Apple’s budget-oriented iPhone 17e packs a faster processor and more base storage — at a lower price — than the iPhone 16. But despite launching more than a year earlier, the iPhone 16 still holds an edge in several important aspects.
Here’s how the two affordable iPhones compare — and which one you should buy.
As with any other new Apple product, the iFixit team has given the iPhone 17e a teardown treatment. The most interesting takeaway?
You can add MagSafe support to your iPhone 16e using the iPhone 17e’s back panel.
It’s no longer true that Macs are immune to online threats. Moonlock, a new app from MacPaw, gives Apple users Mac-first cybersecurity — with malware protection, built-in VPN, privacy tools and clear guidance — all for just $29.99 a year.
A MacBook Neo can be upgraded to 1TB of storage, but the DIY project isn’t for amateurs. A video demonstrating the process shows that it takes skills, experience and the right equipment.
Still, it’s interesting to watch. Especially as it also shows how easy it is to disassemble the MacBook Neo.
Smart home accessory maker Aqara unveiled two new security cameras Tuesday — the Camera Hub G350 and the Doorbell Camera G400. Both are designed to work well in Apple Home setups, among others. The bigger story is the G350, which marks a significant milestone: Aqara’s first Matter-certified camera, billed as the first Matter-certified camera hub for multi-platform homes.
When Apple unveiled AirPods Max 2 on Monday, the company was unable to specify a release date, simply telling customers its new high-end headphones will launch “early next month.” It’s very unusual for Apple to not reveal when its own product will reach customers. But it turns out the headphones are waiting for Apple software that’s still in development.
Here’s what’s going on.
Two of the world’s most recognizable lifestyle and sports brands — Beats and Nike — joined forces for the first time with the launch of Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition, the companies said Tuesday.
It’s their first hardware collaboration. And it’s the first time Beats has shared brand real estate on a product like this. And what’s more, the promotional campaign stars basketball legend LeBron James alongside pro golfer Tom Kim and cast of comedic foils.
“This isn’t just a new colorway; it’s a collision of two brands that define performance, culture, and sports — the attributes of today’s athlete,” said Chris Thorne, CMO of Beats. “By placing the Swoosh on our hardware for the first time, we’re honoring the shared DNA of Beats and Nike — and celebrating ambassadors like LeBron James who embody both. It’s a tribute to the grit, style and sound that push people to their limits.”
March 17, 1988: Apple sues Microsoft for allegedly stealing 189 different elements of its Macintosh operating system to create Windows 2.0.
The incident, which causes a deep rift between Apple and one of its top developers, paves the way for an epic battle between the two companies that will rage for years.
Want an iPad for less? This near-mint refurbished iPad 10 from 2022 packs a gorgeous 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and delivers all-day battery life — for just $239.99.
The MacBook Neo comes with 8GB of RAM, and that’s great news for all Mac users, even if they never buy a Neo. It means current and older Apple computers will continue to offer speedy performance when running macOS for years to come.
Here’s why.
Apple’s first iPhone with the Lightning port, the iPhone 5, is now obsolete. The phone launched over a decade ago, in 2012.
Back then, the iPhone 5 stood out for its revamped design and larger 4-inch display.
Surfshark VPN keeps you safe anywhere you go online, on an unlimited number of devices. This virtual private network can help you avoid hackers, trackers and regional restrictions.
Operating securely on the web is essential in the modern world. And right now, you can get a three-year subscription to Surfshark VPN for just $67.20 with code VPN20. That’s a massive discount off the regular price of $430.
The new Serafim S3 Universal Mobile Game Controller is an Apple MFi-certified accessory that aims to bring console-level gaming to iPhone users with Hall effect magnet-based joysticks and more, the company said Monday. Priced at $89.99, S3 is available now on Amazon and the Serafim website.
Without an AI investing app, trading in today’s unpredictable market can feel like throwing darts blindfolded. (Pro tip: Don’t try that unless you’re Mike Tyson.) One day, stocks are up; the next, they’re crashing. Not to mention, every so-called expert has a different opinion.
Sterling Stock Picker changes the game. This AI-driven platform taps OpenAI to take the guesswork out of investing, using advanced technology to guide you toward smarter financial decisions.
Whether you’re looking for long-term growth, dividend stocks or high-risk/high-reward opportunities, this AI investing app helps you navigate the stock market with clarity. And speaking of good investments, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Sterling Stock Picker for just $55.20 with code SAVE20. That’s a massive 85% off the original price of $486.
March 16, 2012: Apple introduces the third-generation iPad, its first tablet to come with a Retina display. Marketed as simply “the new iPad,” it’s widely known as the “iPad 3.”
“The new iPad redefines the category Apple created less than two years ago, delivering the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology,” says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a press release. “The new iPad now has the highest resolution display ever seen on a mobile device with 3.1 million pixels, delivering razor sharp text and unbelievable detail in photos and videos.”
Boasting that beautiful screen and Apple’s then-swanky A5X chip with a quad-core graphics processor, the third-gen iPad quickly becomes a big success. Disappointingly for customers, it will only hang around until October 2012. That’s the shortest lifespan of any iOS product in history, at just seven months.
Apple TV’s blockbuster racing drama, F1: The Movie, capped a record-breaking run with Academy Award gold Sunday night. The hit popcorn flick, which stars Brad Pitt, won the Oscar for best sound.
AirPods Max 2, the second generation of Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, brings significant upgrades to active noise cancellation and sound quality, as well as a suite of intelligent new features, including Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, the company said Monday.
“With the incredible performance of H2, AirPods Max are upgraded with up to 1.5x more effective ANC for the ultimate all-day listening experience,” said Eric Treski, Apple’s director of Audio Product Marketing. “The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed — and when combined with capabilities like Personalized Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience.”
★★★★☆
The iPhone 17e may be a subtle upgrade, but it’s a slight change that makes all the difference. Now with MagSafe, the budget smartphone doesn’t suffer much in the way of compromises. Storage capacity is doubled, making the base model an exceptional choice; the blistering A19 chip is even faster than its predecessor.
Although the lack of a Dynamic Island makes it feel like an older phone than it really is, unless you really care about photography or giant screens, there’s not a lot that seems missing. It’s just as gorgeous as before and still highly practical.
Here’s my full review.
Not every Cult of Mac reader is all Mac, all the time. We know many of you use PCs for various reasons — and here’s the big Windows 11 sale you’ve been waiting for.
For a limited time, you can get a lifetime license to Windows 11 Pro for less than $10 from Cult of Mac Deals.
March 15, 2004: The iTunes Music Store hits a crucial milestone, having sold an astonishing 50 million songs in less than a year. The achievement cements Apple’s place at the center of the rapidly changing music business — at least for the moment.
“Crossing 50 million songs is a major milestone for iTunes and the emerging digital music era,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs says in a statement. “With over 50 million songs already downloaded and an additional 2.5 million songs being downloaded every week, it’s increasingly difficult to imagine others ever catching up with iTunes.”
There’s bad news for anyone who harbors hope that Apple will realize that Liquid Glass was a huge mistake and remove it from iOS 27. The glossy, transparent design enjoys broad support inside Apple, according to a report published Sunday. And users like it, too.
That said, the company continues to add tweaks to Liquid Glass that let users tone down the controversial look. Plus, a possible new setting might let users control exactly how transparent the UI gets.
★★★★★
Apple’s new flagship desktop display, the Studio Display XDR, is what you get out of a blender when you combine a mini-LED with the high adaptive refresh rate of a MacBook Pro and the 27-inch 5K screen size of the regular Studio Display.
It’s a brilliant combination. Starting at $3,299, it’s significantly cheaper — and unfortunately a little smaller — than the Pro Display XDR, the $5,000-plus monitor it replaces. However, it supersedes its high-end predecessor in all other specs. Apple made incredibly smart choices about what to include and what to cut.
Ironically, now the $1,599 regular Studio Display is the bunk product in Apple’s monitor lineup. It misses out on the Studio Display XDR’s top new feature — 120 Hz Adaptive Sync. And it’s about twice as expensive as competing monitors from Asus, BenQ and ViewSonic.
Now, the Studio Display XDR stands in a class of its own. And for, like, half as much money as Apple’s previous top monitor.
Whether you want to get the most out of your travels, spruce up your resume or simply expand your skills, learning a new language is an excellent way to level up. One of the easiest methods for doing that — and for fitting learning seamlessly into your schedule — is with a convenient language app such as Babbel. And you can get it for less with this limited-time Babbel language app deal.
For a limited time, you can secure lifetime access to Babbel for just $159 (regularly $646.20) with code LEARN from Cult of Mac Deals.
This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Griffin goes on a buying spree, snapping up a Studio Display XDR, an iPhone 17e and not one but two MacBook Neos. He shares his hands-on experience with the latest Apple gear, and Leander’s got plenty of questions!
Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:
Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
March 14, 1994: Apple introduces the Power Macintosh 7100, a midrange Mac that will become memorable for two reasons.
The first is that it is among the first Macs to use new PowerPC processors. The second is that it results in Apple getting taken to court by astronomer Carl Sagan — not once but twice.