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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- A brand new iPad Professional is within the pre-order stage with the launch on October 22.
- MacBook Professional will get a refresh too, additionally with a October 22 launch.
- The Imaginative and prescient Professional headset additionally will get a efficiency increase due to an M5 chip improve
Though Apple’s largest replace of the yr is the iPhone, it wasn’t Apple’s final replace of the yr. The iPad Professional and MacBook Professional wanted a refresh forward of the vacations.
The iPad Pro will get a lift to the M5 chip, and it additionally options a number of new Apple chips — the N1 networking chip and the C1X modem chip for mobile fashions. Costs begin at $999 for the 11-inch mannequin and $1,299 for the 13-inch mannequin, and both are avaialble for preorder, with the tablets hitting the cabinets October 22.
Additionally: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more
There are additionally new and up to date MacBook Pro laptops. A brand new 14-inch base mannequin will get the M5 remedy, whereas higher-end 14- and 16-inch fashions keep on with the M4 Professional and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 mannequin begins at $1,599 and is obtainable for preorder now.
Additionally, the Vision Pro gets an M5 update (and a brand new “dual-knit” band). Costs nonetheless begin at $3,499, so it stays to be seen how any of this may have an effect on gross sales.
Whereas all that looks like an enormous replace, there are a lot extra Apple updates rumored for 2025 and early 2026. These might embody a finances iPhone 17e, an up to date House Hub, a HomePod Mini 2, an Apple TV, a MacBook Air, and an up to date AirTag.
That is so much left to replace.
So, what’s secure to purchase now, and what’s finest prevented?
The ‘do not buy’ listing
These are the Apple units I like to recommend giving a cross for now, as we’ll doubtless see refreshed variations quickly:
- Apple TV: Final up to date in October 2022, this system is due for a refresh. Rumors counsel a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K might be introduced earlier than the top of the yr.
- HomePod Mini: Launched in October 2020, that is formally Apple’s oldest product. Whereas there’s nothing technically unsuitable with the system, it is laborious to suggest paying full value for such outdated {hardware}, and rumors of an imminent replace are circulating.
The ‘do purchase’ listing
These Apple units are price shopping for now, since it will be some time earlier than we see important {hardware} upgrades.
1. iPhone 17 sequence
The iPhone 17 is now obtainable, sporting a sooner A19 and A19 Professional processor, a greater digital camera, and higher battery…
Additionally: Should you upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro from last year’s model? I am – here’s why
The evaluations virtually write themselves by now. For these with an excessive amount of cash, Apple now gives the iPhone 17 Professional Max with 2TB of storage for a reassuring $1,999. There’s additionally a brand new iPhone mannequin, the ultra-thin (nicely, excluding the massive digital camera bulge on the prime) iPhone Air, which appears to exchange the iPhone Plus line and makes an attempt to unify Apple’s buzzwords.
2. Apple Watch Collection 11, SE 3, and Extremely 3
All the line of Apple Watches has been upgraded, specializing in well being metrics, particularly hypertension alerting (a characteristic that is additionally coming to older Apple Watches). Once more, these are within the preorder state on the time of writing.
Additionally: I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE – what the keynote didn’t tell you
There is a new Apple Watch at each value level, from $249 for the SE 3 to $899 for the Ultra 3 with the neat titanium Milanese band.
3. AirPods Professional 3
The AirPods Professional 3 get some large upgrades, together with improved noise cancellation, higher audio high quality, elevated battery life, and a brand new characteristic — coronary heart fee detection. That is an attention-grabbing shift for Apple because it strikes a number of the core performance discovered within the Apple Watch to a different system.
Additionally: I replaced my AirPods Max with the AirPods Pro 3 for flights, and it’s been a game-changer
Are you excited to get your arms on the brand new AirPods Professional 3? I’m, too, however you might save a couple of dollars by ready till the Black Friday offers roll by. Historically, this can be a product that will get discounted.
Who is aware of? You would possibly save your self $50.
4. iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Professional
The iPad Air, kitted out with the M3 chip, obtained a refresh in March. Costs begin at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model. On the time, the iPad additionally acquired a efficiency increase due to the A16 chip. Costs for this pill begin at $350.
Up to date M5-powered iPad Pro tablets at the moment are additionally obtainable for preorder, and costs begin at $999 for the 11-inch mannequin and $1,299 for the 13-inch mannequin.
5. MacBook Professional
The MacBook Pro line get a considerably complicated refresh. A brand new 14-inch base mannequin will get the M5 remedy, whereas higher-end 14- and 16-inch fashions keep on with the M4 Professional and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 mannequin begins at $1,599 and is obtainable for preorder now.
6. Mac Studio
Apple’s pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini additionally noticed a severe processing increase in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra supplied in a variety of configurations. Costs begin at $1,999 however can attain $14,099 for a totally tricked-out system.
7. iMac
The M4 iMac obtained a refresh to deliver it on top of things with Apple Intelligence in October 2024. With specs starting from an eight-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage priced at $1,299, all the way in which as much as a 10-core CPU and GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s an iMac to go well with most workloads and budgets.
8. Mac Mini
Apple’s smallest Mac acquired an improve in October 2024 to the M4 and M4 Professional processors. It is also the most cost effective Mac you should buy, as a Mac Mini with the 10-core CPU and GPU mannequin, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage prices solely $599.
9. iPad Mini
The 2024 iPad Mini was launched in October 2024, changing the three-year-old mannequin with one powered by an A17 Professional chip that is Apple Intelligence-ready. The system is available in a variety of colours — blue, purple, starlight, and house grey — and a number of storage capacities — 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Costs vary from $499 to $799.
Upcoming Apple merchandise to observe
1. Apple TV
It is coming, we’re simply undecided when. The system is rumored to make use of Apple’s new networking chip, including help for Wi-Fi 6E, and might be powered by the A15 chip, opening the door to Apple Intelligence options.
2. AirTag Replace
I am a massive AirTag fan, and since Apple launched them, the market has exploded with third-party choices. Whereas solely Apple can provide precision discovering, there at the moment are smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable finder tags.
Additionally: Should you buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17? How to decide which model to buy
The brand new AirTags are anticipated to make use of a brand new Ultra Wideband chip, which is predicted to enhance vary and accuracy. Apple can also be allegedly making the speaker harder to disable, a countermeasure to forestall tags from getting used to stalk folks.
Given how simply AirTags can be modified and the way they will even be bought pre-modified, this replace might be a welcome change.
Tariff prices and commerce wars
Tariffs nonetheless dominate the information. One second they’re on; subsequent they’re off; then they’re on once more with an inventory of ifs, buts, and exceptions that will or might not stick round.
CNET: As Inflation From Trump’s Tariffs Looms Large, I’m Watching 11 Key Products for Inflation
In accordance with Apple’s July 31 earnings call, tariffs have value the corporate roughly $800 million for the final quarter, with this determine anticipated to rise to $1.1 billion for the present quarter.
Is Apple shouldering that tariff burden? Perhaps not.
Apple has added $100 to the value of the iPhone 17 lineup, however tried to make issues extra opaque by stirring up the storage capacities. However storage costs are low-cost — roughly, the business common value is about $16 for 128GB, and round $35 for 256GB — so that does not account for all the value. Additionally, Apple has switched up the chassis from titanium to aluminum, and titanium is significantly dearer than aluminum, round 2.5 to three occasions extra per pound relying on the alloy — in order that’s fairly a saving for a corporation making hundreds of thousands of iPhones.
So, is Apple swallowing the tariff prices? I would say no, the buyer is paying.
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