Top 4 Apple Devices with Questionable Value: What to Avoid Today - Insights

iPhone 16

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Well, it’s like Christmas has come early, and Apple has finally lifted the lid on the long-awaited – and much-leaked – iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, the Apple Watch Series 10 , and new AirPods 4 , so there’s never been a better time to order any of these products.

Also: How Apple just changed hearing aids forever - and the lives of those who need them

The new iPhone 16 models bring significant upgrades, including enhanced AI capabilities and improved hardware features. The next-generation Apple Watches offer feature new health and fitness tracking capabilities, along with a revamped version of watchOS.

However, in an interesting turn of events, rather than updating the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the AirPods Pro , Apple has given this hardware a new lease of life by adding new features such as sleep apnea detection for the Ultra 2 and a clinical hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro.

That leaves some spare money to buy one of those titanium Milanese bands for your Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Also: Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones won’t)

For those in need of tablets for work or that back-to-school frenzy , Apple has addressed – for the most part – the great iPad wasteland, updating the iPad Air with M2 silicon, and fitting the iPad Pro models with its new M4 chip . The iPad now also features an updated price tag – everything else remains the same – so that’s back on the menu, but be aware that you’re still buying hardware released in October 2022.

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Beyond that, Apple’s lineup seems pretty strong, from the M3 MacBook Air systems to the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops powered by the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips (but still no M3 Ultra… yet).

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

The ‘Naughty’ list

Don’t buy these devices:

• iPad Mini: Released in September 2021 , this tablet’s age is worth keeping in mind. Two and a half years is a long time in tech. Would you pay full price for an iPhone 13 , which was released at the same time? No, you wouldn’t.
• iPhone SE: Apple released this handset in March 2022 and rumor has it there won’t be another one. Other rumors say the next one will launch this year, or sometime in 2025. We’ll see.
• Mac Studio: The M2-powered Mac Studio is no longer the beast it was, and given that it’s over a year old and running on previous-generation silicon, I suggest giving it a miss and getting a MacBook Pro instead.
• Apple TV: Last updated in October 2022, this device is due for a refresh, possibly alongside the iPhone, so unless you desperately need a new one, wait a few months.

The ‘Nice’ list

Apple iPhone 16

iPhone 16

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

From a Camera Control button, an Action button, and the new A18 chipset , the iPhone 16 has been built from the ground up to handle AI workloads.

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Series 10

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular. It comes in three colors: jet black, rose gold, and silver aluminum. The new black Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799.

Apple M3 MacBook Air

Apple MacBook Air M3

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Apple’s MacBook Air has an M3 chip – more oomph to tackle heavier-duty AI tasks.

Review: M3 MacBook Air: Apple’s AI computer for the masses has arrived

Along with the updated processor, this MacBook Air can also power two external monitors with the lid closed, making it a great desktop replacement – just add two screens!

With prices for the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air starting at $1,099 , and the 15-inch version starting at $200 more , these systems represent some serious processing power for an extremely competitive price (especially when you consider these are Apple laptops).

Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro on a stand

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Apple’s newest product is the company’s foray into mixed-reality spatial computing.

Also: 10 reasons the Apple Vision Pro is secretly brilliant

It’s hard to bet against Apple, but a futuristic set of goggles with a starting price of $3,499 doesn’t feel like the easiest thing to sell. Still, Apple is Apple, and if any company can convince consumers to part with large sums of cash (and developers to create apps for a new platform that could fall flat on its face), it’s Apple.

Apple Vision Pro View now at Apple

Apple 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro

This lineup of MacBooks has the entire lineup of M3 chips – from the powerful M3 to the insanely powerful M3 Max . Here are the specs:

• Powered by the M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max chips
• Up to 22 hours of battery life
• 8GB to 128GB of unified memory
• 512GB to 8TB of SSD storage
• Liquid Retina XDR display
• Ports galore, with up to three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, an HDMI port, a MagSafe 3 port, and a headphone jack

Also: M3 MacBook Pro buying advice: Who it’s really for (and who should stick with M2 MacBook Air)

2023 M3-powered MacBook Pro View now at Apple

Apple’s 24-inch iMac

Apple refreshed the iMac in October 2023 , and while it has the same 24-inch, 4.5K Retina display, it received the M3 chip upgrade. Here are the highlights:

• Apple M3 chip (no M3 Pro or M3 Max option)
• 24-inch 4.5K Retina display
• 8GB to 24GB of unified memory
• 512GB to 2TB of SSD storage
• Super-thin all-in-one desktop
• Seven vibrant colors

Also: Apple’s M3 iMac disappoints 27-inch display devotees, but does anyone really need that?

Apple iMac 24-inch View now at Apple

2nd-gen AirPods Pro (now with USB-C)

Christina Darby/ZDNET

The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) offers a major upgrade over the previous model, giving Apple’s premium buds a massive lead over the competition. Apple has now refreshed the charging case to use USB-C rather than Lightning – great if you have a new iPhone, but yet another cable or dongle to carry if not. Here are the highlights:

• Active Noise Cancellation reduces unwanted background noise
• Adaptive Transparency lets outside sounds in while reducing loud environmental noise
• Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places the sound all around you
• Multiple ear tips (XS, S, M, L)
• Touch control lets you swipe to adjust volume, press to direct media playback, answer or end calls, and press and hold to switch between listening modes
• Sweat- and water-resistant for AirPods Pro and charging case
• MagSafe Charging Case with a speaker and a lanyard loop
• USB-C charging

And soon, your AirPods Pro earbuds will be able to function as clinical-grade hearing aids , bringing better hearing to tens of millions of people and disrupting the hearing aids market.

Also: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) review: Two major upgrades, tamed by one familiar flaw

2nd Gen AirPods Pro $189.99 at Best Buy

Apple AirTag

CNET

Apple’s AirTags are the perfect gift for someone who constantly loses things. You can add them to your luggage , attach them to your bike , your remote , or even your moving boxes -- the possibilities are endless.

Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you

Well-made, robust, and with a replaceable battery, these will make misplaced keys or lost wallet things of the past.

Apple

Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)

M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?

Why you shouldn’t buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence

I uncovered 8 cool ways to use LiDAR on an iPhone and iPad

• Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)
• M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?
• Why you shouldn’t buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence
• I uncovered 8 cool ways to use LiDAR on an iPhone and iPad

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