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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- A new iPad Pro is in the pre-order stage with the launch on October 22.
- MacBook Pro gets a refresh too, also with a October 22 launch.
- The Vision Pro headset also gets a performance boost thanks to an M5 chip upgrade
Although Apple’s biggest update of the year is the iPhone, it wasn’t Apple’s last update of the year. The iPad Pro and MacBook Pro needed a refresh ahead of the holidays.
The iPad Pro<!–> gets a boost to the M5 chip, and it also features a few new Apple chips – the N1 networking chip and the C1X modem chip for cellular models. Prices start at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, and both are avaialble for preorder–>, with the tablets hitting the shelves October 22.
Also: The best Apple deals right now: Save on MacBooks, iPhones, and more
There are also new and updated MacBook Pro laptops<!–>. A new 14-inch base model gets the M5 treatment, while higher-end 14- and 16-inch models stick with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 model starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now.
Also, the Vision Pro gets an M5 update–> (and a new “dual-knit” band). Prices still start at $3,499, so it remains to be seen how any of this will affect sales.
While all that seems like a big update, there are plenty more Apple updates rumored for 2025 and early 2026. These could include a budget iPhone 17e, an updated Home Hub, a HomePod Mini 2, an Apple TV, a MacBook Air, and an updated AirTag.
That’s a lot left to update.
So, what’s safe to buy now, and what’s best avoided?
The ‘don’t buy’ list
These are the Apple devices I recommend giving a pass for now, as we’ll likely see refreshed versions soon:
- 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 before the end of the year.
- 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, and rumors of an imminent update are circulating.
The ‘do buy’ list
These Apple devices are worth buying now, since it’ll be a while before we see significant hardware upgrades.
1. iPhone 17 series
The iPhone 17<!–> is now available, sporting a faster A19 and A19 Pro processor, a better camera, and better battery…
Also: Should you upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro from last year’s model? I am – here’s why
The reviews almost write themselves by now. For those with too much money, Apple now offers the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of storage for a reassuring $1,999–>. There’s also a new iPhone model, the ultra-thin (well, excluding the big camera bulge at the top) iPhone Air<!–>, which seems to replace the iPhone Plus line and attempts to unify Apple’s buzzwords.
2. Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3
The entire line of Apple Watches<!–> has been upgraded, focusing on health metrics, especially hypertension alerting (a feature that’s also coming to older Apple Watches). Again, these are in the preorder state at the time of writing.
Also: I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE – what the keynote didn’t tell you
There’s a new Apple Watch at every price point, from $249 for the SE 3–> to $899 for the Ultra 3 with the neat titanium Milanese band<!–>.
3. AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 get some big upgrades, including improved noise cancellation, better audio quality, increased battery life, and a new feature — heart rate detection. This is an interesting shift for Apple since it moves some of the core functionality found in the Apple Watch to another device.
Also: I replaced my AirPods Max with the AirPods Pro 3 for flights, and it’s been a game-changer
Are you excited to get your hands on the new AirPods Pro 3? I am, too, but you could save a few bucks by waiting until the Black Friday deals roll by. Traditionally, this is a product that gets discounted.
Who knows? You might save yourself $50.
4. iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro
The 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<!–> also got a performance boost thanks to the A16 chip. Prices for this tablet start at $350.
Updated M5-powered iPad Pro tablets–> are now also available for preorder, and prices start at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model.
5. MacBook Pro
get a somewhat confusing refresh. A new 14-inch base model gets the M5 treatment, while higher-end 14- and 16-inch models stick with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. The 14-inch M5 model starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now.
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