack abandons MagSafe altogether. The back features an integrated passive magnet that allows a strong hold for wallets and other magnetic accessories. You cannot, however, wirelessly charge the case or the phone when inside it. Read our full Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 17 Pro review Mophie Juice Pack – Best for iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max Pros Internal battery in protective case More efficient than a wireless power bank Slimmer than rival battery cases Feels more robust than model for iPhone 15 Cons Smaller battery than power banks Price When Reviewed: $99.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal $59.99 View Deal $59.99 View Deal Zagg $99.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 10.78Wh (2800mAh) for iPhone 16 and 16 Pro; 3600mAh for 16 Pro Max Input charger: USB-C (36W) Output charger: Wired (27W) On test charged iPhone to: 50% Weight (Pro): 3.6oz (103g) Dimensions (Pro): 6.4-x-2.9-x-0.7 inches (163-x-73-x-17mm) Colors: Black Compatibility: iPhone 16, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max This Mophie battery case for the iPhone 16 family (omitting the 16 Plus) feels more robust in its two part design than the version for the 15, reviewed below. It will fill your iPhone up to around half when it’s slipped into low single digits of battery percentage, which could be a life saver. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry It offers less recharge potential than its rival Newdery case, reviewed below, but is significantly slimmer and lighter with its smaller battery capacity. Read our full Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 16 Pro review Newdery Battery Case – Longest battery life for iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max Pros Internal battery in protective case High-capacity battery Cons Bulky Price When Reviewed: $32.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $32.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: From 17.78Wh (4800mAh) Input charger: 12W Output charger: 7.5W On test charged iPhone to: 72% Weight: 5oz (143g) Dimensions: 6-x-2.9-x-0.8 inches (151-x-73-x-20mm) Colors: Black Compatibility: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max This more affordable battery case for all models of iPhone 16 is noticeably wider and fatter than the Mophie Juice Pack but that’s because it hosts a larger battery, which means you get more recharge potential at the price of the bulk. Newdery iPhone 16 Battery Pack (left) and Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 16 (right).Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry It’s a one-piece design, compared to the Mophie’s two sections. The iPhone charges wirelessly within the case, which means less stress on the iPhone’s charging port but the ensuing compromise means that charging is notably slower. That shouldn’t matter while you are on the road and the capacity will keep your iPhone going for longer. Read our full Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 16 review Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case – Best for iPhone 15, 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max Pros Internal battery in protective case More efficient than a wireless power bank Slimmer than rival battery cases Cons Smaller battery than power banks Top section can pull off easily Price When Reviewed: $99.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Zagg $99.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: 9.24Wh (2400mAh) for iPhone 15 and 15 Pro; 3000mAh for 15 Pro Max Input charger: USB-C (18W) Output charger: Wired (18W iPhone) On test charged iPhone to: 57% Weight: 8oz (227g) Dimensions: 6.3-x-2.5-x-0.6 inches (160-x-63-x-15mm) Colors: Black Compatibility: iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max No wireless charging here because the Juice Pack is a protective case with an internal battery. The iPhone is charged via a wired USB-C connector, so charges faster and more efficiently than a wireless-only power bank. Mophie has designed this battery case to be as slim as possible while still offering enough recharge power to get your iPhone to over a half full battery. The other iPhone 15 battery case we tested, the Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 15, reviewed below, comes in two much larger battery capacities (5K and 10K) but the cases themselves are much heavier and bulky. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry It’s a two-piece design that fits the iPhone well, and offers robust protection from knocks, bumps and drops. The top part did slip off a couple of times in testing from a tight trouser pocket but should fare better from a coat or bag. If you want a one-piece iPhone battery case choose one of the Newdery battery cases, reviewed below. The Mophie Juice Pack is available for all iPhone 15 models except the 15 Plus. If you have an earlier iPhone model, look for options with the Newdery battery cases below. Read our full Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 15 review Newdery Battery Case – Longest battery life for iPhone 15 and older Pros Options for older iPhones Protective case Near 100% battery charge Cons Bulky Price When Reviewed: $29.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Capacity: From 17.78Wh (4800mAh) Input charger: Lightning, USB-C (18W), Qi Output charger: Wired (18W iPhone) On test charged iPhone to: 95% Weight: 4.66oz (132g) Dimensions: 6.3-x-2.5-x-0.8 inches (160-x-63-x-20mm) Colors: Black Compatibility: iPhone 11-16 The Newdery Battery Case offers full protection and nearly a full battery recharge, and this dual function makes it a cheaper alternative to a MagSafe case and MagSafe battery pack. However, some may find the bulky design too chunky, although the case for the iPhone 15 Pro itself weighs just 134g. The 5000mAh Newdery Battery Cases scored around 95% in our tests, with the 10K battery cases reaching an amazing 168%. Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Those test results are from the iPhone 15 Pro models, but Newdery has battery cases for all the recent iPhones. Newdery iPhone Battery Cases on Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA. Some models are wireless compatible themselves so can be charged itself on most Qi charging pads. If you desire protection as well as longer battery life, the Newdery Battery Case offers both in an affordable package. It is much cheaper than the Mophie Juice Pack reviewed above. Read our full Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 15 and 15 Pro review Does Apple make a battery case for iPhone? Battery cases for iPhones used to be all the rage. Apple even made one from 2015 to 2019—the Apple Smart Battery Case that was mocked for its humped back, which was last seen for iPhone 11. Apple then switched to a magnetic power bank (the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack), and even got bored with that until it released a new one for the iPhone Air. There are much better magnetic alternatives—see our reviews of the best magnetic power banks for iPhone. Apple used to make its own battery case for iPhone but pushed customers to MagSafe alternatives after its Smart Battery Case for iPhone 11.Apple Which battery case is best: Mophie vs Newdery Choosing between Mophie and Newdery battery cases depends on whether you prioritize a slim, premium design or maximum charging capacity at an affordable price. While Mophie has long been the market leader for iPhone battery cases, Newdery has established itself as a reliable alternative that often provides significantly more power for a lower cost. Mophie Juice Pack SeriesMophie’s Juice Pack is generally considered the “best” for users who want a high-quality, integrated feel without excessive bulk. The latest models for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max continue this trend by being slimmer and lighter than previous iterations. Design and Build: Mophie uses a signature two-piece design where the top pulls off to allow the phone to slide onto a built-in USB-C connector. In our review of the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 17 Pro, we note that “Mophie keeps making its Juice Pack battery cases slimmer, lighter and more robust than previous models”. Performance: Because the cases are slim, the batteries are smaller (typically 2,400mAh to 3,600mAh). In tests, these cases usually provide a 50% to 55% recharge, which is intended to get a user through the day rather than providing multiple full charges. Protection: Mophie cases offer 6-foot drop protection and include raised corners to save the screen from impacts. Newdery Battery Case SeriesNewdery is the better choice for “power users” or travelers who need to stay away from a wall outlet for extended periods. They offer much higher capacities, including 5,000mAh and even 10,000mAh models. Design and Innovation: Unlike Mophie’s physical connector, some Newdery models for the iPhone 16 and 17 use internal wireless charging. As noted in our Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 16 review, “Newdery uses wireless charging so that there is no risk of jamming the phone into the case too hard and damaging the iPhone’s charging port.” . However, this makes the case significantly bulkier, often measuring nearly 2cm deep. Performance: The 5,000mAh Newdery case can recharge an iPhone 16 Pro to approximately 72%, compared to Mophie’s 50%. The 10,000mAh version can recharge a phone over 1.5 times. Value: Newdery cases are substantially cheaper, often priced around $30–$33, whereas Mophie cases typically retail for $99.95. How battery cases work Battery cases typically function through one of two primary connection methods: Physical Connector: Most traditional models, such as the Mophie Juice Pack, use a two-piece design where the phone slides into a base containing a built-in USB-C or Lightning connector. This physical link is generally more efficient than wireless alternatives. Internal Wireless Charging: Some modern cases, like those from Newdery, use internal wireless charging to power the phone while it is inside the case. This design eliminates the risk of damaging the phone’s charging port during installation. Do battery cases damage your phone battery? Battery cases are generally considered safe for your phone’s battery health, provided they are used correctly and come from reputable manufacturers. While they do not inherently “damage” the battery, they can introduce environmental factors – specifically heat – that may accelerate natural degradation over time. What to avoid when using a battery case To maintain your phone’s battery health while using a battery case, consider the following: Avoid “Parasite Loads”: Using your phone heavily (like watching video) while it is being charged by the case can create “mini-cycles” that deteriorate the battery faster. Monitor Charging Limits: Modern iPhones include features like “Optimized Battery Charging” or hard limits (such as stopping at 80%) to conserve battery longevity. Choose Trusted Brands: Experts recommend sticking to well-known brands like Mophie or tested alternatives like Newdery, as cheap, “no-name” hardware often lacks the protective circuits necessary to prevent overheating. Do battery cases support fast charging? Battery cases do support fast charging, though the implementation and speed vary significantly between models. Unlike standalone power banks, which often rely on magnetic wireless connections, battery cases typically use a physical connector – such as USB-C – to deliver power more efficiently. The fastest way to charge an iPhone remains a wired connection. Many modern battery cases utilize an integrated USB-C connector that plugs directly into the phone’s port. Others have designed cases that charge the phone wirelessly while it sits inside the case. While this reduces the risk of damaging the phone’s charging port, it results in slower charging speeds compared to a direct “hard” connection. Would a MagSafe Power Bank be better? While battery cases offer protection, they are often “bulkier than a normal case” and rarely offer a full 100% recharge. For example, the Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 17 Pro typically recharges a drained device to about 55%. In contrast, as noted in Best magnetic power banks and MagSafe portable battery packs for iPhone, a 10K (10,000mAh) power bank can charge a phone close to two times over. You should choose a power bank if you prioritize maximum battery life for long-haul travel or camping, or if you want to keep your phone slim most of the time and only add bulk when a charge is actually needed.

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