With iOS 26.4, Apple has made a small but useful change to the way that Family Sharing works. Each adult member of the family can now use their own payment method for purchases, rather than being forced to share a payment method.
Apple has long required all of the members of a Family Sharing group to use a single shared payment method for app and content purchases when purchase sharing is turned on, with no option for family members to use separate payment methods.
The shared payment restriction is changing in iOS 26.4, and now Family Sharing members can share their content without having to share a payment method. Apple's release notes mention the change, and Apple has also updated its purchase sharing support document.
Old wording:
When the family organizer turns on purchase sharing and other family members in the group also turn on purchase sharing, they get access to each other's shared content, such as apps, music, movies, and more. The family organizer pays for everyone's purchases unless they turn off purchase sharing.
New wording:
When the family organizer turns on Purchase Sharing and the members enable the feature for their devices, they get access to each other's shared content. The family organizer pays for everyone's purchases unless they turn off Purchase Sharing or other adult family members use their own payment method to make purchases.
Other adults in a Family Sharing group can still opt to use the organizer's payment method, but they can also input a separate payment method. The change will make it easier for people to share Apple content and subscriptions like Apple TV with friends, siblings, and others without having to pay for that person's purchases.
There was an option to maintain an Apple Account balance to pay for purchases without having the Family Sharing organizer pay, but that required each Family Sharing member to make sure to reload their purchase balance. The option to add a separate payment method is much more convenient.
Family Sharing accounts for children will continue to use the organizer's payment method for any purchases.
iOS 26.4 is likely to see a public launch next week.
The iOS 26.4 update that Apple plans to release as soon as next week includes improvements for the built-in iOS keyboard. In its notes for the software, Apple says iOS 26.4 offers "improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly."
There was a bug in iOS that caused some characters to be missed when a user was typing quickly. The character appeared to be tapped in the keyboard, but was ultimately not inserted.
The missed characters could impact how auto-correct worked, as it was unable to predict what the users meant to type when there was a missed character.
There were multiple complaints about the bug on Reddit and other sites. Users said they felt the keyboard had gotten much worse in iOS 26, leading to far more typos. With iOS 26.4, this issue should be addressed, preventing the missed letters from causing words to be misinterpreted by autocorrect.
If you've experienced issues with the iOS keyboard that have been fixed in iOS 26.4, let us know in the comments below.
Update: An earlier version of this article mentioned a viral video that highlighted an issue where a letter would be replaced with another when typing, but it turns out the user was using QuickPath and did not have autocorrect enabled. The video features QuickPath's intended behavior, and does not serve as an example of the issue that was fixed, but some of the comments on the video likely related to the issue that Apple did address with the iOS 26.4 update.
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 updates for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the fourth betas. Release candidates are the final updates that will be provided to the public in the near future if no final bugs are discovered.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device. tvOS 26.4 and watchOS 26.4 are available to public beta testers and developers, while visionOS 26.4 is limited to developers.
watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality.
tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the Apple TV app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output.
visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency.
Apple today provided the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the fourth beta. The release candidate represents the final version of macOS Tahoe 26.4 that will be provided to the public if no additional bugs are found.
Developers and public beta testers. can download the macOS Tahoe 26.4 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.
macOS Tahoe 26.4 adds a new Charge Limit feature so Mac users can select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 to 100 percent. Apple also brought back the Compact tab layout in Safari for those who missed the option in earlier versions of macOS Tahoe.
Apple silicon Macs who are running apps that still rely on Rosetta will see warnings about the upcoming end of support for Rosetta. After macOS 27, Apple will phase out Rosetta support, and all apps will need to be updated before that time.
macOS Tahoe 26.4 will be released to the public in the spring after several weeks of beta testing.
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming a week after Apple provided the fourth betas. The release candidate represents the final version of iOS 26.4 that will be provided to the public if no additional bugs are found.
Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.
iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the iPhone and the iPad. A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork.
Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions.
There are new emoji characters in iOS 26.4, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, and landslide.
Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide.
Apple recently updated the iPad Air, narrowing the gap with the iPad Pro, but how different are the two product lines and which should you buy?
Apple has now refreshed the iPad Air with the M4 chip, representing a small update over the previous model from 2025, which introduced the M3 chip. While the upgrade brings improved performance and efficiency, it does not significantly alter the feature set or overall positioning of the iPad Air within the lineup.
By contrast, the iPad Pro continues to sit at the top of Apple's tablet range, now equipped with the latest M5 chip. This update builds on the major redesign introduced in 2024, which brought a substantially thinner and lighter design, tandem OLED display technology, and a range of high-end features aimed at professional workflows. The latest revision focuses more on internal improvements, particularly in GPU performance and AI acceleration, rather than introducing major new capabilities.
As a result, the gap between the iPad Air and iPad Pro is now less about general performance and more about specific features and use cases. The iPad Air delivers much of the same core experience at a lower price point, while the iPad Pro differentiates itself with its display technology, advanced hardware capabilities, and additional headroom for demanding tasks.
Should you consider purchasing the iPad Air to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the iPad Pro? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you.
iPad Air (M4, 2026)
iPad Pro (M5, 2025)
Liquid Retina display (LED backlit display with IPS technology)
Ultra Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED)
ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz
11-inch model SDR brightness: 500 nits max 13-inch model SDR brightness: 600 nits max
SDR brightness: 1,000 nits max XDR brightness: 1,000 nits max full screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content only)
Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models
Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
Animoji and Memoji
LiDAR scanner
Adaptive True Tone flash
Rear ambient light sensor
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 256GB capacity)
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording
Two microphones
Four studio-quality microphones
Audio zoom
Stereo recording
Landscape stereo speakers
Four speaker audio
Weight: 462 grams or 617 grams
Weight 444 grams or 579 grams
Depth: 6.1 mm
Depth: 5.3 mm or 5.1 mm
Fast-charge capable (Up to 50% charge using a 60W adapter or higher in 30 minutes with the 11-inch model or 35 minutes with the 13-inch model)
USB‑C connector
USB‑C connector with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4
Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad Air
Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
Up to 2× faster SSD read and write speeds
Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue
Available in Space Black and Silver
Price starting at $599
Price starting at $999
Overall, the iPad Air is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $400+ needed to buy the iPad Pro is not justified to get the likes of Face ID, a thinner design, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.
One of the more significant changes in recent years is that performance is no longer the primary differentiator between the iPad Air and iPad Pro. With the M4 chip, the iPad Air already delivers a level of CPU performance that is effectively indistinguishable from the Pro in most real-world tasks. The remaining gap is increasingly concentrated in GPU-bound workloads, AI acceleration, and display technology, rather than general responsiveness or app performance.
Some iPad Pro features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity are only practically useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end capabilities. Many features, such as Adaptive Sync and Audio zoom, will not be meaningfully utilized by many users. Many users who choose the iPad Pro are effectively paying for experiential enhancements rather than functional necessity.
Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from buying the iPad Pro. That being said, "prosumer"-style customers who simply want the best iPad will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, a thinner design, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not strictly necessary.
Beyond these individual circumstances, the iPad Air is the best value for money and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the iPad Air, users can get a modern all-screen design, the highly capable M4 chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories for a price well below that of the iPad Pro.
WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned tab bar on iOS that swaps out the familiar Settings gear icon for a new "You" tab featuring your profile photo. The change is arriving with version 26.10.73, which is now available on the App Store.
The tab itself still opens the same account and privacy controls. The main reason for the switch is that Meta is laying the groundwork for multi-account support.
Meta has been developing multi-account functionality for WhatsApp for some time, and the profile tab is a clear step toward that goal. The idea is that users will eventually be able to manage separate personal and business profiles from a single device, tapping the profile icon to switch between them.
In that sense, showing your profile picture in the navigation bar makes it immediately obvious which account is active – an approach that appears to have been borrowed straight from Instagram.
WhatsApp is also testing a default cover photo banner at the top of the profile page, but users can't customize it yet.
Not every user will see the change right away. WhatsApp's feature rollouts are typically gradual, so don't be surprised if your Settings gear hangs around a little while longer.
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
These are only some of the changes planned for the iPhone 18 Pro models, with others outlined in our iPhone 18 roundup, including these four:
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and potentially a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.
Amazon's annual Big Spring Sale will kick off one week from today, on Wednesday, March 25, but ahead of that event the retailer is already discounting a wide array of popular accessories. Below we're tracking deals on monitors, headphones, iPhone and desktop accessories, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Highlights include Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99, which is $300 off and a match of the all-time low price on the monitor. We're also tracking discounts on unique products like the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 for $119.99 ($30 off) and Satechi FindAll Wallet Card for $29.98 ($5 off).
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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Apple has quietly blocked AI "vibe coding" apps, such as Replit and Vibecode, from releasing App Store updates unless they make changes, The Information reports.
"Vibe coding" tools allow users with little to no programming experience to build apps or websites using natural language prompts. Their accessibility has driven rapid adoption among both developers and non-technical users.
Apple told The Information that certain vibe coding features breach long-standing App Store rules prohibiting apps from executing code that alters their own functionality or that of other apps. Some of these apps also support building software for Apple devices, which may have contributed to a recent surge in new App Store submissions and, in some cases, slower approval times, according to developers.
An Apple spokesperson said the policy is not targeted specifically at vibe coding apps. However, some people familiar with the matter said Apple was close to approving updates for Replit and Vibecode after the developers agreed to modify how their apps preview generated content or remove certain capabilities altogether, such as creating apps for Apple platforms.
When platforms like Replit generate an app, they typically display it within the original app using an embedded web view. This is something Apple seems to object to. The company now expects approval if it adjusts its app to open generated apps in an external browser rather than an in-app web view.
In Vibecode's case, the review team indicated it would likely approve updates if the app removed the ability to generate software specifically for Apple devices, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The Information claims that Apple's intervention risks undermining view coding apps' usability and growth. For example, since its last update in January, Replit's mobile app has fallen from first to third place in Apple's free developer tools rankings, a decline the company attributes in part to its inability to release updates, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Vibe coding apps present a potential concern for Apple because they enable users to build applications that operate outside the App Store ecosystem, while also competing with Xcode. Some developers believe Apple has an incentive to steer them toward its own tools, which could make switching to alternative platforms more difficult.
Update: Apple told MacRumors that it does not have any rules specifically against "vibe coding" apps and that the App Review Guidelines are designed to encourage innovation while preserving safety for users. The company pointed to App Review Guideline 2.5.2:
Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the app completely viewable and editable by the user.
Likewise, the Developer Program License says that code may be downloaded to an app, but only if it "does not change the primary purpose" of the app by "providing features or functionality that are inconsistent with the intended and advertised purpose" of the app.
When Apple discovers that an app is not complying with App Store rules, it generally explains the violation to developer and seeks to work with it to help bring the app into compliance. In the case mentioned in The Information's report, Apple says it maintained consistent contact with the developer about guideline violations.
A lawsuit brought against Apple by music streaming app Musi has been dismissed by a federal judge, after she ruled that Apple's developer agreement gives it the right to remove any app from the App Store at any time, "with or without cause."
Launched in 2013 by two Canadian teenagers, Musi was an app that played YouTube videos in a stripped-down interface, showed its own ads (removable for $5.99), and let users build playlists. Basically, it was a free music streaming service built on top of YouTube's content but without paying rights holders, and it was downloaded from the App Store tens of millions of times.
Musi claimed it complied with YouTube's terms, but Apple pulled it from the App Store in September 2024, following pressure from Sony, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and the National Music Publishers Association.
Musi subsequently sued Apple for pulling the app, alleging that its removal was based on unsubstantiated intellectual property claims from YouTube. The lawsuit went so far as to argue that Apple had violated its own Developer Program License Agreement (DPLA), and that Apple was required to conduct a review and form a "reasonable belief" that the app infringed IP rights before pulling it.
However, Northern California district judge Eumi Lee rejected that argument entirely. The DPLA's plain language allows Apple to stop offering an app at any time as long as it provides notice, said the judge, adding that the "reasonable belief" clause does not limit that broad right. On this basis, the case was summarily dismissed with prejudice – a legal term meaning Musi cannot refile the same claims (but it could still appeal).
"The plain language of the DPLA governs because it is clear and explicit: Apple may 'cease marketing, offering, and allowing download by end-users of the [Musi app] at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice of termination.' Based on this language, Apple had the right to cease offering the Musi app without cause if Apple provided notice to Musi. The complaint alleges, and Musi does not dispute, that Apple gave Musi the required notice. Therefore, Apple's decision to remove the Musi app from the App Store did not breach the DPLA."
The ruling also came with a striking rebuke of Musi's legal team. Judge Lee sanctioned law firm Winston & Strawn for alleging that Apple had "admitted" to knowingly relying on false evidence – a claim the judge found had no factual basis, even after Musi's lawyers had spent two months reviewing Apple's internal documents and deposing its employees.
Sanctions are an unusual step in which a court penalizes attorneys for making claims that lack evidentiary support. Judge Lee admonished the firm for "making up facts," and ordered it to pay Apple's costs related to the sanctions motion.
It wasn't the first time Musi's conduct had come under scrutiny in the case, either. Apple alleged in a separate May 2025 filing that Musi founder Aaron Wojnowski had previously forwarded a fabricated email to Apple, purportedly from a Universal Music Group (UMG) executive, in an attempt to get the app reinstated after an earlier removal. UMG later informed Apple that the email was fraudulent, according to Apple's filing.
In a curious twist, Musi actually asked the judge to award them attorneys' fees for having to defend against Apple's sanctions motion. The judge called this "audacious" given that Musi lost on every front.
Perhaps most notably, the ruling could have broader implications well beyond the Musi app. Given that the ruling affirms the DPLA's language so clearly, it arguably gives Apple strong legal backing for future app removals, regardless of the stated reason. Going forward, developers challenging their app's removal from the App Store are therefore likely to have a harder time arguing Apple breached its own agreement.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is in China, where he attended one of the company's 50th anniversary events outside of its Taikoo Li retail store in Chengdu today. The event revolved around a performance by Chinese singer Li Yuchun, and it comes after Apple hosted a surprise Alicia Keys concert at its Grand Central store in New York last week.
According to the China Daily, Cook is scheduled to attend the China Development Forum in Beijing this weekend, and he will also meet with Chinese app developers, government officials, and some of Apple's various partners in the country.
"China is so important for us," said Cook.
Ahead of World Water Day on March 22, Apple announced that its suppliers in China saved a record 55 billion liters of fresh water last year through Apple's Supplier Clean Water Program. As an example, Apple touted a new aluminum anodization process for the MacBook Neo that "continuously recycles and recirculates water."
As of March 15, Apple lowered its standard App Store commission rate for iPhone and iPad apps and in-app purchases from 30% to 25% in mainland China, following "discussions with the Chinese regulator." However, Bloomberg reported that China is urging Apple to further ease App Store restrictions and address "monopolistic" practices.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.99, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which has been rare on Amazon in recent weeks.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
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The Apple Sports app has been updated to make it easier for fans of college basketball to follow their favorite teams during March Madness.
Version 3.8.1 of the app introduces new in-app brackets that let fans track the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in real time, by visualizing their team's path from the First Four through the Final Four alongside live scores, play-by-play updates, and detailed stats.
Designed for speed and simplicity, the Apple Sports app gives fans a fast, personalized way to stay on top of the teams and leagues they love. Users can customize their scoreboards by following favorite teams, tournaments, and leagues, quickly navigate between scores and upcoming games, explore play-by-play and lineup details, and tap directly to the Apple TV app to watch live events.
Apple introduced the Apple Sports app in 2024 as a streamlined way to quickly check live scores and key statistics. The app is available on iPhone across multiple regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and several other European countries.
Accessory maker Spigen this week expanded its lineup of case options that are designed to look like vintage Apple Macs. The clever new Classic LS AirPods Pro 3 Case resembles a the iconic Apple Macintosh mouse, so it goes well with Spigen's Mac-style iPhone cases.
Priced at $25 from Amazon, the case features the stone color that was used for the Classic Macintosh, along with a gray mouse button. The mouse button is actually a lock that secures the two halves of the AirPods case together when it's closed.
Spigen says that the lock clip buttons are meant to mirror the tactile feel and iconic look of the classic Macintosh mouse. There's a dual material design that includes a polycarbonate interior and a TPU exterior to protect the AirPods, and Spigen added a lanyard to make the accessory easy to carry.
To get to the AirPods Pro 3, you can push on the button to cause the top of the case to swing open. The AirPods are able to wirelessly charge while the case is on, and it has a cutout for a wired USB-C connection. The LED that's on the AirPods case is able to shine through the mouse cover, and it looks like the power light from the original Macintosh mouse.
Spigen also introduced the Classic LS MagFit Card Holder, which joins the Classic LS iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max cases that Spigen released in January 2026. The $30 Classic LS Card Holder was inspired by the Macintosh 128K, featuring a floppy disk-style accent, vintage keyboard details with a "Hello" engraving, and an Apple-like Spigen logo.
According to Spigen, the Card Holder has a strong magnet that ensures a secure attachment to MagSafe-compatible devices and cases. It is able to hold up to three cards, with an open cutout design at the bottom to push them out for easy access. The Card Holder is compatible with all MagSafe iPhones, including the iPhone 12 and later.
Spigen's classic Mac series also includes a lanyard and a set of cases for the iPhone 17 Pro models, with info available on the Spigen website.
Brian Lynch, the senior director on Apple's home hardware engineering team, is leaving Apple for smart ring company Oura, reports Bloomberg. Lynch accepted a role as Oura's senior vice president of hardware engineering.
Oura has poached several employees from Apple over the last few years. Lynch's departure is apparently causing "fresh upheaval" on Apple's home products team as it is aiming to debut new home devices. Apple is rumored to be working on a smart home hub, but its launch has been pushed back due o Siri development delays.
The hub launch is now planned for September 2026, with other devices like a home security and automation sensor and a more advanced tabletop robot in development for 2027. Apple also has plans for smart glasses, a wearable AI pendant or pin, and AirPods with cameras.
Lynch worked at Apple for over 20 years, and prior to overseeing smart home devices, he was on Apple's now-shuttered car development team. Lynch worked under Matt Costello, who also oversees audio engineering and Beats devices. Costello reports to John Ternus, Apple's hardware engineering chief.
Repair site iFixit today took apart the iPhone 17e, which is the new low-cost iPhone that Apple launched last Wednesday. The iPhone 17e is almost identical to the iPhone 16e in design, but it does include a MagSafe back panel that supports MagSafe and faster Qi charging than the iPhone 16e.
When disassembling the iPhone 17e, iFixit found that the MagSafe panel for the device is the same size as the panel for the 16e, and the two are interchangeable. You can take a back panel from an iPhone 17e and put it on an iPhone 16e, adding MagSafe to an iPhone 16e.
That could be good news for iPhone users who bought an iPhone 16e and don't want to upgrade just to get MagSafe. iPhone 16e customers may be able to get their hands on an iPhone 17e back panel to make a MagSafe swap, which iFixit says is a big win for repairability. There was a downside with the MagSafe swap because the iPhone 16e doesn't have the built-in software that recognizes MagSafe accessories to provide animations, and it's not yet clear if it charges at the full 15W.
"Cross-compatibility matters," said iFixit. "It makes repairs easier, parts easier to source, and upgrades cheaper."
Apple made day one manuals available for the iPhone 17e, so iFixit knew the front and back panels both come off. The battery can be swapped without having to go through the display, though there's still adhesive to deal with. The iPhone 17e continues to use adhesive for the battery that can be removed with an electrical pulse, which makes battery replacements simpler.
Aside from the MagSafe update, the other notable change in the iPhone 17e is the A19 System on Chip that replaces the A18. Apple also swapped out the C1 modem for the new, faster C1X modem, and there's more starting internal storage at 256 GB.
iFixit found that like the MagSafe module, almost all components inside the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e were interchangeable. It's possible to take an iPhone 16e logic board and put it into an iPhone 17e chassis, with almost no issues registering parts. The TrueDepth camera for Face ID didn't work when swapped from iPhone to iPhone.
While iFixit was happy with the dual entry design and the battery adhesive that releases electrically, the site found the USB-C port was too buried behind components, which will make DIY repairs daunting for people. Apple fixed the USB-C accessibility issue in its main flagship models, but has not made the port easier to get to in the "e" models.
Despite these issues, iFixit awarded points for the parts interchangeability because there's more salvage value and more refurbishment potential. iFixit gave the iPhone 17e a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. That's the same score the iPhone 16e got last year, and the same score the iPhone 17 earned.
Apple replaced the $4,999+ Pro Display XDR with the better, more affordable Studio Display XDR, so we thought we'd pick one up to test out and compare to the now-discontinued Pro Display XDR.
The Studio Display XDR is the same size as the Studio Display at 27 inches, and it has the same 5K resolution. It's smaller than the 32-inch Pro Display XDR that had a 6K display, and that's probably going to be a major downside for people who prefer larger display sizes. A 32-inch display size works well for a single monitor setup, but 27 inches feels comparatively smaller and is better for multi-display setups.
Apple designed the Pro Display XDR with the same perforated, vented back panel that it used for the Mac Pro, and in comparison, the Studio Display XDR is plainer because it adopts the Studio Display look.
With those downsides out of the way, almost every other Studio Display XDR feature is an improvement over the Pro Display XDR. It uses a mini-LED panel with 2,304 local dimming zones (the Pro Display XDR was limited to 576 local dimming zones). It's brighter than the Pro Display XDR, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved HDR. The display is bright enough to match the mini-LED MacBook Pro, and it's really the only display that pairs well with Apple's high-end notebook.
The Studio Display XDR also supports a variable refresh rate from 47Hz to 120Hz, which Apple calls Adaptive Sync. It's not as noticeable as it is on a smaller display, but you can tell a difference when gaming, scrolling quickly, or using the Studio Display XDR next to another display that doesn't support a 120Hz refresh rate.
While the Pro Display XDR didn't come with a camera or speakers, the Studio Display XDR does. It has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera for video calls and a six-speaker audio system that's ideal for most things you want to do on a Mac.
There are two Thunderbolt 5 ports, one upstream and one downstream, so you can daisy-chain multiple displays together. 140W passthrough charging is available, and there are also two USB-C ports for connecting peripherals.
The Pro Display XDR did not have dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining displays, so the addition of an extra Thunderbolt port adds more setup versatility.
The Studio Display XDR is a solid upgrade over most displays, and there are very few monitors on the market that can match what Apple is offering. Given the $3,299 price point and the focus on professional use, the Studio Display XDR isn't for the average Mac user. The standard Studio Display is better suited to more casual use, and most people can even get away with a cheaper 4K display from a third-party manufacturer.
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