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Apple Reportedly Hasn't Given Up on Haptic Buttons for a Future iPhone

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple is still exploring solid-state buttons with haptic feedback for a future iPhone, according to a new report from a known Weibo leaker.


In a new post, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that Apple's work on solid-state buttons for the ‌iPhone‌ is ongoing. They said that production cost is not the project's main issue, but rather "mistouches," since a correct response is apparently not "perfectly guaranteed."

Apple is said to currently be adjusting the "tactile design" of its solid-state buttons and working on their long-term reliability, especially for mass production. Apple's current button design is integrated directly into the frame, with no rebound when clicked, but the company is apparently seeking to more closely replicate the experience of a traditional mechanical button.

The advantages of the design are simplicity and reducing mechanical wear, while enabling users to differentiate between a light press and a firm press to trigger different functions. The project is purportedly now "on hold," with the company determining that the current market is more interested in display and battery technology advancements.

It was widely reported that Apple was intending to bring solid-state buttons to the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023 as part of "Project Bongo," but it canceled the plan at a late stage. They were then rumored to come to the iPhone 16 Pro, before being shelved indefinitely. The feature is not expected to arrive in the iPhone 17 lineup, but the latest report suggests that they're likely to appear someday in the future.
This article, "Apple Reportedly Hasn't Given Up on Haptic Buttons for a Future iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Mac Studio Buyer's Guide: All Models Compared

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple has now refreshed the Mac Studio twice since its introduction in 2022, so should you upgrade your unit and is an older model still worth buying?


The new ‌Mac Studio‌'s main upgrade is its chip, moving from the M2 Max and ‌M2‌ Ultra to the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. Compared to its predecessor, the new ‌Mac Studio‌ is up to 75% faster with 2x faster graphics. It also now features up to 512GB of memory of 16GB of storage, as well as Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

See the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with the latest ‌Mac Studio‌ compared to its predecessors:







































































































‌Mac Studio‌ (2022) ‌Mac Studio‌ (2023) ‌Mac Studio‌ (2025)
Apple M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip Apple ‌M2‌ Max or ‌M2‌ Ultra chip Apple M4 Max or M3 Ultra chip
M1 Max: 10-core CPU (8 performance cores, 2 efficiency cores)
M1 Ultra: 20-core CPU (16 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
M2 Max: 12-core CPU (8 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
M2 Ultra: 24-core CPU (16 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores)
M4 Max: Up to 16-core CPU (12 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
M3 Ultra: Up to 32-core CPU (24 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores)
M1 Max: Up to 32-core GPU
M1 Ultra: Up to 64-core GPU		 M2 Max: Up to 38-core GPU
M2 Ultra: Up to 76-core GPU		 M4 Max: Up to 40-core GPU
M3 Ultra: Up to 80-core GPU
Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
AV1 decode
M1 Max: 16-core Neural Engine (11 TOPS)
M1 Ultra: 32-core Neural Engine (22 TOPS)
M2 Max: 16-core Neural Engine (15.8 TOPS)
M2 Ultra: 32-core Neural Engine (31.6 TOPS)
M4 Max: 16-core Neural Engine (38 TOPS)
M3 Ultra: 32-core Neural Engine (76 TOPS)
M1 Max: Video decode engine
M1 Ultra: Two video decode engines		 M2 Max: Video decode engine
M2 Ultra: Two video decode engines		 M4 Max: Video decode engine
M3 Ultra: Two video decode engines
M1 Max: Two video encode engines
M1 Ultra: Four video encode engines		 M2 Max: Two video encode engines
M2 Ultra: Four video encode engines		 M4 Max: Two video encode engines
M3 Ultra: Four video encode engines
M1 Max: Two ProRes encode and decode engines
M1 Ultra: Four ProRes encode and decode engines		 M2 Max: Two ProRes encode and decode engines
M2 Ultra: Four ProRes encode and decode engines		 M4 Max: Two ProRes encode and decode engines
M3 Ultra: Four ProRes encode and decode engines
M1 Max: 32GB or 64GB memory
M1 Ultra: 64GB or 128GB memory		 M2 Max: 32GB, 64GB, or 96GB memory
M2 Ultra: 64GB, 128GB, or 192GB memory 		M4 Max: 36GB, 48GB, 64GB, 128GB memory
M3 Ultra: 96GB, 256GB, or 512GB memory
M1 Max: 400GB/s memory bandwidth
M1 Ultra: 800GB/s memory bandwidth		 M2 Max: 400GB/s memory bandwidth
M2 Ultra: 800GB/s memory bandwidth		 M4 Max: Up to 546GB/s memory bandwidth
M3 Ultra: 819GB/s memory bandwidth
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD storage M2 Max: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD storage
M2 Ultra: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD storage		 M4 Max: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD storage
M3 Ultra: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, or 16TB SSD storage
M1 Max: Four Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-C ports
M1 Ultra: Six Thunderbolt 4 ports		 M2 Max: Four Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-C ports
M2 Ultra: Six Thunderbolt 4 ports		 M4 Max: Four Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-C ports
M3 Ultra: Six Thunderbolt 5 ports
HDMI 2.0 port HDMI 2.1 port HDMI 2.1 port
Support for up to four Pro Display XDRs and one 4K display Support for up to eight 4K displays, six 6K displays, or three 8K displays Support for up to eight 4K displays, eight 6K displays or four 8K displays
3.5mm headphone jack 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6E 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3
Released March 2022 Released June 2023 Released March 2025



Only those 2022 ‌Mac Studio‌ users who consistently push their machines to the limit with tasks like 3D rendering, video editing in high resolutions, machine learning workflows, or large-scale software development should consider upgrading to the 2025 model. The 2025 ‌Mac Studio‌ introduces a considerable leap in performance, particularly with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips, offering substantially better GPU performance, more powerful GPUs with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, a significantly faster Neural Engine, and support for up to 512GB of memory and Thunderbolt 5. These improvements dramatically improve workflows that demand extreme parallel processing, faster memory access, or broader external display setups. If your current 2022 ‌Mac Studio‌ ever feels like a bottleneck, or if you are preparing to work with increasingly complex projects over the next few years, the upgrade is likely to be worth it. However, for users whose workloads remain well within the capabilities of the ‌M1 Max‌ or ‌M1 Ultra‌, especially those focused on less GPU-intensive tasks, the gains may not justify the cost at this time.

Upgrading from the 2023 ‌Mac Studio‌ to the 2025 model is likely to be worth it for far fewer users, simply because the performance gains, while significant on paper, will make less of a real-world difference for most professionals already using the ‌M2‌ Max or ‌M2‌ Ultra chip because the 2023 model is still exceptionally capable. However, there are a few edge cases where the upgrade may be justified—particularly for users working with local large language models or intensive AI workloads, where the vastly improved Neural Engine in the M4 Max or M3 Ultra can offer major benefits. Similarly, users who rely on extremely high memory capacity or bandwidth, or those building systems around Thunderbolt 5 and AV1 decode support, might see tangible improvements that justify the cost. Still, for the vast majority of users, especially those in video production, app development, or general pro workflows, the 2023 ‌Mac Studio‌ remains more than sufficient for the foreseeable future, making the 2025 upgrade more of a luxury than a necessity.

The 2022 and 2023 ‌Mac Studio‌ models are still very much worth buying, especially if found refurbished or second-hand at a good price. Both models offer excellent performance that remains highly competitive even in 2025, with the ‌M1 Ultra‌ and ‌M2‌ Ultra still delivering substantial CPU and GPU power, high memory bandwidth, and dedicated media engines that easily handle demanding tasks like video editing, music production, 3D rendering, and software development. While they lack newer features like Thunderbolt 5, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, or the enhanced Neural Engine performance found in the 2025 models, those are largely beneficial only to users with very specific, future-facing workloads. For most professionals and power users, especially those upgrading from Intel Macs or base M1 systems, the 2022 and 2023 models remain an outstanding value—and often represent the best balance between performance and cost when purchased refurbished or pre-owned.
Related Roundup: Mac Studio
Buyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac Studio

This article, "Mac Studio Buyer's Guide: All Models Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPad Air vs. iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 30 Differences Compared

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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The iPad Air is now available in two size options, just like the iPad Pro. Yet after a significant update to the ‌iPad Pro‌ that introduced a thinner design and OLED displays and a minor ‌iPad Air‌ refresh that added the M3 chip, how different are the two product lines and which should you buy?


Apple recently refreshed the ‌iPad Air‌ with the M3 chip—a minor update over the previous model from 2024 which added the M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover. The latest ‌iPad Pro‌ models introduced a large number of significant new changes, such as the M4 chip, OLED displays, and a higher price point, and it means that the high-end iPad models are now further differentiated from the ‌iPad Air‌ than before.

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 (M3, 2025) ‌iPad Pro‌ (M4, 2024)
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
‌M3‌ chip (3nm, N3B) M4 chip (‌3nm‌ enhanced, N3E)
8-core CPU Up to 10-core CPU
9-core GPU 10-core GPU
100GB/s memory bandwidth 120GB/s memory bandwidth
8GB of memory 8GB or 16GB of memory
Improved thermal design with graphite sheets and copper
Touch ID in top button TrueDepth camera system for Face ID
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
USB‑C connector USB‑C connector with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4
Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ (M4)
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage
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, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz.

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 Audio zoom and stereo audio recording may not be meaningfully utilized by many users.

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, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not 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 M3 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.
Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPad

This article, "iPad Air vs. iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 30 Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Hit With $162 Million Fine Over App Tracking Transparency

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple has been fined €150 million ($162 million) by France's Competition Authority over the implementation of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework (via Bloomberg).


The French regulator concluded that the way Apple deployed its ATT feature constitutes an abuse of market dominance, finding that the system unnecessarily complicated the process for users to opt out of tracking and unfairly disadvantaged third-party developers and advertising providers. Introduced in 2021 with iOS 14.5, the ATT framework requires apps to request user consent via a pop-up before tracking activity across other apps and websites. If users decline, the app is denied access to the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), which is typically used for delivering personalized ads.

The regulator emphasized that while the ATT framework itself is not inherently anticompetitive, its implementation by Apple resulted in a lack of neutrality. In its published decision, the authority said that the system was "neither necessary nor proportionate to the company's stated goal to protect user data" and added that the method Apple used to prompt consent introduced unnecessary friction for third-party developers. Apple's own advertising services are integrated directly into iOS and were not subject to the same user journey, raising concerns that Apple had leveraged its platform control to favor its own interests.

The decision also cited the economic consequences for app publishers and advertising providers. Since many developers of free, ad-supported apps depend on targeted advertising for revenue, the enforcement of ATT in its current form was determined to have caused financial harm, particularly to smaller publishers with limited access to first-party data.

The investigation was launched in 2021 following a complaint lodged by a coalition of French advertising trade associations, including Alliance Digitale and the Internet Advertising Syndicate. Though the Competition Authority initially declined to impose emergency interim measures that year, it proceeded with a full probe into ATT's competitive effects. The final ruling compels Apple to pay the €150 million fine and to publicly publish the decision on its website for a duration of seven days.

In a statement, Apple defended its actions and reiterated its commitment to user privacy:
App Tracking Transparency gives users more control of their privacy through a required, clear, and easy-to-understand prompt about one thing: tracking. That prompt is consistent for all developers, including Apple, and we have received strong support for this feature from consumers, privacy advocates, and data protection authorities around the world.


Apple also noted that the French authority has not mandated any specific changes to the ATT system, instead placing the onus on the company to ensure its compliance with competition law. Apple expressed disappointment with the decision but did not indicate whether it would appeal the fine.

The ruling adds to a growing list of investigations into Apple's ATT framework across Europe. Authorities in Germany, Italy, Romania, and Poland have opened similar probes to examine whether the privacy feature violates competition rules by impeding access to essential data for advertising while reinforcing Apple's own position in the digital ad market.
This article, "Apple Hit With $162 Million Fine Over App Tracking Transparency" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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'Made in America' Apple Silicon to Lag Behind Taiwan's Output

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple's custom silicon chips will begin to be manufactured in the United States at an accelerated pace as TSMC adjusts its timelines, although the chips produced domestically will be limited to older models for the foreseeable future, Nikkei Asia reports.


Exclusive Apple chip supplier TSMC has confirmed that future fabrication facilities in the United States will be brought online more quickly than its first Arizona-based plant, which was beset by delays. TSMC now expects new U.S. plants to take no more than two years to complete, a significant improvement over the five-year timeline required for its initial facility. Despite the expedited pace, the chips produced in these new plants will not power Apple's latest models, as the most advanced fabrication processes will remain exclusive to TSMC's operations in Taiwan.

The company's first U.S. plant, located in Phoenix, Arizona, began construction in 2020 and is expected to begin production in 2025. This facility is configured to produce chips using TSMC's N4 process, which is part of the broader 5-nanometer node family. This generation includes the A16 Bionic chip, originally introduced in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro and later used in the iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, and the latest entry-level iPad. The S9 chip used in the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also an N4 chip. These chips are no longer at the top of Apple's product line technologically and their production today simply supports continued manufacturing of the company's older or lower-end models.

TSMC has announced plans for a second Arizona plant that will support production of 3-nanometer chips, currently the most advanced node in mass production and used for chips like the A17 Pro, M3, A18, and M4. However, this second facility will not begin operations until 2028, at which point Apple's mainstream devices will likely have moved to 2-nanometer or more advanced silicon.

A third facility, expected to produce chips with the 2-nanometer process, is planned for completion before the end of the decade, though TSMC has not committed to a specific timeline beyond "before 2030." Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the first 2nm Apple chip to be the "A20," debuting in the ‌iPhone‌ 18 lineup next year, again suggesting that the U.S. chips will lag well behind the technological requirements of future high-end Apple devices.

The disparity between US and Taiwanese chip production timelines is partially a result of TSMC's longstanding technical and organizational infrastructure in Taiwan, where all research and development continues to take place. The company's semiconductor dominance is also considered by some analysts to act as a "silicon shield," deterring potential military aggression from China by making Taiwan's stability a matter of international economic importance.
This article, "'Made in America' Apple Silicon to Lag Behind Taiwan's Output" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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China's 'Vivo Vision' Overtly Copies Apple Vision Pro Design

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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The design of Apple's Vision Pro has been overtly replicated by a new headset from Chinese smartphone maker Vivo.


In the months following Apple's announcement of the Vision Pro, several companies revealed or teased similar devices, including Samsung, which announced in 2024 that it was working on an Android-based XR headset in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. Now, at the 2025 Boao Forum for Asia, Vivo unveiled its first mixed reality headset, called the "Vivo Vision."

Observers were quick to notice that the device's design closely mirrors that of Apple's Vision Pro, including a gray fabric facial interface, a curved glass front visor, two downward-pointing cameras, a knitted rear tension strap, and an external battery in an aluminum casing connected via a braided cable.

The "Vivo Vision" name is also a clear take on "Vision Pro." The company even adopted Apple's terminology, using the phrase "spatial computing" in promotional materials to describe the capabilities of its headset.

Vivo positioned its announcement as part of a broader push into AI and robotics. The company simultaneously revealed the establishment of the Vivo Robotics Lab, which it claims will use technologies developed for Vivo Vision in the development of consumer robotics. According to Vivo Executive Vice President Hu Baishan, the lab will focus on the "brain" and "eyes" of robotics.

Although Vivo did not disclose any hardware specifications, pricing, or technical capabilities, it is expected to launch in "mid-2025." No details have been provided regarding its availability outside of China.

The Vivo Vision joins a series of consumer electronic device designs that have been very strongly influenced by Apple, particularly in Asia where the company's products often serve as reference points for domestic hardware development.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Tag: Vivo
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Apple Leadership Reshuffle Continues as Company Appoints New Global Head of Stores

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Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple is creating a new global head of stores role amid a series of changes to its leadership structure, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.


The company is promoting Vanessa Trigub to a new role as "vice president of stores and retail operations." Previously, she handled retail operations and managed locations in the Americas West region. Going forward, she will supervise the heads of retail for Europe and the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas East regions. The new, simplified structure for retail affords Trigub more responsibility. She started out at Apple as an intern around the launch of the original iPhone, and has since held roles in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and retail operations.

Apple retail continues to be ultimately overseen by senior executive Deirdre O'Brien. She will now have fewer direct reports and is still reshuffling the HR organization after Carol Surface's departure. Individuals involved in Apple's retail group reportedly believe that the company is preparing Trigub to be O'Brien's successor, who has now worked at Apple for over three decades.

Apple has not yet officially announced the changes. This is the second significant change in Apple's management in recent times; last week the company moved Siri from AI chief John Giannandrea to Vision Pro leader Mike Rockwell.
This article, "Apple Leadership Reshuffle Continues as Company Appoints New Global Head of Stores" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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2026 Porsches Still Won't Have Next-Gen CarPlay

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple's next-generation CarPlay experience is still nowhere to be seen following Porsche's announcement of a major upgrade of its infotainment system for 2026.


The upcoming 2026 model year Porsche Taycan, 911, Panamera, and Cayenne feature an upgraded version of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, making it more responsive, adding Dolby Atmos support, and integrating Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. The new system brings the Porsche App Center, a kind of app store for the vehicle, to all of the new models.

It continues to support the standard version of Apple ‌CarPlay‌ and Android Auto. Support for Apple's next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ experience is again conspicuously missing from Porsche's new lineup, and the automaker did not mention it at all during its latest announcement—another bleak sign for the delayed feature.

Next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ will have deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster, climate controls, FM radio, and more. It will also support multiple displays across the dashboard, and offer widgets for apps like Calendar and Weather. In addition, next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ will be highly customizable, allowing automakers to tailor the design of the system to match their vehicles.

Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022. Until the end of last year, Apple's website said that the first vehicles with next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ support would "arrive in 2024," but this did not occur.

Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay vehicle designs in late 2023, but neither automaker has announced any vehicles with support for it. Apple continued to highlight next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ in WWDC 2024 coding sessions for developers and it shared a statement in January reiterating its commitment to the feature.

When it unveiled next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ in 2022, Apple said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. Nearly three years have gone by since Apple shared that list, however, so it is unclear if it remains entirely accurate.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Porsche

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Praises China's DeepSeek

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple CEO Tim Cook has praised the artificial intelligence models developed by Chinese start-up DeepSeek, as the company moves closer to launching Apple Intelligence on the Chinese mainland pending regulatory approval, the South China Morning Post reports.


Speaking at the China Development Forum in Beijing, a state-organized annual event designed to attract global investment, Cook reportedly referred to DeepSeek's AI models as "excellent." He did not elaborate on whether Apple would pursue a partnership with the company. Cook previously commented during Apple's January earnings call that "innovation that drives efficiency is a good thing," in reference to AI companies like DeepSeek, which have been able to deliver impressive performance with lower cost and compute requirements.

DeepSeek has been praised for developing large language models that achieve comparable results to those from U.S. firms such as OpenAI, while requiring significantly fewer resources. The firm claims that its R1 model was developed in just two months with a total cost of $5.6 million.

In February, it was reported that Apple had reached an agreement with Alibaba Group to integrate the Chinese conglomerate's Qwen models into ‌Apple Intelligence‌ for mainland users. The company is also believed to be in talks with Baidu to serve as an additional provider of large language models for the Chinese market.

In addition to his comments on AI, Cook announced plans to expand Apple's cooperation with the China Development Research Foundation, alongside continued investments in clean energy development. Throughout his visit, Cook posted updates on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, showcasing a range of Apple products being used in classrooms, creative environments, and more.

Cook's comments mark a continuation of Apple's intensified focus on the Chinese market at a time when the company is facing declining iPhone shipments and heightened competition from domestic brands. Apple's smartphone shipments in China are believed to have fallen by 25% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, while annual shipments dropped 17% to 42.9 million units, placing Apple behind local competitors Vivo and Huawei.


This article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook Praises China's DeepSeek" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AirPods Max With Lightning vs. USB-C Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple just announced a notable firmware update for the AirPods Max with USB-C as part of iOS 18.4, so how does the new model now compare to the original Lightning version of ‌AirPods Max‌?


In late 2020, Apple announced the ‌AirPods Max‌, a whole new AirPods variant with an over-ear design. In September 2024, the company refreshed the ‌AirPods Max‌'s selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C.

There were no other differences between the devices, but the USB-C version did not support wired audio input. This meant that you could not connect the headphones to in-flight entertainment systems, games consoles, or other devices, or benefit from the enhanced audio and reduced latency that comes with a wired connection. iOS 18.4 restores this functionality to the ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C and Apple is now selling a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable.

However, the firmware update also brings some additional features to the ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C that the Lightning version will not gain. Back in 2021, Apple said that when a 24-bit, 48 kHz Apple Music lossless track is played from an iPhone into the ‌‌AirPods Max‌‌ using a Lightning cable and a Lightning-to-3.5mm dongle, the audio is converted to analog and then re-digitized to 24-bit, 48 kHz. The re-digitization is not an identical match to the source and Apple was not able to say that it is true lossless audio, but it is better than Bluetooth.

Now, Apple is confidently touting that the ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C support "24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via a USB-C to USB-C cable. This makes for a clear point of difference between the ‌AirPods Max‌ with Lightning and ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C.

In addition, Apple seems to be making a distinction between the implicit reduced latency audio offered by the Lightning version and "ultra-low" latency audio on the USB-C version. Following the recent announcement, all of the differences between the ‌AirPods Max‌ with Lightning and ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C are as follows:






































‌AirPods Max‌ (Lightning) ‌AirPods Max‌ (USB-C)
Lightning port USB-C port
Enhanced audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable "24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via USB-C to USB-C cable
Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio via USB-C to USB-C cable
Reduced latency audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable "Ultra-low" latency audio via USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable
Create and mix audio in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking via USB-C to USB-C cable
Available in Silver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green Available in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange
Released December 2020 Released September 2024
Now discontinued $549



The original ‌AirPods Max‌ with Lightning are still widely available through third-party retailers and often at significantly lower prices than the $549 USB-C model. For many people, especially those looking for premium over-ear headphones without the steep cost, the Lightning version remains a good choice. They offer the same design, exceptional build quality, active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, and Spatial Audio support as the newer model. If you primarily use ‌AirPods Max‌ wirelessly for music, videos, or casual listening, and have no interest in wired lossless audio or creator-focused features, the Lightning version offers much of the same experience at a better value.

On the other hand, the USB-C ‌AirPods Max‌ are now the clear choice for audiophiles, creators, or anyone who wants the best possible wired audio quality and future-facing functionality. Thanks to iOS 18.4, the USB-C model can deliver 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when used with a USB-C to USB-C cable, a capability the Lightning version can't match. It also unlocks unique features like Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio and the ability to create or mix content with Spatial Audio and head tracking—something that will appeal to musicians, producers, or advanced users working in Apple's ecosystem.

AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the USB-C version may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. Both sets of ‌AirPods Max‌ often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.
Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

This article, "AirPods Max With Lightning vs. USB-C Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 Pro Buyer's Guide: Which Is Best for $599?

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Par :Hartley Charlton
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The iPhone 16e is now Apple's lowest-cost iPhone at $599. However, 2023's iPhone 15 Pro is now available for very similar approximate prices from third parties. There are at least 50 differences between the two devices, so which should you choose?


The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro launched in September 2023 for $999, and was discontinued upon the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro one year later. It continues to be available from third-party retailers, as well as used or refurbished, for prices around $600 to $750 depending on the configuration.

Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two ‌iPhone‌ models is best for you, and serves as a way to clearly see what additional features the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro brings to the table. The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro is a much more feature-rich device than the ‌iPhone 16e‌, but the latter has a small number of advantages:


  • Better chip: The A18 chip is made with TSMC's latest fabrication technology and sports a higher CPU clock speed, making it more powerful and efficient than the A17 Pro.

  • Audio: The ‌iPhone 16e‌ features wind noise reduction and audio mix for better quality audio capture.

  • Thinner and lighter design: With an aluminum frame, the ‌iPhone 16e‌ is 0.45mm thinner and 20 grams lighter than the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro.

  • Longer battery life: Thanks to the custom-designed Apple C1 model, the efficiency of the A18 chip, and a 22% bigger battery, the ‌iPhone 16e‌ boasts battery life that's at least three hours longer than the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro.


As a device that's 18 months newer with a more powerful chip, the ‌iPhone 16e‌ may be more likely to be supported by the latest version of iOS for longer than the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. It is also likely to be useable for longer through battery degradation, especially if you're comparing it to a used ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro.

In every other respect, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro is superior. Here is every difference between the two models:














































































































































































































‌iPhone 16e‌ ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro
Aluminum and glass design Titanium and glass design
"Notch" housing TrueDepth camera array Dynamic Island housing TrueDepth camera array
800 nits max brightness (typical) 1,000 nits max brightness (typical)
1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR) 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR)
2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
Always-on display
Slightly smaller due to slimmer borders around the display
A18 chip (made with enhanced 3nm N3E process) A17 Pro chip (made with base ‌3nm‌ N3B process)
4.04 GHz CPU clock speed 3.78 GHz CPU clock speed
4-core GPU 6-core GPU
LPDDR5X-7500 memory with a bandwidth of 60 GB/s LPDDR5-6400 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s
Apple C1 modem Qualcomm X70 modem
mmWave 5G connectivity
Wi‑Fi 6 connectivity Wi‑Fi 6E connectivity
Thread networking technology
Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
"Advanced" 2-in-1 camera "Pro" triple camera system
48-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture 48-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.78 aperture and larger sensor
12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
12-megapixel Telephoto camera with ƒ/2.8 aperture
1x and 2x optical zoom 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x optical zoom
Optical image stabilization Second-generation sensor-shift image stabilization
True Tone flash Adaptive True Tone flash
LiDAR scanner
Portrait mode with Depth Control Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
Night mode portraits
Macro photography
Apple ProRAW
Wind noise reduction
Audio Mix
Shoot and instantly transfer 48-megapixel ProRAW images to Mac via USB 3
Record video directly to an external drive
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (60 fps with external recording)
Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse
Log video recording
Academy Color Encoding System
Capture spatial photos and videos for Apple Vision Pro
USB 2 transfer speeds (up to 480Mb/s) USB 3 transfer speeds (up to 10Gb/s, 20x faster)
DisplayPort support for up to 4K HDR video output
Compatible with MagSafe cases, wallets, wireless chargers and more
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W and ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 15W with 20W adapter or higher
4,005mAh battery 3,274mAh battery
26-hour battery life 23-hour battery life
Weighs 167g Weighs 187g
7.80mm thick (0.31 inches) 8.25mm thick (0.32 inches)
128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options
White and Black color options Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium color options
Released March 2025 Released September 2023
Starts at $599 Started at $999 but now discontinued; available for ~$599



The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro offers a large number of upgrades over the ‌iPhone 16e‌. With little to no price difference to obtain a display with ProMotion and always-on functionality, ‌MagSafe‌, ‌Dynamic Island‌, and a brighter display, many customers will easily be able to justify getting the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro over the ‌iPhone 16e‌. Perhaps most noticeably, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro unlocks a wealth of additional camera software features and boasts multiple additional pieces of camera hardware, such as the LiDAR scanner, telephoto camera, and ultra wide camera.

The ‌iPhone 16e‌ still offers many of the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro's most compelling capabilities, such as Apple Intelligence support, USB-C, the Action Button, and a 48-megapixel main camera, so the average user will miss out on few meaningful features. As a result, there are some scenarios where it is worth choosing the ‌iPhone 16e‌ over the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. For example, if battery life or device longevity is your top priority, it remains the superior option.

Similarly, if you have only basic needs and do not care for the "Pro" rear camera setup or features like ProMotion and the always-on display, the ‌iPhone 16e‌ is likely the better choice. In this instance, you will still benefit from the device's generous roster of features. The ‌iPhone 16e‌ is still a very well designed and balanced device, especially for casual ‌iPhone‌ users and those coming from a much older model.
Related Roundup: iPhone 16e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 16e (Buy Now)

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Apple Now Selling USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Following today's announcement of Lossless audio and Personalized Spatial Audio for the AirPods Max, Apple today released a USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable.


The cable is designed for the ‌AirPods Max‌ with USB-C and Beats Studio Pro headphones, allowing them to be connected directly to the audio-out port of a Mac, in-flight entertainment system, or other device.

This bidirectional cable can be used with both 3.5 mm audio-out and audio-in ports, allowing you to connect your AirPods Max or Beats Studio Pro headphones to 3.5 mm audio sources, or to connect your iPhone or iPad to speakers with 3.5 mm audio ports. When connected to AirPods Max, this cable enables ultra-low latency on par with the device's built-in speakers for an optimal experience when gaming or creating content.


Apple used to sell a similar Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable, but it has now been discontinued. Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable is available now for $39.00.
Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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The MacRumors Show: Apple Intelligence and iOS 19 ft. Mark Gurman

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Par :Hartley Charlton
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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss the controversy surrounding Apple Intelligence, what to expect from iOS 19, and more.


With the context of his insider knowledge, Mark gives us his thoughts on Apple's recent announcement that it is further delaying the major Siri ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that it expected to release as part of iOS 18. He gives us a sense of the scale of the crisis and when to expect the remaining features to arrive. We also discuss his recent report about a significant internal reshuffle to move ‌Siri‌ from artificial intelligence chief John Giannandrea to Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell.

We delve into the complete redesign rumored for ‌iOS 19‌, which is believed to be part of a wider push to bring a visionOS-style design language to all of Apple's major platforms. It is expected to be the biggest redesign of the iPhone's software since iOS 7. Mark tells us what users are likely to make of the update and why Apple is devoting so much energy to the redesign amid the problems with ‌Apple Intelligence‌. He also tells us about the sort of new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features to expect in ‌iOS 19‌ and the plan to progressively improve ‌Siri‌ through to iOS 20.

We discuss why the delay in releasing the remaining ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features has delayed the company's long-rumored smart home hub product and the experience it is expected to offer when it launches later this year. We also touch on Apple's problems with allocating developer resources, ‌iPhone‌ 17-exclusive ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, whether Apple is doing enough to course-correct on AI, Apple TV+ viewing habits, and more.

See more of Mark's work on Bloomberg and follow him on X @markgurman. The MacRumors Show also has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's recent announcement that several of its most highly anticipated ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features are to be delayed.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kevin Nether, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
This article, "The MacRumors Show: Apple Intelligence and iOS 19 ft. Mark Gurman" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Officially Renews 'Severance' for Season 3

✇MacRumors
Par :Hartley Charlton
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Following the release of season two's finale, Apple today announced that its hit show "Severance" has been renewed for a third season.


In a press release, Apple said that severance broke records as the most watched series on Apple TV+. Severance follows employees at a mysterious corporation who undergo a procedure that surgically divides their work memories from their personal ones, creating two separate consciousnesses. The story follows them as they begin to uncover the truths behind the company and the costs of these split identities.

Season 3 of Severance is available upon request.
- Tim C. https://t.co/bNig41qs9t pic.twitter.com/cnctZIRDNF

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 21, 2025


The show comes from director and executive producer Ben Stiller and creator, writer and executive producer Dan Erickson. Apple has not yet revealed when season three may be released. The complete first and second seasons of Severance are now streaming globally on ‌Apple TV‌+.
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Report: TV+ Losing $1 Billion Annually as Apple Services Falter

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Par :Hartley Charlton
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Apple TV+ is hemorrhaging money amid a broader stall in Apple's services, according to a new report from The Information's Wayne Ma.


The paywalled report reveals that ‌Apple TV‌+ is the only Apple subscription service that is not profitable. While its subscriptions grew to around 45 million last year, it is still losing more than $1 billion annually. The company has spent more than $5 billion a year on content since the service launched in 2019, but this was reduced by $500 million in 2024 in response to a push for cutbacks from Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives.

Cook apparently raised questions last year about several movie deals with ‌Apple TV‌+ executives, including for the spy action-comedy film "Argylle." The movie stars Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa, and cost $200 million to produce. Cook reportedly complained that the movie had not found a significant audience or generated more subscribers for ‌Apple TV‌+.

The report explains that "the audience for ‌Apple TV‌+ remains relatively small," constituting less than 1% of total U.S. streaming service viewing. Netflix and Amazon represented 8.2% and 3.5% of total viewing in February.

Apple's initial business plan for ‌Apple TV‌+ predicted losses of between $15 billion and $20 billion over its first decade. While major losses are normal in the streaming industry, it represents a major departure for Apple which normally exercises fiscal discipline.

Executives such as Eddy Cue initially shielded ‌Apple TV‌+ executives from budget scrutiny and rejected a proposal to increase oversight of programming costs. Apple did not have internal data on whether ‌Apple TV‌+ would tempt customers to buy Apple devices.

Despite successes such as "CODA" winning an Oscar for best picture, Cook began closely scrutinizing ‌Apple TV‌+'s financial performance from 2022 and advocated more oversight. The use of private jet travel for stars at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars per flight came under particular scrutiny, and led Apple to ask executives to negotiate better deals with flight-chartering companies.

Apple's overall corporate profits are so significant that it can easily absorb the losses from its streaming service, but it continues to forgo widespread appeal.

Apple Music, Arcade, News+, and Fitness+


Services is Apple's fastest and most profitable category, with gross margins exceeding 75%, compared to just under 40% for hardware. In its most recent fiscal year, services revenue rose 13% to more than $96 billion. However, other than iCloud+, Apple's other services are said to be in poor health.

Apple Music's growth has reportedly virtually stopped and it remains "only marginally profitable." Since it pays artists and labels more than 70% of its revenues, it has a single-digit–percentage gross margin. Cue apparently told some colleagues privately that he doesn't believe the service will ever reach 100 million paying subscribers. Moreover, overall iTunes Store sales are now actively shrinking.

Apple News+, Fitness+ and Apple Arcade are said to be struggling with low usage and profits. ‌Apple Arcade‌ only had two million users during its first year of operation, with roughly 25% of them on free trials.

Similarly, ‌Apple News‌+ purportedly suffers with low engagement and the number of monthly active users is in the low single-digit millions. Apple Books and ‌Apple News‌+ was subject to layoffs in 2024 due to weak performance.

Longtime Apple services executive Peter Stern, who oversaw platforms including ‌Apple TV‌+, abruptly departed the company in early 2023, claiming he was unable to run the streaming service in the way he needed to amid pressure to increase subscriber numbers. Apple subsequently reshuffled his former group, separating ‌Apple TV‌+, ‌Apple Music‌, and international content from News+, Fitness+, Apple Books, and ‌iCloud‌+.

Apple One


The report adds that most users do not sign up directly for Apple's services, instead opting for an Apple One bundle, which inflates the perceived interest in each service. Many who sign up to ‌Apple One‌ are motivated to subscribe so primarily because of ‌iCloud‌+ rather than other services. Without ‌Apple One‌, ‌Apple Arcade‌ and Apple Fitness+ would not be profitable.
This article, "Report: TV+ Losing $1 Billion Annually as Apple Services Falter" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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