GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple released iOS 27.0.1, addressing a problem where iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max devices could unexpectedly restart when Face ID failed to authenticate. The update also fixes a photo color artifact affecting some iPhone 18 Pro cameras and resolves a touchscreen freeze that occurred when Notification Center and Control Center were opened together. Apple also released iPadOS 27.0.1 with general bug fixes.
A cost comparison examines whether leasing a new iPhone annually or buying and trading it in is cheaper for people who upgrade every year. Using Apple's current trade-in offers as a proxy for next year's values, buying and trading an iPhone 18 Pro would cost about $414 net versus $600 for a 12-month lease, saving roughly $186. The analysis also lists the trade-in value each model would need to hit for buying to beat leasing, based on today's Apple trade-in rates.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro is expected to largely follow the design language used since the iPhone X in 2017, with incremental yearly changes. Reports suggest that next year's 20th-anniversary iPhone will introduce a significant redesign, potentially moving toward a single-slab-of-glass design, though it remains unclear whether this will be a standalone model or the next Pro flagship.
Apple has released new Silicone and TechWoven cases with MagSafe for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, in colors including Burgundy, Mulberry, Chambray Blue and Black, priced at $49 and $59. Third-party brands such as ESR, Spigen, Nomad and Burton Goods have also released their own case lines, with ESR debuting a Vegan Leather Magnetic Case featuring a built-in zinc alloy stand, and budget options starting at $14.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a variable-aperture 48-megapixel main camera that can switch between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, unlike the fixed f/1.78 lens on last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The new models also add manual controls for shutter speed and white balance, an on-screen histogram, rear-camera Cinematic mode video up to 4K/60fps, and a feature called Apple Reference Image that stores sensor-signed RAW data alongside processed photos. Ultra Wide and Telephoto camera specs remain unchanged from the prior generation.
A week after Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launched with new colors like Glacier, Burgundy and Deep Black, a 9to5Mac reviewer tested numerous third-party cases and shared personal favorites. Highlighted picks include Pitaka's ultra-thin Edge case, made of aramid fiber at 20g and 1mm thick with MagSafe magnets, priced at $59, and Nomad's Sport Case, which offers a soft-touch exterior, metal buttons and microfiber lining for everyday protection.
Engadget published a monthly review roundup covering Apple products released after Labor Day, alongside the return of Sonos. The lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro with upgraded cameras, the Apple Watch Series 12 with expanded health tracking and unreleased audio features, revamped AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation on both models, and updated Mac mini and Mac Studio units with new chips at higher prices.
Developer Matt Birchler tested Apple's iPhone 18 Pro's A20 Pro chip for thermal throttling during transcription benchmarks, finding speeds dropped from a peak of 447.9 words per second to about 320 after several runs. He then placed a cold can of La Croix sparkling water on the back of the phone during a 20-run benchmark session and recorded a 25% improvement in sustained performance compared to the uncooled test.
Apple maintains a Dimensional Drawings section within the Accessories area of its developer website, offering precise technical schematics for 96 devices. The library covers current and recent hardware including iPhones, Apple Watch models, AirPods, MacBooks, the Siri Remote, AirTag, and Vision Pro accessories like its ZEISS Optical Inserts. Each drawing details exact measurements for buttons, cameras, sensors, speakers, connectors, and keepout zones where certain materials must be avoided.
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.