ZDNET’s key takeaways
- New iPhones and Apple Watches are inbound.
- New AirPods Professional and HomeHub {hardware} are additionally rumored.
- Count on pricing tweaks to offset tariff prices.
It is August, and meaning we’re now within the residence stretch to Apple’s largest yearly replace. New iPhones are weeks away, and it is seemingly we’ll see new Apple Watches, and probably new AirPods Professional and a HomeHub system.
Additionally: One of the best Apple offers proper now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and extra
For the savvy purchaser, this case signifies that there are much more objects on the “do not buy” checklist than common. However worry not, as this information will guarantee you do not spend your cash on one thing outdated in just a few weeks.
Tariffs and commerce wars
Tariffs nonetheless dominate the information. One second they’re on, subsequent they’re off, then they’re on once more with a listing of ifs, buts, and exceptions which will or might not stick round.
CNET: Monitoring tariff costs: See how the brand new tariffs are hitting these 11 in style merchandise
In keeping with Apple’s July 31 earnings name, tariffs have price the corporate roughly $800 million for the final quarter, with this determine anticipated to rise to $1.1 billion for the present quarter. Up to now, Apple is shouldering that burden.
Up to now.
Upcoming Apple merchandise to control (close to and much)
1. AirPods Professional replace
I really like my AirPods Professional, and if the rumors are appropriate, and the up to date {hardware} will get coronary heart price and temperature monitoring, and probably stay translation, then I’ve to say that I will be on the entrance of the queue to get new buds.
2. M5 Chip
It feels just like the M4 processor within the MacBook Professional and MacBook Air remains to be new. Nevertheless, the M5 chip is already on the horizon. In keeping with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman within the Energy On publication, the M5 will likely be within the MacBook Professional and iPad Professional later this 12 months, most probably within the fall.
3. Apple TV
It is coming, we’re simply unsure when. The system is rumored to make use of Apple’s new networking chip, including help for Wi-Fi 6E, and will likely be powered by the A15 chip, opening the door to Apple Intelligence options.
4. AirTag Replace
I am an enormous AirTag fan, and since Apple launched them, the market has exploded with third-party choices. Whereas solely Apple can supply precision discovering, there are actually smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable finder tags.
Additionally: Tips on how to discover out if an AirTag is monitoring you – and what to do about it
The brand new AirTags are anticipated to make use of a brand new Extremely Wideband chip, bringing improved vary and accuracy. Apple can also be allegedly making the speaker tougher to disable, serving as a countermeasure to forestall tags from getting used to stalk individuals.
Given how simply AirTags might be modified and the way they will even be bought pre-modified, this replace will likely be a welcome change.
The ‘do not buy’ checklist
You must give these Apple gadgets a go for now, as we’ll seemingly see refreshed variations quickly:
- iPhones: New fashions will arrive September/October, so until you do not thoughts operating previous {hardware} in just a few weeks, maintain off shopping for for now. The one exception right here is the iPhone 16e that launched in March.
- Apple Watch: It is seemingly new {hardware} will drop alongside the refreshed iPhone, so maintain for now.
- Apple TV: Final up to date in October 2022, this system is due for a refresh. Rumors recommend a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K will likely be introduced quickly.
- HomePod Mini: Launched in October 2020, that is formally Apple’s oldest product. Whereas there’s nothing technically flawed with the system, it is arduous to suggest paying full value for such previous {hardware}.
- Imaginative and prescient Professional: It is arduous to guess in opposition to Apple, and it is robust to place one thing with a lot potential on the naughty checklist. Nevertheless, if rumors are true that Apple will halt manufacturing as a result of gross sales have slumped, it is arduous to place confidence in the product. I might maintain out and see what Apple has deliberate. Present rumors level to a 2026 refresh.
The ‘do purchase’ checklist
These Apple gadgets are price springing for now, since it will be some time earlier than we see vital {hardware} upgrades.
1. iPhone 16e
That is Apple’s latest entry-level iPhone, changing the iPhone SE line. It is a handset reduce to the naked minimal — packing an A18 processor, Face ID biometrics, USB-C charging, and a single-lens rear digital camera.
2. iPad and iPad Air
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 received a efficiency increase due to the A16 chip. Costs for this pill begin at $350.
3. MacBook Air
Each the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops received an improve in March 2025 to the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU M4 processor, and battery life is boosted to as a lot as 18 hours. Costs begin at $999, however you may push the price to $2,399 with upgrades.
4. Mac Studio
Apple’s pro-grade different to the Mac mini additionally noticed a severe processing increase in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Extremely provided in a variety of configurations. Costs begin at $1,999 however can attain $14,099 for a totally tricked-out system.
5. Apple iMac
The M4 iMac obtained a refresh to carry 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.
6. Apple Mac Mini
Apple’s smallest Mac received an improve in October 2024 to the M4 and M4 Professional processors. It is also the most cost effective Mac you should purchase, as a Mac Mini with the 10-core CPU and GPU mannequin, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage prices solely $599.
7. Apple 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.
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