ZDNET’s key takeaways
- New iPhones and Apple Watches are inbound.
- New AirPods Professional and HomeHub {hardware} are additionally rumored.
- Anticipate pricing tweaks to offset tariff prices.
It is August, and meaning we’re now within the house stretch to Apple’s greatest yearly replace. New iPhones are weeks away, and it is doubtless we’ll see new Apple Watches, and presumably new AirPods Professional and a HomeHub system.
For the savvy purchaser, this case implies that there are much more gadgets on the “do not buy” record than regular. However worry not, as this information will guarantee you do not spend your cash on one thing outdated in a number of weeks.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 that will or might not stick round.
CNET: Monitoring tariff costs: See how the brand new tariffs are hitting these 11 common merchandise
In accordance 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. To date, Apple is shouldering that burden.
To date.
Upcoming Apple merchandise to keep watch over (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 charge and temperature monitoring, and presumably dwell 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. Nonetheless, the M5 chip is already on the horizon. In accordance with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman within the Energy On publication, the M5 shall be within the MacBook Professional and iPad Professional later this yr, probably within the fall.
3. Apple TV
It is coming, we’re simply undecided when. The system is rumored to make use of Apple’s new networking chip, including assist for Wi-Fi 6E, and shall 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 provide precision discovering, there are actually smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable finder tags.
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 harder to disable, serving as a countermeasure to stop tags from getting used to stalk folks.
Given how simply AirTags will be modified and the way they will even be bought pre-modified, this replace shall be a welcome change.
The ‘do not buy’ record
You need to give these Apple gadgets a move for now, as we’ll doubtless see refreshed variations quickly:
- iPhones: New fashions will arrive September/October, so until you do not thoughts operating previous {hardware} in a number of weeks, maintain off shopping for for now. The one exception right here is the iPhone 16e that launched in March.
- Apple Watch: It is doubtless 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 shall be introduced quickly.
- HomePod Mini: Launched in October 2020, that is formally Apple’s oldest product. Whereas there’s nothing technically fallacious with the system, it is laborious to advocate paying full worth for such previous {hardware}.
- Imaginative and prescient Professional: It is laborious to wager in opposition to Apple, and it is robust to place one thing with a lot potential on the naughty record. Nonetheless, if rumors are true that Apple will halt manufacturing as a result of gross sales have slumped, it is laborious to think about the product. I would maintain out and see what Apple has deliberate. Present rumors level to a 2026 refresh.
The ‘do purchase’ record
These Apple gadgets are price springing for now, since it’s going to be some time earlier than we see important {hardware} upgrades.
1. iPhone 16e
That is Apple’s latest entry-level iPhone, changing the iPhone SE line. This can be 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 acquired a efficiency enhance because of the A16 chip. Costs for this pill begin at $350.
3. MacBook Air
Each the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops acquired 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’ll be able to push the associated fee to $2,399 with upgrades.
4. Mac Studio
Apple’s pro-grade different to the Mac mini additionally noticed a critical processing enhance in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Extremely supplied 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 up to the mark 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 acquired an improve in October 2024 to the M4 and M4 Professional processors. It is also the most affordable 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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