Apple's original film "F1: The Movie" yesterday won an Oscar for Best Sound at the 98th Academy Awards.
The film, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Joseph Kosinski, received four Oscar nominations in total, including Best Picture. "F1" has already picked up multiple honors across the industry, including Best Editing and Best Sound at the Critics Choice Awards and Best Sound at the BAFTA Film Awards.
The film stars Brad Pitt as a once-promising Formula 1 driver whose career was nearly ended by a crash in the 1990s. Decades later, he returns to the sport after being recruited by his former teammate to help save a struggling team, partnering with an ambitious rookie driver.
In 2022, Apple's "CODA" became the first streaming film to win Best Picture, with Troy Kotsur winning Best Supporting Actor and Siân Heder winning Best Adapted Screenplay. Apple later won Best Animated Short Film for "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse." More recently, "Killers of the Flower Moon" received several Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Lily Gladstone.
"F1" is now available to stream globally on Apple TV. Apple previously said it is the highest-grossing sports feature film of all time.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that iOS 27 will be similar to 2009's Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that one of Apple's biggest priorities is bug fixes for improved performance and stability.
During WWDC 2008's State of the Union, Apple showed a slide that said Mac OS X Snow Leopard had "0 new features," as it opted to focus on performance and stability improvements. Technically, the update did include some smaller new features, but Apple was overwhelmingly focused on bug fixes and under-the-hood changes on the Mac.
"We've built on the success of Leopard and created an even better experience for our users from installation to shutdown," said Apple's former software engineering chief Bertrand Serlet. "Apple engineers have made hundreds of improvements so with Snow Leopard your system is going to feel faster, more responsive and even more reliable than before."
iOS 27 will still get some new features too, including a more personalized version of Siri. The update should be announced in June and released in September.
Apple just launched the new line of Studio Displays this month, and today Amazon has introduced the first discount on the Standard Glass model with Tilt-Adjustable Stand. You can get this Studio Display for $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00, a new all-time low price.
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.
Last week, Amazon had some initial launch discounts on a few Nano-Texture models of the Studio Display, but only one of these remains. You can still get the Nano-Texture model with Tilt-Adjustable Stand for $1,849.00, down from $1,899.00. Both displays have an estimated delivery date of March 20 for free shipping.
Additionally, Amazon has the Studio Display XDR (Standard Glass with Tilt- and Height-Adjustable Stand) on sale at $100 off this week. You can get this model for $3,199.00, down from $3,299.00, another new record low price.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the latest internal version of iOS 27 does not have major Liquid Glass design changes, but there might be a new system-wide setting for precisely adjusting the look of the interface.
iOS 26.1 lets you choose between "Clear" and "Tinted" options for Liquid Glass, with the "Tinted" look adding more opacity to user interface elements. And with iOS 27, which is expected to be released later this year, Apple might go even further.
iOS 26.2 introduced a slider that allows you to manually adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass, but only for the Lock Screen's clock. Starting with iOS 27, Gurman said the setting might be expanded to the entire operating system.
Apple was initially working on a system-wide Liquid Glass slider for iOS 26, but it ran into engineering challenges when trying to extend it across the entire system, according to Gurman. However, he said Apple could go back to the drawing board and manage to get the system-wide slider working in an iOS 27 version.
"Apple is trying again now for iOS 27," said Gurman, in a social media post referring to the system-wide Liquid Glass slider. "TBD if it lands."
iOS 27 beta testing should begin in June, ahead of a September release.
A second-generation MacBook Neo with a touch screen has gone from a yes to a maybe to a no, according to rumors.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple has yet to decide whether to bring touch-screen support to any Macs beyond the next high-end MacBook Pro, which is expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.
A touch screen would slightly increase the cost of making the MacBook Neo, which is priced as low as $499, so the laptop will likely remain without one for years.
In September 2025, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the second-generation MacBook Neo "could" include touch support, but last week he said it "may" not happen after all, and now Gurman has completely ruled out the possibility for now.
"I'd be shocked if a touch screen comes to the Neo in the next three years," said Gurman.
Nevertheless, a second-generation MacBook Neo will likely be released next year, according to Kuo. The key upgrade should be the A19 Pro chip with an increased 12GB of RAM, up from the A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM in the current model.
Apple's new Liquid Glass interface introduced across iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and its other latest software platforms is apparently here to stay.
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the latest internal versions of iOS 27 and macOS 27 do not have major Liquid Glass design changes. He also mentioned how Apple's new software design chief, Steve Lemay, was "a driving force" behind Liquid Glass and was "deeply involved in its development."
Lemay joined Apple in 1999. He succeeded Alan Dye, who left Apple for Meta at the end of last year. Under his leadership, it is likely that Apple will focus on gradually improving Liquid Glass. This would be similar to Apple's approach with iOS 7, which did away with skeuomorphism in favor of a flat design and was then refined over the years.
Apple already provided iPhone users with a few Liquid Glass customization options through software updates. iOS 26.1 added a "Tinted" option that increases the opacity of Liquid Glass elements across the system, and iOS 26.2 introduced a slider that allows you to adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass for the Lock Screen's clock.
Apple was initially working on a system-wide Liquid Glass slider for iOS 26, but it ran into engineering challenges when trying to extend it across the entire system, according to Gurman. However, he said Apple could go back to the drawing board and manage to get the system-wide slider working in an iOS 27 version.
This week, tech columnist David Pogue launched a new book called "Apple: The First 50 Years." On Amazon, you can get the new book for $39.30 in hardcover, down from $50.00, the best price we've seen so far on the book.
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.
The book explores the first five decades of Apple's history, including interviews with 150 key people who shaped Apple into what it is today, like Steve Wozniak, John Sculley, Jony Ive, and more. The book is launching to coincide with Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026.
Amazon's sale is on the hardcover version of the book, and provides an estimated March 19 delivery date for free delivery. 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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
After Apple's big week of announcements, this week saw all of the new products officially become available, so reviewers and general users alike are now getting their hands on them and putting them through their paces.
Apple also started ramping up plans for celebrating the company's 50th anniversary coming up on April 1, with Tim Cook sharing a letter addressing the milestone and the company even hosting a brief musical appearance by Alicia Keys at its Grand Central Terminal store in New York City, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
"While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the people and communities who have thought different with us, and to honor the enduring values that continue to guide our work," said Apple, in a press release.
The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but availability varies, so make sure to see if your local store has stock via Apple's online store.
Apple Could Launch Three New 'Ultra' Devices This Year
While it is unclear whether the new products will carry the "Ultra" name, Apple is planning to launch at least three such devices this year: Apple's first foldable iPhone with an expected price tag of at least $2,000, higher-end AirPods Pro equipped with infrared cameras, and a premium MacBook Pro with touchscreen OLED display that may sit above the current MacBook Pro models in the lineup.
Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4
Apple is continuing to test the iOS 26.4 beta, and the latest update became available for developers and public beta testers earlier this week.
As testing goes on, there are fewer new features in each beta, but this week’s release adds new emoji characters and support for the new iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air, and makes a few other changes.
Apple 'HomePad' to Offer Magnetic Snap-to-Wall Feature and More
In a post on X this week, Kosutami said that one of the HomePad prototypes features a MagSafe-like snap-to-wall capability, along with doorbell integration. It is said to be heavily reliant on Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone Fold will reportedly be able to run two iPhone apps side by side on the large internal display, which will be roughly the size of an iPad mini display. Apple is also revamping its apps to support sidebars for this mode, and third-party developers will be able to adapt their apps to use them as well. The iPhone Fold will, however, lack the more extensive multitasking capabilities of iPadOS and will not be able to directly run iPad-optimized apps.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple today announced that it will be celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary by hosting gatherings "around the world" throughout the month of March.
Apple's 50th anniversary is on April 1, 2026. The company has yet to reveal exactly where and when it will be hosting additional celebrations, but possibilities include major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tokyo.
"Each gathering highlights human creativity and ingenuity in action, and showcases the remarkable things people can do when they have the right Apple products in their hands," said Apple, in a press release.
"Stay tuned for more updates," said Apple.
17-time Grammy Award-winning music artist and producer Alicia Keys kicked off the celebrations today with a surprise performance at Apple's Grand Central store in New York. Apple invited selected content creators to the impromptu concert, which was also open to the public for anyone who happened to be in the area at the time.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook, hardware engineering chief John Ternus, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, and others were in attendance at Grand Central.
"Thinking different has always been at the heart of Apple," said Cook. "It's what has driven us to create products that empower people to express themselves, to connect, and to create something wonderful. As we celebrate 50 years, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and who continues to inspire what comes next."
The letter touches on the upcoming 50th anniversary and says that "the world is moved forward by people who think different." For those unaware, "Think Different" was a famous advertising slogan used by Apple in the late 1990s to early 2000s.
"At Apple, we're more focused on building tomorrow than remembering yesterday," said Cook, in the letter. "But we couldn't let this milestone pass without thanking the millions of people who make Apple what it is today."
We're only three months away from Apple's WWDC 2026 event, which will see the company unveil iOS 27. With the fully revamped version of Siri possibly delayed until September, iOS 27 is shaping up to be the update we wanted iOS 26 to be.
There will be new Apple Intelligence features, updates for the iPhone Fold, and more, with the latest rumors summarized below.
Foldable iPhone Features
Apple plans to launch the first foldable iPhone in September, a device that could possibly be called the iPhone Fold. Rumors suggest that it will feature a 5.5-inch display when folded, and a 7.8-inch display when it's opened up like a book.
An iPhone with a larger display that also folds will require some major updates to iOS, and iOS 27 will focus on building new interfaces and experiences made for a larger display.
The iPhone Fold will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad, but it will run iOS, not iPadOS, and it won't support iPad apps. When unfolded, the iPhone will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. Many of Apple's iPhone apps will have sidebars on the left of the display, with Apple providing developers with tools to easily adapt their apps to the new layout.
Apple is using a wider design for the iPhone Fold than most foldable smartphone makers have used, and it is rumored to have an iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio. When the iPhone is closed, it will have a standard iPhone layout that looks like the version of iOS we have now.
Smarter Siri
We were supposed to get the Apple Intelligence version of Siri in iOS 26.4, but Apple is still having problems with development. Siri isn't yet operating as expected, and it's not ready to launch.
Some or all of the new Siri features could be pushed to iOS 27, though there's a chance we'll get something new in iOS 26.5. It's a little unclear just what we'll get and when, because iOS 27 is also supposed to include a chatbot version of Siri that will operate more like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
We could get an entirely revamped chatbot version of Siri with all of the new features all at once, or we could get the Apple Intelligence update and then chatbot functionality in a later iOS 27 update.
Apple is partnering with Google and plans to use a custom AI model built in collaboration with Google's Gemini team for some of the new Siri features, including the Siri chatbot functionality that's coming.
Apple Intelligence Siri Features We're Waiting On
Apple described three specific ways that Siri will improve with Apple Intelligence integration, including personal context, the ability to see what's on the screen to know what the user is talking about, and the capability to do more in and between apps.
Siri will understand pronouns, references to content on the screen and in apps, and it will have a short-term memory for follow-up requests.
Personal Context
With personal context, Siri will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.
Show me the files Eric sent me last week.
Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.
Find the books that Eric recommended to me.
Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?
What's my passport number?
Onscreen Awareness
Onscreen awareness will let Siri see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, you can tell Siri to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask Siri to do it for you.
Deeper App Integration
Deeper app integration means that Siri will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what Siri will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.
Moving files from one app to another.
Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.
Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric.
Send the email I drafted to Eric.
Answers and Images
Back in August 2025, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi told employees that efforts to update the architecture were promising enough that Apple would be able to implement a "much bigger upgrade" than Apple originally envisioned.
Since then, rumors suggest that Apple will add image generation capabilities to Siri, relying on Image Playground. Siri is also expected to get a "World Knowledge" search feature that would provide information on general search queries using information pulled from the web. Siri will be able to summarize web results like ChatGPT to answer questions.
Chatbot Siri
Apple is planning to turn Siri into a full chatbot that users can interact with similarly to Claude or ChatGPT. The Siri chatbot will be deeply integrated into Apple's operating systems at the system level, and it won't be a standalone app experience.
Users will activate Siri by speaking the Siri wake word or pressing on the side button of the iPhone, similar to how Siri works now. There's no word yet on what the Siri chatbot interface will look like, but Apple will need to make major changes if it wants to match the functionality offered by chatbot apps. Right now, there's no way to have a back and forth typed conversation with Siri where the conversation history is visible, and that will need to change.
The Siri chatbot will be able to do everything current chatbots can do, like searching the web for information, analyzing uploaded files, and summarizing information, but since it will be integrated into the iPhone at the system level, Siri will also be able to ingest information from on-device data, control device features and settings, use personal data for tasks, analyze on-screen content, and more.
Siri Design Update
With iOS 27, Apple could update Siri's design. There are no specifics about what the redesign might entail, but rumors linked to Apple's upcoming tabletop robot suggest that the company might introduce a version of Siri that's more animated, similar to the Mac Finder logo. That more animated version of Siri could also come to the iPhone and iPad.
Core AI Framework
Apple will introduce a Core AI framework for developers that replaces the current Core ML framework. The Core AI framework will provide developers with a way to integrate AI models into their apps.
Liquid Glass
iOS 27 is likely to include refinements for the Liquid Glass design that Apple introduced with iOS 26. There have already been some changes in the iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2 updates, but iOS 27 will provide Apple with the opportunity to make more bigger adjustments.
AI Calendar App
iOS 27 could include a Calendar app that incorporates AI.
AI Health Features
Apple planned a full AI-powered Health+ subscription service, but plans have been scaled back. Some components that Apple planned to implement could still be introduced in iOS 27, though it's unclear what we'll get.
Health+ reportedly would have provided health recommendations in the Health app, delivering detailed health reports, videos that explain medical conditions, and wellness tips.
New Satellite Features
Apple is working on several new satellite features for the iPhone, and it's possible some features could be introduced as soon as 2027. Timing on Apple's satellite improvements is unclear, though, and behind-the-scenes updates from Apple's satellite partner Globalstar are required. Rumored features:
Satellite connectivity without the need for a view of the sky
Some of these features might require new hardware, but options like Apple Maps via satellite would not require components beyond what's available now.
Performance and Stability
Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanhas described iOS 27 as a "Snow Leopard" update, suggesting that Apple will focus on improving underlying performance and quality.
Apple is prioritizing cleaning up the iOS code and removing anything that's outdated, which could mean upgrading apps to improve performance and rewriting some existing features to be more efficient. The code updates could provide a more responsive, faster version of iOS.
Apple is also aiming for efficiency improvements that could translate into tangible battery life gains.
Launch Date
New versions of iOS, macOS, and Apple's other software platforms will be previewed in June at WWDC before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out.
Apple mysteriously shut down its Grand Central Terminal store in New York City today, and it turns out it was for an impromptu Alicia Keys concert to celebrate Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary.
Apple quietly invited select YouTubers and members of the media (including MacRumors) to the store location, but kept the performer secret until Alicia Keys took the stage. Preparations for the concert started yesterday, with Apple setting up a stage, audio equipment, and lights, complete with Keys' signature pink piano.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, retail head Deirdre O'Brien, and hardware engineering boss John Ternus were at the Grand Central Terminal location for the concert. Members of the public that are in the area are also able to watch the performance.
Alicia Keys has a history with Apple, and has performed at Apple events several times in the past. In September 2016, she was at the Apple Music Festival 10 in London, and she sang at the NYC Holiday Masquerade Ball in December 2022 as part of Apple's live concert series. Keys also was one of the first artists to have an immersive video experience on Apple Vision Pro with the 3D Alicia Keys: Rehearsal Room experience.
Earlier this week, Cook said that Apple planned to celebrate Apple's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, recognizing the "creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology."
It appears that the private concert is the first of Apple's celebrations that are set to take place over the next two and a half weeks. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company's actual 50th anniversary is on April 1, 2026.
Repair site iFixit did its traditional teardown on the MacBook Neo, and was pleasantly surprised with the laptop's repairability. "We haven't been as happy about a MacBook since 2012," says iFixit.
iFixit took apart the more expensive $699 version of the MacBook Neo that comes with a Touch ID keyboard, but both models are "suspiciously easy" to get into. The lower case is still held together with pentalobe screws, which are less common than standard screws and require a special screwdriver. The cover can be unclipped by hand, and inside, there's a "shockingly sensible" internal layout.
The battery, speakers, ports, and trackpad are easy to get to and not buried under another component like most Apple laptops. Rather than being attached with adhesive, the battery is screwed in, so it's simple to remove it for repair or replacement. There are 18 screws to undo, but iFixit says the lack of battery adhesive is the biggest MacBook Neo repair win.
iFixit believes Apple is preparing for an upcoming EU law that will require many portable devices to have user replaceable batteries by early 2027. Because of the regulation, we could see similar setups for batteries in future MacBook Air and Pro models.
There are a lot of cables to unplug to get to other components like the logic board, but it's all "pretty accessible" and not buried "just for the sake of being buried." RAM and storage are soldered to the A18 Pro chip, which is expected, but not a repairability win because it diminishes repairability and upgradeability. RAM and the SSD cannot be upgraded after purchase.
The USB-C ports are their own module instead of connected to the logic board, so damaged ports are able to be replaced without logic board repairs, and the same goes for the headphone jack. Antenna assembly removal is straightforward, which iFixit says will make screen replacements "significantly easier." With the antenna removed and the hinge screws off, the display "pops away as if it were a Framework laptop."
Apple used side-firing speakers in the MacBook Neo, which is a simplified setup with less chassis machining that probably let it save money, and a mechanical trackpad. It's the first MacBook to have a mechanical trackpad since 2015 because the mechanical setup is cheaper to produce. The keyboard was the last piece to come out in iFixit's teardown, and it was held in with 41 screws. It is possible to remove the keyboard separately from the top case by undoing all of those screws, which makes for more affordable repairs.
iFixit said that while the MacBook Neo isn't perfect because of the soldered storage and RAM, there's a "lot to like." It has the most accessible battery in a Mac since 2012, a display that's easy to swap out, and modular components like the USB-C ports and headphone jack. iFixit gave the MacBook Neo a repairability score of 6 out of 10. For comparison, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro earned a 4/10 and the M4 MacBook Air got a 5/10.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Lululook to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro and a 25W Qi2.2 3-in-1 Charger from Lululook to go along with it.
Priced at $79, Lululook's 3-in-1 Charging Station is able to charge an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch at the same time. It features Qi 2.2 support and certification, so it is able to charge the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models at up to 25W, the same as Apple's latest MagSafe specification. With 25W Qi charging, an iPhone 17 can wirelessly charge to 50 percent battery in 30 minutes.
The stand can be used in either portrait or landscape mode, with the iPhone charging platform located at the top, plus the viewing angle can be adjusted thanks to several included hinges. The Apple Watch charger folds out from the middle, and the AirPods charge at the bottom. The whole 3-in-1 charger collapses down into a square puck when not in use, making it ideal for travel. The charger weighs just 6.2 ounces and it's less than an inch thick when folded up.
Lululook made the stand out of aluminum that matches Apple's iPhone 17 Pro models, and it comes in orange, desert gold, or titanium. The orange shade is the same color as the orange iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The aluminum resists fingerprints and smudges, and there are soft silicone pads on the bottom and the charging area to keep the charger stable and devices scratch free.
In addition to charging an iPhone at 25W, the charger provides 5W for the Apple Watch and 5W for the AirPods. The 3-in-1 Charging Station is powered via USB-C, and Lululook includes a 45W power adapter and a 3.28-foot USB cable. There's also a portable organizer to hold the cables and the charger during travel.
We have a Lululook 3-in-1 Charging Station and iPhone 17 Pro to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (March 13) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 20. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after March 20 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Following its announcement last week, the MacBook Neo arrived this week. Unlike every other Apple silicon Mac, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip originally developed for the iPhone 16 Pro, making it the first Mac to use an iPhone-class processor instead of an M-series chip.
To reach its substantially lower price point, the MacBook Neo makes some compromises. Unlike the MacBook Air, it does not feature keyboard backlighting, a haptic trackpad, P3 wide color, True Tone, ambient light sensing, a camera indicator LED, MagSafe charging, Thunderbolt connectivity, or a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage, nor does it come with Touch ID as standard. It is also thicker with a slightly reduced battery life, and has larger borders around the slightly smaller display.
That being said, it is $500 cheaper than a MacBook Air and is designed to compete with lower-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks, while expanding the Mac lineup with a substantially more affordable option. We talk through the real-world impact of some of these compromises, including performance with the A18 Pro chip and 8GB of memory.
The iPhone 17e retains the same design and price as the iPhone 16e but adds the A19 chip, MagSafe support, Apple's second-generation C1X modem, and 256GB of base storage. Apple also introduced a new Studio Display XDR model, replacing the Pro Display XDR. The new model offers a 27-inch 5K mini-LED panel with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR brightness up to 2,000 nits, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. We compare both of these new products to their predecessors, as well as the iPhone 17e and the iPhone 16 as the two lowest-cost iPhones on sale today.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's concentrated week of announcements that saw the introduction of 10 new products.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Apple this week saw an unusual surge of Mac trade-ins amid the launch of the MacBook Neo.
A reliable source speaking to MacRumors revealed that the quantity of Macs traded in at Apple retail stores this week increased over 100% compared to previous weeks, likely driven by demand for the MacBook Neo and M5 MacBook Air.
Older, low-end models dominated this week's trade-ins, suggesting that customers are upgrading to the MacBook Neo and the M5 MacBook Air, rather than the new MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
The scale of increase is noticeably different from most previous Mac launches. While the launches of new Macs understandably cause a slight surge of trade-ins, the increase is typically much smaller than the one seen this week, suggesting heightened consumer enthusiasm for the new models. Evidence suggests that this is the biggest surge in Mac trade-ins since the launch of the first Apple silicon Macs between 2020 and 2021.
Back in September, the Apple TV streaming service's broadcast of the pivotal Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers game at Fenway Park incorporated live footage captured with the iPhone 17 Pro, and now the device has been enshrined in MLB history.
Apple this week announced that the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has added one of the four iPhone 17 Pro devices that captured the Red Sox clinching a postseason berth with a thrilling walk-off win over the Tigers to its permanent collection in Cooperstown, New York. More details are available on the Hall of Fame's website.
A weekly "Friday Night Baseball" doubleheader of MLB games returns to Apple TV for the 2026 season starting Friday, March 27. The games are included with an Apple TV subscription, at no additional cost. In the U.S., Apple TV costs $12.99 per month.
Throughout the 2026 season, Apple said iPhones will be further integrated into the lineup of cameras used for select "Friday Night Baseball" broadcasts.
Advanced display panels destined for Apple's first foldable iPhone are reportedly nearing mass production.
The Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital" today said that Samsung Display is set to begin mass production of OLED panels for the first foldable iPhone in May 2026. Meanwhile, the user "Fixed Focus Digital" claims that the foldable iPhone's screen may be flatter than many of the existing foldable devices currently on sale, suggesting that Apple has largely solved the crease problem.
Previous reports have variously described the Samsung panel as as being "virtually crease free" and having "no crease at all." Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that the new display technology Apple is using reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely, but the result is "not perfect."
Rumors suggest that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, Touch ID, two rear cameras, the A20 chip, and the "C2" modem. It is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the fall. Production will almost certainly ramp up as we approach that time of year.
This week was Apple launch week, and we're already seeing solid markdowns on the new M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air, and more. Additionally, below you'll find deals on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and Apple Watch Series 11.
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.
Amazon this week came back with a notable discount on the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, available for $119.99, down from $179.00. This is a solid second-best price on the AirPods 4.
This week was the launch week for all of Apple's new products, and Amazon is already offering solid discounts on many models of the M4 iPad Air. This includes up to $80 off the 11-inch model and up to $100 off the 13-inch model.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take $49 off M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro
Similar to the M4 iPad Air, Amazon is offering multiple discounts across the new M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro this week. You'll find $49 off select models right now, without the need of a coupon code.
Apple: The First 50 Years
What's the deal? Take $10 off the new book Apple: The First 50 Years
Tech columnist David Pogue released a new book Apple: The First 50 Years earlier this week, and Amazon has it for 21 percent off right now. The 608-page book explores the first five decades of the company's history.
This week, there were two sales on Samsung monitors, split between Amazon and Samsung's own website. On Amazon, there was a big accessory sale this week, and the highlights of the event included big savings on monitors from Samsung, LG, Dell, and more. Samsung's newest Smart Monitor M9 hit the all-time low price of $1,299.99 during the sale, and it's still available now.
On Samsung, you can get a free copy of Resident Evil Requiem with the purchase of select monitors. You'll also find big discounts on TVs and Galaxy products this week.
Apple Watch Series 11
What's the deal? Take $100 off Apple Watch Series 11
Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. We first started tracking the return of these deals last month, but this sale has now expanded with many more options on both 42mm and 46mm GPS models.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
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.
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.
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.
