5 Apple devices you definitely shouldn’t buy this month (and 7 to get instead)

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

ZDNET’s key takeaways

New iPhones and Apple Watches are inbound.
New AirPods Pro and HomeHub hardware are also rumored.
Expect pricing tweaks to offset tariff costs.

It’s August, and that means we’re now in the home stretch to Apple’s biggest yearly update. New iPhones are weeks away, and it’s likely we’ll see new Apple Watches, and possibly new AirPods Pro and a HomeHub device.

Also: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more

For the savvy buyer, this situation means that there are a lot more items on the “don’t buy” list than usual. But fear not, as this guide will ensure you don’t spend your money on something outdated in a few weeks.

Tariffs and trade wars

Tariffs still dominate the news. One moment they’re on, next they’re off, then they’re on again with a list of ifs, buts, and exceptions that may or may not stick around.

CNET: Tracking tariff prices: See how the new tariffs are hitting these 11 popular products

According to Apple’s July 31 earnings call, tariffs have cost the company approximately $800 million for the last quarter, with this figure expected to rise to $1.1 billion for the current quarter. So far, Apple is shouldering that burden.

So far.

Upcoming Apple products to keep an eye on (near and far)

1. AirPods Pro update

I love my AirPods Pro

Apple MacBook Air M4.

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

It feels like the M4 processor in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is still new. However, the M5 chip is already on the horizon. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter, the M5 will be in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro later this year, most likely in the fall.

3. Apple TV

It’s coming, we’re just not sure when. The device is rumored to use Apple’s new networking chip, adding support for Wi-Fi 6E, and will be powered by the A15 chip, opening the door to Apple Intelligence features.

4. AirTag Update

Apple Watch: It’s likely new hardware will drop alongside the refreshed iPhone, so hold for now.

Apple TV: Last updated in October 2022, this device is due for a refresh. Rumors suggest a fourth-gen Apple TV 4K will be announced soon.

HomePod Mini: Released in October 2020, this is officially Apple’s oldest product. While there’s nothing technically wrong with the device, it’s hard to recommend paying full price for such old hardware.

Vision Pro: It’s hard to bet against Apple, and it’s tough to put something with so much potential on the naughty list. However, if rumors are true that Apple will halt production because sales have slumped, it’s hard to have faith in the product. I’d hold out and see what Apple has planned. Current rumors point to a 2026 refresh.

The ‘do buy’ list

These Apple devices are worth springing for now, since it’ll be a while before we see significant hardware upgrades.

1. iPhone 16e

, replacing the iPhone SE line. This is a handset cut back to the bare minimum — packing an A18 processor, Face ID biometrics, USB-C charging, and a single-lens rear camera.

2. iPad and iPad Air

, kitted out with the M3 chip, received a refresh in March. Prices start at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. At the time, the iPad

and 15-inch MacBook Air

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Apple’s pro-grade alternative to the Mac mini also saw a serious processing boost in March 2025, with the M4 Max offered in a range of configurations. Prices start at $1,999 but can reach $14,099 for a fully tricked-out system.

5. Apple iMac

received a refresh to bring it up to speed with Apple Intelligence in October 2024. With specs ranging from an eight-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage priced at $1,299, all the way up to a 10-core CPU and GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,899, there’s an iMac to suit most workloads and budgets.

6. Apple Mac Mini

with the 10-core CPU and GPU model, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage costs only $599.

7. Apple iPad Mini

was introduced in October 2024, replacing the three-year-old model with one powered by an A17 Pro chip that’s Apple Intelligence-ready. The device comes in a range of colors, blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, and multiple storage capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Prices range from $499 to $799.

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Source: Information Technologies - zdnet.com