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A Full Apple Ecosystem Now Costs Less Than a MacBook Pro

2026-04-24 01:00:00

Apple's entire entry-level product lineup now costs less than a single 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip.


The ten products that now define Apple's lowest-cost tier are as follows:


  • iPhone 17e: $599

  • MacBook Neo: $599

  • iPad (11th generation): $349

  • Magic Keyboard Folio: $249

  • Apple Pencil (USB-C): $79

  • Apple Watch SE 3: $249

  • AirPods 4: $129

  • Apple TV 4K: $129

  • HomePod mini: $99

  • AirTag: $29



The total comes to $2,510, which is $189 less than the $2,699 starting price of the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M5 Pro chip. AppleCare One, which can cover any three Apple devices of the buyer's choosing, costs an additional $19.99 per month.

The MacBook Neo, announced on March 4, is the linchpin of the shift. At $599, it is Apple's most affordable laptop ever and the first Mac to contain an A-series chip, using the A18 Pro that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro. After its March 11 launch, Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple saw its "best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers."

The iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo, both at $599, anchor the lineup at an identical price point that would have seemed implausible just two years ago, when the cheapest Mac laptop cost $999.

What is striking about today's lineup is how capable most of Apple's entry-level products have become relative to their more expensive siblings. The iPhone 17e uses the same A19 chip and 48-megapixel main camera as the $799 iPhone 17, differing meaningfully only in its slightly smaller 60Hz display, single rear camera, and notch design. The ‌MacBook Neo‌'s A18 Pro chip posts a single-core score of 3,461, within 6% of the M5 MacBook Air, and is highly capable for everyday tasks. The Apple Watch SE 3 shares the same S10 chip as the $399 Series 11 and, with its last refresh, gained an always-on display, sleep apnea detection, body temperature sensing, and fast charging. The notable exception in the lineup is the entry-level iPad, which is the only current Apple device that does not support Apple Intelligence.

It is also notable that three of the eleven products on the list are also due for imminent replacements. The 12th generation ‌iPad‌ with an A18 chip and Apple Intelligence support is said to be "ready to go" and "still coming this year." The next Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to gain faster chips, along with Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Thread support. All three devices have reportedly been ready for release since last year, primarily held up by the delayed arrival of a more capable version of Siri.

Overall, Apple's entry-level lineup arguably never seems to have been stronger or more affordable.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

This article, "A Full Apple Ecosystem Now Costs Less Than a MacBook Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Lowers Savings Account Rate for Apple Card Users

2026-04-23 23:07:45

The interest rate on Apple Card's savings account was today lowered from 3.65% to 3.50%.


Push notifications regarding the cut were sent to ‌Apple Card‌ users on Thursday. Savings account interest rates often fluctuate with changes made by the Federal Reserve, and when rates are lowered, banks cut their annual percentage yield (APY). That said, today's cut doesn't appear tied to a specific Federal Reserve move.

Apple introduced its savings account in April 2023, partnering with Goldman Sachs. Designed for ‌Apple Card‌ holders, the account is exclusively available to U.S. residents aged 18 and above. It can be managed through the iPhone's Wallet app, offering a user-friendly experience with no fees, minimum deposits, or balance requirements.

The account allows users to earn interest on their Daily Cash cashback balance, as well as on funds transferred from linked bank accounts or Apple Cash balances. Initially capped at $250,000, the maximum balance has since been increased to $1,000,000.

In January 2026, JPMorgan Chase reached a deal to take over operation of the Apple Card, with the transition expected to take approximately two years.

Alongside its new Apple Card partnership, JPMorgan Chase will reportedly launch a new Apple savings account, but existing users with Apple savings accounts at Goldman Sachs will not be automatically transitioned and will need to decide whether they want to stay at Goldman Sachs or open new accounts with Chase. Apple has a FAQ about the transition.


This article, "Apple Lowers Savings Account Rate for Apple Card Users" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Tim Cook Calls Apple Maps Launch His 'First Really Big Mistake' as CEO

2026-04-23 20:27:06

Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook has named the botched 2012 launch of Apple Maps as his "first really big mistake" in the role, according to a Bloomberg report covering the town hall meeting that was held Tuesday with his recently announced successor, John Ternus.


The Maps app launched with mislabeled landmarks, faulty directions, and a user experience that fell well short of Google Maps at the time. "The product wasn't ready, and we thought it was because we were testing more of local kind of stuff," Cook told staff.

Reflecting on the debacle, Cook said it was "valuable," noting that he expressed regret to users at the time and suggested they use competing navigation apps instead.

From the report:

"We apologized for it, and we said, 'Go use these other apps. They're better than ours.' And that was some humble pie," Cook said. "But it was the right thing for our users. And so it's an example of keeping the user at the center of the decisions that we made."

Cook added: "Now we've got the best map app on the planet. We learned about persistence, and we did exactly the right thing having made the mistake."
The fallout led to the first major management shake-up of Cook's tenure, with software chief Scott Forstall – a close Steve Jobs collaborator – pushed out in the aftermath. (Fun fact: Forstall was recently invited back to Apple Park to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.)

On the bright side, Cook singled out the Apple Watch and its expanding health features as the work he's most proud of. He recalled receiving his first note from a user whose life had been saved by the device. "It caused me to just stop in my steps," he said.

Cook conceded that his list of mistakes would be "extraordinary in length" (the never-released AirPower charging mat and Apple's abandoned car project would surely be high up there) but the CEO has successfully avoided the kind of product recalls and cancellations that have plagued other consumer device companies over the last 15 years.

Cook became CEO in August 2011 and hands over the reins to Ternus, currently chief of hardware engineering, on September 1, 2026.
This article, "Tim Cook Calls Apple Maps Launch His 'First Really Big Mistake' as CEO" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Latest iPhone 18 Pro Max Dummies Suggest Thicker Camera Plateau, More Protruding Lenses

2026-04-23 20:04:05

Apple is expected to bring several camera enhancements to the iPhone 18 Pro models this year, but there have been no fixed rumors suggesting these upgrades will require measurable, visible changes to the device's rear camera plateau. And yet a new series of dummies suggests exactly that.

iPhone 17 Pro dummy (left) vs. iPhone 18 Pro (image: Vadim Yuryev)

YouTube channel Max Tech's Vadim Yuryev recently shared images of dummy units for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max – as well as Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. Dummy units are typically created by third-party case makers based on information that leaks out of Apple's partner factories.

Yuryev says the dummy units have "much thicker cameras... The black glass on the cameras protrudes a bit more too." He also says the camera plateau itself is "a bit thicker" than on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and he provided the above image for comparison. The silver unit is the iPhone 18 Pro Max dummy, while the blue is an iPhone 17 Pro Max dummy. Other than the rear triple lens camera system, the two device's dimensions are said to be extremely similar – same thickness, but a slight height (.36mm) and width (.39mm) increase on the 18 Pro Max unit.

Yuryev says he stands by the accuracy of the iPhone 18 Pro dummies, claiming they should be "spot on" like the iPhone 17 Pro dummy units he received last year, presumably from the same source – which we believe to be Sonny Dickson.

The Main camera in the iPhone 18 Pro could have a variable aperture, which would provide users with more control over how their photos look. iPhone users would be able to manually adjust how much light gets to the sensor, cutting down on overexposure and providing new customization options for lighting and depth of field.

The Telephoto lens in the iPhone 18 Pro models could also feature a larger aperture, allowing for more light in poor lighting conditions.

At least one of the iPhone 18 Pro models could also feature a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung. The advanced image sensor would make the camera more responsive, plus it could cut down on noise, increase dynamic range, and more.

Will any of these upgrades necessitate a larger camera module? Theoretically, but no leak has explicitly said the lenses on either 18 Pro model will stick out more or that the camera plateau will get thicker. It's especially surprising given that the industry is actively targeting flat or near-flush camera systems in future devices, but Apple could well be taking a different tack.

We'll know for sure when the devices arrive around mid-September alongside the company's first foldable iPhone.

Update: Since this story was published, Yuryev has shared some more comparative dimensions: The total thickness of the iPhone 18 Pro Max including camera plateau is said to be 11.54mm (vs. 11.23mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max), while total thickness including camera lens bumps is 13.77mm (vs. 12.92mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max).
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

This article, "Latest iPhone 18 Pro Max Dummies Suggest Thicker Camera Plateau, More Protruding Lenses" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Maps Gains Immersive 3D Experience of Miami F1 Grand Prix

2026-04-23 19:20:28

Apple Maps has updated its "2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World" guide with a dedicated experience for the Miami F1 Gran Prix, which takes place on May 3 and will be streamed exclusively on Apple TV in the United States.


The guide offers an immersive way to explore F1 circuits. It began with Albert Park in Australia, with more 3D circuit experiences to be added as the season progresses.

The Miami experience adds detailed features at key locations in Miami International Autodrome circuit. As spotted by 9to5Mac, there are 3D landmarks for things like grandstands, The Marina, the Pit Building, the Finish Line, and more. The area also includes technical information about the circuit, along with local gates, race entrances, bridges, restrooms, and water stations.

There are also some guides for fans attending the race, such as "A Local's Guide to Miami F1 Race Week" for dining and shopping recommendations, and "Hyperlocal F1 Miami Race Week Spots," for identifying prime viewing locations close to the track.

The 2026 F1 season kicked off in Australia on March 8. Last October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership including exclusive streaming rights in the U.S. The partnership allows ‌Apple TV‌ to provide comprehensive coverage of Formula 1, including all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix.


This article, "Apple Maps Gains Immersive 3D Experience of Miami F1 Grand Prix" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Here's How the iPhone Ultra Compares to Other Apple Devices

2026-04-23 18:39:11

With dummy models of Apple's rumored foldable iPhone now circulating, YouTube channel Max Tech's Vadim Yuryev has shared images and video of the book-style form factor compared to existing Apple devices, giving us a better idea of what to expect when it launches later this year.


The foldable iPhone's inner display is said to have a 4:3 aspect ratio like an iPad, and it will have an iPad mini-sized OLED display when it's opened up. Most rumors say it will be 5.5 inches when closed, and 7.8 inches when open, making it a bit smaller than the 8.3-inch iPad mini (shown behind the dummy in the image above).


Compared to an iPhone 17 Pro Max in landscape orientation, Yurydev says the width of the foldable is basically the same, but it has a 56.9 percent taller display (71 mm vs. 111.5 mm). Yurydev suggests this will provide a more immersive video experience at 16:9 and will be "awesome" for gaming using onscreen controls.


Yurydev also shared a video showing what it might be like to interact with the outer display, which is probably smaller than many people will be expecting. According to The Information, it will measure just 5.3 inches – smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone 13 mini – but that claim is an outlier, whereas most rumors put it at 5.5 inches. Either way, bigger hands may find it takes some getting used to.


Further images give us an idea of the side of the device when folded. A Touch ID-integrated power button and a Camera Control button can be seen set apart on the right side, with volume buttons along the top like the iPad mini. Face ID is not expected to feature because of space constraints, while Apple apparently sees Camera Control as a key feature for the device, enabling users to maintain a steady grip while making any required adjustments, or do so one-handed if they wish.

Note the raised camera bump or "plateau" that does not span across the entire back of the device. It houses a two-lens camera system, rather than three, which is expected.


Yurydev says his dummy unit is exactly 11mm thick when it's closed. That contrasts with rumors suggesting the foldable could be around 9mm to 9.5mm when closed. Yurydev stands by the accuracy of his dummy, saying it should be "spot on" like last year's iPhone 17 Pro units. Yurydev did not disclose the thickness of the unit when open, but if it is 4.5mm as some rumors claim, the foldable iPhone will be Apple's thinnest device by far.



Apple is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models (shown above), whose dimensions are expected to remain identical to the iPhone 17 Pro series, albeit with a smaller Dynamic Island and – based on these dummies – a potentially thicker camera plateau with lenses that protrude more. Apple may call its first foldable "iPhone Ultra," according to an oft-reliable Chinese leaker.
This article, "Here's How the iPhone Ultra Compares to Other Apple Devices" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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