Deals: iPad mini $100 off, M5 iPad Pro $230 off, Powerbeats Pro 2, Apple Watch bands $15, more
Alongside the ongoing $100 price drops on all Apple Watch Series 11 models, today we are turning our attention to iPad. The most affordable iPad mini is $100 off in all four colors while we also spotted a chance to land the least pricey M5 iPad Pro you can buy at $230 off the list price. Those deals also join some notable accessory offers, including Apple Solo Bands from $15, a major discount on ZAGG’s Pro Keys 2 for M4/M5 iPad Pro at $65 (57% off), Powerbeats Pro 2 up to $114 off, and more. Scope it all out below. more…

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Longest-lasting smartphone? Two iPhones lead the pack in battery life.
When it comes to the best smartphone battery life, nothing beats these two iPhones. One you can guess but the other might surprise you. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Game development diary: Planning, admin, and account flipping
With the main parts of my game "Character Limit" in place, efforts turn to planning the last bits of development and testing, with administration becoming a more important element as release approaches.A build of my game 'Character Limit' running on an iPhoneI think it's fair to say that the vast bulk of the core of the game's development is behind me. Getting systems in place for everything from picking letters to scoring, the main interface, and even multilingual support, are the most important elements of the game to make.That's not to say that Character Limit is close to completion. Far from it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 26.4 is coming: Here are the rumored new features
The iOS 26.3 RC debuted yesterday, which means the first iOS 26.4 beta will be dropping soon too. Here is every rumored new feature that iOS 26.4 is expected to bring. more…

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iOS 26.4 is coming: Here are the rumored new features
The iOS 26.3 RC debuted yesterday, which means the first iOS 26.4 beta will be dropping soon too. Here is every rumored new feature that iOS 26.4 is expected to bring. more…

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iOS 26.4 is coming: Here are the rumored new features
The iOS 26.3 RC debuted yesterday, which means the first iOS 26.4 beta will be dropping soon too. Here is every rumored new feature that iOS 26.4 is expected to bring. more…

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Formula 1 CEO teases ‘F1’ sequel at Apple TV Press Day
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali teased the possibility of a sequel to "F1," responding to fan questions about… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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How Apple might toughen up iPhone Fold display
Apple may try a tougher iPhone Fold display than the film Samsung currently offers on its folding smartphones. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Back up whole-home power with new Anker Solix hybrid system
The new Anker Solix E10 power system is the company's first whole-home power backup rig. It's hugely customizable and endlessly expandable. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Best Apple Deals: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch & more
Macworld The Best Apple deals: Updated February 5, 2026 Pick up a great deal on the Apple kit you want. These are the best deals we’ve seen this week: Top 10 U.S. Apple deals AirPods Max: $100 off at Amazon 512GB iPhone 16 Pro (unlocked) $180 off at Apple Refurbished 13-inch M3 iPad Air (256GB): $110 off at Amazon 13-inch M5 iPad Pro (256GB): $150 off Amazon Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm): $100 off at Amazon 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/24GB): $200 off at Amazon 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/16GB): $200 off at Amazon 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/16GB RAM): $200 off at Amazon 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM) $300 off at Amazon M4 iMac (10-core GPU, 256GB): $250 off at Apple Refurbished Top 10 U.K. Apple deals AirPods Pro 2: £59 less than AirPods Pro 3 at Amazon iPhone Air 256GB: £150 off at Amazon iPad mini (A17 Pro, 256GB): £138 off at Amazon Apple Watch Series 11, 46mm: £70 off at Amazon 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): £100 off at KRCS 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): £380 off at Apple Refurbished 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): £279 off at Amazon 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/24GB RAM): £149 off at Amazon Mac mini M4 Pro: £210 off at Apple Refurbished M4 iMac (10-core GPU, 256GB): £300 off at Apple Refurbished Prices updated 5 February 2026 In this frequently updated hub, we track the best Apple deals right now by comparing the lowest prices on Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, and other accessories using our specialised tools that monitor prices constantly. If you’re shopping for a gift or picking something up for yourself, you will find the best prices right now on Apple products at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers in the U.S. and U.K. You can trust our recommendations. At Macworld we have been covering Apple products for over 40 years, we have extensive experience reviewing every major Apple product generation, we use Apple devices daily, and we purchase them with their own money. As a result, we have firsthand knowledge of what are the best Apple products to buy and what price would be considered good value. We also consider if a discount on an older model is truly worthwhile compared to the features of a newer one. In this article, you’ll find the top discounts we’ve seen. Plus, for even more deals, we’ve linked to our dedicated deals round-ups for each product category. Use the table of contents above to jump to the best deals right now for the Apple product you want to buy. Does Apple have sales? Apple rarely discounts its own products–even during its annual Black Friday shopping event, which runs every year from Black Friday to Cyber Monday it elects to give out gift cards rather than actual price reductions. However third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy have deals on Apple products all year long. So if you want a new Apple device right now, there are plenty of discounts worth grabbing. Apple does offer year-round discounts to students, including a Back To School event where further-education students can get free AirPods or an Apple Pencil when purchasing certain Apple products from Apple. Apple’s higher education deal runs for about three months. It starts in Australia, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere countries in January, and runs in the rest of the world in June/July. There’s also the Apple Refurbished Store where you can often grab a bargain. Best AirPods deals The AirPods Pro 3 are out, but you can often pick up a deal on the AirPods Pro 2Foundry Apple released the AirPods Pro 3 (review) in September 2025, with a slightly new design, foam-infused eartips, and a heart-rate sensor. We gave them a near-perfect score in our review, but also noted that it’s a relatively small upgrade over the AirPods Pro 2, which has the same H2 chip and many similar features. Our recommendation is to look out for deals on the AirPods Pro 2, which have a new ‘unofficial’ price of $199/£199 now that the AirPods Pro 3 are here. Just note that the AirPods Pro 3 aren’t much more than that at $249 /£219, so it’s worth looking for bigger price drops. We’ve seen the AirPods Pro 2 drop to $169/£169, and a low of $139 over Black Friday! Right now they are out of stock at Amazon, though. The AirPods 4 (review) have been out for more than a year, but are still a fantastic pair of earbuds with or without ANC (active noise cancellation). They lack some of the AirPods Pro features, but are a good option if you are on a budget. Amazon has had the AirPods 4 for $99 and the AirPods Max with $100 off! U.S. Amazon, AirPods Pro 3: $230 ($19 off, MSRP $249) Amazon, AirPods 4 with ANC: $139.99 ($39 off, MSRP $179) Amazon, AirPods 4: $99 ($30 off, MSRP $129) Amazon, AirPods Max: $449.99 ($100 off, MSRP $549) U.K. In the U.K. there’s a great deal on the already discounted AirPods Pro 2. Amazon, AirPods Pro 2: £160 (£39 off, RRP £199, note: AirPods Pro 3 are £219) See our guide to which AirPods to buy and our comparison of the AirPods and AirPods Pro. Best iPhone deals You can save money on an iPhone if you know where to shop.Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd First up, some bad news if you are in the U.S. Most iPhone deals in the U.S. are through carriers and require a trade-in or adding a new line. Carriers will likely have enticing deals with trade-ins, but be wary of long-term contracts and terms. However, you can get some savings on unlocked iPhones at Apple’s Refurbished store. You can now pick up a refurbished iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max there, as well as an 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. We advise you to avoid the iPhone 16 because the iPhone 17 offers more storage at the equivalent price. Similarly, we advise avoiding the iPhone 15 because it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence features. Apple Refurbished, 512GB iPhone 16 Pro (unlocked) for $1,019 ($180 off) Apple Refurbished, 1TB iPhone 16 Pro (unlocked) for $1,269 ($230 off) Apple Refurbished, 512GB iPhone 15 Pro (unlocked) for $929 ($270 off) Apple Refurbished, 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max (unlocked) for $1,019 ($280 off) In the U.K. there are less limitations on the sale of iPhones, so you will be able to pick one up unlocked at a discount if you would prefer to buy an iPhone up front to use with an existing contract. Apple only launched the iPhone 17 lineup in September, but during Black Friday we saw £100 off the iPhone Air, if you thought that was good, the price has now dropped to £849, which is £150 off! The iPhone 16e has £100 off at Amazon, as it did over Black Friday. You might see a discount on the iPhone 16, but we’d recommend buying the iPhone 17 instead as you get twice as much storage. Should you see a deal on the discontinued iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max that is worth consideration if its a big saving compared to the newer model. There are deals on the iPhone 16e, but with the iPhone 17e rumored to launch soon, we recommend waiting. These are the best deals we’ve seen so far: Amazon, iPhone Air 256GB: £849 (£150 off, RRP £999) Amazon, iPhone 16e (128GB): £499 (£100 off, RRP £599) Apple Refurbished, 256GB iPhone 15 Pro (unlocked) for £759 (£260 off) See our iPhone buying advice and our Best iPhone chart, and check out our best iPhone deals roundup. Best iPad deals Get more for your money with an on-sale iPad.Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG Apple updated the iPad Air with an M3 chip (review) and the iPad Pro with an M5 chip (review) in 2025. They’re both excellent tablets, and any buying decision comes down to preference and budget—if you’re largely using your tablet for consumption (streaming, surfing, games), get an Air, but if you have real work to do on it, get the Pro. We’re seeing $150 off the Pro right now, so grab a bargain from the list below while you can. As we noted in our review of the iPad mini, it’s the best tablet for its size and a great option for anyone who values ultra portability over screen size. There’s $100 off at Amazon. The standard entry-level iPad A16 (review) is the cheapest iPad you can buy new, and there’s $100 off, but it lacks a lot of the features of the other iPads and we’re hearing rumors that a new iPad is coming, so it’s worth holding on for the new model to launch. U.S. Amazon, 11-inch M5 iPad Pro (512GB): $1,099 ($100 off, MSRP $1,199) Amazon, 13-inch M5 iPad Pro (256GB): $1,149.99 ($150 off, MSRP $1,299)* Amazon, 11-inch M3 iPad Air (256GB): $589 ($110 off, MSRP $699)* Amazon, 13-inch M3 iPad Air (256GB): $779 ($110 off, MSRP $899)* Amazon, iPad (A16, 512GB): $599 ($50 off, MSRP $649)* Amazon, iPad mini (A17 Pro, 256GB): $699 ($100 off, MSRP $799)* U.K. The discounts are smaller in the U.K. aside from a decent £138 off the iPad mini. KRCS, 11-inch M5 iPad Pro (128GB): £979 (£20 off, RRP £999) KRCS, 13-inch M5 iPad Pro (128GB): £1,273 (£26 off, RRP £1,299) Amazon, 11-inch iPad Air (M3, 256GB): £654 (£45 off, RRP £699)* Amazon, 13-inch iPad Air (M3, 128GB): £760 (£39 off, RRP £799)* Amazon, iPad (A16, 256GB): £399 (£30 off, RRP £429) Amazon, iPad mini (A17 Pro, 256GB): £461 (£138 off, RRP £599) See our buying guide for picking the best iPad for you and our dedicated round-up of the best iPad deals. Best Apple Watch deals Don’t pay full price for an Apple Watch. Jason Cross/IDG Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 11 (review) in September 2025, but there weren’t many new features beyond better battery life and 5G networking. The two new health features, hypertension alerts and Sleep Score, are also available on the Series 10, so if we see a deal on the older model we’ll flag it below. The true hit of the 2025 Apple Watch lineup is the Apple Watch SE 3 (review), which got the biggest update of all three models, gaining an always-on display, temperature sensor, a faster chip, on-device Siri, and fast charging. We highly recommend it even at full price. At the high end, the Ultra 3 (review) has a slightly larger screen, satellite connectivity, and longer battery life than previously, but if we see a good deal on the Ultra 2 we will highlight it as a good alternative. U.S. Amazon, Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm): $299 ($100 off, MSRP $399) Amazon, Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm): $329 ($100 off, MSRP $429) Amazon, Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm): $219 ($30 off, MSRP $249)* Amazon, Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm): $249 ($30 off, MSRP $279) Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 3: $768 ($31 off, MSRP $799) U.K. At launch in the U.K., Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 prices were cut by £30 and £50, respectively, compared to their predecessors. Keep this in mind when shopping, because some stores might make savings appear to be larger than they actually are. When we checked there were no deals on the Apple Watch Series 11, but take a look at our dedicated round-up of the best Apple Watch deals in case that changes. Amazon, Apple Watch Series 11, 42mm: £299 (£70 off, RRP £369)* Amazon, Apple Watch Series 11, 46mm: £329 (£70 off, RRP £399)* Amazon, Apple Watch Ultra 3: £729 (£20 off, RRP £749)* KRCS, Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm): £215 (£4 off, RRP £219) See our comparison of every Apple Watch for help deciding which one to buy. Best MacBook deals Save money on a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.Foundry Apple released the new M5 MacBook Pro in October 2025, but still sells M4 Pro and M4 Max models. The new M5 MacBook Pro (review) was mostly a chip refresh, but it was a good one. We’ve already seen decent savings. From time to time we see good savings on the older M4 MacBook Pro, so we’ll highlight those deals if and when we see them. We are expecting Apple to update the MacBook Pro M4 Pro and M4 Max with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in February, and we are already seeing low stock on the current models. If you don’t want to wait for that update there are still some deals, but they may be discounted even more once the new models launch. The MacBook Air M4 (review) is also seeing discounts, but the M5 MacBook Air is expected soon, so you might prefer to wait for that. U.S. Amazon, 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB): $849 ($150 off, MSRP $999) Amazon, 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/24GB): $1,249 ($150 off, MSRP $1,399)* Amazon, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB/16GB): $1,050 ($149 off, MSRP $1,199) Amazon, 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/16GB): $1,249 ($150 off, MSRP $1,399) Amazon, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/16GB RAM): $1,600 ($199 off, MSRP $1,799)* Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): $1,799 ($200 off, MSRP $1,999) Apple Refurbished, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): $2,039 ($360 off, RRP $2,399) Amazon, 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): $2,239 ($260 off, MSRP $2,499) 13-inch M4 MacBook Air (512GB/24GB): $150 off at Amazon 15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB/16GB): $150 off at Amazon 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/16GB RAM): $199 off at Amazon 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): $360 off at Apple Refurbished U.K. Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (256GB/16GB RAM): £876 (£123 off, RRP £999)* Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,089 (£110 off, RRP £1,199) Amazon, 13-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/24GB RAM): £1,220 (£179 off, RRP £1,399) Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (256GB/16GB RAM): £1,079 (£120 off, RRP £1,199)* Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,275 (£124 off, RRP £1,399) Amazon, 15-inch MacBook Air, M4 (512GB/24GB RAM): £1,450 (£149 off, RRP £1,599) KRCS, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (512GB/16GB RAM): £1,519.05 (£80 off, RRP £1,599) KRCS, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/16GB RAM): £1,709.05 (£90 off, RRP £1,799) KRCS, 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): £1,899.10 (£100 off, RRP £1,999) Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): £1,849 (£150 off, RRP £1,999)* Amazon, 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (1TB/24GB RAM): £2,120 (£279 off, RRP £2,399)* Apple Refurbished, 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (512GB/24GB RAM): £2,119 (£380 off, RRP £2,499) For advice on which model to buy read MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro. See our dedicated round-ups of the best MacBook Pro deals and the best MacBook Air deals. Best Mac desktop deals Grab a deal on an iMac.Simon Jary / Foundry The Mac mini M4 (review) last received an update in October 2024, with the Mac desktop getting a dramatic redesign that shrunk the case down to just 5 inches. The Mac mini M4 Pro version is a great low-cost way to get a really powerful Mac, and when you can get a good deal it’s worth grabbing. We don’t know when the Mac mini will be getting M5 (and M5 Pro) chips, but that could happen before the middle of 2026. The iMac M4 (review) was also updated in October 2024 and at the time we said it might be the best iMac ever. What would make it even better is an M5 chip and a bigger screen, but we don’t know when that will happen. U.S. Amazon, M4 Mac mini (256GB): $549 ($60 off, MSRP $599) Amazon, M4 Mac mini (24GB RAM, 512GB): $904 ($95 off, MSRP $999)* Apple Refurbished, M4 Pro Mac mini (24GB RAM, 512GB): $1,189 ($210 off, MSRP $1,399)* Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini (24GB RAM, 512GB): $1,301 ($98 off, MSRP $1,399)* Apple Refurbished, M4 iMac (10-core GPU, 256GB): $1,249 ($250 off, MSRP $1,499) Amazon, M4 iMac (10-core GPU, 512GB): $1,552 ($147 off, MSRP $1,699)* U.K. Apple Refurbished, M4 Mac mini, 256GB/16GB RAM, £509 (£90 off, RRP £599) Amazon, M4 Mac mini, 512GB/16GB RAM, £729 (£70 off, RRP £799)* Amazon, M4 Mac mini, 512GB/24GB RAM, £949 (£50 off, RRP £999)* Amazon, M4 Pro Mac mini, 512GB/24GB RAM, £1,279 (£120 off, RRP £1,399) Apple Refurbished, Mac mini M4 Pro, £1,189 (£210 off, RRP £1,399) KRCS, M4 iMac (8-core GPU, 256GB), £1,234 (£65 off, RRP £1,299) Apple Refurbished, M4 iMac (10-core GPU, 256GB): £1,099 (£300 off, MSRP £1,399) For help choosing the best Mac for you read our Mac buying advice, and for more Mac deals check out our round-up of the best Mac Studio deals and the best Mac mini deals, plus our dedicated round-up of the best iMac deals. Apple accessories deals Mahmoud Itani / Foundry There are lots more Apple products you can buy to go with your new Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Whether it’s a mouse and keyboard for your Mac, an Apple Pencil or keyboard cover to go with your iPad, charging cables and adapters, we are keeping track of everything so you can grab a discount. In particular we are on the look out for deals on AirTags, especially now the new AirTag 2nd-gen (review) is here, price cuts on Apple Pencils and Apple keyboard and mice discounts. U.S. Amazon, Apple Pencil Pro: $95 ($34 off, MSRP $129) Amazon, Apple Pencil USB-C: $69 ($10 off, MSRP $79) Amazon, AirTag 1st-gen (4-pack): $70 ($29 off, was $99) Amazon, AirTag 1st-gen (single): $20 ($9 off, was $29) U.K. Amazon, AirTag (4-pack): £70 (£29 off, was £99) Amazon, AirTag (single): £26 (£10 off, was £29) Amazon, Apple Pencil Pro: £99 (£20 off, RRP £129) Amazon, Apple Pencil USB-C: £59 (£20 off, RRP £79) Amazon, Magic Keyboard: £84 (£15 off, RRP £99) Amazon, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: £130 (£19 off, RRP £149) Amazon, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID & Numeric Pad: £170 (£9 off, RRP £179) FAQ 1. When are the best Apple deals? Apple deals are generally best during major retail events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, or specifically for students during Apple’s annual “Back to School” promotion . While Apple itself rarely offers direct price cuts on new hardware, third-party resellers frequently discount products throughout the year. The optimal time to buy depends heavily on the product’s release cycle and the specific retailer, though: iPhones: The best time to buy is often in the spring or summer, several months after the September launch, when third-party resellers begin offering deeper discounts . Conversely, the worst time is August, just before new models arrive and trigger price drops on older generations. Macs and iPads: These see significant discounts during Black Friday (late November) and Amazon Prime Day (typically July and October). For students, the Back to School event (running June–September in the U.S. and July–October in the U.K.) is ideal, as Apple often bundles free accessories like AirPods or Apple Pencils with purchases. Apple Watch: Major savings are typically found during Black Friday and Prime Day events. 2. Are Apple refurbished deals worth it? Apple refurbished deals are widely considered worth it, particularly when purchasing directly from the official Apple Refurbished Store, where products are restored to a “like-new” condition. While third-party resellers often provide steeper discounts, Apple’s own process is uniquely rigorous, offering a balance of significant savings and the same protections as a brand-new purchase. Buying directly from Apple is often described as “almost indistinguishable” from buying new. According to our guide How much can you save at Apple’s Refurbished Store?, the company puts every device through a “stringent refurbishment process” that includes full functional testing, thorough cleaning, and inspection. Key benefits of the official Apple Refurbished Store include: Hardware Replacements: Refurbished iPads and iPhones receive a brand-new battery and outer shell . Warranty and Support: All products come with a standard one-year limited warranty, 90 days of technical support, and are eligible for AppleCare . Full Accessories: Devices are repackaged in a plain white box with all original manuals and cables . Savings: You can typically save around 15% off the retail price for recent models, with much higher discounts on older generations . 3. Is it better to buy Apple products from Amazon or Apple? Deciding whether to buy Apple products from Amazon or directly from Apple depends on whether you prioritize immediate cost savings or the specific perks and guarantees offered by the manufacturer. While Amazon often provides deeper discounts, Apple offers unique benefits like trade-in credits, education pricing, and the assurance of receiving the latest models. 4. Does Apple ever discount products directly? Apple rarely provides direct price reductions on its new products, preferring to maintain steady MSRP pricing throughout a product’s lifecycle. Instead of traditional discounts, the company typically utilizes alternative methods to provide value directly to consumers, such as gift card incentives during major shopping events, education pricing, and a dedicated refurbished store. While you will not often see a lower price tag on a new iPhone or Mac at the Apple Store, the company does offer several ways to save: Apple Shopping Events: During events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Apple typically offers gift cards rather than price cuts. For example, in the 2025 holiday season, Apple provided gift cards ranging from $25 to $250 for eligible purchases. Education Store: Students, teachers, and higher education staff can access year-round discounts on Macs and iPads . During the annual “Back to School” event, Apple often includes a “freebie” like AirPods or an Apple Pencil with qualifying purchases. Apple Refurbished Store: This is the primary way to get a direct price reduction from Apple. Products are fully reconditioned, come with a one-year warranty, and can be discounted by hundreds of dollars or pounds. Trade-In Program: Apple allows customers to trade in old devices to receive credit toward a new purchase, effectively lowering the out-of-pocket cost.

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Big screen, no cable: Belkin’s wireless HDMI adapter cuts the cord [Review] ★★★★☆
The Belkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter promises for easy streaming without messy cables. Wireless connectivity made simple. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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iPhone Lockdown Mode is so good even the FBI can’t crack it
Macworld FBI tech specialists have been unable to gain access to a journalist’s iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, court filings reveal. As part of an investigation into the suspected leaking of classified data by a Pentagon contractor, the FBI last month raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson and confiscated a wide range of devices, including an iPhone 13 and two MacBook Pros. They were able to access one of the MacBooks by pressing Natanson’s fingertip on the Touch ID sensor (which was permitted under the terms of the search warrant), but they had no such luck with the iPhone. “The iPhone was found powered on and charging, and its display noted that the phone was in ‘Lockdown’ mode,” representatives of the FBI report in a filing (via 404 Media) which opposes the return of the devices. “Because the iPhone was in Lockdown mode, [the Computer Analysis Response Team] could not extract that device.” As 404 observes, the filing was made roughly two weeks after the raid, which implies that FBI specialists were unable to break through Lockdown Mode for that length of time. This gives us a rare glimpse into the feature’s effectiveness. Lockdown Mode is a niche and rarely discussed iPhone security feature, an ultra-high-privacy setting, which was added in the iOS 16 software update back in 2022. It’s intended for iPhone owners working in specialised fields, such as journalism and political activism, where they could be targeted by state-sponsored spyware. The mode disables many features and impacts performance, but makes your device much more difficult to target. While its principal aim is to thwart mercenary spyware attacks, Lockdown Mode can also prevent data from being extracted thanks to a change in the way the locked-down device interacts with external accessories: namely, that the iPhone has to be unlocked for an accessory to be connected. As 404 points out, many digital forensics tools used by law enforcement depend on making a physical connection in a way that Lockdown Mode prevents. It’s debatable how Apple will feel about making headlines in this way. On the one hand, the situation serves as a reminder that iPhones have excellent security features, and that Apple is so committed to device privacy that it has made enemies in law enforcement. There are echoes of the San Bernardino case in 2015/2016, when Apple refused to write a custom iPhone OS to help the FBI access a mass shooter’s communications. But on the other hand, Apple approaches the political establishment in a slightly more conciliatory way these days. How would Tim Cook react if the president posted messages to Truth Social complaining about Lockdown Mode and demanding it be removed in future versions of iOS? It’s hard to say, but I imagine he’d like to avoid that conversation.

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New Logitech Lightspeed gaming headset brings big sound at small price
The new Logitech G325 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset with great sound is a super value whether you're a gamer or not. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Latest macOS 26.3 beta code hints that new M5 MacBook Pro models are coming soon
The macOS 26.3 RC build released this week contains references that almost certainly point to two new M5 chips for MacBook Pro… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Get 3 years of piano lessons on your iPhone, iPad or Mac for just $69
Turn your device into a smart teacher with Flowkey’s interactive piano lessons, real-time feedback and song-first approach to learning. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple Arcade just got Civilization VII and three more new games
Apple has just launched the latest new games for Apple Arcade, and there’s a big AAA title among them: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. Here are the details. more…

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IKEA acknowledges connectivity problems with budget Matter-over-Thread devices
Swedish self-assembly furniture giant IKEA has made an additional name for itself through its growing range of budget-priced smart home devices. But if you were thinking of picking up some of its new Matter-over-Thread products, you may want to wait a little while. There have been a number of frustrated posts from people experiencing connectivity problems with Apple Home and other smart home ecosystems, and IKEA has acknowledged the issues … more…

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FBI Couldn't Get Into Reporter's iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
The FBI has been unable to access a Washington Post reporter's seized iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, a sometimes overlooked feature that makes iPhones broadly more secure, according to recently filed court records. 404Media: The court record shows what devices and data the FBI was able to ultimately access, and which devices it could not, after raiding the home of the reporter, Hannah Natanson, in January as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information. It also provides rare insight into the apparent effectiveness of Lockdown Mode, or at least how effective it might be before the FBI may try other techniques to access the device. "Because the iPhone was in Lockdown mode, CART could not extract that device," the court record reads, referring to the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team, a unit focused on performing forensic analyses of seized devices. The document is written by the government, and is opposing the return of Natanson's devices. The FBI raided Natanson's home as part of its investigation into government contractor Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is charged with, among other things, retention of national defense information. The government believes Perez-Lugones was a source of Natanson's, and provided her with various pieces of classified information. While executing a search warrant for his mobile phone, investigators reviewed Signal messages between Pere-Lugones and the reporter, the Department of Justice previously said. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Very late iPhone Fold display decision could mean fewer scratches than competition
Very late in the engineering process, Apple is reportedly considering using a premium display film for its first foldable iPhone, making it more scratch- and damage-resistant than phones from Samsung and others.Plans are afoot for a premium display film for the first foldable iPhone - Image Credit: AppleInsiderAccording to a new The Elec report, Apple is considering two different film materials that will sit atop the iPhone's foldable glass. The film is the component users actually touch, and is there to help prevent damage to the underlying display.While Samsung uses a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film on its foldable phones, Apple has other plans. It's reportedly considering using a transparent polyimide (PI) film instead. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Here’s how Apple may protect the display of the iPhone Fold
Apple appears to be working hard to ensure it doesn’t repeat Samsung’s mistakes when it launches the iPhone Fold. A new report says the company is considering the use of a new built-in screen protector with exceptional surface hardness and scratch resistance. It follows an earlier report on another move Apple is said to be making in order to maximize the robustness of the upcoming model … more…

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