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Early reviews rave about Apple’s biggest iPhone upgrades in years

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Demand for AI features helps drive robust iPhone 17 sales
This year's iPhone lineup includes the iPhone 17 Pro, the super-slim iPhone Air and the "regular" iPhone 17.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of the iPhone 17 lineup say the 2025 models bring Apple’s most significant generational upgrade in years, despite some caveats here and there.

The series spans four models, each targeting different user priorities, from the newly capable base model to the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the two powerhouse Pro variants.

iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 comparison: Is going Pro worth it?

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iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 comparison
The iPhone 17 is almost as good as its Pro sibling.
Photo: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Two closely matched heavyweights square off this year in Apple’s iPhone lineup: the iPhone 17 vs. the iPhone 17 Pro. On paper, the gap between the two has never been narrower. But look closer, and you’ll find a few key differences that could sway your buying decision.

The iPhone 17 Pro has a few tricks up its sleeve that make it the ultimate choice for power users. But is it worth the extra $300? Find out in this iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro. comparison.

Apple Watch Series 11 reviews: Nice battery boost but not much more [Updated]

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Apple Watch 11 reviews roundup
Extended battery life is the biggest upgrade over Apple Watch 10.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 11 seem to agree that while it looks just like its predecessor, this incremental update delivers meaningful improvements in some areas.

The biggest upgrade: longer battery life. But those with an Apple Watch Series 9 or 10 can skip this round unless you really want the six-hour battery boost. Check out review notes and review videos below.

Aiarty’s AI-powered video enhancement saves hours. Get a launch deal!

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Aiarty Video Enhancer launch deal
Get a great launch discount on software that helps you improve all sorts of video.
Photo: Digiarty

Tired of blurry, grainy or low-resolution videos? Whether you’re dealing with low-light night footage, fast-action clips, old camera recordings, drone shots or AI-generated content, Aiarty Video Enhancer brings them to life. It delivers sharp, true 4K videos with natural details right on your Mac or Windows PC.

And better yet, the launch deal going on now will save you a bundle on the software.

Apple TV+ greenlights The Morning Show season 5 [Season 4 now streaming!]

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The Morning Show season 4
The Morning Show season 4 stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon
Photo: Apple TV+

Award-winning Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show returned Wednesday with season 4, drawing fans back into the chaotic, backbiting world of the title national morning news program and its troubled network in a changing media landscape. And he show will return for a fifth season, the streamer said Tuesday.

“The Morning Show has been a standout from the very start, debuting as one of the flagship series on Apple TV+,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming at Apple TV+. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see it not only entertain but also resonate with audiences worldwide.

“Thanks to the outstanding cast and creative team, The Morning Show continues to deliver addictively entertaining and provocative stories that we’ve all come to love,” he added. “We’re excited for viewers to experience the next chapter of this Emmy Award-winning drama.”

This double-duty power bank fits on your keychain (and costs just $20)

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Photo illustration of a of Fob Charge keychain power bank charging up an iPhone and an Apple Watch
Get this tiny power bank for iPhone and Apple Watch while it costs just $20.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The remarkably tiny Charge Fob keychain power bank can charge your iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously. It’s one of the smallest portable chargers we’ve seen, and it’s perfect for those “oh crap” moments when one of your Apple devices runs out of juice unexpectedly.

Measuring just under 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, you can slip this little guy in your pocket, purse or travel bag and have some extra iPhone or Apple Watch juice to get through the day. Plus, at just $19.99, this gadget is an absolute steal (regularly $59.95).

Apple Sports app adds widgets and expands to 8 new countries

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Apple Sports app widgets
Apple Sports helps you stay on top of the action with customizable widgets.
Photo: Apple

Apple Sports app stepped up its game in two ways Tuesday, Apple said — with an update bringing customizable widgets to iPhone, iPad and Mac users, and an expansion to eight new countries in Europe.

And the timing should work well for many sports fans. The enhancements arrive just as NFL and college football kicks into high gear stateside and soccer season rolls on in Europe, site of the expansion. 

iPhone slowdown after installing iOS 26 is temporary

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iOS 26 slowdown
iOS 26 might temporarily slow down your iPhone because the installation process takes longer than your think.
Photo: Gemini/Cult of Mac

iPhone users who just installed iOS 26 might notice a reduction in their battery life, or that their phone is heating up. The devices might even be running a bit slower. A new Apple support document explains that this is temporary as the iOS update process continues in the background.

Take 4TB of super-fast USB4 storage anywhere with LaCie Rugged SSD4 [Review] ★★★★★

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LaCie Rugged SSD4 review★★★★★
The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is rugged, fast and holds up 4TB.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The just-launched LaCie Rugged SSD4 from Seagate is for “creators working beyond the four walls of a studio.” It’s designed to stand up to punishment while offering terabytes of storage and USB4 data transfer speeds. That’s fast enough for iPhone Pro users to record ProRes 4K video.

I put the SSD through real-world testing. Here’s how it came out.

iPhone 17 and iPhone Air come with smarter battery life out of the box

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iOS 26 hero image
iPhone 17 and Air use Adaptive Power automatically to extend battery life.
Image: Apple

iOS 26 introduces a new Adaptive Power mode to extend your iPhone’s battery under load. And Apple’s newest iPhones — iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air — will ship with this feature enabled by default. 

On older iPhones, you must manually enable Adaptive Power to boost their runtime.

iOS 18.7 and iPadOS 18.7 fix major bugs for those not ready for Liquid Glass

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Image showing iOS 18.7 security update on an iPhone screen
If you're not jumping to iOS 26 today, you need this security update ASAP.
Image: Cult of Mac

Apple released iOS 18.7 and iPadOS 18.7 on Monday to close a lengthy list of security holes.

The updates address a wide array of threats, from unexpected app or system termination to an app being able to spy on users’ keystrokes. If you’re not updating to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, which also arrived Monday, you should grab these security updates as soon as possible.

Save big on an iPhone made into museum-quality art

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Grid 4S deal
Always thought iPhone belongs in a museum? This is for you.
Photo: Grid Studio

Grid Studio creates striking iPhone artwork by carefully deconstructing vintage Apple devices and arranging their components in sleek, museum-style frames. And now a deal knocks up to 57% off the cost of a range of offerings — from an original iPhone to an iPhone 13 — to celebrate the company’s fifth birthday.

But don’t procrastinate. The sale ends in two days.

AirPods Pro 3 review roundup: A ‘no-brainer upgrade’

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AirPods Pro 3 in use
Reviewers love AirPods Pro 3.
Photo: Apple

Early reviews of AirPods Pro 3 are out, and wow, are they positive. Engadget calls Apple’s latest a “comprehensive update to its best set of earbuds.” Cnet‘s headline perhaps said it best: “Big improvements, same price, no compromises.”

After poring over AirPods Pro 3 reviews from a wide variety of sources, it’s hard to find a negative comment anywhere.

The Studio shines in Apple TV+’s record-breaking Emmy night

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The Studio wins 13 Emmy Awards
Hit comedy The Studio crushed it at the 77th Emmy Awards.
Photo: Apple TV+/Cult of Mac

Apple TV+ delivered its strongest Emmy Awards performance to date Sunday night, taking home a personal record of 22 trophies across its original series lineup. The streaming service’s comedy hit The Studio dominated the evening at the 77th annual awards, becoming the most awarded show of the entire ceremony with 13 wins.

The Studio won so much that Seth Rogen said, after accepting the big Outstanding Comedy Series trophy, that he was “legitimately embarrassed” at how happy it made him. And from the stage, he thanked Apple CEO Tim Cook for Apple’s support. 

Best new features in iPadOS 26: Major UI revamp, Liquid Glass and more

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iPadOS 26: Windowed Apps
Windowed Apps is the best new feature in iPadOS 26.
Image: Apple

iPadOS 26 is the biggest iPad revamp since 2010, bringing new features that make the tablet far more Mac-like. And there are other enhancements too, especially the user interface overhaul dubbed Liquid Glass that Apple’s latest software brings to all of he company’s devices.

Here are the best changes to iPadOS 26 … the ones you’ll use every day. (Many of the new iPadOS 26 features can also be found in the latest iPhone software, so be sure to also read our guide to everything new in iOS 26.)

Everything new in visionOS 26: Spatial Widgets and 15 more new features

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visionOS 26 showing new features like Spatial Widgets
Spatial Widgets are a highlight of visionOS 26.
Image: Apple

visionOS 26 is a modest update, but you’ll want to check out the game-changing features it includes. Widgets come to the Vision Pro in a clever way; you can freely arrange them in space or pin them to a wall. Personas are much improved, making your virtual FaceTime calls less creepy. And there are about a dozen other excellent quality-of-life features that’ll draw you back in, like app folders, a Jupiter environment, automatic iPhone unlocking and more.

You may have forgotten about the Vision Pro, but Apple hasn’t. Despite middling sales numbers, Apple is in this for the long haul — with regular software updates, a spec bump update due this year and a whole family of products in the works.

The update is out now; here’s what to expect.

Everything new in watchOS 26: Workout Buddy and 15 other features

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watchOS 26 hero image
watchOS 26 comes with some smart new enhancements.
Image: Apple

watchOS 26 is a more modest update with one headlining new feature, Workout Buddy — on top of 15 other new tweaks. You might overlook the Apple Watch after the excitement of Liquid Glass on your iPhone and Mac, but your tiniest screen still has some stuff worth checking out. 

There are loads of smart new features for those with the latest and greatest. A new wrist flick gesture silences timers and calls. Your volume automatically lowers in quiet rooms. And everyone can appreciate that the Notes app finally makes its way to the watch. 

The update is out now; here’s what to expect. 

Everything new in macOS 26 Tahoe: Supercharged Spotlight and 40+ other features

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macOS 26 Tahoe hero image.
A fresh new look for Mac.
Image: Apple

macOS 26 Tahoe is a milestone update with a dramatic new look, new power tools for pro users — and over 45 new features. It’s still recognizably Mac, but with a fresh coat of paint (or, should I say, glass). And there’s plenty to dive into once you get settled.

Spotlight has picked up lots of new features, replacing Launchpad and adding a native clipboard manager. There are loads of great enhancements to group chats in Messages. Other great enhancements are in Safari, Passwords, Maps, Photos, Journal and more. And a few new apps come over from iOS: Phone, Journal, Magnifier and the all-new Games app.

The update is out now; here’s what to expect.

Everything new in iOS 26: Liquid Glass and 70+ new features

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iOS 26 hero image
Packed with new features.
Image: Apple

iOS 26 is a major new update that brings the biggest visual redesign in 12 years — on top of more than 70 new features. It’s easy to overlook the new goodies that Apple sprinkled throughout the operating system because the shiny Liquid Glass user interface takes center stage.

But iOS 26 brings loads of great enhancements to Apple’s major apps. Group chats in Messages become much more useful. The Phone app gets a fresh design and plenty of smart new features. Other great enhancements level up Safari, Passwords, Maps, Photos, Journal and other Apple apps. And just like previous years, Apple added an expansive list of useful accessibility features you should check out.

iOS 26 is out now. Here’s where to find the good stuff — keep reading or watch our video.

iPhone 17 Pro Max preorders soar while iPhone Air struggles to gain traction

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iPhone 17 Pro colors
Everyone wants the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

Weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 family outpaced last year’s iPhone 16, says TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. As per Apple’s production estimates, the analyst says the Pro Max model remains the undisputed demand leader.

The strong iPhone 17 preorder should help boost Apple’s Q3 2025 results.

iPhone 17 Pro Max quickly sells out, but not iPhone Air [Updated]

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iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air
And the winner of the “Most Sought After” prize goes to…
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 17 Pro Max seems to be the favorite of those rushing to grab a new Apple device on the first day of preorders. Order this model now in the United States, and the wait for the delivery stretches out until October.

In contrast, the super-slim iPhone Air can still be ordered for delivery on launch day, September 19. The same is true for iPhone 17 Pro and the base model iPhone 17.

UPDATE: Two days after 2025 iPhone preorders began, the wait time to have most iPhone 17 Pro Max configurations delivered from the U.S. Apple Store has slipped to mid-October. But the situation hasn’t changed for the iPhone Air: You can still order the super-slim phone for delivery on launch day, September 19. Meanwhile, early stocks of the base-model iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are starting to run out. 

iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro comparison: Worth the upgrade?

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iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro comparison
Apple's Pro iPhone makes a huge leap in just one year.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

It’s time for a pro showdown, pitting the iPhone 17 Pro vs. the iPhone 16 Pro.

The iPhone 17 Pro brings the biggest leap to iPhones we’ve seen in years, shaking up a lineup that’s often felt too familiar. If you own an iPhone 16 Pro, that raises a pressing question: Is the upgrade worth it? After all, Apple finally seems to be delivering the kind of changes fans have been asking for.

There’s better battery life, an improved camera and even more Pro features. So, time to ditch the iPhone 16 Pro for the iPhone 17 Pro? Find out in our comparison.

What time will Apple release iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26 on September 15 in your time zone?

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iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 release time
iOS 26 is finally ready for public release.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple is finally ready to release iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS Tahoe to the public. After initially showcasing these operating systems at WWDC25 this spring, the company will release the first stable build on September 15.

So when will iOS 26 actually land on your compatible iPhone? With all the new features packed in, you’ll want to be first in line to grab the update. Here’s when iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS Tahoe go live in your region.

Awe-dropping is right! Our reactions to iPhone Air and more [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo with iPhone Air images for episode about Awe Dropping event.
The iPhone Air looks remarkable, but that wasn't the only fantastic reveal at Apple's Awe Dropping event.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After Apple’s truly Awe Dropping event, we’re picking up the pieces and discussing iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and the rest of the new hardware.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple built iPhone 17 Pro like a tool for professionals. But is the cosmic orange color undeniably vibrant?
  • The new Apple Watches look like solid additions, although the Apple Watch SE 3 gets the most meaningful upgrades.
  • AirPods Pro 3 make one of our favorite Apple products even better.
  • Somewhat surprisingly, Apple extends marquee features of Apple Watch Series 11 and AirPods Pro 3 to older devices.
  • And finally, we go over the results of our Awe Dropping predictions game.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast 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.