Apple’s high-end Mac laptops, first launched in 2006
A roundup of refurbished iPhones and MacBooks is changing how consumers access premium devices. Retailers stress quality checks and warranties, making refurbished models a viable alternative to new purchases amid ongoing price hikes.
Apple has announced a broader Apple Upgrade program after the existing iPhone Upgrade plan. The program will let customers pay for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches over 12–36 months, with options to keep, upgrade, or return devices. The move comes as Apple faces higher prices and supply-chain pressures linked to memory shortages, and follows its legal battle with OpenAI.
Apple has reported stronger-than-expected Q3 results but warns memory-chip pricing has squeezed margins. The company forecasts 9%-11% revenue growth for the current quarter, below Wall Street expectations of about 12%. Tim Cook is preparing to hand over to John Ternus, with investors watching for supply constraints relief and potential iPhone price moves.
Apple has announced new Mac Mini and Mac Studio devices powered by the M6 family, delivering faster CPU/GPU performance and on-device AI capabilities. Prices rise and release timelines begin this September, with multiple configurations available from August 25 and shipments starting September 22.
Apple has unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen. It launches at $1,999, positioning Apple against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and signaling a potential shift in premium smartphones. The device offers a book-style design, a matte inner display, and an under-display selfie camera, while rivals emphasize their crease-free engineering.
The iPhone Duo and other iPhone models have seen price increases as AI-driven demand for memory chips tightens supply, raising costs across consumer electronics. Analysts note this follows broader price rises in the iPhone lineup and shrinking smartphone volumes globally.
Prime Day discounts on Apple devices have continued, with AirPods Pro 3 and some iPad/MacBook models seeing notable reductions. Deals vary by retailer and model, with stock sometimes limited as the event progresses.
Bloomberg reports Apple plans a broad smart-home strategy centered on a new hub code-named J490. The company will also unveil updates to the HomePod mini and its first new TV set-top box since 2022, signaling a renewed push into connected devices.
Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra and the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark Arm-based chip. The devices are designed to run AI models on-device, with high memory and performance touted, and Windows updates to support local AI tasks. Prices start at $2,599 for the Ultra, with higher configurations and a $5,999 Dev Box.