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iPhone 17 Pro is a powerhouse without functional compromise [Review]

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An iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, on a desk surrounded by objects with orange accents
The iPhone 17 Pro finally brings some chromatic excitement, and extremely pro features to the lineup.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

For the first time ever, Apple released a Pro iPhone where “pro” means professional, not premium. The wafer-thin iPhone Air swiped the coveted premium device seat this year, but the iPhone 17 Pro still sits at the head of the table.

With its upgraded pro features and a new, no-nonsense design, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers the goods for people who need maximum power.

iFixit breaks down the iPhone 17 Pro’s Scratchgate problem

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Close-up photo of iphone 17 Pro in cosmic orange, while in the shade
Use a case if you don't want your iPhone 17 Pro's camera plateau scratched up.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

In its iPhone 17 teardown, the iFixit team provides a detailed explanation of why the iPhone 17 Pro scratches so easily. They brought in a materials scientist to get to the heart of what’s causing Scratchgate — and explain how Apple might have avoided the problem.

Bodies rain from the sky in Slow Horses season 5 [Now streaming!]

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Slow Horses season 5
Watch the exciting trailer for Slow Horses season 5.
Photo: Apple TV+

A big hit for Apple TV+, the darkly comedic spy thriller Slow Horses returned Wednesday with the first episode of its fifth season. Once again it’s off to a fast start, making London look like a bloody shooting gallery. And it appears the season will echo contemporary themes of nationalistic fervor and immigration backlash.

How will Slough House section chief Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and his beleaguered team of B-team spies react, especially when one of their number may be compromised? 

Price drop: Get refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro for just $89.99

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A woman places a refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro earbud in her ear.
Save on Apple's original noise-canceling earbuds.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Want noise-canceling Apple earbuds for less? Hop on this deal to snag a pair of refurbished first-gen AirPods Pro for just $89.99.

No, they don’t come with all the advanced features of second- and third-gen AirPods Pros. But they deliver quality audio and active noise cancellation at a price that even Amazon can’t beat.

Here’s the first sale on Apple Watch Series 11

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Marketing image of Apple Watches with the words
Score an Apple Watch Series 10 at a big discount.
Image: Cult of Mac

A hot-off-the-presses deal on Apple Watch Series 11 drops at least one version of the new smartwatch to $389. That’s a $10 discount off Apple’s MSRP.

Currently, we’re seeing this discount only on the jet black 42 mm version with a black Sport Band. However, these things can change rapidly. Other models could be discounted as well — or the sale could end abruptly. (The first discount on AirPods Pro 3 disappeared pretty quickly.)

So, if you want to get the latest Apple Watch at the lowest possible price, you should jump on this Series 11 deal.

Today in Apple history: Apple lays out its core company values

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Photo of an iPad with
Cupertino sums up "Apple Values" in an exuberant document.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Sep 23 Today in Apple history: Cupertino lays out its core Apple Values September 23, 1981: Years before Steve Jobs would tell us to “think different” and Tim Cook would say Apple should act as a “force for good,” Cupertino lays out what it calls its “Apple Values.” This mission statement will guide the company for years.

In the memo, management defines Apple Values as “the qualities, customs, standards and principles that the company as a whole regards as desirable. They are the basis for what we do and how we do it. Taken together, they identify Apple as a unique company.”

Apple invests in protecting iconic California redwood forests

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Apple protects redwood forests
The world's largest trees -- California’s coastal redwoods -- absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Photo: Apple

Through a major investment, Apple will protect and restore California’s coastal redwood forests, the iPhone giant said Tuesday. To do so, it partners with The Conservation Fund to ensure the long-term sustainability of the iconic trees.

“Forests are one of the most powerful technologies we have for removing carbon from the atmosphere,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “Our global investments in nature are leveraging that technology while supporting communities, stimulating local economies and enhancing biodiversity in ecosystems around the world.”

Apple may soon deliver iPhone security patches in the background

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Background Security Improvements in iOS 26.1
iOS 26.1 could usher in a new system to install security patches.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Code found in iOS 26 beta 1 reportedly reveals that Apple is prepping a new feature: Background Security Improvements. These will patch security problems and won’t need the user to be involved or even be aware that a patch is being applied to their iPhone.

This is apparently the replacement for Rapid Security Responses, an iPhone security tool that Apple introduced but then hasn’t used in years.

This MacBook subscription program is built for businesses and professionals

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MacBook with the words
Outfit your team with the latest MacBooks, without big upfront costs and other hassles.
Photo: Upgraded

MacBooks make you faster, sharper and more productive. But they’ve always come with one big problem: price. Upgraded’s affordable MacBook financing program changes that.

Whether you’re buying a MacBook for yourself or outfitting an entire company, it usually means a huge upfront bill, a complicated reselling process, or headaches when managing devices for remote employees.

Upgraded solves this with simple monthly MacBook subscriptions, starting at just $33.28 per month. For businesses, Upgraded’s innovative MacBook financing also means turning big upfront capital expenses into smaller operating expenses you can write off, while handing off the hassle of device management.

20th anniversary iPhone might sport bright new Samsung OLED display

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new Samsung OLED display in 20th anniversary iPhone
Bright and beautiful displays might get even better in the 20th anniversary iPhone, thanks to new Samsung OLED displays.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to adopt Samsung’s cutting-edge OLED display technology for its 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027, marking a significant leap forward in screen brightness, thinness and power efficiency, according to a new report Tuesday.

The move would see Apple implement Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) technology for the first time in a traditional smartphone, following Samsung’s lead.

Let this highly rated memory app train your brain

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Person playing a memory game using the memoryOS app on an iPhone.
Give your brain a boost with this well-reviewed memory app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The memoryOS app is designed to give your mind a real performance boost. It isn’t just another brain-training gimmick. It’s built on scientifically proven methods, like mnemonics and spaced repetition. And it digitizes everything into a fun, gamified experience.

If your recall isn’t where you want it to be (and blueberries and brain games just aren’t cutting it), grab a five-year subscription to memoryOS for $249.99. That’s a 66% discount off the regular price of $749.95.

Killer standing desk lifts MacBook rig in more ways than one [Setups]

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Uplift standing desk
At standing height Uplift Standing Desk V3 remains rock solid.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

What’s the biggest upgrade a computer setup can undergo other than a new computer, external display(s) or a massive audio boost? It’s the very platform the setup sits on — usually a desk. In my case, it’s an Uplift Standing Desk V3, which I reviewed recently (five stars, btw).

It’s a huge upgrade aesthetically and functionally. And it changes how I mount and use my gear, too. 

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone Air: Which one’s right for you?

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iPhone 17 vs. iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro
Which 2025 iPhone is the right pick for you?
Photo: Apple/CultOfMac

Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup is its boldest — and most confusing — yet. It offers three distinct models designed to cater to very different kinds of users. From the slim and stylish iPhone Air to the all-out powerhouse iPhone 17 Pro, with the well-balanced iPhone 17 in between, there’s something here for everyone.

But with overlapping features, similar pricing and Apple blurring the lines between Pro and non-Pro models, choosing the right iPhone isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. 

Take a peek at new immersive films coming for Vision Pro

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immersive coming for Vision Pro
You can watch Tour De Force from CANAL+ and MotoGP for free on the Apple TV app for Apple Vision Pro.
Photo: Apple

Apple expanded its Apple Immersive Video catalog Monday with a slate of new films from major global publishers, broadcasters and brands, marking a major milestone for the Vision Pro platform.

The new content comes from partners including Audi, the BBC, CANAL+, CNN, HYBE, MotoGP and Red Bull. Releases are planned over the coming months.

If you touch an iPhone Air, you’ll want to buy it immediately [Review] ★★★★

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iPhone Air floating in front of a fake palm tree in a beige room★★★★
Light as air.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The iPhone Air is what the people say they’ve been asking for: something new. This is the first iPhone in a long time that will truly shock you when you take it out of the box and hold it in your hand.

That means cutting a few things you’ve come to expect from the iPhone: the second speaker, the second (and third) rear cameras … but also, the thickness and weight. And the more time I spent with the iPhone Air, the more I appreciated what was still there: the super-bright and big display, the improved front camera and, most surprisingly, the battery life.

Here’s my experience switching from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone Air. It’s a path I think you might enjoy taking, too. Keep reading or watch our video review.

iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 start the long journey toward users

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iOS 26.1 beta 1
The launch of iOS 26 means that iOS 26.1 beta 1 couldn’t be far behind.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the first beta versions of iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 to developers on Monday. So far, the major new feature discovered is Apple Intelligence getting support for a range of additional languages.

iPadOS 26.1 beta 1, watchOS 26.1 beta 1, tvOS 26.1 beta 1 and visionOS 26.1 beta 1 also went out on Monday.

This begins the testing process for these updates, which are expected to reach each iPhone, Mac, etc. users around the world in mid-autumn.

Save on Apple’s official iPhone 17 cases

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Photo of a cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro in an orange Apple silicone case, sitting on a bathroom sink.
Apple's silicone cases feel silky smooth and come in a variety of vibrant colors.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Getting an iPhone case has never been more important with the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models seemingly quite susceptible to scratches. Fortunately, deals save you 10% on the full range of official Apple cases for the new models: bumper case, silicone case, clear case and even TechWoven.

An iPhone case is always a good idea, especially with these deals. But don’t delay — the savings are available for a limited time.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 6 sells record 10 million units at launch

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Product image of iPhone 6 Plus, which set a new sales record for Apple by selling 10 million over its launch weekend.
Apple finally cracked the 10 million sales opening weekend benchmark.
Photo: Apple

September 22: Today in Apple history: iPhone 6 sells record 10 million units at launch September 22, 2014: Apple notches a new sales record with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launch, selling an astonishing 10 million units in the first weekend the handsets go on sale.

The eagerly anticipated smartphones bring a redesigned form factor that will persist for years. The most obvious change? Larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays built to lure phablet fans. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus also boast an A8 chip, improved iSight and FaceTime cameras, and — significantly — Apple Pay for secure mobile payments.

“Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations for the launch weekend, and we couldn’t be happier,” Apple CEO Tim Cook says in a press release. “We would like to thank all of our customers for making this our best launch ever, shattering all previous sell-through records by a large margin.”

iPhone Air teardown reveals skinny handset’s clever secrets

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iPhone Air teardown
Take a peek inside iPhone Air.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s new iPhone Air surprised repair experts by proving ultra-thin doesn’t have to mean harder to fix. Despite measuring just 5.6mm thick — making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever — the device earned a solid 7 out of 10 repairability score from iFixit in its iPhone Air teardown, matching the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. 

And the teardown reveals how they made it so thin in the first place.

Scratchgate is real: I’ve seen it myself

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The back of a demo unit iPhone Air showing extensive scratches.
The back of an iPhone Air demo unit already shows extensive scratching.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

SAN FRANCISCO — The iPhone 17 Scratchgate drama is real. Demo units of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models in Apple retail stores are showing scratches on opening weekend. The scratches appeared on their aluminum frames and on the glass panels on their backs.

I examined demo iPhones at Apple Stonestown in San Francisco on Friday (the busy iPhone 17 launch day) and again on Sunday. Many of the new iPhone 17 Pros and iPhone Airs are already scratched, especially the iPhone 17 Pro in deep blue and the iPhone Air in space black. But other colors showed scratches, too, even the iPhone 17 Pro in cosmic orange — the hot color this year.