Tech / Technology

35+ Early Black Friday Apple deals: iPads, iPhones, more

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Score early Black Friday deals on the AirPods Pro at their record-low price for an iPad mini or Air for $100 off.
person using apple pencil on ipad mini

Black Friday sales have already begun, bringing with them a bunch of Apple discounts. Here are our favorites as of Nov. 2:

Best early Black Friday Apple deals:
Best Mac deal

2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H
(Save $200)

2022 macbook air in midnight

Best iPad deal

2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart
(Save $80)

silver 2021 ipad

Best iPhone deal

iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans
(Save $799)

midnight iphone 14 plus

Best Apple Watch deal

Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS)

$234.89 at Amazon
(Save $44.11)

midnight apple watch SE



Best AirPods deal

AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart
(Save $60)

airpods pro with case

Deals on Apple products actually aren’t too hard to find — if you know where and when to look. While you don’t have to wait for a shopping holiday to get savings on iPads, MacBooks, and more, Black Friday Apple deals tend to be some of the best of the year.

This year, Black Friday savings are in line with years past and starting nice and early, with Best Buy, Walmart, and more all running sales throughout the month before we officially hit Black Friday on Nov. 24.

SEE ALSO:

Black Friday sales are already live. Here are the best early deals we’ve found so far.

If you’re looking to save big on some new Apple gear this holiday season, you can start shopping now. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best Black Friday Apple deals that are already live.

Mac and MacBook deals


2022 macbook air in midnight

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H (save $200)

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

If you’re looking for a zippy work-from-home machine or the perfect school companion, look no further. Though Apple did just release the new M3 chip to its iMac and MacBook lineup, the M2 is still plenty powerful. You’ll also get 13.6 inches of display (as opposed to the 13.3 inches of the previous gen Air), a near-perfect keyboard, and best of all, this laptop at its lowest price ever.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

Mac

iPad deals


silver 2021 ipad

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart

Why we like it

We’re not going to lie, this $249 price tag is far from a Black Friday exclusive. This tablet has hit this all-time low price a few times this year, including during last month’s Prime Day sale, but it’s also sat at higher price points of $279 and up. We wouldn’t recommend this tablet if you need anything more heavy-duty, but for a basic tablet that gets the job done, you’ll be saving at least $150 more than if you went for any other iPad. Grab it on sale at Amazon and Walmart.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

iPad mini

iPad Pro

SEE ALSO:

M3 iMac vs. M1 iMac: What are the differences?

iPhone deals


midnight iphone 14 plus

Credit: Apple


Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799)

Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the shiniest new Apple toy, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren’t bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

Apple Watch deals


midnight apple watch SE

Credit: Apple


Our pick: Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS)

$234.89 at Amazon (save $44.11)

Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is an affordable option if you’re in the market for a smartwatch, but don’t need many fitness features. Usually, its price will dip down by $30 every now and then, which makes for a pretty decent deal, but Black Friday season has brought us something even better, with this 44mm SE that’s down almost $45. That’s roughly $5 away from its lowest price ever (that we’ve only seen it hit once). If you want to avoid the Black Friday madness and don’t mind opting for the midnight colorway, this is a solid deal to jump on ahead of the official holiday.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

Series 8

SE

Ultra

More Apple Watch deals

AirPods deals


airpods pro with case

Credit: Apple


Our pick: AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart (save $60)

Why we like it

Read our full review of the second-generation AirPods Pro.

If you’re looking for a quality pair of noise-canceling earbuds, look no further than the AirPods Pro. They’re our favorite buds for traveling, with Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder deeming them, “the first pair of earbuds I’d actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones).” They also come with 30 total hours of battery life with the charging case (six hours per charge), great sound quality, and easy pairing to all of your Apple devices. Plus, their $189 price tag puts them back down to their lowest price ever (alongside the USB-C AirPods Pro).

More deals on AirPods

Even more Apple deals

Tech / Technology

Pixel 8 reported issues are piling up: 3 common issues we’re hearing

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Pixel 8 owners are reporting a number of concerning issues with Google’s latest flagship Android smartphone.
Google Pixel 8

Overheating, battery issues, connectivity problems –– no, we’re not talking about the new iPhone 15 here. 

These are the most common issues now being reported by Pixel 8 owners.

The freshly introduced Pixel 8 series was revealed on October 4 and made its way to store shelves on October 12. As a result, users have had several weeks to put the Pixel 8 through its paces with their everyday smartphone activities.

Unfortunately, Pixel 8 users are finding that, much like Apple’s latest device, some vital issues need to be addressed.

Overheating phones

Pixel 8 owners have reportedly been experiencing one of the iPhone 15’s biggest problems at launch: an overheating phone. Users, like these examples from the XDA forums, have shared that the Pixel 8 gets hot to the touch while charging the device, streaming videos, or even normal web browsing.

However, the extent of the problem’s prevalence remains unclear.

Still, it’s worth noting that some Pixel 8 users have shared that the new phone does feel cooler than previous iterations of the device, like the Pixel 7. In fact, those older models have had their fair share of overheating complaints over the years, too, which were supposedly addressed with the launch of Android 14.

Poor battery life

Battery life is always a major concern for any smartphone user. However, the complaints here seem to fall more in line with serious battery-drain issue.

For example, one user on Google’s official support forums claims that their one-week-old Pixel 8 fell to 20 percent battery life after less than three hours of screen time. An Android Police writer also shared that they experienced battery and overheating issues with their Pixel 8 device.

Again, it’s unclear exactly how many Pixel 8 owners are experiencing these issues. But, it does seem to be a problem with at least some devices.

A user on Reddit theorized that the battery-drain issues may be directly tied to another one of Pixel 8’s issues: poor cellular connectivity.

Connectivity issues

Another issue that some Pixel 8 owners are reporting has to do with cellular connectivity. Users have shared that they’ve had poor connection to their 5G service, sometimes getting dropped from the connection altogether. Typically, these reports indicate that the Pixel 8 does not encounter the same issues when it’s positioned within Wi-Fi range.

As Android Police points out, previous Pixel models were also notorious for its connectivity issues with users reporting spotty reception, laggy web browsing, and dropped calls.

In the previously mentioned Reddit post, some users have tied the battery-drain problem to the connectivity issue as the Pixel 8 battery does not appear to abnormally lose its charge while utilizing a Wi-Fi service like it does over 5G.

Based on what we know (and based on the most recent examples with the iPhone 15), buggy software may be the culprit – not hardware. As Mashable reported recently, the latest Android 14 update appeared to cause a number of problems on older Pixel devices. It’s possible that Google will roll out a firmware update that will address the majority of these issues for most users, whether they own a Pixel 8 or one of the previous generations.

The general consensus from experts is that the Pixel 8 is an improvement from the Pixel 6 and 7 on all these issues. These foibles seem to have been prevalent among older Pixel devices, and while some Pixel users are reporting gen-over-gen improvements, Google still hasn’t fully rectified the issue yet.

Tech / Technology

Samsung Galaxy S24 rumors: Release date, price, features, specs, and more

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Samsung Galaxy S24 leaks and rumors have been pouring in; here’s a compilation of everything we know so far about the upcoming line.
Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S24 rumors are heating up after Apple’s iPhone 15 reveal in early September. People who practice mobile OS agnosticism – folks who have no loyalty toward Android nor iPhone – may be wondering which flagship line will win ‘em over. Or perhaps Samsung Galaxy S-series fans are watching the leaks closely, wondering whether they should upgrade from their older phones.

Regardless of why you’re here, we’re going to pull the curtains back on all the rumors we know so far about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra phones.

SEE ALSO:

3 iPhone 15 features Samsung Galaxy S24 will steal, according to rumors

Samsung Galaxy S24 release date

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is rumored to have a release date some time in January or February of next year. Take a look at its predecessors’ release dates:

  • Samsung Galaxy S21: Jan. 29, 2021

  • Samsung Galaxy S22: Feb. 25, 2022

  • Samsung Galaxy S23: Feb. 1, 2023

The Galaxy S23 line was revealed at Galaxy Unpacked on Feb. 1, and while the Samsung Galaxy S24 could get unveiled in early February, too, a new rumor from South Korean outlet The Elec disputes this.

The publication claims that Samsung plans on choosing an earlier release date for the Galaxy S24 series. How much earlier? The South Korean tech giant allegedly plans to push it back by one month, which means we may see the next-generation flagship phone line in January 2024.

Samsung Galaxy S24 price

There haven’t been many leaks about the Samsung Galaxy S24’s pricing, but there’s one thing to note before I dive into the whispers we’ve been hearing. According to The Elec, Samsung has been considering nixing the Plus model from its line. Why? To put it succinctly, buyers have had a tendency to purchase either the cheapest model or the most premium one – not the mid-tier variant. 

However, X leaker @Tech_Reve, a bean spiller that TechRadar claims has a “respectable track record,” is skeptical. They claim that gossip about Samsung axing the Galaxy S24 are “confused rumors.” I’m leaning toward @Tech_Reve on this one. While I do suspect there have been internal talks at Samsung about potentially ending the Plus model, I don’t believe the Samsung Galaxy S24 line will be the one to do it.

Again, there’s currently not much in the rumor mill about the next-generation phones’ pricing, which may indicate that there won’t be a price hike next year. Let’s take a look at the starting prices of the last three generations:

  • Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra: $799, $999, $1,199

  • Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra: $799, $999, $1,199

  • Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra: $799, $999, $1,199

Pricing has been consistent since Samsung unleashed the Galaxy S21 line in 2021. Could this change next year? With inflation driving price hikes in the tech realm, it’s possible, but we won’t know for sure until we hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

Samsung Galaxy S24 design

The Samsung Galaxy S23 dropped that camera module block that enveloped the Samsung Galaxy S22. But for this next-generation line, according to @Tech_Reve, we won’t be seeing any major changes to the design language.

In collaboration with @Onleaks, a bean spiller with a decent track record, SmartPrix dropped high-quality renders of the entry-level Galaxy S24.

Samsung Galaxy S24 leaked renders

Samsung Galaxy S24 leaked renders
Credit: @Onleaks/SmartPrix

It looks like the Samsung Galaxy S24 will sport the same squared-off design as its predecessor. It also still has a bump-less camera module and a trio of lenses. However, SmartPrix claims that the Galaxy S24 will be slightly taller and slimmer than the S23.

Ice Universe, another respected leaker in the tech space, claims that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will get the most salient tweaks. It will likely drop its curved-screen aesthetics for a flat-panel look. @Onleaks, on the other hand, claims that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will have a design that blends both a curved and flat design.

@Onleaks, again, in collaboration with SmartPrix, claims that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has even slimmer bezels compared to its predecessor. According to SmartPrix, it is one of the “narrowest bezels” seen on any smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leaked renders

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leaked renders
Credit: @Onleaks/SmartPrix

Like the iPhone 15, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is getting an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) antenna, which will make it easier for you to track down your device. The upper-tier Samsung Galaxy S24 model is expected to be slightly shorter than its predecessor, but a tinge wider. And finally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra may get a brightness bump to 2,200 nits, an upgrade from its predecessor’s 1,750 nits.

Ice Universe suggested that, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be made of titanium, ditching the Ultra’s signature “Armor Aluminum” frame. (Forbes’ Ewan Spence also claims that the Samsung Galaxy S24 could switch to titanium.)

Another rumor claims that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will ditch one of its telephoto lenses, dropping its four-camera system to a trio-lens module, but we’ll dive into this later.

Samsung Galaxy S24 colors

According to GSMArena, the new colors for the entry-level Samsung Galaxy S24 are the following

  • Black

  • Gray

  • Violet

  • Yellow

The first two colors are typically labeled “Phantom Black” and “Graphite,” and they’re no stranger to the Galaxy S series line. However, violet and yellow are hues we haven’t seen for several generations. As GSMArena pointed out, we had a violet colorway with the S21 series, but we haven’t had a yellow hue since the Galaxy S10e.

Samsung Galaxy S24 display

According to Ice Universe, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus – the mid-tier model – will get a negligible bump in display size (6.65 inches vs. 6.6 inches). Let’s take a look at the screen sizes of both generations:

Samsung Galaxy S23 display size

  • Samsung Galaxy S23 – 6.1 inches

  • Samsung Galaxy S23+ – 6.6 inches

  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – 6.8 inches

Samsung Galaxy S24 display size (rumored)

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 – 6.1 inches

  • Samsung Galaxy S24+ – 6.65 inches

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 6.8 inches

The same leaker also claims that the resolution gap between the S24+ and the S24 Ultra will narrow; the mid-tier model will join the top-tier variant in getting a better-quality WQHD+ resolution. 

As it stands now, all three Galaxy S23 models have 120Hz refresh rate displays. Keep in mind, however, that only the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a variable refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz; the lower-tier models have a dynamic refresh rate between 48Hz and 120Hz. What does this mean? Well, the Ultra can dive down all the way to 1Hz when you’re not particularly active on your phone, which means the screen is refreshing much less. This preserves battery life. The lower-tier Samsung Galaxy S23 models can only drop down to 48Hz, which means it may be refreshing the screen even when your task doesn’t call for such a high rate.

However, we have a strong inkling that the Galaxy S24 and S24+ models will now have the ability to drop to 1Hz. How do we know? Ice Universe claims that they will now use an LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) panel (which is featured on the Ultra model), giving the lower-tier variants the opportunity to smoothly transition between 1Hz and 120Hz.

As a cherry on top, according to SamLover, Samsung may upgrade the Ultra variant to 144Hz. What does this mean for you? Navigating through your phone will feel more seamless, smoother and more responsive. Mobile gaming should feel zippier, too.

Finally, according to Ice Universe, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is getting slimmer bezels (2.5mm vs. 3.4mm).

Samsung Galaxy S24 cameras

There are conflicting reports regarding the Samsung Galaxy S24 cameras. In June, Ice Universe claimed they secured the camera specs for the Ultra model from “Korean sources.”

The listed specs are largely the same as before, but two months later, Ice Universe changed their tune, suggesting that the Ultra model will feature two telephoto options: a 50MP camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP lens with 3X optical zoom.

The current Ultra model has two 10MP telephoto cameras, one with 10X zoom and another with 3X zoom. This means that the 10MP, 10X sensor may get replaced with the 50MP, 5X camera. On paper, this means that the new telephoto sensor on the upcoming Ultra will have a shorter optical range before the digital-zoom software kicks in, but the picture quality should be crisper and sharper.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:

  • Wide camera – 200MP

  • Ultrawide camera – 12MP

  • Telephoto – 10MP, 3X

  • Telephoto – 10MP, 10X

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (rumored)

  • Wide camera – 200MP

  • Ultrawide camera – 12MP

  • Telephoto – 10MP, 3X

  • Telephoto – 50MP, 5X

IceUniverse also took to Weibo on Oct. 28 to showcase some leaked images of protective cases that appear to be for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. According to the pictures, as Tom’s Guide pointed out, Samsung may consider consolidating the two telephoto lenses into a single camera.

As far as the other models are concerned, there’s not much in the rumor mill about them. But if things remain relatively consistent, the lower-tier models will continue to sport a 50MP wide camera, a 10MP 3X telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter with a 120-degree field of view.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs and new features

According to SamMobile, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will power the next-generation Samsung Galaxy S-series line. Citing a report from China, SamMobile added that the new chipset will have a GPU that’s 50 percent faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the Galaxy S23 line.

Interestingly, the Adreno 740 inside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is faster than the graphics packed inside A16 Bionic, which you can find inside the iPhone 14 Pro models. So the question is, will the next-gen GPU, likely to be called Adreno 750, beat the A17 Pro inside the iPhone 15 Pro models in graphics prowess? Only time will tell.

SamMobile also reported that the entire Galaxy S24 line will start with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. This presumably means that you won’t have to shell out more to increase your phone’s space. The Ultra model may have a variant that comes with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

Finally, Samsung may take a page out of Apple’s playbook and introduce satellite connectivity to the new S24 line.

Tech / Technology

iPhone 16: Release date, price, specs, features, and more

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iPhone 16 rumors are heating up. Let’s dive into all the leaks for the next-generation flagship line.
iPhone 15

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro rumors are flooding in – and it’s only been a few weeks since Apple unveiled the iPhone 15. The next-gen phones are expected to hit store shelves in September 2024, but we’re already hearing whispers about a phone that we won’t see until next year.

Although it’s early days, we’re already hearing whispers about a RAM boost for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, are reportedly getting some striking upgrades to the cameras that may dazzle the masses. Here’s a compilation of everything we know so far about next year’s iPhone 16 line.

SEE ALSO:

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus review

iPhone 16 release date

The iPhone 16 release date is expected to be September of next year. After Apple has its whole shebang of an event showcasing the next-generation handsets, the iPhones typically ship about a week or two later.

iPhone 15

iPhone 15
Credit: Apple

In the past, Apple has deviated from this cadence due to reported production hindrances (e.g., supply chain issues). For example, the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 14 Plus shipped in October, but typically, get unveiled some time during the first half of September every year.

iPhone 16 design

Let’s dive into arguably the most important aspect of the iPhone’s design: the screen. There haven’t been any significant changes to the display sizes since the iPhone 12, but according to reliable leaker Unknownz21, the upper-tier iPhone 16 models are going to be a little bit more unwieldy in your hands.

Display

The iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly have a 6.3-inch display while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will pack a 6.9-inch panel. You may be wondering, “What about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus? Will they get a screen size bump, too?” The answer is likely no. The lower-tier models will reportedly have the same display sizes as their predecessors.

iPhone 15 screen sizes

  • iPhone 15 – 6.1 inches

  • iPhone 15 Plus – 6.7 inches

  • iPhone 15 Pro – 6.1 inches

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max – 6.7 inches

iPhone 16 screen sizes (rumored)

  • iPhone 16 – 6.1 inches

  • iPhone 16 Plus – 6.7 inches

  • iPhone 16 Pro – 6.3 inches

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max – 6.9 inches

Ross Young, a well-known display analyst and Apple leaker, was the first to claim that the iPhone 16 Pro models will have larger screens. 

However, he offered slightly different numbers: 6.2 inches and 6.8 inches. What could be the reason behind the discrepancy? According to MacRumors, it’s “likely due to the difference between actual display area and viewable display area.”

Solid-state buttons

Apple reportedly planned on introducing solid-state buttons with the iPhone 15 Pro models, but instead, we got a customizable Action Button. For the uninitiated, solid-state buttons aren’t buttons per se – they’re panels that feature haptic feedback sensations that simulate real button presses (Think of the iPhone SE series’ Home button). On the plus side, the solid-state buttons aren’t totally out of the picture. According to respected Apple leaker and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on debuting solid-state buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro models instead.

Kuo added that these solid-state buttons will add two additional Taptic Engines, which will help fire off tangible feedback to users. (If this is true, the number of Taptic Engines in the iPhone 16 will increase to three — up from one.)

According to a tip from Weibo (via MacRumors), the Action Button on the iPhone 16 Pro will be a solid-state button and sit flush against the chassis. To make room for this change, Apple will reportedly move the mmWave antenna to the left of the iPhone 16 Pro as opposed to the right. This Weibo tip comes from a leaker with the moniker “Instant Digital,” a bean spiller that reportedly has an accurate track record, according to MacRumors.

iPhone 16 cameras

Apple debuted a new zoom lens with a “tetra-prism” design on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which simply means that engineers found a way to “fold” the shooter so that it still has telephoto capabilities without taking up too much space. This new camera increases the Pro Max’s optical zoom from 3x to 5x.

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro
Credit: Apple

However, according to Digital Chat Station (DCS), a bean-spiller on the Chinese social media site Weibo, both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get the new tetra-prism telephoto camera.

According to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst from Haitong International Securities (a Hong Kong investment firm), the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will also feature a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with better light gathering. As such, camera performance in dimmer environments should improve. As it stands now, the iPhone 15 Pro models have a 12MP ultrawide camera. The ultrawide camera is perfect for taking landscape photos, allowing you to capture more scenery. However, compared to the main camera, the ultrawide lens tends to deliver a slight drop in crispness and sharpness. If this rumor is true, the new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera may ameliorate this minor foible.

Finally, Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will upgrade the rear cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro models, introducing a stacked design. What will a stacked design do? According to Apple Insider, it increases light capture and provides wider dynamic range, so Night Mode should get a sweet boost.

Featured Video For You

History of iPhone (updated)

iPhone 16 specs

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 8GB of RAM while the lower-tier models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, are stuck with their predecessors’ 6GB of RAM. If that bums you out, don’t worry. According to Pu, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to join the 8GB of RAM bandwagon, too.

iPhone 15 colorways

iPhone 15 lineup
Credit: Apple

As for the chip, you may not be happy to read this, but Pu added that the A17 Pro’s successor will reportedly be less efficient. In other words, the iPhone 16 models equipped with this chip may take a battery life hit. This is because the next-generation chip will offer tremendous performance gains at the expense of power efficiency. We certainly hope this rumor isn’t true, but time will tell. 

The iPhone 16 Pro models will also reportedly support Wi-Fi 7 (current models support WiFi 6E). Wi-Fi 7 should offer zippy transfer speeds that exceed 40 Gbps, quadrupling what WiFi 6E can do.

According to Pu (via 9to5Mac), the iPhone 16 Pro will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modem, which can reach a 5G download rate of up to 7.5 Gbps.

We’ll periodically update this rumor hub as new iPhone 16 leaks trickle in, so be sure to bookmark this page. 

Tech / Technology

Google Chrome on iPhone now lets you move the address bar

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Google Chrome users can now move the address bar to the bottom, but only iPhone users can take advantage of this new feature.
Google Chrome moves address bar

Google added a new feature to Chrome that is reminiscent of Safari’s current design. You can now move the address bar to the bottom of the screen.

This means you no longer have to stretch your thumbs to reach the top of your phone in a way that interrupts your typing flow. Sorry, Android users — this feature is only available to iPhone users at this time.

Google Chrome address bar move feature

You can move the Google Chrome address bar to the bottom or keep it at the top.
Credit: Google

Why move the address bar to the bottom?

Phones are gigantic these days. Hell, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max have nearly seven-inch displays — they’re practically tablets.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in white titanium

The iPhone 15 Pro Max in all of its giant glory.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

As such, the top of the screen is becoming harder for our thumbs to reach. So Google is allowing users to move the address bar to a more convenient position.

“We know people prefer different address bar positions depending on the size of their hands and devices, and we took those preferences into account when building this highly requested feature,” said Nick Kim Sexton, Google product manager for Chrome.

If you prefer the address bar on top, don’t worry: You can simply leave it in its default position.

How to move the address bar to the bottom

To move the address bar to the bottom, you must press and hold it. Next, select the “Move address bar to bottom” option. That’s it!

You can also go to Settings, tap on “Address bar,” and choose your preferred position.


Google Pixel 8 Pro - Unlocked

Credit: Amazon


Google Pixel 8 Pro – Unlocked

$999

Tech / Technology

Apple Watch Series 9 review: Upgrade for this key feature (no, it’s not Double Tap)

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Apple Watch Series 9 has a fancy new chip, but Apple hasn’t done too much with it — yet.
Apple Watch Series 9

The new Watch Series 9 is a robust and elite wearable device – the best Apple has ever made. It has some serious power on the inside, with a fancy new S9 SiP and a new Ultra Wideband chip. But very little of that power translates into new features you’ll actually notice.

Starting with the design, the new Apple Watch Series 9 looks exactly the same as its predecessor: the Series 8 watch. You still get to choose between aluminum and stainless steel as well as 41mm and 45mm displays. The only difference is the availability of pink, the only new color in the lineup (the unit Apple sent me was Midnight).

You do get a couple of new watch faces, including Solar Analog, Palette, improved Snoopy, and Nike Globe, as well as a choice of new wristbands, including Nike’s environmentally friendly Sport Band – though none of those are exclusive to the Series 9 Watch.

Super bright display

The takeaway here is that the new Watch looks and feels exactly the same as the old one. There’s one key difference that won’t be apparent until you lie in bed at night or go out in direct sunlight. The new Apple Watch Series 9’s display has double the peak brightness of up to 2000 nits and a minimum luminance of just one nit. This means that the new Watch is a lot more readable in direct sunlight, and you’ll be squinting less when you take a peek at it in the dark.

Apple Watch Series 9

New Nike wristband combined with the new Nike watch face.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Inside, the new Watch is packed with significant upgrades, including a new A15 Bionic-based S9 chipset with a 64-bit dual-core processor and a four-core Neural Engine. Apple says this makes the Watch 30 percent zippier compared to the previous generation – and the new Neural Engine is up to twice as fast.

In my experience, the new Watch is certainly snappy, but I don’t remember the last one being slow. In fact, my previous daily driver was a Series 6 Watch, and while it’s noticeably slower than the new one, speed was never an issue to me.

Apple Watch Series 9

It measures your blood oxygen and heart rate, but there are no new sensors here.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Battery life is an improvement over my old Series 6. Finally, I can charge my Watch in the morning and have it last well into the next day. But if you already have a Series 8, you won’t notice a big difference. Apple says the battery life is unchanged from the previous generation.

The things that aren’t here yet

The new chip’s power did allow Apple to do some cool things with the new watch, namely Double Tap. It’s a new feature that lets you launch and control apps without touching the Watch. Instead, you just put your index finger and thumb together twice in rapid succession, which prompts the Watch to perform an action.

I’ve briefly tried Double Tap in Apple’s hands-on area at Apple Park, but the review unit I got afterwards didn’t have the feature, so I can’t really say how useful it is in everyday usage. This is because the Watch actually launched without Double Tap, which is coming sometime in October. It’s a pretty big blunder by Apple; Double Tap is the Watch’s most marketable feature, and it just isn’t here yet. I will update this review with my thoughts on it once it becomes available on my unit.

The improved Neural Engine allows Siri processing to happen on the Watch itself, meaning you can summon the digital assistant while you’re offline. On top of that, Apple claims that dictation up to 25 percent more accurate on the new watch. More important to me is another feature that’s not here yet. Later this year, you’ll be able to ask Siri to log your health data (e.g., telling it your weight) – and you can ask it about your health data, too.

I tested the Watch Series 9’s updated Siri by asking it to send a few messages, and it worked surprisingly well. Siri never missing a single word. I still got frustrated, though, at Siri’s inability to understand some contextual information. The digital assistant still struggles to mimic a natural conversation, but that’s always been the case with Siri.

SEE ALSO:

Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Plus review: Almost Pro

Another new chip inside, Apple’s second-gen Ultra Wideband chip, allows for Precision Finding for iPhone 15, making it easy to find a misplaced phone just by using your watch.

Ironically, I had problems finding this feature. You can’t get Precision Finding from within Find My, which was where I first looked for it. Instead, you must pull up the Control Panel (single click of the side button in WatchOS 10) and tap the “ring iPhone” button. Next, the Precision Finding screen will appear, guiding you towards your iPhone. It worked flawlessly; no matter where I hid the iPhone around my flat, the Watch was able to navigate me to it every time.

Apple Watch Series 9

Lost your iPhone? No problem.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Oh, and Apple Watch Series 9 now comes with 64GB of storage, doubling the Series 8’s 32GB of space. If you store a lot of music on your Watch, this will be important.

A big theme around this year’s Watch is ecology. If you get it with an aluminum case and the new Sport Loop band, it’ll be carbon neutral. Apple plans to make all of its products carbon neutral by 2030, and it’s a commendable plan.

Is the Apple Watch Series 9 worth it?

Apple Watch Series 9

No need to upgrade yet.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

There’s a recurring theme in this review of the Apple Watch Series 9. This is a powerful device that feels like a foundation for something better to come in the future. This includes Double Tap, which should come fairly soon, as well as talking to Siri about your health. However, I’m looking forward to seeing more significant gen-over-gen upgrades in the future (rumor has it that next year’s Watch will include a blood pressure monitor).

That’s not to say that there are no improvements here. The brighter display is a bonus, the watch is speedier, and it has more storage than before. But if you already have a Series 8, or even a Series 7, there are few reasons to upgrade right now.

Tech / Technology

Apple 10/30 event: The entire ‘Scary Fast’ live stream was filmed on iPhone

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Apple used the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film the ‘Scary Fast’ live stream.
Apple event filmed on iPhone

My jaw dropped when I read the final words of Apple’s “Scary Fast” Mac event: “This event was shot on iPhone.”

You mean to tell me that while Apple showcased its refreshed M3-series MacBook Pros and iMac, and even dropped a stunning new Space Black colorway for the M3 Pro and the M3 Max Macs, all of that spooky pomp and circumstance was filmed on a smartphone? No way!

Tim Cook walking into the 'Scary Fast' Mac event

Tim Cook walking into the ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event
Credit: Apple

Which iPhone did Apple use for the ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event?

Apple used the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film the Apple ‘Scary Fast’ event and we are shook. I mean, we knew that the iPhone 15 Pro Max had industry-leading camera specs. Check out some of the top-notch features below:

  • 4K video recording up to 60 fps

  • Cinematic Mode (a rack-focus feature introduced with iPhone 13 Pro models) up to 4K HDR at 30 fps

  • Action Mode (a feature that introduces stabilization for high-activity recording) at 60 fps

  • HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps

  • ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60ps (ProRes is an Apple-developed compressed video format that produces high-quality files for video production)

  • Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time-lapse

  • Slo-mo video support for 1080p at up to 240 fps

Plus, as we tested in our review with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Pro camera system blew us away with its sharp 48MP wide camera and 12MP ultra-wide shooter. It’s also packed with two telephoto cameras — one of ’em consists of Apple’s star-of-the-show “tetraprism design” that enables up to 5x optical zoom.

However, by putting these envelope-pushing specs into practice, Apple really put iPhone 15 Pro Max’s capabilities into perspective.

A professional filmmaker directed the event

Apple tapped into Brian Oakes, the man behind Jim: The James Foley Story and Living with Lincoln, to film the “Scary Fast” Mac event.

“We were able to get the same complex shots with iPhone 15 Pro Max,” Oakes said. “It’s amazing to see that the quality from a device that is so small and so portable can rival a large $20,000 camera.”

Jon Carr, Apple’s Pro Workflow Video Specialist, was also flabbergasted that the event was filmed with a “tiny little iPhone” that powered 50 monitors with USB-C out. “This whole piece was low-light, and low-light is a little bit more challenging. And we nailed that.”

Scary Fast livestream filmed with iPhone 15 Pro Max

Scary Fast livestream filmed with iPhone 15 Pro Max
Credit: Apple

But of course, Apple still deployed some of the traditional top-level equipment you see on any major film set, including cranes, dollies, drones, and more.

Apple transparently revealed that it used the Blackmagic Camera app, an iOS exclusive, to film “Scary Fast,” which adds Hollywood feature film-esque digital camera controls.

The new iDevices Apple revealed at the event include the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, the 14-inch and 16-inch M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models, and an M3 iMac. For a more in-depth look of everything announced at the event, click here.


Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Credit: Apple


Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (256GB, Sierra Blue) [Locked]

1,199

Tech / Technology

See out how Apple made its ‘Scary Fast’ event

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Apple shot its ‘Scary Fast’ event on iPhone 15 and produced a little making of video about it.
Apple scary fast event making of

On Monday, Apple announced a bunch of new Mac computers. On Tuesday, Apple revealed how they made the announcement video.

In a video uploaded to Apple’s YouTube channel, the Cupertino-based tech giant went behind the scenes of its “Scary Fast” MacBook announcement stream. It’s a quick two-minute slice of production info, but it’s kind of cool to see, regardless. The most interesting tidbit is that the whole thing was shot on an iPhone 15 Pro. Phone cameras are real good now, huh?

Tech / Technology

The best Apple deals for October 2023: AirPods, iPads, and more

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Prime Day may have been two weeks ago, but you can still grab second-gen AirPods Pro at their Prime Day price of $189 or the iPad Air for its Prime Day price of $499.99. Plus, check out more of the best Apple deals as of Oct. 31.
Apple iPad Air

UPDATE: Oct. 31, 2023, 12:00 p.m. EDT We’ve updated this post with the best deals from across the Apple universe leading into Black Friday season. Here are our top picks:

Best Apple deals this week:
Best Mac deal

2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H
(Save $200)

space gray m2 macbook air

Best iPad deal

2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart
(Save $80)

a silver 2021 10.2 in ipad

Best iPhone deal

iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 on a new line with select unlimited plans
(Save up to $799)

black iphone 14 plus

Best Apple Watch deal

Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular)

$269 at Best Buy
(Save $30)

Apple Watch in pink.

Best AirPods deal

AirPods Pro

$189 at Walmart
(Save $60)

second generation airpods pro

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love ’em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or you just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple’s got you covered. Sure, they’re a little notorious for their high prices, but we’ve rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals


space gray m2 macbook air

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899 at B&H (save $200)

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

$899 is no longer a particularly uncommon price to see this M2 MacBook Air at, yet we’re no less excited when we see it return to this all-time low price. That’s because for under $1,000 you get impressive M2 power, a 13.6-inch display (trust us, you’ll notice the difference from a 13.3-inch display), and a keyboard that Mashable’s Alex Perry described as “kingly.” Whether you’re a student, looking for a work-from-home workhorse, or looking for an everyday laptop to replace your old, dusty MacBook, we’re willing to bet you’ll be more than happy with the M2 Air.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

iPad deals


a gray 2021 10.2-in ipad

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart

Why we like it

Prime Day brought the ninth-generation iPad back down to its $249 low, and Amazon and Walmart have kept it there for two weeks after the sale’s conclusion. Though this isn’t the iPad for you if you’re planning on doing a bunch of gaming or art, for many people this budget-friendly tablet will be more than enough for note-taking and video streaming.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

SEE ALSO:

Are we getting new iPads this year? Probably, but they may disappoint you.

iPhone deals


black iphone 14 plus

Credit: Apple


Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799)

Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the shiniest new Apple toy, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren’t bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

Apple Watch deals


Apple Watch SE

Credit: Apple


Our pick: Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular)

$269 at Best Buy (save $30)

Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is a great option for those who don’t necessarily need all of the pricey bells and whistles that come with other Apple Watch models. You’ll get all the must-have features you need like health tracking, crash detection, Smart Stack, and emergency SOS options. Also, it’s $30 off at Best Buy, and we’ll never turn down a discount on the already-most-affordable Apple Watch.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

Series 8

Ultra

More Apple Watch deals

Apple accessories deals


second generation airpods pro

Credit: Apple


Our pick: AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

$189 at Walmart (save $60)

Why we like it

Read our full review of the second-generation AirPods Pro.

The AirPods Pro are some of the best noise-canceling buds in the business, and Walmart’s randomly decided to bring them back to their Prime Day (and record-low) pricing this week. At the time of writing, these buds are sold out at Amazon. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder wrote in his review that these AirPods are “the first pair of earbuds I’d actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones).”

More deals on Apple accessories