A new report from Counterpoint Research shows that Apple once again dominated global smartphone sales last quarter, with the iPhone 16 leading the pack. Here’s the breakdown.

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The winners for this year’s edition of MKBHD’s Smartphone Awards have just been revealed, and Apple scored four recognitions out of the 10 categories, one of which isn’t exactly a reason to be proud of. Here are the details.

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iPhone users in Japan are now able to use Apple's Messages via satellite feature, Apple said today. Messages via satellite works on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 or later and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, allowing users who have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection to use satellite connectivity for messaging.


When attempting to send a message with no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, ‌iPhone‌ users in Japan will see a message that prompts them to connect to the nearest satellite. After connecting, users can send and receive iMessages, SMS messages, emoji characters, and use the Messages Tapback feature.

Messages sent via satellite offer the same end-to-end encryption as messages sent over Wi-Fi or cellular.

Japanese users already had access to emergency SOS via satellite and the option to share location via satellite in the Find My app, so the new Messages via satellite option joins those two features.

iOS 18 or later is required for Messages via satellite on ‌iPhone‌, while the feature needs watchOS 26 or later on the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 3‌. Satellite connectivity continues to be free for all ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch users with supported devices.
This article, "iPhone Users in Japan Can Now Send Messages via Satellite" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The developer behind the ICEBlock app that Apple removed from the App Store at the Trump administration's request is suing for suppression of free speech. The lawsuit names Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, and other government officials, accusing them of First Amendment violations (via NPR).


Key to the lawsuit is a statement from Bondi, who claimed Apple removed the app after the government asked Apple to do so. "We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their ‌App Store‌ -- and Apple did so," said Bondi.

ICEBlock allows iPhone users to report the location of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when the agents are spotted in public. The app was removed from the ‌App Store‌ in early October, though people who downloaded it before it was pulled are still able to use it. ICEBlock had over a million users when it was removed from the ‌App Store‌.

Joshua Aaron, the app's developer, argues that the creation, distribution, and promotion of ICEBlock is lawful and protected by the First Amendment. He claims that the government officials named in the lawsuit used the authority of their offices to pressure, threaten, and coerce Apple to remove the app.

This lawsuit challenges these government officials' unconstitutional threats and demands against Apple, which pressured it to remove the ICEBlock app from the App Store. In particular, Attorney General Bondi's coercion of Apple has censored Aaron and ALL U Chart,Inc., which owns ICEBlock's intellectual property, by making ICEBlock--their speech--unavailable to the public.

Apple is not named in the lawsuit, and is not being targeted by Aaron. When the app was removed from the ‌App Store‌, Apple said that the app violated guideline 1.1.1, and made it clear that it was removed at the behest of the government.

Information provided to Apple by law enforcement shows that your app violates Guideline 1.1.1 because its purpose is to provide location information about law enforcement officers that can be used to harm such officers individually or as a group. For this reason, your app will be removed from the App Store

Aaron asks that the court allow ICEBlock to be reinstated, and that government officials be prevented from threatening or pressuring ICEBlock distributors.
This article, "ICEBlock App Developer Sues Trump Officials, Claims Apple Was Pressured to Remove App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 has a bunch of new AirPods features, but one that lots of users might appreciate is flying under the radar. Thanks to a new setting added in iOS 26, you can finally stop AirPods’ audio from automatically getting hijacked by other Bluetooth speakers, including your in-car speakers.

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Netflix’s massive $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery raises big questions for Apple TV, but at least one potential issue has seemingly been resolved. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says Warner’s TV division will continue selling shows to rival streamers.

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In preparation for a law that will prohibit Australians under 16 from having social media accounts, Apple is highlighting the App Store tools that developers can use to ensure their apps comply. Here are the details.

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Last October’s ICEBlock was removed from the App Store following pressure from the US government. Now, the app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, is suing 14 representatives of the administration. Here are the details.

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Travel chargers are often a series of compromises. They are either too big, too slow, or missing support for one of the devices you actually needed to charge. The Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Qi2 charger is the rare accessory that gets almost everything right (except for one thing). It delivers 15-watt Qi2 fast charging for the iPhone, supports fast charging on the Apple Watch, and has a dedicated spot for AirPods. It folds down into a really compact circle that fit into any bag and has enough flexibility to work on your nightstand in Standby mode, a hotel desk, or a tray table on a plane. Read on to learn more about the Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1.

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The holiday season brings noise: endless shopping lists, Christmas deals, distractions, last-minute meetings, deadlines, you name it. The Winter Clarity Bundle includes four tools that help you focus on what really matters. They cut through the chaos like a laser, pointing directly at what matters most to you. So you can enter 2026 with nothing holding you back and a clean slate for what’s ahead.

Launching today, the Winter Bundle brings together four best-in-class apps that form a complete toolkit for clarity and focus.

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From tracking your fitness to keeping you connected wherever you go, Apple Watch is a must-have this holiday season.

To make it easier to know what to buy, we are tracking huge savings on the entire Apple Watch lineup.

• 40mm Apple Watch SE 3: from $200 (Reg. $249)
• 44mm Apple Watch SE 3: from $230 (Reg. $279)
• 42mm Apple Watch Series 11: from $299 (Reg. $399)
• 46mm Apple Watch Series 11: from $329 (Reg. $429)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2: from $549 (Reg. $799)
• …head below for more!

Whether you’re a newcomer to the Apple Watch ecosystem or looking to upgrade your aging wearable, there’s a deal in here for you.

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Apple and Google are teaming up to make it easier for users to switch between iPhone and Android smartphones, according to 9to5Google. There is a new Android Canary build available today that simplifies data transfer between two smartphones, and Apple is going to implement the functionality in an upcoming iOS 26 beta.


Apple already has a Move to iOS app for transferring data from an Android device to an ‌iPhone‌, while Google has an Android Switch app that can migrate data from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android smartphone. The new method will apparently replace the existing apps, offering a transfer function when setting up a new ‌iPhone‌ or Android device.

The collaboration will apparently add "more functionality" and support for transferring data types that are not available to transfer with the current tools.

Both Apple and Google are facing regulatory pressure around the world, with multiple countries scrutinizing practices that might keep customers locked into a platform. Making it simpler for users to transition from one platform to another will be beneficial to both companies.
This article, "Switching Between iPhone and Android Will Get Easier With New Apple and Google Collaboration" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Satechi and MacRumors have partnered up this week to offer our readers an exclusive 30 percent discount on select products for a limited time. This sale is available only on Satechi's website, and it will run through December 15.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

To get the discount, add anything from the lists below to your cart and head to checkout. Once at checkout, you can enter the code MRHOLIDAY to get 30 percent off your order for this week only. This discount code takes 30 percent off each item in your cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once.




Products in this sale include Satechi's newest Qi2 charging stations and travel chargers, including the 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for $91.00, down from $129.99. You can also get both of Satechi's On The Go chargers on sale for 30 percent off with our exclusive code, priced at $56.00 for the 2-in-1 model and $70.00 for the 3-in-1 model.

It's also worth noting that some products are under a "last chance" discount, leftover from Satechi's Cyber Week sale, and our exclusive code stacks with these markdowns. This means you can get ultra-steep discounts on Satechi's 2-in-1 Headphone Stand and Wireless Charger ($39.20, $40 off) and Thunderbolt 4 Dock ($147.00, $152 off).


The code also covers 30 percent off Satechi's range of FindAll Bluetooth trackers, including the FindAll Keychain, FindAll Card, FindAll Luggage Tag, FindAll Glasses Case, and FindAll Passport Cover. We've listed every product that works with our exclusive MRHOLIDAY discount code below, so be sure to shop the sale before it ends on December 15.

Wall Chargers

• 67W On The Go Slim Wall Charger - $42.00, down from $59.99


• 165W USB-C 4-Port GaN Charger - $84.00, down from $119.99

Wireless Chargers

• 2-in-1 Headphone Stand and Wireless Charger - $39.20, down from $55.99
  
• 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Charging Stand - $56.00, down from $79.99


• On The Go 2-in-1 Charger - $56.00, down from $79.99


• On The Go 3-in-1 Charger - $70.00, down from $99.99


• 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Charging Stand - $91.00, down from $129.99

Bluetooth Trackers

• FindAll Keychain - $21.00, down from $29.99


• FindAll Card - $24.50, down from $34.99


• FindAll Luggage Tag - $31.50, down from $44.99


• FindAll Glasses Case - $35.00, down from $49.99


• FindAll Passport Cover - $42.00, down from $59.99

Docks and Hubs

• Pro Hub Slim - $56.00, down from $79.99


• 7-in-1 Slim USB-C Multiport Adapter - $56.00, down from $79.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub Pro - $140.00, down from $199.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Dock - $147.00, down from $209.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock - $245.00, down from $349.99

Miscellaneous

• On The Go Bluetooth Keyboard - $56.00, down from 479.99


• On The Go Bluetooth Mouse - $21.00, down from $29.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable - $28.00, down from $39.99

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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This article, "MacRumors Readers Can Get 30% Off Satechi's Best Qi2 Chargers, Bluetooth Trackers, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple and Google are teaming up to make it easier to switch between Android and iPhone devices. The two companies say that they’ve developed new features that streamline the process of moving data between each platform as part of a joint collaboration.

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Australia's new social media law goes into effect on December 10, 2025, and ahead of that date, Apple is sharing information on developer tools that are designed to help social media apps adhere to the law.


Children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to use Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube (except for YouTube Kids), Snapchat, X, Twitch, Threads, and Kick in Australia, and those apps have to take "reasonable steps" to remove underage users from their platforms starting Wednesday. Apps will also need to prevent new signups from users under the age of 16, and there is a one-year transition period before penalties will begin.

To assist developers, Apple provides the Declared Age Range API, which gives developers access to the age range of users. Other tools available include an option for an age suitability URL that provides more information on the app and its age-related content, app description pages that indicate age restrictions, and tools for setting higher minimum age ranges.

Platforms that don't deactivate accounts created by children will face serious fines. Australia may also add more apps to its banned list over time, depending on the apps that kids adopt after not being able to access their current favorites.

Australia is the first country to implement a total social media ban for children.

More information is available on Apple's developer website.
This article, "How Apple is Helping Apps Comply With Australia's Social Media Ban for Kids" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26.2 is expected to launch some time this week, but it looks like today might be ruled out. Apple has just shipped a second RC of iOS 26.2 for developers and public beta testers.

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Apple today seeded the second release candidate version of iOS 26.2 to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming one week after Apple seeded the first RC. The release candidate represents the final version iOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found.


Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.2 has a Liquid Glass slider on the Lock Screen to adjust the transparency of the clock, plus it brings AirPods Live Translation to the European Union. The Reminders app now supports alarms for when tasks are due, and there are updates to the Podcasts and Apple News apps. Menu animations have been revamped, and CarPlay supports disabling pinned messages in the Messages app.

We have a full list of all the features available in iOS 26.2 in our guide.

iOS 26.2 will likely see a launch later this week.
This article, "Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Is Apple Pay faster than alternate payment solutions? The latest video from Apple certainly aims to convince you of the iPhone’s advantage, and does so by showing a high-stakes scenario when speed is of the essence.

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Apple's chipmaking chief Johny Srouji has reportedly indicated that he plans to continue working for the company for the foreseeable future.


"I love my team, and I love my job at Apple, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon," said Srouji, in a memo obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Here is Srouji's full memo, as shared by Bloomberg:

I know you've been reading all kind of rumors and speculations about my future at Apple, and I feel that you need to hear from me directly. I am proud of the amazing Technologies we all build across Displays, Cameras, Sensors, Silicon, Batteries, and a very wide set of technologies, across all of Apple Products. Together we enable the best products in the world. I love my team, and I love my job at Apple, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.

Last week, Gurman said that Srouji recently told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he was "seriously considering leaving in the near future." Srouji did not explicitly deny the report, but it appears that he has no plans to leave Apple for now.

Srouji informed colleagues that he would be interested in working for another company if he did leave Apple, rather than retiring, according to Gurman.

Srouji is Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies. He joined the company in 2008 to lead development of the iPhone 4's A4 chip, the first Apple-designed system-on-a-chip. He previously held senior positions at Intel and IBM.

Apple's chips have achieved many performance records, making Srouji one of the company's most important executives. For example, the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro models offers the world's fastest CPU in any smartphone, while Apple silicon chips in Macs continue to deliver industry-leading performance per watt.

Apple is facing turnover among its top ranks. Apple's operations chief Jeff Williams recently retired, and he will soon be followed by the company's AI research chief John Giannandrea, environmental chief Lisa Jackson, and general counsel Kate Adams. In addition, Apple's software design chief Alan Dye is joining Meta's Reality Labs later this month. Finally, Cook is reportedly planning to step down as CEO as early as next year.
This article, "Apple's Chipmaking Chief Johny Srouji Responds to Report About Him Potentially Leaving" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today shared a new "Outrun" Apple Pay ad on its YouTube channel, highlighting the usefulness of the payments service when a physical payment method is unavailable.


In the spot, a woman fleeing from an attacking monster pulls into a gas station, then realizes she doesn't have her wallet to pay for gas. She's able to make her purchase with her iPhone instead. "Count on ‌Apple Pay‌," reads the video's tagline.

Apple has been running the 35-second ad on TikTok and other social networks since November, but it is new to YouTube as of today.

‌Apple Pay‌ works on all modern iPhones and Apple Watch models, allowing users to link a debit or credit card to a device and use the Wallet app to make contactless payments in supported locations.
This article, "Apple's 'Outrun' Ad Features Apple Pay Saving the Day in Monster Attack" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple led global smartphone sales with the iPhone 16 in the third quarter of 2025 while simultaneously accelerating demand for the iPhone 17 lineup and expanding its promotional footprint in the United States, according to new analyses from Counterpoint Research.


Counterpoint Research's Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker shows that the ‌iPhone 16‌ was the best-selling smartphone worldwide during the third quarter of 2025. Well into its second year of life, the device's sustained performance is attributed to continued demand among users upgrading from older iPhone generations, expanded carrier promotions in developed markets, and the broad appeal of the standard ‌iPhone‌ configuration in regions where ultra-premium models represent a smaller share of total volume.

Alongside the ‌iPhone 16‌'s continued leadership, Counterpoint says the iPhone 17 Pro Max entered the quarterly global top-10 list and became the best-selling smartphone in September 2025, despite "limited availability towards the end of the quarter." According to the firm, demand for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max was strengthened by a large cohort of users who purchased iPhones during the COVID-19 period and returned for major upgrades this year. New features such as a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom and a vapor-chamber cooling system represent one of Apple's most substantial year-over-year camera and thermal architecture revisions and contributed materially to monthly sales growth.

The same dataset indicates that, while Apple maintained its position at the top of the global rankings with the ‌iPhone 16‌ and expanded momentum with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, Samsung increased its presence in the top-10 list to five positions, all from the Galaxy A series.

A separate Counterpoint analysis of the global foldable smartphone sector shows that the premium market segment where Apple has not yet entered continued to grow at a materially faster pace than the broader industry. The firm reports that global foldable shipments increased 14% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, which is the highest quarterly shipment volume ever recorded for the category.

Counterpoint attributes much of this performance to Samsung's Galaxy Z 7 series, especially the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which generated "exceptionally strong consumer response" due to a slimmer and lighter enclosure, reduced crease visibility, and an upgraded hinge mechanism designed for improved durability. While Apple has not released a foldable ‌iPhone‌, rumors suggest that the company will debut such a device as soon as next year.

Meanwhile, Counterpoint's U.S. Weekly Smartphone Promotions Index shows that Apple intensified its promotional activity in response to unusually early and aggressive Pixel 10 discounts led by Google. Apple finished the period overtaking Google.
This article, "iPhone 16 Was World's Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Welcome to Black Friday 2.0 – okay, not quit but it might as well be. The AirPods Pro 3 have returned to all-time low pricing today alongside AirPods 4 with ANC still down at $99. But perhaps today’s biggest news in deals is Apple Watch Series 11, just as we reported it would be last week. You’ll now find all configurations at $100 off the list price with deals starting from $299 to deliver the best deals we have ever tracked, undercutting the lowest Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers. All of that joins discounts on iPad 11 from $279, the M3 iPad Air lineup from $450, and the return of Black Friday pricing on M4 Mac mini down at $479. Scope it all out below. 

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Johny Srouji isn’t leaving Apple, according to Johny Srouji. According to a leaked memo obtained by Bloomberg, Apple’s chip boss has recommitted to staying at the company.

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iOS 26.2’s launch on iPhone appears imminent, perhaps arriving today, as a reputable leaker has just shared the apparent build numbers for the release.

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