In episode 83 of the Overtime podcast, hosts Fernando Silva and Jeff Benjamin discuss Apple's rumored screenless fitness tracker and why it appeals to them. Silva also recounts hands-on impressions of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4, while the pair note disappointing findings on aftermarket SSD upgrades for the M6 Mac mini.
A hands-on review of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro finds the design largely unchanged from the iPhone 17 Pro, with the main additions being a variable aperture camera system, a new chip, improved battery life and better thermal management that keeps the phone cooler under load. The reviewer notes Apple is reserving bolder design experiments for other models like the iPhone Air and the new iPhone Duo.
Amazon has expanded its early fall Prime Day promotions with a $50 discount on the new M5 Max Mac Studio, AirPods Pro 3 at $199 (down from $249), and Powerbeats Pro 2 at $50 off. Additional deals include a two-pack of Beats USB-C cables for $14, a 60% price cut on the Ring Battery Doorbell 2K to $40, and discounts on iPhone 18 Pro cases and chargers.
Apple's native camera app limits the iPhone 18 Pro's variable-aperture main camera to four fixed settings (f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4), even in Auto mode. Third-party apps BlackMagic Camera and Moment Pro Camera II have both added support for the aperture hardware with 10 presets in 1/3-stop increments, offering finer control than Apple's own app. BlackMagic's version 3.5 was initially reported as buggy but has since been updated to 3.5.1 with stability fixes.
Details and images found in Apple's own code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris suggest Apple is preparing a HomePod mini 2 in new muted color options, an iPad mini 8 with a repositioned front camera and A20 Pro chip, and an updated Apple TV 4K that looks similar to its predecessor. The leak follows Apple's recent launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and folding iPhone Duo.
Amazon has brought back clearance pricing on Apple Watch Ultra 3 Milanese Loop models, offering both Black and Natural Titanium versions at $699.97, down $199 from their $899 list price. The same roundup also lists a $150 discount on Apple's 24GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, renewed launch pricing on the 24GB M6 Mac mini, nearly 20% off the Magic Keyboard, and a $7.50 Beats USB-C cable, alongside a $50 discount on AirPods Pro 3.
A 9to5Mac writer who switched from an iPhone Air to the iPhone 18 Pro reports that the newer Pro model offers superior cameras, longer battery life, and faster performance powered by the A20 Pro chip. The reviewer also notes the vapor chamber prevents overheating issues previously experienced with the Air, and cites more responsive Siri AI performance.
Apple has told 9to5Mac it will release a software update early next week for iPhone, addressing a bug that causes some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units to restart after a failed Face ID attempt. Traffic analytics on 9to5Mac and MacRumors had already flagged references to iOS 27.0.1 before Apple's confirmation.
Apple has told 9to5Mac that a software update addressing a bug causing iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units to freeze and reboot after failed Face ID attempts will arrive early next week. The issue, tied to obscured-face authentication attempts, was widely reported by users and reproduced by 9to5Mac on the new under-screen Face ID design.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is now available, featuring a variable aperture camera, new Pro Controls for shutter speed adjustments, and an internal redesign with a larger vapor chamber for cooling. Its foldable iPhone Duo, set to launch October 23, has a passport-style folding design with a 7.6-inch inner screen but only two rear cameras and no variable aperture, starting at $1,999 versus $1,199 for the 18 Pro.
Amazon is now selling Black and Natural Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 3 models with matching Milanese Loop bands at $699.97, down from the $899 list price. The retailer says this is the lowest price ever recorded for these configurations, which previously hadn't dropped below $749. The discount arrives alongside other Apple-related deals including AirPods Pro 3 at $50 off and new Beats 360 ANC headphones.
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, positioned as a step above its previous flagship mobile chipsets. The company is marketing this variant as its most powerful processor yet, aimed squarely at high-end Android devices competing with Apple's upcoming iPhone lineup.