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 residence stretch to Apple’s greatest yearly replace. New iPhones are weeks away, and it is probably we’ll see new Apple Watches, and probably new AirPods Professional and a HomeHub system.
Additionally: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more
For the savvy purchaser, this case implies that there are much more objects on the “do not buy” checklist than standard. However worry not, as this information will guarantee you do not spend your cash on one thing outdated in a number of weeks.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 which will or might not stick round.
CNET: Tracking tariff prices: See how the new tariffs are hitting these 11 popular products
In response to Apple’s July 31 earnings call, tariffs have value 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 regulate (close to and much)
1. AirPods Professional replace
I like my AirPods Pro, and if the rumors are right, and the up to date {hardware} will get coronary heart charge and temperature monitoring, and probably reside 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 Pro and MacBook Air continues to be new. Nonetheless, the M5 chip is already on the horizon. In response to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman within the Power On e-newsletter, the M5 will probably be within the MacBook Professional and iPad Professional later this 12 months, most definitely 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 assist for Wi-Fi 6E, and will probably be powered by the A15 chip, opening the door to Apple Intelligence options.
4. AirTag Replace
I am a massive AirTag fan, and since Apple launched them, the market has exploded with third-party choices. Whereas solely Apple can provide precision discovering, there at the moment are smaller, thinner, and even rechargeable finder tags.
Additionally: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you – and what to do about it
The brand new AirTags are anticipated to make use of a brand new Ultra 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 individuals.
Given how simply AirTags can be modified and the way they’ll even be bought pre-modified, this replace will probably be a welcome change.
The ‘do not buy’ checklist
It’s best to give these Apple gadgets a cross for now, as we’ll probably see refreshed variations quickly:
- iPhones: New fashions will arrive September/October, so until you do not thoughts operating outdated {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 probably 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 counsel a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K will probably be introduced quickly.
- HomePod Mini: Launched in October 2020, that is formally Apple’s oldest product. Whereas there’s nothing technically unsuitable with the system, it is laborious to advocate paying full worth for such outdated {hardware}.
- Imaginative and prescient Professional: It is laborious to wager in opposition to Apple, and it is powerful to place something with so much potential on the naughty checklist. Nonetheless, if rumors are true that Apple will halt production as a result of gross sales have slumped, it is laborious to place confidence in the product. I would maintain out and see what Apple has deliberate. Present rumors level to a 2026 refresh.
The ‘do purchase’ checklist
These Apple gadgets are value springing for now, since it’s going to be some time earlier than we see vital {hardware} upgrades.
1. iPhone 16e
That is Apple’s newest entry-level iPhone, changing the iPhone SE line. This can be a handset in the reduction of 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, acquired 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 enhance 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’ll be able to push the price to $2,399 with upgrades.
4. Mac Studio
Apple’s pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini additionally noticed a critical processing enhance in March 2025, with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra supplied in a spread of configurations. Costs begin at $1,999 however can attain $14,099 for a completely tricked-out system.
5. Apple iMac
The M4 iMac acquired a refresh to deliver 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 swimsuit 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 affordable Mac you should buy, 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 spread 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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