MacworldThe most important thing about the new iPhone 16e is the Apple-designed cellular modem inside, the C1. The C1 is the first visible sign of Apples decade-long goal to no longer be reliant on Qualcomm for one of the most important parts of any smartphone, namely its connection to cellular networks. The C1 is also an endorsement of the entire approach Apple has taken with Apple silicon, which will lead to future Apple products that are more efficient and better integrated than ever before.Bad bloodWe all know that Apple doesnt particularly like Qualcomm, with the two companies having been engaged in numerous lawsuits before finally calling it quits in 2019. A few months after settling with Qualcomm, Apple spent $1 billion to buy Intels modem business. The goal was clear: Apple settled with Qualcomm and agreed to pay patent fees and buy Qualcomms modems until it could make its own. Nearly six years later, that time has come.The rest of the smartphone world doesnt seem to mind buying Qualcomms modems, which hold a dominant market share, especially when you only consider high-end phones like the ones Apple makes. As current iPhone users know, Qualcomms 5G modems are solid, fast, and good. So why is Apple kicking against them so hard?Yes, part of it is (as illustrated in some of those lawsuits) that Apple feels Qualcomm is making money on patents that either shouldnt exist or should be licensed for far less than what the company charges. But thats water under the bridgethe lawsuits were settled, and Apple will probably have to keep paying Qualcomm for patents until they expire.We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products we make.Tim Cook, January 2009But the bigger issue is whats commonly called the Cook Doctrine, though its a philosophy that dates back to Steve Jobs. As Cook said back in 2009, We believe that we need to own and control the primary technologies behind the products we make.Whats more relevant to a maker of mobile devices than wireless connections? (And oh, by the way, Apple is also rumored to be building its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, too.)But this isnt just about independence from a supplier you dislike. Its about the power of controlling your own destiny, Apple silicon style.The Apple silicon playbookThink back to the days when Macs were powered by Intel processors. While Apple was a good customer of Intels for a long time, in the end, they were just thata customer, buying products. While a good manufacturer talks to their customers and tries to give them what they want, its Intels job to make chips for the entire PC market, not just Apple. Intels chips are built to sell well in the PC market, not just to integrate with the designs of any single manufacturer. Qualcomm is much the same.Apple iPhone 16eBest Prices Today:699 at Computeruniverse | 699 at OTTO | 699,00 at amazon.deApple silicon doesnt work that way. Every Apple-designed chip is built with specific products in mind. The M4 was designed with the 2024 iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac in mindand the forthcoming 2025 MacBook Air, too. The hardware and chip designnot to mention the operating systemall go hand in hand. Its a huge advantage because it allows for optimizations that no third-party chip vendor could match. Apple only builds the features it needs, and nothing it doesnt.All of this goes for the C1 chip, too. For example, Apple can prioritize energy efficiency more than a Qualcomm chip destined for an array of different use cases ever could. It goes beyond optimization because Apple can also build the features it wants into its chipsfeatures that Qualcomm might not see value in building for the whole market.While Apple has boasted that the C1 chip is differentiated by its ability to reprioritize data transfers based on information from the Apple-designed processor, Im sure that Qualcomm has similar quality-of-service functionality in its chips. But again, its implemented the way that Qualcomm wants, not Appleand its not implemented with the specific characteristics of Apples operating systems in mind.Learning curveTheres a reason the C1 is debuting in Apples low-cost, low-volume iPhone 16e. Apple is starting small. The C1 probably cant keep up with Qualcomms best chips in all circumstances, and Apple knows this. (Youll know when Apple is confident that its caught or bested Qualcommthatll be the moment when it ships its own cellular modem in top-of-the-line iPhone models.)The iPhone 16e is the first iPhone with Apples own cellular modem, the C1.Apple In fact, I think its almost guaranteed that once the iPhone 16e ships, someone will discover specific ways in which the C1 lags behind the performance of other iPhones, and will breathlessly report this as some sort of scandal. But its almost inevitable: this is the first step, to get Apple in the game. There will be more.We build a platform for generations, Srouji told Reuters. C1 is the start, and were going to keep improving that technology each generation so that it becomes a platform for us that will be used to truly differentiate this technology for our products.So yes, Apple doesnt love Qualcomm. But this strategy isnt about sticking it to a supplier-turned-competitor. Its about making Apples devices fundamentally better in the long run. Apples ability to design its chips with a singular focus on its own ecosystem ensures that its hardware and software will work together in ways that no third-party supplier could matchnot even the best one in the world.Given how well Apple has executed every other aspect of Apple silicon over the last decade, who wants to bet against them nailing this one too?

MacworldAlmost hidden within the announcement of the iPhone 16e, Apple dropped something of a bombshell: It is producing its own 5G modems now. This has of course been rumored for a long time, and has frankly taken longer than expected; Apple bought Intels modem division in 2019 for its patents and engineers, with the intent of producing its own cellular modems instead of purchasing them from the likes of Qualcomm.There was a time, in fact, when we werent even sure it would ever be released, but now that Apples first cellular modem is here, what do we know about it? What dont we know? How is this going to shape the future of the iPhone and other Apple products? Heres everything weve learned about the C1 modem so far.What is the C1?The C1 is Apples first cellular modem. It follows the naming scheme of other processors Apple makes: the A series for Application Processors, the H series for Headphones, the M series for Mac processors, the R series for Reality processors, the U series for Ultrawideband, and so on. A cellular modem is the processor that takes signals from the antenna and turns them into usable data, and vice-versa. Its the primary part responsible for your connection to cellular networks, and together with other design considerations, plays a big role in your iPhones cellular connection speed and reliability as well as battery life.With the C1, Apple is using a cellular modem of its own design for the first time. Apple has been buying cellular modems from Qualcomm, primarily, since the original iPhone in 2007. The iPhone 11, iPhone XS/XR, and 2nd-generation iPhone SE, along with some variants of the iPhone X, featured some 4G LTE cellular modems made by Intel, but since the iPhone began to support 5G with the iPhone 12, all modems have been made by Qualcomm.The iPhone 16es C1 modem is the first step toward controlling every wireless component in the iPhone.AppleHow does the C1 compare to other 5G cellular modems?The C1 supports most of the existing spectrum and bands of the modems found in Apples iPhone 16 line, including 4G LTE and 5G, with 44 MIMO. It is missing Dual-Carrier HSDPA and mmWave. The more common 5G is called sub-6 GHz and uses the same general frequency ranges as other cellular connection standards.Theres a lot a modem has to do to maintain a reliable connection and good speed, and we simply dont know yet how the C1 performs in these respects. It may be just as fast as Qualcomms modems in the sub-6 bands, or it might be slower. It may disconnect more often, or it may be more reliable. Until we get good independent testing, we just dont know.In an interview with Reuters following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple says it built the C1 to better handle areas with spotty service: For example, if an iPhone encounters congested data networks, the phones processor can signal to the modem which traffic is the most time-sensitive and put it ahead of other data transfers, making the phone feel more responsive to the users needs, said Arun Mathias, vice president for wireless software at Apple.Apple says the main baseband is made with a 4-nanometer process and the transceiver with a 7nm process. Thats fairly advanced for a cellular modem, but not unheard of. Apple seems to suggest in its marketing that the C1 is especially power efficient, but we cant simply assume that the long claimed battery life of the iPhone 16e is mainly due to improved cellular efficiencythere are many other factors at play, such as battery capacity, the A18 processor, display efficiency, and more.The lack of millimeter wave is likely to get the most attention here in the United States, where these frequencies are more common than in the rest of the world. These are the very fast but very short-range cell towers that give you multi-gigabit speeds but dont travel more than a block or two and dont penetrate walls.After the iPhone 16e is released and more independent testing can be done that targets the C1 modem specifically, well update this section with the results.Will Apple use the C1 in future products?Its unclear if Apple will use the C1 in any product other than the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17 line is expected to feature Qualcomm modems once again, as Apple signed a six-year chipset contract with Qualcomm in 2019 with a two-year option to extend.However, the cellular versions of the Apple Watch and iPad also use cellular modems, and those products could very well feature the C1, especially if it is more power efficient, as top-end cellular speed is less important than it is in the iPhone.Apple Intelligence is the main feature of the iPhone 16e, but the C1 modem is just as important to the future.FoundryWill there be a C2, C3, etc?As Apple develops future cellular modems, we expect the company to eventually use C chips in all of its cellular-connected products. In an interview with Reuters, Apples senior VP of hardware technologies Johny Srouji said, C1 is the start, and were going to keep improving that technology each generation so that it becomes a platform for us that will be used to truly differentiate this technology for our products.Prior to releasing the C1, it was rumored that Apple had a three-stage plan in the works. The first chip would appear in lower-priority products and as such would be inferior to Qualcomms top-of-the-line modem. The C1 in the iPhone 16e appears to fulfill that prediction.The next chip (C2) would come about a year later and catch up to Qualcomms best. It would be featured in more of Apples products, meaning well likely see it debut in the iPhone 18 line. After three years, Apple is supposed to be on its third-gen chip, the C3, which should beat Qualcomm, at which point Apple will switch to its own cellular modems for all products.In addition to advancing capabilities through generations, Apple intends to eventually integrate the modem into its main SoC (system-on-chip) designs. This is common with some of Qualcomms Snapdragon processors used in Android phones, for example, and it helps improve power efficiency and reduce the size and complexity of the iPhones internal components.What about Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, and other wireless chips?Apple already makes its own Ultra Wideband chips (the U1 and U2) and uses them in iPhones, AirTags, Apple Watch, and the charging case for the AirPods Pro 2.The company relies on chips from companies like Broadcom for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but that wont last too long. Apple is developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip and is expected to start using it in products as early as this year. (Well have to wait for the first teardowns but it doesnt appear to be part of the iPhone 16e, which only supports Wi-Fi 6.) The new chip could debut in the iPhone 17, or in another product such as the HomePod mini or Apple TV, but its unlikely well hear much about it before teardowns.Apples Wi-Fi chip is expected to support the latest Wi-Fi 7 spec and offer what reports say is enhanced connectivity.

MacworldWake up! You dont have to settle for a job that makes you miserable. With tech jobs on the rise, more people are changing careers with online IT courses. And they dont come with years of schooling or mountains of debt, were talking as low as $3 per course.At this point, you probably dont know what you want to study. Thats why we created this huge CompTIA training bundle that helps you explore 17 different career paths. You could help people troubleshoot computer problems, become an ethical hacker, lead teams as a project manager, or design and implement cloud solutions as an engineer.Something most people dont know about IT jobs is that you often dont need a degree. Youll notice that these courses are preparing you for CompTIA certification exams, and if you pass them, youll have skills that real employers are looking for. You could work for companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, or Microsoft and actually look forward to getting out of bed in the morning.Start working in IT with lifetime access to 17 CompTIA training courses for $49.99 (reg. $493).The Complete 2025 CompTIA Certification Training Super Bundle by IDUNOVA $49.99See DealStackSocial prices subject to change.

MacworldPaying monthly for apps youve used for years feels like a bad deal because it is! With Microsoft 365 charging $10 every month, those fees add up fast. Theres a reason so many people are leaving the subscription service behind for the lifetime version of Microsoft Office.Sure, the cost is higher upfront, but it saves you $10 each month you arent subscribed to Microsoft 365. Simply pay the $129.97 one-time fee, receive your redemption code immediately via email, and download Microsoft Office 2024 to your Mac for lifelong use.The newest version of Office includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, plus all of their AI-powered features. You could save valuable time with writing assistance in Word, chart generation in Excel, design tips in PowerPoint, and tools like AI summarization, translation, and key insights in OneNote.You can get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for $129.97 (reg. $149.99) for a limited time. No coupon is needed to get this price.Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $129.97See DealStackSocial prices subject to change.

MacworldThe New York Times is reporting on a viral problem with Apples voice-to-text dictation feature, where some users have found that saying the word Racist causes the dictation to instead type Trump, which then corrects itself to the word Racist after a moment.A TikTok video showing the phenomenon is a week old, but others have shared similar stories. The New York Times claims it was able to replicate the problem several times; Macworld editors have not been able to. @user9586420191789 My dad sent me this video this morning. He told me his friend noticed that when he used speech to text and said racist, it briefly changed to Trump before changing back. Seems like subliminal messaging to me. I dont have an iPhone and my phone doesnt do it. #iphone #Trump #apple #elonmusk #fyp @Anna Matson @Aquarius_Waive @athena @David Gokhshtein @Doxielvr @Hello America @Jason Pargin, author @Jeffery Mead @Jeff Mead @Joe Pags Pagliarulo @J.D. Vance @Link Lauren @Tulsi Gabbard @user80861822781 original sound Jess White2260 Apple told the NYT that the problem was caused by phonetic overlap between the two words, and said Apple is working on a fix. That feels somewhat incredulous, as the two words do not sound very phonetically similar and there are certainly other words it could change to that are more similar. It also doesnt explain why it changes back. According to John Burkey, an AI developer who used to be on the Siri team at Apple and is still in contact with old colleagues, the problem began with an update to Apples AI servers. He says the fact that the word auto-corrects itself makes it seem as though its not bad training data, its deliberate code. He thinks it sounds like a very serious prank, something deliberately slipped into either the data or the code. This is a very public embarrassment for a company that has been in Trumps sights as president, and has gone out of its way to ingratiate itself to the Trump administration, with Tim Cook donating $1 million to Trumps inauguration and even sitting up on the dais with other VIPs as he was sworn in.

MacworldEven if youre getting a new iPhone 16e with 20-plus hours of battery life, you can always use a quick charge throughout the day. Todays deal with get the job done for cheapAmazon is selling a pair of Baseus 45W power adapters with USB-C cables for $24 when you click the 20% coupon, a hefty discount from its $40 MSRP.These Baseus power adapters arent just powerful, theyre also tiny. Thanks to the use of GaN tech, theyre smaller, more efficient, and better at heat management, something that makes them safer to use. The prongs arent foldable like some other chargers, but theyre still easy to slip into a bag or pocket. With a 45W output and USB-C ports, theyre powerful enough to fast-charge and iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, and can even power up a MacBook.No matter which Apple devices you have, these chargers are a fast and affordable way to recharge them. So go grab this $24 deal for two 45W Baseus chargers and two cables before its gone.Buy now at Amazon

MacworldThe M4 MacBook Air is set to be released within the next few weeks, and as usual, early benchmark results are starting to appear online. The GPU results that have popped up unsurprisingly show that the new laptop offers GPU performance similar to that of the M4 iPad Pro.Geekbench 6 is a popular benchmark tool (we use it for our reviews), and its results browser has GPU benchmarks for a computer labeled as Mac16,12, which MacRumors reported as the code name for the upcoming M4 MacBook Air. One result shows a Metal score of 55516, while another has a score of 54806; these scores are similar to that of the M4 iPad Pros 54231. For comparison, the M4 MacBook Pros GPU posted a Metal score of 57082 in our review. The MacBook Air, like the iPad Pro, doesnt have a fan to cool down the chip, so it has to throttle down to maintain a proper temperature. The MacBook Pro does have a fan, so its chip can run faster. Its also possible that the M4 tested has fewer GPU cores (8 or 9) than the M4 in the MacBook Pro, which has 10 cores. But the difference is imperceptible to general users and only those who do heavy-duty GPU-intensive tasks will notice. If you want a hard number to gauge the difference, the MacBook Pro is 3 percent faster. Its not much.The Mac16,12 GPU entries state that the M4 Mac had a 10-core CPU, the same as the M4 MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro with 1TB or 2TB of storage, though the Geekbench browser does not show any Multi-Core scores recorded for Mac16,12 as of this writing. The M4 MacBook Pro had a Geekbench Multi CPU score of 14763, while the iPad Pros score was 13709. The M4 MacBook Airs score will probably be closer to the iPad Pros. But again, the difference wont necessarily be noticeable.On Monday, Bloombergs Mark Gurman reported that Apple is preparing for the M4 MacBook Airs release in March. He did not specify a date for the announcement, but because Apple currently offers the M3 MacBook Air in a back-to-school promotion that ends on March 13, we expect the M4 MacBook Air to be released sometime after then. For more information about the upcoming release, check out our M4 MacBook Air rumor guide.

MacworldUnlike my hero Anton Ego, I get very little pleasure from negative criticism. Slamming 2022s 10th-gen iPad for its high price, underwhelming battery life, and lack of a laminated screen hurt me, Im sure, more than it hurt Tim Cook. And I was delighted a year and a half later when it got a $100 price cut and became, once again, the most recommendable model in the range.Its with a sense of happy optimism, then, that I predict that the iPhone 16e will follow a similarly heartening trajectory. Right now, it doesnt make a whole lot of sense. But give it a yearAt its launch last week, the iPhone 16e caused more than a few grumblings in the tech sphere. Amid the rush to AI-proof its entire lineup, Apple was forced (or chose) to drastically raise the price of entry into the world of the iPhone, with the cheapest model now costing $599 rather than $429. Whether you think the 16e is a good deal in isolationand the single rear camera and lack of MagSafe do make me wonderits effect on the ecosystem is surely a negative one. Do we really want to see Apple abandon the budget market and turn its products into exclusive luxuries?In many ways, however, this is a one-off problem. Apple needed to replace the iPhone SE (which had been banned in the EU, along with the iPhone 14, because it doesnt have a USB-C port) and wanted to push Apple Intelligence, which meant the replacement model required an A18 processor and 8GB of RAM. Every new device has to be capable of supporting Apples AI platform, therefore everything is at least moderately expensive. But Apple Intelligence isnt likely to get more demanding in terms of hardware, at least not soon or suddenly. So this was an obstacle that had to be cleared this once, and things will get easier from now on.Next spring well learn whether Apple has altered the cadence of its SE/e phone launches. I think it has, and that we can look forward each spring to an e-branded version of whatever iPhones came out the previous fall. But even if that doesnt happen, spring 2026 is roughly when we can start to think about the 16e getting a $100 price cut, and suddenly making a lot more sense as both a one-off purchase and an entry point to the range. Round about then the iPhone 16e will have its 10th-gen iPad moment: its faults will suddenly seem less of a worry, its strengths more persuasive than ever.A short-term problemOnce the iPhone 17 generation arrives in late 2025, things will start to shift back to some kind of normality. There will be more phones on sale at the same time, which will allow Apple to start repopulating the middle and lower end of the range. Dont expect the 16e to get a price cut that soon, but theres a decent chance the iPhone 15, which is really not very appealing at the moment, will drop to the low-cost slot, at least temporarily. The iPhone 16 Pro will most likely disappear, the 16 and 16 Plus should get price cuts, and four shiny new 17-series iPhones will appear at the top (not counting the iPhone 17 Air, which is its own thing). The lineup could look something like this:iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199iPhone 17 Pro: $999iPhone 17 Plus: $899iPhone 17: $799iPhone 16 Plus: $799iPhone 16: $699iPhone 16e: $599iPhone 15: $499Thats already more coherent than weve got at the moment: a range from which someone has unceremoniously lopped off (and refused properly to replace) the two cheapest phones. But itll get better still in 2026. The iPhone lineup will make a lot more sense next year.IDGApple needs its new iPhones to be AI-ready now, even if I object to Apple Intelligence being the priority, rather than the needs of customers. But in the long run, customers might end up benefiting too. In 2026, that level of processing power will be more of a necessity. And AI? We humans should cross our fingers that this isnt the case, but AI just might have risen to the level of omnipresence its cheerleaders currently predict.Even beyond AI, part of my current skepticism about the 16e stems from its oddly lopsided feature set, a blend of an older design and specs with state-of-the-art processing. The iPhone 16e is like that not because Apple thought it was the best combination of features for users but because it fits with the Apple Intelligence rollout strategy. But one positive side effect of this thinking is that the 16e is surprisingly well future-proofed for a non-flagship smartphone.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingPros10x 100W USB-C portsPriority chargingConsNo USB-A (if you need it)Maximum 100W total powerOur Verdict The Plugable PS-10CC can neatly and efficiently charge up to 10 hungry devices at the same time and at an optimum power distribution without you having to resort to multiple chargers and a desk full of indistinguishable snaking cables.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayUp till now the most USB-C ports weve seen on a charger is six, courtesy of the Satechi 200W 6-Port Charging Station. Six charging ports ought to be enough for most people, we thought, but on a busy bank of desks or back at home in a device-full abode those charging ports can get filled very quickly.A further complication is that most multi-port chargers reserve specific maximum power output to each port, known as rules-based chargingso when using all its ports the Satechi Charging Station powers devices at 65W on the top port, 45W on the second and then 20W each on the next four. If you are the last to use a port you might get stuck with just 20W to play with even when the other connected devices higher up are fully charged.If you want to charge your laptop at the fastest possible speed you need to bag that top port before anyone else uses it to charge their AirPods and gets mean over sharing.Priority charging takes overThe 10-portyes, tenPlugable PS-10CC is the first USB-C charging station to use intelligent software-based priority charging that distributes power across all connected devicesprioritized in the order you choose from left to right. As devices reach full charge, the now greater available power is reallocated down the line. Plugable calls its smart power-allocation technology PriorityShare.Theres a maximum 100W of power available across the 10 charging ports.The charger employs real-time current sensing technology to prioritize the devices that are connected to the leftmost ports. Plug the device you most want charged to fulllikely your laptop or smartphoneinto the first port on the left and it will receive the power it needs before lesser devices down the line.As the first devices attain full battery status, the PS-10CC automatically shifts the excess power to the next set of connected devices, which should ensure that all receive the required power in the shortest possible time.it works by sensing both how much power is requested from connected devices and what is available from the attached charger, and allocating power based on priority order in which the devices are connected. PlugableIf we imagine you need to charge multiple laptops, the PS-10CC will provide the maximum requested power to the laptop connected with the highest priorityhighest priority is the leftmost port, then the port to the right of that, and so onthen cascading the remaining available power to the next device in line. Depending on factors such as the device model and battery charge level at the time of connection, that first laptop might request 100W, but commonly it will be far less, often ranging from 30-65W and multiple laptops will typically charge at the same time in this scenario.Most laptops, phones, and tablets are designed to charge at their maximum rate between 0-50% battery levels, and at a lower rate thereafter for optimal long term battery health. So the PS-10CC regularly listens to what the device is requesting and adjusts throughout the charging process to ensure the highest priority devices are getting charged as quickly as theyre capable of, while efficiently cascading remaining available power and ultimately ensuring everything ends up charged.This should also mean more efficient energy usage and prevent potential overheating.Dominik Tomaszewski / FoundrySpecs1x USB-C port (100W) connection to power10x USB-C (100W) to devicesNote that the PS-10CC is a fully USB-C charger, without any legacy USB-A ports for older cables. Look elsewhere if you are still lumbered with pre-C devices. USB-C ports work seamlessly with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 devices, too.Each port has its own status LED: solid blue means the device on that port is fully charged, blinking blue means its currently charging, and purple indicates the port is available.The maximum possible output of each port is 100W but that is also the total possible power output of the PS-10CC at one time.If you require a higher total outputfor example to charge two or three laptops at the same timethen look for a multi-port charger with a higher maximum.The $149 Satechi 6-Port Charging Station can output 200W over multiple USB-C ports, although not as intelligently as the Plugable charger. It and other high-output chargers distribute power differently depending on how many ports are in use but in a more limited way, as described earlier.The $69 Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 Ports) can push out 200W over its four USB-C and two USB-A ports and uses its AI Power Mode to detect high/medium/low requirements of connected devices and adjusting power distribution accordingly.Ugreens $169 Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB-C Charger has five portsincluding one USB-Aand a maximum of 300W output. This can charge three laptops at 140/100/60W or two at 140/100W. using all five ports means power is distributed in a 140/65/45/20/22.5W configuration.While not as smart as the PS-10CC, these alternatives do offer a higher maximum output and at least one port that supports 140W PD 3.1 that is required to fast-charge Apples top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro.The PS-10CC can still charge that MacBook model, just not at its maximum charging speed. However, if you are charging multiple devices at the same time, that power distribution will be smarter for all connected devices.While the other chargers work within a fixed set of predetermined power budget rules for different device types across their ports, the Plugable design explicitly aims to avoid the pitfalls of rules-based charging with a simple priority system that charges your most important devices first while ensuring every connected device is charged up efficiently over time.MacBooks are better at charging at lower wattages than many Windows laptops. So even a 20W output can get power into a MacBook, while Windows laptops demand 45W just to bother start charging.Dominik Tomaszewski / FoundryPriceTen intelligent 100W charging ports for $99.99 looks great value to usif you need that many ports at one time. If you need just one or two then we suggest you look to our other favorite best USB-C chargers.Youll need to add your own wall charger and charging cable to get power to the PS-10CC. Check that link above to find the best one if you dont already have one spare. If you want to use the 10-port charger to its maximum you will need a charger that can output at least 100W.Remember, too, that one charger is cheaper than the two or three youd need to rival this single one, and its therefore more environmentally friendly, too. The charger is made from 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum and 75% PCR PC+ABS.PlugableVerdictThe Plugable PS-10CC can neatly and efficiently charge up to 10 hungry devices at the same time and at an optimum power distribution without you having to resort to multiple chargers and a desk full of indistinguishable snaking cables that would terrify Indiana Jones.It may not offer the highest total charge but it delivers its 100W total in the smartest, most efficient manner.

MacworldPortable power banks that charge your phone are popular, but wireless battery packs using Apples magnetic MagSafe technology offer a simpler and smarter cable-free solution for iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 users.Phone batteries are prone to run dry just when youre heading away from a power source, so having a portable charging source is one of todays necessities. Annoyingly, most power banks require you to carry around a cable, too. Wireless power banks do away with cables but come with their own major limitationthe inefficiency of wireless charging means you need a high-capacity power bank to fully charge a drained iPhone.MagSafe is a technology thats compatible with all iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 models, from the mini to the Pro Max, but strangely missing from the newest 16e model. It allows accessories to connect magnetically to the back of the iPhone. For more information read our Complete guide to Apple MagSafe: What is MagSafe?The MagSafe connection is precise enough to make wireless charging more efficient as around 20% of Qi power loss is from poor placement of a phone and the wireless charging pad. Standard Qi wireless charging can lose as much as 50% of the portable batterys power, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging loses just 30%. While its not as efficient as using a cable to charge a phone, MagSafe is a tech that brings true wireless charging a step closer to doing away with cables altogether.Read on or go straight to the best magnetic power banks we have tested, listed by power, portability and functionality:Best high-capacity 10k MagSafe power banksBest small portable magnetic power banksBest multi-device charging MagSafe power banks Best iPhone battery caseBest size magnetic power bank for youYou should consider size when it comes to a power bank: physical size and battery capacity. The higher the battery capacity, the more recharging power youll get from the power bankbut youll also be carrying around a larger, heavier item. Lighter, slimmer power banks are easier to pocket even when clamped to your phone. Larger power banks might not fit in your trouser pocket and can slide off easier when pocketed even if clamped magnetically.10K power banks (with a 10000mAh battery capacity) can charge a phone close to two times over, while 5K (5000mAh) battery packs usually stretch between 60-75%, which is often enough to get you to the next wall-socket powering opportunity. If you are relying on the power bank for long-haul travel or a camping trip, a 10K battery or higher will suit you better.Wireless power bank charging speedIf a power bank is rated as MagSafe Certified it will wirelessly charge at up to 15W. Uncertified but still Compatible magnetic chargers are limited to 7.5W, so will power-up at a slower pace. New Qi2 chargers and power banks match MagSafe at 15W. See Is Qi2 as fast as MagSafe?. Apples new MagSafe Charger can charge the iPhone 16 at 25W but none of the power banks reviewed here can match that.We have listed the speeds at which each portable power bank can be charged itself (Input charger) and charge the iPhone (Output charger). Some power banks can charge a phone faster if you connect a cable, and we have highlighted those below. The higher the wattage, the faster the charging should be.After the list of our favorites, youll find more details on how MagSafe works and why you should be looking at a power banks capacity in Watt Hours rather than the mostly quoted Milliamp Hours.Best high-capacity 10K MagSafe power banksA 10000mAh (10K) battery is the sweet spot for both power and portability. 5000mAh (5K) power banks are slimmer, lighter and easier to pocket, but generally offer a maximum of 70-80% recharge potential versus a 10K power bank that should be able to recharge an iPhone at least one and a half times over.Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank Best MagSafe battery pack for iPhone 15 or 16ProsHuge battery capacityBuilt-in USB-C cable7.5W wireless or 30W wired chargingKickstandColor choicesConsNot 15W wirelessPrice When Reviewed:49,99 EuroCapacity: 37Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (20W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (30W)On test charged iPhone to: 191%Weight: 8.5oz (241g)Dimensions: 4.15-x-2.7-x-0.8 inches (10.5-x-6.9-x-2cm)Colors: White, Black, Pink, BlueThis iPhone magnetic power bank has a huge capacity, refilling a faded iPhone 15 Pro twice over in our teststhe best weve seen. We run the iPhone down to 10%, recharge using the power bank, and keep doing this until the power bank is empty.What makes this power bank specialalthough not uniqueis its short built-in USB-C cable that can be used for fast-charging an iPhone 15 or 16 or refilling the power bank itself. The 5.5-inch cable can be neatly hooked into a loop for easy carrying. Using this cable you can charge one of the recent USB-C iPhones at a speedy 30W.Wirelessly it will work with any MagSafe iPhone (12/13/14/15/16) at 7.5W. iPhone 15 and 16 users can connect via the integrated USB-C cable or a separate longer cable via the side USB-C port if required, for faster 30W charging. Owners of earlier iPhones can use a USB-C to Lightning cable instead for fast 20W wired charging from the power bank.While its wired charging is fast, the Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank, reviewed below, is twice as fast when clamped on for wireless charging as it uses superior 15W Qi2 technology. The Nomos also boasts faster wired charging via its similar built-in USB-C cable, but weve given the Anker Zolo the overall crown as it has a significantly higher recharging score in our tests.Its reasonably chunky compared to smaller-capacity 5K power banks, but around the same as other 10000mAh MagSafe power banks weve testedexcept for its sibling ther Anker MagGo 10K Slim, reviewed below. It just fits in a trouser pocket while connected but if you want a slimmer battery pack, look for a smaller 5000mAh optionweve tested the best slim power banks further on. It has a handy pull-out kickstand at the back.This power bank is clearly built for the iPhone 15 and 16 familieswith its neat integrated USB-C cablebut it works as well as any other wireless power bank tested here with the other MagSafe iPhones, and that built-in cable can be used to charge the power bank itself.At present its available in the U.S. only.Read our full Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank review Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 Best wireless battery pack for charging speedProsBuilt-in USB-C cable15W wireless charging45W wired charging30W inputKickstandConsHigh but not highest battery capacityPrice When Reviewed:99,99 EuroCapacity: 36Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (30W)Output charger: Wireless (15W) & USB-C (45W)On test charged iPhone to: 166%Weight:8.2oz (232g)Dimensions:4.25 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (10.8 x 6.8 x 2cm)Colors: Gray, BlackThe Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank could easily be our number-one choice as the best magnetic power bank, with its built-in USB-C cable, 15W Qi2 wireless charging and best-in-class 45W wired output and 30W input.In those charge-speed aspects it beats the Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank, reviewed above, but it is let down slightly by its performance in our battery capacity tests. While its 166% recharge score is high, it is not as full of power as the Zolo (191%), which is also a little cheaper.Choosing between the two power banks with built-in USB-C cables is therefore one of charging speed (Baseus) vs charging power (Anker). You cant go wrong with either as they are both great choices and super convenient for iPhone 15/16 users with their integrated cables.FoundryJust to make that decision a little more thought provoking, Baseus has another option with a built-in USB-C cable. The more affordable $45.99 Baseus Magnetic Power Bank scored a near-top 187% in our charging tests and also matches the Anker Zolo on 7.5W wireless output and 30W wired output and close on 18W input, while lacking the kickstand.Read our full Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 45W 10000mAh review Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) Best slim 10K MagSafe battery packProsHigh battery capacitySuper slim and lightweight15W wireless or 30W wiredColorsPrice When Reviewed:69,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceAnker69,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket69,99 at AnkerCapacity: 38.7Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (30W)Output charger: Wireless (15W), USB-C (30W)On test charged iPhone to: 160%Weight: 7.05oz (200g)Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.8 x 0.58 inches (10.4 x 7.06 x 1.47cm)Colors: Black, White, Pink, TealAt just 0.58 inches thick, this 10000mAh power bank rivals even some of the 5000mAh battery packs in terms of slimness. Its also lighter than any other 10K magnetic wireless power bank that we have tested, and wins too on recharging power. Its only the integrated USB-C cable that pushes us to recommend the Anker Zolo or Baseus power banks for owners of the iPhone 15 and 16. While I admire that rival feature, I admit that the Anker Slim is the magnetic power bank in my backpack every day.It uses fast Qi2 magnetic tech, so can wirelessly charge at an impressive 15W. If you have a spare cable with you, it can charge at twice that speed via its USB-C port. This makes it a as fast a wireless charger as the Baseus Nomos reviewed above. The Baseus charger is more convenient with its built-in USB-C cable, but owners of iPhones 12/13/14 might appreciate the ability to add a Lightning cable to the USB-C port and charge that way. Wired charging via Lightning is limited to 20Wa limitation set by Apple to ensure device safety and performance, not by the cable or the power bank.In our tests it performed among the best of the 10K magnetic power banks we have put through their paces: recharging an iPhone 15 Pro to 188% (over the course of two iPhone charges from one power bank charge).Its available in up to four colors depending on your country and where you buy itthe pink and teal versions are available only direct from Anker.Read our full Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review Benks MagClap StandGo Power Bank 10000mAh Best budget 10K MagSafe battery packProsHigh battery capacityBuilt-in kickstand7.5W wireless or 20W wired2x USB portsColorsConsNot 15W wirelessPrice When Reviewed:29,99 EuroBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceBenks29,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket29,99 at BenksCapacity: 38.5Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (20W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W), USB-C (20W), USB-A (18W)On test charged iPhone to: 160%Weight: 7.5oz (212g)Dimensions: 4.1-x-2.7-x-0.75 inches (10.5-x-6.9-x-1.9cm)Colors: Black, Blue, WhiteWhile a little bigger and heavier than the Anker MagGo 10K Slim, the the oddly named Benks MagClap StandGo Power Banks battery capacity was decent (160%) in our recharging tests. It lacks a built-in USB-C cable but it works well wirelessly clamped to your iPhone, and is the most affordable 10K battery pack that we have tested and approved.It also boasts two USB ports. You recharge the battery pack itself via the USB-C port at 20W, and you can also use this port for faster-than-wireless cable charging, also at 20W when youre in a hurry for power. The bonus USB-A port can charge at 18W, so you could charge three devices simultaneously at decent speeds. Anker Qi2 MagGo Power Bank (10K) Fast wireless and best displayProsHigh battery capacity15W wireless or 27W wiredLED charge percentagePrice When Reviewed:89.99Best Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View DealAnker89,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo89,99 at AnkerCapacity: 38.5Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (20W)Output charger: Wireless (15W Qi2) & USB-C (27W)On test charged iPhone to: 170%Weight: 8.8oz (250g)Dimensions: 4.2-x-2.7-x-0.8 inches (10.7-x-6.9-x-2cm)Colors: White, BlackAround the same size as the Anker Zolo power bank, reviewed above, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) didnt quite match that battery pack in terms of recharging but was still impressive.Where it beats the Zolo is in wireless charging speed. The MagSafe compatible Zolo is limited to 7.5W wireless charging, while the Anker is certified for the new Qi2 standard and so supports 15W wireless charging. This works with all MagSafe-supporting devices: from the iPhone 12 to 16. (Note that the iPhone 12 doesnt officially support Qi2 but Macworld iPhone 12 Qi2 tests suggest that it does.)The Zolo has a slightly more powerful cabled charging spec (30W vs Ankers 27W) but the difference is negligible. We like the integrated USB-C cable included with the Zolo and Baseus, but any decent USB-C charging cable can be used with the Anker to fast wire-charge an iPhone.Aside from faster wireless charging, the Anker boasts a easy-to-read LED display that shows you exactly how much charge is left in the battery pack. It also features a solid pull-out stand at the back.If you want speedy wireless charging, the Qi2 Anker MagGo Power Bank is as fast as youll get with a portable battery pack.Read our full Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) review Raycon Magic Power Bank 5-in-1 Best multi-iPhone MagSafe battery packProsHigh battery capacityIntegrated U.S. plug prongsBuilt-in USB-C and Lightning cables2x USB ports7.5W wireless or 18W wiredConsBig and bulkyNot 15W wirelessNorth America onlyCapacity: 37Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W), USB-C (18W), Lightning (12W)On test charged iPhone to: 186%Weight: 9.5oz (270g)Dimensions: 3.4-x-3.4-x-1.4 inches (8.6-x-8.6-x-3.6cm)Colors: BlackMuch bigger and meaner than the power banks reviewed above, the Raycon 5-in-1 Power Bank can charge five devices simultaneously: two through the USB-C and USB-A ports, one wirelessly through MagSafe, and two through the built-in cables (USB-C for iPhone 15/16 and Lightning for older iPhones).In our tests, it was very close in battery charging power to the top scorerscharging an iPhone 15 Pro nearly twice over.It claims to offer 15W of wireless power but isnt officially certified by Apple, so we rate it at 7.5W for wireless. There are two integrated output cables: one USB-C for iPhone 15 and 16, and one Lightning for older iPhones and Apple devices. If you dont have any Lightning-based devices this will be superfluous, although friends in need of power may thank you if their iPhones are older. Most peoples AirPods are still Lightning based, so you may well find a use for it.It features built-in U.S. plug prongs so can be connected straight into a power socket rather than requiring a separate USB-C charger. This is fine for users based in the U.S. or Canada, but not for international users. The power bank even features a handy pull-out phone clip that holds your phone upright, although the placement of the cables means the battery pack cant charge your phone while its in the mini stand.Unlike the more svelte power banks reviewed here, the Raycon 5-in-1 Power Bank is too big and bulky to let you slip the iPhone plus battery pack into your pocket. As a portable power bank you might carry in a bag on your travels, but not your pocket.Eugen WegmannAs the built-in plug prongs work in the U.S. and Canada only, its not much help to international buyers. A similar alternative that does fare better around the world is the $139 Journey Axie 3-in-1 Global Wall Charger & 10k Power Bank, pictured above, which is about the same size and weight as the Raycon and features a built-in USB-C cable and a USB-C port plus of course features a wireless charging pad. While the Raycon can service five devices, the Journey can cope with only three but it does have plug heads for U.S., U.K., E.U. and Australia/N.Z. It is also faster at charging via USB, with a maximum 35W output. We recommend this power bank for MacBook users who want a portable 35W charger with MagSafe for wireless iPhone charging, plus USB options.PhoneSuit Journey Mag MagSafe Wireless All-In-One ChargerProsIntegrated plug prongs2x USB-C ports7.5W wireless or 20W wiredConsNot 15W wirelessLonger than mostPlug prongs for North America onlyCapacity: 38.5Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W), USB-C (20W) & USB-A (18W)On test charged iPhone to: 150%Weight: 9.1oz (258g)Dimensions: 5.25-x-2.6-x-0.65 inches (13.3-x-6.6-x-1.7cm)Colors: GrayWhile a wireless charging pad saves you the bother of carrying a cable around to charge your phone from a power bank, you still need a wall charger to hand to recharge the power bank itself but not with the PhoneSuit Journey Mag, which features foldable North American plug prongs so you can plug the battery pack straight into a power socket. While plugged in, the power bank can charge the attached iPhone wirelessly at the same time as recharging the battery pack.Two further USB ports are also handy. The USB-C port can charge at 20W, so much faster than the 7.5W MagSafe-compatible wireless charging padbut you will need a USB-C cable in this instance: USB-C to Lightning for iPhones older than the iPhone 15, and USB-C to USB-C for the 15 and 16. The USB-A port can charge another device at up to 18W.The 10000mAh battery capacity allowed us to charge a faded iPhone to 100% and then again another 50%, which is about average for this size battery.Best small portable magnetic power banksIf you carry your power bank around with all day, in your bag or pocket, a slimmer, lighter magnetic/MagSafe power bank will suit you better than a larger, heavier 10K battery pack. They are also easier to pocket when clamped to your phone. Weve tested a lot from 3000mAh to 6000mAh to find the best portable MagSafe power bank that will recharge your iPhone enough to get you through the rest of the day but not enough to reply on during a weekends camping.The Anker MagGo 10K Slim Power Bank, reviewed above, is just 0.58 inches thick and weighs only 200g but these 5K magnetic power banks will take up even less space in your bag or desk drawer, and are easier to pocket with iPhone attached.From top left: Belkin 2.5K, Casely 5K Power Pod, Rokform 5K. From left bottom: Belkin 5K, Torras 5K and Ugreen 5K.Foundry1. Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 5K + Stand Best slim MagSafe battery pack with standProsSlimmer than 10KImpressive battery capacityBuilt-in stand7.5W wireless or 10W wiredBright range of colorsPrice When Reviewed:55,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPrice59,95 View DealBelkin59,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket59,95 at Apple59,99 at BelkinCapacity: 18Wh (5000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (10W)On test charged iPhone to: 79%Weight: 5.4oz (152g)Dimensions: 3.7-x-2.5-x-0.55 inches (9.4-x-6.4-x-1.4cm)Colors: Black, White, Lavender, Pink, Green, Blue, Sand, Gold5K battery packs are slim enough to clamp to your iPhone and still slip into your pocket. While 10000mAh power banks boast larger re-charging capacity, if you want a slightly smaller and lighter battery pack with a stand, we recommend you choose between this power bank and the Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank, reviewed below. Each has a 5000mAh battery but the Belkin won in our head-to-head tests, recharging a faded iPhone 15 Pro by 79%.The Belkins kickstand is easy to use and feels robust, and the battery pack itself is marginally smaller. The Torras MagStall Power Bank is a little slimmer but wider and boasts a stand/finger-grip but recharges to a slightly lesser extent.It features 7.5W wireless charging when clamped to the back of an iPhone, and can be charged with a cable at a chippy 10W.Belkin and Amazon offers a choice of four colors, and the Apple Store now has an exclusive set of new colors, including blue, sand and lime green. European customers gets an exclusive gold option, too.2. Ugreen 5000mAh 15W MagSafe PD 3.0 Power Bank Best budget MagSafe battery packProsSlimmer than 10K7.5W wireless or 10W wiredPrice When Reviewed:39,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View DealUgreen39,99 View Deal47.73View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo39,99 at Ugreen47.73 at JACOBCapacity: 18.5Wh (5000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (15W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (15W)On test charged iPhone to: 68%Weight: 5.15oz (146g)Dimensions: 4.2-x-2.7-x-0.51 inches (10.6-x-6.9-x-1.3cm)Colors: Black, WhiteYoull find plenty of super-cheap power banks online, but the best-priced magnetic power bank that we have tested from a trusted manufacturer is the Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank. For safetys sake, we recommend you avoid the cheapest deals for products from providers you can trustand weve done that testing for you.It might lack a built-in stand as seen on other similar smaller-capacity power banks, but the Ugreen can recharge your fading iPhone to about two-thirds full battery capacity, and is super slim and lightweight. It is also blessed with the ability to charge at 15W via a separate cable (supplied).3. Torras MagStall Power Bank with 360 Rotatable Stand Slimmest magnetic power bankProsSlimmer than 10KBuilt-in kickstand7.5W wireless or 20W wiredColorsCapacity: 19.25Wh (5000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (20W)On test charged iPhone to: 66%Weight: 4.62oz (131g)Dimensions: 4.2-x-2.75-x-0.46 inches (10.7-x-7-x-1.2cm)Colors: Black, White, TitaniumSimilar in size to the Urban Armor power bank reviewed above, the Torras MagStall Wireless Power Bank also features a pull-out standthis one being able to rotate 360 degrees. The ring stand can also be used like a pop socket grip.While it cant match the higher capacity 10K battery packs for recharge power, it is lighter and slimmerslightly slimmer than the Urban Armorwhich makes it much more pocketable than one of the bulkier power banks when clamped to your phone. In our tests, it recharged an iPhone 15 Pro from 10% to 76%, meaning that model phone received a possible two-thirds battery boost when connected.Lined up with all the 5K power banks we tested, it is marginally the slimmesta tiny bit thinner than the Rokform Magnetic Power Bank, reviewed below.4. Rokform Magnetic Power Bank Lightest 5K battery packProsSlim and lightweight7.5W wireless or 10W wiredCapacity: 19.25Wh (5000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (20W) Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (10W)On test charged iPhone to: 64%Weight: 3.95oz (112g)Dimensions: 3.7-x-2.5-x-0.46 inches (9.4-x-6.3-x-1.2cm)Colors: BlackRokform is known for its ultra-rugged phone cases and its polycarbonate magnetic wireless power bank also looks like it would survive a combat zone, without having any extra bulk. Its principal selling points are its small size and light weight. At 112g its the lightest magnetic power bank we have tested, but not by a lot.It is let down somewhat by its recharging potential for a 5K power bank. In our tests it re-powered an iPhone 15 Pro by 64%, which is low compared to the Belkin 5K, both of which reached 80%.The Rokform battery pack is available outside the U.S. but international shipping fees are too high to recommend it in the rest of the world.5. Belkin Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 2.5K Smallest wireless power bankProsSmallest magnetic power bankConsSmaller battery capacity5W wirelessCapacity: 9.25Wh (2500mAh)Input charger: USB-C (10W)Output charger: Wireless (5W)On test charged iPhone to: 41%Weight: 4.7oz (132g)Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches (9.7 x 6.5 x 1.3cm)Colors: Black, WhiteIf you want a magnetic power bank thats even smaller, the Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 2.5K is a little slimmer, shorter and narrower and 25% lighter. It manages this with a noticeably smaller capacity battery (2500mAh), and this shows in the performance. In our tests it resurrected a faded iPhone 15 Pro by 41%, which might be enough for several hours service but is weaker than the Ugreen 5K power bank and all the other battery packs tested here. But it is smaller and noticeably lighter, and is available online for around the same price as the Ugreen. IIf you want the security of a power bank in your handbag or backpack, then this takes up little space and weighs next to nothing.6. UAG Lucent Wireless Portable Charger with KickstandProsSlimmer than 10KBuilt-in kickstand7.5W wireless or 18W wiredColorsPrice When Reviewed:54,99Capacity: 15.4Wh (4000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (18W)On test charged iPhone to: 62%Weight: 4.55oz (129g)Dimensions: 4.1-x-2.6-x-0.5 inches (10.5-x-6.6-x-1.3cm)Colors: Black, Deep Ocean, Marshmallow, OrchidUrban Armor Gears Lucent Wireless Portable Charger is not the highest capacity battery on test here, but it is dinky and very pocketable. This UAG portable magnetic charger has a handy built-in kickstand and a choice of colors. It ships with a 1m USB-C cable, although its old-school USB-A on the wall-plug end.7. Moft Snap Stand Power Set Best wallet/stand magnetic battery packProsSlimmer than 10KDetachable kickstand and wallet7.5W wireless or 10W wiredColorsCapacity: 13.1Wh (3400mAh)Input charger: USB-C (10W) Output charger: Wireless (7.5W) & USB-C (10W)On test charged iPhone to: 50%Weight: 4.2oz (120g)Dimensions: 3.9-x-2.6-x-0.47 inches (9.9-x-6.6-x-1.2cm)Colors: Black, Blue, Brown, PurpleThe Moft Snap Stand Power Set is a clever combination of magnetic battery pack with a detachable stand that also holds up to three travel or credit cards.The faux leather stand took me a few goes to work out how it works, but once youve mastered it, its easy. Previously, I havent seen a stand that can hold cards at the same time, so this is smarter than most MagSafe stands.The supplied USB-C cable also links magnetically to the battery pack, which will charge a connected iPhone first before the power bank itself. While the battery pack offers only a 50% charge, that will likely be enough for most trips away from a fixed power source. If you need more portable battery capacity, look at one of the other MagSafe power banks reviewed here, although none boast the dual wallet/stand function.The battery is only 3400mAh so gives you only a half-charge, but that might be enough to get you through the day.It is MagSafe-compatible but curiously boasts a usually only-MagSafe-certified feature, where theres a visual representation of available charge on the iPhone itself.Best multi-device charging MagSafe power banks if you own AirPods and an Apple Watch as well as an iPhone, look for MagSafe power banks that charge multiple Apple devices at the same time. As power banks these should still be portable, but often convert into charging stands when in use. Most are two large to slip in your pocket with the phone attached but they are useful for when you are away from base and need to power up your favorite Apple kit.1. OneAdaptr OneGo Best 10K MagSafe power bank with Watch and AirPods chargersProsHigh battery capacityApple Watch and AirPods chargers7.5W wireless or 18W wiredBuilt-in kickstandConsNo Apple Watch fast chargePrice When Reviewed:83,95Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceOneAdaptr83,95 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket83,95 at OneAdaptrCapacity: 38.5Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W iPhone, 2W Watch, 5W AirPods) & USB-C (18W)On test charged iPhone to: 175%Weight: 7.8oz (220g)Dimensions: Folded: 2.8 x 0.94 x 4.7 inches (7 x 2.4 x 12cm)Colors: White or Cool GrayOneAdaptr has recently updated its OneGo 3-in-1 iPhone/Watch/AirPods charger and portable power bank, and made it even more compelling a solution. No longer is the power bank a separate part. Now the Watch and AirPods charging modules flip out from the back of the iPhone wireless charger, and the power bank can recharge all the devices.We have tested a lot of great portable MagSafe wireless chargers but this is the smallest 3-in-1 iPhone/Apple Watch/AirPods charger that doubles up as a power bank. The 10000mAh battery capacity is high, and in our tests, we managed to get around one and three quarters recharge of an iPhone 15 Pro, which is impressive. Thats higher than with the similar iPhone/Watch charging Alogic Lift power bank (1.5 charges).You can get slimmer and lighter 10K power banks but not with built-in Apple Watch and AirPods charging stands. We have tested and reviewed 10K battery packs that offer greater charging power: the Baseus Magnetic 10K Power Bank (187%) and Anker MagGo 10K Slim (188%) both offer better performance but of course, lack the integrated Apple Watch and AirPods modules.Yes, its a little larger and certainly heavier than most of the wireless power banks reviewed here, but its a neat solution if you are away from a power source when all your Apple devices ping you that terrifying Low Power Mode suggestion.The Apple Watch charging module flips up from the back of the power bank and feels robust enough to survive in-bag travel. It charges at 2W rather than 5W so doesnt support Apple Watch Fast Charge but it will inject the juice that your Watch requires when you need itno Move calorie counting or Exercise minutes need be missed.There is one USB-C port (the Alogic Lift has a USB-A port for older cables) for input or faster wired iPhone charging (18W).2. Alogic Lift 4-in-1 MagSafe Wireless 10000mAh Power Bank Compact 10K MagSafe power bank with Watch chargerProsHigh battery capacity2x USB so can charge 4 devices at onceApple Watch charger7.5W wireless or 18W wiredBuilt-in kickstandPrice When Reviewed:109,99Best Prices Today: RetailerPriceAlogic109,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket109,99 at AlogicCapacity: 38Wh (10000mAh)Input charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wireless (7.5W iPhone and 3W Watch) & USB-C (18W)On test charged iPhone to: 148%Weight: 8oz (228g)Dimensions: 4.25-x-2.7-x-0.95 inches (10.8-x-6.8-x-2.4cm)Colors: WhiteThe Alogic Lift MagSafe and Apple Watch power bank is a little fatter but shorter than the OneAdaptr OneGo, reviewed above. While very similar, it lacks the OneGos base with AirPods charging pad but it does boast two USB ports to the OneGos single input/output port.One USB-C port is for input or faster wired iPhone charging (18W); and the USB-A port is there for older charging cables. You could use either port to charge your AirPods or another iPhone. While you can use both at the same time, simultaneous USB charging does drop power pace to just 5W.The robust-when-folded Apple Watch charging module charges at 3W rather than 5W so doesnt support Apple Watch Fast Charge but it is a little faster than the 2W OneGo Watch charger.If you dont need the AirPods charging pad, the Alogic Lift is as able and expert as the OneGo.Best iPhone 15 battery caseWhile not a wireless or magnetic solution, a battery case is a power bank built into a protective case for your iPhone. You are less likely to leave this back-up battery at home as you might with a separate power bank as it is always with your iPhone. The disadvantage of a battery case is that it will likely be obsolete when you change phone but many of us wouldnt be without one.At the time of writing we had not tested any battery cases for the iPhone 16, but check out our roundup reviews of the best iPhone 16 cases.1. Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 15 Battery case for iPhone 15ProsInternal batteryProtective caseMore efficient than a wireless power bankSlimmer than rival battery casesConsSmaller battery than power banksFor iPhone 15 family onlyBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceZagg$99.95View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket$99.95 at ZaggCapacity: 9.24Wh (2400mAh) for iPhone 15 and 15 Pro; 3000mAh for 15 Pro MaxInput charger: USB-C (18W)Output charger: Wired (18W iPhone)On test charged iPhone to: 57%Weight: 8oz (227g)Dimensions: 6.3-x-2.5-x-0.6 inches (16-x-6.3-x-1.5cm)Colors: BlackCompatibility: iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 15 Pro MaxNo wireless charging here because the Juice Pack is a protective case with an internal battery. The iPhone is charged via a wired USB-C connector, so charges faster and more efficiently than a wireless-only power bank.Mophie has designed this battery case to be as slim as possible while still offering enough recharge power to get your iPhone to over a half full battery. The other iPhone 15 battery case we tested, the Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 15, reviewed below, comes in two much larger battery capacities (5K and 10K) but the cases themselves are much heavier and bulky.Its a two-piece design that fits the iPhone well, and offers robust protection from knocks, bumps and drops. The top part did slip off a couple of times in testing from a tight trouser pocket but should fare better from a coat or bag. If you want a one-piece iPhone battery case choose one of the Newdery battery cases, reviewed below.The Mophie Juice Pack is available for all iPhone 15 models except the 15 Plus. If you have an earlier iPhone model, look for options with the Newdery battery cases below.Read our full Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone 15 review 2. Newdery Battery Case Range of iPhone battery casesProsOptions for iPhone 6 to iPhone 15Protective caseNear 100% battery chargeConsBulkyPrice When Reviewed:26,99 EuroCapacity: From 17.78Wh (4800mAh)Input charger: Lightning, USB-C (18W), QiOutput charger: Wired (18W iPhone)On test charged iPhone to: 95%Weight: 4.66oz (132g)Dimensions: 6.3-x-2.5-x-0.8 inches (16-x-6.3-x-2cm)Colors: BlackCompatibility: iPhone 11-15The Newdery Battery Case offers full protection and nearly a full battery recharge, and this dual function makes it a cheaper alternative to a MagSafe case and MagSafe battery pack. However, some may find the bulky design too chunky, although the case itself weighs just 134g.The 5000mAh Newdery Battery Cases scored around 95% in our tests, with the 10K battery cases reaching an amazing 168%.Those test results are from the iPhone 15 Pro models, but Newdery has battery cases for all the recent iPhones. Newdery iPhone Battery Cases onAmazon US|Amazon UK|Amazon CA.Some models are wireless compatible themselves so can be charged itself on most Qi charging pads.If you desire protection as well as longer battery life, the Newdery Battery Case offers both in an affordable package. It is much cheaper than the Mophie Juice Pack reviewed above.Read our full Newdery Battery Case for iPhone 15 and 15 Pro review If you dont need a portable power bank, check out the best MagSafe chargers that we have tested. Also check out our tests of the best iPhone chargers for wired charging solutions, and of course to refill your iPhone power bank.How we testedMagSafe charger testing was conducted using an iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro, subscribed to a 5G network and WiFi, with screen off and all default settings.Our test is a simple battery recharge shootout. We let our test-unit iPhone Pro (3095mAh battery capacity) drain to just 10% and then set the Battery Pack to work recharging the phone.We then assigned the charger a score of whatever percentage it managed to charge the iPhone to and subtract the 10%; we test each model at least twice.Its not a real-world test of day-to-day use where youll likely be using your phone for various tasks (of varying battery usage) and in different environmental conditions and network configurations.But it does give us a common score format that we can use to compare different battery-pack models.Why comparing Watt Hours are better than Milliamp HoursPhone batteries are generally rated in Milliamp Hours (mAh) but this is a measure of electrical charge, while a Watt Hour is equal to one watt of energy consumed for one hour of time.When comparing battery capacities and how much a power pack will boost a phones internal battery, energy is more important than electrical charge.And mAh ignores a battery voltage, which determines the wattage (power) of a battery.If the mAh is the same, the higher the voltage, the greater the actual stored power.For example, Apples MagSafe Battery Pack is rated at just 1460mAh but it has a higher voltage potential (7.62V) than the iPhone (3.81V) or other battery packs, meaning that it can provide more power to an iPhone than its mAh suggests; in fact, it is actually 2920mAh.To go into further depth about this read our feature iPhone battery capacities compared that also lists all iPhones battery life in mAh and Wh.Anatomy of a magnetic power bankTORRASA lot more than a battery goes into the making of a magnetic power bank.Of course, the battery is the most important component, but the wireless charging coils and magnetic connection are vital for efficient and therefore fast and powerful charging. The transmitter coil transfers power by electromagnetic induction.The magnets need to be set up to exactly connect the transmitting coilshere on the power bank to the receiving coils, in this case inside the iPhone.The example shown above is the Torras MagStall Wireless Power Bank, reviewed in our chart. You can see the various parts, including that power banks rotating stand/handle.What about non-wireless power banks?Wireless chargingespecially magnetic wireless chargingis super convenient and does away with the need to carry around messy cables to connect your device to the battery pack.But wired charging is nearly always faster and not much of an inconvenience if you are not out and about. Over on our sister site Tech Advisor I have reviewed the best power banks that includes standard non-wireless battery packs that might be a decent solution as well as the power banks reviewed above.

MacworldIts been one of the most popular Mac apps for ages and was released for the iPad over five years ago, but Photoshop has somehow never made it to the iPhone. Until now.With more users editing images and creating digital art entirely on their phones these days, Adobe simply had to make a version of Photoshop optimized for our pocket screens. It is available today on iPhone, with an Android version expected later this year.Adobe says it has built the app from the ground up with an interface that keeps the intensive layering and adjustments that are the core of the Photoshop experience while remaining useable on a small screen. Youll find a lot of the features youre used to on the desktop or iPad: layering, compositing, blending, spot healing, tons of fonts and effects, powerful selection and masking tools, and even AI stuff like generative fill, generative expand, and Firefly image generation tools.However, while Photoshop is a free app, the good stuff isnt free. And you didnt think Adobe was going to let you buy Photoshop somewhere, did you? Naturally, there is a subscription on offer. For $7.99 a month, you can subscribe to a new Mobile and Web plan ($69.99 annually) that gives you access to Photoshop on the web as well as premium features in the Photoshop iPhone and iPad apps. With the sub, you can save all your work to the cloud and instantly open it on another location or device.All the masking and layering you expect from Photoshop is available in the iPhone app.AdobeWhats behind the paywall? The Firefly AI tools require a subscription, naturally, as does access to the full library of 20,000+ Adobe fonts. Some of the features that you might consider core to the modern Photoshop experience are only for subscribers, like Magic Wand, Object Select, Content-Aware fill, clone stamp, and some advanced blending modes.Fortunately, if you already have a paid Photoshop plan, which gives you access to the iPad and web versions today, you will already have access to the premium features of the iPhone app. The new subscription is really only necessary for those who are coming into Photoshop for the first time from their mobile device, and dont have or need desktop or iPad versions.

MacworldFor months leading up to the launch of the iPhone 16e, rumors all but confirmed that Apple would hike the price of the iPhone SE 3s successor. But given how competitive the midrange smartphone market is, analysts were confident the company would charge no more than $499, a significant price jump but still in the realm of a budget handset. Instead, Apple announced the $599 iPhone 16e and completely disregarded budget-conscious customers.It didnt have to be this way. You can argue that the iPhone 16e is worth the upcharge, but the new direction still cuts out a significant portion of buyers. Heres how Apple could have upgraded the iPhone SE with Apple Intelligence and still kept the price under $500.Off-brandingBefore delving into its tech specs, theres an issue with the name itself. By design, Apple associated its new entry-level smartphone with its high-end iPhone 16 lineup. This makes it easier to get away with the $170 price increase because it implies youre buying one of the latest iPhone 16 models. The new phone no longer carries the SE branding famous for offering the bare minimum at a low cost.Basically, Apple couldnt price the new iPhone 16e any lower than $599. Theres already a $200 gap between the standard and Pro models, so to make it any lower would change the established structure and imply that either the iPhone 16 is too expensive or the iPhone 16e is too cheap. By keeping the iPhone SE name, however, Apple wouldve had enough room to shed a few of the flagship specs, as it would no longer be associated with the premium iPhone 16 family.The body of the iPhone 13 mini would make a perfect budget phone in 2025.FoundryMini reduxThe iPhone 13 mini was the last of its kind, and many small phone enthusiasts continue to mourn it to this day. These 5.4-inch iPhones were priced $100 lower than their 6.1-inch counterparts ($699 at launch). So, if Apple can make a 6.1-inch iPhone 16e for $599, it could presumably make a mini version of that same phone for $499, which would cater not only to customers on a tight budget but also to those seeking a compact, pocketable device.To cut costs further, Apple could have opted for a Liquid Retina LCD. While Super Retina XDR OLED panels provide a superior viewing experience, most, if not all, budget customers would accept the trade-off for a lower price. After all, the whole point of entry-level phones is sacrificing premium tech to make them more affordable.About FaceApple has long reserved Face ID for the iPad Pro models, with even the high-priced iPad Air still relying on a Touch ID sensor embedded into the side button. Yet, for some reason, Apple decided that its cheapest smartphone should now adopt Face ID.Given how advanced the TrueDepth camera system is, Apple couldve excluded it from the iPhone SE 4 to cut costs. The notch could remain, but only to house the front camera and receiver. Instead, the iPhones side power button could double as a Touch ID sensor for biometric authentication, which some users would prefer to facial recognition.Classic callWhile the tweaks above can already produce a logical $499 iPhone SE 4, there are other measures that could have reduced the price even more. For example, Apple couldve easily skipped the Action button and continued to offer the classic mute switch to further distinguish between its affordable and flagship iPhones. Another cost-cutting move could be excluding the USB-C charging cable and shrinking the box. Most users already have at least one lying around, as its already the universal connector powering nearly all recently released gadgets.Apple could have even given plastic another shot by learning from its last lowercase-letter iPhone, the 5c. A large font screen and an aluminum frame would give the iPhone SE a unique look with lower cost, and since it dumped MagSafe anyway, Apple wouldnt have needed to change much else.A return to the plastic iPhone 5c would have been perfect for the iPhone SE 4.FoundryiPhone SE 4 for the winSome have blamed the A18 processor and Apple Intelligence for the $170 price hike, but I dont believe theyre the reason for the price hike. After all, the iPhone SE 3 cost $429 and offered the same A15 Bionic chip inside that years flagship phone, the iPhone 13 Pro. And even if it does cost more, Apple couldve cut back in other areas to keep an A18-powered iPhone SE 4 under $500.Apples SE brand has become synonymous with affordability, offering solid specs for far less than the cost of a new high-end iPhone. It was a balance of an old design with newer specs and didnt try to pretend to be something it wasnt. With the 2025 update, Apple had a chance to build a phone with a modern design that still offered consumers an inexpensive way into the iPhone ecosystem.Instead, the company built a strange hybrid that sits awkwardly in its iPhone lineup. It neither fills the budget void left by the SE nor has enough of the newer specs of the flagship iPhones, such as dual cameras, MagSafe, or ultra-wideband. As such the cheapest iPhone now starts at $599 in the U.S., and thats a valid barrier that will steer undecided customers to Android, when Apple could have had a real budget winner on its hands.

MacworldSusan Kare is a legend in the Mac community (and in technology in general), having created the icons for the original Macintosh. Shes still an active artist and her latest collection is perfect for anyone looking for something that speaks to your inner whimsy in these modern times.With the Esc Keys, Kare designed 32 icons in her recognizable bitmap style. The icons exclude anything Mac-associated, so you wont find a Happy Mac or Clarus the Dogcow here. But you will find a smiling lightbulb and not one, but two dogs. Asprey Studios Alistair Walker, who commissioned the collection, told Fast Company that the icons represent things to do away from the computer. Its a reminder not to be a keyboard warrior, he said.AspreyThe icons are available as keycaps that can be inserted into mechanical keyboards (which means you cant use them on Apples Magic Keyboard). The keycaps dont come cheap, with silver costing $644 and gold vermeil costing $1,031. A few icons, including Flower 1 and Alien, are available as necklace pendants for $1,417 (silver) or $2,061 (gold). All purchases include a digital version of the icon inscribed on the blockchain.The collection is having a limited run, so if you really want a gold vermeil Panic button for your keyboard, you should act fast. If you dont want to spend so much but still want some of Kares Mac work, check out kareprints.com, where she sells prints of her work. Youll find Happy Mac, Dogcow, the Mac Bomb icon, and even a hand-painted canvas pirate flag like the one touted by the original Mac development team.

MacworldThe worst part about asking questions during meetings is not knowing what to ask. What if an app could capture every important detail and serve you with the perfect follow-up questions? Hedy AI does just that. Its your new secret weapon for turning any meeting into an opportunity to impress, and it is only 29.99 for life.Forget scrambling for notes Hedy does the heavy lifting. It automatically creates concise transcripts and smart summaries, so you never miss details. Seamlessly integrating with your iPhone, Hedy works for in-person meetings and video calls, clearly capturing audio from your computer speakers. Most importantly, it highlights key points and suggests follow-up questions you might not have thought to ask, giving you an edge in every discussion.Hedy Benefits:Real-Time Question Suggestions: Receive tailored follow-up questions to drive discussionsAuto-Generated Transcripts & Summaries: Never miss a critical detail againBoosted Confidence: Walk into any meeting knowing you have all the insights at your fingertipsMultilingual Support: With assistance in 19 languages, communication is a breezeHedy AI transforms your meetings into a masterclass of engagement and clarity. Its a tool of the future for professionals and students alike, ensuring you always have the right things to say and never miss out on crucial points.Let Hedy AI do the hard work get it for $29.99 and reap the benefits.Hedy AI: Real-Time Meeting & Class Coach: 1-Yr Subscription (Pro License) $29.99See DealStackSocial prices subject to change.

MacworldIts frustrating when your MacBooks sleek design comes at the cost of functionalityjust USB-C ports and no way to adjust the screen height. Thats probably why everyones grabbing this MacBook stand with a built-in hub to avoid annoyances and neck pains.Laptop stands are nothing new, but this ones neck is filled with ports to expand upon your MacBooks lame USB-C input. Connect to the host plug and get USB-A, 4K HDMI, microSD/SD, an additional 3.5mm aux, and USB-C power delivery charging.Also, as you can see, the stand isnt fixed in a stationary position. The base rotates 360, and you can adjust the angle from two different positions to get the perfect viewing height for working, writing, or even if youre cooking and using your MacBook for a video tutorial. Many people also love this stand for their USB-C iPads.You can get the CASA HUB 8-in-1 hub stand for $99.99 (reg. $129) with our unbeatable price.CASA HUB 360 8-in-1 Aluminum Foldable USB-C Hub Stand $99.99See DealStackSocial prices subject to change.

MacworldApple has announced its latest budget iPhone, replacing the ageing iPhone SE and the iPhone 14 with the brand new iPhone 16e. This boasts a design more like the iPhone 14 than the iPhone SE, and modern hardware that could prove tempting for those with an older model that are thinking of upgrading. We look at how this latest addition to the Apple catalogue compares to the iPhone 14 so see whether you should finally trade in that handset if your contract is winding down and if the iPhone 16e might be a suitable choice as a replacement.iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Design & BuildWhile the iPhone 16e is quite a different looking device to the iPhone SE, theres very little to differentiate it from the iPhone 14, which itself bears a strikingly familiar aesthetic to the iPhone 12 introduced back in October 2020. That means you get flat edges around the frame, an aluminium chassis with a glass back, all of which holds a 6.1-inch display replete with the old notch (no Dynamic Islands here). Available in black or white, the iPhone 16e.AppleDimensions are identical to the iPhone 14, at 146.7mm (5.78-inch) x 71.5mm (2.82-inch) x 7.8mm (0.31-inch); but the newer device has lost some of the weight, coming in at 167g which is 5g lighter than the iPhone 14.There are a few hints that this is an updated model though, as Apple has switched (due to EU laws) to USB-C for the charging port, while the iPhone 14 uses a Lightning connector. These are flanked by the same stereo speaker arrangements on either device. The 16e also replaces the mute switch on its older sibling with the Action button that was introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (so is missing from the iPhone 15). This allows you to assign dedicated functions to the button (say, launching the camera or turning on a flashlight) to save you having to open a menu or app.Macwelt/AppleThe most obvious difference is found on the rear, where the dual camera module on the iPhone 14 is replaced with a solitary lens on the 16e. Apple does state that this is a 2-in-1 Fusion camera, though, so the performance difference is not as stark as it my first appear. Well discuss the advantages of the Fusion camera in more detail below. Colors have been simplified to just Black or White on the 16e, whereas the iPhone 14 boasted six different hues when it launched, including (PRODUCT) RED, Starlight, Midnight, Yellow, Purple, and Blue. If you want fun colors you can, of course, just stick it in a case. See our round up of the best cases for the iPhone 16 series. Both devices come with IP68 water and dust resistance, so they should survive a quick dip or a trip to the beach.iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: DisplayIt seems that the panel in the new iPhone 16e is exactly the same as the one used on the iPhone 14. So, you get a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a Ceramic Shield front, 25321170 resolution (460ppi), 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR, True Tone, Wide color (P3), and Haptic Touch. Illumination levels are also unsurprisingly the same at 800 nits maximum brightness (typical) or 1,200 nits of HDR peak brightness. FoundryiPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Processors and StorageOne of the most significant upgrades Apple bestows upon the iPhone 16e is the processor. The new device comes equipped with an A18 chip, decked out with a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. Thats a big step up from the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14, albeit with the one notable difference in that the A15 has a 5-core GPU (as does the A18 chip in the iPhone 16).The biggest benefit of this processor update is the fact that this processor means that the iPhone 16e can support the new Apple Intelligence features, unlike both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 (the latter on sale for $100 more, see: Why I cant recommend the iPhone 15 to anyone). Apple Intelligence is Apples name for the AI powered features that include writing tools, image generation, ChatGPT integration, Siri improvements and more. There are likely to be even more Apple Intelligence features coming in iOS 19 later in 2025. With the new silicon being three generations on from the A15 Bionic, its safe to say that it should be more powerful and energy efficient. This does seem to be the case in terms of battery life, but well get to that a little later.When we reviewed the iPhone 16 (with its A18 chip), we noticed performance improvements of around 30% over the A16 chip in the iPhone 15. So, even though the variant in the iPhone 16e lacks that additional GPU core, you should still see performance increases over the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14. Storage options remain the same as on the iPhone 14, with choice of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB capacities. There is, thankfully, no 64GB version. There was a 64GB iPhone SE, which is the model that cost $429. The 128GB iPhone SE was $479 when it was discontinued, $499 at launch. iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14:CamerasAt first glance, the single lens on the iPhone 16e would seem to make it less impressive than the duel offering on the iPhone 14. But, its not quite that simple.The 14 does offer twin 12Mp sensors a f/1.5 main and f/2.4 ultra wide which can deliver 0.5x and 1x optical zooms, and also features sensor-shift optical stabilisation. This is a good range of options, with the ultra wide feature being helpful if youre in a tight space and want to get more of your subject in focus.AppleThe solitary lens in the 16e though is one of Apples Fusion cameras, as found on the iPhone 16, which acts as a 2-in-1. The 26mm, f/1.6 setup allows you to shoot in full 48Mp for images that contain four times the detail of those on the iPhone 14 main camera, but by cropping in and reducing the size to 12Mp you get a 52mm, f/1.6 2x telephoto zoom. So, if you want to get further away, the iPhone 14 is for you, if you want to beef things up and get closer the iPhone 16e is the one you want.If youre thinking of upgrading from an iPhone 14, then it would be well worth considering which camera you use the most, as it might not be an option on the newer model. Personally we find that the ultra-wide camera creates an unattractive perspective distortion at the edges of the image, where people look wider, so we prefer not to use it. For video, both devices are capable of 4K/60fps Dolby Vision video, along with Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Night mode Time-Lapse, QuickTake, and Audio Zoom, but the iPhone 14 also boasts the Cinematic mode that allows shallow depth of field (presumably due to the ultra wide camera) along with Action mode for incredible image stabilisation when you are recording video when moving (no doubt delivered by the sensor-shift tech). On the other hand, the iPhone 16e has Wind noise reduction and an Audio Mix features that can improve sound quality on recordings.So, if youre into film-making on your iPhone, then the older model would seem to have the advantage here, at least in terms of visual features.The FaceTime front camera is almost the same in both, with the 16e variant capable of Smart HDR5 rather than the HDR4 maximum on the iPhone 14. But, the latter does have Cinematic mode, which the 16e does not, as well as focus control in Portrait mode. Otherwise, its as you were.iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Battery Life and ChargingIf youve had an iPhone 14 for a couple of years, the battery life may be starting to diminish. So, the appeal of a new cell could be significant. Thats before you consider one of the iPhone 16es arguably best features better battery performance. Apple is selling the virtues of its new C1 5G modem, which is promised to use less power than the standard module in the iPhone 14. Theres also the improved efficiency of the A18 chip and iOS, plus its possible, but not confirmed, that the 16e comes with a higher capacity cell.AppleWhatever it is thats going on under the hood, Apple states that the iPhone 16e can last for up to 26 hours of video playback. Thats a whopping 6 hours more than the iPhone 14, and thats when that device was brand new. If youre more of a music/podcast/audiobook fan, then the 10 additional hours of audio playback on offer from the iPhone 16e could be the thing that pushes you towards an instant upgrade. Well be testing the battery life in our review. Wired recharging is similar on both, with Fast Charge support meaning that you can get up to 50% of charge in 30 minutes (if youre using a 20W charger or higher which of course Apple doesnt supply). One confusing choice is that while the older iPhone 14 supports MagSafe wireless charging, the much newer 16e doesnt. Instead, you get Qi charging support. This seems very odd, as the company has spent the last few years establishing MagSafe as a great feature on iPhone, only to leave it off of its latest model.Anyway, if you have any MagSafe chargers or battery packs, you wont be able to use them on the iPhone 16e.Heres a breakdown of the comparative specs of both iPhones:iPhone 16eiPhone 14Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 25321170pixel resolution at 460 ppi, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR, True Tone, Wide color (P3), Haptic Touch, 800 nits maximum brightness (typical) or 1,200 nits of HDR peak brightness6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 25321170pixel resolution at 460 ppi, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR, True Tone, Wide color (P3), Haptic Touch, 800 nits maximum brightness (typical) or 1,200 nits of HDR peak brightnessChassisAluminium with glass backAluminium with glass backControlsAction button, Volume buttons, Power buttonRing/Silent switch, Volume buttons, Power buttonProcessorA18 chip (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)A15 Bionic chip (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)Rear Cameras2in1 camera system (48MP Fusion)Dual-camera system (12MP Main, Ultra Wide)Apple IntelligenceYesNoVideo Recording4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fpsFront CameraTrueDepth front cameraTrueDepth front cameraAuthenticationFace IDFace IDCellular5G Superfast 5G cellular5G and Gigabit LTEWater ResistanceWater resistant to a depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutesWater resistant to a depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutesBatteryUp to 26 hours video playbackUp to 20 hours video playbackConnectivityUSB-CLightningMagSafe/Wireless ChargingQi wireless charging up to 7.5WMagSafe and Qi wireless chargingOther FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite, Crash DetectionEmergency SOS via satellite, Crash DetectionSIM CardDual SIM (two active eSIMs, or nano-SIM and eSIM)Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)Available coloursBlack, WhiteBlue, Purple, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight and (PRODUCT)REDCapacity128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB128GB, 256GB, 512GBSize and Weight146.7mm (5.78-inch) x 71.5mm (2.82-inch) x 7.8mm (0.31-inch); 167g146.7mm (5.78-inch) x 71.5mm (2.82-inch) x 7.8mm (0.31-inch); 172giPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: SoftwareApple does a good job of keeping older iPhones on the latest versions of iOS. With the iPhone X models able to upgrade to iOS 18, you can be pretty sure that the iPhone 14 will supported for a few years yet. That being said, older models dont necessarily get the latest features, often due to hardware requirements. This is the case with Apple Intelligence, which needs the newer processors and at least 8GB of RAM to run the complex systems that allow features like Writing Tools, Genmoji, the upgraded Siri experience, email summaries, audio transcription, and the various camera upgrades.AppleThe iPhone 16e meets these criteria, and that may be an important upgrade prompt if you want the latest software tools that Apple has to offer, and to be future proofed for the next few years of innovations.iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Price and AvailabilityPerhaps the biggest surprise about the iPhone 16e (which, remember, was expected to be a replacement for the now retired iPhone SE that started at $429/429 for 64GB, and $479/479 for 129GB) is the price. Apple has leapt up from that affordable sum to a much heftier $599/599 for its new entry level device. True, its still $200/200 cheaper than the full-fat iPhone 16, but for those hoping to not get stung by one of the most profitable companies in the world in these difficult times, Cupertino doesnt seem interested in helping you out. If you want more than the 128GB base storage amount, prepare to also be stung by Apples over-priced upgrade costs.Apple iPhone 16eHeres how the various models stack up:iPhone 16e 128GB $599/599iPhone 16e 256GB $699/699iPhone 16e 512GB $899/899Apple no longer offers the iPhone 14, so youd need to look around for old stock thats selling through or second-hand models if you want to buy your first (or second) instance of that model. See: Best iPhone 14 deals, get one while you still can.The iPhone 15 does remain in the Apple catalogue, starting at $699/699, but although it boasts some better specs than the iPhone 16e, it doesnt have the kit to run Apple Intelligence. So, if that factor is important to you then youll need to look at the iPhone 16 range or the Pro versions of the iPhone 15 range (although these are no longer on sale from Apple). See our comparison of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16s.Verdict: Should you upgrade from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16e?The iPhone 16e has some good things going for it. Apple Intelligence future proofs the device (at least for a while), and the extended battery life does look very appealing. There are some drawbacks though. Its priced as a mid-range model now, but doesnt include the basic things youd expect of a model that expensive MagSafe and at least two cameras for a start.If youre coming from an old iPhone 14, and dont have the extra cash to buy the iPhone 16, then it will definitely be a step up in performance and battery life, but were not convinced that it offers great value.

MacworldTheres been much talk of camera modules in the iPhone rumorsphere lately: will the iPhone 17 handsets stick to the same rear design as the previous generation, or will they switch to either a thin horizontal bar or a giant band? A new leak gives us a little more clarity about the new iPhone generation arriving this fall.According to a set of CAD renders posted Sunday to X by the veteran leaker Majin Bu, there will be not one or two but three different camera module designs on show, which might explain the earlier confusion. The two Pro models will have their triple rear lenses embedded in a thick band that runs across the back of the phone, as predicted earlier this month by Jon Prosser. The standard iPhone 17, meanwhile, will stick with the same design as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: two lenses stacked vertically, in a small matching module. (That design, if youll recall, was a change from the diagonal arrangement on the iPhones 13 through 15.)But the last model in the set, the much-anticipated ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, appears set to feature yet another design. Rumors predict that the 17 Air will have just one camera lens on the rear in order to reduce componentry and keep down the size and weight of the chassis. This single lens, according to the new renders (and corroborated by a possible prototype case leaked by the same source last month) will be contained within a slim horizontal bar.In other words, based on the latest information, all three of the theories in my opening paragraph are set to be correct. (Its an easy job, this prediction lark.) You can also see a rectangle below the camera array on the Pro models that is expected to be made of aluminum, while the non-Pro models stick with glass across the back. For all the latest news and rumors about this falls new handsets, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 17 megaguide. And if you dont want to wait seven months for your next phone, take a look at our roundup of the best iPhone deals to pick up a bargain on the current range.

MacworldIt may not be the newest model, but the M2 MacBook Air is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a good laptop. But its especially great when its on sale: Amazon just dropped the M2 MacBook Air to an amazing $800, the best price weve seen in 2025.One thing you should make sure you pay attention to when buying your M2 MacBook Air is that both the 8GB and 16GB versions are available for the same price, so you should make sure youre adding the version with more memory to your cart. Until recently, Apple sold the 8GB model for the same price it now charges for the 16GB model, so this discount is like getting an extra $200 off. The M2 chip delivers super-fast processing, and its ready to handle any task you want to take on, whether thats something for work, streaming content, editing photos, and so on. Theres a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display that will make any image look gorgeous and a thin and light design thats great for travel. In our 2022 review, we gave this one a 4.5-star rating and our Editors Choice award and our opinion hasnt changed: The 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro is a great general-purpose laptop for most people.Go ahead and get yourself one of these M2 MacBook Air laptops for $800 before the Amazon deal runs out.The M2 MacBook Air has an amazing priceBuy now at Amazon

MacworldFollowing the non-event launch of the iPhone 16e last week, next up on Apples hardware release schedule is the MacBook Air. Bloombergs Mark Gurman reports that Apple is gearing up for a March release of the M4 MacBook Air. And in case you didnt notice, March is only a week away. Gurman reports that the current inventory of the M3 MacBook Air is being drawn down to make room for the upgrade. He doesnt provide a specific release date, but perhaps Apples current Higher Education Offer 2025 promotion in Australia and other regions offers a clue. The promotion, which includes the M3 MacBook Air, ends on March 13. So its likely Apple will launch the M4 MacBook Air after that back-to-school promotion is over.That puts the most likely launch of the MacBook Air during the week of March 17 or March 24.Previous reports had said that the new MacBook Air will feature a version of the M4 chip, which was introduced in November with the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The current entry-level MacBook Air has 2 fewer graphics cores (8 versus 10) than the higher-end models, so its likely Apple will continue this trend.Another major upgrade that could find its way onto the M4 MacBook Air is a 12MP CenterStage camera, replacing the current 1080p one, which debuted with the M4 MacBook Pro. Apple also upgraded the M3 MacBook Air to start with 16GB of RAM back in October of last year. We dont expect Apple to raise prices with the M4 MacBook Air, which should continue to start at $1,099.While the M3 chip is a great chip, behind the scenes it created a conundrum for Apple. Its production process is more expensive than the one for the M4, so Apple wants to move off the M3. That could mean that Apple will keep the M2 MacBook Air as its most affordable laptopits M2 chip is older but still provides enough performance for most people. Apple also kept the M1 MacBook Air for two generations.For more information about the M4 MacBook Air, stay tuned to our release guide.

MacworldThis may be shocking to hear from someone who would later edit a magazine called iPad and iPhone User, but I was the last of my friends to get a mobile phone. In the end, I only agreed to buy one because I lost a bet.Partly this can be explained by stubbornness, but another factor was that smartphones arrived slightly too late for me. By the time they took off in the U.K., I was a prematurely middle-aged 20-something, already beginning to lose the fearlessness you see when kids pick up touchscreen devices for the first time, which I had when 16-bit game consoles arrived a decade earlier. Children play with tech happily and recklessly, but I was worried Id buy the wrong model, or use it wrong and break it. I was just a bit scared to commit.And I wasnt alone. It happened early for me, but most of us, at some point, start to find new technology intimidating. Weve all seen older relatives jabbing nervously at touchscreens in expectation of disaster, bamboozled by tiny keyboards, or refusing to stray outside the two or three drop-down menus they know are a safe way to access email or the internet. Technology is not a fun experience when it makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.Apples great success was to understand this fear and find a way to soothe it. We talk about the intuitive design of the iPhone and the iPad, the way things do what you expect and the processes are simple and easy to understand. But these are welcoming devices in ways that go well beyond the software interface. Apples engineers worked hard to make the first iPhones and iPad something you would want to pick up, a reassuring object that invited interaction, not awe. And while the creed of control minimalism would later risk turning into a mania, at heart it was about having a small number of buttons so you could easily tell which one did what.The most important element of all was the Home button, perfectly sized and shaped for your thumb and nestled at the bottom of the display. Wherever you were, whatever you were doing, you had only to press the Home button and youd be whisked back to the safety and familiarity of the Home screen. This was the press-in-case-of-emergency button for early iPhone and iPad owners, the safety belt, the parachute, and the get-out-of-jail-free card. It was Don Drapers carousel. It was Dorothys ruby slippers, clicked together three times. There really was no place like Home.I dont think its possible to overstate the importance of the Home button in the early success of the iPhone and iPad. Tech heads, early adopters, and the wealthy young were always ripe to be recruited when the smartphone revolution began, but the intuitive friendliness of Apples devices enabled them to access the markets beyondolder users, busy or stressed users, users with disabilities, inexperienced and nervous users who never would have thought technology was for them. People, in other words, like me.Its been 18 years since the first Home button arrived with the first iPhone, but the time has come to say goodbye. Apples been working on the transition for nearly half of that time, since 2017s iPhone X heralded a future based around Face ID and full-body screens, and it finally ended an era last week with the launch of the iPhone 16e and the discontinuation of the final iPhone SE. There are now, for the first time since 2007, zero products in the Apple Store with a Home button. Were going to have to learn to live without it.And I think thats okay. The Home button was important, but it brought problems of its own. For one thing, it took up precious room on the front of your device; Id have trouble now swapping my iPhone 16 Plus for a screen the size of the SEs. And it used to go wrong a lot. When I started at Macworld we had an article explaining what to do if your Home button stopped working and it regularly used to get more traffic than anything else.More importantly, I think society is ready to move on. These days far fewer people, I suspect, would describe themselves as total beginners when it comes to technology. My parents generation all have smartphones and most of them seem to own a tablet too; theyre comfortable with the gestures used to operate a touchscreen device. And some guy who used to be terrified of owning a mobile phone now writes about them for a living. Were ready to manage without the crutch of a Home button, and a lot of the credit for that goes to Apple.FoundryWelcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.Trending: Top storiesiPhone 16e: The e means everything.Or, as a counterpoint: the iPhone 16e is disappointing, and its all Apple Intelligences fault.$699?! Why I cant recommend the iPhone 15 to a single type of customer.Apples political turn is leading it down a sketchy road.Deciding when to buy a Mac is about to get a lot easier.Could Apple take on Nvidia with a standalone graphics card?Someone hacked a Windows Phone to run iOS.Podcast of the weekTheres a new iPhone in town! Apple has released the iPhone 16e and we have all the details on the latest episode of the Macworld Podcast!You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast onSpotify,Soundcloud, thePodcasts app, orour own site.Reviews cornerHades 2 review: Now with native support for M-series Macs.Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi review: Good sound, many weaknesses.Logitech MX Creative Console review: Dream toolkit for creatives.Alogic Edge 34 and 40 Ultrawide QHD Monitor review: One monitor to match two.Got Bag Pro Pack review: Sustainability meets functionality.Software updates, bugs, and problemsGet ready to be annoyed: Apple wants to put ads in Maps.No Camera Control? No problem, your iPhone 15 Pro will soon get Visual Intelligence.iOS 18.4 set for early April release after a lengthy beta delay.And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up forour newsletters, including our new email from The Macalopean irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow usonFacebook,Threads,Bluesky, orXfor discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.

MacworldThe Apple ecosystem enables a lot of great interactions, but theres one thing we cant doaccess our Macs on our iPads and iPhones. We can share files, sync email, and share photos, but we cant just log into a virtual version of our Mac on our other devices.If you buy one of Oppos new Find N5 foldable phones, however, youll be able to do just that. Using Oppos O+ Connect for iOS and macOS, you can work remotely on your Mac no matter where you are. You can use it full screen on your phone like a tablet or fold it in half to bring up a keyboard and use it like a miniature laptop.According to The Verge, the software includes multi-touch gestures as well as a clunky mouse cursor and some buttons that recreate common keyboard shortcuts. Not a perfect experience, perhaps. But if youve ever wanted to access your Macs desktop on your phone while on the road, this is the first and only way to do it. The image above of someone using a ridiculously small keyboard as if it were a MacBook is a little outlandish, but the idea is still intriguing.Apple introduced a similar feature in reverse with macOS 15 last fall with iPhone Mirroring. Instead of accessing their Mac on an iPhone, users can access their iPhones screen on their Mac when both are connected to the same network. Its not hard to imagine it expanding to remote access in macOS 16, nor is it unrealistic to think Apple could make a similar system for accessing your Mac on an iPad Pro.With persistent rumors that Apple is working on a foldable device, this is a feature that Mac users would absolutely love. With Apple unlikely to ever add touch support to the MacBook, the ability to run a virtualization of their Mac desktop on their iPhone is an appealing alternative. But if you dont want to wait until 2027, go grab yourself a Find N5 and try it out right now.

MacworldNothing might be worse than paying a recurring fee for iCloudor getting a storage limit notification and having to upgrade and pay even more each month. Why notown your cloud storage for life? Instead of paying a $10 subscription monthly, you could pay $89 once and have FileJump forever.With this plan, youll get 2TB of cloud storage thats actually yours forever. The biggest difference is that FileJump wont seamlessly integrate with your iOS devices like iCloud, but thats not a big deal, considering youre getting $10 back in your wallet every month.Use thedrag-and-drop feature to upload your images, videos, and files under 15GB. All your content will be stored with secure AES encryption as well, so you can rest easy knowing your media and data are protected.And unlike other lifetime cloud storage plans, FileJump even has mobile and desktop apps to complete the experience. You can conveniently see file previews for images, videos, and spreadsheets.Ditch the cloud storage fees this year withFileJumps 2TB lifetime subscription, now just $89.FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $89Get It HereStackSocialprices subject to change.

MacworldRemember how your parents used to tell you that gaming would rot your brain? They may have had a point, but they definitely couldnt predict that one day, there would actually be kids games that would be good for their brains.Meet Pok Pok, the award-winning Montessori app thats filled withgames designed to stimulate your kids creativity, learning, and independence. Grab lifetime access while its only $59.99 (reg. $250).Instead of stressing about them bingingPeppa PigorBluey, have your kid play games instead. These low-stimulusMontessori-inspired gamescould keep your kid from throwing a temper tantrum, all while growing their problem-solving, language, and STEM skills.Your kids digital playroom is full of possibilities. Want to spark their creativity and imagination? Have them play mix-and-match dress-up. Are they more interested in the moon and outer space? The space section can help them dive into the wonders of the galaxy.Since these games are fully open-ended, your kid can feel empowered to explore their interests and discover new topics without running into any rules or overly competitive play. Its a win-win for kids and parents.Grow your kids mind withlifetime access to Pok Poks educational games, now just $59.99 for a little while longer.Pok Pok: Lifetime SubscriptionOnly $59.99 at MacworldStackSocialprices subject to change.

MacworldYoull often hear people complain that Apples luxury gadgets are too expensive for them. If theyre talking about a $1,599 iPhone 16 Pro Max or a $2,299 iPad Pro, then this point of view is understandable. But strictly speaking, even the most expensive of Apples Pro devices are premium products, not luxury. Theres a big difference.Want to see a real luxury product? How about an $8,900 Gucci jacket. Or a $10,000 Dior bag. Or a $17,000 Apple Watch. Real luxury is about exclusivity and as much about the number of people who dont buy your product. But with more than 200 million iPhones sold per year, the luxury niche tag is simply no longer applicable to Apple. Take the new $599 iPhone 16e. Its a solid but spartanly equipped smartphone with an older design and only one camera (which doesnt offer a real optical zoom, no matter how often Apple claims this). The 16e is not a luxury product. Its part of a growing group of Apple devices that are meant to appeal to a mass market looking for a good-looking product at a decent price. Its J. Crew, not Cartier.Of all Apples products, only a handfulthe iPad Pro, Mac Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Maxcan truly be described as premium. In addition to Apples brand image and good design, the iPhone Pro and iPad Pro offer exceptional performance and ease of use. And the video professional or app developer who spends big on a Mac Pro can be sure they will get high stability and first-class hardware in return. But its hard to find luxury in a product that essentially offers the same experience as one costing thousands less.The iPad Pro and Mac Pro are some of the few premium products Apple still makes.Thiago Trevisan/FoundryIs Apple still a premium manufacturer?Apple launches more and more affordable products every year. Although these are first-class products, they are aimed more at the mass market and are significantly cheaper than other Apple products.The M4 Mac mini is often available for under its $599/599 MSRP. Even at full price, this is an excellent deal, but despite its many strengths, this is hardly a premium computer.The Apple Watch SE isnt a luxury smartwatch, nor can it even be described as premium compared to the Apple Watch Series 10. But you can pick one up for as little as $199/189. Its primarily intended for younger family members who are joining the Apple world at an early age.A colorful HomePod mini is available for just $99, $250 less than the classic HomePod. This cute smart speaker has its charms even if audio quality is relatively weak at the bass end.The current Apple TV delivers a first-class home cinema experience, voice control, and intuitive remote control for $129.AirPods 4 offer AirPods Pro-level sound quality with ANC for $179.At $349 (and often on sale), the 10th-gen iPad is clearly targeted at budget buyers. It costs nearly a thousand dollars less than the 13-inch iPad Pro.Apple had to make a decision years ago. Should it remain a pure premium manufacturer, a kind of Porsche among consumer tech manufacturers, by offering only the best to people willing to pay for it? This would have been risky because it would mean the survival of the company hangs on the success of a very small number of high-priced products. (As an illustration of these risks, mistakes in product development are currently causing the aforementioned German sports car manufacturer serious difficulties.) So Apple chose a different path.The iPhone 16e is another product aimed at a mass market, not a luxury one.FoundryLess luxury, more shipmentsApple has evidently decided to become a mass manufacturer offering a wide range of products catering to all income brackets. Premium devices such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max may deliver the biggest profit margin, but less profitable devices such as the iPhone 16e ensure a large number of users. This in turn leads to strong revenue through services such as iCloud+, AppleCare+, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and, last but not least, the App Store. Even growth regions such as India cannot be conquered with premium devices alone.A broad customer base brings another benefit: economies of scale. The larger the turnover, the higher the number of shipments, the more advantages you gain in areas such as development and marketing. It makes little economic sense to develop your own iPhone CPUs and operating systems for a few customers. But if you sell 230 million smartphones a year, you can negotiate completely different conditions with companies like TSMC.Its possible that this strategic shift will have consequences: Apple could find that the premium portion of its brand diminishes in the coming years as people choose value over premium. But I would bet Apple will be just fine with that.

MacworldConsider this your VIP pass to the inner circle ofChatGPT mastery. Sure, you know how to get the chatbot to write an email for you, but how about making it your personal assistant for virtually everything else?Theres not much itcantdoits all about knowing how to sweet-talk the bot. Its an art form. Need some help? Many people are getting this e-degree that shows you how to use ChatGPT, and its on sale for $19.97 (reg. $790) for a limited time. You can put the certificate on your resume afterward, too, to prove youre an AI pro.With over 25 hours of content spread across twelve lectures, youll learn how to master conversations with ChatGPT. Right now, youre probably entering random words and hoping for good results, but these strategies will help you get exquisite outputs every timeand avoid those annoying bot-like tendencies the tool has.You might also discover new ways of using ChatGPT for work, including research, brainstorming, content creation, data analysis, coding, meeting prep, customer service support, and more.Unlock new ChatGPT tips with thisChatGPT e-degree, now $19.97 (reg. $790) until March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed for this price drop.ChatGPT & Automation E-Degree $19.97See DealStackSocialprices subject to change.

MacworldMicrosoft 365 isnt the only way toget Microsoft apps onto your Mac. Its not even the cheapest way. Instead of paying monthly for your Microsoft 365 subscription, see if a one-time payment for a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business is a better fit. Its on sale for $79.97, down 63% from its regular price of $219 until March 30.This lifetime license comes withWord, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, Excel, and Outlook, and theres no limit to how much you can use them or how long you can have them.Unlike Microsoft 365, this is not a subscription service but a one-time purchase, allowing installation on one Mac with a lifetime license. Users gain the benefit of continuous access to these essential tools without the need for ongoing payments. Your budget gets a break, and you dont have to learn any new apps.Pay just once for a lifetime of productivity.Through March 30, get a2021 Microsoft Office Home and Business lifetime license for Macfor $79.97.Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $79.97See DealStackSocialprices subject to change.

MacworldIf youre always losing your keys and wallet, want to make sure you know where your luggage is when youre at the airport, and so on, then this four-pack of AirTags will make your life so much easier. Theyre pretty inexpensive normally, but this Amazon sale makes them a downright bargain: You can get a 4-pack of AIrTags for $70 today, a savings of $29, and the lowest price weve ever seen.We love these tiny Bluetooth trackers and gave them a four-star rating when we reviewed them a while back. We found they have an excellent design and theyre super easy to set up and track with the Find My network. Another thing we really appreciate is the fact that you can swap out the battery to change it up when its time. When these trackers are within range, you can track their location on the map. If you have an iPhone with an ultra-wideband chip youll be able to pinpoint the location or you can get them to make a sound when youre nearby.When out of Bluetooth range, your items can still be tracked as long using the vast FindMy network. Since the tags are IP67 water- and dust-resistant, it wont even matter if you drop your keys in the park. And with separation alerts, your phone will get you know when youre about to leave something behind.So go get yourself some peace of mind with four AirTags for $70 at Amazon because this deal wont stick around forever.That's $17.5 for an AirTagBuy now at Amazon

MacworldiOS 18.4 is destined to be a big release. The headline feature of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, and the various AI features have been rolling out piece by piece. After getting no major new AI features in iOS 18.3, Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to many more countries in iOS 18.4 as well as a new deviceVision Pro.However, the anticipated Siri update has to wait. There are several big Siri updates coming, including personal context, app intents, and screen reading, but theyre missing from the first iOS 18.4 beta. Instead, Apple says Apple Intelligence will receive additional features in the coming months, including expanded capabilities for Siri. That likely means the whole update has been pushed to iOS 18.5.The iOS 18.4 beta began on February 21 and we expect the final release in early April.Whats new in iOS 18.4Well update this section with the features and changes found in the latest iOS 18.4 beta, as they are found. Apple Intelligence languages: Including Simplified Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanishalong with localized English for Singapore and India.Apple Intelligence regions: With iOS 18.4, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will gain access to Apple Intelligence features for the first time.Prioritize Notifications: Apple Intelligence will attempt to show notifications that may be important in a separate section on the lock screen. Go to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications to enable.Apple Intelligence for Vision Pro: Apple is bringing Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro for English-speaking users in the U.S. with the visionOS 2.4 update.Apple Vision Pro app: iOS 18.4 brings a new iPhone app that offers users a new way to download Vision Pro apps and games from the App Store on your iPhone, as well as browse Apple TV content and access your library of spatial photos and videos. It only shows up if you have a Vision Pro associated with the same Apple ID.Food in News+: A new section in Apple News+ for curated recipes, restaurant reviews, and curated stories about food and dining.iOS 18.4: How to install the developer betaYoull need to be registered as an Apple developer. Beginning with iOS 18.4, you dont need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app:Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.Open the app.Tap on Account.Sign in using your usual Apple ID.Registered developers can choose to get the Public Beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the Software Update screen. It may take a little time after registering as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates.iOS 18.4: How to install the public betaIf you want to be among the first to test iOS 18.4, you can sign up for the public beta test, which should arrive in late February. The process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Heres how the new process works now:Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.Log in to the Beta Software Program.Click Enroll your iOS device.Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 18 superguide.

MacworldEarlier this month, news broke that Apple had been served an order from the U.K. government demanding extraordinary access to its customers cloud data. The order, which was issued secretly and forbids Apple from publicly discussing it, was extraordinary in its scope: The U.K. government demanded the ability to view all Apple customer data stored in the cloud, regardless of location. In no uncertain terms, the U.K. government wanted Apple to build a backdoor to access its cloud encryption, globally. In response to this extraordinary demand, Apple is removing its Advanced Data Protection tool from the U.K.Apple has consistently, and rightly, resisted creating backdoors to its customers data. Data for which Apple holds the encryption key is submitted to law enforcement and other agencies after a lawful request (in the U.S., that means a warrant signed by a judge), but it does not make tools that allow outside agencies to decrypt and access data on its own. Whats more, Apple has worked to make more of your data end-to-end (E2E) encrypted, meaning only the customer has the encryption key and Apple does not have the capability to decode it, even if ordered to.A handful of iCloud services are end-to-end encrypted, but by enabling a tool called Advanced Data Protection (ADP), nearly all iCloud services become so. We have an article that explains the difference between the two encryption methods and shows which services have regular encryption and which are E2E encrypted, both as standard and with ADP enabled.According to the BBC, the Advanced Data Protection feature is being eliminated from the U.K. in response to the governments order. If a new customer tries to enable to feature, they are met with a message stating, Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users. The BBC says the feature will be disabled for existing users at a later date.The UK government did not respond, and would not confirm nor deny the existence of the order that sparked this move. Apples comment to the BBC also did not mention the order or any other compliance steps it may be taking, but said it was gravely disappointed that the feature will no longer be available for UK customers: As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will.Its not clear if Apple has taken any other steps to comply with the demand (as it cannot even acknowledge receiving it, by law), other than taking the extraordinary step of vastly weakening the privacy and security of all its users in the U.K.

MacworldThe shocks just keep on coming. After unveiling the iPhone 16e earlier this week, Apple has now revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro is going to get Visual Intelligence despite not having the Camera Control button normally used to activate it.The clues to this surprise, in fact, were there to be spotted at the 16e launch as that phone is in exactly the same boat. It too does not have a Camera Control button (one of many compromises to keep down the price) yet it will support Visual Intelligence out of the box. If the iPhone 16e can offer this feature, it stands to reason that any handset with the specs to run Apple Intelligence can do likewise. The iPhone 15 Pro obviously did not support Visual Intelligence out of the box, since the feature did not exist at that time. But as reported by John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Visual Intelligence will come to the iPhone 15 Pro in a future software update. Thats almost certain to be iOS 18.4, which is slated for an early April release but hasnt begun beta testing yet.Visual Intelligence is one of the marquee features of Apple Intelligence. Its used to deduce information from visual images: you can point your camera at a pair of headphones, for instance, and Visual Intelligence will do its best to tell you what they are and where you can buy them. It can identify plants and animals, summarize text, create Calendar events from flyers, and get information about businesses from a glance at their frontage. You activate it by pressing and holding the Camera Control at least, thats how you activate it for now. We dont yet know how it will work on the iPhones 16e and 15 Pro.For all the latest information about Apples AI features and when they will roll out in your country, check out our Apple Intelligence megaguide.Apple iPhone 15 ProRead our reviewBest Prices Today:1.049,90 at Smartport | 1.196,00 at Boomstore